Instructor?

Ninghai Zen?

Bai Qi was stunned.

Unconcealed surprise appeared in his eyes.

He really couldn’t associate this strikingly charismatic yet somewhat untidy middle-aged man with the top expert of Black River County martial arts scene.

Honestly, this handsome uncle looked more like a free-spirited wanderer of the Jianghu.

If he had a sword and a horse, he would be a perfect fit.

"The other night at Tongwen Hall, did you step into the sandpit on purpose?"

Ninghai Zen picked up a piece of goose liver coated with flour and savored it.

"...Yes."

Hearing this question, Bai Qi was almost entirely convinced.

After all, it was Old Liang who took him to Tongwen Hall, and no one else knew about it.

However, the Instructor’s quick blade, fierce like eagles, tigers, and leopards; Divine Hands that overturn the heavens, cold arrows with no escape.

Among these eight, the first real person he met turned out to be the top-ranking Instructor.

In Old Liang’s words, this person was elusive, spending most of the year outside the county.

"Knowing how to showcase yourself instead of always hiding your skills, you did well.

The eighteen Arhat figures on the mural in front of Tongwen Hall were added by me."

Ninghai Zen sipped some coarse tea, slightly bitter, shook his head:

"Over these years, several batches of wealthy disciples have come seeking mentorship, totaling around thirty people, and you are the second one to see through it."

Bai Qi silently criticized:

"Are those Arhat figures? They look more like bald stick figures."

Ninghai Zen glanced briefly:

"Honestly, you don’t seem like the one-in-a-million martial arts talent. Those with good perception often have a certain spirit, with eyes concealing wisdom, sparkling with light. I was genuinely surprised at how quickly you comprehended that night."

Bai Qi’s expression remained unchanged, solemnly said:

"It’s all due to the Instructor’s excellent painting skills, full of charm, with just a few strokes, truly captivating and unforgettable."

Ninghai Zen raised his eyebrows, couldn’t help but "hiss" in slight astonishment, then repeatedly agreed:

"Good, good, good. Before I saw you, Old Liang’s endless praises made me think you were a modest jade, showing a dull but wise, steady personality.

Now seeing you, I don’t know if he was mistaken, or I heard wrong.

You clearly have a lively mind, quick thinking, which is very good, much better than your Senior Brother. Tongwen Hall needs such good saplings like you!"

Bai Qi’s mouth twitched, struggling to control his expression.

This Instructor, who dominates Black River County martial arts scene, was nothing like the Cultivation Grandmaster he imagined, more down-to-earth than Old Liang.

Do you experts not value demeanor and charisma?

Why do you like listening to flattery?

"But what you’ve learned is just the nurturing part of Arhat Hand, just simple stances for strengthening the body, not for defeating enemies."

Looking at Bai Qi sitting upright, Ninghai Zen grew more satisfied, good perception meant high aptitude.

Adding to that, having discernment, he was just missing a good disciple by his side who could praise others, speak truthfully.

Lao Dao was too old to be fun, Ah Cheng had a thick-headed wooden mindset.

Thinking of this, the Instructor patiently guided, offering terms:

"Tongwen Hall has Five Grand Captures, Muscle and Bone Separation, Silk Binding Strength for skin and muscle training, Dragon Palm with powerful force, White Ape Skill for swift maneuvering, Intention Wrestling with sinister throws.

Integrating nurturing and combat, step by step solid, taking the long route.

Do you know, muscle and bone training, skin and qi cultivation, are dubbed by those Immortal Master Daoist Officials as ’Golden Flesh and Jade Veins’, ’Mercury Blood Silver Marrow’, ’Water and Fire Immortal Robe’ and ’Circulation of Qi’.

These are not just random literary terms, they hold deep meaning..."

Bai Qi’s eyes lit up, instantly intrigued.

He loved hearing these insights from experts, unraveling their perspectives.

It felt incredibly helpful in organizing his own knowledge system, expanding his learning.

No choice, the fighting skills pieced together by the Fisherman were ultimately too scattered and chaotic, lacking structure.

Not comparable to those direct transmissions from the Great Martial Arts Hall, always with a master teaching hands-on, delivering teachings face to face.

Ninghai Zen chewed goose intestine, savoring it, the latter part of his speech seemed blocked, not speaking for a while.

Bai Qi immediately understood, quickly picked up the plump goose leg, respectfully placing it in the bowl:

"Ah Qi fishes around Black Water River, drifting without reliance, struggling to survive, Instructor, if you don’t mind, I wish to be your grateful disciple!"

Cling to a powerful support immediately!

Five hundred miles of mountain paths, eight hundred miles of Black Water River, there’s no martial artist more formidable than the one before him.

Not to mention bowing to apprentice, it’d even be fine kneeling to call him godfather!

