Under the Scorching Sun

Looking at the young man before him, brimming with heroic spirit, Escort Huang nodded. "Not bad. Keep up the good work."

"Got it."

Jiang Ping answered obediently.

Ever since Sun Qi had broken through to the Second Level, Jiang Ping had also planned to reveal that he had cultivated to the second level.

For two reasons.

First, to secure his Top Five position and obtain extra nutritious food.

Second, for the Stance Technique.

Jiang Ping would actually have preferred to keep a low profile and continue cultivating in silence, but obtaining a Stance Technique was a problem for him. If he wanted one as soon as possible, he had to become an escort early and earn silver.

So, he had to display some of his talent.

Of course, that display had to be just right. He could not be the bird that stuck its head out first; that would draw too much attention. Second or third place was ideal—showing strength without being too flamboyant.

Jiang Ping sought the Stance Technique to raise his strength and establish himself in the world. But if he wanted to establish himself, talent alone was useless. He had to be cautious, not take steps too large, and advance one camp at a time.

Therefore, in all future breakthrough records for the Nourishing Life Technique, he would never be The first person. Let Jiang Ping, beneath the scorching sun and in the shadow of the "Escort Agency's first person," be the eternal second or third!

Then again, what if some big shot from the Escort Agency took a fancy to him and granted him a Stance Technique?

So showing some talent was necessary too. He could not keep his head tucked in forever, or he really would become a turtle.

Still, he could not show too much. He had to stop while he was ahead and let The first person draw the attention for him.

In short, he could not reveal much—only a tiny little bit.

"Mm. From now on, The first person... will be the only person I look up to!" Jiang Ping muttered inwardly.

Jiang Ping stepped into the crowd, and Luo Tiegen immediately came up to him enthusiastically, saying excitedly:

"Congratulations, Brother Jiang! I knew you could do it! This calls for celebration. Tonight, we should get everyone in our dorm to chip in and give Brother Jiang a proper celebration."

Jiang Ping was slightly surprised.

This man changed sides quickly. Just moments ago, he had been fawning over Sun Qi, and now he was coming over to him—calling him "Brother" again, too.

And if you wanted to celebrate for someone to build a good relationship, you should at least sincerely put up your own money. Yet he was urging everyone else to spend as well. Clearly, he wanted to invest in Jiang Ping—giving first in hopes of receiving later, but without wanting to lose too much himself.

"No need." Jiang Ping waved a hand and refused outright.

He had seen Luo Tiegen clearly now. The man loved taking petty advantages, though he had a shrewd side too. Unfortunately, Jiang Ping disliked such people the most—they were the sort to stab you in both ribs.

With that, Jiang Ping headed toward the back of the crowd. Everyone instinctively made way for him.

See? This was the symbol of strength!

As he passed Sun Zheng, Jiang Ping caught sight of his trembling legs from the corner of his eye.

All bark and no bite.

When Jiang Ping returned to his spot, Liu Wensheng beside him also offered congratulations. Then, with some resentment, he said, "Brother Jiang, you hid yourself even better than Fang Yong."

"How could I let our Top Five lose face?"

"..." Liu Wensheng fell silent.

While the two whispered among themselves, the Fist Force testing up ahead continued.

After Jiang Ping came his dormmates.

Luo Da Niu and the others had still not entered the First level. Even their walking looked somewhat unnatural. Thick-skinned Luo Tiegen remained at the First level of the Nourishing Life Technique. Though he had improved, he had yet to reach the threshold for a breakthrough.

When it was Qian Dele's turn, he wore a broad smile and acted with great respect. No one knew where he had learned the gesture, but he clasped his hands and bowed toward the Head Escort.

The others did not understand but found it impressive. His dormmates, Jiang Ping, Luo Da Niu, and the others, watched as if enjoying a show, knowing that he was currying favor with Head Escort Liang.

Still, everyone whispered among themselves. Could this man, who had long dominated the Top Five, continue his legend like Jiang Ping and Fang Yong?

"Two hundred and five pounds!"

When the result came out, everyone wore different expressions. Compared with Sun Zheng's dejection and Sun Qi's disappointment, most people visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Three people had already mastered two levels of internal force. If another one appeared, how were they supposed to live?

Up ahead, Qian Dele bowed again, his face still smiling. Yet Head Escort Liang, who had always refrained from comment, suddenly raised a brow and barked:

"Why are you bowing? What makes you worthy of performing the Ceremony of Apprenticeship before me?"

