After half a year, Gu Xiaojiang had grown taller and his demeanor had become much steadier. Wearing the same blue robe as before, he carried himself with an aura far more outstanding compared to the first time Gu Sheng met him.
Over this period, Gu Xiaojiang had matured significantly.
"What a rare guest."
Gu Sheng laughed heartily as Gu Xiaojiang turned toward him, also laughing. Raising the wine jug in his hand, he shook his head and sighed:
"Rare guest? Hardly. Iâm just a man without autonomy. Today, being the yearâs end, I was allowed one day of rest. The moment I was done with my duties, I came straight to find you. Tonight, we wonât leave until weâre drunk!"
As he spoke, his face lit up with a cheerful smile.
These past months of rigorous training had truly worn him out.
The elders at Guâs Manor held high expectations for him, hoping he could break through to the Blood Refining Realm within three years. They had been relentlessly piling both common and rare resources on him, which weighed heavily on his shoulders.
Gu Sheng opened the door to the courtyard and teased him with a laugh:
"Youâre someone blessed beyond measure yet unaware of it. If your treatment were given to others in the core family, do you think they wouldnât fight to the death for it?"
Having resources without worry and guidance from the manorâs three top experts in turnâGu Xiaojiang wouldnât have had this qualification if not for these turbulent times.
Gu Xiaojiang chuckled and replied:
"Then how about I give it all to you?"
Gu Sheng froze for a moment before bursting into laughter:
"I wouldnât dare accept such fortune."
The two exchanged glances and laughed together. Gu Xiaojiang gradually came to understand Gu Sheng better.
He knew well that while Gu Sheng appeared low-profile on the surface, he was firmly principled. If the elders wanted to treat Gu Sheng the same way they treated Gu Jingang, it simply wouldnât work.
Still, his approach differed from the elders. As long as Gu Sheng didnât wrong Guâs Manor, he had no objection.
The two sat down.
Gu Xiaojiang poured a drink for Gu Sheng, carefully observing him while a trace of astonishment flashed in his eyes.
"Asheng, itâs been half a year, and youâve changed so much."
At this moment, Gu Sheng was half a head taller than him. In the cold winter, he wore only a simple fitted outfit, his faintly outlined muscles showing through, exuding an extraordinary bearing. Most striking was his gaze, filled with steadiness and confidenceânot entirely different from before, yet with a noticeable contrast.
This was the confidence born from strength.
Gu Shengâs abilities had visibly improved daily. His dominance in the Refining Skin Realm was unmatched, and this naturally imbued him with an energy and spirit that was distinct from others. Even when intentionally subdued, it was still perceptible.
"Asheng... have you already become a Martial Artist?"
Gu Xiaojiang couldnât hold back his curiosity as he asked.
His eyes sparkled with intrigue.
Gu Sheng took a sip of the wine, praised its taste, and then replied with a smile:
"You already know my aptitudeâitâs impossible for me to become a Martial Artist yet. But... Iâm close. By next spring, Iâd say Iâm about sixty to seventy percent sure Iâll break through."
Gu Xiaojiangâs eyes lit up instantly, and he couldnât help but exclaim:
"Impressive!"
"Itâs merely thanks to the advantage of receiving five portions of Body Refining Ointment every month. Without the savings I accumulated from hunting earlier, I wouldnât have even approached the Martial Artist threshold. Honestly, I owe a lot to your father."
Gu Sheng sighed softly. He knew in his heart that his innate talent was mediocre.
Gu Xiaojiang waved his hands repeatedly.
"Even though Iâve used far more Body Refining Ointment than you, I know its results firsthand. Your progress, Asheng, is mostly the fruit of your own efforts. Hard work is rewarded by heaven. It seems Uncle Jingang wasnât wrongâI really havenât worked hard enough."
Knowing that Gu Sheng would likely become a Martial Artist by next spring sparked an unexpected sense of competitiveness in Gu Xiaojiangâs heart. If even someone with Gu Shengâs aptitude could become a Martial Artist this swiftly, he knew he had to push harder!
Gu Sheng couldnât help laughing quietly. His offhand comment had inadvertently triggered Gu Xiaojiang to strive harder. Changing the subject, he said:
"Youâve trained rigorously for half a yearâyour strength must have advanced greatly by now. My abilities pale in comparison."
But Gu Xiaojiang shook his head with a bitter smile and gulped down a mouthful of spirits.
His frustrated voice broke the silence:
"Itâs nowhere near as easy as it seems. My progress in tempering my skin membrane is decent. Iâve already reached the limit of Stone Skin and, with some further honing, should soon break through to the Iron Skin Realm. The problem is with Iron Stone Fist."
Gu Xiaojiang clawed at his hair in irritation.
"After over six months of intensive training, my fist skill has improved significantly. But I just canât find the key to breaking through to the Great Achievement Realm. Without that breakthrough, achieving Blood Refining Realm within these next two years is as hard as scaling the heavens!"
Feeling he had disappointed the manorâs high expectations, Gu Xiaojiangâs expression turned despondent.
Gu Shengâs mind stirred.
To achieve mastery in Iron Stone Fist, one needed to blend techniques and practice seamlessly. Though it sounded simple, the difficulty lay in executing transitions freely between moves.
For instance, any young trainee at the manor practicing entry-level Iron Stone Fist could roughly manage basic transitions, but only at the end of a routine. True mastery required free-flowing transitions during execution to allow the strikes themselves to temper the skin membrane.
With Gu Shengâs current realm in Iron Stone Fist, even its founder wouldnât surpass his level. Guiding Gu Xiaojiang would be an effortless task.
While pondering how best to discreetly offer pointers, Gu Xiaojiang suddenly shook his head.
"Why am I bringing up such discouraging stuff? Thatâs on meâitâs my fault. Since tonight is a rare reunion, we should spar a little on fist skills. Though my Iron Stone Fist hasnât broken into the Great Achievement Realm yet, itâs no worse than that of my father or Uncle Changming. Maybe itâll inspire you."
Gu Xiaojiang excitedly leapt into the courtyard and gestured toward Gu Sheng.
Though he called it sparring, in reality, Gu Xiaojiang intended to use this chance to impart some guidance to Gu Sheng. He simply refrained from saying so outright out of consideration for Gu Shengâs pride.