A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

As night deepened, only one lonely figure remained in the courtyard of Qingyang Martial Arts School.

Most of the disciples had already left, but Zhou Yuan was still standing in the courtyard, repeating the posture of the Six Harmonies Stance over and over again.

Sweat had already soaked through his clothes, and the aches and pains emanating from his limbs were like waves crashing against his will.

He paid no heed, immersing himself in the extreme exhaustion and pain.

He could clearly feel that every muscle tremor and every breath was pushing that power called "qi and blood" deeper into his body.

The final hurdle to the Skin Refining Realm is right before us.

A lantern is lit under the corridor in the backyard.

A slender figure in a white dress carrying a lantern walked out; it was Zhu Mengran, the owner's daughter.

She paused slightly when she saw Zhou Yuan still practicing diligently in the courtyard.

"Junior Brother Zhou, it's getting late, why aren't you going back to rest?"

Her voice sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Zhou Yuan slowly finished his practice, exhaled a breath of stale air, and then turned around: "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I'll practice a little longer."

Zhu Mengran looked at his face, which was soaked with sweat but unusually resolute, and sighed softly in her heart.

She grew up in a martial arts school and had seen many diligent students like Zhou Yuan.

They came full of enthusiasm, believing that as long as they worked hard, they could change their fate.

However, in the path of martial arts, talent ultimately reigns supreme.

The efforts of these people seem so pale and powerless in the face of true geniuses.

In the end, the vast majority of them could only leave in despair, riddled with injuries and filled with resentment.

"The way of cultivation is to maintain a balance between tension and relaxation; too much is as bad as too little."

Zhu Mengran offered a suggestion, then said no more, carrying her lantern as her figure disappeared into the darkness.

Zhou Yuan didn't take her words to heart.

For someone like him who has nothing, only by giving it his all can he grasp that glimmer of hope.

He once again assumed the stance, immersing all his mind in the stance training.

Time passes little by little.

When the fatigue and soreness in his body reached their peak, Zhou Yuan suddenly felt as if something deep inside him had been ignited.

boom!

A burst of scorching heat suddenly exploded from the dantian and rushed to every part of the body!

Zhou Yuan's body shuddered violently, and his skin turned bright red at a visible speed.

An indescribable, excruciating pain spread throughout my body, as if I were being roasted on fire.

He gritted his teeth, but his body remained as steady as a rock.

After an unknown amount of time, the burning sensation gradually subsided, replaced by a warm, soothing sensation.

It flows slowly beneath the skin, repairing the damage that just occurred.

He looked down and saw that his arms were covered with a faint, bronze-like metallic sheen.

Skin with a bronze hue, a state of refined skin!

Become!

With a thought, Zhou Yuan saw a virtual panel unfold before his eyes.

[Realm: Body Tempering Stage 1 - Skin Refinement]

[Exercise Method: Six Harmonies Stance Exercise (Beginner)]

[Progress: 1/500]

[Martial Arts Skill: Mountain-Shaking Fist (Second Level)]

[Progress: 1/500]

Two and a half months later, he finally took his first step in martial arts training!

……

The next morning, news of Zhou Yuan's breakthrough to the Skin Refining Realm spread like wildfire throughout the Qingyang Martial Arts Hall.

"What? Zhou Yuan broke through?"

"Really? Wasn't he considered to have below-average talent? I thought he had no hope!"

"He really got incredibly lucky; he actually managed to make it through all that hard work."

In the courtyard, the disciples' discussions rose and fell, mostly expressing surprise, with a hint of barely perceptible bitterness mixed in.

The museum owner, Zhu Xiaowen, also came upon hearing the news.

He looked Zhou Yuan up and down a few times, then reached out and pinched his arm to confirm that his blood and qi were abundant and his foundation was solid before nodding.

"Not bad. To break through with only average talent shows your extraordinary perseverance."

Zhu Xiaowen offered a word of encouragement, something he had never done before.

"But remember, skin refining is only the beginning of martial arts. Do not be arrogant or complacent. You still need to practice diligently and without ceasing."

After saying that, he turned and left.

There was no body-tempering pill, no exceptional promotion, and not even a single extra word of guidance.

The difference between the treatment Wang Tengfei received and the treatment he received back then is like night and day.

Inside the pavilion, Jiang Qian and Han Ming also heard the news.

"They only reached the level of Skin Refining after two and a half months, is that really something to make a fuss about?"

Han Ming curled his lip, full of disdain.

"With this kind of talent, the Skin Refining Realm is the limit of his life."

Jiang Qian picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and didn't even bother to glance at Zhou Yuan.

Although not many disciples in the martial arts school break through to the Skin Refinement stage, there are always a few each year.

Only geniuses like Wang Tengfei, who mastered the basics in half a month, deserve to be truly noticed by the scions of wealthy families in the inner city.

