Immortal Martial: Pushing Through Two Realms From Reality Section 30

Luo Yongcheng blocked repeatedly, but Jiang Shu was no longer weaker than him in any of the three methods of training, nourishment, and combat. His momentum now surged like a tide, inexhaustible.

In just a few breaths, the roles of attacker and defender reversed. The pain in his shoulder prevented him from mustering any strength.

"Clang..."

After several more heavy blows, Luo Yongcheng staggered back several steps, planting his foot firmly to stop himself. He was now outside the white circle.

He looked up to see Jiang Shu, dressed in his training clothes, give a slight bow. His breathing was steady, and his voice calm:

"Senior Disciple Luo, I have won."

Does the collection growth seem good today? Is it just my imagination? Don't just let the collections increase without anything else moving... Everyone, don't forget to follow along!

The title "Senior Disciple Luo" brought a feeling of change.

Luo Yongcheng looked up at Jiang Shu, his gaze somewhat vacant. He vaguely recalled that in the first month Jiang Shu joined the martial arts school, he had subtly inquired about the inner city of Pingling County.

He had answered every question, and their interactions had been comfortable and harmonious.

Jiang Shu's address to him had, without him realizing it, changed from "Senior Disciple Luo" to "Brother Luo."

How did it suddenly become like this?

"Next round."

The maid ignored Luo Yongcheng's inner thoughts. She walked past him to the center of the plaza and loudly announced the names of the apprentices for the next sparring match.

Jiang Shu cupped his fists and stepped off the stage. A semi-transparent panel appeared in his mind:

Jiang Shu—

Great Jing Dynasty Language/Literacy: Minor Accomplishment (20/1000)

Horse Stance: Major Accomplishment (400/1000)

Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance: Minor Accomplishment (985/1000)

Hungry Tiger Breathing Method: Minor Accomplishment (985/1000)

Tiger Form Three Styles: Minor Accomplishment (850/1000)

When he had his first sparring match and discovered how highly Elder Qiu valued the disciples' martial arts skills, Jiang Shu decided to slightly slow down his progress in the stance and breathing methods and focus on increasing his proficiency in the Tiger Form Three Styles.

On the stage, two disciples' figures moved.

Offstage, Elder Qiu sat in a reclining chair, his eyelids occasionally lifting as he cast a sideways glance at the sparring apprentices.

Jiang Shu took it all in.

It was only three to five days until the Great Accomplishment of the three methods of training, nourishment, and combat. Soon, he would be able to verify the guess in his heart.

"Brother Jiang, you're too fierce!"

The chubby Zhou Yang was stunned. He was now completely certain. Jiang Shu definitely had much more talent than Han Dali.

Even if Han Dali was still practicing martial arts at the martial arts school and his restaurant supplied three catties of meat daily, Han Dali could never defeat Luo Yongcheng within a mere two months.

Especially considering how easily Jiang Shu had won.

With such martial arts talent, how could he not become a formal disciple?

Zhou Yang's eyes were full of envy. Although he was young, he saw things more clearly than many older apprentices. Regardless of how everyone at the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School called each other senior and junior disciples now, It was merely flattering themselves. Outside the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School, who would recognize the training clothes they wore?

Only by catching Elder Qiu's eye and becoming a formal disciple would one truly be considered a member of the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School.

Formal disciple.

Externally, they would have the backing of the Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School and Elder Qiu, a expert of the Bone Forging Realm.

Internally, they would have access to better martial arts resources than meat, such as the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine.

As for apprentices like them, in Elder Qiu's eyes, they were probably just tools that paid ten taels of silver each month.

"Brother Jiang, how about you put your name down at our restaurant? We'll pay you at the price for martial artists." Having secretly made a decision, Zhou Yang tried to speak. While still smiling, his expression had gained a touch of seriousness.

"Stop being so jumpy and talk less. No one's calling you mute."

Jiang Shu looked at Zhou Yang and replied, "I'll pass on the patronage. I don't have that much time to spend at the restaurant. However, we can discuss some business. Zhou Yang, what are your restaurant's best-selling dishes?"

