Yi, Hai, Zang, Long!

Four powerful golden characters stand above, exuding an extraordinarily sharp and imposing aura.

At first sight, one’s eyes can’t help but contract, as if pricked by a needle.

"What a splendid lion head!"

Bai Qi’s eyes flash, falling upon the black single-horned awakened lion proudly perched on the plaque.

Its colorful painting is vivid and lifelike, truly awe-inspiring.

"This is a martial lion. Its green nose, iron horn, and whiskered fangs are the finest in all of Black River County!"

Liang Laoshu explains, awakened lions are divided into civil and martial types, shops invite a civil lion for blessings upon opening.

Only for large clan ancestor worship or celebrating the birth of Tianhou do groups of martial lions step on stakes, seizing the green for performance.

Seemingly hearing the commotion, a tall elder wearing a mink fur hat strides quickly across the front yard:

"Old Liang, it’s been years since I saw you, heard you were resting at the East Market Shop.

Seeing you again, your spirit is even better than mine."

Liang Laoshu’s gaunt face rareably shows a few genuine, warm smiles:

"Appreciate you remembering me, Brother Dao. A few years back, I was at odds with myself, holed up in a small shack like a worthless soul, contemplating ending this miserable life, just waiting to close my eyes and lie in a coffin.

Only recently did I have a change of heart and decided to come out and move around."

The mink-hat elder’s face is rosy with strong breath, except for deep wrinkles, hardly resembling his five- or six-decade-old ears.

"What happened? Is your old ailment gone? You seem to be in better shape than before, walking briskly."

Liang Laoshu raises his hand, his expression softened:

"I owe it all to Ah Qi, this child occasionally brought a Silver Sand Carp, allowing this old man’s stiff legs to move."

The mink-hat elder carefully examines Bai Qi twice, nods jokingly:

"Broad shoulders, long legs, and straight spine. As his muscles and bones develop, he’ll surely be a good martial arts seedling.

Are you not passing your Eagle Flipping Eighteen Techniques to your son, instead finding an obedient disciple to show off to me?"

Liang Laoshu smiles wryly:

"Brother Dao, you know well, my martial arts skills are shallow, learned from the fishery, how could I recklessly take on a disciple.

Today, having visited the Broken Blade Sect, Divine Hand Sect, and Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall, I wish to seek a formal apprenticeship for Ah Qi to learn true fighting skills, but unfortunately, I have no assurance of success."

The mink-hat elder squints his eyes, once again glancing at Bai Qi standing at the door, shaking his head:

"You’ve put me in a tough spot, Old Liang.

Joining Tongwen Hall as an apprentice or disciple is acceptable.

Anyway, you know well, my master teaches like herding sheep, lacking patience for detailed instruction, and entering would just waste silver coins.

As for formal apprenticeship... my master has high standards, in recent years many good seedlings from wealthy families have sought to learn, many batches have come and gone.

The longest persisted for five years, yet achieved nothing and went elsewhere.

Tongwen Hall’s threshold isn’t high, but entering the hall is easy, advancing within is difficult."

Liang Laoshu looks downcast, yet it was somewhat anticipated.

In Black River County, many experts are ranked, including Instructor Fast Blade, Bear Eagle, Tiger Leopard.

This imposing residence with the "Yihai Hides Dragons" golden black plaque.

Is the abode of that Instructor!

Named "Tongwen Hall"!

Don’t be deceived by the empty courtyard, it is unparalleled in the martial world of Black River County.

The mink-hat elder leads Liang Laoshu’s skinny wrist like a withered stalk, guiding him towards the main hall:

"My master operates unconventionally, Old Liang, don’t stress, accompany me for a chat, wait for my master’s return for a decision, there’s a chance there may be a turn.

Called Ah Qi, right? This Tongwen Hall rarely receives visitors, it’s usually quiet, you may explore freely."

Bai Qi nods, not interrupting the two elders’ old friends reminiscing.

