Becoming a martial arts saint starting with Black Tiger Fist

Initially, Zhou Yue viewed Chen Yuan merely as a risky investment.

But as they spent more than a month getting to know each other better, he felt more and more that this boy from a poor background had a unique quality.

Chen Yuan often sees things incisively, always able to see the core interests beneath the surface. His occasional insights into the ways of the world and human nature far exceed what one would expect from someone his age and experience.

What's even more remarkable is his unwavering determination, clear goals, and ability to remain undisturbed by external factors.

Although his physical constitution was not good, his comprehension was that of a first-rate genius, and his progress in boxing was astonishing!

These qualities gradually made Zhou Yue let go of his purely investment mindset and truly develop a desire to make friends with him.

"Come on, let's go to the pavilion and have a cup of hot tea. I have something to tell you."

Zhou Yue put his arm around Chen Yuan's shoulder and walked towards the pavilion next to the training ground.

Inside the pavilion, servants had already prepared hot tea and snacks, and a small, warm stove was burning under the stone table.

The two sat down, and Zhou Yue waved for the servants to leave, his expression becoming serious.

"Ah Yuan, the Ci Zun Sect that you asked me to investigate before, we've made some progress now."

Chen Yuan's expression hardened, and he put down his teacup: "Senior brother, please explain in detail."

"This Compassionate Sect is not limited to our Blackwater City."

Zhou Yue said in a deep voice, "There are traces of the Cizun Sect's activities in Yunzhou and Shuzhou in the southwest, and Liangzhou in the northwest. They use the same methods: first, they use swift and decisive means to eliminate local gang forces, and then they use methods such as distributing medicine and porridge to win over the common people and recruit more believers."

He paused, his voice lower: "The core of that Longevity Pill contains an extremely insidious catalyst. This catalyst is harmless when taken alone, but when the incense specially made by the Compassionate Sect is burned, the fragrance combines with the catalyst in the human body, absorbing the life essence of the person taking the medicine."

"On the surface, the physical condition of the person taking the drug will improve, but in reality, it is depleting their own resources and their lifespan will be shortened drastically."

A chill flashed in Zhou Yue's eyes: "In other words, this is a demonic method that uses the life force of living beings to refine human pills to nourish certain entities!"

Chen Yuan felt a chill run down his spine. Although he had suspected it before, the viciousness of the Cizun Sect still exceeded his imagination.

This is practically treating living people like crops, planting them and harvesting them regularly!

"What is the court's thinking?" Chen Yuan asked.

Zhou Yue's expression was serious. "The most troublesome point is this: it seems that there is someone above the Blood Pass overseeing the branch of the Cizun Sect in Heishui County."

"Above the Blood Pass?" Chen Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

Once you reach the Blood Refining Realm, your blood and qi are like a dragon's. You can single-handedly cut through an army of a thousand men. You are already a top expert in Blackwater City and can set up your own martial arts school to take on disciples. Master Jiang is at this level.

He couldn't even imagine the horrors beyond the Blood Barrier.

Zhou Yue nodded solemnly: "This is also the biggest headache for the county government's higher-ups. Originally, it wouldn't have been difficult to wipe out all their followers by mobilizing the county's elite troops and with the support of the major martial arts schools in the city."

"But if that expert makes a move, even ordinary soldiers and martial artists would find it difficult to withstand him, and it would only increase casualties."

He took a sip of tea and continued, "The county magistrate has urgently submitted a letter to the prefectural government and requested assistance from the Four Symbols Sect within the prefecture. The Imperial Security Bureau has also sent a message."

Zhou Yue paused, then lowered his voice: "But in recent years, things have been quite unsettled in various places, and the Jing'an Division is short-handed. The prefectural government's reply was vague, only saying that it had been forwarded to their superiors and that the county should handle the matter properly and await assistance. The Four Symbols Sect directly declined, saying that it was inconvenient for them to intervene in local affairs."

Chen Yuan frowned as he listened. This meant that reinforcements might not arrive for some time, or might not come at all.

The Heishui County government alone was not capable of tackling this tough challenge, and could only remain in a stalemate and wait and see.