"Dishes? I can't really say. How about after Elder Qiu is done with his guidance, you'll do us the honor of visiting our restaurant? I'll have the head chef prepare a table of signature dishes for you."

Although he didn't know what Jiang Shu meant by discussing business, Zhou Yang believed that as long as he could build a good relationship with Jiang Shu, his restaurant could conduct some small business with Jiang Shu. Even if they made a slight loss, it would be worth it!

After all, once he became a formal disciple, Jiang Shu's status would skyrocket. By then, his own Zhou family wouldn't be able to get a word in edgewise. Many shops in the inner city would want to have Jiang Shu affiliate himself with them, seeking his protection.

"Alright."

Nodding, Jiang Shu's thoughts raced.

He had been in Pingling County for a full half-year now.

It wasn't that he hadn't thought about making money.

But any avenue for making money in the outer city would invariably involve gangs, and in the inner city, it would involve influential families.

Before he had enough strength and status, forcing himself into business to earn a little to make ends meet was acceptable. But any more than that, and he risked being swallowed whole, left with nothing.

However, in a few more days, he should be able to become a formal disciple.

The matter of making money could then be put on the agenda.

Meat and medicinal herbs were resources for martial arts cultivation, and they would definitely be firmly controlled and monopolized by the powerful families.

As long as he avoided these two, and only brought items like salt and MSG, edible condiments to enhance the flavor of dishes in restaurants, it wouldn't significantly impact the interests of the powerful families.

With the martial arts school backing him, earning a little money shouldn't be a big problem.

His parents had supported his martial arts training for so long.

It was time for him to repay them.

In the square, the sparring match ended.

After Elder Qiu offered some guidance, he returned to his room to rest.

After drinking the secret medicine broth, Jiang Shu stood in his stance, breathing and quickly digesting the effects. It wasn't until an hour and a half later, when a low rumble sounded in his intestines, that he ended his stance and stood up. He looked at Zhou Yang, who had long since declared himself tired and stopped to rest, and said, "Let's go."

"You got it."

Zhou Yang sat up from the ground, and as the two turned, a voice suddenly called out from behind them:

"Jiang Shu."

"What is it?"

Jiang Shu paused his steps, not looking back. He knew the voice belonged to Luo Yongcheng the moment he heard it.

Regarding Luo Yongcheng, he felt he had already gone above and beyond. When he proposed giving the Blood Nourishing Medicinal Cuisine secret recipe as a thank-you gift to Elder Qiu, it also signified his own need to join the fray.

After all, Luo Yongcheng was not a formal disciple.

A mere apprentice, and one whom Elder Qiu didn't favor. Even if he offered the secret recipe, the only outcome would likely be Elder Qiu's refusal.

To gift the secret recipe.

He could only wait until he, Jiang Shu, became a formal disciple and present it in the name of a formal disciple!

"I... I want to have another match with you!"

Luo Yongcheng stared intently at Jiang Shu's retreating back, unable to pinpoint his own emotions.

Was it unwillingness? Or jealousy and hatred?

After the sparring match, he couldn't focus on holding the Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance or circulating the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method. He had been constantly pondering why he had lost.

Jiang Shu was merely using Qi and Blood Transportation.

He wasn't naturally strong; his strength was the same as his. There was no reason why he should have lost!

He had sparred more than ten times; his experience was greater than Jiang Shu's!

He had clearly been too anxious, which allowed Jiang Shu to find his weakness.

There was too little time left for him. He couldn't afford to miss out on any of the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine!

"I'll bet you. If you lose, you give me the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine. If you win..."

"Not interested."

Before Luo Yongcheng could finish, Jiang Shu turned around, his voice cold.

What could Luo Yongcheng bet him with?

The only thing he could offer was the secret recipe for the Blood Nourishing Medicinal Cuisine.

While the secret recipe was good, it wasn't something he could handle at the moment.

To gamble with a hot potato?

If he won, what benefit would he gain?