He transformed from a fierce tiger pillar into a martial saint.

A hot breeze blows, accompanied by the impatient chirping of cicadas, heralding the arrival of midsummer.

In a courtyard at the eastern end of Chujia Village, several shirtless, muscular men had just put the early rice into storage.

"Master, your rice harvest is truly exceptional! One acre of your land yields as much as one and a half acres of other people's land."

"Yes, the landlord is so young, yet he's incredibly skilled at farming! He knows so much!"

The burly men looked at him with admiration and said...

Chu Yang said with a smile, "It's all thanks to the favorable location and everyone's hard work. I just happened to be there."

"Aqing, there are five watermelons in the well that have been chilled for a while. Go and fish them out and share them with everyone!"

Aqing's real name is Chen Qing. He is a long-term worker in Chu Yang's household. He is a man in his mid-twenties with a face full of forehead wrinkles and an honest appearance.

Chen Qing quickly responded, "Yes, boss!"

On a hot summer day, being able to eat a watermelon chilled by well water is a great pleasure!

"The landlord is very generous!"

"There's a reason why the landlord's harvest is so good!"

The day laborers had smiles on their faces, a look of pure satisfaction on their faces.

After all, in this chaotic era of war, it was rare to find a landlord who would not delay or deduct wages.

Although he was called a landlord, he actually only owned twenty acres of land.

However, a year ago, Chu Yang awakened his past life's wisdom and used scientific planting methods to make the rice harvest from his family's twenty acres of second-rate land reach the level of others' thirty acres of good land.

Two harvest seasons have passed, and a considerable amount of surplus grain has been accumulated.

"However, despite my diligent practice, I still haven't mastered the Tiger Stance. I feel like something's missing."

"It will be a year in a few days. If I still cannot become a disciple, Tiger Roar Martial Arts School will expel me according to the rules. And I will no longer be able to join any other martial arts school..."

Chu Yang sighed, wondering to himself if he had transmigrated from modern Earth just to become a small landowner using scientific farming methods.

If it were a peaceful and prosperous era in my previous life, I might have truly lived a life free from worries about food and clothing.

However, martial arts exist in this world! He had personally witnessed a martial arts master shatter a boulder with a single punch! There were even rumors that powerful martial artists could walk through the air and move mountains and overturn seas!

Moreover, this era is chaotic and turbulent, and who knows when the chaos might reach their village, at which point they might lose all their fertile land and wealth!

Moreover, he had heard that bandits had appeared in several villages not far away...

With his thoughts in mind, Chu Yang walked to the open space in the backyard. There were several strong old elm wood stakes standing there, worn smooth and shiny from being stepped on, telling the story of his perseverance and hard work.

"Don't give up until the very last day!"

With a determined look in his eyes and a clear mind, Chu Yang leaped onto the wooden stake.

His legs were slightly bent, his mind was calm, and his arms were slightly outstretched, like the posture of a fierce tiger.

This is the basic stance training method of Tiger Roar Martial Arts School – the Fierce Tiger Stance.

About fifteen minutes later, he had a sudden inspiration. His body trembled slightly, his bones cracked, and a faint tiger's roar could be heard.

This is the mark of someone who has mastered the Tiger Stance!

Just then.

A resounding sound echoed in his mind, like a morning bell or evening drum, startling his soul.

"Because of your diligent practice and perseverance, the [Evolutionary Compendium] has been activated."

[Illustrated Guide to Evolution]

Included skill: Fierce Tiger Stance (Beginner - Blood Tempering 1/100)

Special Reward: 1 Grade 6 Root Bone Pill

Chu Yang was slightly taken aback.

[Illustrated Guide to Evolution]?

Isn't this the dark iron block he found in a corner when he went back to his hometown to tidy up the house during the Lunar New Year in his previous life? It only had these four words written on it: "Nothing else!"

The old house, due to years of disrepair, suddenly collapsed, trapping him inside.

Upon waking, he merged with the wisdom he had accumulated in this life.

Looking back now, it was this "Illustrated Compendium of Evolution" that brought him here!

Mastering the Tiger Stance means becoming a Ming Jin martial artist.

The Ming Jin (明劲) technique has three stages: the first stage is blood tempering, the second stage is tendon tempering, and the third stage is bone tempering.

Now, he has reached the Blood Tempering stage of the entry level and has finally activated the [Heavenly Evolution Illustrated Manual].

This [Illustrated Compendium of Evolution] is like a panel with words written on it that only Chu Yang can see.

At the same time, its characteristics have already manifested in Chu Yang's mind:

Practice diligently and without ceasing, and you will surely achieve mastery; all methods can be recorded, and you will reach the pinnacle of perfection.

