21: Chapter 21 Improvement of the Metal Element Fist

"Borrow?" Liu Yunfeng was stunned for a moment, then waved his hand, "Saying 'borrow' is being too polite."

He stood up, walked to Lin Tian, and said solemnly, "This Lingzhi, I am giving it to you."

Lin Tian looked up at him, his gaze carrying a hint of surprise.

Liu Yunfeng felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, coughed drily, and explained, "Junior Brother Lin Tian, you are a smart person, so I won't hide anything. Although our Liu Family has some assets, we don't rank high in Heishan City.

My father's greatest wish is to have a backer so that our Liu Family can stand firm."

He paused, his eyes sincere, "I see potential in you. You have astonishing talent, a steady Heart-Nature, and will surely achieve great things in the future. I am giving you this Lingzhi now in the hope that when you soar to success, you will be able to help me a little."

Lin Tian was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.

He knew this was an investment.

Having read many novels in his past life, this trope was too common. A wealthy young master investing in a potential stock to reap rewards in the future.

But knowing it was one thing; when it actually happened to him, he still felt a trace of warmth.

"A favor of a drop of water should be repaid with a gushing spring." Lin Tian looked at Liu Yunfeng, enunciating each word, "Senior Brother Liu, I will remember this favor."

Liu Yunfeng let out a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face, "Good! Then I'll go home and get the Lingzhi right now, you wait!"

Having said that, he turned and ran, as if afraid that Lin Tian might change his mind.

Liu Yunfeng moved quickly.

Early the next morning, he arrived at Lin Tian's courtyard holding an exquisite wooden box.

Opening the lid, a Lingzhi lay inside. It was larger than the last one, with a dark brown cap, edges tinged with dark red, and fine, cloud-like textures. The medicinal scent was rich, and it could be smelled from three feet away.

"This one is from my father's collection, a fifty-year-old wild Lingzhi." Liu Yunfeng handed it over, "I originally planned to save it for when I reached the First-Rank Martial Artist Realm. Now, it's yours."

Lin Tian took the wooden box; it felt heavy in his hands.

A fifty-year-old wild Lingzhi was worth at least seventy or eighty taels of silver on the market. This gift from Liu Yunfeng was too heavy.

"Senior Brother Liu, I..."

"Don't say anything." Liu Yunfeng interrupted him, "Cultivate well; winning against that Sun Hao is the greatest reward for me."

He patted Lin Tian's shoulder and turned to leave.

Lin Tian watched his back disappear outside the courtyard gate, then looked down at the Lingzhi in the box and took a deep breath.

He would keep this favor in his heart.

Now, it was time to Cultivate.

Lin Tian began half a month of seclusion.

He woke up before dawn every day, drank a bowl of body strengthening soup, and then began practicing the Metal Element Fist. When tired, he would tear off a small piece of Lingzhi and hold it under his tongue; as the medicinal power dissolved, he would continue practicing.

Once, twice, three times...

[Metal Element Fist Proficiency + 1]

[Metal Element Fist Proficiency + 1]

The notification sound of the System became the only melody in his life.

The first day, twenty times. Proficiency 20 / 300.

The second day, twenty-one times. Proficiency 41 / 300.

The fifth day, one hundred times. Proficiency 103 / 300.

The Lingzhi was decreasing at a rate visible to the naked eye. But Lin Tian couldn't afford to feel distressed; in his eyes, there was only the goal of three hundred times.

The seventh day, one hundred and fifty times.

The tenth day, two hundred and ten times.

On the night of the thirteenth day, Lin Tian stood in the courtyard, drenched in sweat. He tore off the last piece of Lingzhi, held it in his mouth; the medicinal power dissolved, and a gentle, warm current flooded his entire body.

The two hundred and ninety-ninth time.

Opening stance, Golden Spears and Iron Horses.

The punch struck like lightning, the sound of breaking the air sharp and piercing. Where the fist passed, the air distorted, and the pale golden Qi-blood aura condensed into a single line.

Gold and Stone Open, Vajra Glare, Golden Wind and Jade Dew... The thirty-six stances were completed in one go, smooth and flowing.

He finished the technique and stood still.

Lin Tian took a deep breath and did not stop.

The three hundredth time.

This time, he felt different.

