At that moment, a bright light flashed in his mind.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence. Success is inevitable.]
[Basic Arm Extension Stance (228/500)]
[Long Arm Fist (Entry-Level) (1/500)]
The sensation was incredibly clear, and it invigorated him.
Sun Shun's explanation continued as he broke down the counters for each move in detail.
How to evade an enemy's attack, and which move or stance to use for the most effective counterattack.
"Pay attention to this move, 'Spiritual Ape Soaring'," Sun Shun called out sharply. "If your opponent attacks with a saber, you must not block it head-on. You must..."
His figure was nimble, his footwork diagonal, as he perfectly demonstrated how to evade the blade's edge.
Chen Qing was completely focused, searing every one of Sun Shun's pointers into his mind.
Seeing Chen Qing's diligence and eagerness to learn, Sun Shun's explanations became even more detailed, and he even personally demonstrated a few killing moves.
Chen Qing practiced the Long Arm Fist once more before walking to a corner of the training grounds to sit, catch his breath, and drink from his waterskin.
"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister Zhou."
"It's nothing. Just be more careful next time."
"Yes, I understand."
....
A soft, pleasant female voice caught Chen Qing's attention.
He saw a young woman in a simple white silk dress, holding a small celadon medicine jar and applying ointment to an injured disciple.
Her fingertips were coated with a brown salve, her movements gentle.
The "injured" disciples were all red-faced, their gazes shifting about nervously.
Sun Shun noticed the confusion in Chen Qing's eyes and whispered, "That's Junior Sister Zhou, the master's daughter. You should call her Senior Sister Zhou. She returned from studying medicine at Qingnang Hall yesterday. She's kind-hearted and often tends to disciples injured during practice."
At this, he scratched his head with a helpless look. "Because of her, there have been a lot of junior brothers with 'sprained backs' lately."
Chen Qing understood, of course. In a courtyard full of rough men, the sudden appearance of a pure and elegant white magnolia was bound to make this pack of hungry wolves pretend to be lame and injured.
After a short rest, Chen Qing took a deep breath and stood up again.
Mastering the Long Arm Fist's Fighting Method required more than just diligent, solitary practice; it had to be forged and refined through countless real battles.
By the courtyard wall, Zhou Liang was half-reclined in a grandmaster's chair with his eyes narrowed, occasionally calling out pointers.
The afternoon sun filtered through the Old Locust Tree, casting mottled shadows across his face.
Time slipped by quietly amid the spray of sweat.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the courtyard gate.
"Master Guo from the Wangyuan Escort Agency is here!"
"And Shopkeeper Wang from Li's Weapon Forging Shop!"
....
The disciples all stopped what they were doing and looked over curiously.
More than ten people filed in. The leader, an old man in a gray coat, walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger. He was followed by several burly men, all of whom had slightly bulging temples, clear signs of being trained martial artists.
"Third Senior Brother, what's this?"
A curious disciple sidled over to ask.
His name was Guo the Hammer, and he was also one of Sun Shun's trainees.
Sun Shun explained, "They're here to recruit. Once you reach Manifest Force, you can register with places like Wangyuan Escort Agency or Li's Weapon Forging Shop and work part-time as a guard or a Porter. You can earn a decent monthly salary."
He glanced at the many disciples who were pricking up their ears to listen and added, "Many of the senior brothers and sisters in the institute do this. Otherwise, how could they afford to eat white flour and meat every day just by relying on their families?"
A registered part-time guard?!
Guo the Hammer's eyes instantly went wide, his mouth slightly agape.
He came from Xiahe Village. His family had been poor peasants for generations, and even his initiation fee had been paid with copper coins pooled by his fellow villagers. How could he not be thrilled by this news?
Chen Qing's heart also skipped a beat.
If he could get a registered position, he wouldn't have to worry about his future tuition gifts.
Sun Shun continued, "I remember the Weapon Forging Shop offers three thousand large money and thirty catties of meat a month for those at Manifest Force. The Wangyuan Escort Agency, on the other hand, calculates payment based on the length of the escort mission. I'm not too clear on the exact details."
