Chapter 108: First Glimpse of Return Qi, Great Success Within Reach (Bonus Chapter—Seeking Moon Tickets)

“I’m at Wu Garden?”

Feeling the soft cotton quilt on his body, Lin Chen glanced around.

He had fainted the moment he stepped out of the Iron Chamber; it was most likely here, at Wu Garden.

“Master Lin has awakened—I’ll go notify Master Yan.”

Before the bed, a maid saw Lin Chen awake, her face lighting up with delight; she spoke those words and hurried out the door.

Lin Chen got off the bed and found his blood and qi flowing smoothly, with no injuries anywhere on his body.

“Panel.”

【Host: Lin Chen】

【Realm: Extreme Opening Meridian (9/24): (10/200)】

【Blood and Qi: 53500】 (Expand to view past blood and qi gains)

【Clear Wind Palm: Perfect】

【Water Cloud Palm: Great Success (0/1)】

【Iron Bone Art: Proficient (1/10)】

Seeing his blood and qi had increased by a thousand points, Lin Chen understood: normally, going from nine to ten meridians should grant a ten-thousand-point boost, but his was doubled—two ten-thousand-point gains.

The Opening Meridian realm indeed grants more blood and qi as one progresses, widening the gap in strength.

Similarly, the difficulty of opening meridians grows greater.

This means, within the same time, one must consume more elixirs and rare bird meat.

During this period, Lin Chen had maintained a daily dose of one Zhiqiao Elixir; in a month, his expenses exceeded a hundred taels.

Wu Ming, who opened eleven meridians, must have spent even more silver.

“The three bottles of Zhiqiao Elixir from the martial hall are gone—I’ll need to buy more from the Wudao Pavilion.”

As Lin Chen pondered how many months his remaining silver could last, Yan He’an appeared at the doorway.

“Master Lin has awakened.”

“I’ve troubled the elder—my apologies.”

“Master Lin, you’re too modest. Frankly, I never imagined you could endure thirty strikes the first time entering the Iron Chamber. Compared to the shock you’ve given me, these minor matters mean nothing—but I never expected you to possess Purple Crystal Marrow Fluid.”

Yesterday, after Lin Chen fainted, Yan He’an had ordered a maid to bathe him and noticed the vial in his arms.

The vial bore the inscription “Purple Crystal Marrow Fluid”; recognizing it, and knowing its effects, he had poured two drops into the bath.

“Master Yan, is Purple Crystal Marrow Fluid very precious?”

Lin Chen asked curiously; from Su’s tone, he sensed it was valuable, but he wasn’t sure how valuable.

Since Master Yan recognized it, he might as well ask.

“This stuff is priceless—outside the Wuzheng Office, it’s nearly impossible to find. For martial artists practicing hardening arts, it’s a holy medicine. If I’m not mistaken, this Purple Crystal Marrow Fluid was given to you by Elder Su of the Wuzhengsuo, correct?”

“Elder, your insight is uncanny—it was indeed gifted to me by Elder Su.”

“It seems Elder Su holds you in the highest regard. Even with his salary as head of the Wuzhengsuo, he can obtain at most one bottle of Purple Crystal Marrow Fluid per year from the Wuzheng Office.”

“Only one bottle per year?”

Lin Chen was stunned—did that mean Elder Su had spent three years’ salary on him?

Seeing Lin Chen’s shocked expression, Yan He’an knew Su Lingchuan hadn’t revealed how precious the Purple Crystal Marrow Fluid truly was. Though he understood Su Lingchuan’s silence was meant to preserve the weight of this favor until Lin Chen matured, he still felt new respect for Su’s boldness.

“Master Lin, among Liang’s officials, besides silver salary, there are merit-based bonuses. As head of the Wuzhengsuo, if your jurisdiction thrives in martial arts and your achievements stand out, you earn contribution points.”

“For many officials, silver salary isn’t what they value—it’s the contribution points they need. With these points, they can exchange them at the government treasury for cultivation resources.”

Yan He’an stroked his beard and smiled: “I estimate your master-disciple example with your instructor has earned Elder Su considerable merit. This is his way of returning the favor.”

So that’s how it is!

Lin Chen once again admired the foresight of Liang’s founding emperor: the cultivation resources in the government treasury were unobtainable even with money outside, ensuring that peak martial artists would willingly serve the court.

Otherwise, many martial artists would join the bureaucracy merely to amass wealth.

Whether out of sincerity or for cultivation resources, achieving merit ultimately benefits the common people under their rule.

