Initial Display!

As long as he practiced it seriously and completely once, he would definitely gain one point of proficiency!

That meant he only needed to practice nine more times to successfully get started!

What constrained him now was mainly silver.

Practicing martial arts consumed a great deal of the body's energy, so he needed to eat more meat.

It would be even better if he had medicinal supplements, but all of that required silver.

Without sufficient replenishment, blindly practicing too much would only harm his body.

Fang Chen came to the front courtyard and studied the fist manual for a while longer. There was a matching breathing technique inside that he needed to memorize.

He quickly committed the moves and breathing rhythm to memory.

Then he assumed a stance and continued practicing the Tiger Subduing Fist.

Fang Chen carefully performed each move and stance, unaware of the eyes watching him from afar.

A handsome, refined young man with clear brows and delicate features stood in a corner of the courtyard, observing the newly arrived Fang Chen.

"Senior Brother Wang, how are this newcomer's bones and talent?"

"Only middling at best. I don't see any need to befriend him."

The one who answered was the disciple who had just led Fang Chen to the inner courtyard.

He had been standing nearby when Hong Decheng examined Fang Chen's bones, so he naturally knew that Fang Chen's aptitude was quite ordinary.

In his view, disciples like Fang Chen would leave the martial arts hall on their own after a few months. There was no need to build any connection with him.

Yet the handsome young man shook his head and walked toward Fang Chen.

Fang Chen had just finished practicing a full set of the Tiger Subduing Fist.

Tiger Subduing Fist Proficiency +1

Martial Arts: Tiger Subduing Fist (Not Yet Initiated 2/10)

He felt that every time he finished practicing, a stream of experience would emerge in his mind, helping him correct his mistakes and adjust his posture.

This kind of positive feedback—improving immediately after practice—felt incredibly satisfying.

Just then, he saw a young master walking over.

"Junior Brother, you've just arrived at the martial arts hall. Are you adapting well?"

"My name is Qin Yun. You may call me Senior Brother Qin. If you have any problems in the future, you can come find me."

A gentle smile appeared on Qin Yun's face. He did not look down on Fang Chen because of his poor aptitude.

Fang Chen smiled and cupped his hands. "I am Fang Chen. Greetings, Senior Brother Qin."

Qin Yun nodded in satisfaction, then took a box from his robes.

"These are several Qi and Blood Pills. I see that Junior Brother seems to come from a poor family, so you should have greater need for these."

Fang Chen was somewhat surprised.

After thinking it over, he felt that he truly needed such things right now. He accepted the box without refusing.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother! I'll remember this favor."

Qin Yun laughed heartily, patted Fang Chen on the shoulder, then turned and left.

Wang Yanshan was deeply puzzled by Qin Yun's actions.

Once Qin Yun came back over, he quietly asked, "Junior Brother Qin, aren't you just wasting silver for nothing?"

Qin Yun smiled.

"They're only a few Qi and Blood Pills. To my family, they're nothing."

"If Fang Chen achieves something in the future, then this will be like sending charcoal in the snow. It'll be well worth it."

"Unfortunately, his aptitude is still too poor. Otherwise, I would invest even more in him."

Wang Yanshan shook his head and said nothing further.

Since Qin Yun himself did not think he was suffering a loss, Wang Yanshan had no place to say more.

Fang Chen opened the exquisite box. Six Qi and Blood Pills lay inside.

Six pills would cost at least three taels of silver. Senior Brother Qin was indeed generous.

Without thinking further, Fang Chen continued practicing the Tiger Subduing Fist.

After finishing another set, some points that needed correcting surfaced in his mind.

He immediately put them into practice.

The third move, Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain, hinged on the use of the waist and hips.

Before the probing claw was withdrawn, the rear leg had to stamp fiercely against the ground. Power rose from the earth and traveled through the waist and hips...

Borrowing that force, Fang Chen lunged forward like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey!

The moment he finished the move, sweat immediately beaded across his forehead.

Yet his heart felt incomparably refreshed.

He could clearly feel that he had successfully performed this move correctly! This kind of positive feedback was utterly intoxicating!

Fang Chen continued practicing the Tiger Subduing Fist and completed another full set.