The icy voice rang out. Even Escort Huang, who had been relaxed and at ease, wiped the expression from his face. The grounds fell utterly silent.

Everyone realized that what Qian Dele had just performed was the Ceremony of Apprenticeship.

"The Ceremony of Apprenticeship? Is he worthy?" Those who disliked Qian Dele immediately sneered.

Someone who had only cultivated the Nourishing Life Technique to the First level, with neither strength nor background and no outstanding talent—whether he could even enter the Escort Agency was still unknown. Yet he dared to try cozying up to an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist. Was that not asking for humiliation and making himself a laughingstock?

The atmosphere turned cold.

Before the Head Escort, Qian Dele's face went deathly pale, terror in his eyes.

At eighteen, Qian Dele stood there like an ant.

"Young man, you should still focus on training steadily. Once you enter the Escort Agency, then think about all that unnecessary nonsense."

In the end, Escort Huang stepped in to smooth things over, signaling for him to hurry down.

Qian Dele's face flushed red. He quickly realized how foolish his actions had been and slunk back into the crowd in disgrace.

Time passed. Not long after that small incident, the third Fist Force test was declared over.

Among the Top Five, who had drawn so much attention, Sun Qi still maintained his lead and was honored as The first person.

However, some people guessed that his advantage would likely be erased before long.

Because Fang Yong, Jiang Ping, and Liu Wensheng were unwilling to fall behind. They had likewise mastered two levels of the Nourishing Life Technique.

The obvious difference between them was that Sun Qi was rich and powerful, eating three portions of nutritious food every meal. The other three only relied on their extra rewards and had not increased their intake of nutritious food.

Sun Qi naturally noticed this, and his expression shifted slightly.

Hmph. Talk after you surpass me first. He glanced at the three of them and snorted inwardly.

Then came Fifth Place in Fist Force: Qian Dele, who had been rebuked by the Head Escort.

He had fallen directly from second place in Fist Force last time to guarding the gate of the Top Five, and he showed signs of falling further, because Sixth Place and Seventh Place were not far behind him. There was only a three-pound gap in Fist Force between sixth and fifth.

"Brother Qian, you have to work harder and try to hold on to Fifth Position." Sun Zheng's voice was somewhat hoarse. He no longer had his previous air of springtime triumph and looked rather timid and submissive.

He had figured it out. Outsiders could not be relied upon. Only the best friend before him was his solid backing.

"Let's eat." Qian Dele said in a low voice, his expression somewhat gloomy.

After the meal, Hundred People returned to the Training Ground to practice.

This Fist Force test, setting aside the changes in the Top Five, had one matter of greatest importance: the notice issued by Escort Huang.

"Those who have not entered the First level by the next test will no longer be provided nutritious food!" For many people, this was a dangerous signal and concerned their future.

Thus, most people trained with exceptional seriousness this time. They no longer laughed and joked, nor did they dare slack off.

Within the crowd, Jiang Ping, who had no such worries, trained as usual. After three rounds, the qi and blood within his body suddenly surged.

The Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Life Technique was complete!

His Fist Force rose by another hundred pounds!

There was no joy of breakthrough on Jiang Ping's face. He sat down where he was and rested as his train of thought turned:

"I'm getting closer and closer to becoming a martial artist. Once the Nourishing Life Technique reaches its limit, I'll need a Stance Technique to continue down the Martial Dao. And there are two ways to obtain a Stance Technique."

"First, take Twelve Taels of Silver to a Martial Arts Hall. This is the safest method, because guidance from seniors makes cultivation faster."

"Second, go to the Black Market in Yang City and buy a Stance Technique cheaply. The downside is that no one will teach me, so getting started might be much slower."

In truth, with Jiang Ping's Eight Taels of Silver, he could have gone to the Black Market to exchange for one long ago.

But at the time, he had not known his own talent and feared that practicing by himself would lead to something going wrong. Cautious by nature, he had not gone.

Looking at it now, that had indeed been a wise choice. After all, an essential condition for cultivation was having enough food to keep up with the training.

If he had forced the matter, even if he failed to master it, injuring his body first would have been utterly not worth it.

Now, however, Jiang Ping had nutritious food to support him, so practicing a Stance Technique would naturally pose no great problem. On top of that, his talent was not bad. Perhaps he might master it in one go.

"Everyone stop! Line up and assemble!"

At that moment, a voice interrupted Jiang Ping's train of thought.