"So we can only let the Cizun Sect occupy the outer city and continue to harm the people?" Chen Yuan's voice was somewhat heavy.

Zhou Yue was silent for a moment, then sighed, "The higher-ups mean to maintain the status quo for now, avoid escalating the conflict, and wait for the right opportunity."

Chen Yuan was speechless. Wasn't this tantamount to abandoning the people in the outer city?

"However, the inner city is currently safe."

Zhou Yue changed the subject, "Many wealthy families and officials in the inner city have children who have joined nearby sects or government agencies. No matter how strong that expert from the Cizun Sect is, he still has to be careful not to incur the true wrath of those forces."

Chen Yuan nodded and added, "The key point is that the people in the inner city are living a decent life, and there is no fertile ground for the spread of the Cizun Sect."

Zhou Yue was taken aback upon hearing this. After a moment's thought, a look of realization dawned on his face. He looked at Chen Yuan with amazement and said, "That's right. Yuan, you see things much more clearly!"

He pondered for a moment, then looked at Chen Yuan solemnly and said, "Find a way to bring your mother to the inner city as soon as possible. Even renting the cheapest little house would be much safer than the outer city."

Chen Yuan fell silent upon hearing this. The inner city was a gathering place for powerful families, gentry, and merchants. The streets were wide and clean, and martial arts schools and academies lined the streets. It was a place where every inch of land was precious.

Renting even the cheapest courtyard house in the inner city would cost at least three taels of silver per month.

Furthermore, the cost of maintaining the daily application of the skin-refining cream far exceeded what he could afford.

Unless you suddenly strike it rich, you'll have to reduce how often you use the exfoliating cream.

The next day, Jiangyuan.

Chen Yuanzhao practiced Black Tiger Fist in the corner as usual. He was so engrossed in his practice that each move became more and more fluid and natural. His blood and qi surged and churned beneath his skin, like waves crashing against a dam.

After finishing a set of Black Tiger Fist, he felt a slight tightening sensation in his skin.

The skin, which was originally as tough as cowhide, seemed to be kneaded and compressed again by an invisible hand, and its texture subtly changed, gaining a rock-like hardness and density.

He stopped moving, clenched his fist sharply, and his knuckles made a crisper sound than usual. His skin faintly gleamed with a layer of very pale, stone-like luster.

It's covered in stone!

[Black Tiger Stake: Minor Success (335/1000)]

As Chen Yuan was carefully experiencing the transformation from cowhide to stone, a familiar disciple from the inner courtyard approached him. "Ah Yuan, wanna spar?"

This senior brother is named Li Husheng. He is not particularly talented, but he practices extremely hard. He has been working at the martial arts academy for two years and recently tempered his skin to the level of iron. He is now accumulating qi and blood in preparation for his second attempt at breaking through the barrier.

"Come on!" Chen Yuan said with a smile.

He had just arrived in Shipi and was looking for a fellow disciple to practice his fist techniques with.

"Junior Brother Chen, watch out!"

Li Husheng let out a low shout, took a step forward and rushed forward, punching Chen Yuan straight in the face. The punch was heavy and had a faint sound of wind breaking.

Chen Yuan focused intently, not taking the blow head-on. He nimbly shifted his footwork, easily dodging the punches while simultaneously launching a cunning Black Tiger Claw attack at Li Husheng's ribs.

Li Husheng quickly withdrew his stance to block.

Fists and feet clashed, accompanied by muffled thuds.

After several dozen moves, Chen Yuan delivered a long punch that struck Li Husheng squarely in the chest, and promptly withdrew most of the force.

The impact from the force was still considerable, and he staggered back several steps before stopping. Clutching his chest, he gave a wry smile and said, "Junior Brother Chen, your boxing skills are getting more and more impressive."

He took a breath and exclaimed sincerely, "In a few more days, when your qi and blood have improved further, I'm afraid I won't even last ten moves against you."

Chen Yuan wiped his sweat, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Senior Brother Li, you are too modest."

