157: New Year’s Eve

With nothing to do, Bai Sanren immediately got into a playful mood and started teasing Han Yi.

Men should marry when they are old enough, and women should marry when they are old enough. In this era, many married and had children at sixteen or seventeen. It was time for Han Yi at his age. After all, engaging in the high-risk profession of a Martial Artist, leaving behind descendants in advance was indeed a top priority.

"Young Master Han isn't engaged yet?"

The woman asked in surprise. She had met this elder nephew of Old Man Bai once before. He was quite handsome, but didn't talk much and spent all day flipping through a book.

"Never, never..."

"Hey, isn't this convenient, Old Man Bai? At the east end of the market, Old Sun's family has a daughter, tall and shapely, with round hips, clearly capable of bearing children and handling household chores..."

The woman put down the basket she was carrying and said mysteriously.

"Aha, this is just a joke..."

"Cough!"

Bai Sanren stroked his beard, just as he was about to respond, he was interrupted by a light cough.

"It's freezing cold, and it's freezing outside. Uncle, please don't overexert yourself. New Year's Day is approaching. If you catch a cold, that would be troublesome."

Han Yi walked out of the courtyard, cupped his hands to the woman, and said calmly.

Immediately, he pulled the sullen-faced Bai Sanren back into the house.

Qian Xue waved vigorously at the woman, gave an apologetic smile, and also skipped along after them.

After the three entered the courtyard, Han Yi casually locked the gate.

"You Boy, you can't even take a joke, you're really infuriating this old man..."

Bai Sanren mumbled, glanced, and saw a scorched spot on the black stone in the corner. He immediately sensed something was wrong and froze.

He shifted his gaze, swept it over Han Yi, revealing a bewildered expression.

"Wait, Han Yi, have you Broken Through to the Middle Stage of Blood Refining?"

Han Yi slightly nodded, nodding in response.

"You..."

Bai Sanren gasped, his eyes widened, and his attention instantly shifted. He no longer cared about making jokes.

He stood in the cold wind for a long time, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. Suddenly, his gaze settled, and he spoke: "It's only been a few months, and you can Break Through to the Middle Stage of Blood Refining?"

Bai Sanren's words were full of surprise. Although the Bottleneck from Refining Blood to Middle Stage of Blood Refining was not as troublesome as the Tongmai Stage Bottleneck, relying on the slow accumulation of Qi and blood would still take one or two years.

He had previously tested Han Yi's talent. Although his Comprehension Ability was decent, Han Yi's Innate bone structure and Qi and blood were only slightly stronger than ordinary people. How could he Break Through so quickly?

'Could it be, this Boy also possess that legendary Physique?'

After much thought, Bai Sanren racked his brain and actually came up with a possibility.

There were rumors similar to mythical stories. It was said that a certain Old Man had a special Physique, was a late bloomer, and at the age of eighty or ninety, had an Epiphany, transformed into a Celestial Being, rode a green ox backward, and floated away.

He even left a saying, 'A great talent matures late. If one understands the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret!'

Such rumors were countless. Things like Water Spirit Body, Martial King Divine Body, Heavenly Dragon True Immortal Body were vividly described by storytellers.

Although Bai Sanren knew these things were fabricated and exaggerated by storytellers, he did know that some people had special Physiques. Even if their Innate Aptitude wasn't great, their Cultivation speed was extremely fast.

In fact, the human body constantly produces a large amount of Qi and blood. The amount of Qi and blood produced daily is determined by the quality of food and drink, and the body's Physique.

Just like dairy cows producing milk, if they don't rest well, eat enough, or stay warm, they will have insufficient milk.

Martial Artists are the same. Some people have good family conditions, never lacking food and drink, so their Qi and blood are produced quickly, and naturally, their Cultivation is fast. Others, although they don't eat or drink well, have good Physiques, digest quickly, and have high efficiency in converting Qi and blood, so their Cultivation is not slow either.

This is the advantage brought by Physique. But this kind of thing is something that cannot be clearly explained or understood. Therefore, Bai Sanren also couldn't detect whether Han Yi possessed a special Physique.

But no matter what, Bai Sanren already regarded Han Yi as his junior. Since he could make new progress, Bai Sanren would only feel happy.

"Han Boy, perhaps I was mistaken before. It's possible that on the path of Martial Dao, you possess some special Physique! You are now an Inner Sect Disciple of the Crimson Flame Sect. With this Physique, if you Cultivate diligently for a few more years... I'm afraid you can even try to Break Through the Tongmai Stage Bottleneck!"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only was Qian Xue surprised, but she couldn't help but turn to look at Han Yi.

Even Han Yi had an almost imperceptible twitch in his temple muscles, and his eyes flickered.

Although his current overall strength was '92~99', and his strength was infinitely close to a Tongmai Martial Master, the transformation of Qi and blood into internal force was still an unattainable luxury.

He was currently only sixteen years old. In a few days, after the New Year, he would only be seventeen. His Peak Qi and blood period could still be maintained for a long time.

If it were truly as Bai Sanren said, that he possessed some special Physique, and could attempt Connecting Veins in two more years, becoming a Tongmai Martial Master before thirty, then he would even have a glimmer of motivation to strive beyond Connecting Veins!

But unfortunately, he knew his own situation. Han Yi clearly knew that his ability to Break Through to the Middle Stage of Blood Refining so quickly this time was still due to relying on the System.

After deducing the Golden Muscle Jade Bone Skill, his own Qi and blood greatly increased, approaching the Middle Stage of Blood Refining. It was precisely because of this that he was able to successfully Break Through within just one month...

"Sanren Bai, what you're saying is truly too flattering. If I can Break Through Connecting Veins in this life, it would already be a huge blessing..."

Han Yi said with a bitter smile.

"Hey, Han Boy, don't be too modest. A Martial Artist must have a courageous and enterprising heart! You can definitely do it!" Bai Sanren's gaze was gentle. He patted Han Yi's shoulder and said with a smile.

"I'll take your auspicious words!"

Han Yi was silent for a moment, then responded with renewed spirit, no longer thinking too much, merely cupping his hands in response.

Afterwards, he shifted his gaze, and when his eyes fell upon the large and small bags Qian Xue was carrying, he was slightly surprised.

He saw that they were filled with candied fruits, pastries, dumplings, and other festive foods. He even saw meats like chicken, duck, and fish.

In the corner of the large bag, there were also two strings of bright red firecrackers and several large red couplets inscribed with poetic verses for blessings and welcoming the new year. Their colors were vibrant, making them quite festive.

"The New Year is approaching. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. Let's tidy up the house today. A new year is about to begin!"

Bai Sanren followed Han Yi's gaze, clapped his hands, and laughed heartily: "Han Boy, in these past years, I've traveled far and wide and learned quite a few good cooking skills. After watching the Lantern Festival tomorrow, I'll let you experience something new!"

"Good, good!"

Qian Xue quickly nodded. Upon hearing about delicious food, her foodie attribute was instantly activated.

"I..."