Chapter 253: Chapter 251: Methods But unfortunately, Sang Peng and the others have never heard of it. "Immortal Master Xia should know," Sang Peng said confidently. Obviously, in his mind, Immortal Master Xia was omnipotent. "Then I shall wait patiently for Immortal Master Xia to come out," Lou Yi said with a smile. Bidding farewell to Sang Peng, Lou Yi returned to the city and went to his residence to start studying the newly discovered cultivation technique — Skin Refining Technique. Spending thirty points of energy to upgrade Skin Refining Technique: Skin Refining Technique (Not Initiated 0/30) → Skin Refining Technique (Initiated 0/100) Unfamiliar memories appeared in his mind. In the memory, Lou Yi grew up in a small town somewhat similar to Ping’an Village, surrounded by chaotic monsters and strange occurrences. To resist the monsters, everyone practiced martial arts, and he also apprenticed under a well-known local martial artist. "To learn martial arts, one must endure hardship!" The master taught him Pile Skill, making him stand in the courtyard, rain or shine, windy or rainy, without fail for a single day. Once he learned the static pose, it was time for the dynamic pose, which included forms and steps. Lou Yi studied diligently and received much praise from his master. In a blink, five years passed, and the little boy who used to wipe his nose had grown into a fourteen or fifteen-year-old young man. In reality, Lou Yi opened his eyes. He felt an energy from heaven and earth enter his body. Then, it transformed into warm currents floating on the surface of his body, massaging his skin constantly, feeling tingly and comfortable. He looked at the Attribute Panel, and there was a new entry in the realm: Unranked Martial Artist (0/600). Then looking at the prompt for Skin Refining Technique. He discovered that the initiated level of Skin Refining Technique could provide twenty points of proficiency each day. In other words, he could reach the next level in a month, which should be the Oxhide Realm that Sang Peng mentioned. The speed wasn’t slow, much faster than when he initially learned the Breathing Technique. It must be because his own strength was now far beyond what it once was. However, Skin Refining Technique could still be improved. Lou Yi pressed on, spending one hundred energy points to upgrade Skin Refining Technique: Skin Refining Technique (Initiated 0/100) → Skin Refining Technique (Proficient 0/300+1 Black Jade Ointment) A second memory emerged in his mind, continuing from the first memory. Lou Yi had been an apprentice for five years, becoming extremely proficient in both static and dynamic poses, laying a solid foundation. His master finally decided to teach him something substantial. In addition to continuing to practice Pile Skill, he applied a red viscous liquid to Lou Yi’s body every day. The origin of this liquid was not simple. In the city, there were many Medicine Gatherers who risked climbing steep cliffs to collect a precious plant called ’Blood Circulation Grass,’ and then sold it at a high price to martial artists. Martial artists like Lou Yi’s master liked to boil Blood Circulation Grass into oil and apply it to the body to stimulate the skin and activate Qi-Blood. With Lou Yi’s solid foundation, with the help of the red oil made from Blood Circulation Grass, he eventually reached another level after three years. When activating Qi-Blood, his whole skin turned grey-yellow, with a texture as tenacious as oxhide... In reality, a surge of energy several times stronger than before entered Lou Yi’s body, transforming into countless warm currents, altering his skin. ’Crackle!’ Lou Yi felt the surface of his skin constantly stirring with Qi, but even looking with the naked eye, there seemed to be no difference compared to before. The prompt for Skin Refining Technique changed accordingly. The proficient level of Skin Refining Technique could provide sixty points of proficiency each day. This meant that in ten days, he could reach the Oxhide level. The next few days. Lou Yi, Shi Caifeng, Zhan Weida, and others who came from the river, all settled down completely in Ping’an City, sometimes exchanging martial skills with Sang Peng and others. If monsters attacked, they would fight the enemy together. The natives of Ping’an City gradually became accustomed to their presence. They also became aware that aside from Lou Yi, Chu Feng, Daoist Xuanji, and Old Man Shi were all extremely powerful individuals, few in Ping’an City could rival them. According to Lou Yi’s understanding, only three great experts in the entire Ping’an City had reached the Black Skin Level. One stayed by Immortal Master Xia’s side year-round, guarding his safety. One often went on travels, appearing and vanishing unexpectedly. Only one could be seen occasionally, Sang Sheng, Sang Peng’s uncle. But even when Sang Sheng exerted his full strength, he could only reach a stalemate with Daoist Xuanji, who had lost one hand. Daoist Xuanji, not unworthy of being a dragon and phoenix among people from the Wulin of the river, used an unpredictable swordsmanship to impress all martial artists in Ping’an City. Ten days later, Lou Yi’s realm finally broke through. Unranked Martial Artist (0/600) → Oxhide Martial Artist (0/600) At the moment of breakthrough, a large amount of warm current surged to the surface of his skin, causing his skin to constantly bulge and sink, like wrought iron being hammered fiercely. Simultaneously, his flesh and blood were also accordingly enhanced, slowly growing stronger. Once the breakthrough was complete, Lou Yi began to perceive the changes in his body. Lightly activating the Skin Refining Technique, the surface color of his skin turned slightly yellow. Pinching it, it seemed not much different than before. He clenched his fist and swung it hard. ’Whoosh!’ The power had almost no enhancement. Lou Yi frowned but then immediately relaxed his brow. Thinking carefully, this made sense. His current Qi-Blood was already beyond the Martial Artist’s limit. While Skin Refining Technique was a different path, its essence was also to improve Qi-Blood. For someone like him now, the initial stage certainly wouldn’t show much improvement. ’It seems only at the later stages might it bring significant enhancement to the body,’ Lou Yi thought. And after reaching the Oxhide Level, the proficiency of Skin Refining Technique significantly decreased. It now only provided ten points a day, and it would take two more months to break through to the next major realm of Stone Skin. To further improve Skin Refining Technique required Black Jade Ointment. This was likely the Black Mud he had seen earlier. The Black Mud was obviously much more precious than the Red Oil, so Lou Yi hadn’t rashly asked before. But in this period, he had gotten quite familiar with Sang Peng and other Ping’an Village natives. Lou Yi planned to go out and find them, to see if he could gain access to the Black Mud. When he reached the square, seeing a man and a woman appear in the distance, his expression turned a bit peculiar. With his powerful senses, he could clearly receive all sounds within a hundred zhang. "Fairy Jia, how was the Green Snail Meat I brought you yesterday? It’s a rare delicacy that we seldom get to enjoy." "Thank you, Young Master Sang, for your kindness. The Green Snail Meat was indeed exceptionally delicious. But, sigh..." "Fairy Jia, are you thinking of your family again? Don’t be sad, when you become strong in the future, you will surely have the chance to return!" "I hope so, I wonder if my father’s asthma is getting any better. Without me by his side, will those servants diligently prepare the medicine..." "Fairy Jia is truly a filial person, don’t worry, your father will definitely be fine. How about this, I’ll tell you another story about Immortal Master Xia?" "Young Master Sang is such a good person, I’m indeed curious about Immortal Master’s experiences." Hearing the compliment, Sang Peng felt a rush of excitement. He wanted to pour out all his thoughts to her but was afraid of being abrupt. ...