He set aside 'Penetrating Back Fist' for now; reaching Transcendent Mastery required 10,000 repetitions.
With sufficient pills and food, and demon beasts stored in his Qiankun bag, Lin Xuan could safely cultivate in seclusion.
Twenty days later, someone visited. It was Lin Xia.
"Sister Lin Xia, why are you here?" Lin Xuan asked, surprised. His courtyard rarely saw visitors.
"I heard you've been practicing non-stop since obtaining 'Eight Steps Catching Cicadas,' so I came to check on your progress. Aren't you inviting me in?" Lin Xia said.
"Oh, please come in," Lin Xuan said, quickly welcoming her.
Lin Xia looked around. It was her first time in his courtyard...clean, simple, with only tables, chairs, water cups, and towels. She put down a few bags and handed him a towel.
"You're sweating. Were you training just now? Wipe it off first," she said, concerned.
"I brought you some food. Qi and blood are essential for martial artists.
Constantly practicing without replenishment can be harmful. If you need anything, just tell me," Lin Xia added, eyeing his improved physique.
"Thank you, Sister Lin Xia. Don't worry, my foundation is solid," Lin Xuan replied with a small smile.
"Is that so? Let me see just how solid your foundation is," Lin Xia said, taking a stance and preparing for another sparring match with Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan established another task, but he couldn't set a simple spar with Lin Xia, so he added conditions:
Task: Spar with Lin Xia and remain undefeated. Reward: One bottle of Rank 2 Yuan Qi Pills.
"Come on, Sister Lin Xia, I want to test your strength too," Lin Xuan said with a smile, his eyes bright at the thought of the reward.
He had already consumed the Yuan Qi Pills he obtained earlier, pushing him to the peak of the sixth level of Body Tempering. These pills were perfect for his current cultivation. To break through to the seventh level, he needed many more Yuan Qi Pills. Lin Xia's visit could not have been more timely.
"Spirit Sword Finger!" Lin Xia took the lead, pointing like a sword and stabbing at Lin Xuan.
"Shu shu shu!" The attack cut through the air with a whistling sound as Yuan energy gathered at her fingertip.
Lin Xuan's legs shifted constantly, his body light and flexible, easily evading her series of strikes.
"You've really mastered Eight Steps Catching Cicadas," Lin Xia said in surprise. Less than two months had passed, yet Lin Xuan's skill had reached such a level. His talent was impressive.
Lin Xuan only smiled, remaining silent, and continued striking with a series of rapid punches...
pa pa pa.
His Tongbei Fist had reached Perfection +7, nearing Divine Transformation.
Each punch carried the force of his previous tenth echo.
"Such heavy fist strength… Tongbei Fist can actually be this powerful? Is this really a Rank 1 martial art?"
Lin Xia's eyes widened. She had to exert her full Yuan energy to counter Lin Xuan's attacks.
"Little brother Lin Xuan, be careful. I'll go all out!" Lin Xia said, a layer of cyan Yuan energy erupting from her body, far exceeding Lin Xuan's own energy.
"Sister Lin Xia, have you broken through to the seventh level of Body Tempering?"
Lin Xuan asked calmly.
"Even so, defeating me isn't that easy."
Lin Xia had indeed surpassed the peak of the sixth level, so it was expected she had reached the seventh.
"Then let's see!" she said, accelerating her attacks.
The last spar had shown Lin Xuan's skill, putting pressure on her.
In the past half month, she had trained diligently, refusing to believe that being one realm higher would still leave her unable to defeat him.
Shu shu shu… Lin Xuan's legs moved like the wind, his figure darting left and right. Between the agile footwork, his fists continued to strike.
His speed and mobility gave him control of the fight, and his heavy, powerful punches made even Lin Xia's strongest attacks manageable.
After a quarter of an hour, Lin Xia stopped, panting.
Her Yuan energy was nearly depleted. Lin Xuan's energy had run out earlier, but his stronger physique allowed him to withstand the pressure longer.
"Huff…" Lin Xia leaned on her waist. "Little brother Lin Xuan, you are the first in the clan to make me feel so embarrassed.
Your movement technique is too fast...I couldn't land a single hit. With this skill, you could fight beyond your level."
"Sister Lin Xia, you flatter me. Without a life-or-death struggle, I couldn't match you," Lin Xuan said modestly.
"Hmph, I see you know your place," she said with a triumphant smile.
She had mostly been testing him, gradually increasing the attack speed.
Lin Xuan had followed her rhythm, holding back his full strength, still wearing the hundred-pound iron shoes, and avoiding using Eight Desolate Palms.
Even so, if both had fought at peak strength, Lin Xuan estimated he had a 70% chance of winning.
"Alright, I'm going back. You've made me all sweaty," Lin Xia said, straightening her clothes and leaving.
"Walk slowly, Sister Lin Xia. Come again whenever you have time," Lin Xuan called after her.
Task: Spar with Lin Xia and remain undefeated. Reward: One bottle of Rank 2 Yuan Qi Pills. Completed. Claim reward?
"Claim!"
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