Immortal Martial: Pushing Through Two Realms From Reality - Section 26

Perhaps these lingering hidden ailments in my body will also be slowly repaired.

Thinking of this, Jiang Shu's mind drifted.

Jiang Yongyi, meanwhile, closed his eyes and murmured, "Comfortable. When you become a martial artist, Xiao Shu, Dad won't be driving for DiDi anymore. I'll go fishing every day and make those guys envious!"

"If your mom doesn't want to run the shop then, I'll take her traveling around the country. We haven't really gone out much since we got married. I'll secretly book the tickets then and give her a surprise. Your mom really hasn't had a single day off since she opened the shop; she even opens it during Chinese New Year. If you and Xiao Yue both achieve something, it'll be time for us to rest too."

"But it's still early, Xiao Shu, take your time. Your parents are still young; we can work for a few more years. We'll save up more money and buy you a bigger house later."

"At least we need to save up for a down payment."

After dinner.

After chatting with his parents and sister for a while and finishing up all the chores.

Jiang Shu returned to his room, locked the door, and chose to 'transmigrate'.

Coiling Snake Alley.

The Green Snake Gang's search had not yet ended. Every alleyway under the jurisdiction of the Poison Fang Hall had three to five gang members gathered, their eyes fixed on every passing pauper and vagrant.

Anyone with short hair was immediately apprehended and questioned.

Jiang Shu, wearing a wig that looked incredibly convincing, maintained a calm expression and headed straight for the inner city.

Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School.

The atmosphere today seemed a little different from the usual.

The disciples in the large courtyard were lined up on both sides, leaving the central area clear.

They were whispering to each other, murmuring.

"Brother Luo, what's going on?"

Jiang Shu walked up to a dark-skinned young man and asked in a low voice.

Having trained at the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School for nearly a month, it was natural that he wasn't just burying his head in training.

Luo Yongcheng was the first friend he had made.

He was twenty-two years old, starting martial arts late. Therefore, despite practicing with exceptional diligence for over a year without slacking, he had only achieved minor success in the Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance and Qi and Blood Transportation.

"Junior Disciple Jiang." Seeing Jiang Shu approaching, Luo Yongcheng moved aside, clearing a small space, and replied in a low voice, "You've been training at Hungry Tiger for a short time, so you don't know yet. On the first day of every month, we disciples have to draw lots for a sparring session with Elder Qiu."

"Senior disciples who have achieved Full Body Vital Energy Circulation are rewarded with the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine. If they catch Elder Qiu's eye during the sparring, they can directly become formal disciples."

"For those practicing Qi and Blood Transportation, as long as they win their sparring match, they will also be rewarded with the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine."

"Don't underestimate the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine. What we take daily is only the lowest grade, and it's mixed into the meat soup. You know, I studied medicine for over ten years before starting martial arts. I can naturally taste that several of the ingredients in the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine are banned in the county town."

"With the nourishment of the secret medicine, Blood Essence rapidly strengthens, allowing one to become a martial artist at the fastest pace..."

Luo Yongcheng's voice grew softer.

At this moment, Elder Qiu had already risen and arrived in the courtyard.

Two senior disciples who had achieved Full Body Vital Energy Circulation took to the stage and bowed.

Tiger Form Three Styles.

Pounce!

Lift!

Snip!

Fists and kicks flew like the wind, kicking up dust everywhere.

Luo Yongcheng looked at the two pairs of figures on stage, his palms clenched, his eyes filled with envy!

"So close! Just a little bit closer!"

The sparring session was brief, and half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

None of the senior disciples with Full Body Vital Energy Circulation became formal disciples; they each only received a portion of the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine.

Luo Yongcheng, due to an unlucky draw, was matched against a disciple who had already achieved Qi and Blood Transportation. After dozens of exchanges, he was defeated on the spot.

Watching the other person excitedly receive a small bag of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine from a maid, his eyes were filled with regret and unwillingness.

"Brother Luo, victory and defeat are common for martial artists," Jiang Shu stepped forward and comforted him in a low voice. Although he had achieved Qi and Blood Transportation, it was ultimately built on the foundation of the Horse Stance. He only had the introductory Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance and the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method, and he hadn't even reached minor success in the crucial Tiger Form Three Styles for sparring.

Naturally, he wouldn't force himself onto the stage.

Otherwise, it would just be a formality, not only would he gain nothing, but he would also easily attract unwanted attention.

Luo Yongcheng's clenched fist tightened and then loosened. He sighed and said, "I know. It's just... Junior Disciple Jiang, you also know my family's situation... If I can't reach Full Body Vital Energy Circulation soon and catch Elder Qiu's eye to become a formal disciple of the martial arts school... my family's pharmacy might..."

"I also know that Elder Qiu is very strict about taking disciples; the last one he took was twenty years old and had achieved Full Body Vital Energy Circulation. But... this is my only way. In all of Pingling County, only Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School isn't backed by a major family, which is why its location is more secluded, and the number of disciples who come to seek apprenticeship each month is two to three tenths less than other martial arts schools."

