From a chaotic world of folk customs to becoming a god through extreme methods.

Upon hearing this, Shen Jianhe frowned slightly.

This kid has only just broken through to the level of sword sense, and he already wants to move on to the next level of swordsmanship?

They were truly aiming too high and didn't know their own limitations.

However, he lowered his head and fell into deep thought.

The "Ripples Chapter" is the second body tempering technique, not some secret that is not passed down. Over the years, many disciples have come and gone, and many of them have practiced it.

Even if he doesn't give it to them, the Lin family can get it from him, given their wealth.

Moreover, the tuition fee given by the Lin family was indeed quite substantial.

There's no need to make things difficult for yourself in this matter.

"Long Wind".

He nodded and called out.

Xu Changfeng quickly walked over from the courtyard.

"Master."

"Make a copy of the 'Nine Styles of Ripples' sword manual for him."

Xu Changfeng was slightly taken aback, glanced at Lin Yuan, but didn't ask any further questions, and left in response.

A short while later, he handed several sheets of paper to Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan took it and saw that it was written in neat small regular script, along with some sword technique diagrams and annotations.

He immediately expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Senior Brother."

Shen Jianhe waved his hand.

"If you get it, practice hard."

"Remember, swordsmanship can be learned in advance, but body tempering is done step by step. If you force yourself to practice Ripples before you've perfected them, you'll damage your foundation. Don't blame me for not warning you."

"Your disciple will remember this."

Lin Yuan bowed and withdrew.

Lin Yuan's actions were naturally seen by many other disciples.

Having just grasped the essence of swordsmanship, he immediately sought out the instructor to learn the next level of swordsmanship.

Originally, people had begun to change their opinion of Lin Yuan because of his hard work, but now they immediately became even more contemptuous and disgusted with him.

Lin Yuan didn't care at all.

Anyway, after today, he plans to stay away from the martial arts school for the time being.

Having obtained the follow-up to the cultivation technique, "Ripples Chapter," he had achieved his goal.

In order not to reveal his cultivation level and secret, he would practice at home on his own in the days that followed.

As he retreated back into the courtyard, Wang Gou Dan approached him.

He looked at Zhao Ping, whose eyes held even greater contempt, and felt indignant for Lin Yuan.

"Young Master, that Zhao Ping was incredibly rude!"

"He himself took a month and a half to grasp the essence of swordsmanship when he first entered the academy. What right does he have to criticize you?"

"You've found out quite a bit," Lin Yuan replied.

Wang Gou Dan scratched his head.

"It was all passed down from my fellow apprentices at the temple; I heard it from them."

Lin Yuan smiled faintly.

"It doesn't matter, people can say whatever they want, you can't control them."

"But..." Wang Gou Dan wanted to say more.

But Lin Yuan interrupted him directly.

"Dog Egg, you'll remember this."

"The most useless thing in the world is arguing with others over words."

"Let them say what they want, you practice what you want. When your sword is fast enough, they'll naturally shut up."

Wang Gou Dan was silent for a while, then nodded vigorously.

"Young master, I've got it."

……

The following days.

Lin Yuan gave the martial arts school a reason, saying that he was feeling unwell and needed to rest at home.

So I'll stop going to practice every day for the time being.

Upon hearing this news, the disciples in the martial arts school felt even more contempt for Lin Yuan.

I assumed he was just making up some excuse and finally couldn't keep up the act anymore.

But in reality, Lin Yuan continued to practice his sword diligently every day in his backyard.

The "Ripples Chapter" of the Body Tempering Realm of the "Cold River Sword Technique" is officially called "Nine Styles of Ripples".

It is based on the "Twelve Styles of Rippling Waves".

The advanced techniques evolved by integrating and condensing the essence of the moves, and combining them with more exquisite martial arts.

Once cultivation reaches its peak, one can undergo a second body tempering.

Once practiced, it will consist of nine deadly offensive moves.

Whether stabbing, slashing, flicking, or cutting, the nine swords moved in unison like ripples, spreading outwards in concentric circles.

After Lin Yuan practiced the "Nine Ripples" form...

The way the skill bar on the panel is calculated has also changed.

Unexpectedly, this was directly divided into two different cultivation methods.

