Chen Mo agreed with a nod. Master Lian’s face broke into a wide smile, eyes gleaming with approval.

  “Good. Very smart,” Master Lian said, his voice carrying a rare warmth. “Remember, only smart people survive in this world. Raw power is important, but clearly not enough.”

  Chen Mo inclined his head respectfully. “It’s all thanks to your guidance, Master Lian.”

  Master Lian chuckled, shaking his head. “You have a way with words—not like some bumpkin from a remote village. Are you literate?”

  “I was fortunate enough to be taught by an old scholar back in my village,” Chen Mo replied calmly.

  Master Lian’s smile widened. “No wonder… that will make things easier for you.” He moved to his office drawer and retrieved a small, worn booklet, handing it carefully to Chen Mo. “This,” he said, placing it in Chen Mo’s hands, “is the Silver Crane Skin Refining Method. It includes the necessary medicinal baths and recovery pills you will need.”

  Chen Mo accepted it with both hands, feeling the weight not only of the booklet but of the responsibility and opportunity it represented.

  Chen Mo carefully opened the booklet, the pages crisp yet worn from frequent use. The first few sections detailed the Silver Crane Skin Refining Method, its postures, breathing techniques, and the precise flow of qi and blood he would need to cultivate.

  His eyes widened as he flipped through the next sections, which included diagrams for the medicinal baths, explanations of the herbs, and instructions for recovery pills. Every detail was precise, leaving little room for error. He traced the illustrations with his finger, imagining the flow of qi through his limbs, recalling the fiery sensation from his recent breakthrough.

  “This… this is exactly what I needed,” Chen Mo murmured inwardly. He could feel a surge of anticipation—finally, a method that could turn his scattered experience and raw talent into true skill. Every month of training in the outer yard, every bowl of body-nourishing soup, every careful hunt for resources—it all led to this.

  He paused at a section detailing the stages of skin refining, realizing that while he had mastered the Silver Crane stance and sensed his qi, he was still far from fully circulating it or achieving the true power the method promised. A smile crept onto his face. “The foundation is set. Now it’s time to build.”

  Chen Mo carefully closed the booklet, storing it in his satchel. Today marked a new beginning—no longer just a youth in the outer courtyard, but a formal disciple with the knowledge and means to truly advance. The path ahead was demanding, but for the first time, he felt fully equipped to walk it.

  Master Lian leaned back slightly, watching Chen Mo’s eyes follow every line of the booklet. His voice carried calm authority as he began.

  “Cultivation is a difficult process. It requires patience and, above all, resources. Skin Refining is simple in principle—it is about guiding qi and blood through predetermined meridians to grind and refine the skin effectively. Yet simple as it may appear, the process is long and painful. One must proceed carefully. Medicinal baths are essential to accelerate progress; you will need two to three per week, each costing ten taels of silver. Recovery pills are equally necessary, to be taken once every three days. They are cheaper—three taels per pill—but neglect them and even minor injuries from the refining process will accumulate, hindering future breakthroughs.”

  He paused, his gaze drifting briefly as if recalling his own struggles. “Even with sufficient resources, bottlenecks are the true obstacle. Every minor bottleneck is a hurdle; major ones can halt even the most talented cultivators. Take the Skin Refining realm for example. It is divided into three stages: the initial Bronze Skin, the middle Copper Skin, and finally the Golden Skin. Progressing from initial to middle requires overcoming minor bottlenecks. With your talent and proper guidance, you will likely face only the major bottleneck before breaking into the Muscle Refining realm. Understand this well—resources aid cultivation, but perseverance and strategy determine whether one survives and excels.”

  Master Lian’s eyes met Chen Mo’s, sharp yet approving. “This is why I recommended you to our faction. You are talented, but only by understanding these principles and preparing yourself will you climb steadily without succumbing to mistakes or shortcuts.

  Chen Mo looked up from the booklet, his brow furrowed slightly. “Master Lian, may I ask… will the school provide the resources I need for cultivation? Or will I have to perform tasks to earn them myself?”

  Master Lian regarded him thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded. “A wise question. Our faction will supply the basic resources required for your Skin Refining—medicinal baths, recovery pills, and guidance. But remember, the more you can manage on your own, the faster and more secure your progress will be. Tasks may be assigned from time to time, not as punishment, but as a way to teach responsibility and observation. Consider them part of your growth, both as a cultivator and as a member of our faction.”

  Chen Mo nodded, committing the words to memory. “Understood, Master Lian. I will make the most of it.”

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  Chen Mo leaned forward slightly. “You mentioned the Muscle Refining realm… Master Lian, could you enlighten me about the cultivation realms?”

  Master Lian chuckled, a faint glint of amusement in his eyes. “Ambitious, aren’t you? Although it’s far too early for you to dwell on such matters, it wouldn’t hurt to give you a glimpse.”

  He straightened slightly, his voice taking on a measured tone. “Martial arts cultivation is a process, meticulously divided since ancient times. Skin Refining is merely the first step. After that comes Muscle Refining—you will need to reach that stage before being considered for the position of deacon in our school. Beyond that is Bone Refining… and there are higher realms still, though you needn’t concern yourself with them just yet.”

  Master Lian’s gaze hardened slightly. “Understand this: the difference between each major realm is immense, and the gap between them is practically insurmountable. Do not underestimate the patience, effort, and resources required to bridge it.”