"I'm already twenty-two... I can't drag this out any longer..."

Jiang Shu remained silent. He would only find out later that among the fifteen martial arts schools in Pingling County, only the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School was not backed by a major family, hence its more remote location, and the disciples seeking apprenticeship each month were two to three tenths fewer than at other schools.

"Jiang Shu... If... forget it, we'll talk about it later. Elder Qiu is going to guide my stance and breathing progress..."

Seeing that the other apprentices had started practicing their stances and breathing, receiving guidance from Elder Qiu, Luo Yongcheng returned to his spot to adjust his state.

The reason he lost their sparring match this time was, in the final analysis, that his foundation in the Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance and the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method wasn't solid enough, his Blood Essence wasn't abundant enough, and he couldn't maintain sustained bursts of power.

After dozens of moves, his strength began to wane, and he was hit by a single move, staggering back several steps.

If only his Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance had been a bit more stable, if the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method could have been sustained a bit longer... the outcome would have been uncertain!

Watching Luo Yongcheng's retreating back, Jiang Shu converged his gaze, crouching like a tiger, breathing like a tiger.

Elder Qiu walked slowly, bypassing the apprentices who had achieved Full Body Vital Energy Circulation and heading towards those practicing Qi and Blood Transportation. Before long, he arrived in front of Luo Yongcheng and said unhurriedly, "The best age for a martial artist to start practicing is fifteen or sixteen. In the early stages, medicinal meals and baths are sufficient for nurturing the body. You started martial arts late, and with your premature birth, your vital essence is insufficient. Even with medicinal supplements, your future achievements will be limited."

"Elder Qiu..."

"I'm just giving you some advice. Whether you continue to learn or not is your decision."

Glancing past Luo Yongcheng, Elder Qiu strolled over to the chubby boy Zhou Yang, his expression calm. After a few breaths, he looked at Han Dali beside him and said, "Hmm, your stance and breathing are very stable, good progress."

"When you started martial arts, you said you were naturally strong, with about fifty percent more strength than ordinary people?"

"Yes! Elder Qiu."

Han Dali looked up, his expression excited. He hadn't expected Elder Qiu to specifically stop and speak to him during his guidance today.

"Your one-month training period will be up in a few days. If you wish to continue practicing next month, pay fifteen taels of silver. However, you'll receive an extra serving of secret medicine broth daily. If you can break through to Qi and Blood Transportation by mid-next month, I'll reward you with a set of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine."

"Elder Qiu... Han Ge has already signed with my family's restaurant. Next month he'll be officially affiliated with my family's restaurant and won't be able to practice at the martial arts school." Before Han Dali could reply, Zhou Yang quickly interjected.

He retracted his stance and breathing practice, a sheepish grin spreading across his chubby face as he swayed it in front of Elder Qiu.

He had spent a good half-month on this matter, and the contract was already signed. Han Dali would definitely reach Qi and Blood Transportation next month, which was enough to qualify him as a decent guard.

After eating so much of his family's food, it was time for him to repay them.

"Oh."

Elder Qiu responded indifferently and walked towards the next apprentice, leaving Han Dali somewhat stunned.

Last month, his parents had pooled their savings from several years to send him to the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School to learn martial arts.

With Elder Qiu's guidance every few days, plus the meat and fine rice from the Zhou family's restaurant, his martial arts progress had been extremely rapid. What he had previously thought would take half a year to reach, Qi and Blood Transportation, he could now achieve in just over a month.

He had always felt very fortunate. Even after signing the contract with the Zhou family's restaurant a few days ago.

He also believed that with both Zhou Yang and himself at the martial arts school, and with how well they were treated, they would never harm him.

His parents were happy, and his future was secured.

For him, whose family background was not affluent, this was truly an excellent outcome.

But now, with Elder Qiu's words of appreciation and Zhou Yang's refusal on his behalf.

He suddenly had a faint premonition that he might have done something wrong.

"Eh..."

Elder Qiu suddenly stopped, his voice very soft, yet it clearly reached Jiang Shu's ears.

Instantly, Jiang Shu's body tensed, his hair stood on end, as if he were being stared at by a ferocious tiger.

Sunlight shone through Elder Qiu's form, casting a slender shadow that fell before his eyes.

"New disciple from last month?"

"Mm."

Forcing himself to stabilize the Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance, Jiang Shu looked up, meeting the gaze directly.

"Not bad. A martial artist must have great ambition and great perseverance. If you're even afraid to meet my gaze, your entire life will amount to nothing. It's the same for you; if you want to continue practicing next month, pay fifteen taels. Two bowls of secret medicine broth daily. If you reach Qi and Blood Transportation by mid-month, I'll reward you with a set of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine."

"Thank you, Elder Qiu."

Elder Qiu's footsteps gradually faded away.