Zhou Xing paused for a moment before saying, "This realm no longer pursues absolute ferocity and stability. Instead, it cultivates a Martial Artist’s ultimate sensitivity to and control over their own Force, Qi Blood, and even external movements. It’s the Water Element bridge to Anjin and Huajin... Those were Master’s exact words when he taught me this Pile Method."

"Truly mastering the basics of the Spiritual Snake Listening Wave Pile means you’ve reached the Anjin stage. But just like Mingjin, Anjin also has three stages."

"First is ’Yin Needle Insertion.’ This is the initial grasp of the ’Force Penetrating Objects’ method. You can send a condensed yet Yin Softness Force out from your body’s surface and invade the shallow layers of a target. Once you’ve mastered it... when you strike this wooden pile, the surface your palm touches might not change at all, but the inside of the pile will have already crumbled. When hitting a person, a single finger poke might only leave a red dot on the surface, but their entire arm could be paralyzed and unable to move... At this point, the ’Yin Needle’ is initially formed... and you can be considered to have reached early-stage Anjin."

"Second is ’Hidden Thunder in Silk.’ At this point, the Anjin can ignore most muscle and fascial defenses, reaching straight to the bones. It can also ’lurk’ for a short time before detonating with a delay... You could slap someone, and they might seem fine, but after a moment, the Force explodes inside their body, ignoring most of the skin’s ’defenses’... You can imagine its lethality. This is ’Yin Thunder.’ At this stage, a single strike can leave a man limp and lifeless, like a painting hung on a wall. This is the Mid-Anjin Stage."

"Third is ’Endless Circulation.’ The Anjin throughout your body becomes perfectly harmonized and interconnected, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, circulating endlessly... This gives you the prerequisite to break through to Huajin."

"Anjin isn’t just far superior to Mingjin in combat; it’s also an excellent aid for tempering your own body..."

"The generation of Anjin can already temper the internal organs. Through Anjin, you can begin to strengthen your five viscera, and strengthening the five viscera will also enhance your five senses... This is the enhancement of the ’Spirit’ that I mentioned to you before..."

"The specific Training Method for the five viscera requires the use of medicine. It’s the follow-up Cultivation Technique to the ’Wild Bull Hundred Forgings,’ and I’ve brought it for you this time... However, I haven’t reached that step myself, so you’ll have to study the Cultivation Technique and figure it out on your own... Well, that’s if you can actually break through to Anjin." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

At this, Zhou Xing paused and warned him seriously, "The transition from Mingjin to Anjin is extremely dangerous. One mistake can lead to organ damage... If you’re not absolutely sure, don’t be reckless. I tried to break through twice before... and failed both times. The result was being stuck in bed for over ten days, and for one or two months, I couldn’t fight anyone. Even breathing hurt... So when you try to break through... you must be extremely cautious!"

Qin Fang’s heart lurched at his words. He took a deep breath and said, "Yes, thank you, Senior Brother. I won’t be reckless..."

"Good. I will now teach you the Pile Method."

Zhou Xing stood up and began to teach Qin Fang the Pile Method.

Qin Fang immediately began to commit it to memory.

...The Spiritual Snake Listening Wave Pile was indeed completely different from the Wild Bull Qi Strength Pile.

For example, during the entire Standing Pile process of the Wild Bull Qi Strength Pile, he had to puff out his chest and straighten his back, moving his bones and muscles one section at a time, keeping his head held high as if suspended, and feeling the surge of power.

But the Spiritual Snake Listening Wave Pile was completely different. His whole body seemed loose and relaxed. His spine was no longer like a drawn bow, but like a Spiritual Snake, relaxed yet connected section by section. He swayed slightly and rhythmically from side to side, like seaweed drifting with the current...

It had a completely different Mental Realm from the Wild Bull Pile...

After Zhou Xing demonstrated one round of the Pile, he had Qin Fang begin.

Qin Fang nodded. He made his first attempt and immediately felt the difference.

"The point of the Spiritual Snake Pile is ’loosening,’ but it must be ’loose without being limp,’ and ’supple without being scattered’..."

Zhou Xing instructed from the side.

Qin Fang diligently took note.

Before he knew it, more than two hours had passed.

Zhou Xing let out a soft breath and nodded. "Alright, that’s enough for today. You’ve got the basic principles down. From now on, you can work on refining it yourself."

With that, he took a package from his robes and handed it to Qin Fang.

Qin Fang took it instinctively.

"Inside are the Refining Techniques for Anjin and Huajin... It’s the follow-up to ’Wild Bull Hundred Forgings,’ the true Inner Cultivation Method."

"This part of the Training Method must be paired with Anjin and specific medicines, or it will cause you harm instead. Master prepared some of the medicine for you, and I’ve brought it as well. But after this, you’re on your own... This stuff isn’t any cheaper than Qi Blood Pills. From what I can tell, the two hundred taels you gave Master last time have basically all been spent on this."

Hearing Zhou Xing’s words, Qin Fang froze. After a long moment, he let out a soft sigh and nodded lightly...

’It seems the old man didn’t insist on returning the money to me because he had already planned to ’return’ it in this way...’

Qin Fang thought for a moment and ultimately did not refuse his master’s kind gesture.

’...Worst case, I’ll just have Senior Brother send another sum of money to Master in a couple of days.’

’But there’s no rush right now.’

’Otherwise, wouldn’t it just seem like a transaction?’

"Huh? Junior Brother, you got a dog?"

Just then, Xile bounded out of the house, yawning. Its eyes darted around, spotted Qin Fang, and it came trotting over happily.

Zhou Xing said in surprise.

Qin Fang turned to see Xile and smiled, nodding. "It gets pretty boring staying here alone. I got one to keep me company."

Zhou Xing crouched down and played with Xile.

At first, Xile watched Zhou Xing warily, but after sniffing for a moment, it hesitantly came closer, then stuck out its tongue and licked Zhou Xing’s hand.

Zhou Xing smiled. "Not bad. A good dog. It knows how to judge character."

Except for Qin Fang, Xile was highly wary of everyone else.

...It hadn’t even been friendly to Xu Meng, who had looked after it for a day.