The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

The training ground of the Green Ox Martial Arts Club.

The morning light slanted in, filtering through the old locust tree and casting dappled shadows on the blue brick ground.

"Come here, Junior Brother Li, let me weigh you again."

Yang Cheng smiled and assumed a fighting stance, his back slightly hunched, his fists loosely clenched like tiger claws.

He was wearing a navy blue short jacket today, with the cuffs tied tightly with thin hemp rope, making him look neat and tidy.

"I've suppressed my cultivation level to the Ming Jin stage, so you don't need to hold back."

Li Yuan clasped his hands in a fist salute, his back ramrod straight: "Senior Brother Yang, please enlighten me!"

The starting stance of the same style as Tiger Form Fist is exactly the same.

Slightly bend your knees, lower your center of gravity, and arch your back like a tiger's back.

The two stood facing each other, like a mirror reflecting another version of themselves, yet completely different.

Yang Cheng's boxing stance is as steady as a mountain, the result of more than ten years of hard work; Li Yuan's boxing stance is even more sharp, like a newly forged knife, its edge fully revealed.

A sudden gust of wind arose from the fist.

Yang Cheng launched the first attack, striking directly at the center of the body with a "Black Tiger Steals the Heart" strike.

He used seven-tenths of his strength in this punch. It wasn't fast, but it carried the unique weight of a Ming Jin martial artist. The wind arrived before the fist.

Li Yuan neither dodged nor evaded, meeting the attack head-on with the same move, "Black Tiger Claws at the Heart."

The two fists collided with a dull thud, like two pieces of pig iron striking each other.

Yang Cheng frowned slightly.

He didn't gain any advantage from that punch.

The two figures intertwined, their fists flying everywhere.

The moves of Tiger Style Fist were unfolding one after another on the training ground.

"A fierce tiger climbs the mountain," "A hungry tiger pounces on its prey," and "A tiger's tail cuts the willow"—each move is accompanied by a whistling wind, making the air buzz.

Yang Cheng grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed.

Because Li Yuan's boxing skills have improved significantly since their last encounter.

That was not just an increase in strength, but a qualitative leap.

The angle of the punch is more tricky, the timing of the force exertion is more precise, and even the rhythm of breathing is perfectly integrated with the punching motion.

Is it at a level that's been around for twenty years?

No, not only that.

What's even more terrifying is that Li Yuan seemed to have seen through his own moves and techniques even a step ahead of him.

Bang!

After exchanging a punch, the two went their separate ways.

Li Yuange took half a step back, leaving two clear footprints on the blue brick ground, both equally deep.

Yang Cheng was secretly alarmed.

Li Yuan's fists and feet were so skillful and composed, he looked like a seasoned veteran who had been immersed in this style of boxing for thirty years, how could he be a greenhorn who had only been learning for a few days?

But how old is he?

"That's enough for today," Yang Cheng chuckled twice.

"Not bad, not bad," Yang Cheng said, putting his hands behind his back and giving a nonchalant smile. "You've got some of the flair your senior brother had back in the day."

His tone was as relaxed as if he were commenting on a casual home-cooked meal.

"Senior Brother Yang, you flatter me." Li Yuan clasped his hands in a fist salute, his breathing steady, and not a drop of sweat on his forehead.

Tiger Form Fist (Complete)

The pages of the book floated silently in my mind, the words as clear as if they were engraved.

"Alright, keep practicing. Ask me if you have any questions."

After leaving a message, Yang Cheng turned and left.

His steps were unhurried, his clothes remained perfectly still, like a reclusive sage who had accomplished his task and then departed.

Only after turning the corner and confirming that Li Yuan was out of sight did he suddenly loosen his clenched teeth, hug his right arm, and stomp his foot hard.

It hurts.

The knuckles were bright red from the impact of our fists clenching earlier.

"You brat," he said, but there was no anger in his voice, only a faint smile, "if I hadn't secretly used a bit of my inner strength just now, I really wouldn't have been able to control you."

On the training ground, Li Yuan assumed a fighting stance again.

However, it is no longer Tiger Form Fist, but "White Tiger Bone Forging Technique".

The improvement of martial arts skills can lead to an increase in the striking power of moves;

The growth of one's realm depends on the accumulation of cultivation techniques.

