Entry Level

More than ten days later, the sun shone brightly over the Martial Arts Training Ground of the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School.

Li Xiao practiced the Iron Wire Fist move by move.

His movements no longer carried the awkwardness of a beginner. The twelve forms flowed from his hands with incomparable proficiency.

The other disciples in the training ground all showed some degree of stiffness. Either they were too rigid when using "Flying Floss Clings to Clothes" to deflect force, or they could not sustain their buildup of power in "Withered Vine Entangles Stone."

Only Li Xiao moved from the swiftness of "Startled Swan Skims Water" to the stability of "Firm as a Rock," completing the entire sequence in one unbroken sweep without the slightest hesitation.

Zhao Hu stood at the edge of the field, his gaze fixed on Li Xiao, clear approval in his eyes.

This kid had only joined the hall half a month ago, yet his comprehension was already this high.

Not only had he learned the forms and stances quickly, he had even grasped the trick behind the shifts between hardness and softness in Silk Twisting Force. He was more practiced than disciples who had trained for several months.

After finishing a set of punches, Li Xiao drew back his stance and stood still. A thin sheen of sweat covered his forehead, yet his breathing remained steady.

Wang Hai clicked his tongue in amazement. He came over and patted Li Xiao on the shoulder.

"Junior Brother Li, your progress is way too fast!

"I've practiced 'Coiling Dragon Throat Lock' for two months, yet I still don't have your kind of clever force."

Li Xiao smiled and wiped away his sweat.

"You flatter me, Senior Brother. I merely spent more time pondering the details Senior Brother Zhao taught me."

He knew full well that over the past ten-odd days, aside from practicing at the Martial Arts Hall, he had gone home every night and reviewed the moves beneath the moonlight.

Host: Li Xiao

Recorded: Herbal Compendium Basic Archery Technique (660/1000 Mastery) Iron Wire Fist (3/500 Minor Accomplishment)

Special Skill: Herbal Mastery

Limit-Breaking Points: None

After grinding experience every day for more than ten days, his Iron Wire Fist had now reached Entry Level.

Zhao Hu walked over and looked at Li Xiao.

"Your fist forms have already gained some heat. It looks like you've reached Entry Level.

"At your speed, you're truly progressing fast.

"Perhaps you can break through and become a Martial Master within half a year."

"Become a Martial Master in half a year?" Li Xiao's heart stirred, but his expression remained calm as he bowed.

"Thank you for your kind words, Senior Brother Zhao. This Junior Brother does not dare hope for so much. I only wish to forge my Iron Wire Fist into something solid as soon as possible."

The realm of a Martial Master was far beyond Entry Level.

For ordinary disciples, being able to touch that threshold after half a year of diligent cultivation was already proof of exceptional talent. Though Zhao Hu's words were praise, they were more meant as encouragement.

Yet when Li Xiao looked at the words "Iron Wire Fist (3/500 Minor Accomplishment)" on the Panel, he gained a little more confidence.

Where others needed years of polishing, he might not be unable to shorten the journey through day-after-day accumulation of experience.

Zhao Hu nodded, quite satisfied with Li Xiao's composure.

"It's good that you have such resolve.

"Becoming a Martial Master does not rely on forms alone. You must also cultivate Internal Force.

"You have only just reached Entry Level. Once you break through to Martial Master, Internal Force will be born within your body.

"And the Internal Force cultivated by our Iron Wire Fist is Iron Wire Force."

"Iron Wire Force?"

A trace of curiosity flashed through Li Xiao's eyes. This was the first time he had heard that name.

Zhao Hu raised a hand and slowly clenched it into a fist.

The lines of muscle along his arm suddenly tightened. Beneath his skin, countless fine threads seemed to slither and coil. Though it was flesh and blood, it gave off the hard texture of steel.

"This is what Iron Wire Force looks like."

He spoke calmly.

"Ordinary fist arts rely on brute strength. The essence of our Iron Wire Fist lies in this force.

"When you wield it, it is like iron wires winding and binding, hardness and softness complementing each other. It can shatter wood and split stone, yet also deflect the force of a thousand catties."

Li Xiao watched, utterly absorbed, and unconsciously imitated his fist-clenching motion.

