A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

Zhou Yuan's expression changed drastically. His battle-hardened body didn't even have time to think before he instinctively took a step to the left.

boom!

With a muffled thud, a powerful palm strike grazed the hem of his clothes and slammed into the pillar next to where he had just been standing.

The sturdy wooden pillar groaned under the strain, and spiderweb-like cracks instantly spread out.

Zhou Yuan suddenly turned around, and Wang Tengfei's arrogant face came into view.

The opponent was clearly not expected that Zhou Yuan could dodge this sneak attack, and a trace of surprise still remained on their face.

Zhou Yuan was filled with rage. He never expected that this person would dare to attack him so brazenly inside the martial arts school.

"I've been at the martial arts school for a long time, but I've never sparred with Senior Brother Zhou before. Today is a good day to give it a try."

Wang Tengfei suppressed his surprise and, before Zhou Yuan could speak, delivered another whip kick, carrying a force that tore through the air, aimed directly at Zhou Yuan's waist and abdomen.

So fast!

Zhou Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

Although Wang Tengfei was only a beginner in the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing) stage and his breathing was unstable, far less refined than Xu Qingyi's, the power of his kick was already a genuine Yi Jin Jing.

He dared not be careless in the slightest. His internal energy and blood circulated to their maximum in an instant. Instead of retreating, he advanced, clenching his right fist and delivering a powerful punch straight at the leg wind.

boom!

Their fists and feet clashed, producing a dull, loud thud.

The two were together for a short time, but soon separated.

Zhou Yuan stumbled back several steps before barely managing to steady himself. His entire right arm felt numb, and his blood was churning.

There is indeed an insurmountable gap between the Bone Forging Realm and the Tendon Changing Realm.

Wang Tengfei, on the other hand, only swayed slightly, but the shock he felt was far more intense than Zhou Yuan's.

This week, Yuan not only dodged his sneak attack, but also took a heavy kick from him and only took a few steps back.

Wang Tengfei's face gradually darkened.

He only intended to test the waters casually and did not consider Zhou Yuan as the prime suspect.

But now it seems that this person's strength is far beyond that of an ordinary Bone Forging Realm cultivator.

Once the seed of doubt is planted, it grows wildly.

He broke through to the Bone Forging Realm so recently, yet his combat power is so formidable; there are too many suspicious points!

Wang Tengfei narrowed his eyes, his suspicion of Zhou Yuan instantly reaching its peak.

His blood and qi surged once more, and he unleashed the full pressure of the Yi Jin Realm, preparing to strike again.

Just then, a beautiful figure in white quietly appeared at the entrance of the martial arts arena.

"What are you two junior brothers doing?"

Zhu Mengran had just returned from practicing medicine when she saw the tense scene unfolding before her, and she was taken aback.

Upon seeing this, Wang Tengfei instantly suppressed his surging aura, and his gloomy face transformed into a warm smile.

"Senior Sister Mengran is back. I recently broke through to the next level, and having heard that Senior Brother Zhou is quite powerful, I would like to spar with him to solidify my cultivation."

After saying that, he actually clasped his hands and bowed to Zhou Yuan.

"Senior Brother Zhou's strength is indeed extraordinary. I admire him greatly. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will come to learn from him again."

His words were so impeccable that it made it seem as if the sneak attack that had just been fraught with danger was actually a friendly exchange of blows.

After saying that, he left the martial arts school as if nothing had happened.

Zhou Yuan dusted himself off, said nothing, but also cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Zhu Mengran before turning and walking toward the martial arts school gate.

Seeing the two's strange behavior, Zhu Mengran was full of doubts.

In her memory, the two had a very good relationship when they first entered the martial arts school, and they often went home together. Today... perhaps, it really was just a friendly sparring session.

She shook her head slightly, stopped thinking about it, hugged the medicine box in her arms tightly, and walked towards the backyard.

However, as soon as she stepped through the moon gate into the backyard, she saw a figure sitting on a stone chair next to the artificial hill.

It was Zhu Xiaowen, the owner of Qingyang Martial Arts School.

He held a bowl of steaming hot tea in his hand, his posture relaxed, as if he had been sitting there for a long time.

"Those two, they left?" Zhu Xiaowen asked calmly without even looking up.

Zhu Mengran paused, then slowly nodded.

Judging from his father's expression, he had clearly seen everything that had happened in the training ground.

