Dawn had only just begun to break when Wang Yue woke up.
He stretched lazily. The soreness from yesterday's fist practice had vanished without a trace, leaving his entire body light and airy, his spirits exceptionally high, even his eyes several shades brighter than usual.
But that comfort did not last long before a fierce hunger rose from his stomach, demanding food to fill it.
"The poor cultivate literature, the rich cultivate martial arts. It really is true."
Wang Yue rubbed his stomach and sighed inwardly.
Condensing Blood Qi consumed the body's energy. Without enough meat and supplements, his progress would surely slow.
But then he remembered the Martial Soul interface in his mind, and delight rose within him. With the experience of having mastered the Harmonious Flow Fist, his speed in condensing Blood Qi and cultivating would be far faster than those disciples who relied solely on bitter training.
After all, happiness only came from comparison!
He rose quietly. Xu Li, who shared the room with him, was still asleep, his brows furrowed.
Wang Yue did not disturb him. Tucking the fist manual away, he headed into the courtyard.
The morning mist in the rear courtyard had yet to disperse. He took a deep breath and tried stretching his body. It felt far freer than yesterday, as though a faint warm current were slowly flowing through his meridians.
He raised his hand and slowly threw a punch.
"Food's ready!"
A servant pushed a food barrel into the rear courtyard, his shout shattering the morning's silence.
Wang Yue hurried over. Seeing the cornmeal buns, millet porridge, and greens with only a few scattered drops of oil floating on top, his stomach growled even louder.
He took the coarse porcelain bowl handed over by the servant, filled it to the brim with millet porridge, and swallowed it down with two cornmeal buns. Yet he only felt the hunger he had just suppressed surge back up again.
"Another bowl of porridge, and two more buns!"
Wang Yue handed over his empty bowl. The servant froze for a moment, but still did as asked.
Xu Li had just sat down with his bowl. When he saw the pile of food before Wang Yue, surprise flashed through his eyes. Wang Yue usually ate about as much as he did, so why was he suddenly eating so much today?
Wang Yue paid no attention to Xu Li's gaze and simply buried his head in his food.
One bowl of porridge, two buns, then another bowl of porridge, two more buns... Only after eating enough for three people did he rub his round belly and wipe his mouth in satisfaction.
"Steward Hu is here!"
Someone called out. Wang Yue looked up to see Steward Hu standing at the courtyard gate, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. When it fell upon the empty bowls before Wang Yue, his eyes flickered and one brow lifted almost imperceptibly. Yet he said nothing, merely shouting to the others, "Once you're done eating, come with me to the training ground!"
Wang Yue followed the others to the training ground. The bluestone slabs glimmered coldly beneath the morning sun, but the main family's disciples were still nowhere to be seen.
Wang Yue did not hurry to take his place in line. Instead, he quietly sensed the changes within his body.
He tried clenching his fist. His strength did not seem much greater than yesterday's, but it was different now. That strength had become like flowing water, able to swiftly gather in his arm at his will. When he punched, Blood Qi naturally surged toward the center of his fist.
When he withdrew his fist, the Blood Qi slowly sank back into his waist and abdomen, without the slightest stagnation.
"Is this martial arts?"
Wang Yue was both shocked and delighted.
Before, practicing fists had only been mechanical imitation. Now, he could truly sense the profound mystery of Blood Qi moving with his punches.
He pondered it secretly. If he could maintain this pace, it would not be long before he truly condensed Blood Qi and surpassed some of the main family's disciples.
"Everyone, stand properly! Begin practicing the Harmonious Flow Fist!"
Wang He's voice rang out, interrupting Wang Yue's thoughts.
The crowd quickly formed ranks. Wang Yue moved to the end of the line, adjusted his breathing, and raised his hands to practice according to Wang He's commands.
He no longer deliberately concealed his strength, but neither did he reveal the true essence of great accomplishment. He merely kept his movements smooth and steady. His Wave-Separating Hand traced natural arcs, his Wave-Stacking Fist took firm strides, and his Harmonious Flow Strike exerted force with precision. Not one movement contained the slightest mistake.
Bolstered by the Martial Soul's experience, his fist art seemed tempered through a thousand hammers and forged through a hundred refinements. It appeared ordinary, yet carried a force of "steadiness." Every movement conformed to the fundamental principles of the Harmonious Flow Fist.
Wang He paced back and forth as he inspected them. His gaze swept over Wang Yue several times, and the surprise in his eyes grew stronger than before, though he still did not pause.
After practicing for roughly an hour, Wang He finally called for them to stop.
The moment everyone halted, several collateral-line disciples gathered around him and asked in a flurry of voices, "Brother Wang He, are there any tricks to practicing the Harmonious Flow Fist? We always feel like we can't condense our Blood Qi."
Wang He frowned, his tone impatient. "What tricks could there be? Martial arts only require bitter training! Every movement and stillness is the martial path. Only by practicing every movement until it enters your bones can you improve quickly!"
With that, he waved a hand, telling them to figure it out themselves before turning and leaving.
The collateral-line disciples gave awkward smiles.
Wang Yue remained where he was, silently savoring Wang He's words. Though Wang He's attitude was poor, what he said was the truth.
The Martial Soul had given him experience in mastering the technique, but if he did not practice diligently and transform that experience into true instinct, he would never genuinely master the Harmonious Flow Fist.
At the other side, by the entrance to the training ground.
Steward Hu was reporting to Wang Hu in a low voice. "There's a collateral-line disciple in the rear courtyard named Wang Yue. He ate several people's worth of food at breakfast today. His Blood Qi consumption is probably much faster than that of ordinary people."
Wang Hu leaned against a wooden post, idly playing with a jade pendant in his hand. Hearing this, he casually waved it off. "What does an increased appetite amount to? There are collateral-line disciples who eat four or five portions in one meal."
He paused, several traces of disdain in his tone. "Practicing fists depends on comprehension and natural talent. Being able to train the Harmonious Flow Fist to the entry level is what matters most. A big appetite might just mean he's greedy."
Steward Hu smiled and said no more. "You should still take a look. They're practicing more seriously than usual today."
Wang Hu nodded and entered the training ground with Steward Hu.
The moment he entered, Wang He came forward and bowed to Wang Hu. "Uncle Hu, I was just planning to have them practice the Harmonious Flow Fist once more."
"Mm, begin."
Wang Hu waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the collateral-line disciples in the field.
There were quite a few people on the field, their movements uneven and disorderly. Some were still awkwardly imitating the forms, while others clearly did not understand a thing.
Wang Hu's expression gradually became indifferent. But before long, his gaze suddenly stopped. At the end of the line, a youth's movements were slow, yet every stance exuded steadiness. In every lift of his hand and step he took, there was already a trace of the refined essence of the Harmonious Flow Fist's entry level.
That youth was Wang Yue.
Following Wang Hu's gaze, Steward Hu smiled and said, "Brother Hu, that's the Wang Yue I mentioned to you."
Wang Hu stroked his chin. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes before they returned to calm. "He has some comprehension, at least."
He watched a few moments longer. Looking at Wang Yue's fist art, he said nothing more, as though something had occurred to him.
Turning to Wang He, he instructed, "Keep a close eye on them. Don't let them slack off."
With that, he turned and left the training ground.
The sun gradually climbed higher, shining upon the bluestone slabs of the training ground. Wang Yue's movements became smoother and smoother, while the Blood Qi within him seemed to slowly gather along with his forms. Though faint, it truly existed.
If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you do not lose it next time.
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