The washroom was quiet, lit only by the warm flicker of a single oil lamp. Steam rose from the wooden tub, carrying with it the pungent, earthy aroma of crushed herbs. The water had turned a murky amber, infused with shredded bark, bone flower petals, and powdered root from the sealed pouch Master Yuan had entrusted to him.
Lin Hao stood beside it, shirt off, body small but firm with determination. In his hands he held the thick, leather-bound book—Master Yuan's personal notes on physical cultivation. It was the first true treasure of his new path.
He set the book aside, then stepped into the tub.
At first, it was warm. Comforting. Like soaking in the memories of sunlight.
Then the change began.
The heat deepened—grew heavy, almost alive. It seeped into his pores and pulsed against his muscles. Within seconds, the surface of his skin flushed red, his breathing turned shallow, and a dull ache spread through his arms and legs.
He gritted his teeth.
It wasn't unbearable, but it wasn't kind either.
It was work.
The herbs were doing exactly what they were meant to do—invading the body's weakest points, shaking loose impurities, tearing down the old to prepare for the new.
This is just the beginning, he reminded himself.
He closed his eyes and focused on breathing steadily, evenly, until the pressure inside his bones dulled into a slow, rhythmic throb.
Minutes crawled past.
By the time he stepped out of the tub, his limbs were trembling. His muscles burned. His back ached. But despite the pain, he stood a little straighter. His pulse beat stronger in his ears.
This is tempering.
Instead of collapsing into bed, Lin Hao dried himself off, sat cross-legged on the floor, and opened the book.
The next section bore no embellishment. Just a single heading, written in clean brushstrokes:
The Seven Stages of Foundational Cultivation
"These seven stages compose the First Level of Body Cultivation—the Foundation Layer. They form the vessel that will carry power. Without them, any attempt to build higher realms will collapse like stone upon sand."
1. Skin Tempering StageThe surface of the body must first be toughened. Through pain, exposure, and herbal reinforcement, the skin becomes resistant to cuts, burns, cold, and external impact. Endurance increases. Pain becomes familiar.
2. Flesh Refinement StageMuscles are broken and rebuilt stronger. They grow dense, responsive, filled with raw energy. Movements become sharper. Reaction time improves. Strikes begin to carry weight beyond normal effort.
3. Bone Strengthening StageThe skeleton is reshaped through controlled trauma and regeneration. Bones reinforced under medicinal influence become stronger than steel. At this point, the body begins to generate internal force.
4. Marrow Washing StageThe blood and marrow are cleansed. Circulation improves. Toxins are removed. Vitality surges. A cultivator here resists illness, fatigue, and even poison.
5. Organ Reinforcement StageThe internal organs—heart, lungs, liver, spleen—are refined. Breathing deepens, stamina grows, and durability reaches a new height. Wounds that would kill others become survivable.
6. Vein Expansion StageSpiritual veins awaken and widen. Qi can begin to flow freely and be stored. The first sparks of internal energy discipline take form.
7. Meridian Awakening StageThe cultivator gains access to their meridians, allowing them to learn and utilize physical techniques, breathing arts, and advanced movement methods.
Lin Hao stared at the final line.
He remembered how, in his past life, he had clawed his way through the early stages—slowly, painfully—reaching only the Bone Strengthening Stage by the time the world fell apart.
That was where I stopped. Where my path ended.
But now, he had a new chance.
He turned the page.
Beyond Foundation: The Advanced Realms of Body Cultivation
"Upon completing the Meridian Awakening Stage, one steps into the deeper waters of cultivation. These higher realms demand discipline, resources, and unshakable will."
Second Level – Iron Body RealmAt this level, the body can withstand blades, fire, and blunt force. Every strike received can be absorbed and redirected. The skin hardens like tempered iron.
Third Level – Bronze Blood RealmThe cultivator's blood becomes enriched with inner force. It nourishes the body, heals wounds rapidly, and provides extraordinary strength and speed. Even breathing releases energy.
Fourth Level – Golden Bone RealmVery few reach this stage. Bones resonate with Qi, and the body emits pressure passively. A single movement can release force waves. The cultivator's body becomes a true weapon—living, breathing, unbreakable.
Lin Hao closed the book and rested his hand over the cover.
So many years wasted in his past life. So much time lost struggling for scraps.
But now… he had the manual, the medicines, the backing.
And the will.
He wasn't going to reach only the third level again.
He was going to surpass them all.