At the same time, the basic power surged in his body once again, and another bottleneck shook open. His whole physique toughened at an alarming rate.
The achievement return was not just experience; it was the whole achievement, as if his body had practiced such a technique for a long time. It was just because of one-time initiation that his strength didn't increase by leaps and bounds like others who truly practiced using resources.
Tempered Body Stage, Second Layer!
Force Technique! Force Camouflage!
Lin Yi hurriedly used the force technique as they moved toward the courtyard. This was his iconic personal technique, which could completely restrain all kinds of forces and power in his body.
The next moment, all the fluctuation disappeared from his body.
The three small figures, Lin Dong, Lin Yi, and Qing Tan, burst into the remote courtyard, their excitement palpable. Lin Dong was practically pulling Lin Yi by the arm, his face flushed with unrestrained joy.
They found Lin Xiao still resting in bed, though the color had slightly returned to his cheeks due to the careful tending of Liu Yan, who was sitting beside him, applying a fresh poultice.
"Father! Mother!" Lin Dong exclaimed, unable to contain himself. "Look at Lin Yi! He did it! He managed three echoes of the Penetrating Fist!"
Lin Xiao, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling, slowly turned his head toward the entrance. He looked at Lin Dong's bright, earnest face, then shifted his gaze to his other son, Lin Yi, who stood calmly beside his brother.
"Three echoes?" Lin Xiao murmured, his voice weak and laced with disbelief. "Dong'er, are you confused? That's impossible. Three echoes mean absolute advancement in the technique. Even Lin Hong couldn't achieve that level at his age."
Liu Yan frowned slightly, gently resting a hand on her husband's arm. "Lin Dong, your brother Yi has always been... quieter. He doesn't show the same focus on cultivation as you do. Perhaps you miscounted?"
The truth was, Lin Yi had presented a persona of easygoing indifference toward the basic martial arts, preferring to observe the world around him. It also helped him avoid the unnecessary scrutiny and harsh training that intense childhood talent often attracted in such clans.
Lin Dong shook his head stubbornly. "No, Father! It was a loud Boom! I heard three distinct cracks! He just watched me practice, and then he just… did it! He said it was a 'whim' he had about the technique. He also corrected my stance, and now I can produce Two Echoes."
Lin Xiao's eyes, though still weary, narrowed in contemplation as he stared at the calm child. He knew his elder son never lied, especially not about something so important. But Lin Yi... Lin Yi was a mystery. He had always been intelligent but utterly lacking in the fierce, driving ambition that defined a cultivator.
"Yi'er," Lin Xiao said, his tone serious. "Come closer. Show your father. If you truly achieved three echoes, then you possess a comprehension talent far beyond any genius this branch clan has ever produced."
Lin Yi stepped forward, his expression humble and slightly nervous, befitting a seven-year-old under the intense gaze of his parents. He knew he had to demonstrate enough talent to gain his father's personal guidance... which meant exclusive access to more advanced techniques... but not so much that it would cause an earth-shattering reaction.
'Three echoes it is. The nine remaining echoes of the perfected technique will remain suppressed,' Lin Yi thought, controlling the immense, concentrated Yuan Power within his small frame.
He took a simple stance, inhaling deeply. The motion was effortless and fluid, devoid of the grinding effort Lin Dong usually displayed.
'Penetrating Fist: First Layer,' he commanded mentally.
Crack! Crack!! Crack!!!
A series of three sharp, concussive sounds burst from his fist as it struck the air. The compressed force was visible for a fleeting moment, causing the curtains near the window to snap outward violently.
The courtyard fell into an immediate, stunned silence.
Lin Xiao's pale face flushed crimson, but this time, it was not from pain. His eyes were wide, glittering with a mix of shock, profound pride, and immense hope. He quickly sat up straight, pushing off the bed despite Liu Yan's soft protest.
"Magnificent!" Lin Xiao roared, his voice strong again for the first time since his injury. He looked at the perfect form of his son, a figure of effortless grace. "It wasn't just three echoes; the force was stable, unified! This is a complete, absolute mastery of the first layer!"
Liu Yan's hand flew to her mouth, tears instantly welling up in her eyes... tears not of sorrow, but of overwhelming relief and joy. A genius of this caliber meant protection and hope for their struggling family.
Lin Xiao immediately reached out and pulled Lin Yi into a tight embrace, ignoring the sharp pain from his chest wound. "My son, my Yi'er! You are a true genius! You have such a talent for comprehension!"
He then looked at Lin Dong, who was beaming with pride for his brother, and his excitement only grew.
"Dong'er, Yi'er, listen to me," Lin Xiao said, his voice firm and decisive. "From tomorrow, I will personally guide both of you in your cultivation. Dong'er, your hard work, perseverance, and strong will are rare. Yi'er, your comprehension is unmatched. Together, you will be the strongest pillars of our branch clan!"
He looked at the small figures of his two sons and felt a resurgence of life and purpose. "We will start with the 'Penetrating Fist' until both of you fully master the basic level. Then, I will teach you the Qingyuan Art... a higher-level Yuan Power cultivation technique I learned before my injury. We will start training at dawn!"
'I have to take it slow until the plotline begins, lest I become a burden on this family. Probably I will reach the top Earthly Yuan Realm in this duration,' Lin Yi thought to himself, looking at his father's excited expression.
…