Just as the two were about to get into position for another round, a voice suddenly came from not far away:

"Junior Brother Li Hao, you've successfully completed your second attempt!"

What?!

These words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky, exploding in everyone's ears.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked in the direction of Li Hao, their faces filled with shock.

Although skin refining and bone forging are only one step apart, their strengths are worlds apart.

The so-called bone forging involves the powerful flow of qi and blood inward, tempering the bones and flesh of the entire body, greatly increasing physical strength, making one difficult to injure with fists and feet, and impervious to knives and spears.

Only those who have entered the Bone Forging stage are considered core members of the Jiang Academy, holding a status far higher than ordinary Skin Polishing disciples.

Everyone looked at Li Hao, who was surrounded by several Bone Forging Senior Brothers, and sighed helplessly.

He had been a disciple of Jiang Yuan for less than four months!

The same boxing style, the same master, yet the difference between them is so huge!

Li Husheng was stunned for a long time before finally revealing a bitter smile that was more like a grimace. "I've been enduring two whole years at Jiang Academy, and I still haven't accumulated enough qi and blood for the second stage of the breakthrough, yet Junior Brother Li only took four months!"

In the past two years, he has exhausted his family's wealth and practiced day and night, but he still hasn't been able to get past the threshold of bone forging.

Looking at Li Hao, who was surrounded by the crowd and beaming with pride, Li Husheng felt a pang of sadness well up in his heart. "Junior Brother Chen, does all our hard work just amount to nothing in the face of talent?"

Facing Chen Yuan, Li Husheng's lips trembled slightly, his eyes reddened, and his expression was more painful than crying.

Chen Yuan understood his feelings at that moment and wanted to offer some comfort, but he didn't know what to say and could only remain silent in the end.

Most of the disciples in the academy, like Li Husheng, had mixed feelings. They envied Li Hao's amazing talent, but also felt that their own future was bleak and disheartened.

Especially those senior disciples in the outer academy, who entered the Jiang Academy earlier than Li Hao, are still struggling in the outer academy and have yet to reach the threshold of skin polishing, while Li Hao, who came later, has already forged bones!

This insurmountable gap dealt a severe blow to their hearts.

The museum owner, Jiang Cheng, stood alone under the eaves, his hands behind his back, looking at Li Hao in the crowd. In the depths of his usually calm eyes, an uncontrollable surprise shone.

"Good lad!" he sighed softly, a smile creeping onto his lips.

Four months, just four months! From being a complete novice to mastering the basics, and now to forging his bones! Such progress, even though Jiang Cheng has seen many talented young people, still stirred up a huge wave in his heart.

He squinted at Li Hao, who was surrounded by a crowd not far away, and finally made a decision he had hesitated for a long time.

On the other side, Chen Yuan only glanced at Li Hao in the crowd before calmly looking away.

Li Hao's breakthrough was expected. With such talent, coupled with his master's unwavering support, it would be strange if his progress wasn't rapid. However, no matter how high his talent or how fast his progress, it had nothing to do with me. As long as I steadily and diligently practiced, it wouldn't be long before I could also forge my bones, and even break through the Blood Barrier, and surpass it!

While the disciples in the academy were stunned by the news of Li Hao's bone forging, several core disciples of the bone forging realm and several disciples with decent talent in the skin-grinding realm were talking in hushed tones, their expressions somewhat solemn.

"Junior Brother Li's breakthrough is a great joy, but there's a problem right now."

Senior Brother Cao Lie frowned and looked at Li Hao, "The exchange match with the Spirit Serpent Martial Arts School is in two days. According to the old rules, three people each from the Bone Forging and Skin Polishing departments will take turns fighting."

"Originally, Junior Brother Li was a sure winner in the Skin Polishing Realm, and might even have single-handedly defeated all three opponents, but now..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

Once Li Hao entered the Bone Forging stage, he could no longer participate in the Skin Polishing competition.

Meanwhile, at the Spirit Serpent Martial Arts Academy's Skin Polishing Realm, there is an extremely troublesome character.

