Chapter 17: Brother Jinbiao

After all this back and forth, Tang Jinbiao, who had initially possessed clear thoughts, suddenly felt confused. He felt he understood what Huang Biaozi was saying, yet also felt he didn’t. However, right at that moment, Huang Biaozi’s expression turned stern, and he continued speaking, “Alright, kid, I’ve already told you the essence of the Way of Deception! As for how much you’ll grasp, that depends on your own fate!”

“I…”

Upon hearing this, Tang Jinbiao desperately wanted to curse, but in the end, he held it back and chose silence instead.

Huang Biaozi seemed to know his thoughts and went on, “Alright, now I will pass on to you a Body Refining Technique of the mid Mysterious Tier. Listen well!”

“Nani? Didn’t you agree to a low Yellow Tier…?”

Tang Jinbiao froze briefly, completely taken aback. But even as he spoke, he suddenly felt waves of yellow radiance emanating from Huang Biaozi’s body. Strands of text, forming chains, rushed deep into his mind.

“The art of Body Refining focuses on the cultivation of the body. What is Body Refining? Refining is the relentless forging; Body is the foundation of all techniques…

Ordinary Mortals deem Body Refining a lowly practice, unaware it is the very root of all things. A tree without roots dies; a person without a body perishes…

This art is named Ape Art!

…

It’s often said the tiger is king of all beasts, relying on its sharp claws and strong teeth. But man is no fierce tiger, lacking such innate weapons…

The ape stands atop the Dense Forest, relying on its immense and powerful twin arms, capable of rending heaven and earth…

This art emphasizes the tempering of the arms…”

Before Tang Jinbiao could utter a word, the Body Refining Technique imprinted itself into his mind ceaselessly, proving even more effective than studying a book himself.

For the Tang Jinbiao from his original world, studying and learning were practically lethal, yet here was Huang Biaozi, accomplishing it with seemingly effortless ease. With just a simple gesture, Huang Biaozi made him memorize knowledge he’d never encountered before, firmly and completely.

This mid Mysterious Tier Body Refining Technique was named Ape Art. It primarily focused on training the arms, though this was far from simple conditioning. It constituted a true form of tempering. Through a series of intense training regimens, the practitioner’s arms would grow exceptionally thick and immensely powerful. Reaching a certain level meant the ability for bare-handed tearing through the bodies of various Demon Beasts; a single punch could shatter metal and pulverize stone.

At the very end of the Ape Art, a specific fist technique called the Ape Fist was emphatically introduced.

The Ape Fist demanded an unstoppable momentum and explosive power!

Tang Jinbiao abandoned his desire to curse. Instead, he sat down quietly in the lotus position and began to absorb the principles of the Ape Art.

A full two hours passed before Tang Jinbiao finally opened his eyes. A light of intense excitement and agitation gleamed in them.

“Damn, this thing is awesome! Huang Biaozi, you damn son of a gun, you actually have some skills! And this Mysterious Tier art doesn’t seem all that difficult! Haha!”

Having gradually digested and understood the Ape Art, Tang Jinbiao was utterly thrilled. The technique’s explanations were incredibly detailed, covering everything from the initial training regime all the way through to mastering the Ape Fist. He even felt the Ape Art wasn’t hard at all; it didn’t match the rumours that Mysterious Tier arts were far more difficult to cultivate than Yellow Tier ones.

Naturally, he didn’t realize this ease stemmed primarily from his training over the past six months under Huang Biaozi – training focused specifically on strengthening his legs and arms. Physical cultivation, much like other forms of learning, followed the principle: master one concept and it unlocks many. Understand one method thoroughly, and myriad others become clear through analogy. With this foundational conditioning already in place, comprehending the Ape Art became a natural consequence for Tang Jinbiao.

“Don’t get cocky yet, kid. You’ll truly understand only when you start practicing properly. But after the trials of these last six months, it shouldn’t be overly difficult for you. And with a continuous supply of resources backing you, you’ll likely achieve minor success in about three months. By then, your strength shouldn’t be much less than an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator!”

Huang Biaozi seemed somewhat apprehensive that Tang Jinbiao’s newfound confidence might explode into some strange action again and hurriedly offered this caution.

“Speaking of which, Huang Biaozi—enough about the art. It’s been half a year already, and I’ve hardly seen anyone else. I know roughly the cultivation hierarchies, but I’ve never actually seen how powerful each stage truly is. Can you shed some light on that? And that Goddess hasn’t shown up for ages either!”

Tang Jinbiao suddenly remembered his complete isolation over the past six months. His days consisted solely of sparring verbally and physically with Huang Biaozi. Mentioning others inevitably brought the image of the black-clad ‘beauty’ from that night to his mind.

“Hmm, let’s put it this way: your current physique has already reached the absolute peak achievable for an ordinary Mortal. To advance further, naturally, you must embark on refining your body. As for the hierarchies and corresponding power levels in this world, they are as you know: Qi Condensation, Foundation Building, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and so on. Traditionally, speaking, Mortals stand no chance against Cultivators. However, Cultivators in the Qi Condensation Stage have only just embarked upon their path and remain comparatively frail. Some exceptionally powerful Mortals can potentially defeat Qi Condensation Stage Cultivators at the fourth or fifth layer through sheer physical prowess. Even top martial arts masters might challenge those at the seventh or eighth Qi Condensation layers. As for your strength right now? I estimate it’s comparable to the fourth or fifth layer of Qi Condensation. Foundation Building or Core Formation? That’s utterly beyond your reach. If you still harbor thoughts of revenge on those two lads from before, I advise you to first cultivate that Ape Fist to a decent level. As for that Goddess you fantasize about? Heh heh… maybe it’ll take another eight or ten years of cultivation before you stand a chance.”

