Chapter 14: Strength Test  

It was getting late.  

After finishing dinner, it was about time to rest.  

But before that, Lin Guiming had something to do.  

“Senior Brother, can you teach me to cultivate?  

I want to take the Imperial Academy exam…”  

Lin Guiming had learned nearly all his skills from his master.  

Now that his master’s daughter wanted to learn, how could he not teach her?  

In the courtyard under the moonlight, He Wanying stood before Lin Guiming, looking slightly nervous.  

“Before we start formal cultivation, let me ask you: do you know the basics of cultivation, like the division of realms?”  

“Um…”  

He Wanying pondered for a moment.  

“I’ve heard some things, but I don’t really understand them.”  

“Alright, then I’ll explain it once.”  

Lin Guiming stood with his hands behind his back and began, “The path of cultivation is to defy the heavens.  

It is divided into three major realms: Body Refining, Spirit Condensation, and Ascension.  

Spirit Condensation cultivators possess divine abilities, capable of summoning rain or snow at will.  

Ascension cultivators can move mountains, fill seas, and extend their lives by ten thousand years.  

But those are far from your level, so I’ll explain the Body Refining Realm in detail first.”  

Seeing He Wanying’s confused expression, Lin Guiming adjusted his approach.  

“The Body Refining Realm, as the name suggests, is the process of tempering the physical body.  

It’s the first step in cultivation and is crucial.  

The Body Refining Realm is divided into two stages: Body Forging and Breath Nourishing.  

Body Forging includes Strength Training, Skin Tempering, Flesh Tempering, Tendon Tempering, and Bone Tempering.  

The Breath Nourishing stage consists of the Acquired and Innate Realms, each further divided into three minor realms…”  

“Um…”  

He Wanying nodded.  

This was familiar to her.  

She had grown up hearing one phrase: Reach the Acquired Realm, and you can become a titled noble, bringing honor to your ancestors. 

Her dream of entering the Imperial Academy was to cultivate diligently and one day reach the Acquired Realm, changing her grandfather’s view of her and her mother.  

“Did you understand?  

Have you ever practiced cultivation on your own?”  

Lin Guiming asked.  

“Mm!”  

He Wanying nodded enthusiastically, then stuck out her tongue cutely.  

“But I didn’t really know how to cultivate properly, so I just trained randomly.”  

“That’s already pretty good.”  

Lin Guiming smiled.  

The worst-case scenario would be no foundation at all.  

The Strength Training Realm couldn’t be rushed; it required consistent physical training.  

Once someone achieved the strength of one horse—capable of exerting power comparable to a wild horse—they would have completed Strength Training and could move on to Skin Tempering.  

However, he wasn’t sure how far He Wanying had progressed, so he couldn’t tailor a cultivation method for her yet.  

“Alright… try hitting me with your full strength.”  

After thinking it over, Lin Guiming said to her.  

“Huh? But…”  

He Wanying’s expression froze, and she waved her hands.  

“But…”  

“What’s with the ‘but’?  

If I tell you to hit me, just do it.  

Do you think you can hurt me?”  

“Hm… but if I hit you, Senior Brother, won’t you think I’m too violent?”  

“What are you thinking?”  

Lin Guiming helplessly ruffled her hair.  

“I just want to test your current strength.  

Go ahead and hit me with all you’ve got.”  

“Oh…”  

He Wanying nodded, but she still seemed hesitant to act.  

If she held back like this, even if she did strike, she probably wouldn’t use her full strength, making it impossible to gauge her true level.  

Lin Guiming sighed in exasperation.  

After a moment of thought, his eyes suddenly lit up.  

“Wanying.”  

He called out to the naive girl in front of him.  

“Hm?”  

He Wanying looked up at him.  

“Ha—!”  

The next moment, Lin Guiming suddenly lifted her plain white skirt, revealing her fair waist and pale yellow undergarments, even exposing a corner of her red bellyband.  

He Wanying let out a shriek and instinctively threw a heavy punch at Lin Guiming’s chest.  

Not far away, He Wanying’s mother, secretly watching, blushed slightly and spat softly, thinking, “This kid is just like his master—a lecher!”  

But then she relaxed.  

After all, the two were already engaged.  

Lifting a skirt was nothing compared to…