Jiang Qian put down her teacup and looked at Chen Shaoshang, who was fanning himself with a folding fan in the corner: "Fifth Junior Brother, I heard that your Chen family's weapons shop delivered a batch of weapons to the patrol battalion last night?"

Chen Shaoshang paused in his fanning, then laughed and said, "Second Senior Sister is really well-informed. Magistrate Liu is going to wipe out the bandits of Black Wind Mountain and has placed an order. Our Chen family is in business, so naturally we have no reason to refuse."

"Just a business relationship?" Jiang Qian smiled noncommittally.

"I hope so. The Merchant Alliance and the Patrol Battalion are now at odds, so Fifth Brother, you'd better hold on tight and don't get caught up in the storm."

Chen Shaoshang smiled but remained silent, offering no further comment.

He didn't want to get entangled with the two of them any longer, so he got up, walked out of the pavilion, and went straight to Zhou Yuan.

"Junior Brother Zhou, congratulations on finally entering the Skin Refining Realm." Chen Shaoshang's congratulations were more sincere than anyone else's.

"It was just a stroke of luck," Zhou Yuan replied, bowing in return.

"This is no fluke," Chen Shaoshang shook his head.

"I've seen too many self-proclaimed geniuses, but none of them are as resilient as you, junior brother. How far one can go on the path of martial arts ultimately depends on one's character."

He changed the subject abruptly: "The news of your breakthrough to the Skin Refinement stage should spread quickly. In the next few days, various forces should be coming to invite you to join them. Junior Brother, have you decided where to go?"

Zhou Yuan shook his head: "I haven't considered it yet."

"Yes, feel free to ask me if you have any questions."

Chen Shaoshang gently waved his folding fan, looking at Zhou Yuan with admiration in his eyes.

Zhou Yuan smiled and nodded, his heart filled with warmth.

Chen Shaoshang not only helped him temporarily intimidate the Jinshi Gang, but also took good care of him in daily life, which was truly rare in this chaotic world where profit was the main focus.

After a moment, seeing that no one was around, Zhou Yuan lowered his voice and said, "Fifth Senior Brother, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"Please feel free to speak."

"Gao Qiang, leader of the Jinshi Gang. Do you know anything about him?"

Chen Shaoshang understood; he knew what Zhou Yuan was worried about. After that night, he had indeed sent people to investigate.

"Gao Qiang himself is mediocre in martial arts and not worth worrying about." Chen Shaoshang also lowered his voice. "His real reliance is his younger brother, Gao Sheng."

Goldman Sachs?

"This person is a core disciple of the Black Tiger Martial Arts School in the inner city. It is said that he broke through to the Bone Forging Realm half a year ago."

Bone Forging Realm!

Zhou Yuan's heart sank slightly.

The body tempering process has four stages: refining the skin, forging the bones, changing the tendons, and cleansing the marrow. Each stage represents a new level of mastery.

He has only just entered the Skin Refining stage and has no chance of winning against a martial artist in the Bone Forging stage.

It seems that the plan to directly kill Gao Qiang at his doorstep is not going to work.

Once Gao Qiang is killed, it will inevitably attract his younger brother, who is at the Bone Forging Realm.

We must devise a foolproof plan to kill without leaving any trace, so as not to leave any evidence.

Zhou Yuan suppressed these heavy thoughts, exchanged a few pleasantries with Chen Shaoshang, and then left the martial arts school.

On his way home, his mind raced, considering all the possibilities.

But as soon as they reached the entrance of the muddy alley, a smiling man came up to them.

Zhou Yuan recognized him; he was a minor manager in the canal gang at the docks, and Zhou Yuan had often deducted his wages in the past.

"Brother Zhou Yuan! Oh no, now you should call me Master Zhou!" The manager bowed and scraped, his attitude completely different from before. "Congratulations, Master Zhou, on reaching the realm of Skin Refining!"

Zhou Yuan looked at him indifferently.

"Our Canal Gang's leader, Master Wu, was greatly impressed upon hearing of this and specially sent me to invite Master Zhou. If Master Zhou is willing to join our Canal Gang, you'll receive a monthly stipend of two taels of silver, plus a bottle of Body Tempering Pills!"

Yesterday they were just laborers being bullied at will, but today they are honored guests.

It's ridiculously realistic.

"I'll think about it and give you an answer in a few days," Zhou Yuan replied calmly.

"Alright, alright, then we won't bother Master Zhou any longer. We'll await good news!"

The manager dared not say anything more and quickly left with his men.

After seeing off the members of the Cao Gang, Zhou Yuan turned around and prepared to go inside.

But just then, several more figures emerged from the shadows of the alley.

The leader was a burly man with a large blue birthmark on his face that stretched from the corner of his eye to his chin, making him look ferocious and terrifying.

He stared intently at Zhou Yuan, then grinned, revealing a sinister smile.

It was Gao Qiang, the leader of the Jinshi Gang.

......