Just like when he first perfected the Five Animal Frolics, he broke through the threshold of Ming Jin.

Now, to advance from Ming Jin to An Jin, one must rely on the "White Tiger Bone Forging Technique".

Martial arts skills have their limits; even if you master a single punch, it's still just one punch.

There is no upper limit to one's potential; each step is a step up, and every step represents a huge improvement.

Simply honing your moves can never compensate for the suppression of a gap in skill level; this is what the old saying means: "Practicing martial arts without internal cultivation is a waste of time in old age."

【White Tiger Bone Forging Technique (Beginner): 10/100 (Practice ten times daily, achieve minor success in ten days)】

The so-called "White Tiger Bone Forging Technique" is essentially a form of stance training.

It achieves the same goal as the "Tongbei Zhuang Gong" and "Baji Zhuang Gong" circulating in martial arts schools: to refine qi and blood, strengthen the body, and accumulate energy for breakthroughs.

Li Yuan stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, his knees slightly bent as if riding a tiger.

His back was arched, and his arms were loosely clasped, as if he were actually holding a white tiger in his arms.

With each long, deep breath, the breath sinks into the dantian (lower abdomen) and then rises up the spine, like a warm snake crawling through the bones.

......

Before long, sweat seeped from his forehead and slid down his brow bone, and his body felt as if he had been pulled out of the water.

After going through it once, Li Yuan felt changes in his body, a deeper, subtle transformation in his bones.

My joints felt itchy all over, like ants were crawling on them, or like something was awakening in my bone marrow, slowly but steadily expanding and getting stronger.

This clear sense of growth is unprecedented.

Li Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Gollum-

Extreme growth inevitably leads to extreme consumption.

hungry.

This technique consumes an astonishing amount of energy, far exceeding that of lower-level techniques like the "Five Animal Frolics for Nourishing Life." If the latter is a trickle, the former is an overwhelming, overwhelming force.

Li Yuan decided to buy a serving of stewed beef at the cafeteria for lunch.

If one serving isn't enough, then two will do.

After resting for a moment, he tightened his belt, composed himself, stood still, and assumed a fighting stance.

The spine arches like a tiger, and the breath sinks into the dantian.

......

The sun was shining brightly in the afternoon.

"Junior Brother Lu Qing has broken through to the mid-stage of Ming Jin!"

A startled cry, like a clap of thunder in spring, resounded in the training ground.

The disciples on the training ground, some wiping sweat, some drinking water, and some dozing off, all looked in the same direction.

Lu Qing.

The news spread like wildfire, flying from the east wing all the way to the west courtyard.

In no time, they surrounded them in layers.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lu, on taking another step forward!"

"Junior Brother Lu is truly amazing!"

"At this Mingjin gathering, Junior Brother Lu is destined to rise to fame!"

......

Lu Qing was surrounded by people at the center. His dark blue training clothes were spotless and his hair was neatly combed.

He bowed slightly, returning the greetings to each of his fellow disciples who offered their congratulations, a perfectly appropriate smile on his lips.

Unassuming yet not humble, like a carefully polished piece of jade, warm and measured.

The congratulatory messages were all the same, but the underlying emotions in their eyes were complex and varied.

There was envy, there was jealousy, and even more resentment...

Many of the disciples who arrived much earlier than Lu Qing were still struggling in the early stages of Ming Jin.

The way they looked at Lu Qing had become subtly complex.

Hidden behind the flattering smile was a look of resentment in her eyes.

However, Lu Qing seemed to enjoy this feeling.

They are valued, fawned over, and even envied.

These emotions were like nutrients, nourishing something deep within him.

His back straightened even more, and his smile shone even brighter, like a lamp that had been oiled.

"Junior Brother Lu," Chen Ting squeezed through the crowd, her light pink dress resembling a blooming peony.

Ignoring everyone's stares, she affectionately hugged Lu Qing's arm. "The new secret-sauce roast duck at Juquan Restaurant in the east of the city is really authentic. Today, Senior Sister is treating, shall we go and try it together?"

Her voice was sweet and cloying, like it was coated in honey.

"It's rare for Junior Sister Chen to take the initiative to treat us," Qi Xiuyuan said, his pure white training clothes spotless as he swiftly unfolded his folding fan. "Junior Brother Lu, please don't refuse."

