"Without even the courage to attack me, how can you reach the Entry Grade? How can you become a disciple of the Iron Armor Sect?"
"In today's world, if you don't strive, the result will be ending up as horse slaves, taking jobs as carriage drivers, at best becoming a Protector for a wealthy family, or worse, turning to banditry and dying miserably."
Xu Guang spoke to the surrounding children, enunciating each word clearly.
Thinking of words daily to inspire these children's fighting spirit, Xu Guang found it even more effortful than learning language in his past life.
"Dharma Protector, I want to challenge you!"
A snot-nosed child suddenly jumped out from the crowd, angrily pointing at Xu Guang, his eyes resolute.
"I don't want to be a horse slave!"
Because his father truly was a horse slave, and if he couldn't succeed in reaching the grade, there was a real possibility he'd become a horse slave when he grew up.
Xu Guang looked at the little one before him, slightly pleased in his heart.
This child, named Du Shizhen, though young, is fierce. Over the days, he was the only child who provided him with nearly 5 points of experience daily!
This alone proved the child's resilience and relentless self-improvement,
Plus, at only eight years old, he had the longest standing桩 time and the fastest improvement among the group.
Xu Guang even occasionally wondered if Du Shizhen was the protagonist of this world?
He nodded with satisfaction, stepped forward, and lifted Du Shizhen up, letting his short arms wave wildly in front of him.
"You are too weak!"
"I am not weak!"
Xu Guang tossed him aside, of course, using some skill.
This was the most precious experience baby, and he always looked at Du Shizhen differently.
Du Shizhen fell down, and Xu Guang's eyes suddenly turned cold.
"You twenty, come together! I want to fight twenty!"
He was pressed for time.
Those who came looking for Han Song had already become dumbfounded.
Is this a Dharma Protector?
A Dharma Protector bullying kids?
They couldn't understand.
Even Zhu Zhenzhen's gaze became extraordinarily peculiar at this moment.
This was a completely different Xu Guang from the one who had ruthlessly slashed Zhu Huai last time at the Zhu Family.
Han Song coughed lightly and said softly, "Dharma Protector Xu has a kind heart. He sparrs with these children every day, encouraging them to grow. He's truly someone devoted to the sect."
He showed a look of admiration.
The flamboyant man in red clapped his hands and laughed upon hearing this.
"As expected, it's someone this gentleman has taken a liking to."
This person was named Tie Xiong, the dear nephew of Tie Kuang and also his direct disciple, whose strength had already surpassed the Eighth Grade.
Wherever there are people, there's the Jianghu. At the end of the day, the Iron Armor Sect is still a sect, naturally with many factions internally, with elders and sect leaders above, and disciples below.
Tie Xiong was the leader of a small faction among the disciples.
This time, he came to recruit Xu Guang into their faction.
So, after Xu Guang finished today's 'sign-in experience,' Han Song walked up.
"Dharma Protector Xu, this entry-grade standing桩 relies on perseverance but also requires some opportunities. You've been stretching yourself too thin lately. There are a few senior brothers in the sect who want to meet you. How about a change of pace?"
Xu Guang glanced at Han Song, then at Tie Xiong and others in the distance, realizing.
It turns out they were here for him.
Xu Guang felt a headache. He actually knew long ago, by controlling General Wei, he would certainly be targeted—either to be recruited or suppressed, something he had to endure.
He just didn't expect it to come so soon.
After pondering, he nodded, "Then I'll trouble Brother Han for the introduction."
"No need for such courtesy."
Han Song became even more polite.
Not far away, Tie Xiong was surrounded by people, his expression carrying a hint of pride.
When Han Song brought Xu Guang over, Tie Xiong's face immediately showed a smile, "Dharma Protector Xu, you've been working hard. Supervision of the younger generation in their training is something we should take on, but I didn't expect you'd handle it personally."
Though he appeared enthusiastic, Xu Guang still sensed a profound disdain from him, as if being able to converse with someone of Xu Guang's standing was a privilege for Xu Guang.
Xu Guang's heart turned cold.
