160: Chapter 160 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (108)

After a long while, Chu Shi's voice faded.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment before the five of them stood up and cupped their hands, their expressions filled with sincere gratitude.

"Many thanks, Junior Brother, for your selfless guidance! This pointer of yours is worth more than years of our bitter cultivation!"

"It was truly an enlightening experience! I finally understand the crux of my own breakthrough!"

With their mental knots untied, everyone's minds suddenly cleared, and the atmosphere became lively once again.

They exchanged information about their respective cultivation shortcomings and resource gaps, agreeing on the spot to form teams to make up for each other's weaknesses.

Those with weak physical bodies followed those with excellent control to temper their muscles and bones; those lacking resources teamed up to execute missions to collect Bone Casting ores and precious herbs; and those with insufficient mental fortitude engaged in discussions to stabilize their minds.

The fellow disciples, who were originally just acquaintances, became thoroughly familiar and close due to this discussion.

Time passed quietly. Amidst the lively chatter, the sunset dipped below the horizon, and twilight gradually stained the mountains.

Seeing that it was getting late, and remembering that Chu Shi had just undergone seven days of extreme breakthrough and still needed to rest his body and mind, Shen Yan spoke up at the right moment to break the tension:

"It is getting late. Junior Brother Chu has just broken through to a new realm and needs to calm his mind and stabilize it, so it would be improper for us to disturb him further. We have benefited greatly today and will come again another day to discuss and seek your advice, Junior Brother."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement and stood up to take their leave.

"Then we shall take our leave first. Junior Brother, rest well!"

"Let us visit each other often in the future and share what we have!"

Chu Shi stood up to see them off, accompanying them all the way to the courtyard gate, smiling and nodding, "I welcome you all, Senior Brothers and Sisters, at any time."

After watching their figures disappear into the distance, he turned back to the courtyard and raised his hand to close the gate.

The courtyard returned to its quiet tranquility.

Afterwards, seeing the messy courtyard, Chu Shi began to tidy up calmly.

He washed the stone table and tea set by the spiritual spring and cleaned the fine dust scattered on the ground. His movements were calm and relaxed, his state of mind clear and unruffled.

He did not need to rush into seclusion to stabilize his realm.

The accumulation of several reincarnations and seven days of extreme, steady progress had made his Copper Bone foundation perfect and flawless; it could be said that success came naturally.

Upon reaching the realm, he was already at its peak, without the slightest bit of instability or flaw.

After finishing the cleanup, Chu Shi drew water from the spiritual spring to wash himself thoroughly, rinsing away the dust and sweat accumulated over the seven days.

Afterwards, he changed into a clean and elegant robe and walked toward his bedroom.

Night fell, and the stars rose into the sky.

Chu Shi lay on his bed, putting aside all thoughts of cultivation and social obligations. His mind was at peace, and he slowly drifted into sleep.

He slept soundly through the night, without dreams or disturbances.

The next morning, Chu Shi's biological clock woke him up on time.

Afterwards, he stretched and got out of bed leisurely.

After washing up, he pushed open the door, walked out of Tingyang Courtyard, and headed toward the peak.

He prepared to go to the Lieyang Hall to pay his respects to his master.

First, to thank his master for protecting him during his breakthrough.

Second, he also wanted to ask about the subsequent cultivation of the Copper Bone Realm and if there were any "shortcuts" he could take.

After all, the Iron Melting Cave during the Iron Skin Realm stage was just too amazing; one visit saved years of hard work.

Thinking of this, Chu Shi couldn't help but quicken his pace.

A moment later, outside Lieyang Hall, the hall doors were wide open.

Chu Shi looked inside and saw his master, Master Li Er, and Elder Zhang leisurely sipping tea in the hall, looking quite comfortable.

Before Chu Shi could speak, Master Li Er's voice rang out: "Come in. What are you dawdling at the door for?"

Hearing this, Chu Shi walked in, feeling a bit confused.

