He achieved the pinnacle of martial arts starting with breaking through the limits of Tiger Fist.

The two fellow disciples spent the New Year together. Apart from having good food every day, they actually spent most of their time practicing martial arts. Both of them were determined and did not find it boring.

Jiang Lin's proficiency in the "Tiger Soul Stance" has officially reached the 1,000 mark, and he plans to use the remaining 1,000 at the martial arts school to break through.

Master Li Zhenguan once said that as a true disciple, one could go to him to receive a "Breakthrough Pill" for free.

However, Jiang Lin had the control panel in hand and no obstacles to overcome, so the "Breakthrough Pill" was useless to him. But this matter could not be made public.

I still need to collect the pills, even if it's just for show.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Zheng bid farewell and planned to return to the martial arts school.

Jiang Lin was worried about him traveling alone, so he took a boat and sent him to the county dock.

This place was less than half a mile from the west gate of the city wall. Jiang Lin watched him enter the city gate before rowing back to the fish market.

On the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, Jiang Lin got up early to start practicing stances, not becoming lazy because of the holiday.

Last night, a heavy snow fell, reaching ankle-deep. Jiang Lin, wearing only a pair of coarse linen trousers and shirtless, practiced his boxing and stances in the small courtyard.

His blood and energy are now extremely vigorous. As he begins to circulate his energy, his body temperature begins to rise, and his whole body is like a furnace.

Snowflakes fell on him and melted instantly; even the surrounding snow showed signs of melting due to the high temperature he constantly emitted.

Before long, Jiang Lin was soaked through, but he didn't feel cold; he only felt refreshed and invigorated.

"Clang!"

The courtyard gate was kicked open, revealing Chen Sanlang's smug face.

This guy has been in a gang for a long time, and he exudes a thuggish air about him in every way he walks, sits, and lies, as if he's afraid others won't know he's a gang member.

Just as he was about to start cursing, another person walked in.

"Fool."

Jiang Lin's expression changed instantly. He reached out and pulled Chen Sanlang aside, then went up and gave the simpleton a bear hug.

Now, after several months apart, Hanzi has grown even more robust. If you ignore his face and only look at his physique, in terms of sheer intimidation, he is far superior to Chen Sanlang.

"Lin-ge'er, that's a bit unfair."

Chen Sanlang said this deliberately.

Jiang Lin ignored him, but instead patted the simpleton's broad shoulder and asked with concern, "Did you knock on the gate?"

"Um."

The simpleton was clumsy with words, so he responded with a silly grin.

Seeing that Jiang Lin ignored him, Chen Sanlang was not annoyed. "It's been a month since I started trying to pass the test. Luckily, I tried twice earlier, otherwise I would have been outdone."

Liu Hanzi had no intention of comparing, but Jiang Lin shook his head, saying, "Although you've tried twice, Hanzi practices orthodox martial arts, which is far superior to your lousy swordsmanship."

Upon hearing this, Chen Sanlang nearly jumped up in shock. "How could that be? My Gale Blade Technique is renowned far and wide. Otherwise, how could I hold onto this position as the stronghold's steward?"

Upon hearing the words "Whirlwind Blade Technique," Jiang Lin almost burst out laughing. "What kind of lousy name is that? Ask that idiot what his martial art is called!"

When Jiang Lin asked, Liu Hanzi replied frankly, "I've only practiced stance training; it's not time for me to learn techniques yet."

"What's the name of stance training?" Chen Sanlang asked, looking unconvinced.

"Call, fire in the furnace."

Chen Sanlang asked in surprise, "Is this a nice-sounding name?"

Jiang Lin was helpless. Although Chen Sanlang was smart, he had been involved in low-level gangs for too long and was ultimately blinded by his limited knowledge and experience.

"Of course, the name is simple and profound, and it sounds like an orthodox martial art."

"Then let's have a competition." Chen Sanlang refused to believe that he couldn't beat this fool after knocking on the gate twice.

