My Path Is Not Solitary

"Junior Brother Cui."

Cui Hao was burying his head, wiping the dusty bluestone slabs beneath the weapon rack when Fourth Senior Brother Sun Cheng walked over.

"Tomorrow is the last day of the two-month period. How is your Qi and Blood accumulation feeling now? Do you want to... attempt to break through tonight? If you need it, I can guide you from the side."

Although the martial arts school didn't prohibit disciples from attempting breakthroughs on their own before the deadline, having a senior brother guide them would greatly increase safety by providing timely assistance if their Qi and Blood became disordered.

Cui Hao put down the rag, his tone as calm as if he were discussing something unrelated to himself. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. Last night... I already succeeded in breaking through on my own."

Sun Cheng's expression froze instantly. Astonishment, surprise, and then a thick wave of admiration and relief washed over him. He immediately clapped his hands together heavily, producing a crisp "snap" that drew the attention of several nearby disciples who were working.

"Good! Good lad!" Sun Cheng's voice involuntarily rose a few decibels, filled with genuine joy. He stepped forward and patted Cui Hao's shoulder forcefully. "I knew you could do it! ...You didn't use that stuff, did you?"

Knowing Sun Cheng was referring to Qi and Blood pills, Cui Hao shook his head. "No."

"Good!" Sun Cheng's smile widened, and his gaze towards Cui Hao held a newfound, genuine respect. "Tomorrow, according to the academy's rules, I will officially teach you the Broken Fist Standing Postification."

"It contains the complete follow-up techniques of Broken Fist and the accompanying deep standing post methods. It is the foundation for tempering Qi and Blood and refining strength in the Mortal Martial Realm. Since you have already entered, you must cultivate diligently and not slack off."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Cui Hao cupped his fists and bowed solemnly. This meant he had officially crossed the threshold into the core cultivation methods taught by the martial arts school.

Sun Cheng offered a few more words of encouragement and then turned to leave with a satisfied smile.

Almost the instant Sun Cheng left, the surrounding air seemed to subtly shift.

Those disciples who had been busy with their own tasks, either heads down working or with vacant expressions, all stopped what they were doing and focused their gazes on Cui Hao.

"Junior Brother Cui! Congratulations, congratulations! You've finally seen the light after the clouds!"

"Junior Brother Cui, no, we should call you Senior Brother Cui now! Please take care of us in the future!"

"I knew Senior Brother Cui could do it! I just heard magpies chirping earlier, turns out it was a good omen for Senior Brother Cui!"

"..."

Congratulations erupted one after another, full of enthusiasm, as if Cui Hao were a long-lost brother.

However, beyond this sudden surge of 'warmth', the atmosphere in other corners was starkly different.

Some disciples who had joined the academy only a few days after Cui Hao and were still struggling outside the Mortal Martial threshold looked at him with extremely complex emotions.

They understood too well what the words 'Mortal Martial' meant—it meant escaping the lowest status.

It meant having the opportunity to learn more profound martial arts.

It meant having a sliver of qualification to stand firm in the martial arts school, and even in this world.

And... the gradually widening chasm between those who had broken through and those who hadn't.

As dusk settled, after a day of cultivation and final chores, Cui Hao and Lin Da walked side-by-side through the accumulated snow towards Willow Tree Village.

"Brother Hao..."

On the way back, Lin Da's face was exceptionally pale, his voice tinged with a sob. "You honed your strength, practiced your stances, sparred, meticulously, and practiced with all your might, only to... only to succeed in breaking through on the last day."

"I... I'm lazier than you, and not as smart... My father gave me all the money he saved his whole life, and I... I'm afraid... I'm afraid I won't succeed, and I'll let my father down, and you down too..."

Cui Hao stopped and looked at his childhood friend, his voice steady and powerful. "Lin Da, you probably haven't realized it yourself, but your muscle and bone coordination is excellent, and your sense of Qi and Blood is more acute than many others—you are a once-in-a-million martial arts prodigy, you just need a little time and confidence."

"Once-in-a-million... martial arts prodigy?" Lin Da was stunned. It was the first time anyone had described him like that.

"Yes," Cui Hao's tone was incredibly firm. "You are different."

Receiving affirmation and encouragement, Lin Da regained his confidence and courage. He took a deep breath of the cold air and straightened his slightly hunched back.