A gentleman judges by deeds, not intentions.

“Since you have Purple Crystal Marrow Fluid, you may enter the Iron Chamber once every five days to observe the Thousand Strikes Chart.”

Yan He’an’s words delighted Lin Chen; merely observing the Thousand Strikes Chart once had advanced his Iron Bone Art to Proficient. Even if later gains couldn’t match the first, they’d still outpace his training at the martial hall.

“Master, I have a question—may I ask it?”

“Master Lin, speak freely.”

Lin Chen nodded: “May I ask who authored the Thousand Strikes Chart?”

In Lin Chen’s view, this chart was no less impressive than the martial will scroll he had once obtained. Scrolls bearing martial will require a sixth-rank martial artist to inscribe—so the one who painted the Thousand Strikes Chart must have an even more astonishing background.

“I don’t know.”

Yan He’an shook his head. Seeing Lin Chen’s confusion, he explained: “This chart was hung on the wall by Elder Zhao. If you’re interested, when Elder Zhao returns, I’ll introduce you to him.”

Revealing Elder Zhao’s existence was Yan He’an’s own decision.

Seeing Lin Chen’s performance in the Iron Chamber, Yan He’an was now certain: Lin Chen was fully qualified for the Wu Garden roster, and Elder Zhao would certainly wish to meet him upon return.

Wu Garden doesn’t necessarily value youths whose realms advance rapidly.

Only youths with high martial insight catch Wu Garden’s eye.

A genius with exceptional martial insight and extraordinary perseverance—that’s the kind Wu Garden seeks.

“Elder Zhao?”

“The martial artist assigned to spar with you on Clear Wind Palm, and yesterday’s instruction to observe the Thousand Strikes Chart—all were ordered by Elder Zhao before he left. I merely carried out his wishes.”

Yan He’an smiled slightly. Lin Chen’s eyes widened slightly—so Elder Zhao of Wu Garden had recognized his potential?

“Thank you, Elder Zhao, for your cultivation. I have another question.”

“You’re wondering why Wu Garden was established, correct?”

“Yes.”

Lin Chen nodded. At first, he thought Wu Garden was merely a place for Poyang County martial artists to exchange and spar—but now he saw it was far more complex.

Take the Thousand Strikes Chart: it’s a treasure to hardening martial artists—likely even peak martial artists would covet it.

How could a tiny county like Poyang possess such a treasure?

Even if they had it, they’d treat it as a sacred relic, never letting outsiders observe it.

“With my position, I can’t reveal much to you, Master Lin. I can only say this: Wu Garden holds no ill will toward you, nor toward Poyang County martial artists, nor toward those of Raozhou Prefecture, Jiangnan Circuit, or even all of Liang.”

Lin Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. Though Master Yan’s words were vague, they revealed one crucial piece of information.

Especially the last phrase: Wu Garden holds no ill will toward all of Liang’s martial artists.

So, Wu Garden isn’t affiliated with Liang?

Initially, Lin Chen suspected Wu Garden might be tied to the imperial court or built by a few top Liang martial artists to recruit talents nationwide.

He was wrong.

Wu Garden’s origins are even higher.

“Master Lin, this world is far vaster and more wondrous than you imagine. When you meet Elder Zhao, many of your questions will resolve themselves.”

Knowing Master Yan wouldn’t reveal more, Lin Chen dropped the subject. He believed Master Yan’s words: Wu Garden meant him no harm.

Yet, the absence of Wu Garden in Yanshan County served as a warning.

Why was such a mysterious Wu Garden established only in Poyang County? What made Poyang special?

“If you wish to continue observing the Thousand Strikes Chart, you may reside within Wu Garden—you won’t need to shuttle between the martial hall and Wu Garden.”

“Thank you, Master Yan.”

Lin Chen bowed in gratitude. He spent most of his time at Zhenyue Martial Hall in his dormitory practicing Iron Bone Art; staying at Wu Garden made little difference.

Five days later, Lin Chen observed the Thousand Strikes Chart again.

This time, he fared better—he didn’t faint upon leaving the Iron Chamber, though he was utterly exhausted.

Fortunately, his Iron Bone Art progress increased by two points.

【Iron Bone Art: Proficient (3/10)】

At this rate, four more visits would bring Iron Bone Art to Minor Success.

With Iron Bone Art at Proficient, Lin Chen’s physique had grown noticeably bulkier—though not to the extent of Gu Shan or Fu Ang, he now bore clear signs of hardening.

