Soaring Dragon Palm

In the small courtyard, Lu Ming and Old Man Zhao ate and chatted.

"It seems your trip into the mountains this time was very fruitful. Not only has your saber technique become sharper and more concise, but you've also come to realize your own shortcomings."

Old Man Zhao took a hearty drink of wine with his fresh venison, then patted his clothes and stood up.

"Since I've eaten your meat, I can't just take without giving anything back. I'll teach you a palm technique to supplement your hand skills."

"Old man, you don't have to..."

Although Lu Ming knew Old Man Zhao was no ordinary person and was skilled in many cultivation methods and martial arts, he had never asked to learn anything.

The other party had already helped him too much, teaching him to read and letting him access his library.

He worried he might never be able to repay the kindness.

However, Old Man Zhao said, "It's just a Human-tier Mid-grade palm technique. Watch closely."

Without giving Lu Ming a chance to speak again, Old Man Zhao leaped to the center of the courtyard and began demonstrating the palm technique.

Perhaps to test Lu Ming's eyesight, Old Man Zhao performed the palm technique at an extremely fast speed. Combined with his movement technique, his palms moved with his body, like a soaring dragon.

In an instant, the entire small courtyard was filled with palm shadows.

Lu Ming could tell that this palm technique was both flexible and varied, yet also possessed fierce and domineering power.

It was an extremely profound palm technique.

After finishing the set, Old Man Zhao retracted his stance and stood still. "This palm technique is called [Soaring Dragon Palm]. It has three killing moves and thirty-six variations. How much did you remember?"

As soon as Old Man Zhao finished, Lu Ming's Jade Pendant inside his body had already finished recording. After one demonstration, it transmitted the information to his mind.

So, when Old Man Zhao asked, Lu Ming stood up and said, "I remembered it all."

"Good. Then show me."

Old Man Zhao wasn't too surprised.

Lu Ming then performed the palm technique. Although he wasn't as fast as Old Man Zhao, he was very fluid, proving he had indeed remembered it.

"Excellent, excellent. You've remembered the moves. Now I'll teach you the circulation routes."

Old Man Zhao stroked his beard with satisfaction and then transmitted the circulation routes for [Soaring Dragon Palm]. Lu Ming quickly memorized them.

The Jade Pendant transmitted again.

This time, there was much more content, but Lu Ming didn't have time to look at it yet.

Because Old Man Zhao spoke again, continuing, "Although this [Soaring Dragon Palm] is only a Human-tier Mid-grade palm technique, it is far from simple."

As he spoke, he walked to a large rock in the courtyard and struck it three times in rapid succession.

Lu Ming recognized these three palms. They were the three killing moves from [Soaring Dragon Palm]: Heartbreak Strike, Head Smash Strike, and Dragon Emerges From Sea Strike.

He just didn't understand what Old Man Zhao was trying to demonstrate by striking the rock.

But he soon found out. After being struck three times, the rock emitted three explosive sounds after a short while, and then shattered completely.

"Hidden Strength!"

The words suddenly appeared in Lu Ming's mind.

"Correct. It is indeed Hidden Strength."

Old Man Zhao clapped his hands and explained, "As you know, those in the Nei Qi Realm cannot project their Inner Qi externally to unleash palm energy from a distance. However, [Soaring Dragon Palm] is extraordinary. While it cannot project palm energy from a distance, it can deliver three bursts of force upon contact."

"Thank you for teaching me, Old Man Zhao."

After listening, Lu Ming realized how extraordinary this palm technique was and quickly expressed his gratitude.

"Why be so formal between us?"

Old Man Zhao waved his hand dismissively. "I'm teaching you this palm technique simply because I find you likable, and I'm not asking you to do anything in return."

"Also, you can just call me 'old man' from now on; it's more familiar."

Hearing this, Lu Ming had nothing more to say. He silently noted this kindness, intending to repay it when the opportunity arose.

Afterward, the two returned to the dining table and continued eating and chatting for another half an hour before finishing.

In the days that followed, Lu Ming returned to his regular routine. Besides cultivation, he would also go to the Shuofeng Mountain Range for trials.

By this time, more than two months had passed since his first return from the Shuofeng Mountain Range.

During this period, his cultivation speed had slowed down, and he had only broken through two layers, reaching the eighth level of the Nei Qi Realm.

In terms of martial arts, his saber technique, palm technique, and lightness skill had all made significant progress. The newly learned [Soaring Dragon Palm] had long been mastered.

As for speed, he could now leap up to forty meters in a single step.

Besides these, it was worth mentioning that about half a month after his first return from the Shuofeng Mountain Range, Dugu Mingri, whom he had met by chance, found him again.

At that time, Dugu Mingri had already successfully broken through and become a Martial Artist in the Zhen Qi Realm.

According to him, "Thank goodness, I finally broke through before turning sixteen."

And his visit that time was not only to share the joy of his breakthrough but also to bid farewell. Having successfully broken through to the Zhen Qi Realm, he was going to join the Jade Luo Sect. The Dugu Family had an uncle who served as an outer sect elder there.

Within the Zhao Kingdom, there were quite a few ranked powers, but only three reached the seventh rank.

The Jade Luo Sect was one of them.

With Dugu Mingri's talent, plus an uncle who was an outer sect elder, it shouldn't be difficult to be accepted.

Lu Ming naturally offered his congratulations and, thinking of the Qi Recovery Pills the other had gifted him, pulled him to a restaurant to celebrate his breakthrough and, at the same time, see him off.

The next day, he left Shuofeng City for the Jade Luo Sect.

Once again, he returned fully loaded from the Shuofeng Mountain Range, and along the way, the gazes of passersby held a hint more reverence.

Lu Ming had gained some renown during this period; after all, not everyone had his kind of harvest each time.

Lu Ming wanted to keep a low profile, but there was no helping it. Without a Storage Ring, he could only carry his goods openly through the streets.

He knew trouble would come eventually. As expected, shortly after entering the city this time, his path was blocked.

"Little brother, your strength is impressive. Are you interested in joining our Black Tiger Gang?"

The one who blocked Lu Ming was a lean old man wearing a cap and fanning himself with a folding fan. He was very old, but his cultivation wasn't high, only at the ninth level of the Nei Qi Realm.

However, he was followed by a group of people, all stout and strong, with the lowest cultivation being at the fourth level of the Nei Qi Realm.

If Lu Ming had gone near the tomb of Old Man Heavenly Saber last time, he would have encountered this group earlier, but now he didn't recognize them.

The surrounding people, however, were very aware of this group's background and began whispering upon seeing this scene:

"That's Advisor Liu from the Black Tiger Gang. I didn't expect him to target this young brother."

"It's probably an order from the Black Tiger Gang's Sect Leader. This is trouble; the Black Tiger Gang is not to be trifled with."

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

Lu Ming, with his keen hearing and sharp eyesight, naturally heard the surrounding discussions and wasn't afraid. He directly refused.

With that, he prepared to step around the group and leave.

But the old man blocked him again with his folding fan, "Wait a moment, little brother. Our Sect Leader greatly admires you and has heard that you live quite frugally."

"So, to show our sincerity, we've specially arranged a luxurious courtyard for you in the west of the city."

"As long as you agree to join the Black Tiger Gang and work for our Sect Leader, you can move in immediately."

Lu Ming could tell there was a veiled threat in the words about finding out where he lived, so his voice turned cold:

"Sorry, still not interested."

Advisor Liu frowned upon hearing this. Immediately, a burly man at the eighth level of the Nei Qi Realm, wielding a tiger-headed iron staff, stepped forward from behind him. "I see you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Take this staff!"