Chu Yang swallowed hard, his eyes gleaming with excitement. This [Heavenly Evolution Illustrated Manual] was practically made for martial arts cultivation!

Immediately, Chu Yang jumped onto the wooden stake again.

Just as he stood firmly on the Tiger Stance, a figure appeared on the [Heavenly Evolution Illustrated Compendium] panel. The figure had no facial features and was just like a shadow.

The posture of the shadow, in both angle and force, displays a state of perfect perfection, appearing at first glance as if a fierce tiger has taken hold of it. This is clearly the Tiger Stance, a posture that has reached its perfect state!

Soon, Chu Yang's figure appeared on the shadow, his stance in the Fierce Tiger Stance displayed on it in a one-to-one replica.

Chu Yang immediately adjusted his posture, lowering his shoulders and elbows, and subtly adjusting his steps, achieving a state of complete overlap with the illustration.

brush!

Chu Yang felt an unprecedented tension in all the tendons of his body, and his muscles ached as if a hundred pounds were pressing down on him.

Tiger Stance (Beginner - Blood Tempering 2/100)

Tiger Stance (Beginner - Blood Tempering 3/100)

……

Chu Yang's mother, Lin, had just finished cooking a large pot of fragrant stewed pork when she heard that the clan was holding an emergency clan meeting.

She arrived at the granary where the rice was stored, only to find that the day laborers had finished eating the watermelon and left, leaving only Chen Qing cleaning up some scattered rice around the granary.

Upon seeing Madam Lin arrive, Chen Qing quickly stood up and said, "Madam, what are your orders?"

Lin said, "Aqing, where's Xiaoyang? The village is holding a clan meeting."

Since Chu Yang's father has passed away, it is only natural that Chu Yang, the only male member of the family, should attend the clan meeting.

Chen Qing pointed to the backyard and said, "It seems the young master is practicing his martial arts there!"

Lin hurried to the backyard gate and, through the wooden door, could see Chu Yang standing intently in the tiger-shaped stance.

Lin knew about Chu Yang's perseverance and hard work over the past year, and she said to Chen Qing, "Qing, I'll go to the clan meeting first, and you can tell him after Xiao Yang finishes his practice."

……

Chujia Village Ancestral Hall Courtyard.

Chu Changnian, the village chief of Chujia Village, convened a clan meeting.

Chujia Village has a total of 105 households. Now, almost every household has at least one villager participating, except in very special cases.

The village chief, Chu Changnian, was a middle-aged man around fifty years old with a round, dark face. He coughed and began to speak.

"Yesterday, the county magistrate sent Inspector Xu Nianhong to convey a message that additional river tax should be levied in order to dredge the river, reinforce the dikes, and ensure irrigation for the fields within the county."

"Our Chu family village will share 30,000 jin of grain, but the families of Chu Jinwang, Chu Dechun, and Chu Guangmei in our village will not have to share."

The villagers of Chujia Village were on tenterhooks when they heard that an additional river tax would be levied.

Of the three households in their village, one household had only an elderly man who was bedridden and terminally ill, another household had only a middle-aged man who lost both legs to bandits and lived by begging, and the third household had only a ten-year-old child.

The land of these three households was also handed over to the clan and distributed equally among each household, so it was reasonable that they did not have to share the river tax. They didn't care about these things either.

Their biggest concern right now is how much of the river tax they will be responsible for.

Chu Changnian's gaze swept over the crowd, then he said, "We will pay the river tax at a rate of 260 catties per household!"

"As the village head, I will be responsible for two thousand catties of grain. As for Chu Yang's family, they will be responsible for the remaining two thousand catties of grain."

"Before sunset today, each household should prepare everything and send it to the ancestral hall courtyard, and then send it to the government office the next day."

"Those who are unwilling to provide grain may pay half a tael of silver for every hundred catties of grain!"

These words immediately caused an uproar at the scene.

"Uncle, my family's grain was destroyed by wild boars before the harvest, resulting in a complete crop failure. What's more, my family only has three mu of land, but we have seven people to support. If we have to pay another 260 jin of grain, we'll be starving at the New Year!"

"Village chief, our family only has seven mu of land, but we support thirteen people. Your family has two hundred mu of land, but only ten people. Two thousand jin isn't too much for you to bear..."

"This extra charge is for river irrigation. Our family only has four mu of land now. Even if we use the river for irrigation, we'll only benefit a little. Those with more mu should pay more..."

Chu Yang's mother, Lin, was both angry and furious when she heard that her family had to pay two thousand catties of grain.

Lin said, "Village chief, our family only has twenty mu of land, while your family has two hundred mu. Why should our family pay the same river tax as yours? We don't accept this!"