One and a half months later.

In the sweltering heat of midsummer, Lin Chen stepped into the Iron Chamber again.

Yan He’an watched him enter, feeling a quiet awe: originally, he’d estimated Lin Chen would enter once every five days—but after only three visits, Lin Chen began entering every three days, and now he entered daily.

The pain of the Thousand Strikes Chart doesn’t lessen as hardening arts improve.

The Thousand Strikes Chart contains a thousand strikes, adjusting according to the observer’s strength.

The later one progresses, the greater the pain.

Entering every five days isn’t just for physical recovery—it’s also for psychological endurance.

To enter daily requires willpower and perseverance beyond imagination.

Inside the Iron Chamber.

Lin Chen gazed ahead. His reason for coming daily was that he could see his progress.

No one is a masochist—except perhaps a few outliers; Lin Chen considered himself normal.

Seeing the progress on his panel always filled him with renewed motivation.

Hard work and sacrifice aren’t terrifying—what’s terrifying is working hard with no visible reward.

“Come on.”

Lin Chen whispered softly, his entire skin trembling as his internal blood and qi began to circulate; a layer of earth-yellow hue surfaced on his body, covered in countless granules like goosebumps.

Sign of minor attainment in Iron Bones Art: Stone Body!

The body becomes like stone, impervious to blades and spears.

Half a month ago, his Iron Bones Art had already reached minor attainment.

Minor attainment: Stone Body; major attainment: Return Gang .

Iron Bones Art is a ranked hardening technique; ranked hardening techniques are not merely about enduring punishment—when fully cultivated, they can even rebound an opponent’s striking force.

These granules on Lin Chen’s skin, if observed closely, resembled scales; when the heavy hammer struck, the granules undulated with minuscule motions.

Yet, after only half a breath, these granules vanished entirely, as if crushed by Mount Tai.

“Still not fast enough—or the breathing rhythm is wrong.”

Iron Bones Art relies on breath and blood circulation as its fundamental rhythm, adjusting the entire body. Lin Chen had long passed the phase of physically polishing his bones; now, it was more about a profound, elusive insight.

“Again!”

Light flared once more; the terrifying tearing sensation returned, every muscle, every bone resonating as if groaning in agony.

But Lin Chen had no time to resist the pain; his face twisted grotesquely as he used his immense willpower to keep his mind clear, continuously adjusting the rhythm and speed of Iron Bones Art.

…

…

One hammer!

Two hammers!

Three hammers!

…

…

With each hammer strike, Lin Chen’s blood and qi surged in response to the impact, steadily dissipating the force—like steering a small boat through raging waves, perilous yet finding balance.

The granules on Lin Chen’s skin grew ever more numerous, densely covering his entire body; these golden granules caused his skin to glow with a faint golden radiance.

Finally, after another viewing of the Thousand Hammer Diagram and another heavy hammer strike, a roar echoed within Lin Chen’s body; his blood let out a thunderous boom, and he felt a certain inner chain shatter completely.

At the same time, Lin Chen’s body underwent a radical transformation.

The granules on his skin now shimmered with a metallic luster; the scale-like granules had fully fused into a solid armor, though it vanished moments later.

“Return Gang has emerged—major attainment is within reach.”

…

…

Raozhou Wuzheng Office!

Su Lingchuan lowered his head, staring at the letter handed to him by his master, his eyes scanning the text with suspicion.

The moment he read the first line, his pupils contracted sharply; by the end, anger darkened his face: “Master, the contents of this letter are pure fabrication.”

“Whether the letter’s contents are fabricated or not is secondary—who could have delivered it to the Wuzheng Office?”

Qiu Rufeng pointed out to his disciple: at this moment, a denunciation letter targeting Lin Chen had been delivered to the Wuzheng Office; the true intent behind it was what merited deepest thought.

Su Lingchuan realized the implication and paused before saying, “Master, there are only two possibilities: either someone fears Lin Chen’s strength and wants to undermine him before the public contest, or someone holds a grudge against him.”

This letter was a denunciation of Lin Chen.

It accused Lin Chen of fraud in the Martial Hall—secretly taking elixirs while pretending to be poor, earning top rank through hard work—but offered not a shred of evidence, only wild speculation.

“A single letter means little—but we must dig out the person behind it.”

Qiu Rufeng’s eyes held coldness; this letter revealed the opponent’s malice. Anyone who harbored ill will toward a gifted student under his care must not be allowed to remain.

(End of Chapter)