Li Ji'an's feelings of loss suddenly stirred.
"Dragon and Tiger Aspect?"
Ten years at the Martial Arts Academy in past lives had given him a nearly complete understanding of martial arts information in this realm.
The martial arts of this realm particularly emphasized bone structure, which has been validated through generations for over a century.
Besides superior, middle, and inferior bone structures, there are rarer ones that have produced Immortal Seedlings, possessing unique characteristics and directly given specific names.
The "Dragon and Tiger Aspect" mentioned by the Bone-Touching Master is the type of bone structure with the greatest potential in the martial arts realm of the Immortal Dynasty. For over a century, almost eighty percent of those with such bone structures have either become Immortal Seedlings or reached the pinnacle of martial arts in this realm.
"Is this the effect of Washing Marrow and Strengthening Bones starting at the age of eight?" Li Ji'an suppressed his inner excitement and pondered carefully.
"In this view, my body's talent shouldn't be bad either. To have such an effect requires persistent high-quality Washing Marrow and Strengthening Bones starting from eight years old."
The old face of the Bone-Touching Master flushed red, no longer distracted, tightly closed his eyes, and carefully felt inch by inch, fearing to miss any detail.
"Oh! How could this be? This... is a waste!"
Suddenly, the old master exclaimed, opening his eyes sharply.
"Hmm?" Li Ji'an's breath also halted momentarily.
Could you please avoid being so startled? Can't you speak only when absolutely certain?
"May I ask, elder, my..."
"Kid, did you lack clothes and food, with little oil and salt when you were young?" The Bone-Touching Master looked dearly at Li Ji'an, with his hands still unwilling to leave his body.
Li Ji'an silently nodded.
This has always been a point of his lingering concern.
"Rejuvenation" can only revert to eight years old, while the body before eight was the days before he awakened innate wisdom. While he could change his life post-eight, he couldn't change before eight.
Before eight, despite his parents' love, as village farmers, achieving a full meal took all their effort, let alone luxury desires for rich oil and salt, high calcium, and protein?
"Such a pity, such a pity, indeed, if supplemented from young, without accidents, he could probably grow into 'Dragon and Tiger Form.' But now his foundation is insufficient, lacking somewhat. Besides, the best time for Washing Marrow and Sinews has passed. Even if one receives Divine Elixirs and Treasured Medicine for that now, it's too late." The Bone-Touching Master sighed heavily, seemingly more pained than Li Ji'an himself.
"..." Li Ji'an didn't rush into emotions, quietly waiting to see if anything else was said.
"However... though not reaching dragon and tiger, he does possess the Wild Sparrow form. Without considering Immortal Seedling status, striving for a Qi Blood Master, establishing a Martial Arts Family still resonates powerful influence." The Bone-Touching Master gave his final assessment, with an eye filled with admiration, even flattery towards Li Ji'an.
Li Ji'an slightly raised his eyebrows, very satisfied with this result.
As for the mentioned Divine Pill and Immortal Treasure for Washing Marrow and Sinews... too late?
For me, not entirely!
Soon, two individuals with superior heart nature assessments were personally led by the Bone-Touching Master to the Martial Arts Arena.
The first step in the academy is tutor selection.
This is a mutual choice.
Students wish to gain experienced tutors for martial arts instruction.
Tutors rely on students to gain performance assessments.
In past lives at thirty, had it not been for the kindness of newly arrived Tutor Wu willing to guide me, I would have ended up as a freelance student.
"Yo, newcomers, Master Wan, what bone structure? How's their heart nature?"
Just entering the martial arts arena, several tutors looked over.
Even the less attentive gold medal tutor Ma Yuan, who was sipping leisurely under the shed, glanced over, attracted by Master Wan personally bringing people.
Currently, he only needs to introduce one martial arts student into the Prefecture City Seeking Immortal Institute, thereby qualifying as Chief Tutor and acquiring a Ninth Grade official rank, becoming a true official.
However, among three cities and eighteen counties, Shangyi County is but a small county. Encountering someone able to rank in the top thirty before fifteen years old is like searching for a needle in a haystack, not easy.
"Haha, my good seedlings I've brought to you, but who they eventually choose depends on your performance." Master Wan laughed heartily, rather high-profile.
"Hmm? Master Wan praises them as good seedlings?" All eight tutors were curious, with seven quickly advancing.
Gold medal tutor Ma Yuan was even more stunned, hastily directing the attendant students beside him to clear away the shed's wine and dishes, wishing not to affect his image in the newcomers' eyes, then tidying up solemnly, quickly walking over.
"This student has superior bone structure and heart nature." Master Wan didn't hold back, whispering lowly.
"Oh~ Sure enough, anyone praised by Master Wan must have superior bone structure." Seven tutors looked at Qingyun as if wolves spotting a rabbit.
"Young master, I'm an old tutor at this martial arts academy, teaching for twenty years with rich experience. Two of my disciples entered the Prefecture City Seeking Immortal Institute. If you enter my tutelage, I will impart all my teachings, ensuring your admission to the Seeking Immortal Institute." An experienced tutor quickly began self-promotion.
"I also have ample experience and am at the Bone Forging Realm in the Three Realms of Body Refining. I can not only guide you in preliminary Skin Polishing for martial exams but also lay a foundation for Bone Forging from the start, ensuring a longer martial path."
…
Apart from the first experienced tutor, the other five were somewhat slow.
This wasn't due to slow reactions but because the academy hadn't seen martial apprentices with dual superior traits in two years.
Usually, many apprentices would seek connections to join their tutelage beforehand, long since devoid of situations where tutors compete for students.
"Silence! What manners is this? As tutors, conveying teachings, resolving doubts, how can we disrupt like a marketplace, lowering our worth?" Suddenly, amidst six individuals competing to self-promote, Ma Yuan sternly rebuked.
As the most likely candidate for Chief Tutor promotion, despite the other tutors' dissatisfaction, they didn't dare openly offend him.
Ma Yuan, with some official aura, scanned the six, nodding satisfied, then glanced at Qingyun with a deep smile: "My friend, fear not. I am Ma Yuan, Shangyi County's martial arts academy's sole gold medal tutor. Twenty-eight years teaching, I've personally sent nine disciples into the Prefecture City Seeking Immortal Institute. Follow my training, ensuring no surprises in the martial exams two years hence. Additionally, I provide special care and extra resource allocation for talents."
"..." Shameless.
Having momentarily bit their tongue due to Ma Yuan's scolding, the six tutors were stunned, looking at Ma Yuan with greater disdain.
Qingyun looked at Ma Yuan vacantly, with the same attitude towards the previous six tutors, then turned towards Li Ji'an.
Li Ji'an's face showed a subtle smile.
In past lives, he spent considerable effort and finances finding a good teacher in Ma Yuan.
In the end, being swindled into providing free food and drink, then when encountering similar situations, receiving cold sarcasm and belittlement, with Ma Yuan elevating himself.
If not for Li Ji'an's extensive experiences, the resilient will, he probably would've succumbed to humiliation, his martial path collapsing.
His upright appearance and self-righteous attitude, claiming it was "for your benefit"... Particularly those heart-piercing words, seemingly standing with the academy and Li Ji'an, were unforgettable.
But, it's been fifteen years, Li Ji'an holds no intent to settle scores, having lived longer, seen more, there are countless such people in the world.