59: gifted

Hearing this, Chen Linsheng immediately stood up and crossed the distance to Su Wan in two steps, reaching out to gently place his hand on her wrist.

The sensation from his fingertips was warm, and there was a faint but undeniably real power of blood and qi circulating through her Meridians on its own. Though it was as thin as a thread and far from fully formed, that unique activity and resilience were clearly the signs of stepping into the Early Stage of the Skin Tempering Realm!

“It really worked!” An irrepressible joy erupted in Chen Linsheng's eyes. He pulled Su Wan into his arms and laughed heartily, “Wan'er, you truly are gifted! It's only the first day, and you've already managed to trigger your blood and qi on your own to enter the Skin Tempering Realm!”

Held in his embrace, Su Wan felt the vibrations from his chest and his undisguised joy. Her pretty face flushed crimson, and her heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment and sweetness. She murmured softly:

“Really? I... I just practiced according to the feeling you taught me...”

“Of course it's true!”

Chen Linsheng affirmed, but after the initial ecstasy, he quickly calmed down.

Such an astonishing cultivation speed would cause a sensation if word got out.

If Master Zhao Zheng knew, he would surely be shocked by Wan'er's talent and might even think of bringing her into the Sect for training.

Army Breaker Manor was certainly a good place, but its rules were strict and the future there was unpredictable.

Compared to his Master, Su Wan was his closest and most precious connection in this strange world, the softest spot in his heart.

He didn't want to be separated from her, not even by a one-in-ten-thousand chance.

Thinking of this, he had already made a decision.

He held Su Wan by the shoulders, looked into her eyes, and said seriously:

“Wan'er, your talent is so good. I was thinking... should I inform Master about this? He is knowledgeable and might be able to find better Cultivation Techniques and famous teachers for you.”

He deliberately voiced this idea to hear Su Wan's opinion.

As expected, upon hearing this, Su Wan immediately shook her head vigorously. She gripped his sleeves tightly, her eyes showing a trace of panic and determination:

“No, A Sheng! I don't want to tell the Hall Master, and I don't want to apprentice under any famous teachers! I... I just want to follow you and learn martial arts by your side. I don't want to be apart from you!”

Seeing her urgent appearance and the undisguised dependence and attachment in her eyes, the last trace of hesitation in Chen Linsheng's heart vanished, replaced by an indescribable sense of satisfaction and happiness.

“Alright, alright, we won't tell anyone.” Chen Linsheng's smile deepened. Feeling lighthearted, he swept Su Wan up in his arms. “We won't tell anyone; this is our secret.”

Su Wan let out a startled cry, her cheeks instantly turning beet red. She shyly buried her head in the crook of his neck, her small hands lightly thumping his shoulder. “A Sheng! Put me down quickly, it's... it's still broad daylight...”

Chen Linsheng ignored her protests and carried her in large strides back into the room, laughing softly, “So what if it's daytime? I'm happy.”

The door closed gently, sealing off the outside world and leaving behind a room full of romance.

After a long time, Chen Linsheng walked out of the room feeling refreshed. He gently closed the door behind him to let the exhausted Su Wan get some good rest.

He strolled to the backyard. It was late autumn, and the leaves of the old trees in the yard were yellow and withered, rustling as they drifted down with the wind.

He reached out to catch a spinning leaf, his gaze calm.

The hunt for the Toad Spirit was imminent. He needed to stay on the periphery to provide support and stay alert for any petty troublemakers.

With his cultivation just having entered the Flesh Refining Realm, the direct power he could contribute in a fight against a Essence Spirit at the Jiaojin Realm level was limited.

As such, his Movement Technique would be of paramount importance.

As the saying goes, 'Fight if you can win, run if you can't.' A sophisticated Movement Technique would at least greatly guarantee his own safety.

Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated.

When he was studying the fragments of Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes in the house earlier, he had already gained some insights. Now was the perfect time to Cultivate.

He returned to the pond in the backyard and dove in.

Familiar with the path, he passed through the hidden waterway and once again entered that riverbed Immortal Cave filled with Spiritual Qi.

The Silver Bone of the Curled Beard Guest still sat quietly in meditation. The glowing strange stones on the four walls cast a hazy light inside the cave. The air was thick with pure water Spiritual Qi, making one's mind peaceful and sharp.

Chen Linsheng sat cross-legged on the open ground, took out the fragments of Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes, and began to study them carefully once more.

He was in no hurry to practice the Move, but first tried to grasp its essence, repeatedly deducing those eerie Movement Techniques and force-exertion Skills that imitated mountain apes and spirit monkeys in his mind.

The ultimate understanding of limb coordination and center of gravity control brought by Climbing (Perfection) played a huge role at this moment.

Many twisted, flicking, and dodging movements that seemed inconceivable and contrary to common sense to ordinary people were natural to him, as if that was exactly how the force should be applied.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly closed the Secret Manual and stood up.

He began to Move within the small space of the Immortal Cave according to his insights.

His form was sometimes extended like an ape reaching out its arm, sometimes curled like a spirit cat arching its back. His footwork was light and unpredictable, shifting left and right, leaving behind trails of afterimages within the limited area.

His fingers and palms would pinch or flick, carrying a tricky and nimble force.

His movements were a bit stiff at first, but they quickly became smoother and more natural.

The refined control over his body from his Perfection-level Climbing Skill was perfectly integrated, making his every Move full of ape-like coordination and explosive power.

The afternoon slipped away quietly during his focused Cultivation.

When Chen Linsheng executed a series of fragmented but already soulful 'Spirit Monkey Steps' and 'Ape Extending Arms,' his form circled the Immortal Cave like smoke before coming to a steady halt at the starting point—

The spirit book in his mind hummed, its light flowing, and new characters suddenly condensed:

【Martial Skill: Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes (Initiate)】

【Progress: (0/1000)】

【Divine Effect: Nimble footwork, body shrinking and force redirection, basic mastery of Climbing and leaping. Footwork becomes light and agile, allowing one to walk on complex terrain as if it were flat ground. Knowing how to contract muscles and bones at the moment of impact to significantly redirect the force of the blow. Preliminary mastery of ape-like Climbing and jumping techniques, greatly reducing the difficulty of high walls and steep cliffs.】

It's done!

Chen Linsheng let out a long breath of turbid air, the sharp light in his eyes receding. Feeling the lighter and more coordinated changes in his body, he was very delighted.