[Skill: Twelve Styles of Gentle Ripples (Perfect 13.7%)]

[Skill: Ripple Nine Styles (Beginner 9.2%)]

The "Twelve Styles of Ripples" directly became a technique at the same level as the "Nine Styles of Ripples," and it continues to evolve in another direction.

I wonder what it will become in the future.

However, Lin Yuan was certain of one thing.

These two "second-stage body tempering" level techniques not only do not affect each other, but can also help each other.

Because they share the same origin, they can complement each other perfectly.

This will make your spiritual practice faster.

Furthermore, this allows for more variations, greater flexibility, and greater diversity in sword techniques.

In terms of combat strength, they may have some advantages compared to others at the same level.

However, his physical constitution was simply too poor.

Even if the cultivation technique has the effect of accelerating cultivation, it is still negated by aptitude, so they are about the same as ordinary disciples.

Lin Yuan felt it still wasn't enough.

I only have a little folk essence left, so I can't quickly upgrade my Mirror.

We need to find a way to obtain it.

……

In the past few days, news from the town has been coming in one after another.

First, the water ghost came ashore again.

First, an ordinary family at the west end of the town, a couple with a five-year-old child, were completely devoured overnight.

Two days later, five corpses floated to the surface of the riverbank to the south.

These were several fishermen who risked their lives to go out fishing, and they all died.

The continuous appearance of dead bodies is all the work of water ghosts.

At that time, a stranger who called himself a "knight-errant" passed by, heard about the matter, and went to the reed marshes with a knife.

The next day, he returned covered in blood, carrying a pile of rotting, foul-smelling pieces of flesh.

According to him.

He has eliminated one of the water bandits, and Chahe Town is now at peace.

The people were extremely grateful and called him a "righteous man".

But before he could celebrate for long, that very night, this "righteous man" was devoured by a water ghost, leaving only a tattered human skin.

The people mourned, but their fear of the water ghost intensified.

And during this period.

The Lin family's business is becoming increasingly difficult.

First, the goods at the dock were seized by the Zhang family for two days under the pretext of "preventing river bandits".

When they were released, half of the valuable cargo on board was gone.

Then, several long-time customers who had been buying goods from the Lin family suddenly announced overnight that they would no longer do business with the Lin family.

Rumors circulated that other powerful families offered even lower prices, effectively cutting off the Lin family's business.

The suppression of the Lin family is increasing.

Lin Che leaves early and returns late every day, taking care of things everywhere.

When he returned, his complexion grew worse each day.

A few more days passed.

The bodyguard Zhou Hu suddenly found Lin Yuan.

"Second Young Master, Old Zhou...I have to go."

Lin Yuan was taken aback.

"Walk?"

Zhou Hulai is a powerful cultivator who has undergone three body temperings; such a level of cultivation is extremely rare in this town.

He had worked as a guard in the Lin family for many years, and the Lin family had treated him well.

What is this now?

Zhou Hu lowered his head, not daring to show his expression, and gave a perfunctory answer.

"I have no choice. My wife is sick, and my son is working in another city. I have to go back to take care of her."

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked.

"Master Zhou, who's looking for you?"

Zhou Hu's body stiffened slightly.

"No...no one's looking for me, it's just at home..."

Zhou Hu was ultimately just a rough martial arts practitioner, and an honest and upright man who couldn't possibly lie.

He could only kneel down abruptly and let out a long sigh.

"Second Young Master, Old Zhou is a rough man and doesn't understand any grand principles, but Old Zhou knows that there are some people I can't afford to offend."

"I thank the Lin family for their kindness over the years, but... there's nothing I can do."

"I am ashamed to face the eldest young master. I hope the second young master will convey this message to him."

He stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lin Yuan.

"Second Young Master, take care."

After saying that, he fled without looking back.

Lin Yuan stood there, his expression complex.

He shook his head and ignored Zhou Hu.

The situation at home is becoming increasingly difficult, and the eldest brother still refuses to say what trouble has happened.

This can't go on. We have to get to the bottom of this when my older brother comes back.

But before Lin Yuan could wait for his elder brother to return home...

Suddenly, a piece of bad news arrived.

That night, Lin Yuan was practicing his sword in the backyard.

Chunxing rushed in in a panic.

"Second Young Master, something terrible has happened! The Eldest Young Master..."

Lin Yuan stopped wielding his sword.