These two, like hunters lurking in the martial arts club, had all their attention fixed on Lu Qing.

If you can befriend a future big shot, what does a little expense now matter?

Ji Chen just practiced his boxing on the side, pretending not to hear.

The scenes of the past are still vivid in my mind.

He slammed his fist into the wooden stake with a loud thud, the fierce force rebounding and causing a sharp pain in his knuckles.

The difference between people can sometimes be greater than the difference between a person and a dog.

Qi Xiuyuan glanced at Ji Chen with disdain, "See? That guy is still practicing hard over there."

Chen Ting scoffed and pointed to a woman practicing diligently in a corner, "Over there, Luo Shan, isn't she the same?"

"Why bother if you have no money and no qualifications?" Qi Xiuyuan said, expressing his bewilderment.

Chen Ting smiled and looked away at another corner.

There, Li Yuan was single-mindedly cultivating the "White Tiger Bone Forging Technique".

"Sigh, and that other one too, if hard work really did pay off, the whole world would be full of masters of internal strength..."

Qi Xiuyuan's gaze fell on Li Yuan, and he shook his head with a helpless laugh.

Lu Qing remained expressionless and did not utter a word.

Once upon a time, he, like Li Yuan, buried himself in hard training, hoping that one day he could pass the martial arts exam and make a name for himself.

But over time, you realize that all that effort is utterly insignificant compared to the resources available.

Power does not arise from nothing.

Even if you have outstanding talent, you still need proper nutrition to sustain you through the demands of martial arts training.

Overt strength is not so difficult, but hidden strength is the real challenge.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

At some point, Lin Chong came out.

"Tomorrow is the Mingjin Gathering. You Mingjin disciples must seize the opportunity to practice your skills diligently. Even last-minute sparring can be effective; cherish this rare opportunity for exchange and practice."

"Yes," the disciples replied, clasping their hands in greeting.

Lin Zhong's gaze swept over everyone one by one, finally stopping on Lu Qing.

"Lu Qing, come in with me."

The two walked one after the other into the inner hall. Amidst the sound of their footsteps, Lin Zhong's voice could be faintly heard: "...I've prepared a serving of Silver-Striped Perch for you...Strive to break through to the late stage of Ming Jin before the Ming Jin Small Gathering..."

"Thank you, Professor Lin!"

......

There was a moment of silence in the room, then the disciples began to whisper among themselves.

"Silver-striped perch? Those sell for ten taels of silver each, and even then, they're hard to find!"

"Giving him private lessons in martial arts is one thing, but even his supplementary nourishment... Master Lin is being way too biased!"

"If you have the same talent as Junior Brother Lu, you can do it too."

Whispers mingled like the buzzing of mosquitoes; some sighed, some gritted their teeth, and some clenched their fists so tightly they cracked.

Li Yuan ignored it.

He stood still again, adopting the stance of the "White Tiger Bone Forging Technique," his back slightly arched, like a leopard poised to pounce.

His movements weren't fast, but they carried a peculiar rhythm, like an old pine tree in the deep mountains, growing slowly and steadily in the wind and snow.

Type it all in one go.

【White Tiger Bone Forging Technique (Beginner): 40/100 (Practice ten times daily, achieve minor success in ten days)】

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Li Yuan's forehead and slid down his brow bone.

Although I ate stewed beef for lunch, the effect was not very noticeable.

The surge of qi and blood is like lukewarm water, far less powerful than the surging waves of the silver perch.

It seems that the nourishing effects of stewed beef, at this level, will be greatly reduced after reaching the Mingjin stage.

No wonder Master Lin wanted to buy silver-striped perch for Lu Qing.

"Junior Brother Li."

A crisp voice came from behind.

It's Rosanne.

Rosanne wiped the sweat from her forehead and took two steps forward.

"Junior Brother Li, how's your practice going?"

Li Yuan clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, "Senior Sister Luo, I'm alright."

"Hungry?" Rosanne smiled and pulled two boiled eggs from her pocket. "Here you go."

"How can this be?" Li Yuan paused and said.

He had long heard that Senior Sister Luo's family was not much better off; her parents had sold off their farmland to support her martial arts training.

Fortunately, she worked hard enough, and with the blessing of heaven, she broke through and became a disciple of the Ming Jin realm.

