The next day, Lu Chang’sheng went to visit the Lin Mansion.
"So extravagant!"
He mused to himself.
Compared to Mr. Chen’s residence, the Lin Mansion exuded much more grandeur.
White walls and red tiles, with an entry screen several ters long and wide, carved jade panels—not true jade, but still a sign of impressive wealth.
"The Lin Mansion only ranks in the third tier among major households in Black Mountain Prefecture. Just imagine how outrageous those true nobles must be!"
After greeting Lin Xiaowen, Lu Chang’sheng followed the Lin family’s steward to the side courtyard.
A group of sturdy n were busy honing their bodies.
Lu Chang’sheng caught sight of Yu Hongtao, the Martial Artist master Lin Xiaowen had ntioned!
"You’re that Lu Tongsheng the master spoke of?" At the mont, the man was working out his arms using two massive stone locks.
His abdon rose and fell rhythmically; bare arms, thick and flushed red.
"Your root bone’s lacking!" He glanced at Lu Chang’sheng and shook his head, saying, "Martial Arts depends on root bone. Your body is frail, a sign of kidney essence deficiency. Kidney essence can be supplented, but it’s never as solid as what’s innate!"
"With root bone like yours, I’d never take you as a student. But since the master spoke for you, I’ll teach you, even if it’s a bit of a stretch. How far you go—well, that will depend on yourself!"
"Thank you, Master Yu!"
Before coming, Lu Chang’sheng had asked the steward about this Protector Institute mber, learning that he hailed from the White Crane Martial Arts Hall and possessed remarkable skills, earning Lu a asure of respect.
Next, Lu Chang’sheng began training under Yu Hongtao in a foundational Martial Arts technique called ’Flood Stake.’
Flood Stake, according to legend, was created by a Martial Artist of Nanming Prefecture during a great flood.
Nanming Prefecture is full of water; people are skilled in aquatic survival, standing firm amid floods—proof of this Pile Skill’s subtlety.
Lu Chang’sheng started cultivating the Flood Stake under Yu Hongtao’s guidance.
First cos stance practice, solidifying the lower body, then strengthening the stake, using all manner of external force to disrupt the practitioner—ultimately attaining the so-called ’person and stake as one,’ moving at will; that is the Great Success of Pile Skill.
Practice ti flew by, and evening soon arrived.
The Lin family steward brought over a serving of dicinal soup.
Per Yu Hongtao, this was a costly redy for kidney essence, energy, and blood—most effective when consud after training.
After swallowing it, Lu Chang’sheng felt a comforting warmth spread through his body, utterly relaxed, the fatigue of practice mostly gone.
He noticed the strong n working out nearby; a few were practicing Flood Stake differently from him, sparking his curiosity.
"Master Yu, why is their Flood Stake different from mine?"
Yu Hongtao replied coolly, "The other Pile Skill I train is more violent—not suitable for you! Besides, for us Martial Artists, our very livelihood depends on our strength. That ans we select disciples very carefully. You can’t teach these thods lightly. The Flood Stake you’re learning is the sa—without my permission, you mustn’t pass it on. Otherwise, by Martial Artist rules, we’ll reclaim your Pile Skill!"
Lu Chang’sheng’s heart gave a jolt.
Pile Skill played in his mind. If they were to reclaim it, it probably ant destroying his consciousness—or worse, ending him altogether.
"Thank you, Master Yu, for the warning!"
He understood: perhaps things weren’t exactly as Yu said, but it wasn’t his place to say more. Being able to learn Martial Arts here was already a great stroke of luck.
"Maybe I should go check out the Martial Arts Hall," Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself.
He glanced at the Light Curtain Panel, his heart giving a little jump.
"Na: Lu Chang’sheng"
"Age: 12/55"
"Root Bone: 2/10 [Unremarkable (can substitute—Martial Dao)]"
······
"Martial Arts: (thod)"
"Entry Ti Needed: 20 years (Entry)"
"Minor Achievent Ti Needed: 45 years (Minor Achievent)"
"Great Success Ti Needed: 100 years (Great Success)"
······
"Is my talent for Martial Arts really this poor?"
Lu Chang’sheng sighed inwardly.
Then, he furrowed his brow.
"Is Martial Dao what Root Bone’s main channel is?"
Main channel—Lu Chang’sheng’s term for the full 10-point rating.
As a rule, ’0/10’ ans if you reach all 10 points, you move to the next stage, or hit a limit.
From prior experiences with ’Slacking Off’ and ’Archery,’ each Root Bone point raised would increase them, showing a hidden talent line for each skill.
"It would be great to split them out distinctly!"
Just as Lu Chang’sheng thought that, suddenly, the phantom Light Curtain flickered; the panel changed dramatically in the next instant.
"Na: Lu Chang’sheng"
"Age: 12/55"
"Root Bone (Main): 2/10 [Unknown]"
"Root Bone (Sub): 2/3 [Martial Dao, Unremarkable, next level talent: inferior]"
"Reading (Sub): 2/3 [Reading, Genius, next talent: none]"
"Archery (Sub): 2/3 [Archery, dium, next talent: superior]"
"Slacking Off (Sub): 2/3 [Slacking Off, Genius, next talent: none]"
······
The Root Bone display was now detailed!
"So every ti I add a point to Root Bone Value, it’s not just for one particular skill—it covers them all! As long as I’ve studied a technique, its Root Bone talent information will show."
"Martial Dao, Reading, Archery, Slacking Off...each step up ans a higher level. Is that because of difficulty? Or is it...because it doesn’t relate much to the main Root Bone?"
"What skills does the Main Root Bone channel cover? Could it really be the arts that grant longevity?"
Lu Chang’sheng’s heart thumped wildly.
Right then, he recalled the true aning of the Golden Finger.
The longer you live, the better your talent!
If this were just an ordinary mortal world, then no matter how strong and healthy he kept himself, a hundred years later he’d be nothing but dust. But if the paths of immortality and godhood really existed—
"No rush, no rush! If Immortal Gods truly exist, they aren’t sothing ordinary people get near. Only by climbing to this world’s summit, mingling with nobles, could I glimpse such secrets—and maybe then seek my Immortal Fate!"
Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t foolish enough to think a common Child Scholar like himself could touch such mysteries.
Just like the forr world, when it ca to ’Ghost God,’ an ordinary person, even if they t one, would brush it off as a dream.
Because in truth, it’s only those at the very top who ever know whether it was a dream—or reality.
"Martial Artist, Scholar—these are the only two paths for to reach the top!"
"Pity my Martial Arts Root Bone is lacking; for now, I’ll have to lean on scholarship to build up my foundation!"
"And at the sa ti, use my scholarly rit to nurture Martial Dao!"
Martial Dao is tied to one’s lifespan limit, and also grants a powerful ans of self-preservation.
Thus, he had to pursue both paths together, supporting each other—only then would he truly walk the right way!
Poor in scholarship, rich in Martial Arts!
Without enough money, training in Martial Arts is simply impossible!
Take now, for example: Flood Stake was only manageable because variables intervened. Without Yu Hongtao’s instruction and the dicinal soup he just drank, the ti required would have been much greater.
Sure enough, on the second day, Yu Hongtao was away for business; without his guidance, Lu Chang’sheng found the required ti for entry, minor achievent, and great success all increased by nearly a fifth.
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