A Long River Myth

Several days have passed in the blink of an eye.

【Iron Wall Skill - Python Coiling Force (35/200)】

These past few days, Li Hong has been practicing martial arts normally at the martial arts hall during the day.

Every night when I returned home, I explored the coiled dragon stake in the cellar and have already mastered the first level of Iron Wall Kung Fu—the python coiling force—through practice.

Next, all you need to do is practice diligently and follow the steps.

This kind of external martial arts training belongs to external martial arts, while the Hundred Refinement Stance Training is an internal training method for strengthening muscles, bones, qi, and blood.

Complement each other.

Having more martial arts skills is never a burden; secretly having an extra hard skill to hone can save your life in critical moments.

As for the martial arts hall, Yang Chen has been resting at home for the past few days due to a "mistake" during a sparring session.

That afternoon, Shi Liang, who hadn't been seen at the training ground in front of the west courtyard for many days, arrived.

The inner disciples are different from the outer disciples. They usually train in the martial arts field outside the back hall, where the head instructor personally leads these dozen or so people.

Shi Liang went for a walk after dinner today and found Li Hong practicing martial arts.

"Brother Li, it's been a long time!"

Shi Liang smiled broadly, his whole body upright and strong, his energy and blood contained.

"Brother Shi."

Li Hong was practicing Hundred Refinement Fist when he stopped and smiled.

Having not seen him for some time, Shi Liang's physical condition had improved considerably. At first glance, Shi Liang secretly guessed that he had probably reached the middle stage of the Inner Strength realm.

In about a year... at least in the outer city, Shi Liang can be considered a little genius.

With that kind of skill, he'd probably be qualified to be a second-class martial arts student in the martial arts examination.

As is well known, martial arts performers are divided into two categories.

The title of First-Class Martial Arts Student is a legitimate level similar to the "Juren" (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) in the previous life. Once you are awarded this title, you are considered to have an official title.

His social status has risen dramatically, and he is now eligible to become an official!

They could also directly participate in the triennial martial arts examination, and were permanently exempt from 50% of taxes and their entire family from corvée labor.

As for the second-class martial arts students, they were "reserve members" and could not directly participate in the martial arts examination, but their status was already different from that of ordinary people.

Moreover, it's not too late for them to advance to the rank of first-class martial arts student in the future.

Generally speaking, considering the local customs and population of Muyang County.

Many martial artists who reach the mid-stage of internal strength will choose to try to participate in the martial arts examination to obtain the status of a second-class martial arts student.

Although they cannot participate in the martial arts exam for the time being, the preferential treatment of a 30% tax exemption under the permanent tax system alone can bring about a dramatic change in the family's life!

Li Hong had long heard that Shi Liang originally came from a fisherman's family and was already poor.

To have achieved this level of success is to say that one has already transcended social class, making countless people envious.

Across from him, Shi Liang narrowed his eyes slightly.

Having just taken a closer look at the strength Li Hong exerted while practicing martial arts, he noticed some subtle signs and immediately showed a look of surprise.

After not seeing him for a while, the changes in Li Hong in his eyes were also too unexpected.

"How long... has it been? Less than two months... and there are already faint signs of the mid-stage of the External Strength realm?"

Shi Liang was surprised. He had also gone through the middle stage of the External Strength training, and the two of them practiced the Hundred Refinement Stance Technique together.

With his current level of expertise, he can usually spot about 70-80% of the truth at a glance!

Shi Liang, perhaps mistaken, didn't reveal Li Hong's progress on the spot: "Brother Li, you... come, let's have a spar!"

It was afternoon, and there weren't many people in the training ground.

Li Hong looked around, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Shi. Please."

Martial arts skills are different from stance training. The latter is about body refinement, and with a stat panel, you can improve rapidly as long as you have resources to progress.

As for martial arts like the Hundred Refinements Fist, even with rigorous training and the support of a skill panel, he would certainly not be bad at it.

However, if one can continuously receive guidance and instruction from experts in this method, there will definitely be additional benefits, and the speed of understanding will naturally be faster.

Previously, thanks to Shi Liang's guidance several times and two actual battles, coupled with the effects of the Blood-Regulating Pill, his progress in the Hundred-Refined Fist Technique is now almost catching up with his stance training.

