Becoming a martial arts saint starting with Black Tiger Fist

At this moment, a disciple from the inner courtyard, who was practicing bone forging, walked over, wiping his sweat.

This man is named Han Qiming. He was admitted to the hospital a year earlier than Chen Yuan, and the two don't usually communicate much.

"Junior Brother Chen, aren't you going to rest?" Han Qiming sat down on the stone steps next to Chen Yuan, took a sip of water, and said, "The martial arts exam is just around the corner. How are your preparations? Are you confident?"

Chen Yuan hesitated for a moment, then spoke frankly: "I'll do my best. I haven't been practicing Bone Forging for long, and my foundation is still shallow compared to Senior Brother Cao and Senior Brother Luo. I dare not say I'm confident."

Han Qiming nodded, looked around, and lowered his voice: "Junior Brother Chen, to be honest, given your current situation, it will be extremely difficult for you to break into the top thirty. It's not just about having good boxing skills; you also need qi and blood, stamina, combat experience, and even luck. None of these can be lacking."

Chen Yuan replied calmly, "I understand."

Seeing that he wasn't displeased, Han Qiming continued, "However, with your strength, you still have a very good chance of breaking into the top 100!"

"Top 100?" Chen Yuan looked at him.

"That's right!" Han Qiming explained, "When the results of the martial arts examination are released, everyone only focuses on the top thirty martial arts scholars. But in fact, those within the top one hundred are also considered to have stood out among the candidates in a county."

He leaned closer: "To be honest, junior brother, my cousin is the second-in-command of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency. Their agency travels all over the country and prefers to use young, skilled individuals with a record of being among the top 100 in martial arts. They have a good reputation and their abilities are guaranteed. Especially when escorting high-value, long-distance cargo, the rewards for the escorts are extremely high! It's not uncommon for them to receive one or two hundred taels of silver per trip."

A single escort mission can be completed in one or two months if done quickly, which is equivalent to earning one hundred taels of silver per month.

For an ordinary martial artist, this would undoubtedly be a very considerable income, enough to allow their family to live a fairly comfortable life.

Han Qiming patted Chen Yuan on the shoulder and said sincerely, "Junior brother, I think you're a down-to-earth person. You can endure hardship and have a stable temperament. The escort business is actually quite suitable for you. If you can make it into the top 100 this time, I'll help you get a recommendation. It's much better than being a head bodyguard for a wealthy family in the city."

Chen Yuan knew that Han Qiming was helping his own security escort agency recruit people in advance, but he also meant well for him.

He clasped his hands in a fist and said earnestly, "Thank you, Senior Brother Han. I will do my best in matters of martial arts. If there is any need in the future, I will be sure to trouble you."

"Of course, of course!" Han Qiming was pleased to see that Chen Yuan had taken his advice. "We're all fellow disciples, it's only right that we help each other out. Alright, I won't keep you from practicing any longer. I also need to prepare well; this time, I must improve my ranking compared to last year!"

The two exchanged a smile, got up, and resumed their intense cultivation.

In the backyard, an old locust tree provides a cool shade, and sunlight filters through the swaying branches, casting dappled patterns on the ground.

Jiang Cheng sat at the stone table, slowly sipping his hot tea.

Jiang Wan stood beside him, helping him change the tea leaves and brew new tea.

"Wan'er, the martial arts exam is just around the corner. How are you preparing?" Jiang Cheng put down his teacup and asked calmly.

A hint of confidence flashed in Jiang Wan's eyes: "Father, I have been forging my bones for almost a year, and my fist techniques have been honed to a minor level. I am confident that I can rank among the top among the many bone-forging martial artists who are participating in the martial arts training."

She paused, then hesitated, and said, "I just always feel like something's missing. When I spar with Brother Hao and Senior Brother Cao, I always lose by a punch and a kick."

Jiang Cheng nodded, a hint of understanding and slight regret flashing in his eyes: "Your talent is not bad, and you have to pass on your father's skills, so your foundation is solid. But you still have two shortcomings."

"First, the timing is not right. Your bone forging is not yet complete. The accumulation of qi and blood and the tempering of bones still need the final touch of hard work. Second, your fighting spirit is lacking. You have never truly experienced life-and-death battles and have never seen blood."