Of course, he knows his limits, avoiding recklessly heading for the backyard.

Only wandering about the vast front courtyard.

Bai Qi looks around, the left is a cluster of dense bamboo, the right is a large sandpit excavated.

The white wall seems like a mural, using charcoal to outline a dozen simple figures.

Standing or bending, moving hands or extending legs, the postures are varied.

"A bit like the stick figures in Eight Section Brocade, but slightly more detailed."

Bai Qi becomes curious, slowly approaching to examine.

"Standing upright, raising palms to shoulder level... then bending elbows... separating and pushing forward..."

He looks, recalling the marvelous sensation from previously comprehending half a form of "Beng Fist."

It feels like a carving knife has etched those changing postures deeply into his mind.

One stick of incense, two sticks of incense...

Gradually, the stationary silhouette transforms into a continuously moving sequence, becoming one coherent move after another.

[You are focused, pondering, yet lacking a touch of insight, unable to grasp the key...]

[Your Qi Blood rushes, flowing throughout your body, faintly grasping a spark of brilliance, needing more effort...]

[You concentrate wholeheartedly, finally glimpsing the profoundness, understanding "Mixed Element One Qi Form"...]

[You suddenly open your mind, finally glimpsing the profoundness, understanding "Immortal Palm Cloud-Pushing Technique"...]

[You comprehend and dissolve, finally glimpsing the profoundness, understanding "Three Stances Landing Form"...]

Bai Qi’s eyes shine nearly like stars, reflecting the eighteen images on the mural, his spirit seems like a creek flowing through a funnel, constantly pouring out.

His mental power is greatly consumed, causing his increasingly robust Qi Blood to surge turbulently, pores dilating, mingling with the dense autumn air outside, vaporizing into wispy smoke.

"The Eighteen Arhats image! Another form of cultivation and training combined!"

Unbeknownst of how much time has passed, Bai Qi suddenly closes his eyes, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling.

When he opens his eyes again, his brow shows heavy fatigue, almost wanting to lie down and sleep.

The ink talisman vibrates, glowing with text—

[Skill: Arhat Hand Cultivation Edition (Beginner)]

[Progress: 18/800]

[Effect: Both internal and external, both spirit and form, both dynamic and still, energy and vitality ample]

...

[Skill: Literacy (Minor Success)]

[Progress: 574/800]

[Effect: Reading a hundred times reveals the meaning, understanding beyond boundaries, gradually achieving mastery]

"Studying and comprehending other martial arts techniques can actually increase the progress of the literacy skill... Well, reading can be both fist manuals and kicking techniques.

I have learned two postures from the Golden Core Great Strength Skill, it’s not impossible to bring forth this ’Arhat Hand Cultivation Chapter’.

This instructor is indeed generous, boldly putting a skill of internal and external cultivation onto the wall, publicly displaying it."

Bai Qi’s mind vividly imprinted with the eighteen Arhats, instantly coming to life.

His leg muscles slightly trembled, he couldn’t help but move forward, according to the newly acquired Arhat Hand Cultivation Chapter, moving hands and feet, waist and hips rising and falling, seamlessly taking dozens of steps.

[Skill: Arhat Hand Cultivation Chapter (Introduction)]

[Progress: 36/800]

[Effect: Both internal and external, both spirit and form, both motion and stillness, ample essence and energy]

...

...

Broken Blade Sect, main hall.

An old man nearing fifty is seated, not tall but broad-shouldered and wide-backed.

His two arms are extremely sturdy, like cast iron, with tiger eyes full of authority and bright beneath thick eyebrows.

Fast Blade Thunder Collapse! Mu Chun!

"The Fishery’s He Wenbing is truly a stingy miser, not giving up a penny!"

Mu Chun’s voice is loud, speaking with full vigor:

"He talked at length about safeguarding the land and connecting like branches, all that nonsense, yet he only offered a reward of five hundred taels?

