Han couldn’t help but wonder: Had he joined the Taibai Martial Hall, or was this place secretly the "Slanted Moon Three-Star Cavern"?

“Secret martial arts techniques hold immense value,” Bai Tian explained, his tone serious. “Even beyond Heiyun Town, they are highly sought after by the great martial sects. The technique I possess comes with significant baggage. I’ve had my share of conflicts in the past, which is why you must never reveal it. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master. I will be cautious,” Han replied earnestly.

“The secret art I will teach you is called ‘Heaven-Breaking Bull Demon Body Refinement.’ If you can master it, your foundation in the Body Refinement Realm will be unmatched—second to none,” Bai Tian said, his words carrying weight.

Han’s curiosity was piqued. It became clear to him that Bai Tian was no ordinary martial artist.

If the three primary Taibai techniques were considered top-tier in Heiyun Town, Bai Tian’s tone suggested that ‘Heaven-Breaking Bull Demon Body Refinement’ was an elite technique across the entire martial world.

The gap between them was staggering.

How had Bai Tian, a mere martial artist from a small town, come to possess such a treasure?

Still, the name of the technique—Heaven-Breaking Bull Demon—had a certain charm to it.

“My other disciples were given the opportunity to learn this secret art, but unfortunately, none of them met the requirements to master it,” Bai Tian sighed. “I hope you’ll succeed.”

He began instructing Han in the technique, with Bai Ruoyue offering guidance from the side.

As soon as Han started practicing, he could feel the extraordinary nature of the technique. Though it shared the “Bull” theme with one of the three primary Taibai methods, it was on an entirely different level. The primary method felt like a fearsome beast, while this secret art resembled a mythical demon bull from legends.

Each movement and stance caused subtle changes in Han’s body. Gradually, he began to feel a faint soreness, which intensified as he progressed.

By the time he reached the final sequences, the soreness had turned into excruciating pain. It was as if a raging demon bull was rampaging inside him, threatening to tear him apart.

“Stay strong! You’re almost there!” Bai Tian encouraged.

“Moo!”

In a moment of hallucination, Han thought he heard the roar of a colossal bull and caught a fleeting vision of a towering black demon bull before him.

Crack!

A strange sound came from Han’s body. His muscles trembled, and a sudden warmth surged within him. A faint glow flickered across his skin before vanishing.

Around him, tiny vortexes appeared, as if the essence of heaven and earth was being drawn into his body.

Han opened his eyes sharply, and a dark light flashed within them.

“Master, Senior Sister, did I succeed?” Han asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.

“You did, Little Brother! You’ve mastered it!” Bai Ruoyue exclaimed, excitement lighting up her face.

Han’s success was more than a personal victory; it also promised a brighter future for the Taibai Martial Hall, her home.

“Not only did you master the secret art, but you also broke through to the Body Refinement Realm and cultivated inner energy,” Bai Tian said, a rare smile crossing his face.

Han was startled. “So that chaotic little thing running around inside me is inner energy… But I haven’t even completed the Nourishment stage yet!”

Bai Tian explained, “With your physique, you were naturally prepped for the Nourishment stage. Honestly, whose body could compare to yours even after completing it?”

To Bai Tian, it wasn’t surprising that Han had broken through after just one session of training. With Han’s unparalleled talent, entering the martial path was never going to be a challenge.

This, Bai Tian realized, was the power of life’s true potential manifesting itself.

Han understood now. As he felt the strength surging through his body, he couldn’t hide his excitement.

“I feel incredibly strong right now!”

“With your talent and the secret art unlocking your potential, every breakthrough you achieve will surpass the norm,” Bai Tian said. “Right now, your body strength alone is equivalent to lifting 1,000 pounds. With inner energy, it will be even more terrifying.”

To possess such power at the very start of the martial path was unheard of. Han was deeply satisfied.

What took others months of training, he had accomplished in a single morning.

“To celebrate my little brother’s breakthrough, let’s have a feast today!” Bai Ruoyue suggested cheerfully.

The three of them headed to the dining area, with Bai Tian offering more advice along the way.

“For a martial artist, practice is essential, but so is eating,” Bai Tian explained. “Every breakthrough greatly strengthens the body, and that growth demands energy. Some of it comes from absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, but a large part comes from the food you eat.”

