Du Bufan twitched the corner of his mouth slightly, muttering inwardly: "These guys really have boundless imaginations." Yet his thoughts raced like a swift boat on turbulent waves. He knew the power of the Body Tempering Formula all too well; it was a might that bordered on defying the heavens, descending upon the world like the mysterious divine power of creation when chaos first broke open. This force was akin to the universe's most mysterious brush: a gentle sweep could reshape the cosmos, shifting galaxies like pieces on a chessboard and twisting space and time like a dreamlike illusion. Strangely, however, apart from himself, everyone else who tried to practice this formula found themselves trapped in an endless, pitch-black labyrinth of insurmountable difficulty, surrounded by layers of mist as impenetrable as a wall of bronze and iron. He understood that his fortuitous encounters extended far beyond the twenty-four scrolls of heavenly books, and that deeper secrets lay within them which he had yet to fully comprehend.
"Young Master, just wait and see! From this day on, I, Du Rong, will pour every ounce of effort into practicing this Body Tempering Formula, and I will never let you down!" Du Rong's gaze burned with a fire of gratitude and reverence for Du Bufan—a searing look that seemed capable of instantly igniting the surrounding air into a roaring blaze.
Du Bufan waved a hand, his smile as warm as the spring sun: "Stop calling me Young Master, it sounds terribly awkward. Just call me Brother Fan."
"This..." Du Rong wore a hesitant expression, casting an involuntary, inquiring glance toward the head of the Du Family, Du Tianxiong. When Du Tianxiong gave a slight nod, Du Rong dropped to one knee, his tone as steadfast as a towering mountain: "Understood, Brother Fan! I, Du Rong, hereby swear a solemn oath: unto death, I shall not leak so much as a fraction of this Body Tempering Formula. Should I violate this oath, may I suffer the punishment of being struck by heavenly lightning and have my soul scattered to the dust!"
Du Bufan gently shook his head, his expression as calm as untroubled water: "There's no need for that. From now on, let these few forms of the body tempering technique serve as our Du Family's ancestral heritage."
"What? Fan'er, is what you say true?" Du Tianxiong leaped abruptly to his feet, his eyes brimming with surprise and excitement, his body trembling slightly from elation like a leaf in the autumn wind. In truth, he had been pondering this very matter just moments before: if everyone in the family could practice this miraculous body tempering technique, the overall strength of the Du Family would undoubtedly soar to new heights in a short span, shooting up like a rocket. Yet this cultivation method belonged to Du Bufan; even as his father, he could not presume to make decisions on his son's behalf. To his utter astonishment, Du Bufan had proposed it of his own accord—a piece of truly momentous news to him, like sweet rain after a long drought.
The corners of Du Bufan's lips curled upward into a confident and charming smile: "Of course it's true, Father. Furthermore, I also have a marvelous and peerless breathing technique, an intelligence-awakening meditation technique, a ghostly movement technique, as well as fist, sword, sabre, and spear techniques—all of which can likewise be incorporated into the Du Family's heritage of cultivation methods. This Body Tempering Formula, however, can be called the brightest pearl and peerless treasure among them all. It contains the Primordial Purple Qi from the dawn of heaven and earth, with every single character resembling a mysterious fragment left behind by the shattering of ancient stars, radiating the dreamlike, wondrous brilliance of the universe's birth as though recounting an ancient legend. When a practitioner cultivates it, their body seems to instantly plunge deep into the cosmic furnace, tempered by the fires of creation. This is no ordinary fire; it is the mysterious power of the universe's origin, capable of reshaping the flesh until it becomes as indomitable and indestructible as chaotic divine iron, impervious to all attacks in the world—even the slash of a divine artifact would struggle to leave the slightest scratch. At the same time, nourished by this power, the meridians expand like the expanding universe, forming intricate pathways akin to a vast galaxy, seemingly pregnant with endless cosmic mysteries. These pathways can accommodate a boundless sea of spiritual energy, just as the universe holds a sea of stars, transforming the practitioner's very being into an inexhaustible ocean of spiritual power. Even more miraculously, this Body Tempering Formula resonates with the soul, acting as an ancient master key of soul awakening that unlocks the mysterious door deep within the spirit and unleashes the hidden power residing there. Armed with this power, the practitioner gains wisdom eyes capable of perceiving heavenly secrets, able to foresee danger and seize the initiative in battle like a deity looking down upon all living things."
