Becoming a Master's Disciple

In the rear courtyard of Sky Wind Martial Hall.

An old plum tree stood proudly, its branches gnarled and twisted like an elder weathered by storms.

Slanting sunlight fell across the scene. A figure stood silently at the end of the covered walkway—hair faintly white, clad in a deep gray robe with a jade belt at his waist, hands clasped behind his back.

This man was none other than the master of Sky Wind Martial Hall, Li Tianfeng.

His features were stern and handsome, with sword-like brows that swept toward his temples. Though past fifty, he was vigorous and sharp-eyed, his gaze as piercing as a hawk's.

A deep crease between his brows bore the marks of years—and the pressure carved from Blade Light and Sword Shadow.

He watched the youth in the courtyard in silence.

Gu Chang'an was utterly focused. His fists fell like iron rain, his steps cracked like thunder. With each breath, a faint golden sheen rippled across his skin, as if metal and stone flowed beneath.

Every punch carried a subtle tremor—his force even, unbroken, endless.

Li Tianfeng narrowed his eyes and murmured to himself:

"His body refinement foundation is stable. Qi and blood are dense and thick... Beneath the skin, there are already signs of tempering."

He stepped forward and said in a low voice, "You—are Gu Chang'an?"

Gu Chang'an stopped, cupped his fists, and replied, "This disciple is indeed."

"Come with me."

Li Tianfeng turned and walked toward the inner hall, his back heavy with authority.

Gu Chang'an was puzzled but dared not delay. He quickly followed.

The inner hall of the martial hall was quiet and elegant.

Several bold ink paintings hung on the walls. A weapon rack and boxing manuals stood to one side. In the center, a burner of sandalwood incense sent curling wisps of smoke into the air.

Li Tianfeng sat on a meditation cushion and gestured for Gu Chang'an to sit as well.

He asked directly, "How long have you been training in body refinement?"

Gu Chang'an said, "One year."

In truth, he had only trained for a little over a month.

Of course, he couldn't say that outright.

Li Tianfeng's eyes flickered with shock and delight. His voice trembled slightly:

"One year? And you've already reached the threshold of the Skin Tempering Realm?"

Gu Chang'an was taken aback. "Skin Tempering Realm? Master, this junior doesn't quite understand."

He only knew that Houtian martial artists were divided into nine ranks. He had never heard of the Skin Tempering Realm.

Li Tianfeng paused, then burst into three loud laughs.

"Hahaha... You don't even know what 'Skin Tempering' is?"

"And yet, relying on self-study and the scraps from this hall, you've forced your way to the threshold of Body Tempering?"

"Who would have thought—such a genius still exists in this world?"

He rose, walked over to Gu Chang'an, and placed both hands on his shoulders. With a light shake, he felt solid Flesh and Blood and smooth Qi and blood flow.

Though not yet a Ranked Martial Artist, his physical condition was already comparable to one.

This was... truly fine material for martial training.

"Good, good. Your skin and membrane already show signs of tempering. With a little more time, you'll enter the Skin Tempering Realm and become a Ninth Rank Martial Artist."

"Come. Let me explain the path of martial artists."

Li Tianfeng clasped his hands behind his back and spoke slowly:

"Martial artists are divided into Houtian and Xiantian."

"Within the Houtian Realm, there are nine ranks—"

"From the ninth to the seventh rank, that is the Body Tempering Realm. The ninth rank tempers the skin, the eighth tempers the bones, and the seventh tempers the tendons."

"The Iron Cloth Shirt you practice—its complete version is a Body Tempering technique. It tempers the skin and flesh, strengthens the bones and tendons."

Gu Chang'an suddenly understood. His heart shook, and he felt deep respect:

"So that's how it is."

Li Tianfeng turned to face him, a glint of expectation in his eyes:

"Are you willing to take me as your Master? I will teach you the complete system of Body Tempering techniques, and let you enter the true gate of martial arts."

Gu Chang'an's heart pounded like a drum.

The true gate of martial arts!

He gritted his teeth, dropped to his knees at once, and kowtowed three times with solemn weight:

"This disciple, Gu Chang'an, pays respects to Master!"

Li Tianfeng laughed heartily, lifted him up with both hands, and fixed his gaze like a blazing torch.

"Good, good! From today onward, you are my Li Tianfeng's personal disciple!"

"Starting tomorrow, I will teach you the Complete Iron Cloth Shirt."

"If you study hard and train diligently, within ten days, I will surely have you enter the Ninth Grade!"

"It may not be impossible for you to achieve the Seventh Grade!"

Gu Chang'an's eyes burned like fire, his heart surging.

He knew—he finally had a chance to step onto the true path of Martial Arts.

