Immortality begins with exchanging talent attributes.

Qingmang Village, market.

The sneer on the medicine merchant's follower's face suddenly froze.

A hand, without him noticing, grabbed his wrist.

The hand didn't look particularly strong; in fact, it was rather pale. Yet, its five fingers gripped his wrist like iron hoops.

Somewhat surprised, I turned my head and saw a boy with a pale face, a thin figure, but unusually calm eyes.

He instinctively struggled.

They couldn't break free.

His expression changed slightly, and he was about to curse when a sharp pain suddenly shot through his wrist.

"what!"

The attendant screamed in agony, and half of his body bent over.

"Let go! Let go of me!"

Zhou Yan stood beside him, calmly watching the medicine merchant.

"Even if a deal falls through, goodwill should remain. How can you just throw someone's business away because you can't agree on a price? Is there no justice? Is there no law?"

The herbalist, seeing his burly follower screaming like a molested girl, felt a chill run down his spine and spoke with feigned bravado but inner weakness.

"Who are you? Don't do anything reckless, or I'll report you to the authorities!"

Zhou Yan didn't reply, but his fingers tightened slightly.

The attendant screamed again, his knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

The onlookers burst into laughter.

Zhou Yan smiled and said slowly.

"Report to the authorities? That's perfect!"

He glanced at the onlookers around him, then looked at the medicine merchant.

"So many people saw it. You forced people to buy and sell, and you threatened to overturn their stall at the slightest disagreement. When the authorities arrive, will they arrest you first, or me?"

The drug dealer's lips twitched, and he was speechless for a moment.

Zhou Yan was too lazy to argue any further and casually pushed him away.

The burly follower staggered back a few steps, finally landing on his buttocks on the muddy ground, clutching his wrist, his face pale with pain.

"Go report it to the authorities!"

  

Seeing this, the pharmaceutical merchant knew he had failed today. He didn't even dare to utter any harsh words and turned to flee as if he were running away.

The attendant quickly got up from the ground, clutching his wrist, and followed.

A burst of laughter immediately erupted from all around.

Some people started shouting and making a fuss.

"Impressive skills."

Zhou Yan cupped his hands in thanks to those around him.

Actually, he didn't want to meddle in other people's business.

But then I thought about it again. The two entries above the girl's head were both related to medicine. If I could befriend someone like that, I would probably be able to use her in the future.

Even if he couldn't make the connection, it would be good to be able to buy some genuine medicine. After all, based on the other party's profile, Zhou Yan felt that the medicine she sold should be authentic.

Moreover, it is truly disgusting that the master and servant ganged up on a young girl.

"Thank you for your help, objective."

At this moment, the young girl who owned the stall came out from behind the stall, bowed gratefully, and said...

Zhou Yan waved his hand.

"It's not about helping them out, it's just that I can't stand them."

He paused for a moment, then looked at the medicinal herbs on the stall with some embarrassment.

"Um... do you have any inexpensive medicinal herbs that can replenish qi and blood?"

The girl covered her mouth and chuckled upon hearing this, then casually picked up a radish from the stall and said softly:

"Of course I do! If you don't mind, I'll just give you this Codonopsis pilosula root."

After saying that, she wrapped up the ginseng that looked like a radish with a few tendrils and handed it to Zhou Yan.

Although Zhou Yan was puzzled, he quickly waved his hand and said:

"How can that be? Name your price."

After much back and forth, the stubborn Zhou Yan finally bought the ginseng root for the incredibly low price of one tael of silver.

Before leaving, the girl told him that he could come again if he needed anything, as she sold medicine there every day.

Zhou Yan nodded in agreement.

Having achieved their goal, and after meeting up with Zhu Asan, they learned that Zhou Yan had already purchased the medicinal herbs, and the two decided to go home.

On the way back, Zhou Yan felt somewhat excited.

Although I don't know how effective this radish-like ginseng is, the other party's attitude is sincere, and I have helped her, so she shouldn't be lying to me, right?

……

They walked in silence. No one knew what news Zhu Asan had found out, but he didn't say. Zhou Yan was preoccupied with martial arts training and didn't ask any questions.

When they returned to the city, the sun was still high in the sky.

After agreeing to see Zhu Asan again after his shift that night, Zhou Yan didn't linger and went home immediately.

He closed the courtyard gate and went into the kitchen carrying the medicine bag.

Before leaving, the girl had instructed that although this ginseng was of low age, its medicinal properties were not mild, and it was best to slice it and simmer it slowly, rather than using it all at once.

Zhou Yan washed some brown rice, cleaned the ginseng that looked like a radish, cut off a small piece, and added some blood-nourishing herbs that the girl had given him as an extra gift, and put them all into the pot.

Simmer over low heat.

Before long, a slightly bitter yet faintly sweet medicinal aroma wafted out of the kitchen.

Zhou Yan sat by the stove, his eyes fixed on the rice cooker.

It cost him a whole tael of silver, half of his savings.

Even so, I only got it after breaking a bone.

He remembered that the girl's stall sold 20-year-old red ginseng for fifty taels.

Fifty taels! As the old saying goes, the poor are scholars, the rich are warriors.

He truly understands now.

Half an hour later, the medicinal porridge was ready.

Zhou Yan filled a bowl, blew on it twice, and ate it bite by bite.

It tastes a bit bitter at first.

The bitter taste traveled down his throat from the back of his tongue, causing him to furrow his brow.

