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Hearing Huang Yaoshi's explanation, Shen You realized that there were so many twists and turns involved in the three ranks of martial arts. Moreover, the path to the third rank was actually already determined at the second rank, or even the first rank.

"So, Teacher Huang, you had me practice the 'Golden Snake Skill' and now you want to teach me the 'Gecko Skill'? Do you hope I'll learn the Five Poisons Techniques? And in the end, they'll all merge into a single 'Five Poisons Force'?"

Based on his previous speculations, Shen You shared his conjecture, which was promptly approved by Huang Yaoshi.

"Not bad. Besides the 'Golden Snake Skill' and the 'Gecko Skill,' I also want you to master the 'Scorpion Skill,' the 'Golden Toad Skill,' and the 'Golden Centipede Skill.' However, the final fusion won't be the 'Five Poisons Force,' but rather the 'Five Immortals Force'!"

"Got it! This name sounds nice!" Shen You said, pouting.

"Heh." Huang Yaoshi sneered, offering no further explanation.

"So I'm not suitable to practice the 'White Ape Strength' right now? To avoid affecting my cultivation at the third rank?" Shen You asked.

"That's not entirely true," Huang Yaoshi said. "If you have the capacity, you can also cultivate the 'White Ape Strength' and feed it to the 'Golden Snake Strength' or the other Five Immortal Strengths to make your strength even stronger! In many cases, this is an effective way to cultivate strength."

"I see!" Shen You realized.

Just like the "Golden Snake Strength," once you've perfected the "Golden Snake Skill," you won't make much progress after that, and it will be extremely difficult to improve the "Golden Snake Strength" further.

"So, it turns out that the main force is strengthened by absorbing other forces," Shen You said thoughtfully. "If a third-rank cultivator wants to fuse their forces, do they also need to use this method to balance the strength between them?"

Even Huang Yaoshi, known for his eccentricities and stubbornness, couldn't help but nod and comment, "This young man is teachable."

Shen You then remembered something and asked, "Now that I'm about to advance to the second rank, what is the cultivation process like for the second rank?"

Huang Yaoshi said, "The requirement for the second-grade 'Qi Exploration' is that you only need to cultivate one type of energy. You have already met this requirement. Next, you just need to improve your Qi step by step until you reach the 'Qi Exploration' threshold, at which point you can perform the 'Qi Exploration'. Of course, the process of 'Qi Exploration' is inherently dangerous, and it will be another long and arduous process."

"Will Master be able to help me then?" Shen You couldn't help but feel hopeful.

Huang Yaoshi sneered, "If I could so easily help people advance to the third rank, would I still be here as a lowly pharmacist? I'd be a head instructor in the army long ago!"

"If it doesn't work, it doesn't work! Who cares!" Shen You pouted.

At least to advance to the second rank, this cheap master can be of help.

Shen You immediately closed his eyes, circulated his qi, and the qi flowed through the cold path of the "Golden Snake Skill" in an instant, spreading throughout his body and then condensing at his dantian, transforming into a monstrous wave that crashed towards the barrier at his heart.

"Master, I'm counting on you!"

Shen You remained focused, letting the energy surge towards his heart. This urge to rush towards his heart had actually been brewing for some time, but he had been suppressing it until now, when it was finally released.

boom--!

In an instant, Shen You felt a sharp pain in his heart, his vision went black, and he heard tinnitus in his ears. He was constantly feeling dizzy and almost lost consciousness.

No, this is too painful!

Where's the cheap master?

Didn't you say you were going to make a move? Why haven't you made a move yet?

Huang Yaoshi's cold voice came from beside me: "Hold on! Helping you now will only harm you!"

Old man!

Shen You cursed inwardly.

Before I started "reaching the peak", you didn't tell me to persevere, but now that I've started "reaching the peak", you're telling me to persevere?

Left with no other choice, Shen You could only grit her teeth and bear it.

Fortunately, he had already suffered greatly when he first started practicing the "Golden Snake Skill". With the help of Third Sister, he experienced this dreamlike state every night, so even in the midst of excruciating pain, he was still able to maintain a bit of clarity in his mind.

He felt as if his heart was being torn apart, with energy surging in like a burst dam, washing over every corner of his heart. Each wash brought immense pain, accompanied by a surging sound that echoed continuously within his heart.

When the tide roared nine times, Shen You could no longer hold on and was about to faint.

Just then, he heard Huang Yaoshi sigh:

"The roar of the tide resounds nine times; truly a prodigy!"

Huang Yaoshi let out another cold snort.

Suddenly, Shen You heard the cry of a monkey. He turned his head in surprise and looked around to find the monkey. But when he looked down, he found that the monkey was right on him.

It turned out that a monkey was hiding inside him; it was everywhere, yet nowhere to be found.

This strange feeling lasted only a moment before Shen You immediately came to her senses.

He slowly opened his eyes and immediately felt his energy flowing continuously in his chest and dantian. The intensity of his energy had more than doubled, and the things in front of him became brighter and clearer once again.

Huang Yaoshi was coldly staring at him right in front of him.

Shen You couldn't hide her joy: "I've reached the second rank?"

"Yes, you've reached the second rank!" Huang Yaoshi sneered.

"Master, what is 'Nine Echoes of the Tide'? Is it very powerful?" Shen You asked again.

Huang Yaoshi's face darkened, but he did not answer.

Shen You asked again, "Master, I think I just saw a monkey. What was that? Were you helping me?"

Huang Yaoshi's expression softened slightly as he replied, "The fourth rank for a martial artist is a process of finding one's inner ape. I used my inner ape to stimulate yours, thus helping you overcome the 'Reaching the Origin' barrier."

"Heart Monkey..."

Shen You recalled that he had once heard the cries of a monkey on Huang Yaoshi's body, and as a result, he fell to the ground and cried. He figured that must be a fourth-grade supernatural power.

Huang Yaoshi said, "Now that you have reached the second rank, I will now teach you the 'Gecko Skill'."

Shen You waved his hand and said, "Don't go to that trouble. Just pass the remaining four doors on to me!"

Huang Yaoshi frowned: "The path of cultivation requires a gradual and progressive approach..."

Shen You sneered, "You forced me to learn the 'Golden Snake Skill' in one night and perfect it in seven days, without mentioning any gradual progression!"

Huang Yaoshi paused for a moment and then said, "Very well, I will pass on the remaining four martial arts techniques to you as well!"

Huang Yaoshi took out the manuals for the "Gecko Skill", "Scorpion Skill", "Golden Toad Skill" and "Golden Centipede Skill" and threw them to Shen You, then explained them to Shen You one by one.

With Huang Yaoshi's guidance this time, Shen You's learning process was much smoother than when she learned from San Niang last time. After all, Huang Yaoshi was a true martial arts master and had definitely practiced these techniques himself, so his explanations were naturally much clearer.

Huang Yaoshi was secretly amazed by Shen You's comprehension. With the talent of "wise and intelligent," Shen You's comprehension was already far beyond that of ordinary people.

Before long, he had mastered all four techniques.

Shen You patted his bottom, stood up and said:

"I mastered the 'Golden Snake Skill' in six days. Give me another month, and I'll master the remaining four!"

Shen You then reached out and said, "Also, give me the pills!"

Huang Yaoshi's face darkened, but he still took out several bottles of second-grade "Qi Gathering Pills" and tossed them to Shen You.