Upon hearing this, many disciples were eager to make a move.
This was especially true for the new, impoverished disciples, whose faces were filled with longing.
Hadn't they risked their lives practicing martial arts precisely so they could stand out from the crowd and change their destiny?
Three thousand large money plus thirty catties of meat—this was definitely an enviable fortune.
To put it in perspective, weaving nets day and night for a whole month of hard work would only earn you about five hundred large money.
Sun Shun crossed his arms. "The various powers in the county all need to retain experts, so the terms they offer are quite good. And if they come across a young, promising elite with good Root Bone..."
He paused, referring to the geniuses, "To win them over, the offers will be even more generous. Some rich households might even... consider taking them in as a live-in son-in-law."
By now, Master Guo from the Wangyuan Escort Agency, Shopkeeper Wang from Li's Weapon Forging Shop, and a few other wealthy patrons had taken their seats.
"Qin Lie, you're up!"
Zhou Liang glanced around and said in a low voice, "Remember what I usually tell you."
"Yes, Master!"
Qin Lie walked out slowly and announced in a clear voice, "Seniors, patrons, I will now display my humble skills!"
He took his position in the center of the grounds, drew a deep breath, and then unleashed his Fist Momentum.
He was demonstrating the Long Arm Boxing Technique. With every move, his bones and tendons popped, and a powerful wind stirred! Each punch was accompanied by a crisp "CRACK," as if the air itself was being torn apart.
This was precisely the Manifest Force Realm.
A fierce wind howled. Watching from a distance, Chen Qing's heart pounded in his chest. Qin Lie's renditions of "Spiritual Ape Soaring" and "Horse Riding and Flower Viewing" looked especially exquisite.
Manifest Force was completely different from what an ordinary person could achieve; it marked one's true entry into the path of Martial Arts.
The first gate-breaking allows one to train the entire body's strength and unleash Manifest Force. A single punch can make the air explode with astonishing power.
Someone with Manifest Force could be said to walk unopposed among ordinary people. With this level of strength, one could participate in the Martial Arts Examination and strive for fame and success.
The second gate-breaking involves mental energy and the skin, coordinating with the body's meridians to unleash Dark Force. It can injure a person's internal organs through heavy armor and is incomparably profound.
This Realm was beyond ninety-nine percent of martial artists. Those who reached it could become a mainstay of a major power. In the entire Zhou Institute, only a few had ever reached this stage.
The third body tempering is for Transmutation Force. The internal organs, flesh, blood, and bones are all filled with Dark Force. With a jolt of one's Qi and blood, all flesh and bone are mobilized, creating a sound like rolling thunder, unleashing the even more terrifying Transmutation Force.
In the entire Zhou Institute, only Zhou Liang was a great master of Transmutation Force.
After finishing the set, Qin Lie drew back his momentum and stood still. His face wasn't red, he wasn't out of breath, and his breathing was long and steady.
"Junior Brother Qin's rate of progress..."
Seeing this, Sun Shun sucked in a cold breath. 'He'll probably be able to challenge the Dark Force realm in half a year, won't he?'
Zhou Liang stroked his beard, his eyes filled with unconcealable satisfaction. "My worthless disciple is slow. It took him a month and a half of practice to reach Manifest Force. I have made a fool of myself before you all."
Although his words were humble, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes couldn't hide his pride.
"Master Zhou, you jest!" Guo the Leader of the Escort shot forward, his Yanling Saber rattling at his waist. "For such a fine piece of jade, my Wangyuan Escort Agency is willing to offer him thirty percent of the profits from red-flagged goods!"
"Hold on!" Shopkeeper Wang slammed the table and shot to his feet, the teacup rattling noisily. "My Li's offers a monthly salary of five thousand cents, plus a set of Fine Iron Weapons!"
The field instantly erupted in an uproar.
The maids brought by the wealthy patrons covered their mouths in shock. That price was enough to buy two strong slaves!
The disciples of the Zhou Institute also broke into discussion, their eyes filled with a trace of envy.
Qin Lie, who had been poor since childhood, found his breath quickening upon hearing such generous terms, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.