"Here you go." Luo Shan shoved the egg into Li Yuan's hand without waiting for a reply. "Whenever I practice for a long time, I get dizzy and weak. Eating a boiled egg makes me feel much better. Why don't you try it?"

The egg was still warm to the touch, held in my palm.

Li Yuan felt a warmth in his heart. "Thank you so much, Senior Sister Luo!"

"Alright, I won't disturb your practice any longer."

Senior Sister Luo blushed, turned around and quickly returned to her corner, refocusing her attention on practicing her skills.

After eating two eggs, I felt much better.

But Li Yuan knew that two eggs were far from enough for him.

He took a dried fish out of his pocket and quietly put it in his mouth.

It came from the bald tiger and was made into dried fish for easy preservation.

The dried fish has a slightly fishy-sweet taste, which gives it a unique flavor.

His stomach gradually warmed up, as if a small fire was burning inside. He knew that the fish was starting to take effect.

Without taking a break, he immediately got into position again.

This time, the movements became much faster, truly like a fierce tiger descending the mountain.

......

The moon rises above the willow branches.

"Young Master Li..."

A meaningful voice timidly rang out.

It was Qiuyue, the maid of the Second Mistress, who was standing next to the moon gate, her cheeks flushed, not daring to look up.

I don’t know when it started, but this pretty maid always blushes when she sees Li Yuan.

"Second Grandmother instructed me to tell you to go back and rest early."

She kept her head down, her small hands twisting the hem of her clothes.

She also said that learning martial arts cannot be rushed.

Li Yuan smiled calmly, thinking that it must have been Second Madam who sent Qiuyue to remind him because he hadn't returned yet.

"Okay, I'll practice one last time, then I'll go back."

Qiuyue bowed and said, "Qiuyue doesn't know anything about martial arts, but what Second Madam says is never wrong. Please take care of your health, Young Master Li."

Her cheeks flushed even more, and she lowered her head even further.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. This will be the last time; I won't go back on my word."

"Well... this servant will take her leave now. Young Master Li, please take good care of yourself..."

Li Yuan smiled calmly and assumed a fighting stance once again.

The moonlight, like water, spilled across this space.

He was no longer merely performing actions; at this moment, he truly imagined himself as the tiger pouncing on its prey.

With a high degree of concentration, the mind and body are in perfect harmony.

Sweat dripped from his forehead, landing on the cool ground and splashing into tiny droplets.

As the exercise was performed, the bones began to ache and the meridians felt a dull stinging pain due to the constant flow of energy.

But he seemed oblivious, his mind becoming increasingly clear, all his consciousness focused on the increasingly active blood and qi within his body.

He could feel that the qi and blood, guided by specific postures and breathing, were gradually being sorted and gathered, like rivers flowing into the same stream, carrying strength and surging towards his lower abdomen, dantian.

The final move.

Just as he was practicing the tiger pounce stance, his momentum suddenly reaching its peak, and he was about to deliver a strike in mid-air...

hum!

It felt like something exploded in my mind.

The pent-up energy, like a bursting dam, surged and roared, finally flowing unimpeded into the meridians throughout the body.

pain!

The pain was indescribable.

【White Tiger Bone Forging Technique (Beginner): 100/100 (Practice ten times daily, achieve minor success in ten days)】

Followed by.

Click click click...

The sound emanated from within the body, faint yet clear.

Li Yuan knew very well that this was the sound of your bones "growing".

As the sound subsided, the pain disappeared.

【White Tiger Bone Forging Technique (Minor Success): 0/100 (Practice ten times daily, achieve major success in ten days)】

Instead, there is an unparalleled sense of physical and mental comfort.

A warm current flowed through my body, and wherever it passed, it felt like countless soft little hands gently rubbing my meridians up and down.

At the same time, a powerful force from the bone marrow, along with this warm current, filled every part of his body.

Li Yuanfu, guided by his inner spirit, channeled the transformed "Ming Jin" into his arms and swung them forward with a sudden burst of energy.

Bang!

The air emitted a muffled sound like a sonic boom, and the fog in front was instantly torn open by the fierce and sharp force of the fist, leaving a clear mark.

A single sound can cost a fortune!

[Realm Level: Mid-stage Ming Jin]

Become!

"From today onwards, we've truly entered the inner sanctum!"