A Demon Fish that has become a spirit, possibly tainted with evil energy, plus the broad and wide Black Water River spanning eight hundred miles, in a real fight who knows who will live or die! Yet he dares name such a price! Luring beggars!"

Deng Yong serves hot tea, calming his master’s temper:

"He Wulang is naturally like this, you must understand we are named ’River’ in Black River County, he should have been comfortably seated at the top, instead getting his head stepped on every year by Chai Market and the kiln."

Mu Chun scoffs repeatedly, tilting his head to pour the scalding tea into his mouth:

"Only by clinging to Pai Bang did he manage to get some fame."

Deng Yong bends down to take the teacup from his master:

"This morning, Old Liang from the East Market Shop came to visit, bringing a close youth, intending to seek a direct descendant title."

Mu Chun furrows his brows, slightly surprised:

"Liang Laoshu? That formidable dragon slayer known for killing thieves on the Black Water River? How’s the kid? Is he worth considering? In martial circles, direct transmission is not lightly granted, he should know."

Deng Yong carefully chooses his words, replying cautiously:

"The youth’s name is Bai Qi, tall with long legs and robust Qi Blood, strong bones with no issues, already at the level of Refined Power.

Disciple had him try the punch target, able to penetrate ten layers of tough cowhide, a talent above average."

Mu Chun’s tense expression relaxes, his tone softens slightly:

"That’s fine! Tomorrow have him come over, so I can take a good look!"

Deng Yong pauses before continuing:

"He’s already sixteen, soon to be seventeen."

Mu Chun’s uplifted mouth instantly drops, irritably saying:

"Once over eighteen, the bones mature! What can be achieved in a year?

Our sect’s ’Dragon-Tiger Linked Fist’ alone takes more than half a month just to master the moves thoroughly!"

Hearing this answer, Deng Yong sighs internally, having done all he could to help, if the master disagrees there’s nothing he can do.

As a disciple, he wouldn’t dare to speak more.

Mu Chun’s explosive temper is famous throughout Black River County.

"Let it be, Liang Laoshu was once a renowned hero in Black River County, let’s give him some face.

Ah Yong, show me the punch target he hit.

If he can truly pierce ten layers of cowhide, let him in to observe, then discuss a direct descendant title."

Mu Chun calls the departing disciple, heading towards the backyard.

Rows of half-human-height vertical targets, with evident deep or shallow punch marks.

"This one was hit by Bai Ahqi."

Deng Yong points.

"Barely adequate, the force... hmm, why does it have a hint of Beng Fist? Did you teach it?"

Mu Chun’s casual glance suddenly focuses, like cold electricity hitting the punch target center.

"Ah? Disciple wouldn’t dare, without master’s permission, how could I casually impart sect martial arts.

Disciple only demonstrated it a few times in front of him..."

The aura of Third Training Great Success directly causes Deng Yong’s forehead to sweat, hastily defending himself.

"He used Beng Fist?"

"Yes."

Mu Chun lightly hissed:

"The way he exerts force, almost indistinguishable from Beng Fist, short bursts, both fast and intense.

Only thus can the force pierce the target center, tearing the cowhide without harming the surrounding, that’s called brittle force.

Seeing several moves, he can perform them himself, his comprehension is amazing.

This kid, he can enter my tutelage! Our Broken Blade Sect is in need of skilled, thoughtful direct transmission disciples!

Tomorrow morning, go to Liang Laoshu’s place, don’t let Divine Hand Sect or Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall snatch him!"

This Fast Blade Thunder Collapse works and speaks without dragging on, very efficient.

A talented seedling with potential shortfalls is no big deal.

Five hundred miles of mountain roads do not lack good sources, you can always cultivate them back.

Deng Yong responds respectfully, astonished internally:

"Seeing a move and then dismantling and learning it? What an incredible comprehension ability! It’s a monster!"