The next day, while dawn was still dim, Wang Yuan got up.
When his parents and older sister looked at him, their eyes still held yesterday's dreamlike excitement and disbelief.
But more than that, there was a grounded sense of anticipation.
Madam Zhou rose early, wanting to make her son a proper breakfast, but Wang Yuan stopped her.
"Mother, don't trouble yourself. The Fist Academy provides meals."
Wang Yuan smiled and changed into the standard gray short training outfit of Panshi Fist Academy, which Second Senior Sister Zheng Ying had sent someone to deliver the previous evening.
The fabric was sturdy, and the tailoring fit well.
After putting it on, although Wang Yuan was still rather thin,
his straight back and calm eyes already gave off a capable air unlike before.
When he arrived at Panshi Fist Academy, the disciples standing guard at the entrance had clearly received instructions. Not only did they not stop him, they respectfully saluted him and called out, "Senior Brother Wang."
That was the status of a True Disciple.
The moment he entered the front courtyard, he saw Zheng Ying directing several servants as they arranged the breakfast tables.
When she saw Wang Yuan, a faint smile appeared on her cool face. She beckoned to him.
"Junior Brother, you came at just the right time. Have breakfast first."
The breakfast Panshi Fist Academy provided for True Disciples and Entry Stage disciples was naturally beyond anything ordinary families in the Outer City could compare with.
There were no delicacies from mountains and seas, but there were huge buckets of thick, fragrant millet porridge.
Baskets upon baskets of freshly steamed white-flour buns, still giving off steam, several dishes of refreshing pickles, and even a small basin of sliced braised meat—more than enough to fill anyone up.
Wang Yuan's heart stirred. Knowing these were all fine things for replenishing Vital Blood and energy, he did not stand on ceremony. After thanking her, he sat down.
With the pickles and braised meat, he ate three large bowls of porridge and five big steamed buns, only stopping when his stomach felt full and replete.
Even the black bead-shaped mark on his chest seemed to radiate a trace of satisfied warmth.
Zheng Ying watched from the side, surprise flashing through her eyes, but she did not ask anything.
She merely thought that this junior brother truly had quite an appetite. His Vital Blood must really be abundant.
After breakfast, Zheng Ying led Wang Yuan past the disciples in the front courtyard, who were being led by ordinary instructors and shouting as they practiced basic fist stances, straight toward the depths of the rear courtyard.
Those disciples practicing martial arts, especially those who had seen Wang Yuan yesterday, could not help following his back with their gazes, their eyes filled with envy and curiosity.
They had to train bitterly here for months, and only those who performed exceptionally might catch an instructor's eye and receive a little guidance.
Yet Wang Yuan had risen in a single step to the heavens, directly entering the inner courtyard they yearned for but could never reach.
The inner courtyard was far quieter than the front courtyard. Several ancient pines stood there, vigorous and gnarled, while smooth Blue Stone slabs paved the ground. Zheng Shan, the academy master, was already standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, waiting for them.
"Master." Wang Yuan stepped forward and respectfully bowed.
Zheng Shan turned around, his gaze sweeping over Wang Yuan. Seeing that he was full of spirit and his Vital Blood was steady, he nodded slightly, satisfaction showing in his eyes.
"Mm. From today onward, you will cultivate Panshi Fist here under me."
Zheng Shan's voice was not loud, but it carried authority.
"Panshi Fist is the foundation of our Fist Academy. It values intent over form, and its core lies in one word: stability. Stand like an enormous rock, unmoving and unshakable."
"At higher levels, Vital Blood becomes like mercury, sinews and bones ring in unison, and every punch and kick bears the might to split steles and shatter stone."
Zheng Shan paused slightly. Seeing Wang Yuan's focused expression, he continued his explanation.
"Panshi Fist can broadly be divided into four realms according to one's degree of mastery: Entry Stage, Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, and Perfection."
"At Entry Stage, one is familiar with the moves, and Vital Blood can begin to circulate with the momentum of one's fists. That counts as touching the threshold."
"At Minor Accomplishment, the fist stance is steady and Vital Blood flows smoothly. Every move has taken on its initial form; one's feet take root, and three to five sturdy men will find it difficult to approach."
"At Major Accomplishment, Fist Intent first emerges, Vital Blood surges, and the strength of sinews and bones begins to unify. When a fist is thrown, it carries the roar of wind and thunder, capable of splitting steles and shattering stone!"
"As for Perfection..."
A trace of recollection and gravity flashed through Zheng Shan's eyes.
