One Step Reveals the Mountain, One Step Reveals the Water

As dawn broke, Wang Yue woke up.

He stretched, and the soreness from practicing martial arts that should have lingered was completely gone. He felt light, exceptionally invigorated, and his eyes were brighter than usual.

But this feeling of comfort didn't last long before a strong sense of hunger gnawed at his stomach, desperately needing food.

"The poor practice martial arts, the rich live comfortably. It's true," Wang Yue muttered to himself, patting his stomach.

Condensing Qi and Blood required consuming bodily energy. Without enough meat and supplements, his progress would definitely slow down.

But then he remembered the Martial Soul interface in his consciousness and couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. With the experience boost from mastering Harmonious Flow Fist, his speed in condensing Qi and Blood and cultivating was far faster than disciples who relied solely on hard training.

After all, happiness is relative!

He got up quietly. Xu Li, his roommate, was still fast asleep, his brow furrowed.

Wang Yue didn't disturb him. He pocketed the fist manual and walked towards the courtyard.

The morning mist in the backyard hadn't dispersed yet. He took a deep breath and tried to stretch his body. It felt much smoother than yesterday, as if a faint warm current was slowly flowing through his meridians.

He raised his hand and slowly threw a punch.

"Breakfast is served!"

A servant pushed a food bucket into the backyard, his shout breaking the morning's tranquility.

Wang Yue walked over quickly, looking at the steamed buns and millet porridge in the wooden bucket, along with a few scattered pieces of green vegetables with oil floating on them. His stomach rumbled even louder.

He took the rough porcelain bowl handed by the servant, first filling a bowl with millet porridge, and ate it with two steamed buns. He felt the hunger he had just suppressed resurface.

"Another bowl of porridge and two steamed buns!"

Wang Yue handed back the empty bowl. The servant paused for a moment but complied.

Xu Li, sitting down with his bowl nearby, saw the pile of food in front of Wang Yue and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. Wang Yue's usual appetite was about the same as his. Why was he suddenly eating so much today?

Wang Yue didn't notice Xu Li's gaze, focusing on eating.

One bowl of porridge, two steamed buns, then another bowl of porridge, two steamed buns... Until he had eaten the equivalent of three people's food. He patted his round belly and wiped his mouth with satisfaction.

"Steward Hu is here!"

Someone shouted. Wang Yue looked up and saw Steward Hu standing at the courtyard entrance, his gaze sweeping over everyone. When it landed on the empty bowls in front of Wang Yue, his eyes shifted slightly, and his brows rose almost imperceptibly. But he said nothing, only calling out to everyone, "Finish up and follow me to the training ground!"

Wang Yue followed the crowd to the training ground. The bluestone slabs gleamed coldly in the morning light. The direct disciples were still absent.

Wang Yue didn't rush to join a group. Instead, he quietly sensed the changes within his body.

He tried clenching his fist. His strength didn't seem much greater than yesterday, but the difference was that his strength felt like flowing water, able to quickly gather in his arm according to his will. When he punched, Qi and Blood naturally surged towards his fist.

When he retracted his fist, Qi and Blood slowly settled back into his lower abdomen without any obstruction.

"Is this martial arts?"

Wang Yue was both surprised and delighted.

Before, practicing martial arts was just mechanical imitation. Now, he truly felt the mystery of Qi and Blood moving with his fists.

He mused that if he could maintain this pace, it wouldn't be long before he could truly condense Qi and Blood and surpass some of the direct disciples.

"Everyone stand properly! Begin practicing Harmonious Flow Fist!"

Wang He's voice cut through Wang Yue's thoughts.

Everyone quickly formed ranks. Wang Yue went to the end of the line, adjusted his breathing, and followed Wang He's commands to practice his punches.

He no longer deliberately hid his strength, but he also didn't reveal the true essence of his mastery. He merely kept his movements smooth and flowing. The Splitting Waves Hand drew arcs naturally, the 疊浪拳 steps were steady, and the Harmonious Flow Strike delivered precise force. Every movement was flawless.

With the boost from his Martial Soul experience, his fist techniques seemed to have been tempered a thousand times. They appeared ordinary, yet they exuded a steady strength. Every move adhered to the fundamental principles of Harmonious Flow Fist.

Wang He patrolled back and forth, his gaze sweeping over Wang Yue several times. The surprise in his eyes was even more pronounced than last time, but he still didn't stop.

After practicing for about an hour, Wang He finally called a halt.

As soon as everyone stopped, a few side disciples surrounded them, asking in a rush, "Brother Wang He, are there any tricks to practicing Harmonious Flow Fist? We always feel like we can't condense our Qi and Blood."

Wang He frowned, his tone impatient. "What tricks are there? Martial arts only come from hard training! Every movement, whether active or still, is the Way of Martial Arts. Only by practicing every move until it's ingrained in your bones can you progress quickly!"

After speaking, he waved his hand, telling everyone to figure it out themselves, and turned to leave.

Those few side disciples gave an awkward smile.

Wang Yue stood in place, silently replaying Wang He's words. Although Wang He's attitude was poor, what he said was the truth.

The Martial Soul had given him the experience of mastery, but if he didn't practice diligently and transform that experience into true instinct, he wouldn't be able to truly grasp Harmonious Flow Fist.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the training ground.

Steward Hu was reporting in a low voice to Wang Hu, "There's a side disciple in the backyard named Wang Yue who ate the amount of several people for breakfast today. His Qi and Blood consumption is likely much faster than others."

Wang Hu leaned against a wooden post, playing with a jade pendant in his hand. Upon hearing this, he casually waved his hand. "What's so special about a large appetite? Among the side disciples, there are those who eat four or five portions in one meal."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. "Practicing martial arts relies on comprehension talent and root bone talent. Being able to practice Harmonious Flow Fist to the introductory level is the most crucial thing. A large appetite might just be greed."

Steward Hu smiled and said no more. "You should still go take a look. They are practicing more diligently today than usual."

Wang Hu nodded and followed Steward Hu into the training ground.

As soon as he entered the training grounds, Wang He approached, bowed to Wang Hu, and said, "Uncle Hu, I was just about to have them practice the Harmonious Flow Fist again."

"Mm, begin."

Wang Hu waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the disciples present.

There were many people on the field, their movements uneven. Some were still clumsily imitating, while others were clearly clueless.

Wang Hu's expression gradually became placid, but before long, his gaze suddenly stopped. At the end of the line, a youth's movements, though slow, were steady in every stance. In his every gesture, there was a hint of the essence of Harmonious Flow Fist.

That youth was Wang Yue.

Steward Hu followed Wang Hu's gaze and said with a smile, "Brother Hu, this is the Wang Yue I told you about."

Wang Hu stroked his chin, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, before returning to his calm demeanor. "He has some comprehension talent, I suppose."

He looked a few more times, watching Wang Yue's fist techniques, and didn't say anything further, as if he had thought of something.

Turning, he instructed Wang He, "Keep a close eye on them, don't let them slack off."

With that, he turned and left the training grounds.

The sun climbed higher, casting its rays onto the bluestone slabs of the training grounds. Wang Yue's movements became increasingly fluid, and the Qi and Blood within him seemed to gather with his stances. Though faint, it was undeniably real.

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