Tie Xiong clapped his hands and began again, "This is a Cloud Sea Stone, bought from Ancient Treasures Street in Songjiang Prefecture last time with my master. A small stone, capable of observing the changes of the clouds. Surely Dharma Protector Xu has never visited Songjiang Prefecture, right? Take this as a gift to play with, for our first meeting, you must accept it."
Upon hearing these words, Xu Guang's expression remained emotionless.
His impression of Tie Xiong only worsened.
This was someone from a prestigious background, looking down on those at the bottom.
He didn't want much contact with such people.
But his most crucial priority now was to lie low. He would let things pass if they could.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Tie."
Tie Xiong's face showed a hint of joy.
Seeing Xu Guang accept the stone his son had picked up from who knows where, he felt disdain; someone from the bottom, indeed, had never seen much of the world.
"Then it's settled. We frequently have No Gap Small Meetings to discuss important matters about slaying demons and removing evils. At that time, Junior Brother Xu, you must come on time."
From beginning to end, Zhu Zhenzhen did not speak, and there was not even eye contact with Xu Guang.
Tie Xiong didn't think much about it. After all, Zhu Zhenzhen had lived in the sect for many years, how familiar could she be with a servant from the Zhu Family?
Besides, it was said that Xu Guang had fled in from outside, not having been in Qingshuo County for more than a few months.
Clutching the so-called 'Cloud Sea Stone,' Xu Guang's face was expressionless.
Han Song quietly approached him, thought for a moment, and spoke softly.
"Tie Xiong is the Sect Leader's direct disciple."
Xu Guang nodded, said nothing, but summoned Du Shizhen before leaving, per the usual practice, and gave him some food.
He thought, he might have to stay in the Iron Armor Sect for quite some time, and needed to draw in some of his own people.
It was just a casual move, but for Du Shizhen, it was a huge help.
Despite his humble background as a horse slave's son, if not for his father once tending horses for an elder, Du Shizhen wouldn't have had the chance to participate in the entry test. However, he still had to pay the monthly tuition for the test.
...
Since Tie Xiong's visit, it seemed he's really considered Xu Guang one of the No Gap Small Meeting members, constantly inviting him to various chaotic gatherings.
Xu Guang declined, saying he had not yet reached Entry Grade and needed to continue working hard.
For his refusal, Tie Xiong did not show much reaction. In his heart, someone like Xu Guang, with such a background and poor aptitude, if not for General Wei, wouldn't warrant a second glance.
Refusing saved time for both; occasionally encountering him on the road, he would hypocritically say a few words to Xu Guang, partly to win him over, partly to placate.
Two days after reaching Martial Artist Level 5,
the White Crane Longevity Technique finally reached entry-level.
[Name: Xu Guang]
[Current Job: 1. beggar Lv5 (228/600). 2. Level 5 Elephant Envoy (228/600). 3. Martial Artist Lv5 (228/600)]
[Professional Talent: Horizontal Pressure (When facing martial artists lower in realm than you, a horizontal pressure effect is applied, boosting your momentum and improving your recovery speed of energy and blood)]
[Professional Skills: Iron Pine Unyielding Skill LvMax, White Crane Longevity Technique Lv0 (1/100)]
[Next job transition requires Martial Artist Lv5 or higher]
Indeed, the color is also green, and each upgrade requires 100 experience.
Xu Guang sighed in his heart.
The channels to gain experience need to be expanded.
Without further thought, he took out various precious herbs and started adding points directly.
[White Crane Longevity Technique Lv1 (118/200): Body like a white crane, long roaming freely, decades pass by human world, lifespan increases.]
The enhancement of this cultivation technique brought Xu Guang an entirely new experience, as if he were at the top of a high mountain, witnessing celestial cranes soaring high, their cries resonating in the sky, while he unconsciously moved with the crane's form, his breathing altering.
An instant felt like a hundred years. The various breathing rhythm changes of the White Crane Longevity Technique stirred up his energy and blood.
Moments later, Xu Guang swallowed the last herb, feeling the changes within himself.
He removed his top, observing the lines of his muscles. Due to the cultivation technique's changes, his muscle lines became less pronounced, more akin to a common person, but carried an innate sense of ethereal presence.
This technique somewhat resembled health preservation, and in others' eyes, its greatest benefit would probably be extending and enhancing lifespan.