"If you're going to take responsibility, you must do so according to the acreage!"

Chu Changnian seemed to have anticipated the scene.

He said, "Everyone, please be quiet and listen to me."

Soon, everyone quieted down.

Chu Changnian said, "As you all know, my son Chu Zhe is currently studying martial arts at the Canglang Martial Arts School, the strongest in the county."

Everyone was taken aback again. Why did the clan leader bring up Chu Zhe's martial arts training instead of mentioning the sharing of river taxes?

However, Chu Changnian was, after all, the clan leader, so they had to give him face and suppress their impatience.

Chu Changnian continued, "Chu Zhe's martial arts training is quite good. He has already reached the peak of Ming Jin. He just needs to increase his training intensity and break through to An Jin in one go!"

"Furthermore, the headmaster of Canglang Martial Arts School has already made his assessment: Chu Zhe will definitely reach the Dark Force realm! And once he reaches the Dark Force realm, he will be one of the best in the early stages! Participating in the martial arts examination and passing the imperial examination with flying colors is within reach!"

"Becoming a martial arts graduate exempts one from land taxes and corvée labor! This benefits my Chu Family Village!"

Upon hearing this, many villagers widened their eyes, their faces showing a mixture of awe and excitement.

Martial Arts Examination Graduate!

This term is familiar to them; it refers to those who hold official positions and belong to a high-ranking class!

Years ago, a martial arts graduate from the neighboring Lin Family Village not only exempted his own family from corvée labor and taxes, but also extended his benevolence to all his relatives in the village, reducing taxes by 30% and cutting some corvée labor. These were all tangible benefits!

The Chu Family Village has been envious of this for two or three decades!

Now, Chu Zhe from their village is actually trying to break through the hidden strength barrier and become a martial arts graduate?

Chu Changnian said, "However, mastering martial arts requires various tonics to temper and accelerate progress. I do have a lot of land, but it's all used to support Chu Zhe's martial arts training. Once Chu Zhe achieves success, he will benefit everyone and ensure the peace of Chu Family Village. At that time, what bandits would dare to come and plunder?!"

"Therefore, today you are not only fulfilling the county magistrate's request for river transport funds, but also supporting Chu Zhe in becoming a martial arts graduate! His ascension to the martial arts graduate position will be thanks to your collective efforts!"

Upon hearing this, many villagers at the scene fell silent.

For some villagers with more land, paying 260 jin of grain is not considered a heavy burden.

Most villagers, however, also considered that if they continued to refuse, they might offend the future martial arts candidate, which would be disastrous. The officials and the people were in completely different situations!

At this moment, Lin couldn't help but say, "Village Chief, our family cannot accept so much river tax."

If I had to pay an extra two or three hundred jin, I might have swallowed my anger, but this is more than a thousand jin more!

A man with a somewhat thin face and bulging eyes snorted coldly.

He is Chu Changbai, the younger brother of Chu Changnian.

He said, "Lin family, your family occupies the best twenty acres of land in the village, and your harvest is better than many other families! Moreover, it's the furthest place from the wild boar's habitat, which means we've all provided security for your family!"

"Besides, since there are only two people in your family, your energy consumption is extremely low, so you should contribute more. You need to have a broader perspective..."

Lin said, "Xiao Yang also practices martial arts at the martial arts school, which takes a lot of energy..."

Chu Changbai wore a ridiculous expression and said, "Lin, do you think just anyone can learn martial arts? He's been at the Tiger Roar Martial Arts School for almost a year now, hasn't he? Has he even reached the Ming Jin stage yet?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Lin was speechless for a moment, her face turning completely red.

Lin said, "Xiao Yang will definitely become a Ming Jin martial artist! He has been practicing martial arts diligently, and just now he was still immersed in practicing..."

Chu Changbai interrupted Lin Shi directly, saying, "Lin Shi, the business where my brother-in-law works has been sending martial arts equipment and other supplies to the Tiger Roar Martial Arts School."

"Yesterday, when he was drinking with me, he mentioned that Tiger Roar Martial Arts School has already started its annual assessment, and disciples who haven't reached the Ming Jin level will be expelled from the school starting tomorrow!"

"Do you think Chu Yang has the potential to reach the Ming Jin level overnight?"

Upon hearing Chu Changbai's words, Madam Lin's face turned deathly pale.

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Please read the first 50 chapters, my dear readers! There will be plenty of exciting moments to come. You are all the most handsome Yanzu and the most beautiful Yifei! I sincerely wish every supporter: good fortune, happiness, and abundant wealth! May your careers and studies soar to new heights!