"In the martial arts examination for children, especially the practical combat exercise, those candidates who have emerged from gang warfare are far more ruthless and cunning than those who spar in the academy. If you were to face such a candidate, you would definitely suffer a great loss."

Jiang Wan bit her lip, her fingers unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes.

"So," Jiang Cheng changed the subject, "just do your best in this martial arts exam. There's no need to force yourself to pass. Accumulating enough combat experience is the reward."

Jiang Cheng's eyes softened. "As your father, I don't want you to go through life-and-death battles for the sake of martial arts. I'm sorry to your mother. I only hope that you can live a peaceful life."

He looked at Li Hao, who was practicing standing meditation not far away, and a hint of expectation appeared in his eyes. "As for this mantle of inheritance, I will pass it on to Hao'er."

Jiang Wan nodded silently, then asked, "Father, among all the senior and junior students in the academy, who do you think has the best chance of passing the exam this time?"

Jiang Cheng leaned back in his recliner, his gaze fixed on the locust tree leaves above, as if scrutinizing each of his disciples in the courtyard: "Cao Lie has the strongest foundation, rich experience, and a calm temperament. Last year, he was only ten places short of passing the imperial examination, so he has a 40% chance. However, he is a bit older and lacks the indomitable spirit of his predecessors."

"Luo Heng and Zhou Yue have both mastered the art of bone forging, and their strengths are almost equal. Luo Heng's boxing style is more powerful and fierce, while Zhou Yue is more agile and adaptable, and has a wider range of knowledge due to his family background. Each of them has a three-tenths chance of success."

"After that, Han Qiming, Zhang Zhao and the others are roughly equal in strength. They are considered good in the Bone Forging Realm, but they do not have a significant advantage in the whole county. They have a chance, but it depends on their performance on the day and the luck of the draw."

Jiang Wan nodded silently upon hearing this, agreeing with her father's analysis. Her expression shifted, and she asked, "Father, what about Hao-ge'er? What are his chances?"

At this point, Jiang Cheng's voice unconsciously rose a little, "Hao'er... he has now reached the peak of Bone Forging, and is only a step away from Blood Refining. Two months ago, he truly experienced life-and-death battles in the eradication of the evil cult, and he has rich practical experience. He is also at the age when he is full of vigor."

His eyes involuntarily lit up: "I've given him all the resources I could, and over the past few months I've taught him meticulously, imparting all the knowledge I've learned in my life. His chances of getting into high school are at least nine out of ten!"

Jiang Wan listened, and felt happy for Li Hao.

After mentioning Li Hao, Jiang Cheng seemed to remember something and added, "Oh right, and Chen Yuan too."

"This child possesses astonishing comprehension and extraordinary perseverance. It is truly exceptional that he has been able to break through the barriers and temper his bones so quickly with such innate talent. His boxing technique has already begun to show divine intent, especially the refined and fierce aura it exudes, which is quite amazing. Given time, he will surely become a great talent."

Jiang Wan's heart stirred. She never expected that the poor boy she had looked down on would have such a high opinion of him from her father.

However, Jiang Cheng then changed the subject and said in a deep voice:

"However, he has only been training his bones for a short time, and his physical constitution is much weaker. Compared to Cao Lie and others, his foundation is still shallow. In addition, he lacks sufficient practical combat experience..."

"His chances of passing the martial arts exam this time are probably less than two out of ten; what he needs more is time."

"Less than two percent hope." Jiang Wan nodded in agreement.

My father's analysis has always been accurate. Chen Yuan's breakthrough was certainly unexpected, but the martial arts competition is a clash of the county's best talents. It's not just about innate talent and comprehension, but also about solid accumulation, realm, and experience. Insufficient foundation and experience are fatal flaws.

A cool breeze blew by, and the leaves rustled.

As they talked, the sounds of martial arts practice in the front yard gradually subsided, and the disciples dispersed with anticipation to take their final rest.

"In summary," Jiang Cheng concluded, his gaze becoming distant once more, "our greatest hope this time still rests on Hao'er. As for the rest of you, let's rely on our own abilities to fight for that slim chance."