As they neared the village entrance, Lin Da suddenly remembered something. "No one in the village knows you're studying martial arts at the academy. My father specifically told me not to tell anyone, not to tell anyone at all."

"He said... if a poor family suddenly has someone practicing martial arts, it's easy to attract jealousy, and someone might secretly cause trouble, preventing you from succeeding. So... at the academy, I try not to mention Willow Tree Village to anyone, I just say I'm a farmer from outside the city."

Cui Hao nodded. Old Man Lin was a wise man. In this world of scarce resources and brutal competition, jealousy and malice often arrived faster than help.

The next day, Cui Hao stepped through the gates of Zhanhong Martial Arts Academy, exactly two months later.

Near the end of the Chen hour, the sky was bright, and the snowfall had eased slightly. Sun Cheng found Cui Hao stretching his limbs.

"Junior Brother Cui," Sun Cheng's expression grew more serious. "According to the rules, since you claim to have reached the Mortal Martial realm, you must demonstrate a round of Broken Fist against the stakes, using your full strength, for confirmation."

This was a necessary procedure for the academy to impart techniques in stages. It served to verify his identity and also had a public announcement aspect, letting everyone in the academy know that another disciple had crossed that hurdle.

Cui Hao nodded and walked to the row of cold plum blossom stakes. With a light leap, he landed steadily on the highest stake.

He rooted his stance, sinking his waist and hips.

The next moment, his fist shot out!

He held nothing back, but he didn't deliberately show off either. He used about eighty percent of his strength.

However, supported by the Qi and Blood of the Mortal Martial Realm and a stronger physique, the Broken Fist he unleashed possessed an entirely different aura and momentum than before!

His movements were fluid like flowing clouds and water. The wind of his fists whistled, subtly creating a tearing sound in the air. Each punch seemed to contain the power to shatter wooden stakes.

Under his steady and powerful steps, the wooden stake beneath his feet emitted a faint, rhythmic creaking sound.

This commotion immediately drew the attention of many people in the courtyard.

Not far away, Tu Yan, in the Clear Force stage, cast a casual glance at Cui Hao, who was practicing boxing on a wooden post. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before smoothing out.

She casually said to the maid beside her, "That... what's his name again? Cui Hao, right? He finally managed to break through, right at the two-month mark."

"Yes, Miss," the maid replied in a low voice. "He just made it at two months."

"People who rely on grinding it out over time and just barely break through at the last moment have limited potential. It's not interesting," Tu Yan said, returning to her own business as a member of a prominent family.

Not far from Tu Yan, Xiao Li's eyes flickered when he saw Cui Hao.

Cui Hao remembered him, and he remembered Cui Hao. Cui Hao was from the Cui family's shoe shop. His background was slightly better than Xiao Li's, but unfortunately, his talent was mediocre, and he had only just entered the Mortal Martial stage.

On the post, Cui Hao's mind was calm. After finishing a set of punches, he withdrew his stance, gathered his breath, and jumped off the wooden post.

"Not bad," Sun Cheng said with a smile as he walked forward. "Your qi and blood circulation is smooth, and your punches are steady and powerful. You're definitely in the Mortal Martial Realm. Congratulations, Junior Brother Cui."

Just then, a woman in a light green training uniform, with a tall and straight posture, walked over.

"Junior Brother Cui," Xu Liqing said as she handed him a small packet, her voice gentle. "This is a Blood Vitality Powder. You've just entered the Mortal Martial stage and need to consolidate your foundation. I hope it will be of some help to you."

Blood Vitality Powder was an auxiliary medicine for Mortal Martial Realm disciples to accelerate qi and blood accumulation, priced at two taels of silver per packet, three taels for two packets. It was quite precious.

Before, he had only seen Xiao Li use it from afar.

Sun Cheng took the opportunity to introduce them. "Junior Brother Cui, this is Senior Sister Xu, our senior disciple, and also Master's daughter."

Cui Hao accepted the packet with both hands and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior Sister, for the medicine."

Almost simultaneously, Xu Dian ambled over from the inner courtyard. He stopped in front of Cui Hao, looked him up and down, and then reached out to pat his shoulder with a force that was neither too light nor too heavy.

"Your foundation is quite solid. It's good that you've broken through. You must continue to train diligently and not slack off from now on."