The next morning, sunlight spilled over the streets of Nanjing City, draping them in a thin golden veil.

Gu Chang'an rose early, washed and tidied himself, changed into a clean set of blue cloth training clothes, slung a simple bundle over his back, and strode quickly through the streets, pushing open the side door of the martial hall.

Li Tianfeng was already waiting in the courtyard, his expression solemn, a horsetail whisk in hand, clad in a black-trimmed martial robe, his bearing dignified and imposing.

He nodded, signaling Gu Chang'an to follow.

"From today, you are my personal disciple. It's time I showed you my home."

The two skirted the training grounds, passed through a bamboo path, and arrived at the inner courtyard.

This inner courtyard was usually off-limits to ordinary apprentices, and Gu Chang'an, entering for the first time, couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity.

He swept his gaze around, taking in the quiet, elegant space—blue stone paving, pine and cypress trees lining the four corners.

In the center sat a training Stone Platform, ancient and solemn in appearance.

Rockeries and flowing water, falling petals in silence—every stone and tree was deliberately arranged, clearly out of the ordinary.

By a stone table in the courtyard sat a woman, around forty to fifty years old, with gentle brows and a dignified air.

She wore a plain white robe, orchid embroidery at the hem, elegant as jade, and was brewing tea.

Li Tianfeng introduced her:

"This is your Master's Wife, Xie Lanzhi."

Xie Lanzhi smiled softly, her voice warm:

"So you're Chang'an? Tianfeng has never taken on a disciple so seriously before—truly out of the ordinary."

Gu Chang'an bowed respectfully. "Disciple Gu Chang'an pays respects to Master's Wife."

Xie Lanzhi nodded lightly, her gaze a blend of scrutiny and warmth:

"From today, train well. If you need anything, come straight to me."

Suddenly, a clear, spirited female voice rang out from the sword-training platform nearby.

"Oh, is this the new disciple Father took on?"

Gu Chang'an turned to look, and saw a figure dart over, landing as lightly as a swallow.

The newcomer was a young woman of about twenty, tall and slender, with a sharp aura.

She wore the standard uniform of a Nanjing County constable—a black short robe, a black copper waist token at her belt, a regulation horizontal saber hanging at her side, and a red-tasseled whip in hand, her gaze sharp as a blade.

Her black hair was tied high, her skin slightly tanned from years spent outdoors, but her features were delicate, her presence strikingly heroic.

After landing, she crossed her arms and sized up Gu Chang'an with obvious interest.

"I'm Li Hongye. Your Senior Sister."

"Aside from me, Father has never taken on another disciple. You're pretty lucky, and your talent must be decent, for him to accept you."

Gu Chang'an paused, then quickly bowed. "Greetings, Senior Sister."

At the same time, he checked Li Hongye's information.

[Li Hongye: Physique 231]

Gu Chang'an was surprised. A physique of 231 was the highest he'd seen, aside from Li Tianfeng and that Fifth Chief of Black Tiger Stockade, Ma Dahu.

And Li Tianfeng, an Eighth Grade peak martial artist, though past his prime, still boasted a physique of 588.

Li Hongye looked at him, her gaze sharpening slightly as she thought to herself:

No noticeable qi fluctuations, but his blood is boiling, his eyes sharp and steady... interesting.

The corner of her mouth lifted, her tone carrying a hint of teasing:

"Don't let the title of 'personal disciple' go to your head. You'll learn the rules of Sky Wind Martial Hall soon enough."

Xie Lanzhi chided lightly, "Hongye, don't be rude."

Li Hongye pouted. "I'm just reminding him."

Li Tianfeng didn't stop her, only said calmly:

"Hongye isn't wrong. Entering the door is easy; training is hard. Chang'an, whether you stand firm depends not on me, your Master, but on yourself."

Gu Chang'an nodded, his tone resolute. "Disciple understands."

Seeing his unshaken expression, a flicker of surprise passed through Li Hongye's eyes, and she broke into a smile.

"Good. Since you're now my junior brother, if there's anything you don't understand in your training, you can come ask me. I may have a bad temper, but I don't bully my own people."

Xie Lanzhi smiled as she brewed a pot of tea and handed it to Gu Chang'an:

"Indeed, Chang'an, Hongye. I hope from now on you'll help each other."

Gu Chang'an took the tea, feeling its warmth, and gave a slight smile:

"Thank you, Master's Wife. Thank you, Senior Sister. I will."

Note: Physical attribute values for Ninth to Seventh Rank Martial Artists are as follows.

Ninth Rank Martial Artist: 100~300

Eighth Rank Martial Artist: 300~600

Seventh Rank Martial Artist: 600~1000

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