The Storm Approaches

"You managed to hold the stance for two hours on your first try? Qin Ming, you've lasted longer than any newcomer I've seen so far."

Lu Liu marveled from the side, and the other apprentices practicing nearby also looked surprised.

The longest any of them had lasted on their first attempt was a quarter of an hour. Those who had lasted the shortest time had not even managed the time it took to drink a cup of tea. Qin Ming's first attempt was equal to a full day's worth for someone else.

Qin Ming came to a realization. He understood that this was because his Pig-Slaying Saber Technique had broken through to minor accomplishment.

Although external martial arts could not make him a martial artist, they could greatly increase his strength and toughen his body.

In that case, if he practiced more external martial arts, their effects would accumulate until a quantitative change led to a qualitative one. Even if his realm was lower than someone else's, his strength might not be inferior.

"You must have been born strong. Look at those skinny arms and legs. If you weren't naturally gifted with great strength, how could you hold down a big fat New Year's pig?"

Lu Liu smiled.

"Slaughtering pigs? So you're a pig butcher, brother."

The fellow disciples practicing nearby all crowded around.

"What a coincidence! I used to slaughter fish. They all call me the fish butcher."

A young man with a buzz cut grinned.

"I slaughtered chickens."

"I slaughtered cattle and horses."

"I emptied cesspits."

Qin Ming's gaze fell on the last youth.

Through their conversation, Qin Ming learned that most of them had been like him: they had gone to the Tiger Martial Arts Academy first, and only come to the Eight Trigrams Martial Arts Academy after being driven out.

The cesspit-emptier even had eighth-grade innate aptitude, yet he too had been driven out in the end.

Huo Zheng, the master of the Tiger Martial Arts Academy, cared deeply about his reputation. He would rather forgo ten taels of silver than accept people he considered lowly.

He worried that if one of them broke through to the Skin Refining Realm, the rules would require them to become his disciple. If they later went about their business under his banner and word got out, his peers would laugh at him.

Besides those with such unusual backgrounds, some had chosen the Eight Trigrams Martial Arts Academy because they were short of money.

Many people did not care whether the Tiger Stance or the Eight Trigrams Stance was stronger, so long as they could become martial artists.

As long as they became martial artists, their status would undergo a qualitative leap. In the eyes of ordinary people, they would become martial masters, people who must never be offended.

"Since you're all here today, I'll explain the four realms of skin, flesh, bone, and blood in detail." Lu Liu cleared his throat, and everyone immediately pricked up their ears.

The Eight Trigrams Martial Arts Academy was divided into inner and outer courtyards.

Only formal disciples who had entered the academy master's tutelage could set foot in the inner courtyard. The outer courtyard was where those who had yet to enter the martial path stayed.

There were only eight people in the inner courtyard.

There were currently sixteen in the outer courtyard.

Above both courtyards were the core disciples, who could receive the academy master's true teachings. There were four in total.

Lu Liu was one of them. The other three were out on assignments.

That was why Lu Liu was teaching the newcomers for the time being.

"The martial path begins with skin!

"Once you enter Skin Refining, your skin becomes as tough as cowhide, and your strength increases greatly! Only after passing this stage will you be martial artists!

"The second stage is Flesh Refining! Beneath the skin lies flesh. Once the flesh has been properly refined, ordinary blades and swords can scarcely harm it! In other words, even if you stabbed the academy master with a blade or sword right now, you couldn't hurt him at all unless you struck a vital point."

The disciples sucked in a cold breath.

Qin Ming's eyes flickered.

He wondered whether his Pig-Slaying Saber Technique at minor accomplishment could cut through the academy master's skin and flesh.

"The third stage is Bone Refining. Once you reach this realm, you'll be a top-notch expert even in Qingyang County, an honored guest of the great clans and gangs. You won't need to do a thing each month. Just take a nominal post as a guest elder, and you can collect a hundred taels of silver for nothing.