While pretending to adjust his sleeves, he nonchalantly swept his gaze across the faces of his fellow disciples.
The looks of indifference from the past had now all turned into shock and envy.
"My two brothers, please calm yourselves. Don't let this harm our friendly relations."
Seeing this, Zhou Liang stood up and mediated with a smile. "This concerns my disciple's future, a matter of great importance. Why don't we move to the inner hall later to discuss this in detail?"
Hearing this, Shopkeeper Wang and Guo the Leader of the Escort slowly sat back down.
Next, three more senior brothers who had reached the Manifest Force Realm went up to demonstrate.
Although their performances were solid, they seemed unremarkable compared to Qin Lie. They eventually received offers from the wealthy patrons, but the monthly salary was only around two thousand cents, far less than what was offered to Qin Lie.
Everyone knew this was because of Qin Lie's potential.
Soon, the recruitment was over.
Sun Shun looked at Chen Qing and the others with a complicated expression and said, "You all need to reach Manifest Force as soon as possible..."
Using one's Qi and blood to generate Power is the foundation of practicing martial arts.
Manifest Force, Dark Force, and Transmutation Force are the true essence of the Long Arm Fist.
If you want to break through the gates, you must have powerful Qi and blood to support you. And Qi and blood require not only daily Cultivation but also nourishing foods like meat and tonics.
"The poor study literature, the rich practice martial arts." This saying was no empty phrase.
Aside from disciples with excellent Root Bone, it was extremely difficult for an ordinary person to break through each gate.
If they failed, all the silver coins, time, and energy they had invested would be completely wasted.
Chen Qing cupped his fist. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."
Guo the Hammer hesitated for a moment before asking, "Third Senior Brother, if we can't reach Manifest Force..."
"Then don't waste your life struggling here in the institute."
Sun Shun was silent for a moment, then said hoarsely, "Go work as a handyman at an Escort Agency or a Weapon Forging Shop, or serve as a household guard for a rich family... Do some hard, tiring labor. You'll at least be able to feed yourself."
As his words fell, a chill ran through the hearts of the few people around him.
A household guard? That was just a nice-sounding title. In reality, they were just servants that a rich family could order around at will.
Who among those who came to the institute to practice martial arts didn't dream of passing the Martial Arts Examination and bringing glory to their ancestors?!
Chen Qing's eyes narrowed slightly.
'I know full well,' he thought, 'that the most urgent task is to break into the Manifest Force Realm as quickly as possible.'
These words made the expressions on Guo the Hammer and the others turn grim. They then silently walked away to throw themselves into their training with even greater effort.
A fire was lit within each of them. They had to reach Manifest Force.
Before he knew it, evening had fallen, and the disciples in the courtyard had all left.
Chen Qing practiced his Pile Skill once more, not stopping until his muscles ached all over. Only then did he wearily walk to a corner of the field to sit and catch his breath.
"It's so late, you haven't gone back yet?"
A gentle voice sounded.
Chen Qing looked up to see Zhou Yu walking out from the Inner Courtyard. Her simple white silk dress was particularly striking in the dim light.
Chen Qing wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied respectfully, "Senior Sister, my aptitude is poor. I can only try to make up for it through diligent practice."
"Martial arts practice requires a balance of tension and relaxation. You must not be too hasty."
Zhou Yu said with concern, "You must take care of your body, or it will be counterproductive."
Chen Qing cupped his fist. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I was just about to rest."
Zhou Yu waved her hand. "That's good. If you're done practicing, you should head back early."
"Senior Sister, then I will take my leave."
After quickly tidying up, Chen Qing left the Zhou Institute.
Watching Chen Qing's departing figure, Zhou Yu sighed softly.
'This junior brother is humble and polite, and he trains with exceptional desperation,' she remembered.
It was just that, within this institute, she had seen too many figures like him, gritting their teeth and training bitterly.
In the end, how many of them could endure long enough to cross that threshold of Qi and blood to break through to Manifest Force?
On the path of Martial Arts, diligence alone could never bridge the chasm of one's Root Bone and aptitude, much less fill the bottomless pit required to nourish one's Qi and blood.
......