Senior Brother, How Did You Know I Broke Through?

"But if I could identify the ingredients in this powder, maybe I could make Qi Blood Powder myself."

Over the past five days, aside from taking medicine and practicing his fist, Su Chen had also been studying medicine.

He was doing this mainly to prevent the same thing from happening again in the future.

Even if he couldn't find the ingredients the panel needed, perhaps he could satisfy its requirements by mixing them himself.

Of course, he also harbored a sliver of hope that he might be able to make Qi Blood Powder.

But Su Chen had clearly underestimated how complicated Qi Blood Powder was. With his current knowledge, he couldn't identify its ingredients.

Even after another ten days or half a month of studying, he would probably get the same result.

"Forget it. I'll go try it at the Martial Hall this afternoon."

After lunch, Su Chen got up and headed to the Martial Hall.

Hong Family Martial Hall, inner courtyard.

It was the height of summer, and the scorching sun blazed overhead. The air itself seemed to shimmer with heat.

Hong Ming, however, was in an excellent mood. Qin Hao had just told him that the Iron Lines on his arms had all turned red.

That meant Qin Hao had practiced Iron Wire Fist to the minor mastery stage.

It hadn't been long at all, and Qin Hao had already achieved what many Martial Hall disciples couldn't manage in years.

How could Hong Ming not be pleased?

His delight was matched by deep satisfaction.

It seemed the intensive training he'd put Qin Hao through lately had been the right choice. Once a talented person applied himself, the results could be astonishing.

Even Hong Ming was impressed by Qin Hao's speed. That alone showed just how fast it was.

After all, it had taken him nearly three months to practice Iron Wire Fist to the minor mastery stage.

Qin Hao was even faster than he'd been. Perhaps one day, he would reach a level of Iron Wire Fist that even Hong Ming had never attained.

Seeing the irrepressible smile on Hong Ming's face, Qin Hao was delighted too.

He'd been pushing himself hard lately, hoping to break through before Su Chen.

Now that he'd done it, he could finally breathe easy.

The thought that Su Chen hadn't broken through yet sent his spirits soaring.

"Xiao Hao, well done. You can go home and rest for the day. Come back tomorrow."

Hong Ming smiled as he spoke. Given Qin Hao's state of mind, more practice today probably wouldn't do him much good. He might as well take a day off.

Sure enough, Qin Hao smiled when he heard this. "Thank you, Master!"

With that, he turned and left the Martial Hall, his footsteps noticeably lighter.

"Senior Brother Qin Hao!"

Qin Hao walked out of the Martial Hall and stretched. Just then, he heard someone call his name, so he turned around.

When he saw that it was Su Chen, he paused in surprise. "Junior Brother Su!"

But a faint smile soon appeared on his face.

Su Chen greeted him and was about to enter the Martial Hall when Qin Hao spoke up. "Junior Brother Su, are you here to see Master?"

"Mm." Su Chen nodded.

Qin Hao's smile widened. "You'd better not bother Master right now, Junior Brother Su."

"Why?"

Qin Hao's voice trembled slightly as he replied, "I just broke through, so Master's probably in high spirits. He likely won't have time for you right now."

"You broke through?"

Su Chen looked surprised.

Seeing the astonishment in Su Chen's eyes, Qin Hao pressed his lips together and gave a quiet "Mm."

"Congratulations, Senior Brother!" Su Chen cupped his hands and offered his congratulations.

"You're too kind, Junior Brother. I was just lucky. My meager talent and Master's guidance are what let me break through so quickly." Qin Hao spoke with a touch of pride.

Su Chen's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, but he said nothing.

"By the way, Junior Brother, I remember you were making rapid progress in your training. How are things going now?

"If you're having any problems, just ask me. I only just broke through, but I've learned a thing or two. I should be more than capable of giving you some pointers."

Qin Hao seemed to have just thought of something and asked with feigned concern.

Su Chen could plainly see the smile on Qin Hao's face. It was practically spilling over.

"Well, I won't trouble you with that, Senior Brother." Su Chen shook his head.

It wasn't that he looked down on Qin Hao. It was just that Qin Hao's strength probably wasn't enough to withstand even one slap from him.

How could he give Su Chen pointers?

"Junior Brother, there's no need to be so formal between us. Just tell me!"

Qin Hao, however, wasn't about to let Su Chen leave so easily. When Su Chen refused, he put on the airs of a senior brother.

Su Chen furrowed his brows slightly, then relaxed into a meaningful smile.

"Since you insist, then I won't stand on ceremony, Senior Brother."

As he spoke, Su Chen rolled up his sleeve and showed his arm.

"Senior Brother, when I got up this morning, I noticed the Iron Lines had turned red. I was quite surprised, and I don't know if something went wrong with my training. Could you explain it to me?"

After finishing, Su Chen looked at Qin Hao with a bewildered expression.

As Su Chen spoke, the smile on Qin Hao's face gradually froze.

He seemed unwilling to believe it. In a hurry, he grabbed Su Chen's arm and examined it closely.

"They really have turned red! How is this possible? How could you have broken through so quickly?!"

Qin Hao muttered to himself, visibly shaken.

"Senior Brother? Senior Brother..."

Only after a long while did the dazed Qin Hao hear Su Chen call him and let out an "Ah" as he came back to himself.

"What is it?" Qin Hao asked.

"Senior Brother, how did you know I broke through?" Su Chen asked, feigning curiosity as he scratched his head.

"Ah?"

"Didn't you say I'd broken through? Never mind. I'll go ask Master."

With that, Su Chen turned and left, leaving Qin Hao standing there, dumbfounded.

"What? You broke through too?!"

Hong Ming's reaction was even more exaggerated than Qin Hao's. When he learned that Su Chen had broken through, he nearly tugged his beard off.

He burst forward with a speed that surpassed that of an ordinary old man, reaching Su Chen in an instant. He grabbed Su Chen's arm and stared at it.

When he saw the color of the Iron Lines on Su Chen's arm, Hong Ming exclaimed, "You really did break through!"

Su Chen pulled his arm back and chuckled. "I have Master's Qi Blood Powder to thank for breaking through so quickly."

At that, Hong Ming gave a light cough and looked at Su Chen with an odd expression.

"Master, what's wrong?" Su Chen sensed that something was off about Hong Ming's gaze and asked.

Hong Ming shook his head. "It's nothing. Your talent is just even greater than I imagined!"

Qi Blood Powder certainly helped with martial arts training, but it didn't have nearly as great an effect as Su Chen claimed. Hong Ming knew that perfectly well.

The only explanation for Su Chen breaking through so quickly was that he had exceptional talent.

Qin Hao's breakthrough had made him happy; Su Chen's filled him with delighted surprise.

Then he burst out laughing. The thought that both boys were his disciples made his face bloom with joy.

"Cough, cough. Xiao Chen, even though you used Qi Blood Powder to break through, remember not to rely on medicine too much, or you might burn through your potential."

Hong Ming gave a light cough and advised him earnestly, worried that Su Chen might grow too dependent on medicine.

Su Chen nodded, looking as though he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Seeing this, Hong Ming glanced at Su Chen. "Did you come to see me about something?"

Su Chen answered a little sheepishly, "Master, I wanted to ask you for a few more doses of Qi Blood Powder!"