Yang Kai as he sat cross-legged on his simple wooden bed
After confirming there were no extra things popping out of the first page, he started to read the second page.
With his previous experiences, his actions seemed more natural and knowledgeable. And then Yang Kai 's eyes slowly widened as golden words emerged on the dark pages
"Proud Golden Body: Tempered Body Record!"
Yang Kai's heart pounded.
Sure enough, as he suspected, every page had something hidden
Almost without thinking, Yang Kai's entire mind was focused on the second page of the book.
Abruptly, the golden characters flew off the pages like a fish and swiftly drilled themselves in Yang Kai's brain. The glow enveloped the darkness around him and then disappeared. After it was gone, he felt as if his brain had gained new information. This had all come from the golden characters.
Calming his heart, Yang Kai closed his eyes and began to digest the information.
In fact, he didn't need to digest and absorb the information. For when the characters imprinted themselves into his brain, he was already able to comprehend their meaning with ease. A full mastery in another sense.
Yang Kai found that it was a fist technique.
At first glance, it seemed to be a simple fist technique. However, as he delved deeper into the information in his mind, he realized it was much more profound. This wasn't merely a combat art—it was a body-refining method, one that could temper both flesh and bones by channeling the essence of the world through specific movements.
But there was a strict requirement—
It must be cultivated while facing the rising sun.
Yang Kai frowned slightly. That meant he could only practice for half an hour each morning. Right now, it was still deep into the night, so he had no choice but to wait.
This frustrated Yang Kai, for he had exerted himself all day and only ate one measly sweet potato. Nonetheless, he had obtained a priceless treasure, and was jubilant.
After trying to sleep for half an hour, he decided to analyze the third page of the Black Book.
But it just let him down, no matter how much he checked and flipped, there were no changes to the page. While doing this, he fell asleep.
Perhaps his cultivation base was still insufficient to reveal its secrets.
After all, he had only just obtained the first technique.
Letting out a breath, he closed the book and set it aside.
Despite his curiosity, exhaustion was creeping up on him. His body had been pushed to its limits, and the meager sweet potato he had eaten earlier wasn't enough to sustain him.
He lay back down on his bed and, before he knew it, drifted into a deep sleep.
When Yang Kai then woke up, it was nearly sunrise. The pre-dawn darkness was clouded and stillness covered the whole area, with the occasional insect and bird noises.
With anticipation in his heart, Yang Kai quickly leaped out of bed and went to the front of the cabin. Standing there, he took a few deep breaths and let his body slowly relax.
Taking a deep breath, he faced east—toward the rising sun.
As the first golden rays broke through the darkness, Yang Kai positioned himself according to the Tempered Body Record.
He raised his fists.
The first movement—a slow palm push forward.
The second—a sweeping motion to the left, then the right.
With each technique, his body felt strangely heavy, as if something was weighing down on him. At the same time, an unfamiliar warmth surged through his limbs, filling him with an overwhelming sense of vitality.
Left foot forward—step into the horizon.
Right foot planted—firm like the underworld's king.
A rhythmic flow began to form. Each movement resonated with something unseen, as if he was communing with the world itself.
Then—
Crack!
Yang Kai winced as his bones let out a sharp popping sound, as if firecrackers were going off inside his body.
A sharp pain tore through his limbs, making him grit his teeth..
For a brief moment, he thought he had broken something. But when he focused inward, he realized—
His body was transforming. Strengthening.
A grin tugged at his lips.
This technique—it wasn't just a mere martial art. It was a method of rebirth!
The weight vanished.
His body felt light.
Almost too light.
At that exact moment, something shifted within him.
A subtle aura coursing through his meridians, one that hadn't been there before.
Yang Kai's breath hitched.
"This is…" His voice was barely above a whisper.
The Fourth Stage!
He had broken through the Tempered Body Third Stage and stepped into the Fourth Stage!
The tempered body had nine stages. Until the third stage, it really just enhanced one's physical capabilities. But after the fourth stage, it would generate a presence within the meridians.
Only with the birth of atmosphere sense, are you considered a true cultivator.
Although at this time you will have the atmosphere sense, the body will still have no real strength. You could only wait for the seventh stage, where the body will develop its own strength, all the way until the ninth stage. That is when the body breaks through and opens / creates a door to strength to the Origin Opening Realm. Only then will you truly have strength.
Origin Opening Realm, is a true warrior's start.
Everything in the tempered body territory, was laying the foundations for the future of the Origin Opening Realm . This foundation was not finalized, like with a man's strength. For your bones, skin would grow continuously, until you reach the peak.
Three long years in High Heaven, and predecessor had been stuck at the Third Stage. No matter how hard he trained, progress had been painstakingly slow.
But now—
After only thirty minutes of practice…
He had advanced an entire stage!