"Yes! Master!"

Just then, from the other side of the courtyard, near the plum blossom posts by the wall, a more intense, even somewhat violent, gust of fist wind suddenly broke through the air!

Immediately after, there was a clear sound of bones cracking, like popping beans!

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to the commotion!

On the tallest plum blossom post, a dark, lean figure was executing the Broken Fist with astonishing speed and power!

The fist shadows were almost a continuous blur, and the whistling fist wind sent snowflakes scattering in all directions. The wooden post beneath his feet groaned under the strain! It was Li He!

The crowd's gazes, like spotlights, were fixed on Li He.

On Cui Hao's side, the attention instantly dwindled.

Just as the focus of the entire scene shifted, a figure silently moved to Cui Hao's side and gently nudged his arm.

Cui Hao turned his head. It was Wang Nian, from the same cohort.

Wang Nian's expression was a little complicated, a mix of relief, deep fatigue, and a hint of imperceptible gloom.

"Junior Brother Cui," Wang Nian's voice was very low, audible only to the two of them. "I... I also attempted to break through last night."

Cui Hao's gaze sharpened slightly. He cupped his fists and said in a low voice, "Congratulations."

Wang Nian gave a wry smile and shook his head, his smile lacking much joy. "It's nothing to celebrate. I used Blood Vitality Powder."

He paused, his voice dropping even lower, tinged with self-mockery. "I relied on medicine to get here. It's like... like a remarried woman who had no choice. It's not glorious, and it has to be hidden. It won't be publicly announced."

As they spoke, Li He on the other side finished his practice and leaped off the wooden post with a clean movement. Although his breathing was a little uneven, his eyes were bright, and the surging qi and blood could be vaguely felt even from a distance.

Xu Dian stepped forward, his face beaming with undisguised joy. He heavily patted Li He's shoulder. "Good! Very good! Your qi and blood are vigorous. Excellent!"

Li He's face flushed with excitement. He bowed deeply to the ground. "Thank you, Master! Your disciple will train diligently and will never fail to live up to your cultivation and kindness!"

"Good! Come to the backyard for lunch. We'll eat together." Xu Dian's face was full of smiles. This was a very high honor.

"Yes!" Li He's voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Xu Dian offered a few more words of encouragement before leaving with satisfaction, his steps noticeably lighter.

As soon as their Master left, the crowd surged forward, surrounding Li He. Congratulations and flattery erupted from all sides.

Tu Yan was the quickest. She was the first to push her way to Li He, her face wearing a perfectly cordial smile. "Junior Brother Li, congratulations on entering the Mortal Martial stage! On behalf of the Tu family, I will sponsor you ten packets of Blood Vitality Powder and five taels of silver every month to help you advance bravely!"

Ten packets of Blood Vitality Powder were worth twenty taels, plus five taels of cash. A monthly investment of twenty-five taels was a huge sum for an ordinary family!

This generosity demonstrated the Tu family's financial strength and determination.

Li He was clearly somewhat surprised but quickly regained his composure. He cupped his fists towards Tu Yan and said solemnly, "Thank you, Senior Sister Tu, for your generous offer! Li He is deeply grateful and will never forget it!"

Xiao Li also walked over. He was half a head taller than Li He, and at this moment, he patted Li He's shoulder with a slightly condescending yet friendly gesture. "Junior Brother Li, well done. From now on, we will both train under Master, spar with each other, and improve together."

Although Li He was confident after just entering the Mortal Martial stage, he did not become arrogant. He maintained sufficient respect for this senior brother who had long been famous and was favored by both his Master and the Tu family. He cupped his fists in return. "This junior disciple is dull-witted. I hope Senior Brother will guide me often."

"Not at all. We are the same kind of people, destined to go further than others." Xiao Li's tone was calm, but it carried a clear distinction—drawing Li He into his "circle" and separating him from the "others" around him.

The onlookers listened, their envy evident.

Li He had not only gained his Master's favor and the sponsorship of the local prominent Tu family but was also recognized as "one of them" by the genius Xiao Li. His future was bright.

Cui Hao's gaze calmly swept over the surrounded Li He, the reserved and smiling Tu Yan, and the spirited Xiao Li. He felt no envy.

The weak gather in herds; the strong walk alone.