She is exceptionally talented and comes from a wealthy family. Her Snake Fist technique is cunning and ruthless. During the exchange competition in the first half of the year, she was still at a low level, yet she still managed to defeat two skilled fighters from the Jiang Academy.

Now that she has mastered the Iron Skin technique, who in the courtyard can fight her?

"In the skin-smoothing arena, who can reliably beat Yang Shuying now?"

Second Senior Brother Luo Heng looked around, his gaze sweeping over the disciples in the inner courtyard, and finally shook his head.

Among the disciples of Jiangyuan, there are a few at the Iron Skin Realm, but they are either recent breakthroughs or are too old and their blood and energy are declining, so their chances of winning against Yang Shuying are not high.

"If you win, there's a prize of three hundred taels of silver, which will be distributed among the disciples who participated, with each person receiving at least twenty or thirty taels," Cao Lie added.

Zhou Yue, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "I recommend Chen Yuan."

"Chen Yuan?"

"That kid who took three months to get accepted? And he's only been using skin-smoothing techniques for a month, right?"

"Senior Brother Zhou, please don't joke around."

Jiang Wan's face showed a dismissive expression.

Senior Brother Cao Lie and Second Senior Brother Luo Heng also shook their heads.

Li Hao let out a cold laugh, glancing at Chen Yuan in the corner with an indifferent look in his eyes.

Zhou Yue remained calm and composed, saying, "Although Junior Brother Chen joined the Martial Arts Academy late, his foundation in boxing is solid, and he adapts quickly in battle. In recent sparring sessions with other senior brothers from the inner court, he has consistently emerged victorious. His combat ability is not to be underestimated. Since there isn't a suitable candidate right now, why not give him a try?"

These words caused Cao Lie, Luo Heng, and the others to hesitate slightly. If what Zhou Yue said was true, then perhaps Chen Yuan could really be allowed to go.

"Senior Brother Zhou," Li Hao's voice carried a hint of sarcasm, "sparring with other senior brothers in the academy is just friendly competition among fellow disciples; it should stop when you've made your point."

"The reputation of Dean Jiang and Master is at stake on the arena of the exchange competition. If a disciple who has just been trained is sent to face Yang Shuying and loses, wouldn't people laugh at Dean Jiang for having no one to rely on? Losing the prize is a small matter, but damaging the reputation of Master and the Martial Academy is a big deal."

His words were based on the noble cause of upholding the reputation of the Martial Arts Academy, but the key point is his attitude, which clearly showed that he harbored resentment towards Zhou Yue and Chen Yuan.

Li Hao has already mastered bone forging so quickly; his talent is beyond their reach. Cao Lie and the others were unwilling to offend him over such a trivial matter, so they could only nod in agreement.

"Junior Brother Li is right. This is a matter of great importance, so it's best to choose someone more reliable. Although Junior Brother Sun is older, he has more experience, so why don't we let him go?"

Luo Heng pondered for a moment, then echoed, "Senior Brother Cao is right."

Zhou Yue's heart sank, and he was about to argue again.

"What are you all arguing about here?" a deep voice rang out. Jiang Cheng had appeared not far away at some point, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

Cao Lie quickly gave a brief account of the situation.

After listening, Jiang Cheng's gaze lingered on Zhou Yue and Li Hao's faces for a moment, then he glanced at Chen Yuan, who was practicing his boxing slowly in the corner, seemingly oblivious to the argument.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Let Chen Yuan be the third person in the Skin Polishing Realm."

"Master!" Li Hao couldn't help but exclaim.

Jiang Cheng raised his hand to stop him, his voice calm but undeniable: "Chen Yuan's boxing skills are indeed quite good. Fighting in the ring isn't about physical strength; adaptability is the most important thing."

Jiang Cheng spoke, finalizing the selection. Li Hao's expression turned somewhat grim, but he said nothing more, only his gaze towards Chen Yuan grew colder.

Looking into Li Hao's eyes, Jiang Cheng sighed inwardly, then cleared his throat and announced to everyone, "From this day forward, I officially accept Li Hao as my last disciple. Jiang Academy will no longer accept any new disciples!"