Starting with photographic memory, I've worked my way up to become a martial arts immortal.

"It failed."

Jiang Yuan wiped the sweat from his face and murmured to himself.

He wasn't too disappointed; it was just an experiment, so his expectations weren't high.

He took off his soaking wet shirt, wrung it out to remove some of the sweat, and hung it directly on the wooden stake next to him.

The midday sun is scorching and will quickly dry your clothes.

Although wearing wet practice clothes is very uncomfortable, you can't go shirtless, otherwise your skin will get sunburned and peel quickly, which will be even more troublesome.

He glanced at the disciples in the corner and noticed that their gazes towards him were a little strange.

What's wrong?

Jiang Yuan muttered to himself, not paying any attention, and walked into the kitchen shirtless.

······

Ten days later.

Jiang Yuangang had just finished practicing his stance and was sitting on the ground resting.

He opened the panel and fixed his gaze on the "Skills" section.

[Skills]: Study (Breaking Limit 32/5000), Crane Stance Kung Fu (Beginner Level 92/100)

"It's almost time! The Crane-Form Stance Kung Fu beginner's day begins!"

Jiang Yuan was full of confidence.

Since he discovered that slacking off wouldn't increase his experience points, he's put aside any other thoughts and focused on practicing diligently without any slackening. Today, he's finally reaping the rewards.

Logically speaking, this is merely the beginning of stance training and shouldn't be something to be so excited about.

This was Jiang Yuan's first small achievement in his martial arts journey, and it was given a special meaning.

The martial arts school doors opened, and Wei Chong led in a dark-skinned, lean young man.

"Another new person has arrived."

Jiang Yuan glanced at it and then looked away.

New disciples would join every two or three days, which he was used to.

He opened his bundle, took out a wooden bowl, and filled it with water from the water vat.

The cold well water washed away some of the restlessness that was rising in my heart.

As he passed by, some of the disciples he saw greeted him warmly, while many others treated him coldly.

Ten days or so passed, and he still hadn't mastered the basics of stance training, which gradually dimmed the reputation of genius others had bestowed upon him.

For other disciples who mastered the Crane-Style Stance within half a month, the difficult part was learning the stance itself. After all, this stance is intricate, with strange and difficult movements, requiring a good memory and comprehension to master. Once they learned it, these disciples with good aptitude usually progressed quickly.

Five or six days is the normal speed, and many disciples can achieve it in three or four days.

It's just the beginning, not the more advanced stages later on.

Jiang Yuan learned it in two days, but has been stuck for so many days and can't get the basics down, which shows that he is far inferior to his second senior brother and others, and does not deserve the title of genius.

Many people recall their master's assessment of his physical attributes: ordinary.

Everyone in the outer courtyard was just starting to learn martial arts, and their understanding of physical constitution was still quite superficial. It was only by comparing themselves with Jiang Yuan and other disciples that they gained some understanding.

Once this was understood, many people's attitudes changed.

This is also human nature.

Once someone loses their value, people will no longer be as close as before. Some people won't show it, while others will simply stop pretending.

Jiang Yuan didn't care.

His progress was slower than others, not because his cheat system was too expensive, but because his body did indeed have too many hidden injuries, just as his master had said.

Even if he works very hard every day, he cannot practice too much in the first few days, otherwise it will be easy to damage his foundation.

With these days of stance training and a much better diet than before, he has found that he can practice more often and his proficiency is increasing faster every day.

"Junior Brother Jiang, would you like your senior brother to teach you how to practice standing meditation? I also practice Crane Stance, but unfortunately my physique isn't good. It took me six whole days to get the hang of it," Yu Heng suddenly mocked as he passed by.

Jiang Yuan gritted his teeth and remained silent; he was too lazy to waste his breath on such a petty person.

After realizing that Jiang Yuan was not a true genius, Yu Heng was filled with regret.

His shameless apology in the kitchen was ridiculed by many disciples.

He often complained about Jiang Yuan to others because of this, and even felt ashamed of it.

Even so, he had no intention of directly causing trouble for Jiang Yuan.

Until one time when he complained again, Jiang Yuan accidentally saw him.

Jiang Yuan didn't say anything, but he was a little defensive and decided to just throw out the mask.

Even if this kid has mastered basic stance training and can formally practice Crane Style Fist, so what? He's just a slow-moving opponent who doesn't have as much potential as me. What's there to fear?

Once he understood this, he became even more reckless.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you'd better hurry up, the fifteen-day deadline is almost over, and then you won't be able to learn the Crane Form Fist that you've been longing for. Oh right, you can learn the Tortoise Form Stance then, it only has twenty-four forms, maybe you can learn it in a day, and everyone will call you a genius again." Yu Heng chuckled.

Jiang Yuan said coldly, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Yu Heng. When I master the basics of stance training, I will definitely let you celebrate with me."

After saying that, he took another sip of water, turned around and left.

He walked back to his usual spot, relaxed his muscles and bones, and began practicing standing meditation.

Large beads of sweat dripped down his cheeks, and the soreness in his muscles spread throughout his body.

Yu Heng stood at a distance, his eyes cold and sinister.

He spat and said, "Hmph, what a waste of time."

He turned around and went to his usual training spot. With a light step, he jumped onto a wooden stake more than a meter high and began practicing Crane Style Fist.

Which disciple in the academy isn't diligent? And whose money doesn't come from thin air? Even when they steal a moment of leisure, it's only occasional relaxation. But is diligence alone enough?

He thought to himself with resentment.

He himself has certainly tried his best, but learning martial arts is just too difficult...

Time flies, and the setting sun has already sunk behind the distant mountain peaks.

Many disciples had stopped what they were doing and started packing their things to leave the martial arts school.

Wei Xuan stood under the eaves, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

He looked at Jiang Yuan, who was soaked in sweat and whose limbs were trembling, and couldn't help but sigh.

He had seen Jiang Yuan's efforts these past few days.

It's a pity that I've spent so much time and still haven't mastered the basics.

However, all of this was Jiang Yuan's own choice.

If you forcibly intervene, you are unlikely to receive any gratitude; instead, you are more likely to blame the person who intervened.

Wei Xuan understood this principle very well.

He walked into the courtyard, intending to offer a few words of encouragement to his disciples who had worked hard all day, as usual. But then he saw that Jiang Yuan's movements suddenly became pleasing to the eye, more fluid, and the transitions between each move were very natural.

"This is the beginning."

Wei Xuan nodded; it wasn't easy.

He cleared his throat and raised his voice: "To be successful in public, you must suffer in private! I know everyone is working hard, but you must not slack off!"

"Yes!" the disciples responded in unison.

Wei Xuan stroked his beard, a smile appearing on his face: "Today, another new disciple has mastered the Crane Form Stance Technique. This is the result of his hard work."

"Who?" A slight commotion arose among the disciples standing in the courtyard.