Su Yan's cultivation had always been built upon the foundation of Bug Essence, making his physical roots more solid than those of ordinary practitioners. Although the Bug Essence seemed like a common resource for gentle nourishment, he had realized it was the fundamental essence of the Contracted Bugs. While strengthening his body, it also improved his root foundation, perfecting his innate physical condition. This, combined with a constant supply of resources, was one reason why Su Yan's overall physical quality was exceptionally high, allowing him to endure the brutal tempering of the Poison Skin Powder and Poison Dragon Powder.
Having understood the efficacy of the Poison Dragon Powder, Su Yan confined himself to his house, focusing entirely on cultivation. He continued his Golden Ape Stance Skill as usual but now integrated the breathing and blood-circulation methods of the Poison Dragon Golden Body Art—his progress was rapid. During the day, he used the Poison Dragon Powder to temper his body, accumulating large amounts of medicinal power internally to stimulate his tendons and bones. In his breaks, he relentlessly practiced his Ape Fist, seamlessly blending it with the Ferocious Ape Three Styles until they became instinctive.
The summer heat was oppressive. Even with the two large trees providing shade, the courtyard was hot, and the air seemed to shimmer. Su Yan stripped off his shirt and, bare-chested, stood in the scorching sun. His muscles moved in unison. His iron-like fists struck the iron training dummy in front of him. The sound was like thunder. The Ferocious Ape Three Styles, powered by his blood energy, struck like a heavy hammer. Even the hard wood protected by iron sheeting couldn't withstand the punches.
With a powerful move, Su Yan executed the White Ape Offering the Peach, which contained the destructive momentum of the Mountain Splitter style from the Ferocious Ape Three Styles. The thunderous impact sent the heavy iron dummy flying several feet. The thick iron sheeting was dented, and the hardwood inside cracked. Had it been a person, even a Skin Refining or Tendon-Bone expert would have been severely wounded.
He stood still, closing his eyes, feeling the surge of his blood energy. Beneath his skin membrane, a turbulent dark river seemed to be hidden, his blood energy burning hot like fire.
"The Ape Fist and Ferocious Ape Three Styles are fundamentally the same. Unifying them allows the Fist Intent to form naturally." Through days of practice, everything he learned coalesced in his mind. His bones adjusted with muffled drum sounds, his muscles moved rhythmically, and the special breathing cadence seemed to reach every muscle.
In an instant, a thunderous roar, like that of a tiger or leopard, enveloped him. His eyes snapped open. Blood energy gathered, surging up his spine. His skin membrane swelled, faint green scales appearing beneath the surface, covered by a layer of tough, grayish-white light.
The Stone Fetus layer of the Golden Ape Jade Body Art was complete! The Poison Dragon Golden Body Art's scale patterns had begun to manifest, reaching Minor Accomplishment!
All his power converged, and his bones rang out. The blood energy cycle settled into his tendons and bones.
The Tendon-Bone stage was complete!
As Su Yan broke through to the Tendon-Bone stage, he felt the strength of his muscles and bones completely integrate. Previously, the Skin Refining stage focused on tough skin and brute strength. Now, in the Tendon-Bone stage, his strength was unified, his blood energy constant, and his power surged like a dragon, allowing him to utilize his full strength with precision.
"Having broken through the Tendon-Bone threshold, the next step is to refine the body, using blood energy to condense and complete the transformation through Blood Changing and Marrow Cleansing." It has been nearly nine months since Su Yan arrived in this world. After six months of struggle as a mountain-man, he understood the fragility of life at the bottom. Though he had resources for two months of training, Su Yan knew his dedication—constantly refining and pushing his body—was the key. Since the Ominous Bug Cauldron awakened, he had never once stopped training. He was worthy of achieving the Tendon-Bone stage in two months.
Su Yan washed off the sweat and changed his clothes. He then summoned the Dark Water Centipede and Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug. After days of consuming the Poison Dragon Pill, the two Contracted Bugs had transformed significantly more than Su Yan.
[Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug: 100/400 (Mature Stage) ]
The Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug had entered the Mature Stage. Its carapace was tougher, its pincers and tail hook swung like blades, capable of cleaving three feet of space with a burst of fire energy, enough to cut through a wrist-thick tree. Though the attack was brief, this new ability made the scorpion much more dangerous. If it faced Huang Sanhu now, even the Tendon-Bone expert would be hit and poisoned.
"Junior Brother." Su Yan was about to clean up when he heard a knock. Gao Zheng's voice came from outside. Su Yan was slightly surprised but walked to the door and opened it.
Outside were not just Gao Zheng, but Ma Shengming, Dian Jing, and two other Inner Door Disciples, Deng Ming and Zhang Chang, all people friendly with Gao Zheng. Gao Zheng carried two large wine jars, emitting a fragrant aroma of strong spirits. Ma Shengming carried a large food container, Dian Jing carried a sheep, and the other two carried various items.
Gao Zheng smiled: "I haven't seen you for days. You must be immersed in your training. We can't let that happen! A new home requires a celebration." Su Yan's face broke into a smile: "Senior Brothers, you are too thoughtful. Please come in." He welcomed them. Gao Zheng, Ma Shengming, and Dian Jing were familiar faces, so their visit was welcome.
The group entered the front courtyard. Deng Ming and Zhang Chang immediately set up a fire pit and lit the charcoal. Dian Jing, being the youngest, used his hunting skills to begin roasting the sheep.
"This... isn't this the iron dummy you asked me to get a few days ago?" Gao Zheng noticed the iron training dummy lying on the ground. The iron sheet was finger-thick, and the wood inside was tough, yet the dummy was dented. Gao Zheng's exclamation drew the attention of the others. Su Yan simply helped set the dummy upright.
"I forgot to put it away after my morning practice."
Gao Zheng looked deeply at Su Yan. To damage the dummy like that through training meant Su Yan's punching skill was even more formidable than he had shown during the assessment. He likely made progress in the Golden Ape Jade Body Art.
"Junior Brother, don't be modest. With this ability, you are not far from the Tendon-Bone stage." Gao Zheng settled down and continued: "This celebration is also for your rapid progress. In three days, you newly admitted Inner Door Disciples will head to the Desolate Mountain outpost for training. After hunting a few Desolate Beasts and supplementing your body, you will naturally break through."
Su Yan raised an eyebrow: "Senior Brother, is the Desolate Mountain outpost training a sudden thing?"
Gao Zheng snorted: "It's all because of that Pang Tianfeng! Who knows how many Jianghu men have died in the last two days? Hunters and mountain-men dare not enter the Inner and Outer Mountains anymore."
Su Yan looked surprised: "He hasn't been caught yet?"
Dian Jing took over: "No. Pang Tianfeng is fighting those Jianghu men like a madman and hiding. He hasn't been subdued yet."
"It's more than just Pang Tianfeng now," Gao Zheng said. "Someone is spreading rumors that Pang Tianfeng has an inheritance that leads to the True Intent stage. Even mountain bandits and thieves are secretly eyeing it. The Lin Family's supply convoy in the Desolate Mountain was even attacked. No one knows who the culprit is."
"The order for you to go out and train now is also to protect the academy's businesses in the mountains."