The two began to spar as they talked.

After a few moves, the surprise in Shi Liang's eyes gradually turned into certainty!

By the time he had moved more than thirty moves, he was already quite shaken.

boom!

With his final punch, he deliberately withdrew his strength and took three steps back. His teaching style was always about guidance and inspiration, not about determining who was better.

This "question setter" only needs to draw a circle for Li Hong based on his existing knowledge, and it will inspire him.

"Brother Li, I didn't expect you to... progress so quickly?"

Shi Liang's eyes widened in surprise, and he secretly took a deep breath:

"Li Hong has reached the mid-stage of External Strength in less than two months, even a month faster than I did!"

I still remember the first time I taught Li Hong a month ago; he was just a young man who had just arrived in the city.

But at that time, Shi Liang felt that although the man had just reached the gate of strength, his qi and blood were not scattered, and he had a calm and steady appearance.

Thinking from a distant perspective to a near-term viewpoint, if Li Hong is lucky, he might be able to successfully transition from external to internal strength in about six months!

Such a talented person... if he can successfully pass the internal training in one go, he will surely soar to great heights!

"Brother Shi, you flatter me. I have only recently received financial assistance from a wealthy family."

Li Hong humbly said that he had already anticipated that he could not hide his skills from his opponent, and he stopped holding back after the sparring began.

"Oh...no wonder."

Shi Liang breathed a slight sigh of relief. If he hadn't received any financial assistance, he would have been truly surprised to have made this progress.

He kept to himself in the west courtyard, and apart from practicing martial arts, he didn't have many personal relationships.

His fellow disciples in the back hall of the west courtyard, although each one of them was a genius, none of them were worthy of his approval in terms of character and personality.

Therefore, within the inner circle of disciples, he was seen as a lone wolf.

Now, by chance, I have met someone who is no less capable than myself. This person is calm, focused, and compatible with me, which makes me very happy!

Just now, I even considered introducing Li Hong to the two outer city families who had been supporting me all along.

However, since they already have someone to sponsor them, it's not appropriate to say anything more.

He knew perfectly well that even with financial assistance, Li Hong's rate of progress was far beyond what ordinary people could achieve.

Having created such a lively atmosphere, Shi Liang directly pulled out a small ceramic bottle:

"Brother... I am a few years older than you, so I presumptuously call you brother. Consider these few mid-grade blood-regulating pills as a token of our brotherhood."

A mid-grade Blood-Regulating Pill? Three taels of silver per pill! Li Hong's heart trembled slightly, but he still raised his hand to stop him, saying:

"Brother Shi, I heard that the martial arts actor evaluation is coming up soon. You don't think you have too many resources. I appreciate it very much."

Shi Liang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Brother... don't be so polite! We martial artists are most in need of money and resources when we're down on our luck."

He knew that Li Hong's family background was similar to his own.

Presumably, although they have received some assistance, it is not much. Those wealthy households are all very shrewd. How much assistance can a mere martial artist from outside the village receive?

Rapid progress does not guarantee future success in overcoming all obstacles.

He's been through it all and knows the dangers involved.

Shi Liang continued:

"I arrived a year earlier than you and have just made it through. To be honest, people from poor families like ours can't compare to those disciples from well-off families."

There aren't that many chances to fail. While taking that step forward may attract attention, if you can't make it, this world is a harsh reality!

After speaking, he sighed deeply and looked at Li Hong:

"Brother, although you are making rapid progress, the hurdle of internal strength still depends half on luck."

"The sooner you solidify your foundation, the more composed you will be when you face challenges in the future. You must prioritize your talent and not care too much about saving face."

Shi Liang glanced at Li Hong, as if seeing a reflection of his younger self:

"For people like us, we are fortunate to have some talent."

"But do you know how many poor children on this road have suffered no less than us, shed even more blood and sweat, yet often still can't even reach the starting point where the rich kids begin?"

Shi Liang let out a low, hoarse sigh and said nothing more.

This moving speech even touched Li Hong, who sighed in response.

"In that case... Brother Shi, then I won't refuse."

He could tell that Shi Liang's intentions were genuine, and knowing that it was no longer appropriate to refuse, he had no choice but to accept the other party's "kindness".