Blood Nourishing Stance Breakthrough

"Yes, that's right." Gu Yang nodded calmly.

It seemed that although Li Zhiwu knew Gu Yang had defeated Xiahou Ji with seven punches, he did not know that Gu Yang had been defending for the first six...

They were both seven punches, yet there was a fundamental difference between them.

Of course, there was no need for Li Zhiwu to know that. It would be too much of a blow to the boy's confidence.

After giving it some thought, Gu Yang looked Li Zhiwu straight in the eye and said earnestly, "Maybe while you were working hard, I wasn't wasting my time either, so I improved faster!"

"But I train for a full six shichen every day. Do you train even longer than I do?" Li Zhiwu's face was full of bewilderment and confusion.

Six shichen...

Understanding dawned on Gu Yang. No wonder Li Zhiwu's progress had been so tremendous after only a few days apart. He had been secretly working hard, intending to astonish everyone.

Six shichen was indeed no small amount, by all rights.

Even Gu Yang only trained for eight shichen a day...

Of course, Gu Yang could keep going for longer, but he could not sustain it over time.

Even if his body could take it, his mind could not.

Besides, sleeping, walking, and various other matters took up roughly four shichen every day.

Still, there was no need to tell Li Zhiwu that either. Children ought to train while also having fun; going too hard was not good.

Ignoring Li Zhiwu's confusion, Gu Yang stepped forward and pulled him to his feet. Then he gave his shoulder a heavy pat and said solemnly, "Being strong first doesn't mean you'll stay strong. Don't lose heart. You're still young—the future belongs to you!"

"..."

Seemingly fired up with fighting spirit once more, Li Zhiwu left without looking back, determined to wipe away his former disgrace.

Gu Yang did not pay it any mind and simply continued practicing his stance training.

Again and again, he practiced; time and time again, he reflected.

Time always passed quickly when one focused on a single task. By the time Gu Yang felt his strength nearing exhaustion and stopped his stance training to rest, he discovered that the sun had already tilted westward, hanging low among the distant mountains.

Without his noticing, another day had quietly slipped away.

The bell rang from deep within the Martial Academy at just the right time. The disciples, whether resting and chatting or sparring with one another, all rose and headed toward the exit of the Training Ground.

Watching the disciples' faces light up with smiles, as excited as elementary school students hearing the dismissal bell in his previous life, Gu Yang took a deep breath and calmed his roiling blood and qi. Once his heartbeat had steadied, he followed the crowd out at an unhurried pace.

Near Nine Bends Ward, Gu Yang brushed past two City Guards. He was in a hurry to get home and did not notice the two guards turning back to watch him.

"Fifth Brother, those are Wild Ox Leather Boots on that kid's feet, right?"

"Yeah. A pair of boots like that is worth at least three taels of silver."

"That kid lives in Nine Bends Ward. Where did he get so much money?"

"Why not find a chance to ask him?"

"Good point. Heh heh..."

The sun set, and the moon climbed above the branches.

A dim yellow oil lamp lit the cramped room. Gu Yang's family of four sat gathered around an old wooden table, upon which rested a large earthenware bowl nearly two chi across, filled to the brim with pork, dried vegetables, and stewed vermicelli.

That evening, Gu Yang's family ate coarse rice along with that huge bowl of stew.

Though there were more vegetables than meat, the broth still shimmered with floating oil.

Gu Dashan leaned over the earthenware bowl and took a deep breath, his face immediately filling with satisfaction.

"Smells wonderful!"

He picked up a wooden ladle, scooped a spoonful of meat broth, and poured it over the rice in his bowl. Seeing Gu Yingying eagerly raise her bowl high, he smiled and ladled a spoonful each over hers and Gu Mother's bowls as well.

Ever since that night when they had spoken openly with their son, Gu Dashan and Gu Mother had finally dared to cook meat dishes regularly.

However, they only spent the money Gu Yang had earned during this period. They still had not touched the family's previous savings, reserving them as a safeguard for emergencies.

Under the lamplight, Gu Dashan and the other two all held the same posture.

They held their bowls in hand, their chopsticks darting back and forth between the earthenware bowl and their rice bowls. A bite of rice, a bite of stew—they ate in great mouthfuls. Only Gu Yang had nothing in front of him but a bowl of water.

After taking a Military Rations Pill, it was best not to eat. This was experience passed down by their predecessors, and Gu Yang naturally would not turn a blind eye to it.

For the past seven days, he had been doing the same, and his family had long grown used to it.

Though he did not eat, he still stayed to accompany the three of them during the meal.

After training at the Martial Academy for the entire day, this brief rest served as a way to relax.

At last, after watching the three of them fish all the vegetables from the earthenware bowl and pour the meat broth into their rice bowls to slurp down with loud gulps, Gu Yang rose and walked outside. Beneath the bright moon, he continued practicing his stance training.

The sun rose.

The sun set.

The following evening, at the Training Ground.

After completing a set of stance training, Gu Yang let out a long breath and finally stopped.

Skill 'Blood Nourishing Stance' proficiency +1

The small text drifted past. Gu Yang glanced at it, then closed his eyes and focused ahead.

In an instant, two lines of text appeared.

Skill: Blood Nourishing Stance · Minor Mastery (200/200); Azure Dragon Dance · Minor Mastery (95/1000)

Talent: Vitality Surge, Power Surge.

After this period of arduous training, the proficiency for the Minor Mastery stage of Blood Nourishing Stance had finally filled.

Next, he only needed to keep practicing until the stance training broke through!

"Exhale..."

"Inhale..."

Eyes closed, mind focused, he quietly sensed the rhythm of his breathing.

Chest raised, arms lifted, legs spread shoulder-width apart—he assumed the opening stance of the Blood Nourishing Stance Art.

A thread of cold wind swept past, yet Gu Yang remained standing.

The Martial Academy's bell suddenly rang. The other disciples began leaving one after another, but Gu Yang turned a deaf ear.

That morning, he had anticipated that he might break through that night. He had therefore told Gu Dashan in advance not to wait for him at the entrance; he would return on his own later.

The Martial Academy gradually fell quiet, while Gu Yang maintained the opening stance without moving.

Until...

At a certain moment, when his breathing rhythm aligned with the opening stance, Gu Yang suddenly opened his eyes.

His feet slid, and in an instant he shifted from stillness to motion. The movements of his hands unfolded like drifting clouds and flowing water.

Swinging his arms, sinking his shoulders, bending his legs...

Crack, crack~

Streams of force gathered within his body. His bones and joints trembled and ground against one another, while his stamina rapidly drained away.

Gu Yang's face showed neither joy nor sorrow as he continued practicing the stance training with unwavering focus.

One step after another paired with one movement after another, all in concert with his ever-changing breathing rhythm.

Before he knew it, the three stance forms and forty-eight movements had all been completed, leaving only the final closing movement.

His movements shifted once more, and the foot he had stepped out with withdrew at the proper moment.

Inhale, close the form.

Gu Yang suddenly shut his eyes and stopped moving, standing there quietly and motionlessly.

At that moment, he was the only person left in the empty Training Ground.

Silent and dim.

A tranquil atmosphere had quietly arisen at some unknown time.

"Exhale..."

He let out a long breath and opened his eyes, which were now brimming with joy.

His strength was beginning to rise. The Blood Nourishing Stance Art had broken through!

The next instant, two lines of small text flashed before his eyes, confirming his judgment.

Skill 'Blood Nourishing Stance' proficiency +1

Skill 'Blood Nourishing Stance' realm has broken through. Potential being developed...