Every time he threw a punch, the Qi-blood in his body resonated with it. The pale golden light on his fist became increasingly dense; by the last few stances, it actually condensed into a thin film of light, wrapping around his fist.

The last stance, Gold and Jade Fill the Hall.

Both fists struck out together, golden light flashing!

He retracted his fists.

[Metal Element Fist Proficiency + 1]

[Proficiency reached 300 / 300]

[Metal Element Fist Breakthrough: Beginner → Minor Achievement]

[Next Phase: Minor Achievement → Mastery (0 / 500)]

The moment the notification sound rang out, a hot current exploded from his Dantian, like surging magma, instantly rushing through his entire body.

Lin Tian could feel countless memories regarding the Metal Element Fist flooding into his mind—not just the three hundred times he had practiced over the past half month, but as if he had practiced for three, five years.

The angle of every punch, the timing of the force, the rhythm of his Qi-blood circulation, all were carved into his bones.

He opened his eyes, and a pale golden light flashed and vanished within them.

He walked to the thousand-catty boulder in the courtyard.

This stone was a piece of Qinggang rock specifically used by the martial arts hall to test strength; it was incredibly hard. Before, his full-power punch could shatter the stone, but that was relying on brute force, and the power was scattered.

Now—Lin Tian set up the Metal Element Fist opening stance and slowly raised his right fist.

The Qi-blood in his body surged, all gathering on his fist.

The pale golden light condensed into a thin film, wrapping around his fist.

He threw a punch.

"Ssh—"

There was no violent bursting sound, only a soft noise, like a blade piercing tofu.

His fist sank into the stone, up to his wrist.

Lin Tian withdrew his fist; a deep fist print was left on the stone, the edges smooth, without a single crack.

The power was entirely concentrated on his fist, without a shred of waste.

This was the Minor Achievement Realm.

Lin Tian looked at that fist print, and a smile finally appeared on his lips.

Metal Element Fist Minor Achievement, one thousand two hundred catties of force.

In terms of fist technique Realm alone, he was no longer inferior to Sun Hao.

And he still had the Wood Element Fist.

The Metal Element Fist focused on offense, while the Wood Element Fist focused on vitality.

The two combined, hardness and softness complementing each other, and his endurance would far exceed Sun Hao, who only knew the Metal Element Fist.

He was certain to win this battle.

Meanwhile, the martial arts hall was already bustling.

On the Training Ground, a three-foot-high sparring ring had been set up.

Flags were planted at the four corners of the ring, embroidered with the two characters "Qingfeng".

Disciples were gathered all around, at least fifty or sixty of them, and more were still arriving.

"Today is the day of the decisive battle!"

"Lin Tian versus Sun Hao, fighting for the Sifang Pavilion errand!"

"Who do you think will win?"

"Does that even need asking? It must be Sun Hao! He has been a First-Rank Martial Artist for three years, his Metal Element Fist is at Minor Achievement, and he has rich practical combat experience. That Lin Tian only had his Breakthrough a month ago; what does he have to compare with?"

"I also think Sun Hao will win. I heard he declared he would take care of his opponent within three moves."

"Three moves? That's ruthless?"

"Heh heh, if it were me, I'd be ruthless too. A newcomer stealing one's own errand—who could tolerate that?"

Amidst the discussions, Sun Hao walked over slowly.

He was wearing a black martial outfit today, with a cowhide belt tied around his waist, making him look lean and sharp.

Several old Disciples followed behind him, all of whom were usually on good terms with him.

"Senior Brother Sun is here!"

"Senior Brother Sun, teach that newcomer a good lesson today!"

"Let him know that the martial arts hall is not a place where one can stand firm just by relying on connections!"

A smile hung on the corner of Sun Hao's mouth as he walked onto the ring and stood with his hands behind his back.

His gaze swept over the crowd, but he did not see the shadow of Lin Tian.

"Still not here?" He said indifferently, "Could it be that he's scared and doesn't dare to come?"

Several old Disciples laughed along, "It's possible! After all, Senior Brother Sun's reputation is well-known; that kid is probably hiding under his covers trembling!"

"Wait a bit longer; maybe he's currently begging Master Huang to intercede for him!"

The laughter grew louder.

Sun Hao also laughed, but there was coldness in that smile.

Whether he came or not, he was determined to reclaim his standing today.