The "fool" he mentioned meant no harm; childhood friends don't stand on ceremony, and Liu Hanzi wouldn't care.

Didn't you see that his full name is Hanzi Yao?

"Alright, let's have a strength contest then," Jiang Lin interjected, making the decision for Hanzi.

If it comes to fighting techniques, Liu Hanzi is definitely no match; Chen Sanlang can easily suppress him based on experience alone. However, if it comes to sheer strength, that's another story.

"Let's compete then."

Chen Sanlang was not intimidated. He had not only knocked on the gate twice, but his recent diligent archery practice had also increased his strength considerably, so he was naturally full of confidence.

Getting carried away with their conversation, the three of them went inside and set up a table.

The room fell silent. The two men clasped their hands together and rested them on the table.

"Begin," Jiang Lin commanded.

Chen Sanlang's arm veins bulged, his forehead pressed against Liu Hanzi's, he clenched his jaw, and his breathing gradually became heavy.

Looking at Hanzi again, although his brows were furrowed, his breathing was not disordered.

The table legs creaked, and Chen Sanlang's arms began to tremble.

Just then, Liu Hanzi suddenly pressed down with his arm, and Chen Sanlang's hand slammed hard on the table, making a dull thud.

"How is that possible?"

Chen Sanlang's face turned red, perhaps from using too much force.

Liu Hanzi stretched his head and scratched it. "I used seven-tenths of my strength."

Upon hearing this, Chen Sanlang's face immediately turned from red to white, as if a dye shop had been opened.

Honest people's words are even more hurtful.

Jiang Lin, standing to the side, almost burst out laughing.

For a long time afterward, Chen Sanlang was still in a daze until Jiang Lin finished cooking and served the food, at which point he finally came to his senses.

Why is this happening?

Liu Hanzi naturally couldn't answer this question, so Jiang Lin had to answer it instead.

"This is the difference between orthodox martial arts and ordinary techniques. Although the swordsmanship you practice can also pass the test, it is essentially a technique that drives the body. The technique is the main focus, and the body does not benefit much because it lacks the process of body training."

Believe it or not, if that simpleton were to learn your swordsmanship, its power would far surpass yours.

This is the difference between mastering techniques and mastering physical training; the essence of martial arts is still about returning great power to oneself.

You can see from this classification of realms—refining skin and tendons, refining bones and cultivating qi—that it's still based on the physical body.

You should know that there are differences between different levels of cultivation. Do you remember the Wang brothers that night? At the same level, could even one of them last three moves against me?

Chen Sanlang then realized, "Then all my efforts in getting through this test were for nothing?"

Jiang Lin shook his head again: "How could it be a waste of time? Although in my opinion, this can only be considered a fake breakthrough, with limited physical enhancement, an increase is an increase, and that cannot be faked."

"You just need to find a proper martial art with body-strengthening methods. With your current physical strength, it will be much easier to practice."

Chen Sanlang nodded in agreement, indicating that he understood. "However, I am currently tied up with gang affairs, so I am afraid I will not be able to go to the martial arts school to learn martial arts."

"That's not difficult. I've heard that there are martial arts schools in the city that accept registered disciples. As long as you pay enough money, you can learn the techniques without having to stay at the martial arts school every day."

"How about I go to Tiger Boxing Gym too?"

Jiang Lin sighed, "Sanlang, you only have average to below-average physical constitution. Tiger Fist is too slow for you."

Chen Sanlang knew his physique was too poor, so he continued, "Then which one is suitable?"

"Anything that costs twenty taels for training will do. Although it can't compare to Tiger Fist, it's still a legitimate martial art with methods for body training."

With the matter clarified, Chen Sanlang felt relieved, and the three of them had another long talk until late at night.

Before they knew it, it was the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Jiang Lin, carrying the New Year's gifts he had prepared for his master, invited Liu Hanzi to return to the city together.

Stepping across the snow-covered road, Jiang Lin turned back to look at the village, a surge of pride welling up within him. Next time he returned, he would be a martial artist.