"Father, those two people..." Zhu Mengran wanted to tell him what she had just seen.

Zhu Xiaowen waved his hand, interrupting her.

"Go and send out some invitations." He put down his teacup and ordered in a deep voice, "Say that in three days I will be holding a banquet at the academy to accept a personal disciple and pass on the fundamental principles of the Qingyang Martial Arts Academy."

Fundamental diagram?

Zhu Mengran's heart skipped a beat.

The fundamental diagram is the true foundation of Qingyang Martial Arts School. My father has been examining the school's disciples for several years in order to find a successor, and today he has finally made a decision.

"Father...who does he intend to pass it on to?"

"Wang Tengfei." Zhu Xiaowen stroked his goatee, a hint of satisfaction on his face. "This boy is exceptionally talented and quite respectful to me. He's a promising talent."

Zhu Mengran was not surprised to hear this.

A person who has reached the Yi Jin Jing level at less than twenty years old is indeed a rare talent, one of the very few in the entire Luochuan County.

"Okay, daughter, I'll go prepare right away."

She responded softly.

Although I don't agree with Wang Tengfei's increasingly arrogant nature, my father is getting older and it's time to find a disciple to take care of him in his old age.

She picked up her medicine box and turned to walk towards her bedroom.

As his daughter's figure disappeared into the depths of the backyard, the relief on Zhu Xiaowen's face slowly faded, replaced by a deep contemplation.

"Could it be Zhou Yuan who launched the sneak attack on Tengfei?"

He poured himself another cup of hot tea and muttered to himself.

He didn't stop Wang Tengfei from testing him because he also wanted to see Zhou Yuan's strength for himself.

There are only a handful of core disciples at the Bone Forging Realm within the hall, so the only suspect can be one of them.

But the result of the test surprised him greatly.

The fact that Zhou Yuan, a mere Bone Forging Realm cultivator, could hold his own against Wang Tengfei, who had just entered the Tendon Changing Realm, demonstrates that Zhou Yuan's strength is equally formidable.

"But...who could be behind the disappearance of the third brother?"

The next moment, a look of reminiscence appeared on Zhu Xiaowen's face.

His former third disciple was just as talented as Wang Tengfei is now.

But just before that disciple was about to break through to the Yi Jin Jing, he suddenly vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead.

He searched for many days without success, and at the time he assumed it was the work of an enemy he had offended in his youth.

But now, the attack on Wang Tengfei has brought back the long-buried suspicions in his heart.

Could the disappearance of the third brother back then and the attack on Wang Tengfei now be the work of the same person?

A mastermind hiding inside the martial arts school.

Thinking of this, Zhu Xiaowen's expression grew even more solemn.

The figures of several core disciples in the hall flashed through his mind one by one.

Shen He, Han Ming, Chen Shaoshang... and even Zhou Yuan, who just left.

After a moment, he let out a long sigh.

It seems that no one has an absolute motive, but it also seems that no one can be completely ruled out as a suspect.

As I get older and my energy wanes, a feeling of being willing but unable to do anything quietly creeps into my heart.

……

Night falls at the Zhou residence.

With a splash, Zhou Yuan sank into the bathtub, beginning a new round of medicinal bathing.

The warm medicinal liquid soaked into his skin, but he felt no comfort whatsoever.

Wang Tengfei's undisguised attack during the day was like a thorn, deeply embedded in his heart.

Why would this person suddenly attack me?

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Did he think I was the one who attacked him that day?"

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering out the only possible possibility.

Moreover, judging from the current situation, Wang Tengfei will definitely not let this go, and further measures will inevitably follow.

This could even escalate into a fight to the death.

When they first entered the martial arts school, the two of them would walk home together and share their hopes for the future.

It hasn't been long, yet things have already reached this point.

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but feel a little wistful.

But this sigh was quickly replaced by a firm resolve.

In this chaotic world where human life is as worthless as grass, the only thing he can do to avoid being bullied is to constantly increase his strength.

"Since you believe it to be me, then so be it. Once I've mastered the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique, I'll send you on your way."

With this in mind, Zhou Yuan gathered all his thoughts, closed his eyes, and focused his mind into his dantian, gradually entering the cultivation of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique.

Everything around me became blurry, only the surging blood and qi within my body remained clearly perceptible.

......