Chaos and monsters begin with the red dragon's clone.

"He and Senior Brother Zhao have a very good relationship," Song Zhou added, as if remembering something.

Upon hearing this, the others suddenly understood.

"Senior Brother Zhao really hasn't changed," Wei Cairong said with a smile. "But the cultivation after the second realm is more difficult and longer, and it's harder to rely on external forces. He will most likely waste his time here, and can only watch Junior Brother Song make great strides. In fact, after a few years, he won't even be able to see Junior Brother Song's back anymore."

"Just focus on yourself." Song Zhou's expression was calm, and he did not refute it, because it was the truth. He and the other party were no longer on the same level. In the short term, he could catch up with external forces, but in the long run, the gap between the two would be as wide as an insurmountable chasm.

the other side.

Zhang Xun did indeed ask Senior Brother Zhao for cover, using the excuse of obtaining some help from his aunt Gao's family. However, due to the Gao family's internal affairs, he couldn't tell anyone, and he also had to be wary of the Sanlian Gang. So, Zhao readily agreed without hesitation.

He shook off the thought, got into a punching stance again, and felt his body's condition.

The heat flow can be perceived as much clearer and more distinct than it was in the first realm. Once the breathing technique is mastered, it can be mobilized instantly, greatly enhancing combat capabilities.

"Others need to take medicinal soup to stimulate their internal heat and find the right state to break through their current level, but in my super-sensory state, I can find it precisely, almost without any barriers. It's incredibly helpful to me..."

Zhang Xun sighed inwardly, realizing that it wasn't even noon yet after finishing a set of moves.

He walked quickly toward the front hall.

Once you reach the second realm, you can go to your senior brother Fan Qi to register and learn the breathing techniques.

The front hall was located between the inner and outer courtyards. It was a somewhat open space with a rusty bronze cauldron in the middle. Directly opposite the entrance was a dark red two-story building. When Zhang Xun entered, he saw Fan Qi, a man with a full black beard, who came out to greet him after hearing his footsteps.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Fan." Zhang Xun bowed respectfully without wasting any words.

"Oh, Junior Brother Zhang, you've broken through to the second realm?" Fan Qi was taken aback.

"Yes, that's why I came to register with Senior Brother Fan."

"I remember you trained for a year before entering the inner academy, and now you've reached the second realm in just over half a year. Your progress is pretty good."

"It's all thanks to eating the meat of the exotic beast."

"I see." Fan Qi looked Zhang Xun over carefully and nodded. "Then you should know the inside story. Be careful."

"Yes."

"Okay, then come with me."

Zhang Xun followed him into the small building and saw Fan Qi go to a room on the side, take out a red-covered directory from a shelf, and transcribe his name onto it.

This is the registration process. After becoming a martial artist, the academy will recommend you to various forces, large and small, for selection and appointment. If there are vacancies in the academy's operations, disciples will be selected from the roster to fill them. Moreover, tuition fees, venue fees, food fees, and other expenses will be reduced again, so the fees you have to pay to the academy will be minimal.

Going a step further, those who, like Senior Brother Zhao, reach the third level of Body Tempering and become inner disciples are core members of the martial arts academy. They no longer need to pay taxes; on the contrary, they receive subsidies and other substantial benefits.

After registering, he followed Fan Qi up to the second floor and entered a small, quiet private room on the left.

Here, wisps of smoke curl around, carrying an unknown incense that brings peace to the mind. The walls are adorned with paintings of human meridians and depictions of stone toads croaking.

"Take off your shirt, and I'll teach you the Toad Breathing Exercise."

"Yes."

Zhang Xun followed Fan Qi and took off his shirt, exposing his chest and abdomen. Under Fan Qi's instruction, he learned the toad breathing technique.

External martial arts train muscles, bones, skin, and refine qi and blood. Different schools of martial arts are not afraid of their external techniques being leaked, because the unity of internal and external is the true essence of martial arts. Internal martial arts refer to the breathing techniques used in internal training, which use unique breathing techniques as a starting point to temper the internal organs and guide qi and blood.