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“Ordinary food can’t keep up with a martial artist’s needs. That’s why most of us consume beast meat or spiritual ingredients,” he continued.

Han nodded in understanding.

“Eating is fundamental to a martial artist’s survival,” Bai Tian said. “Some martial artists have even developed secret techniques to efficiently extract the essence from food.”

“Without such techniques, you’d only absorb 30% of the energy from a pound of beast meat. But with a Devouring Technique, you could draw out the equivalent of three to five pounds—or even more.”

“At the highest level, a skilled practitioner could digest earth and stone with ease, even at your current stage,” Bai Tian added with a grin.

“I’ll teach you the Devouring Technique that complements the secret art. With your foundation, you’ll pick it up quickly.”

“Thank you, Master!” Han said, bowing deeply.

By the time they reached the dining area, Bai Tian had fully explained the secret technique that complemented the Heaven-Breaking Bull Demon Body Refinement—a technique called “Sun Devouring Method.”

Han quickly realized that many of the martial principles and technical terms involved in the method were concepts Bai Ruoyue had previously explained to him. He understood them perfectly.

Clearly, Bai Tian had prepared him in advance.

Though devouring techniques were considered relatively simple compared to other martial arts disciplines, they still required effort. While mastering advanced levels was challenging, achieving basic proficiency was straightforward.

Still, even the simplest technique couldn’t be mastered in the span of a short walk.

The Heaven-Breaking Bull Demon Body Refinement was another matter. Han’s so-called mastery meant he had practiced all its forms once, which was all it took.

Secret techniques were peculiar like that: If you could grasp them on the first try, you were compatible. If not, they weren’t meant for you.

Han’s rapid breakthrough owed much to his extraordinary physical condition, which was already on par with that of a trained martial artist.

At the dining table, Han finally met his fellow disciples.

Bai Tian had six disciples in total: four senior brothers and two senior sisters. Five of them were present at the martial hall.

After brief introductions, Han wasted no time digging into the meal.

He was genuinely starving. Breaking through to a new realm consumed significant energy, and his body was crying out for nourishment.

The table was piled high with beast meat, and the taste was incredible. Each bite warmed his body, and he could feel his strength subtly increasing.

After the meal, the disciples chatted briefly before Han was called back to training.

Han immersed himself in practicing the secret technique, while Bai Tian stood nearby, offering instruction.

“Martial arts, at their core, are all about refining the body,” Bai Tian began.

“In the Body Refinement Realm, the focus is on the skin and muscles. Secret techniques like yours strengthen them, and inner energy fortifies them even further.

“You can also accelerate the process through external means—like strikes and herbal baths.”

“I’ll prepare the medicinal brews and baths for you,” Bai Tian continued. “Your only job is to focus on refining your body and cultivating your inner energy.”

Han didn’t respond, fully absorbed in his training. Still, he felt a deep gratitude toward Bai Tian.

He wasn’t sure if all masters were as devoted to their disciples, but Bai Tian’s care and responsibility left a lasting impression.

The entire afternoon was spent under Bai Tian’s guidance. He not only corrected Han’s movements but also imparted valuable martial knowledge.

The day concluded with Han soaking in a medicinal bath. The herbal concoction soothed his weary body, restoring vitality and washing away the fatigue of relentless training.

After another hearty meal at the martial hall, Han headed home.

As Han approached his house, he noticed something unusual: the front door was broken.

Four men stood guard near the entrance. Upon seeing him, they immediately surrounded him.

“You’re Han, right?” one of the burly men sneered, pressing a heavy hand on Han’s shoulder. “Master Huang wants to see you. Come with us.”

Han glanced at the group. Their smug expressions made it clear they weren’t expecting resistance. Two of them stood out—muscular and imposing. Han suspected they were martial artists.

Huang Shiren, a wealthy man in town, hiring martial artists wasn’t surprising. However, they were likely only in the Body Refinement Realm, as higher-level martial artists wouldn’t stoop to such work.

Han’s eyes flicked toward his house.

The broken door suggested these men had already forced their way in.

Fortunately, he had taken the land and property deeds with him when he left that morning—just in case.

Han smirked, his cautious nature paying off once again.

“Fine,” he said calmly. “Take me to this ‘Master Huang.’ Let’s see how many eyes he has.”