The sun had already begun its slow descent when Li Yao finally set down the shears in his hand and wiped the thin layer of sweat from his brow. The rich, earthy scent of freshly pruned herbs still clung to his fingers. All around him, the central herbal garden slowly emptied as disciples wrapped up their daily chores, laughter and chatter drifting through the rows of neatly cultivated spirit plants.
Li Yao, however, was quiet as he observed the golden hue spreading across the horizon. Most of the day had been consumed by his duties, but he harbored no resentment. The Embercloud Sect, after all, gave outer disciples two full days of rest between each work cycle, encouraging them to focus on cultivation and self-improvement. For someone like Li Yao, whose journey had been anything but easy, this balance between work and training was a blessing in itself.
The next morning, after a night of meditation and internal reflection, he made his way toward the Outer Pavilion with renewed determination.
The Outer Pavilion stood near the base of the Emberheart Peak, a squat, ancient-looking structure of stone and redwood with curling golden eaves. Though not nearly as grand as the other halls of the sect, its presence was no less important. It held martial techniques- hundreds of them- suited for Qi Refinement cultivators. For someone like Li Yao, who had just advanced to the third stage, this was the next vital step.
Two disciples in dark blue robes stood guard at the front of the pavilion. As Li Yao approached, they stepped forward and asked, "State your purpose, junior brother."
"I've broken through to the third stage of Qi Refining. I wish to select a martial technique."
The taller guard gave him a once-over, noting the humble robes and calloused hands. "Name?"
"Li Yao."
The second disciple scribbled in a leather-bound record book, then nodded. "Entry approved. Proceed."
With that, Li Yao stepped into the dim interior of the Outer Pavilion. It was quiet inside, save for the low rustle of robes and the occasional soft footsteps of disciples walking between shelves.
There was no grandeur here-no-waterfalls, no immortal qi swirling in the air- but the silence carried its own kind of reverence. Knowledge slept here, waiting to be awakened.
The Outer Pavilion wasn't grand, nor was it ornate like the inner sect halls. It was practical- lined with neatly organized scrolls and jade slips locked in wooden racks protected by basic sealing formations. There was no separate building for martial techniques. The more powerful arts were kept either in the Martial Hall on Ironbody Peak or in the Scripture Repository on Emberheart Peak, where the Sect Leader resided. And the truly rare treasures? Those were locked away in the Treasure Hall atop Swordwind Peak, accessible only through contribution merit.
Merit… The word lingered in his mind. In the Embercloud Sect, one could earn merit by cultivating auxiliary skills- alchemy, talismans, formations or by completing missions. With enough points, any grade items could be exchanged.
But Li Yao had no intention of chasing treasures just yet. His purpose today was straightforward.
As Li Yao's eyes scanned the hall, he mentally noted the layout. The Pavilion had sections divided by weapon types—sword, spear, bow, fist, axe, and more. Other shelves were dedicated to specialized arts such as footwork, defensive techniques, and body refinement.
Li Yao passed over the shelves for sword and spear techniques without a second glance. Although these were the most popular choices among disciples, he had already made up his mind. His main weapon, the axe, would remain a symbol of his path, but for now, what he needed wasn't a weapon art. What he needed was a foundation- something to anchor his strength and refine his body from within.
He arrived at the Body Refinement section.
The shelves here were noticeably older. Dust clung to the corners of the scroll cases, and fewer disciples lingered in the area. Most ignored this section, preferring flashy techniques that could boost their power quickly. But Li Yao knew better. Flashy techniques would crumble without a strong vessel to support them.
As he browsed the rows, he quietly activated the Heavenly Observation System.
[Scanning Techniques…][Matching Requirements…][Optimizing Selection…]
Descriptions flashed before his eyes, each technique briefly summarized and evaluated.
Iron Vein Technique — Grade: Common, solid defense but low growth potential.
Stone Body Art — Grade: Common, improves resilience but slows movement.
Tiger Bone Tempering Manual — Grade: Rare, enhances strength at the cost of agility.
None of them satisfied him. But then, tucked between two dusty scrolls, his gaze landed on a green-bound manual. The title had faded, barely visible—"Diamond Body Tempering Scripture."
Li Yao's fingers hovered over it. The system provided a prompt.
[Technique: Diamond Body Tempering Scripture
Rank: Unique
Type: Body Refinement
Description: A foundational technique created by an unknown Martial God. This is only the first chapter of the scripture, suitable for Qi Refinement cultivators. Though not dazzling in its early stages, this technique lays a solid, unmatched foundation for body refinement.
Requirements: Minimum 2nd stage Qi Refining
Note: High evolutionary potential. Can evolve into a terrifying body cultivation method in later realms.
System Evaluation: Recommended. Suitable for host's long-term cultivation path].
Li Yao's breath caught.
"Only the first chapter…" he murmured.
Still, that alone was more than enough. A technique made by a Martial God- whether rumor or truth- was not something to be ignored. Especially not one with potential to evolve with him.
He lifted the scroll and walked back to the counter at the entrance where an elderly man sat. The old elder looked up from his tea and squinted at Li Yao.
"Hm? Found one?"
Li Yao handed over the manual.
The elder took one look at the title and raised an eyebrow. "Not many pick body cultivation techniques these days. Most go for swords or spears. You sure about this, boy?"
"I am," Li Yao replied with calm certainty. "This is the path I've chosen."
The elder studied him for a moment longer, then broke into a small smile. "Heh. Good. At least someone dares to forge their own path."
He recorded the technique under Li Yao's name and waved him off. "Take care not to injure yourself during the early stages. Body cultivation can be… painful."
Li Yao nodded and exited the hall.
Back at his cottage, he sat cross-legged with the scroll open before him. The first chapter of the Diamond Body Tempering Scripture began with a detailed description of the body's meridians, acupoints, and energy flow. It then listed the precise breathing techniques, postures, and movements required to circulate qi through the muscles and bones, slowly reinforcing and tempering them over time.
It wasn't about flashy moves or overwhelming force. This was training at its most fundamental level—tedious, grueling, and painfully precise.
He took a deep breath and began.
The first exercise involved channeling his qi into his arms, letting the fiery energy flow into his muscles, then holding it there until it began to burn—literally burn. His skin reddened, muscles trembled, and a searing ache spread through his body. Sweat poured down his back.
By the time he completed the first round, his arms were numb, and his body felt like it had been hammered by molten iron. But beneath the pain, there was also a deep sense of strength building in his core.
For the rest of the night, Li Yao repeated the exercises, pushing his limits bit by bit. And as dawn approached, though he had only completed the first cycle of the technique, he knew he had taken the first true step toward something greater.
It wasn't a sword strike that could split mountains.It wasn't a fire spell that could scorch the heavens.But it was a beginning.And for Li Yao, that was enough.
Just then, a screen popped up in front of Li Yao:
[Technique Proficiency Function Unlocked]
His eyes widened slightly as the faint glow of the interface reflected in his pupils. A new chapter in his cultivation had just begun.