Ninghai Zen nodded with satisfaction:

"Your sense of understanding in doing things isn’t necessarily lower than your martial arts comprehension. Since that’s the case, let me explain further. The Immortal Master Daoist Official refers to an extremely high achievement among the four major cultivations.

You are practicing muscle training now, right? It is divided into three steps: ’Nurturing and Replenishing Qi Blood,’ ’Sensing and Grasping,’ and ’Refined Power.’

When the time is ripe, Qi and strength combine, and that is achieving mastery.

But actually, a step is missing in the middle, called ’Power Reaching Four Extremities.’

Only when this is perfect can ’Golden Flesh and Jade Veins’ be completed."

As the instructor spoke, he slowly sat up straight.

A faint sound of muscles and bones rubbing could be heard, clicking softly.

Ninghai Zen’s spine stood upright, his shoulders broad as mountains, resembling towering peaks rising from the ground, instantly exuding an intense sense of pressure.

The sunlight by the window shone in, making his seemingly loose skin and flesh appear to emit a faint golden jade radiance, shining brightly.

"This is called ’Jade Tree Hanging Treasure Robe.’ What is ’Jade Tree’? It is the bone structure.

Bone density, joints are supple, standing postures and punching are twice as effective.

What is ’Treasure Robe’? It is the muscles.

Soft and relaxed freely, accumulating softness into hardness, the whole body is like a single entity, like a complete garment.

As you see me, the skin is like gold, the tendons like jade, only then can it be called ’Great Achievement.’

How to obtain the Four Cultivations Great Perfection, no martial arts hall in Black River County can teach you.

Only Tongwen Hall has the qualifications."

Ninghai Zen grinned, casually indicating a deep disdain for the Broken Blade Sect, Divine Hand Sect, and Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall, as if viewing them as mere chickens and dogs.

In a word, wild!

"Master, this disciple is seventeen this year..."

Bai Qi wondered inwardly; he hadn’t even managed to become an inner disciple in those martial arts halls he visited days ago. Why would the instructor suddenly favor him now?

Is it because of Old Liang’s influence, or did his comprehension show something extraordinary?

"No need to worry, the reason the martial arts circles have such rules is that each sect or hall can only teach so much.

Using the Broken Blade Sect as an example, apprentices practice postures, disciples practice techniques, starting from Beng Fist, then learning Cannon Fist, Mountain-Cracking Hand, advancing step by step, and finally Dragon-Tiger Linked Fist.

Spending a lifetime immersed in it, working hard to become deeply integrated and proficient.

Therefore, an inner disciple must match their martial arts’ style, best if they’re young for proper training and better growth."

Ninghai Zen paused again at this point.

Bai Qi timely picked a piece of goose meat, knowing it was time for the instructor to boast about himself.

"But Tongwen Hall is different, with Five Grand Captures, Three Great True Skills, transforming ordinary with martial arts, all-encompassing!

Age, muscles, and bones are secondary, focusing more on understanding and aptitude.

Masters of all generations here learn various skills, finally creating and establishing their own sects, not few in number.

Especially, I’m lazy, most annoyed by teaching slow learners who can’t grasp martial arts manuals and cultivation techniques after one view, better to send them elsewhere.

You’re brilliant in comprehension, average in muscles, though not young with limited potential, but still sufficient."

It seems the instructor only accepts top students, and those with low comprehension aren’t worthy to enter the hall.

But what is this ’Tongwen Hall’ about?

Such boasting, why hasn’t it rooted in Yihai Prefecture, instead running to rural Black River County?

Bai Qi suppressed his doubts, rubbed his hands, and asked eagerly:

"This disciple currently learns scattered techniques, including Eight Sections Skill for water combat, cultivation technique Golden Core Great Strength Skill, and Eighteen Arhat Hands.

What martial arts can Master teach me?"

Ninghai Zen wiped his mouth:

"I’m not afraid of you learning too much, just afraid you have a dull mind.

Regarding cultivation techniques, among the Five Grand Captures, Arhat Hand and Dragon Palm are more suitable.

First nurture, then train, train and then strike, strike and open the path for killing.

Following the twelve-character mantra passed down in martial arts circles, we’ll proceed step by step.

Right, I heard from Old Liang that you offended Yang Meng?"

Bai Qi hesitated, nodded lightly, and was about to clarify his ties with Yangquan and Wang Laizi.

But Ninghai Zen stood up directly, seemingly uninterested:

"Since you’ve set this feud, what are we waiting for? Let’s go.

Your first lesson today: the martial arts world has many rules and codes because too many people lack skills.

Those with skills, are unrestrained and free! Joining Tongwen Hall, you must keep this in mind.

I’ll take you to Yang Meng’s house, light incense in front of his spirit tablet! Settle this matter!"

Bai Qi smacked his lips repeatedly.

This instructor is both wild and fierce, like a leader, not his teaching master!