It wasn’t something that happened yesterday. Henry Clark breathed a sigh of relief and quickly nodded, “Yes!”

Thomas Clark continued, “Guiyuan Technique is a health-preserving method. If you cultivate it, your internal strength will become sluggish, and you’ll develop laziness in your heart, losing your fighting spirit and power. I know you copied the technique, hoping to learn from others, but… if you take the wrong reference, it might not only be unhelpful, but could even bring side effects! Take a look at this ‘Golden Cauldron Technique.’ It should help you break through!”

Henry Clark looked surprised. “Isn’t this… a technique only the clan leader is qualified to practice? Can I… read it?”

The Xu family disciples all practiced the “Xu Family Qi Cultivation Technique.” Only after becoming the clan leader could one practice the more advanced “Golden Cauldron Technique.”

It was like the Huashan disciples in his previous life—at first, they could only practice ordinary techniques. Even Linghu Chong, the top disciple, couldn’t overstep, and only after becoming the sect leader could he practice the “Purple Cloud Divine Skill.”

Although he was the young clan leader, he hadn’t taken the position yet… Giving it to him directly would be breaking the rules.

Thomas Clark snorted coldly, “You’re my only son. Sooner or later, you’ll be the clan leader. Practicing it early doesn’t matter! Besides, it’s only the third level of the technique, not the whole thing. The most important thing is, you practice it secretly and don’t let anyone else know, and that’s fine, isn’t it?”

“Uh… yes!”

Henry Clark felt a trace of emotion.

As a transmigrator, he originally didn’t have much feeling for this man, just a stereotypical impression from his memories. But now, it seemed this father really cared about his son.

If it were discovered that he privately passed on the technique, others could very well oust him from the clan leader’s position!

Seeing him accept it, Thomas Clark showed a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. Then, he took out a jade bottle from his pocket and handed it over. “This is Qi-Enhancing Liquid. Find a way to refine it. With the Golden Cauldron Technique, breaking through to Martial Artist Level Four shouldn’t be difficult!”

Henry Clark opened the bottle cap and immediately saw the milky white liquid inside, giving off a strong medicinal fragrance. He was amazed. “This… must be expensive!”

In his previous memories, such medicinal liquids were only used by powerful forces like Hongwu Academy. People from Xu Family Village had never even seen them.

Thomas Clark waved his hand. “What you need to do now is strive to break through to Martial Artist Level Four as soon as possible! With strength, everything else is minor.”

“Yes!”

Henry Clark put the medicinal liquid in his pocket.

The other party made it sound easy, but he knew it must not have been easy to obtain.

Without saying more, Thomas Clark stood up again. “Train well. In a few days, there will be a competition among the younger generation. Don’t let me down…”

With that, he walked out.

Watching him leave, Henry Clark sighed.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to reveal his true strength, but he didn’t know how to explain it…

Others practice Guiyuan Technique for health… he practiced it for breakthroughs, advancing a whole level a day—how could he explain that?

With his father around, he wouldn’t be dissected for research, but if word spread outside the clan and attracted others’ covetousness, it would be very dangerous.

So, even if he wanted to say it, he needed the right opportunity.

For example… his father gave him Qi-Enhancing Liquid and privately taught him a technique. If he “breaks through” again in a few days and his strength increases rapidly, it would all make sense!

Thinking of this, he was no longer in a hurry to go to the Martial Arts Hall. Instead, he opened the “Golden Cauldron Technique” and read it carefully.

Like the “Xu Family Qi Cultivation Technique,” it was a metal-element technique, full of power and extremely fierce, but clearly more advanced—a true upgrade from the former.

If he had practiced this before, he might really have broken through to Martial Artist Level Four smoothly. But now… it was obviously useless!

He casually put it on the bookshelf, then opened the Qi-Enhancing Liquid again, took out a drop, and swallowed it.

A warm current slid down his throat and entered his body, making him feel warm and extremely comfortable.

Physical constitution enhanced, lifespan: +1, +1, +1…

What a good thing!

However, for Martial Artist Levels Three and Four, it was very helpful. Since he had already reached Level Five, the effect was much weaker. The increase in lifespan didn’t even seem as good as bear paw…

But as an emergency measure, it was still a good choice.

Just like last night’s situation—if he’d had this, he wouldn’t have had to smile so hard he nearly dislocated his jaw…

In the following days, Henry Clark didn’t go out. He kept cultivating the modified fifth level of Guiyuan Technique. Whenever he noticed his lifespan decreasing, he immediately ate bear paw or took Qi-Enhancing Liquid. That near-exhaustion never happened again.

After using up both items… Henry Clark looked at the Longevity Chart again.

Henry Clark: Resident of Xu Family Village, Jiyuan City, son of the village chief Thomas Clark.

Cultivation: Peak of Martial Artist Level Five.

Lifespan: 16 years / 18 years. (590 days remaining).

Stolen opportunities: Qing Emperor Longevity Technique, Tiger Fist (Perfect).

Not only had his strength reached the peak of Martial Artist Level Five, but his lifespan had also exceeded a year and a half…

If he wanted to continue cultivating, he would need the next stage of techniques.

Martial Artist Level Six, the Meridian Opening Realm, also called the Meridian Expansion Realm, was about expanding the previously narrow meridians to accommodate more true essence.

It was like building new roads on top of old ones—the wider the expansion, the more true essence could flow through, and the greater the achievements.

Therefore, this level was related to potential, and was also a major criterion for academies and powers to recruit students and disciples.