Soon, a warm sensation slowly spread from my abdomen, as if a pot of charcoal fire had been placed inside me.

The heat gradually spread, flowing to every part of the body.

Before long, Zhou Yan had finished the whole pot of medicinal porridge.

The body, which had been depleted from excessive boxing practice, was like parched land finally receiving a light rain, slowly regaining its vitality.

"it works!"

Zhou Yan's eyes brightened slightly.

Although this medicinal porridge may be far inferior to the well-prepared medicines from Tong'an Hall, it is enough for him now.

After waiting a while longer until the effects of the medicine in his stomach had fully dissipated, Zhou Yan went to the courtyard and set up his boxing stance.

call!

A punch was thrown.

A strong wind swept through the air, creating a slight whistling sound.

This time, he didn't rush things like before, but instead slowly and deliberately executed each move.

The Fifteen Forms of Body Tempering Fist unfolded in his hands one by one.

Every exertion of force seems to stir up a tiny wisp of qi and blood within the body.

The qi and blood flowed along with the boxing stance, gradually spreading from the arms to the whole body.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Sweat beaded on Zhou Yan's forehead again.

This time, however, he did not feel dizzy.

The medicinal effects in the abdomen are spreading continuously, and the qi and blood are slowly increasing at a rate imperceptible to the naked eye.

On the fifth time, Zhou Yan suddenly had a feeling.

He stomped his foot hard, arched his back, and punched forward with both fists crossed.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Three explosions.

But Zhou Yan didn't stop. He gritted his teeth and turned around again.

As the stance changes, blood and qi circulate from the soles of the feet, flowing up the calves, thighs, and back to the arms.

This time, he vaguely sensed that he was no longer just practicing the boxing techniques.

Each move is connected as if by an invisible thread.

The fifteen-form boxing technique has been thoroughly mastered!

"I see……"

A sharp glint appeared in Zhou Yan's eyes.

He took a deep breath, his chest bulged, and the muscles in his slender body instantly tensed.

next moment.

He threw out both fists at the same time.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Nine explosions rang out in quick succession in the courtyard.

Zhou Yan's fists stopped in front of him, his chest heaving violently, and sweat dripped down his chin onto the ground.

Nine shots.

Body Tempering Technique Perfected!

He slowly withdrew his fist, feeling that the wisp of qi and blood within his body had grown slightly stronger than before.

And the skin membrane, which was already strengthened by the innate "copper skin and iron bones", now seems to have become even more resilient.

The first training session, the Skin Refinement Training, focuses on tempering the skin membrane and enhancing strength.

The sign of successful skin training is that the skin membrane is as tough as thin cowhide!

Thinking of this, Zhou Yan picked up a stone and used its sharp bevel to slash his arm.

He was unsure of himself, so he only used a small portion of his strength this time.

"Sizzle~"

The stone brushed against my skin as if it were rubbing against a thick layer of leather, leaving only a faint white mark.

He only felt something brush against his skin, but felt no pain whatsoever.

"One more time."

This time, Zhou Yan increased the force.

After a sizzling sound, Zhou Yan finally felt a slight pain, but it was gone in an instant.

Remove the stone, and a faint red mark appears, disappearing at a visible speed.

"This is about as thin as cowhide. My skin is probably already no weaker than that of an ordinary person who has just completed the first stage of cultivation."

Zhou Yan was startled.

However, he also understood that this was mostly an advantage brought about by his talent, "Copper Skin and Iron Bones".

In terms of qi, blood, and strength alone, he has only just entered the first stage of training.

But in terms of defensive capabilities, he is definitely no less than a master of the first stage of cultivation.

Raise your hand, and the system panel will appear.

[Talent Attributes: Copper Skin and Iron Bones (Green), Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat Skills (White)]

Age: 16

Lifespan: 11 years and 2 months

[Martial Skill: Body Tempering Technique (Perfected)]

11 years and 2 months!

Zhou Yan stared at the lifespan column, his heart skipping a beat.

It rose for another six months.

From mastering the Body Tempering Technique to achieving perfection, his lifespan increased by another six months.

Practicing martial arts can indeed prolong life.

Although it's only been half a year, it represents a path.

A path he can walk step by step on his own.

"However, it seems that breaking through in martial arts realm will not allow me to add another entry."

Zhou Yan clenched his fists and muttered to himself.

He previously speculated that practicing martial arts could prolong life and might also generate new talent attributes.

The ability to extend lifespan has now been confirmed, but this talent has not generated any new entries.

Does this mean that new talents only emerge after one breaks through a certain realm?

After all, the entry only appeared yesterday after I broke through to the first level of training.

However, even with the Body Tempering Technique at its perfect level, he could only reach the peak of the first level at most.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yan's initial excitement gradually cooled down.

If you want to continue to break through, you must have martial arts skills that you can practice twice!

Where can I get it?

I wonder if there are any in the government offices? But I've heard that you can learn martial arts at the martial arts schools in the city, though it certainly won't be cheap.

"Money, money, money again, it's always about money, damn it!"

After grumbling for a bit, Zhou Yan suppressed his complicated thoughts.

Forget it, let's wait until I've refined my Qi and blood to perfection before talking about it.

Right now, the most important thing is tonight's assessment.

Looking at the [Body Tempering Technique (Perfect)] on the panel, Zhou Yan's eyes became more determined as he pondered.

He struck a pose and practiced punching twice more. Only after confirming that he could control his strength did he stop and go inside to rest.

……