Yet in his heart, he secretly picked up the nickname "Old Fogey" again; he felt something was off.

His thoughts were churning, but his face remained calm.

After entering, Chu Shi first bowed respectfully to the two of them: "Greetings, Master, Elder."

Afterwards, showing good initiative, he stepped forward quickly to refill their teacups.

"Hahaha, Nephew Chu is truly a talent. Why be so polite with me? Sit down quickly."

Hearing this, Chu Shi didn't stand on ceremony and sat down, following Elder Zhang's words.

To this, Master Li Er didn't say much and asked directly: "You brat, you just broke through; why aren't you properly stabilizing your realm instead of coming to find me?"

Hearing this, Chu Shi rolled his eyes and secretly complained in his heart.

What kind of talk is that? What are you saying?

If I hadn't seen the hall doors wide open, I would have believed you. You old fogey are obviously planning to set me up.

After complaining, he still respectfully replied, following the conversation: "Thanks to Master's guidance, my breakthrough this time went quite smoothly, and my realm is already stable. I have come today to seek Master's guidance on subsequent cultivation matters and to inquire about opportunities similar to the 'Iron Melting Cave'."

After speaking, without waiting for Master Li Er to reply, Chu Shi hurriedly poured himself a cup of tea and downed it in one gulp.

The moment the tea touched his throat, a bone-chilling cold suddenly exploded, spreading along his meridians to his limbs and bones, as if his whole body had been thrown into a ten-thousand-year-old ice cavern.

Before he could even shiver, the cold suddenly turned into a scalding warm current, rushing and colliding within his body like magma.

Ice and fire—two completely opposite forces intertwined and tempered his body.

Chu Shi could clearly feel his physical body becoming tougher at a visible rate, and even his dormant soul seemed to have been washed by a clear spring, becoming much clearer and more transparent.

He squinted his eyes comfortably, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the cool teacup.

Just as he was about to reach out to pour himself another cup, he caught a glimpse of the face opposite him, which was as black as the bottom of a pot.

Chu Shi's hand froze in mid-air. He slowly raised his head and met Master Li Er's eyes, which were almost spitting fire.

He smiled sheepishly, curled his fingers, and reluctantly pulled his hand back, picking up the empty teacup to pretend he was still savoring the taste.

Elder Zhang, sitting to the side, couldn't help but chuckle. He stroked his gray beard and laughingly tried to smooth things over:

"You lad, you certainly know good stuff. This isn't ordinary spiritual tea; it's Ice Soul Tea that your Auntie Xue specifically entrusted someone to bring to your master a few days ago. The tea buds are harvested from beneath the ten-thousand-year glaciers in the Far North, and only a few catties are produced each year; it's extremely precious. You have to savor it slowly; who drinks it like a cow like you?"

"Auntie Xue?" Chu Shi was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized who it was, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

He turned to look at Elder Zhang, and the two exchanged a glance, both seeing a knowing smile in each other's eyes.

Chu Shi tsk-tsked in his heart.

No wonder the old fogey treasures it so much; even though he, as a direct disciple, has visited Lieyang Hall so many times, he hasn't even seen a tea leaf.

So it turns out this tea was sent by Peak Master Xue Qinghan of the Ice Soul Peak of the Ice and Snow Holy Land.

It seems there really is some indescribable relationship between these two.

Master Li Er felt uncomfortable being stared at by the old man and the young one, and his face turned even darker.

He coughed heavily and impatiently interrupted the ambiguous eye contact between the two:

"Enough, stop exchanging looks there. Let's talk about serious matters."

He picked up his own teacup, took a light sip, and his tone returned to its usual indifference:

"For the subsequent cultivation of the Copper Bone Realm, just follow the inheritance of the Blazing Sun Body Casting Method step by step. This realm doesn't have many tricks; it's just a matter of grinding work. Its strength depends solely on how many bones you temper. The only unique aspect is the tempering of the Secret Bones."