Chapter 96: Refining the Body Achieved

On the south side of Sect Master Peak, a separate residence stood, far from the main Sect Master Hall and close to a cliff.

"This will be your dwelling from now on." Liu Qingxian, holding the key, unlocked the gate of the residence for Jiang Fan, saying with displeasure, "My father is clearly retaliating against you. Not only did he give you the most challenging task, but even your dwelling is in the most remote spot."

Jiang Fan, however, found the place quite appealing. Other senior disciples' dwellings were clustered together, right next to each other. While that might be lively, Jiang Fan greatly needed privacy for activities such as alchemy, medicine refining, body tempering, and so on.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister, but I'm very satisfied with this place. And don't worry about the task; I won't disappoint Master."

Jiang Fan's complete lack of complaint and his positive attitude made Liu Qingxian feel somewhat guilty. It was her insistence that forced her father to accept him as a disciple, which led to Jiang Fan's current unfavorable situation.

She patted Jiang Fan's shoulder and said, "I'll also help you figure out a way with this task. We'll definitely make my father see you in a new light."

Jiang Fan smiled. After seeing Liu Qingxian off, he immediately closed the door, confirming that the doors and windows were well-sealed with formation arrays. It would be difficult for outsiders to easily break in or snoop around. He then felt at ease.

He immediately retrieved the ingredients for the Fierce Tiger Pill and began concocting it on the spot. An hour later, a fragrant aroma, tinged with rose, wafted from the alchemy furnace. Jiang Fan knew then that the Fierce Tiger Pill was perfected. Upon opening the furnace, he indeed found several orange-yellow pills with white patterns on their surface, resembling tiger stripes at first glance.

"No wonder it's called the Fierce Tiger Pill," he murmured. Jiang Fan took them out, then retrieved the excerpt of the "Iron Blood True Scripture" and began to study it. Body tempering was fundamentally different from cultivating internal energy. It didn't utilize the dantian and meridians, but rather the body's muscles and bones. Power was unleashed through them.

Once he had a fair understanding of the first layer, he began to practice. He first drew his purple sword and, with great difficulty, managed to perform a sword flourish; it took him three breaths. "I wonder if it will be easier to perform after completing the first layer of cultivation."

So, he swallowed a Fierce Tiger Pill and began cultivating the "Iron Blood True Scripture." As the pill went down, he immediately felt a burning pain in his abdomen. He knew this was the medicinal effect taking hold. He immediately followed the method described in the "Iron Blood True Scripture," guiding the medicinal power to permeate the bones and muscles throughout his body. The severe pain in his abdomen subsided, replaced by a gradually spreading burning sensation throughout his body. However, this was also the core of body tempering. He endured the pain, continuously guiding the medicinal power to cleanse his body again and again.

Finally, half a day later, a layer of grayish-brown, sticky impurities, emitting a faint fishy odor, covered his skin. "The first layer, Bronze Skin Iron Bones, is marked by the initial expulsion of impurities from the body," he mused. A look of joy appeared on Jiang Fan's face.

"Hahaha! The 'Iron Blood True Scripture,' which no one in Giant Sect could cultivate, I've cultivated to the first layer—Bronze Skin Iron Bones!" He immediately picked up his purple sword and attempted a sword flourish. Although it still seemed a bit clumsy, it only took one breath. "It really works!" Jiang Fan immediately began practicing the "Seven Star Sword Art." He could finally perform it through, albeit with some effort, unlike before when even a single swing proved strenuous.

"Junior Brother Jiang!" Just then, an unfamiliar voice called from outside the door. Jiang Fan immediately re-wrapped his purple sword, wiped away the impurities from his body, and opened the door to look. It was a stout disciple dressed in Sect Master Peak attire.

"Junior Brother Jiang, Master wants you to come to the refectory for a meal." *Growl—* Only then did Jiang Fan realize he hadn't eaten anything since morning, and his stomach uncooperatively rumbled. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother, I'll be there shortly."

Back in his room, he took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and then headed to the refectory. About twenty disciples were eating in the hall. Upon Jiang Fan's entrance, curious eyes immediately turned towards him.

"So that's the junior brother Senior Sister Liu strongly insisted Master take in!""I heard he has no spiritual roots.""Senior Sister Liu even gambled with Cao Zhen from Reincarnation Peak for his sake.""He's getting more attention than Junior Brother Tao, the new disciple with a Sixth-Grade Spiritual Root whom the Sect Master just accepted."

During this round of disciple recruitment across the peaks, Liu Wenchen had not been without gains. He had taken in a disciple with a Sixth-Grade Spiritual Root, intending to make him this year's true disciple.

Everyone looked towards Tao Zhengjun, who stood not far away, a stout figure resembling an iron tower. He had also overheard their discussions. He couldn't help but cast a hostile glance at Jiang Fan, who was walking in.

"Hey, new guy!" Tao Zhengjun's tone was unkind, and his two bell-like eyes glared at Jiang Fan. "I hear you're quite good at charming women, aren't you? You've even got Senior Sister Liu wrapped around your finger. She even got you exceptionally admitted into our Sect Master Peak!"

Jiang Fan, who was solely focused on eating, was suddenly provoked. He looked in the direction of the voice and was surprised by the exaggeratedly massive physique. He was at least two meters tall, and his body was a mass of muscle and bulk, standing like a mountain of flesh and exuding significant pressure. But with no previous grievance, why was he provoking him? He couldn't be bothered to respond, so he picked up a bowl, served himself a large portion of rice, and added a lot of meat. He wasn't sure if it was due to his body tempering, which seemed to consume an extraordinary amount of food. He had never been this hungry before. He sat down and began to rapidly devour his meal.

Tao Zhengjun was enraged and slammed his chopsticks down violently onto the dining table. The iron chopsticks were bent from the impact. "Brat, are you ignoring my words?"

He strode towards Jiang Fan like a moving hill. Many disciples wore expressions of amusement, ready to watch the unfolding drama. Some female disciples, however, felt that things were taking a turn for the worse.

"Senior Brother! Senior Brother, please stop them! What if he accidentally hurts Junior Brother Jiang?" A female disciple prompted a handsome man in green robes, over thirty years old, who was sitting beside her. His gaze was indifferent as he said, "It's normal for new disciples to have disputes. It's better to let them compete and establish who is strong and who is weak, who is superior and who is inferior. It will reduce many conflicts in the future."

That was true. They were all new disciples; who would want to be inferior to others? To avoid constant future conflicts between the two sides, which would require the senior disciples to mediate every time, it was better to establish dominance early on. This way, the weaker party would naturally avoid the stronger one. Conflicts between them would decrease, and as senior disciples, they would have much less trouble.

The female disciple's concern was: "Are you sure this won't escalate? Tao Zhengjun isn't just high in cultivation; the Tao family is a prominent body-tempering clan. Jiang Fan's scrawny frame might end up seriously injured."

The Senior Brother continued eating, his eyes fixed on his meal, and calmly said, "Since Junior Brother Jiang is so highly regarded by Junior Sister Liu, he should be able to bear the corresponding burden. If he can't even withstand a minor injury, he might as well leave Sect Master Peak early."

*Hmm—* Only then did the female disciple detect a hint of jealousy in his words. It was an open secret that the Senior Brother harbored admiration for Liu Qingxian. He, who had always been stern with other men, displayed an unprecedented attitude towards Jiang Fan. This naturally made the Senior Brother jealous.

She sighed softly, "Oh, Jiang Fan, don't blame us senior brothers and sisters for not helping you. Blame only yourself. If you lack the capability, why take on such a delicate task?"