"This..." Hearing these words, the several elders sprang from their seats in agitation. The looks they directed toward Du Bufan now held not only deep respect, but also a nearly fanatical worship—gazes like those of devout believers looking up to a supreme divinity, their eyes flashing with awe and yearning.
On the other side, unhurriedly and with fluid, natural grace, Du Bufan fetched paper and brush, every motion imbued with a mysterious rhythm as though he were writing the destiny of the family. His brush danced across the paper like a spirited dragon riding the cursive script, setting down the mental formulas and stances of the various cultivation methods one by one. Afterward, with a solemn expression, he handed these precious techniques over to Du Tianxiong. However, for each method, he imparted only a single stance. From the experiences of Du Rong and the Second Elder practicing the Body Tempering Formula, he understood that while the techniques from the twenty-four scrolls of heavenly books were as easy as turning over his hand for himself, they were as difficult as ascending to the heavens for anyone else. To the others, this single stance was like a lamp in the dark—the crucial key to unlocking the path of power.
"This breathing technique... it is truly a stroke of divine inspiration, the work of celestial artisans!" An elder held the manual, his voice trembling with agitation, his eyes filled with wonder as though he had discovered the rarest treasure in the world.
"Such an exquisite sword manual! To think there could be such a marvelous sword technique in this world—I've truly lived the better part of my life in vain. Compared to this, everything I learned before is merely a drop in the ocean!" Another elder could not contain his excitement, shouting aloud with a mix of elation and remorse etched across his face.
"This movement technique... compared to it, everything I practiced before is mere trash, a disparity as wide as that between clouds and mud! This movement technique is like a divine skill from some mysterious realm—dreamlike and breathtaking beyond words." Yet another elder was filled with profound emotion, his eyes brimming with longing and praise for this wondrous technique.
Clutching the manuals in their hands, the elders' eyes grew hot with unshed tears, turbid drops rolling down their cheeks. Every single tear was laden with bright visions and earnest hopes for the family's future—a steadfast conviction in the rise of the clan, glittering in their eyes like brilliant stars.
Du Bufan slowly walked over to Du Tianxiong, his expression solemn and grave, as if he carried the weight of a thousand jun upon his shoulders: "Father, these cultivation methods may be practiced by our clansmen, but one point must be firmly etched into everyone's mind: the character of the practitioner must pass muster. Character is the sturdy key to the stout gates guarding this treasure. If someone of poor character practices them, it will bring catastrophic disaster upon the family, devouring everything like a fierce flood or wild beast. Furthermore, these techniques must never be leaked outward; they can only be passed down within the Du Family. This is the foundation of the family's rise, our lifeline, and the bedrock upon which we establish ourselves in this Fantasy World."
Du Tianxiong nodded resolutely, a stone-firm light flashing in his eyes: "Tian'er, rest assured. I shall guard these like the sacred relics of our family, selecting practitioners with the strictest standards. I will never allow the family to plunge into crisis, and I will spare no cost—not even if I must pay with everything I have."
"Good. Then your child shall set off at once to seek those three materials. During my absence, Father, have the clansmen lie low for the time being and refrain from any rash actions. Wait for my return before making any further plans. I won't be gone for long." Du Bufan's gaze was as resolute as the brightest stars, his words ringing with unquestionable determination.
"Go with a light heart; I will arrange everything at home properly!" Du Tianxiong patted Du Bufan's shoulder, his eyes brimming with trust—a sturdy bridge connecting the hearts of father and son.
Du Bufan nodded in acknowledgment, then strode out of the hall with bold steps. His retreating figure carried an unstoppable momentum, akin to a god of war embarking on a campaign or a hero facing a trial, as though nothing in the world could bar his way. Bathed in the sunlight, his shadow stretched long before gradually vanishing from everyone's sight, yet deeply imprinting itself in every heart.
"Du Tianxiong, it seems our Du Family this time... is truly going to soar straight to the heavens!" Watching the direction of Du Bufan's departure, the First Elder said with a face full of gratification, excitement flashing in his eyes like the dawn breaking through the night, illuminating the glorious path of the family's future as though he already beheld the Du Family standing at its zenith and dominating the realm.