"Panshi Fist... I should count as having reached the Entry Stage."
In an instant, the entire inner courtyard fell deathly silent.
The gentle smile on Zheng Shan's face froze at once, and the encouragement and comfort he was about to offer caught in his throat.
Beside him, Shi Long's mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg, his eyes bulging like bronze bells.
Even Zheng Ying, who was usually cool and composed, suddenly covered her mouth with a hand, her beautiful eyes filled with utter shock and disbelief.
"Y-you... what did you say?"
Zheng Shan's voice trembled with disbelief.
He darted forward in a single stride, his lean yet powerful hand clamping onto Wang Yuan's wrist as a stream of pure Force Power instantly probed within.
The next moment, Zheng Shan's body jolted violently as though struck by lightning, and he froze where he stood!
He could clearly sense that deep within Wang Yuan's surging, vast, and vigorous qi and blood—
A thread of unique airflow, faint yet incomparably condensed, was darting about with the agility of a swimming fish.
Th-this was clearly the sign that Panshi Fist had reached the Entry Stage and successfully nurtured one's own qi and blood.
Moreover, the purity of this strand of qi and blood far surpassed that of any disciple he had ever seen who had just entered the gate!
"He really... really reached the Entry Stage..."
Zheng Shan withdrew his hand and muttered to himself. The way he looked at Wang Yuan was as though he were looking at a monster, filled with incomprehensible shock.
"One afternoon... just one afternoon..."
After hearing their master's personal confirmation, Shi Long and Zheng Ying stood rooted to the spot like clay statues, their minds utterly blank.
One afternoon to nurture qi and blood and enter the Fist Technique!
What kind of horrifying cultivation speed was this?
Could High Grade Bone Structure truly be this terrifying?
Wang Yuan merely smiled faintly at his speechless master and senior brother and sister. He said nothing more.
He knew this was only the beginning.
With Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone and the Talent Bead, his martial path was destined to surpass everyone's imagination.
The deathly silence lasted for several breaths.
Zheng Shan's chest heaved violently a few times before he forcibly suppressed the overwhelming shock churning within him like rivers and seas.
He had lived for most of his life, yet he had never seen such monstrous talent!
Entering the gate in one afternoon? Who would dare believe that if it were told?
Even the direct-line geniuses cultivated with every resource the Three Great Families of the Inner City could provide would never possess such speed.
But he knew well that young people were most prone to arrogance because of talent, and that was a great taboo in the martial path.
He had to give Wang Yuan a warning, even if it sounded so... utterly lacking in confidence.
The shocked look on Zheng Shan's face swiftly vanished, and he put on a stern expression once more.
He gave a deliberately indifferent snort, stroked a nonexistent long beard, and said in a tone that seemed nostalgic but was actually guilty:
"Mm... your speed is acceptable. You have... not disgraced your bone structure."
"But do not grow complacent. Back when your master first learned this Panshi Fist, I merely... mm..."
"Observed it for a moment, and qi and blood arose on its own, as naturally as water flowing into a channel."
Once he finished speaking, even he felt his face grow a little hot.
Back then, hadn't it taken him half a month to reach the Entry Stage...
Shi Long and Zheng Ying's mouths twitched slightly. They lowered their heads, desperately suppressing the strange expressions that nearly burst forth.
Their master's bragging was... far too outrageous.
With Wang Yuan's keen mind, he naturally saw through his master's intentions and forced composure.
He found it secretly amusing, but his expression remained respectful.
"Master's talent is peerless. This disciple falls far short. I will certainly guard against arrogance and impatience, and cultivate diligently."
Seeing that Wang Yuan was respectful and showed not the slightest pride over entering the gate so quickly, Zheng Shan felt slightly relieved and became even more satisfied.
He turned to Zheng Ying and instructed, "Ying'er, bring that bowl of Nourishing Origin Soup."
Zheng Ying answered and left. Before long, she returned carrying a warm jade bowl filled with amber-colored medicinal liquid, giving off a rich herbal fragrance mixed with a faint fishy smell.
It had clearly been infused with the essence of some Monster Beast Materials.
"Nurturing qi and blood is only the first step."
"Afterward, you must continuously nourish and strengthen your qi and blood with medicinal substances, allowing it to fill your body. Only once it reaches its limit can you stir your qi and blood into cleansing your marrow and complete the First Blood Change."
Zheng Shan explained.
"This bowl of Nourishing Origin Soup can help stabilize your newly born qi and blood, while providing a slight boost."
"Drink it."
Wang Yuan accepted it with both hands, thanked him, then tilted his head back and drained it without hesitation.
The medicine was faintly bitter when it entered his throat, but it quickly transformed into a warm current that flowed into his abdomen before spreading through his limbs and bones.
The black bead-shaped mark on his chest grew faintly warm. His newly born Rock-Solid Qi and Blood seemed to receive nourishment, becoming like a little snake injected with vitality—more active, more condensed, and faintly greater in quantity.
[Energy Absorption in Progress... Current Energy: (2/100)]
A vague sensation flashed through his mind.
A trace of realization flickered in Wang Yuan's eyes.
Sure enough, after stepping onto the martial path, ordinary food could no longer provide nearly enough energy. He had to rely on medicinal herbs and Monster Beast Meat containing abundant essence.
It seemed that the massive energy required for the Talent Bead's next awakening would also have to be obtained this way.
The night deepened, and stars and moon emerged.
Wang Yuan bade farewell to his master, senior brother, and senior sister, then left Panshi Fist Academy.
As he walked down streets that were gradually quieting, the night wind brushed against his slightly damp training clothes, bringing a hint of chill.
Yet the newly born qi and blood within him flowed slowly, bringing waves of warmth.
He did not immediately return home to Bluestone Alley.
In his mind surfaced the arrogant, overbearing face of Song San, the rat-whiskered thug from yesterday, along with the lecherous gaze he had cast toward Wang Yu, Wang Yuan's older sister.
Had Senior Disciple Brother not arrived in time, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Now, his Panshi Fist had entered the gate, and he had nurtured his own qi and blood, officially stepping across the threshold of a martial artist.
Coupled with the physique, strength, and reactions far beyond ordinary people granted by Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone...
"Song San of the Black Tiger Gang..."
A cold gleam flashed through Wang Yuan's eyes like icy lightning slicing through the night.
The Black Tiger Gang was powerful, and its leader Zhao Hu was a Blood Exchange Realm martial artist. Wang Yuan still could not confront him head-on.
But collecting a little interest first—slaughtering that vicious dog that was always barking before his eyes—might not be impossible!
It was also the perfect chance to familiarize himself with his greatly increased strength and test the power of Panshi Fist through real combat.
Killing someone meant nothing in these chaotic times.
If he had not displayed his talent in time, joined Panshi Fist Academy, and received Zheng Shan's protection—
The Wang Family would likely have already been driven to ruin by the Black Tiger Gang.
It was not that this debt would go unpaid. The time simply had not yet come.
Having made up his mind, Wang Yuan turned his steps away from home and melted into the deeper night of the Outer City.
Relying on the original owner's memories and the sharp senses granted by Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, he moved through the alleys like a ghost, his target clear.
Along the way, he bought a small bag of chili powder from a roadside general store.
Then Wang Yuan went to lie in wait near several gambling dens and taverns Song San frequented.
Even the newly born Rock-Solid Qi and Blood in his chest quietly began circulating faster through his body.
Tonight, Wang Yuan would see blood.
Before you continue