The fire crackled softly, its warm light casting flickering shadows against the rough stone walls.
It wasn't very bright, but it was enough to light up the face of the young man sitting beside it.
His face was calm, features sharp. . His robe was tattered in places, stained by dirt and dried blood.
He held out his right hand, lowering it into the fire—slowly and steadily. The skin hissed as it met the heat. But he didn't flinch. There was only the sharp smell of singed flesh… and a soft system chime ringing in his mind.
[BTE +5]
But the young man's eyes remained steady.
He pulled his hand back, letting it rest on a damp cloth beside him. The burn was fresh, the skin red and raw.
A breath left his lips, light and steady. Then he reached out with his left hand, repeating the motion.
This boy was Li Fan.
---
Five days ago, he had walked into the forest alone—no pills, no weapons, no food. Just a stolen kitchen knife and the strange system inside him..
Five days out here had taught him how to work his body to the limit. Each day had followed the same rhythm.
Every morning, he would wake up at the crack of dawn. His first task was to check the traps. If he was lucky, he would find a rabbit or some small creature tangled in the vines. If not, he would have to go hunting himself.
He'd learned patience. How to move quietly. How to read the forest. The tilt of a leaf. The pause before movement. Hunting wasn't about strength—it was about awareness.
Once he'd eaten—whatever he could catch, he would train.
The boxing forms taught to outer disciples weren't complex, but he practiced them like his life depended on it. Every movement had weight. His fists carved through air, his steps flowed through dirt. He trained until sweat soaked his back and his arms trembled.
And after training, came the grind. He would sit, light the flame, and burn his hands. One. Then the other. Over and over. Each burn brought pain. But also progress.
Ever since upgrading his regeneration skill, he didn't need to wait too long to recover. Now, after a few hours of rest, the pain dulled. The skin mended faster. He could train more. Grind more. Heal faster.
And little by little… he'd clawed his way forward.
Tonight, it was finally enough.
---
Li Fan opened his eyes and sat up straighter. The fire still burned low beside him, quiet and warm.
He whispered, "System… open interface."
The familiar panel appeared in his mind.
[Name: Li Fan
Age: 16
Constitution: None
Condition: Stable
Realm: Skin Tempering — Early Stage (87.4%)
Damage Conversion Rate: 1.0x
Passive Regeneration: Intermediate
Physical Traits: [Locked]
Body Tempering Energy (BTE): 644 Units]
He stared at the progress bar. Just a little more to go.
"…Use BTE to advance cultivation," he whispered.
---
[Confirming advancement: Skin Tempering — Early → Middle Stage?]
[Cost: 10 BTE. Remaining BTE: 108]
[Confirm?]
---
Yes," he said.
The moment he confirmed, a wave of heat surged through his body.
It wasn't fire—but something deeper. Like molten iron poured through his veins. His muscles tensed. His skin tightened, stretched from the inside. He gasped as every nerve lit up like flame.
His fingers dug into the dirt.
It wasn't unbearable, but it was intense—like thousands of fire ants crawling beneath his skin. A purifying pain that tore him apart—only to put him back together, stronger than before.
After a long time it was finally over. His body covered in sweat and black, foul-smelling substances. He stumbled out of the cave and made his way to the stream, plunging into the cold water.
When he emerged, he looked down at his hands.
The burns were gone. His skin looked the same… but felt different. Denser. Tougher. Like leather stretched over steel. His grip was stronger. His footing steadier. Even his breath felt more solid.
He could feel it. He had grown stronger.
He opened the panel again.
---
Realm: Skin Tempering — Middle Stage (0%)
Remaining BTE: 634
---
Li Fan let out a quiet laugh.
He stood and stretched. His movements were smoother now. More fluid—but heavier, too. Packed with power.
No sparks. No golden light. No soaring sword.
Just raw, real strength.
And for now… that was enough.
He took a slow breath and looked toward the direction of the sect.
"…It's time."
---
The path back wasn't long.
But the forest felt different now. Or maybe… he was the one who had changed.
He didn't walk with fear anymore. His steps were light and steady. He listened carefully—to the wind through the leaves, the distant calls of birds, the soft rustle of something moving through the underbrush. His eyes scanned the shadows out of habit. One hand hovered near his belt, ready to draw his knife at a moment's notice.
By the time he reached the edge of the sect's territory, the sun had already set.
Lamps flickered faintly on the lower peaks. A breeze carried the scent of smoke and freshly steamed buns. From this distance, the outer disciples' quarters looked small and scattered, like a quiet village resting at the foot of the mountain.
Li Fan stood at the treeline, hidden in the dark.
He hadn't crossed this line since the day he left. Now, standing here again, it felt like waking from a long dream.
He reached down and touched his forearm. The skin felt solid. Warm. Stronger than before.
"I'm back," he said quietly.
His voice was soft, barely louder than the wind. But it was enough.