15: Chapter 15 Monopolizing Cultivation Techniques, Physical Transformation

"Hmm? Why didn't this arrow increase my proficiency?"

Not hearing the familiar notification, Lin Ye couldn't help but frown.

He raised his hand and shot another arrow.

"Proficiency +5"

Fortunately, it wasn't a bug with his talent.

After firing several arrows in a row, Lin Ye confirmed one thing.

That is, as the Realm of his archery improved, the speed of gaining proficiency slowed down.

This point was actually the opposite of other Cultivation Techniques.

For other techniques, the higher the Realm, the faster the proficiency gain. Like the Basic Breathing Method, it could even improve without him deliberately cultivating it.

"But why is it like this? Is archery special?"

Lin Ye asked Zhao Shanhe about the confusion in his heart.

Of course, he didn't mention proficiency directly, but used a way of speaking that Zhao Shanhe could understand.

Upon hearing Lin Ye's doubt, Zhao Shanhe took it for granted and said:

"This is normal. Shooting stationary targets is only suitable for novice training.

When your archery reaches a certain Realm, this kind of simple practice no longer has any effect. You need to practice in a more difficult way, such as shooting living creatures."

"I see." Lin Ye nodded in understanding.

However, Zhao Shanhe's explanation wasn't entirely correct.

After all, for him, as long as he worked hard, there would definitely be a harvest; at most, the harvest would just become smaller.

This was also the most broken aspect of Heaven Rewards Diligence.

One must know that many Advanced Cultivation Techniques generally require special medicines or even extreme environments to be cultivated; otherwise, it's all useless effort.

But Lin Ye didn't need any of those.

As long as he was given a clear direction for his efforts, he could grind a technique to an extremely profound Realm through sheer persistence.

Seeing that he couldn't raise his archery Realm for the time being, Lin Ye simply stopped.

"Captain, I heard you are a Ranked Martial Artist. Can you tell me specifically how to become a Martial Artist?"

He knew too little about the Martial Domain and wanted to take this Opportunity to ask more.

"A Martial Artist..."

Lin Ye's question seemed to plunge Zhao Shanhe into some kind of memory. After a moment, he slowly said, "It's very hard for an ordinary person to become a Martial Artist. First, one must have an Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique.

And this single requirement blocks ninety-nine percent of the people in the world."

"Is it because Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques are very rare?" Lin Ye asked tentatively.

From the looks of it, he had really made the right choice by picking the Basic Breathing Method back then.

However, Zhao Shanhe shook his head. "They aren't rare; one could even say there are many.

Of course, I'm referring to those ordinary-level Internal Skills."

"Then why..."

"Because almost all the Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques in this world are monopolized by those influential Aristocratic Clans. Aside from those transcendent top-tier Sects, even first-rate Schools are more or less influenced by the clans."

"To ensure their dominant status, those great clans strictly control the circulation of Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques."

"This has resulted in almost no Internal Skills being available for purchase on the market."

"If an ordinary person wants to learn Internal Skill, there are only three paths to take.

Either join a Sect, join the Imperial Court, or become a dog for the clans."

"Other than that, there is no other way!"

From Zhao Shanhe's tone, Lin Ye could hear a deep sense of indignation.

However, Zhao Shanhe's words also gave Lin Ye a general understanding of the powers within the Martial Domain.

They could be divided into three major factions: the Jianghu Schools, the Imperial Court, and the influential Aristocratic Clans.

And it wasn't hard to hear that the clans seemed to have the greatest power among them; even those first-rate Schools had their shadows behind them.

As for the Imperial Court, it went without saying.

That entity itself could be seen as the largest clan, just with a different title.

"And what happens after possessing an Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique?" Lin Ye followed up.

Anyway, he had the Internal Skill rewarded by the game System. No matter how strong the clan forces were, they couldn't control the System.

What he was most concerned about now was how to become a Martial Artist.

"It's simple once you have an Internal Skill. You just need to Cultivate step by step."

"When you have refined a Sense of Qi within your body, you have officially stepped onto the path of a Martial Artist."

"Ah? It's that simple?"

Lin Ye was stunned upon hearing this.

Doesn't that mean he is already considered a Martial Artist now, just one who hasn't reached a grade yet?

Zhao Shanhe nodded, then shook his head. "Becoming a Martial Artist is simple, but becoming a Ranked Martial Artist is not that easy."

"Talent and resources—both are indispensable!"

"I ask the Captain to enlighten me." Lin Ye asked humbly.

"In fact, what a Martial Artist Cultivates is that wisp of Qi born within the body.

And when that Qi accumulates to a certain extent in the body, it will in turn nourish the Physical Body until the Martial Artist's Physical Body undergoes its first transformation.

This is the so-called entering a grade, also known as a Ninth-Grade Martial Artist."

"I see." Lin Ye suddenly understood.

"The first transformation of the Physical Body mainly acts on the skin, flesh, and bones."

As he spoke, Zhao Shanhe stretched out a hand, and then a faint golden light actually appeared on the surface of his skin.

"This is the ability born after the Physical Body completes its transformation, called Copper Skin and Iron Bones."

"A Martial Artist at this stage can already achieve a rudimentary level of invulnerability to blades and spears.

Even if an ordinary person holds a weapon, it's difficult to harm them in the slightest."

Lin Ye couldn't help but reach out and pinch it; it was indeed extremely tough.

"Ahem."

Zhao Shanhe withdrew his hand calmly.

"Of course, not all Ranked Martial Artists can complete the transformation.

This depends on talent, and even more on Opportunity.

If there are Heaven And Earth Treasures to assist, this process is very fast.

Without them, one can only rely on time to slowly grind it out."

Sure enough, no matter which world it was, it was difficult to move an inch without money and resources.

Lin Ye lamented for a moment and then continued to ask, "What about after Ninth-Grade? Continue to accumulate Qi in the body and then transform again?"

"Exactly!" Zhao Shanhe nodded.

"After Ninth-Grade is Eighth-Grade. The transformation at this stage is mainly the Meridians in the body, allowing them to hold more Qi, while the power of the Qi itself will also increase significantly."

"The subsequent Seventh-Grade Martial Artist transforms the blood, thereby reaching the final Realm of Qi and Blood Fusion!"

Zhao Shanhe paused here. "As for the Sixth-Grade above that, I don't know much either.

The reason I know this much is because my master was a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist."

"What grade is the Captain now?" Although he knew it was rude to directly ask someone's martial Realm, Lin Ye couldn't hold back his curiosity, thinking the Captain wouldn't mind.

"Consider me a half-step Eighth-Grade." Zhao Shanhe's tone was flat.

"I injured my Foundation in my early years, so I can only stay here for the rest of my life."

Lin Ye didn't dare to respond, as this clearly touched upon a sore spot.

"Alright, let's not talk about that."

"Since you're asking me how to enter a grade, has a Sense of Qi already been born in your body?" Zhao Shanhe looked at Lin Ye.

Lin Ye didn't hide it and nodded.

Seeing this, Zhao Shanhe laughed. "That's good. Originally, I was worried about how to get you an Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique, but this saves a lot of trouble."

"However..."

Zhao Shanhe's tone immediately shifted.

"It's a good thing you've developed a Sense of Qi, but do not over-Cultivate your Internal Skill."

"Why is that?" Lin Ye was puzzled.

Doesn't the path of martial arts emphasize brave and fierce progress? Why was he being advised not to over-Cultivate?

Was there some other explanation behind this?