Tiger Subduing Fist Proficiency +1

Martial Arts: Tiger Subduing Fist (Not Yet Initiated 3/10)

After this set, he was already panting heavily, his body exhausted.

"Just as I thought, it isn't quite what I expected. I'm already utterly tired after only three sets."

"Each set takes longer than I imagined."

Fang Chen opened the box of Qi and Blood Pills, took one out, and swallowed it directly.

At once, he felt the blood and qi throughout his body inexplicably surge, while his energy gradually became abundant again!

Fang Chen immediately assumed his stance and resumed practicing, unwilling to waste even a moment!

Several senior brothers resting nearby were casually observing the people in the martial arts hall.

People were always curious about new things, so while chatting idly, they naturally noticed the newly arrived Fang Chen.

"Doesn't the newcomer need to rest?"

"With the Qi and Blood Pills Senior Brother Qin gave him, he can manage without resting."

"That's true. Senior Brother Qin really is righteous. When I first entered the hall, I received something from him too."

"Wait, look at that newcomer. Isn't he improving a little too quickly?"

"Is he? You must be seeing things."

"I happened to watch his first set. He was stumbling through it, and it wasn't smooth at all. But now... some of his moves are already starting to look convincing!"

"He does look decent now, but he's only just begun. The farther he goes, the harder it gets. I heard Senior Brother Wang say that this newcomer's natural talent is only below average."

"Sigh, that's martial arts for you. Talent matters far too much. Diligence alone is of little use."

The group shifted their gaze to Song Ming, a junior brother who had arrived several days earlier.

"This Song Ming comes from a great clan and has exceptional talent. These past few days, all the senior brothers and sisters have been rushing to befriend him."

"If I had talent like that too, would Senior Sister Jiang look at me a few more times?"

"Dream on! Senior Sister Jiang and Song Ming already have a marriage arrangement. Why are you trying to join the fun?"

"Can't I even fantasize? I'll tell you secretly, I actually have to think about Senior Sister Jiang every day before I can fall asleep."

"Hehe, just make sure she doesn't hear you."

A cold voice suddenly rang out behind them.

"Hear what?"

The newcomer was Jiang Qiutong. She had heard everything they had said, and a faint flush rose to her cheeks. Angrily, she shouted, "Why aren't you going to practice your fists already!"

"Right away, Senior Sister Jiang!"

"Senior Sister Jiang, I was wrong! Don't hit me!"

"Senior Sister Jiang, hit me! Punish me hard!"

"Pah! Shameless!"

Everyone knew that Senior Sister Jiang had a good temper, so they were not too afraid.

At this moment, Fang Chen saw the scene as well.

Senior Sister Jiang had a slender figure, bright eyes, and pearly teeth. It was indeed difficult not to be moved by her.

But Fang Chen noticed that a man not far away was watching those senior brothers with a dark expression.

"Is this Song Ming?"

Fang Chen made a guess in his heart.

"A beautiful woman brings disaster. It seems I'd better keep my distance from this Jiang Qiutong in the future."

He stopped thinking about it and took advantage of the lingering medicinal effects to continue practicing the Tiger Subduing Fist.

After some time, he finally completed another set.

Tiger Subduing Fist Proficiency +1

Fang Chen happily watched the changes on the panel.

Just as he was about to continue practicing, he noticed some people heading toward the rear courtyard.

As noon approached, the martial arts hall provided its disciples with a midday meal.

Fang Chen followed the crowd into the rear courtyard.

Some disciples from wealthy families left the martial arts hall and returned to their own homes.

Qin Yun, Jiang Qiutong, and Wang Yanshan were among them.

The food provided by the martial arts hall naturally could not compare to what their families had at home.

This was where the gap between ordinary disciples and those from wealthy families showed itself.

Not only that, these wealthy disciples had soaked in medicinal baths since childhood, nourishing their bodies.

They had tempered themselves into fine bodies suited for martial arts. Their starting point was already higher than Fang Chen's and the others', not to mention all the medicinal and dietary supplements available to them.

But to Fang Chen, none of those gaps mattered.

With the panel, he could clearly feel his strength increasing rapidly. He would not lose to those people!

At the latest, he would successfully get started tomorrow!

Once his strength rose greatly, he would first slaughter Zhao San and Zhao Si!