Although he added cold water to lessen the heat, Stirling still felt a sharp pain shoot up his leg and into his head.

  Stirling's face turned bitter. He hadn't expected martial arts training to be so painful. The first step was so excruciating; then who knew what lay ahead?

  Stirling grumbled inside. He felt that martial arts training was both costly and tough, and it often led to setbacks.

  But there was nothing he could do. It wouldn't matter if others didn't practice now, but if he gave up now, he'd only have 15 years to live. Stirling thought about his short lifespan. He gritted his teeth and pushed his remaining leg into the medicine barrel. Then, going all out, he sat down.

  Three seconds later, Stirling felt a searing pain erupting from every pore, as if he were being set ablaze.

  Stirling's eyes were bloodshot from the pain, which was unimaginable. Is this the inevitable fate of every samurai?

  After a dozen seconds, the pain dazed Stirling. He couldn't help but reach out to his sides, but discovered two handrail-like gussets. He grasped a moment of shock in his heart.

  This enhanced medicine barrel is amazing! It even allows for two-handed gripping!

  But the thought only lasted a second before Stirling felt the strain. He felt the water in the medicine vat bubbling and boiling, himself like a red shrimp about to be cooked!

  Julio said each medicinal bath needed a full hour for proper absorption. Leaving early would waste the benefit.

  Stirling felt as if his teeth might break. Just as he was about to faint from the strain, the Aether in his body surged through his limbs. This warm energy flow met the hot water outside, giving Stirling a sudden exhilarating. His body relaxed, and he almost cried out in pleasure.

  What was the heaven of heavens? Stirling finally experienced the real thing!

  As Stirling lay in the medicine barrel, his skin rippled. This was an odd sight. It happened because of the clash between the Aether inside him and the surrounding potion water. Stirling was unaware of it all. He leaned back on the pillow, murmuring. Before long, he fell into a deep sleep!

  After pushing to the limit and then relaxing, anyone would feel drowsy and struggle to stay awake. After a while, Stirling woke up naturally. He shot up from the barrel, making a clattering noise.

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  Stirling looked puzzled. He muttered to himself while staring out at the dark night.

  Stirling muttered as he touched his skin. In the moonlight, Stirling climbed out of the medicine barrel. He grabbed a towel from the wooden rack and wiped himself down. Then, he lit an ordinary oil lamp and approached the barrel to examine it.

  In the light, the dark potion in the barrel became clear. However, some grayish-black residue remained at the bottom. It was unclear what it was.

  Stirling, wrapped in a bath towel, muttered to himself. He looked at the medicine barrel, and a hint of joy spread across his face. Who says I, Stirling, am not a one-in-a-million genius? Just in skin-resurfacing, who can rival me?!

  Stirling pumped his right fist with excitement. Then, wrapped in a bath towel, he headed for the bedroom, ready to sleep again. The water in the barrel could make noise at night. This might alert others, so it's best to handle it tomorrow to avoid drawing attention.

  A silent night passed.

  The next morning, Stirling woke up, poured out the used potion, and excitedly rushed to the dojo. As an apprentice, he needed to get there on time to avoid missing his morning exercises. When Stirling got to the dojo's backyard, he met a group of fellow apprentices coming out of the side rooms. What a lucky coincidence!

  Julio spotted Stirling and, smiling, beckoned him over.

  "Morning, Luis, how are you feeling?" Julio asked, smiling at Stirling's cheerful expression.

  "Good morning, brother Julio, you didn't say it hurt that much!" Stirling replied with a bitter expression.

  "Luis, for us apprentices, the process is to hone ourselves and strengthen our will."

  "If you want to join the samurai without effort, what sets you apart from those who worship deities?"

  Julio, upon hearing Stirling's words, restrained his smile and spoke earnestly.

  "Worship deities?"

  Stirling heard the word again and couldn't help but repeat it.

  "Worship gods are those who join monasteries and celestial palaces to cultivate by using the divine statues."

  "Worship gods can join the practice of asceticism without the hardships. Alas, how can this world allow people who sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor to become the mainstream?!"

  Julio said with resentment, and worry filled his eyes.

  "Ah, Senior Brother, if worshipping gods is new beyond, why do we still need to train in martial arts?"

  Stirling wondered.

  "What does new beyond mean? Does it mean powerful? Haha, worshipping gods is a shortcut, but you're no longer yourself then." Julio whispered,

  "I'm no longer myself?" Stirling was stunned.

  "I am not sure. Master Kim said that often. But forget about that. Morning practice has begun. Let's move." With that, Julio led Stirling into the courtyard.

  Just then, an inopportune voice rang out beside them:

  "Hey, isn't that Luis? What's up? You're so disgusted with us brothers that you want to sleep alone? Hey, you look so delicate; are you a tomboy?"

  A man with triangular eyes leaned on a wooden stake in the courtyard. He smirked at Stirling and Julio as they came closer.

  "Marshall, what are you talking about?" Julio rebuked.

  "Look, Julio, you're a nice guy, aren't you? You even sold your own sister, and you still managed it. I admire you so much."

  Marshall clapped his hands at Julio

  "You!!" Julio's eyes turned red straight away upon hearing this. He was about to charge at Marshall when a hand grabbed his arm.

  "Don't stop me!" Julio roared, then turned to see who was pulling him. His senses returned, as if deflated, and he uttered weakly, "Senior Figo."

  Figo glanced at Julio, then turned to Marshall with a slight snort. He said, "Marshall, give yourself three slaps."

  Marshall, who had been acting laid-back, expression changed drastically upon hearing Figo's words. His lips moved a few times, about to say something, but in the end, he slapped himself three times.

  Marshall walked to a corner of the yard with a sour face. There, he started practicing the outset standing meditation. Figo said nothing more. He looked at Stirling, then walked to the center of the courtyard and took the outset standing meditation.

  The rest of the onlookers found their spots right away and followed Figo in the outset standing meditation. For a moment, the entire courtyard was pin-drop silent.

  "Hurry."

  Julio gave Stirling a look and then found a spot to practice.

  "All right." Stirling looked around, then walked to a corner and stood as quiet as a cedar.