"Besides that, the Bone Refining Realm is divided into four kinds: Iron Bone, Copper Bone, Silver Bone, and Golden Bone. You must keep tempering yourself. The longer you temper yourself, the stronger you'll be!"

As Lu Liu spoke, a trace of longing appeared in his eyes.

Qin Ming and the others breathed faster as they listened, their eyes shining.

"Senior Brother Lu, do you know how to temper yourself?"

Qin Ming could not help asking.

"I did make a point of asking Master about that. He said there are two methods. One requires you to practice many different external martial arts. Each time you master another martial art, you can temper your body once. Do it enough times, and it will produce a qualitative change.

"Generally speaking, though, people in the Bone Refining Realm have Iron Bones. Even the only Blood Refining Realm expert in all of Qingyang County has Iron Bones.

"The second method is to soak your body in precious medicinal herbs and beast blood from childhood. After years of soaking, the medicinal liquid gradually seeps into your bones, making them harder. This method costs so much that generally only the direct descendants of great clans receive such treatment."

Lu Liu smiled and waved a hand. "Qin Ming, don't dwell on it. In truth, no one spends all their time tempering themselves in Bone Refining. After Bone Refining comes Blood Refining. The four realms converge into one to form Bright Strength, which then transforms into Dark Strength. The two strengths unite to break through to Xiantian. The Xiantian realm is what we martial artists pursue all our lives.

"Do you know why I say that?"

Lu Liu smiled mysteriously.

"Tell us, Senior Brother! Don't keep us in suspense."

"Please enlighten us, Senior Brother."

Everyone was so impatient they scratched their ears and cheeks.

"Because Xiantian experts can gain another hundred years of life."

A rough voice rang out.

Everyone turned to see a short-haired woman leaning against the doorframe with her arms folded.

The woman was exceptionally burly, a head taller than Qin Ming. Muscles bulged all over her body, stretching her black training clothes taut and round, yet she had a sweet, adorable round face.

The corner of Qin Ming's mouth twitched sharply.

This King Kong Barbie was outrageously strong. Her arms were thicker than his thighs, and probably not many people present could withstand a slap from her.

"Second Senior Sister, when did you get back?"

Lu Liu smiled and scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "Qin Ming, let me introduce you. This is Second Senior Sister Li Shengnan. Senior Sister, this is a junior brother who joined us today."

Li Shengnan's gaze fell on Qin Ming, and she gave him a slight nod in greeting.

"All right, carry on with your work here. I'm going to see Master."

Li Shengnan turned and left.

"Qin Ming, don't be fooled by Second Senior Sister's fierce appearance. She's actually kindhearted. Whenever she has time, she teaches the new disciples how to cultivate," Lu Liu said.

From him, Qin Ming learned that Li Shengnan came from the Weiyuan Escort Agency and currently held a post there as an escort. This time, she had accompanied a shipment a long way.

Li Shengnan was exceptionally strong, having already reached the Skin Refining Realm at major accomplishment.

Meanwhile, Li Shengnan went to the training room and met Fei Heng.

"Master, I have an important matter to report."

Li Shengnan lowered her voice and took a few steps forward, her lips moving slightly.

A short while later, Fei Heng's expression changed sharply.

"What did you say? Something like that actually happened?"

Fei Heng's expression changed again and again before he finally regained his composure.

"All right. I'll send someone to verify this matter. Go and rest for now!"

"I'll take my leave."

After Li Shengnan left, Fei Heng looked at the broken red-tasseled spear hanging on the wall and sighed deeply inwardly.

"I hope I'm overthinking it. Otherwise, it won't be long before Qingshan Town's people are plunged into misery."

Fei Heng took out a brush and paper and quickly wrote a note, then tied it to a white carrier pigeon.

The white pigeon swiftly flew out the window and headed beyond Qingshan Town.

Only a few miles outside Qingshan Town, a hidden arrow shot out from the woods. It pierced straight through the pigeon, which fell into the grass.

The secret message on the pigeon was intercepted as well.

"It seems the plan will have to be moved forward."

A cold laugh echoed from deep within the woods.