Chapter 20: The Egg-Swapping Period

Inside the villa, feeling the pressing urgency of the longsword mere inches away, Fang Can could only feel a sense of helplessness.

"Everyone knows that even for those with peerless talent, stepping into the Mortal Shedding realm requires at least five days of grueling refinement. To say nothing of you nearly reaching the threshold of the first stage of Mortal Shedding—such talent is something even the reincarnation of the Great Derivation God could not achieve."

Jiang Ning'an’s longsword drifted closer, leaving a tiny scratch on Fang Can’s neck. "You lied about the number of days you’ve spent in cultivation. What are you trying to hide?"

Even with Fang Can’s current level of composure, he felt like letting out a long sigh. In this day and age, no one believes the truth.

"Is there a possibility," Fang Can retorted, "and I’m just saying it’s a possibility, that I am a peerless genius—the kind that even the Great Derivation God cannot compare to?"

Jiang Ning'an did not answer, but her eyes said it all: *You?*

Fang Can was thoroughly exasperated. It was one thing for the weak to complain about their environment, but to complain about the strong? It was bad enough that the people in this world had poor talent, but to blame him for reaching this level in seven days? A bunch of ignorant amateurs—did they not understand what it meant to use a cheat code?

"Fine, sure, whatever. I actually arrived in the Great Derivation realm a month ago, and it took me a month of bitter practice to reach this level of strength." Fang Can looked at the foolish woman before him, his frustration spent. "Anyway, after staying in the Great Derivation for a while, I retreated back here. You must have come over with me during that same window."

"If things continue like this, you will likely return to the Great Derivation in a few days, and then be caught in a cycle of traversing between these two worlds."

Upon hearing Fang Can’s explanation, although there was no proof, Jiang Ning'an felt a sense of relief—at least there was hope of returning.

Once she relaxed, Jiang Ning'an withdrew her sword. She looked at the young man before her, hesitant for a moment, wanting to speak but finding it difficult to start.

Fang Can, seeing her predicament, took the initiative: "You’re injured, right? If you want to stay here, just ask. But remember to pay the rent."

"Rent!" Jiang Ning'an’s eyes widened slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "I... I do not have the currency used here."

As a high-ranking disciple of an orthodox sect, she could not bring herself to be a deadbeat. After some thought, she proposed, "However, I can teach you martial arts to compensate. You haven't entered the 'Egg-Shedding Period' yet, have you?"

Hearing the term "Egg-Shedding Period," a chill ran down Fang Can’s spine. He couldn't help but ask, "E-Egg-Shedding Period! What is that?"

"It seems you haven't reached it yet," Jiang Ning'an explained. "The so-called Egg-Shedding Period is a term used by male martial artists. I once heard my master mention it. Because practitioners in the Mortal Shedding realm must replace old blood with new, and a man’s root—his anatomy—is difficult to involve in or replace through martial practice, it easily becomes a fatal weak point in combat."

"Therefore, some martial artists suggest removing it entirely during the Mortal Shedding stage. Once that flesh is completely gone, one saves at least twenty percent of the effort required for the realm."

"After transcending this stage, the practitioner only needs a few months for it to grow back, and it does not affect... intimacy."

As she reached the end of her explanation, Jiang Ning'an’s face flushed slightly, while Fang Can felt a deep, profound horror.

*How is it that even practicing martial arts requires one to 'castrate oneself to master the divine skill'? I don't want any part of this.*

Seeing Fang Can’s reaction, Jiang Ning'an suggested, "Actually, for a boy of your age, undergoing the Egg-Shedding Period is already quite late. If your new and old blood have already mixed, cutting it now could lead to a severe foundation collapse. I advise you to undergo the surgery within these next few days."

"I refuse!" Fang Can crossed his arms in a 'no' gesture. "If all you can teach me is how to shed my eggs, please leave this villa immediately."

At this point, Fang Can felt this woman was far too insidious. He had only been coveting her techniques, while she had been plotting to take his eggs.

On the other side, Jiang Ning'an felt aggrieved. Ordinary martial artists struggled their whole lives just to cross the threshold of the Mortal Shedding realm, and here was a method to speed up the process by twenty percent, yet he refused it.

Seeing her good intentions rejected, Jiang Ning'an felt somewhat despondent, but she said, "If you refuse to shed your eggs, so be it. However, the path of martial arts relies primarily on the strength of one’s own will. I cannot help you too much; I can only point out techniques. As for deeper inheritances, those are beyond my guidance."

"Inheritance?" Fang Can asked.

"Yes," Jiang Ning'an explained patiently to the newcomer. "The so-called inheritance refers to the cultivation methods and martial skills practiced after the Mortal Shedding realm, all of which are created and refined by various sects over generations."

"For example, the 'Word of Power' of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was improved bit by bit over a hundred generations of Pavilion Masters from the original 'Golden Tongue and Jade Word Art'."

Fang Can carefully memorized everything Jiang Ning'an said, then thought of something and asked, "Then... have you heard of the 'Role-Playing Method'?"

"The Role-Playing Method!" Jiang Ning'an instinctively turned to look at him. "You haven't joined some evil cult, have you? I advise you never to practice such a method. Be careful not to harm yourself or others."

"Why?" Fang Can asked. "Doesn't the Role-Playing Method increase the speed of cultivation? It feels no different from the Egg-Shedding Period. Why do you advise me to shed my eggs but forbid me from practicing the Role-Playing Method?"

"Because role-playing only provides insignificant gains from evil paths in the early stages. The difference between the righteous path and the evil path lies in whether using the technique will damage your future martial path."

"The so-called Role-Playing Method not only fails to provide benefits when you hit a bottleneck, but it actually causes obstruction, especially when crossing major realms—unless you plan to stay in the Mortal Shedding realm for the rest of your life."

At this, Jiang Ning'an spoke with righteous indignation: "We practitioners must face difficulties head-on, hold firm to our inner hearts, unify knowledge and action, remain undisturbed by setbacks, and dare to be the first in the world. If you blindly spend your time playing the role of others, your soul will naturally become clouded."

Fang Can nodded in understanding, realizing she likely belonged to a reputable orthodox sect.

Given this, he prepared to completely bury the dark history of his time with the Tiger Fiend Sect to avoid any negative reaction from her.

"I am Fang Can. May I ask the young lady's name?" Fang Can asked, gazing at the girl before him.

The indoor light shone upon her flawless face, making her look breathtakingly beautiful.

Without any intention of concealment, the girl revealed her origins: "Tribulation Sword Mountain, Jiang Ning'an!"

Fang Can secretly noted the name of the sect, intending to look it up once he returned, then put on an embarrassed expression. "Um... may I ask, Miss Jiang, does your Tribulation Sword Mountain still accept disciples?"

"You wish to become a disciple?" Jiang Ning'an’s face revealed a mysterious smile. "A pity. You have already entered the martial path. Before ascending the Heavenly Road, you can no longer learn other cultivation methods."

"Why?" Fang Can could not help but ask. Jiang Ning'an’s answer had completely disrupted his plans.