14 Escort Identity, Internal Cultivation Method

The sky had not yet brightened at the hour of Yin, and around the training grounds, the night's torches still crackled and burned.

Cui Yao looked at the burly young man before him, who was clearly not yet eighteen but looked to be in his early twenties, and was momentarily speechless.

He clearly remembered that the other man had been at the Escort Agency for less than a month, and had been practicing living stances and the Tiger Form Eight Styles for no more than ten days.

Even though the content of Tiger Form Fist wasn't complicated before learning the Internal Cultivation Method, this speed could still be compared to the disciples from wealthy families with excellent conditions in the inner city.

Could it be that the Chief Escort had truly recognized his talent and taken in a young genius?

"Whether it's controlling qi and blood, we'll know after a try."

Cui Yao placed his left hand behind his back and beckoned with his right, signaling Li Cunxiao to attack.

The stunned helpers nearby quickly cleared a circle of open space. Their eyes were fixed on the burly young man, filled with doubt and disbelief.

It must be fake, right?

Qin Yu's mouth was still open, but Run Dong, who was usually silent, reacted even more intensely than him.

It must be fake!

The latter forcefully pushed through the crowd, ignoring the shouts of others, and squeezed to the front row. His eyes were fixed on the arena, his teeth biting down hard on his lips.

Could it be real?!

He Bi was also at the very front of the onlookers, but his expression was as if he had randomly bought a lottery ticket on the street and won first prize, full of anticipation and excitement.

"Instructor Cui, I'm coming!"

Li Cunxiao let out a low shout. The moment he stepped forward, he immediately followed the method of practicing fists daily, gritting his teeth and glaring with fury, like a startled fierce tiger.

With the mobilization of his emotions, his breathing suddenly became rapid. A large amount of oxygen entered his blood, and his surging Blood Essence instantly became like a fueled engine, pushing more rapidly into his feet.

The distance of four to five meters was covered in the blink of an eye. At this moment, Li Cunxiao's legs had already swelled and thickened due to the augmentation of Blood Essence, tightly pressing against his trousers. Seeing that Cui Yao did not dodge, he suddenly stopped and shook his legs. Strength and Blood Essence instantly surged from bottom to top, through his waist and turning his shoulders. His five fingers and forearm instantly became engorged with blood, like iron hammers—

Tiger Leap Mountain!

His fist broke through the air and struck Cui Yao's unguarded abdomen. However, Li Cunxiao clearly felt that the other man's skin was exceptionally tough. This punch felt like hitting a cowhide drum, and a rebounding force struck him.

Cui Yao immediately grinned, "Put in more strength!"

Li Cunxiao remained silent, but his breathing through his mouth and nose became even more vigorous, like a large bellows. Using the rebounding force of this punch, he followed by turning and bending down. The Blood Essence he had infused into his fist instantly traveled from bottom to top, heading towards Cui Yao's head with his right foot. His muscles swelled and hardened, like iron rods, smashing down—

Tiger Swish Tail!

Seeing this, Cui Yao finally made a move.

He simply waved his hand lightly, as if swatting a fly. Li Cunxiao instantly felt himself lose balance, the world spinning. He quickly curled up his body and rolled out a zhang away like a tumbling gourd before using the momentum to flip himself up, looking at Cui Yao in surprise.

He was not injured at all, but it was precisely this that showed Cui Yao's strength was several levels higher than his.

"Has this Li Cunxiao broken through or not?"

"Look at his disheveled state, he definitely hasn't broken through."

"If you're stupid, talk less! Didn't you see that when Li Cunxiao exerted his strength just now, his every punch and kick was augmented by Blood Essence? Power Reaching the Four Extremities, Using Qi to Catalyze Strength, he has already achieved Minor Accomplishment in Tiger Form Fist!"

As the man spoke, he revealed a look of deep envy. Run Dong beside him, however, looked ashen.

He might not understand much, but the smile on the face of the usually strict Instructor Cui could not be fake.

Run Dong dejectedly pushed through the crowd.