"That is when the momentum of the fist is fused into the marrow. With a thought, Vital Blood, sinews, and bones become one whole. Still, one is still; once one moves, it is like an earth dragon turning over, unstoppable! Every gesture carries tremendous power."
His tone shifted as he linked the realm of fist techniques to a martial artist's cultivation. "The realm of a fist technique is also closely connected to one's martial cultivation."
"The road of a martial artist begins with Blood Exchange."
"Upon completing the First Blood Change, Vital Blood transforms and the body grows stronger. This corresponds to the Minor Accomplishment realm of Panshi Fist."
"At the Second Blood Change, Vital Blood is further condensed, while sinews and bones undergo a deeper tempering. This corresponds to Major Accomplishment in the fist technique."
"At the Third Blood Change, Vital Blood becomes like mercury, the marrow is full, and the body reaches an entirely new height. This corresponds to the Perfection realm of the fist technique!"
Zheng Shan looked at Wang Yuan, his tone carrying both warning and expectation. "Your natural endowments are exceptional, and your Vital Blood has been vigorous since birth. That is your advantage."
"But remember, one's foundation is the most important thing."
"You must train Panshi Fist solidly, one step at a time, comprehend its true meaning, and guide your own Vital Blood through transformation after transformation. You must never aim too high and reach beyond yourself."
Wang Yuan nodded solemnly. "This disciple understands. I will keep my feet on the ground and cultivate diligently without ceasing."
Zheng Shan nodded in satisfaction, then said, "Since you have entered under my tutelage, there are some matters you should know."
"Gaoye City's powers are tangled together like roots and branches. You must have a clear understanding of them."
He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze seeming to pierce through the courtyard walls toward the Inner City.
"In Gaoye City, the greatest powers are naturally the Three Great Families entrenched in the Inner City—the Gao Family, the Ye Family, and the Huang Family, which rose to prominence in recent decades."
"The Gao and Ye Families are the foundation upon which Gaoye City was built. Their roots run deep, their heritage is profound, and they control many of the city's industries. Their clans are filled with experts."
"The name 'Gaoye' in Gaoye City comes from these two surnames."
"As for the Huang Family..."
Zheng Shan's tone grew slightly grave. "Although they are newly risen nobles who emerged only within the last fifty years, their momentum is fierce. Their clan members also act rather tyrannically, and their conflicts with the Gao and Ye Families never cease."
"All three families have experts above Force Entry overseeing them. They are the true rulers of Gaoye City."
"Force Entry?"
Wang Yuan caught this unfamiliar term.
Zheng Shan waved his hand.
"That realm is still far too distant for you. After Third Blood Change Perfection, one condenses Vital Blood and gives birth to the more wondrous Force Power. At that time, one's strength undergoes a qualitative transformation."
"For now, there is no need for you to think too much about it."
He continued, "Below the Inner City are the major martial halls of the Outer City. Our Panshi Fist Academy is one of them."
"There are also Flowing Cloud Martial Hall, Mountain Severing Sect, and others. Every group has its own unique strengths."
"Their hall masters and sect masters are mostly skilled Force Entry practitioners as well. They count as the top powers of the Outer City, cooperating and competing with one another."
"As for those below them..."
There was a trace of disdain in Zheng Shan's voice.
"They are gangs and the like, relying on a little brute force to gather a rabble, bully commoners, and collect tribute."
"Their gang leaders are said to be merely martial artists who have completed one or two Blood Exchanges. They cannot be displayed on any proper stage."
"If not for concerns that they might be tied to the interests of certain people in the Inner City, they would have long since been swept away."
When mentioning the Black Tiger Gang, Zheng Shan deliberately glanced at Wang Yuan, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
"Yuan'er, now that you have entered the academy, you should place cultivation first."
"As for a few clowns leaping about on the stage, once your fist technique has achieved success, there will naturally come a day to settle accounts. There is no need to rush and lower your own standing."
Wang Yuan's heart tightened. He knew Teacher had seen the Killing Intent he held toward the Black Tiger Gang and was warning him. He immediately said respectfully,
"This disciple will obey Master's teachings."
"Mm."
Zheng Shan said no more.
"Now I will teach you to practice Panshi Fist!"
"Watch carefully!"
Zheng Shan gave a low shout, his body sinking slightly. Without seeming to make any particular preparatory motion,
he somehow seemed to become one with the earth beneath his feet in an instant. A presence as steady as mountains naturally spread from him.
He slowly raised his hands and began demonstrating the fist stance of Panshi Fist.
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