Gaoye City's Landscape, Martial Arts Realms

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Wang Yuan got up.

When his parents and older sister looked at him, their eyes still held the excitement and disbelief of the previous day, as if it were a dream.

But more than that, there was a sense of solid expectation.

Madam Zhou had woken up early, wanting to make her son a decent breakfast, but Wang Yuan stopped her.

"Mother, no need to busy yourself. The academy provides meals."

Wang Yuan smiled and changed into the standard grey short-sleeved uniform for the Panshi Fist Academy that his second senior sister, Zheng Ying, had sent over the night before.

The fabric was sturdy, and the cut was well-fitting.

After putting it on, although Wang Yuan's build was still slender.

His straight spine and calm eyes now exuded a sense of competence that was different from before.

When he arrived at the Panshi Fist Academy, the disciples on duty at the gate had clearly been informed. Not only did they not stop him, but they respectfully saluted him and called out, "Senior Brother Wang."

This was the status of a True Disciple.

As soon as he entered the front courtyard, he saw Zheng Ying directing a few servants to set up breakfast tables.

Upon seeing Wang Yuan, a faint smile appeared on her cool, clear face, and she beckoned him over:

"Little Junior Brother, you've arrived just in time. Have breakfast first."

The breakfast provided by the academy for True Disciples and beginners was naturally far superior to that of ordinary families in the outer city.

While it wasn't exotic delicacies, there was a large pot of thick, fragrant millet porridge.

Baskets of freshly steamed white steamed buns, still emitting heat, several dishes of refreshing pickled vegetables, and even a small basin of sliced braised meat. It was enough to fill everyone's stomachs.

Wang Yuan's heart stirred, knowing these were good for replenishing Blood Essence, and he didn't stand on ceremony. He thanked them and sat down.

He ate three large bowls of porridge and five large steamed buns with the pickled vegetables and braised meat, until he felt a satisfying fullness in his stomach.

The black bead-shaped mark on his chest seemed to emit a contented warmth, and only then did he stop.

Zheng Ying watched from the side, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she didn't ask further.

She just thought that her little junior brother had quite an appetite, and his Blood Essence must be truly abundant.

After breakfast, Zheng Ying led Wang Yuan, bypassing the disciples in the front courtyard who were practicing basic stances under the guidance of ordinary instructors, and headed directly towards the depths of the back courtyard.

The disciples who were practicing, especially those who had seen Wang Yuan yesterday, couldn't help but follow his retreating figure with their eyes, filled with envy and curiosity.

They had to train hard here for months, and only those who performed exceptionally well might be noticed by an instructor and receive some guidance.

Yet Wang Yuan had soared directly into the inner courtyard, a place they yearned for but could not reach.

The inner courtyard was much quieter than the front courtyard. Several ancient, vigorous pine trees were planted there, and the ground was paved with flat bluestone slabs. The courtyard master, Zheng Shan, was already standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, waiting for them.

"Master." Wang Yuan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Zheng Shan turned around, his gaze sweeping over Wang Yuan. Seeing that he was full of spirit and his Blood Essence was stable, he nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Good. From today onwards, you will practice 'Panshi Fist' here with me."

Zheng Shan's voice was not loud, but it carried authority.

"Panshi Fist is the foundation of our academy. It emphasizes intent over form, and the core lies in 'steadiness,' like a boulder standing firm, unmoving and unshaken."

"When practiced to a profound level, Blood Essence is like mercury, and muscles and bones resonate in unison. Every punch and every kick carries the power to crack stone!"

Zheng Shan paused slightly, looking at Wang Yuan's focused expression, and continued his explanation:

"Panshi Fist can be roughly divided into four realms based on the level of cultivation: Beginner, Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, and Perfection."

"For beginners, the movements are skilled, and Blood Essence can be initially circulated with the fist's momentum. They have touched the threshold."

"For Minor Accomplishment, the stance is steady, Blood Essence circulates smoothly, and each move and strike has taken shape. Your feet are rooted, and it's difficult for even three to five strong men to get close."

"For Major Accomplishment, the intent of the fist begins to manifest, Blood Essence surges, and the strength of muscles and bones is initially integrated. Fists are thrown with the sound of wind and thunder, capable of cracking stone!"

"As for Perfection..."

A trace of reminiscence and solemnity flashed in Zheng Shan's eyes.