He held no ill will towards Li Cunxiao; he was simply... unwilling.

Why wasn't it me standing there?

Qin Yu noticed this scene. Seeing that calling out didn't stop him, he decided to ignore it.

He just turned to look at Li Cunxiao and couldn't help but recall their interactions, thinking that he shouldn't have offended him, or rather, as roommates, their relationship was quite good, right?

Then, could this experience of breaking through Controlling Qi be shared? If he had some free time to have a drink together, perhaps...

He Bi was also a young man, and naturally, a little envy and jealousy couldn't be avoided, but he quickly cast it aside. Seeing Li Cunxiao look over, he even smiled and cupped his hands in congratulation.

Although his growth was unexpectedly fast, this was the potential stock he had his eye on. As a businessman, how could he resent his investment target?

Li Cunxiao also returned a smile to He Bi.

This was his angel investor.

Now that he had shown more potential, could he... ask for more money?

Cui Yao walked over, and for once, patted the young man's shoulder, grinning, "You've truly given me a surprise..."

"It's all thanks to Instructor Cui's excellent guidance."

Li Cunxiao remained respectful, showing no hint of complacency. He understood deeply that without the Vajra Scepter, breaking through Controlling Qi would not have been so easy.

However, Cui Yao was satisfied with his humility.

To become complacent after achieving a small success was not only arrogant but also foolish.

Fools did not live long in this world.

Moreover, learning the Internal Cultivation Method was not that easy.

"Old Man Qian, come here and take Li Cunxiao to get his clothes and waist token."

Cui Yao called over a horse-faced man in his thirties and gave him a few instructions before heading straight to the small courtyard where the young masters practiced their skills.

His elder brother, Cui Wei, was teaching martial arts there.

"Brother Li, follow me."

Li Cunxiao snapped back to attention and followed Old Man Qian through a maze of turns, arriving at the manager's office he had seen when he first entered the Escort Agency.

"Li Cunxiao, is that right? I remember you haven't been at the Escort Agency for even a month, only twenty-odd days?"

This time, the person's face showed a bit more enthusiasm. Old Man Qian, standing beside him, was also surprised and exclaimed eagerly:

"Becoming an Escort in less than a month, Brother Li, you're truly promising at such a young age! Once you learn the Internal Cultivation Method, you might even have a chance to break through to the Muscle and Tendon Realm and be taken in as a personal disciple by the Chief Escort!"

Li Cunxiao took note of this, while outwardly offering polite words of gratitude for the Escort Agency's cultivation.

In less than fifteen minutes, Manager Liu himself arrived, carrying a pile of items.

A black scarf (headband), black leather boots, a white cotton round-collar robe, and a cowhide belt—from which hung several small items essential for traveling.

These included a small knife for cutting meat, a whetstone for sharpening knives, a needle and thread for mending, and a flint pouch for starting fires, totaling seven items, known as the "Seven Necessities of the Belt."

In addition to these, the most striking item was a vermilion forehead band, embroidered with a winged tiger. This, along with the waist token, was the most significant indicator of status.

Li Cunxiao, tall and imposing in appearance, looked even more formidable in this attire, drawing continuous praise from the two men beside him.

"Brother Li, now that you're an Escort, your monthly salary will be ten taels of silver. Each escort mission will also have a bonus depending on the value of the goods being transported."

"Also, since you're an Escort, you won't have to squeeze into the communal dormitory with the other workers. If you're interested, the Escort Agency can commission an agent to help you find a well-located house at a reasonable price."

"In that case, I'll trouble you, Manager Liu."

Li Cunxiao possessed the Vajra Scepter, and there might be more secrets to uncover in the future. Living with others would be inconvenient, so he had already been planning to rent a place. Hearing this, he naturally went along with the suggestion.

As they left and headed towards the training grounds with Old Man Qian, he took the opportunity to ask:

"Brother Qian, you've traveled extensively and seen a lot. Could you tell me more about the Internal Cultivation Method and the Muscle and Tendon Realm you mentioned earlier?"