Huang Biaozi paused thoughtfully for a moment before slowly explaining.

“What?! Eight or ten years?! By then, wouldn’t my youth be completely wasted? No way! I want to learn a different Body Refining Technique! At most three years! No… one year! Just give me one year to chase down that Goddess!”

Hearing “eight or ten years”, Tang Jinbiao exploded in panic.

“Damn it, you think Body Refining Technique is the same as the Way of Deception? If you really believe that, then why don’t you just learn the Way of Deception from me? If you study seriously, half a year at most, and I’ll surely make you succeed!”

Huang Biaozi, perhaps influenced by Tang Jinbiao, actually uttered that curse “damn it.”

“Go away! I’m cultivating now!”

What Tang Jinbiao hated most right now was Huang Biaozi pestering him day after day, trying to make him learn that rubbish Way of Deception.

“I…”

Huang Biaozi was speechless.

“Hmm? Not good, someone’s coming!”

But just then, Tang Jinbiao’s ears twitched slightly, instantly sensing that people had arrived.

Whoosh!

As Tang Jinbiao started to stand up and turn to see who had come, two figures immediately appeared on the open ground about four or five zhang in front of him with smirking expressions.

One wore a cyan robe, with hair tied up into a bun secured by a white jade hairpin. Though handsome, he looked pale and seemed drained of vitality. The other wore similar attire, but in a russet color, with even stranger bright red eyebrows!

“It’s you two!”

As soon as Tang Jinbiao made out their faces, his heart sank, and he felt uneasy.

“Heh heh, the Tang Family genius, long time no see!”

“Heh heh, Brother Jinbiao, you’ve grown so much in just half a year!”

They both gave him smirking looks, slowly walking toward him while rubbing their hands eagerly.

In just half a year, they had changed dramatically from their last meeting—not physically, but in their overall presence.

“Qi Condensation Ninth Layer!”

Huang Biaozi’s voice echoed in Tang Jinbiao’s mind, and it somehow sounded teasingly amused.

“Dammit, telling me that now is useless?”

Tang Jinbiao cursed Huang Biaozi inwardly, but he forced a grin and asked, “Heh heh, why have my two junior brothers come to the Back Hill? To enjoy the scenery, perhaps?”

“Hmm?”

Hearing that, both frowned slightly, their expressions shifting. But after exchanging a glance, their faces broke back into smiles as they continued to advance on Tang Jinbiao.

“Heh heh, Brother Jinbiao, I heard you’ve been practicing Body Refining Technique lately and made not small…but big achievements. We’re here to test you out, so please don’t refuse!”

“Yeah, totally! Brother Jinbiao, I’ve heard those Body Refining Cultivators are incredible, you know? Against others of the same level, they handle them like cutting vegetables—bam, bam! Tearing apart a cultivator’s body is said to be easier than ripping a woman’s clothes. I’m so jealous! I really want to learn Body Refining Technique too, but sigh, the Elders won’t let me!”

“Right, Brother Jinbiao, since my junior brother and I are so sincere, just indulge us, okay? Don’t worry—it’s just an exchange, an exchange! No one will die!”

“Brother Jinbiao…”

The two kept calling him “Brother Jinbiao” over and over, as affectionately as if he were truly theirs, step by step closing in on Tang Jinbiao.

“Who the hell told you this? I haven’t seen anyone else in half a year! And can you not be so crude? I didn’t practice Body Refining Technique to rip women’s clothes!”

Tang Jinbiao raged internally. Over the past half-year, aside from Little Lv, his father, and the Third Elder, no one should have known he trained here, or even encountered him—this area was remote and isolated.

“Brother Jinbiao, your junior brother Huaxi is here!”

“Brother Jinbiao, your junior brother Xingchi is here!”

When they were just three or four steps away, Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi suddenly changed expressions, stomped the ground hard, and attacked Tang Jinbiao simultaneously.

“Shit!”

Tang Jinbiao wouldn’t just sit around waiting to be hit. He cursed mentally but didn’t hesitate, darting sideways to grab a nearby sandbag. With a fierce heave, he tore it down and hurled it at them.

As soon as the sandbag flew through the air, it split open. Sand burst everywhere, creating a huge cloud of dust.

“Hmph!”

Bang!

Seeing the rupture, Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi frowned briefly and snorted coldly. Instead of retreating, they surged forward, both casually sweeping their right hands in front to release a visible Protective Spirit Light that encased their bodies, completely shielding them from the sand.

“Brother Jinbiao!”

They attacked rapidly, still yelling “Brother Jinbiao” after each step.

“Brother Jinbiao my ass!”

With his nerves frayed by their shouts, Tang Jinbiao spun around and roared. Ignoring them both, he bolted down the hillside…