Zhao Tie pondered inwardly. He admitted that Fang Yuan was extraordinarily gifted, and even felt that his potential might rival Yuan Feng, who had once dazzled the world with his talent.
But to say that merely observing the Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain Picture would allow him to comprehend a one-of-a-kind method of Qi induction—
Deep down, he still harbored some doubts.
This doubt was not directed at Fang Yuan, but stemmed from the picture itself.
What kind of man was Chen Zhengyang? The moment he caught that barely perceptible hesitation between Zhao Tie's brows, he understood what his eldest disciple was thinking.
He did not grow angry. Instead, his gaze returned to the quiet room, as though it could pierce through the door—
And see Fang Yuan within, undergoing a crucial transformation. His voice carried the grave weight of one who had weathered countless years.
"Tiezi, do you think your master has placed too much hope in this picture, perhaps even become... obsessed with it?"
Zhao Tie hurriedly bowed. "This disciple would not dare!"
Chen Zhengyang waved a hand, signaling that he need not be nervous, and said slowly,
"Do you know that the Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber Technique of our Zhengyang Martial Arts School has been selecting its inheritors from the very moment they enter?"
His gaze grew distant, as if he had returned to many years ago. "Ordinary martial arts schools teach their students hoping they will master their moves and increase their strength as quickly as possible.
"But my saber technique demands Five Stances Combined Training as its first step.
"Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain, Starving Tiger Pounces on Prey, Black Tiger Digs Out the Heart, Raging Tiger Pierces the Forest, Vicious Tiger Wags its Tail—the five stances must be cultivated simultaneously.
"One must comprehend