Yet all he felt was ordinary muscular exertion, worlds apart from Zhao Hu's restrained, forceful strength.

"There's no rushing it."

Zhao Hu released his hand, and the lines of his muscles returned to normal.

"Only when your Iron Wire Fist reaches Minor Accomplishment and you become a Martial Master can Internal Force be born in your body.

"When that time comes, a few ordinary strongmen will not even be able to get close to you.

"Some Headmen of the small gangs in the Outer City are at this level."

"I understand. Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Senior Brother."

Li Xiao bowed in acknowledgment, his desire for "Minor Accomplishment" growing all the more urgent.

After offering his guidance, Zhao Hu left and turned to correct the forms of the other disciples.

Most of the people here had arrived earlier than Li Xiao, yet few had reached Entry Level.

It was also a reflection of the other Martial Arts Halls in the Outer City. Martial training was a waterwheel grind, and one also needed vast resources to make up the difference in order to progress quickly.

After dealing with the disciples' problems in their forms, Zhao Hu turned and headed toward the inner hall.

Qian Li, the Master of the Hall, ordinarily disliked handling mundane affairs. Most matters within the hall were managed by several disciples.

At that moment, he sat in a Grand Master Chair, engrossed in a scroll painting held in his hands.

"Master." Zhao Hu bowed in salute.

Qian Li gave a start and hurriedly closed the erotic painting, stuffing it into his robes.

"You brat, why are you always so rash? What if you scare this old man half to death?"

Upon hearing his Master's rebuke, Zhao Hu immediately shrank his neck.

What rashness? He had merely interrupted his Master's refined amusement!

Zhao Hu curled his lips inwardly, though he only dared mutter that to himself.

"The new disciple, Li Xiao, has already reached Entry Level in Iron Wire Fist."

"Hm?" Qian Li furrowed his brows.

"The hunter from before?"

Though he ran a Martial Arts Hall and accepted disciples, only those who broke through to become Martial Masters earned his genuine regard.

As for the people outside who practiced boxing, most could never become Martial Masters. At best, they would one day guard the homes and estates of wealthy families, so naturally they did not receive his attention.

"That's right." Zhao Hu nodded. "Although that kid has only been in the hall a short time, his comprehension is extremely high. He performs the twelve-form sequence proficiently and has even grasped the trick behind the transformations of Silk Twisting Force. He is more solid than disciples who have trained for months."

Qian Li set down his teacup, lightly tapping his fingers against the table as he fell into thought.

He remembered casually feeling out that young man's bones. His natural foundation could only be considered average.

He was not especially suited for martial training. At the time, Qian Li had accepted him as an ordinary disciple and paid him little attention.

"An ordinary foundation, yet he reached Entry Level in half a month..." A trace of amusement flashed through Qian Li's eyes. "It seems his comprehension far exceeds that of ordinary people.

"Such temperament and willingness to ponder are rare indeed."

Among ordinary Martial Practitioners, natural foundation accounted for sixty percent, while comprehension accounted for forty.

The Iron Wire Fist appeared fierce and powerful, but hidden within it were subtle intricacies. The transformations of Silk Twisting Force were especially tormenting.

How many disciples had trained for months only to remain stuck outside the gate? For Li Xiao to reach Entry Level within half a month showed that his understanding of fist principles was anything but ordinary.

"Was he impatient or reckless when practicing?" Qian Li asked again.

"No." Zhao Hu smiled. "If anything, he is exceedingly steady."

Qian Li stroked his beard and nodded. "He is a good seedling.

"After ordinary disciples reach Entry Level, most are eager for quick success. For him to settle down and polish the details is truly precious."

He paused, then added.

"Keep a closer eye on him from now on. If he can truly touch the threshold of Martial Master within half a year, he may become a capable talent for the hall."

"Yes." Zhao Hu accepted the order.

Qian Li took out the erotic painting again, but his eyes no longer fell upon it. Instead, he looked toward the Martial Arts Training Ground beyond the window, lost in thought.

Uncut jade in this world did not necessarily have a gleaming exterior. Some lay hidden within coarse stone and needed careful carving and slow polishing before their radiance could emerge.

Li Xiao might just be such a piece of uncut jade.

He had developed a measure of interest in the young man.