  Master Lian leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp as he continued. “Even with talent and resources, bottlenecks are the true obstacles. Every minor bottleneck is a hurdle—let alone the major ones. For example, the Skin Refining realm is divided into three stages: Bronze Skin, Copper Skin, and finally Golden Skin. Advancing from the initial to the middle stage requires overcoming a minor bottleneck, which tests your endurance, focus, and resilience.”

  He tapped the booklet on the table. “With your talent and the care of this school, you may avoid many minor pitfalls. But the major bottlenecks… those are unavoidable. They will force you to refine your body, your mind, and even your patience. One misstep, one neglected injury, and you could stagnate—or worse, regress.”

  Master Lian’s eyes softened slightly as he added, “That is why medicinal baths and recovery pills are essential. Skin Refining inevitably causes strain and minor injuries. Baths and pills accelerate recovery and prevent accumulation of harm. Without them, even your skill and talent will not suffice.”

  He leaned forward, voice firm. “Remember, Chen Mo: cultivation is not merely strength. It is discipline, timing, and balance. You will need to balance training, nourishment, and careful observation of your own body. This is what separates those who reach the top from those who falter along the way.”

  Chen Mo nodded, absorbing every word, already calculating in his mind how to balance his remaining wealth, his training, and the upcoming medicinal expenses.

  Chen Mo shifted the subject slightly. “Master Lian, will I have to sign a special contract here?”

  Master Lian laughed heartily, the sound echoing in the office. “You rascal… that won’t be necessary. We value trust and words more than mere paper.”

  His expression then turned serious, eyes narrowing slightly. “However, ugly words must be spoken first. Our school—and especially our faction—does not tolerate betrayal. You are now one of our own, bound by duty and the benefits you enjoy, not by a disposable contract. Remember that.”

  Chen Mo’s tone was steady, his eyes meeting Master Lian’s. “I understand, Master Lian. I will not betray that trust.”

  Master Lian nodded, a faint smile returning. “Good. I am glad you understand. For now, take your token to the External Affairs office. There, you will receive your uniform and five Qi-boosting pills. They will assist you in mastering the Skin Refining method. Once you succeed, you will break through fully into the Skin Refining realm. Work diligently, and I will secure even more resources for you.”

  Chen Mo caught the subtle signal in the Master’s words. He stood, bowed respectfully, and said with determination, “I will follow your instructions, Master Lian. I will not disappoint you.”

  Master Lian inclined his head slightly, a satisfied gleam in his eyes. “Very well. Go, and make your path strong.”

  As Chen Mo left, Master Lian stood and followed his own path. He intended to visit Deacon Gu to inform him about the new recruit. Moving deeper into the inner courtyard, he could see formal disciples training in various sections, their movements precise, their Qi faintly visible as it circulated through their bodies.

  Master Lian stopped at an office and noticed the door ajar. Stepping inside, he saw Master Gu engaged in conversation with a young girl, perhaps sixteen, her expression calm but assertive. Despite her initial stage in Skin Refining, she carried herself without the slightest hint of intimidation.

  Master Gu forced a fawning smile. “Miss Lin Yuxue, please understand. We can’t allocate more resources to you for now. You already claimed your quota two weeks ago.”

  Lin Yuxue’s eyes narrowed slightly, but her tone remained measured. “Am I supposed to wait another two weeks? I am in urgent need of more medicinal baths and pills. I can provide the silver required.”

  Master Gu shook his head gently, maintaining his polite demeanor. “It’s not about silver, Miss. Please understand, our departments cater to many disciples. Production in the alchemy division is barely sufficient to meet the school’s internal needs.”

  Lin Yuxue did not argue further. She stood, casting a quick, assessing glance toward Master Lian as she left the office, her hem brushing the floor in measured disdain.

  Master Lian observed her retreating figure, noting her composure and determination. Even at her stage, she had the air of someone who would not easily bend, a promising but demanding disciple.

  Deacon Gu’s face darkened with annoyance. “Damn brat…” he muttered under his breath. He gestured toward Master Lian to sit and continued, “Dealing with such brats is the most irritating thing. If not for her father being Elder Lin Zhen, I would have thrown her out long ago.”

  Master Lian smiled faintly, though inwardly he shared Gu’s caution—offending Elder Lin Zhen, a Master at the Bone Forging Realm, was unthinkable.

  Deacon Gu refocused his attention on Master Lian. “What brings you here?”

  “It’s actually about a new talent I just recruited to our faction,” Lian replied.

  “Oh? Let me see,” Gu said, leaning forward. Lian handed over the documents. After a moment of study, Deacon Gu nodded slowly. “Good. Fourteen days… worth nurturing. Are you sure about his background?”

  “He’s clean,” Lian assured him, “but I sent a few people to investigate further, just to be certain.”

  Gu nodded approvingly, then fell silent for a beat. “Very well. Let him join the main courtyard where formal disciples train. No need for overt favoritism. You can handle the extra resources privately. Keep track of his progress—if he lives up to our expectations, fine. If not… well, you know what to do.”

  “Yes, Master Gu,” Lian replied respectfully.

  With that, Master Lian rose, bowed, and returned to his duties, leaving Deacon Gu in thought, still pondering the balance between talent and temperament in the halls of the Silver Crane.