"That is when the fist's momentum is integrated into the bone marrow. When the mind moves, Blood Essence, muscles, and bones become one. When still, it is stillness itself; when moving, it is like an earth dragon turning over, unstoppable! Every gesture carries immense power."

He shifted his tone, linking the realms of the fist technique with martial cultivation: "And these realms of the fist technique are also closely related to martial cultivation."

"The path of a martial artist begins with 'Blood Change'."

"The first successful Blood Change results in the transformation of Blood Essence and the strengthening of the physique, corresponding to the Minor Accomplishment realm of Panshi Fist."

"The second Blood Change further refines the Blood Essence, and the muscles and bones undergo a deeper tempering, corresponding to the Major Accomplishment realm of the fist technique."

"The third Blood Change makes Blood Essence like mercury, the bone marrow is filled, and the physique reaches a completely new height, corresponding to the Perfection realm of the fist technique!"

Zheng Shan looked at Wang Yuan, his tone carrying both admonishment and expectation: "Your innate talent is excellent, and your Blood Essence is naturally abundant. This is your advantage."

"But remember, the foundation is the most important."

"You must practice Panshi Fist step by step until it is solid, comprehend its true meaning, and guide your own Blood Essence through successive transformations. Do not aim too high and neglect the fundamentals."

Wang Yuan nodded solemnly: "Your disciple understands. I will certainly be down-to-earth and cultivate diligently."

Zheng Shan nodded in satisfaction, then added, "Since you've joined my tutelage, there are some things you should know."

"My Gaoye City is a place with deeply intertwined powers; you need to be aware of that."

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze seemingly piercing through the courtyard walls towards the inner city.

"The most powerful forces in Gaoye City are naturally the 'Three Great Families' residing in the inner city—the Gao Family, the Ye Family, and the Huang Family, which has risen in the last few decades."

"The Gao and Ye families are the very foundation of Gaoye City, deeply rooted with profound heritage. Many businesses in the city are controlled by them, and their clans are teeming with experts."

"The names 'Gao' and 'Ye' in 'Gaoye City' even originate from these two surnames."

"As for the Huang Family..."

Zheng Shan's tone grew serious. "Although they are a new power that emerged in the last fifty years, their momentum is incredibly strong. Their disciples act quite domineeringly, leading to constant friction with the Gao and Ye families."

"All three of these families have experts at the 'Entering Force' realm or above guarding them, and they are the true rulers of Gaoye City."

"Entering Force?"

Wang Yuan caught the new term.

Zheng Shan waved his hand.

"That realm is still too far for you. It comes after reaching Perfection in three Blood Changes, where one condenses Blood Essence to generate a more profound 'Force.' At that point, your strength will undergo a qualitative transformation."

"You don't need to think about it for now."

He continued his explanation. "Below the inner city are the major martial halls of the outer city, and my Panshi Fist Academy is one of them."

"There are also others like the 'Flowing Cloud Martial Hall' and 'Mountain Severing Sect,' each with its unique strengths."

"The hall masters and sect masters are often skilled fighters at the Entering Force realm, making them the top powers in the outer city. They cooperate with each other, but also compete."

"As for anything below that..."

Zheng Shan's tone carried a hint of disdain.

"There are gangs and the like, relying on a bit of brute force to gather a mob of undisciplined followers, bullying civilians, and extorting protection money."

"Their gang leaders, from what I've heard, are merely martial artists who have completed one or two Blood Changes. They're not worth mentioning."

"If it weren't for the concern that they might be linked to the interests of certain individuals in the inner city, I would have swept them away long ago."

Speaking of the Black Tiger Gang, Zheng Shan specifically glanced at Wang Yuan, implying something.

"Yuan'er, since you've joined my academy, you should focus on your cultivation."

"Those mere clowns, when your fist techniques reach mastery, there will be a time for reckoning. Don't rush it now, or you'll lower yourself."

Wang Yuan's heart tightened. He knew his teacher had seen through his murderous intent towards the Black Tiger Gang and was reminding him. He respectfully replied, "This disciple will strictly follow Master's teachings."

"Good."

Zheng Shan said no more.

"Now, I will teach you to practice Panshi Fist!"

"Watch closely!"

Zheng Shan let out a low shout, his body sinking slightly. Without any apparent preparation, His entire being seemed to instantly merge with the ground beneath him, exuding a stable aura like a mountain.

He slowly raised his hands, demonstrating the stances of Panshi Fist.