"This 'Toad Breathing Technique' has three levels," Fan Qi explained while demonstrating the abdominal expansion.

"The first level, 'Abdominal Rumbling,' involves swallowing air into the abdomen, causing the intestines and stomach to churn, producing a sound like a frog croaking, which is the initial tempering of the internal organs."

"The second level, 'Internal Shock,' mimics the buzzing of thunder, vibrating the internal organs and making them stronger and more resilient. In combat, the internal organs will not be easily damaged by punches and kicks. The same attack can turn what would have been a fatal wound into a serious injury or even a minor one. Not to mention the increase in strength, explosiveness, and endurance."

"The third level, 'Synchronization,' is when breathing and heartbeat reach the same rhythm. With each breath, the entire body is enveloped like a net, boosting the body's strength and forging the heat flow into the blood, creating a continuous cycle. This is also a necessary foundation for the three stages of body tempering, which refine the skin and strengthen the bones."

"This corresponds to the fourth, fifth, and sixth impact levels of the Flying Stone Fist Technique. Junior Brother Zhang, listen carefully and pay attention to how my abdomen pulsates and what the pattern is..."

Zhang Xun quickly focused his attention and used the Red Dragon's photographic memory to memorize it.

Soon, he made up his mind.

"Toad Breathing Exercise: 1/100, Beginner Level."

...

"Junior Brother Zhang, you've mastered it!?"

"Senior Brother Fan, could you please check if I've grasped the key points?"

Not long after he finished speaking.

Gu, gua.

A faint croaking sound rang out in the quiet room.

Fan Qi stared at Zhang Xun, who was shrinking his abdomen and expanding his chest, and then looked him over a few more times. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. This junior brother Zhang had only been practicing boxing for a year and had his bones touched, yet his mastery of the toad breath breathing technique was at a speed that only those with above-average aptitude could achieve. What was going on? Several thoughts flashed through his mind, but he suppressed them without showing any emotion.

"The incense in this quiet room contains some Luminous Flower powder, which helps to calm the mind and spirit. Junior Brother Zhang, you can come over in the next two days to use it to solidify your mastery of Toad Breathing Technique."

"Yes, thank you, Senior Brother Fan."

creak.

Zhang Xun watched Fan Qi get up, leave the quiet room, and close the door. He then closed his eyes to ponder the breathing techniques. As he used the Dragon Soul's "Super Senses State" more often, his control over his body improved, which was equivalent to an improvement in his aptitude. That's why he was able to master the Toad Breath Breathing Technique so quickly.

Moreover, he couldn't keep using the pretense of sponsoring exotic beast meat through Senior Brother Zhao, nor did he intend to hide it. If you have talent, you should show it, like Song Zhou, so that you will benefit more. If Long Wei didn't know how to explain it, he would have shown it too, and many things wouldn't have been so restricted.

Zhang Xun shook his head, dismissing the thought, and closed his eyes to calmly ponder the breathing techniques.

For the next two days, he came to this quiet room, leaving early and returning late.

On the third day, after returning to the training ground and practicing hard for a short while, Chang Zhiliang, whom Zhang Xun hadn't seen for some time, appeared with Zhao Shaoting. After a brief exchange of congratulations and pleasantries, Zhang Xun learned about the other's experiences without saying a word.

This guy's uncle worked for the Weng family. After the second realm, he became a bodyguard. Because he was an acquaintance and had some connections, he received better treatment. However, he was ostracized by the old bodyguards. A while ago, he almost got into trouble with the young master of the Weng family. Fortunately, he met someone from the boxing academy who resolved the situation. Feeling lingering fear, he realized that going through the Mist Moon period together was too dangerous, so he resigned from his job.

"Well, that's good. Safety is the most important thing," Zhang Xun comforted his companion.

"...You two have both reached the second realm, so what are your plans for the future?" Zhao Shaoting asked with a sigh.

"I plan to wait until after the foggy month to talk about it," Chang Zhiliang said dejectedly, still wary of anything he'd been bitten once. "What about you, A-Xun?"