Taking an Apprentice, Mysterious Map

His Tiger Form Cannon Fist had also reached the master level.

Hong felt his control over his body's strength become more refined, and his mastery over his muscles and bones had advanced even further.

He knew.

As long as he achieved perfect control over every inch of his muscles and bones, reaching the state of "Resonating Muscles and Bones" while practicing, it would signify that he had stepped into the realm of an Xingyi Fist grandmaster.

Now.

He was only one step away from this realm!

Of course.

This was also the most difficult step.

His teacher had been trapped at this stage for decades and had yet to make a breakthrough even now.

And he.

Had reached his teacher's level in just eight years.

"Very good. I didn't expect you to break through so quickly. Your comprehension is truly exceptional," Teng Qingshan said with satisfaction.

Hong's comprehension was comparable to those truly brilliant figures from the Nine Provinces Continent in his past life.

"It is all thanks to your guidance, Master!" After the breakthrough, while Hong was naturally overjoyed, he also realized the gap between himself and Teng Qingshan more clearly.

He knew that if he wanted to step into the realm of an Xingyi Fist grandmaster as soon as possible, the Teng Qingshan before him would undoubtedly be his greatest asset.

"No need for thanks; your own comprehension is strong enough," Teng Qingshan said, waving his hand dismissively.

"Master, I have a request!"

Suddenly, Hong said solemnly.

"Speak your mind."

"I wish to formally take you as my master!" Hong said, kneeling on both knees. "You are the master with the highest martial arts realm I have ever met. It has always been my dream to become an Xingyi Fist grandmaster; please, I beg you to accept me!"

Looking at Hong, who was kneeling with a sincere expression, Teng Qingshan felt moved. "Actually, you don't need to become my disciple to learn fist techniques from me."

"It is not the same. I wish to join your sect, serve by your side, and listen to your teachings at all times!"

"Since that is the case, I will accept you as my disciple," Teng Qingshan said with satisfaction. He was more than happy to take on Hong, whose talent and comprehension were superb. "My sect is called the Xingyi Sect. From now on, you are my first disciple."

The Xingyi Sect in the world of Swallowed Star had not yet been formally established, but as long as Teng Qingshan was there, the Xingyi Sect existed, so there was no issue with saying this.

"Thank you, Master!"

Hong knelt again, performing the formal apprenticeship ceremony.

Teng Qingshan accepted the grand gesture with peace of mind.

"In times of urgency, we must be flexible. Since you have performed the ceremony and I have agreed, you are now truly a member of my Xingyi Sect," Teng Qingshan laughed.

"Thank you for your grace, Master." Hong stood up, his heart filled with joy.

Hong was extremely happy to be able to join the sect of such a powerful expert.

"By the way, Master, you still don't know why two top killers from the underground world came to intercept me this time," Hong said suddenly after sitting back down in the pavilion.

"I truly do not."

"It is because of this." Hong reached into his robe, took out a map he kept close to his body, and handed it over.

Looking at the map, which was identical to the one in the vision of the Little Cauldron, Teng Qingshan nodded inwardly.

"This is a map that the underground world has been fighting over for many years, though this is only a fragment," Hong explained. "Legend has it that if one collects all three fragments, they can open the Ruins and obtain treasures beyond imagination."

"So it is only a fragment." Teng Qingshan looked at the map made of specially treated leather and felt slightly disappointed. If it were a complete map, he would have truly considered checking it out once his Telekinesis awakened.

After all, it was something that could be intercepted from the river of time by the Little Cauldron. It must have its extraordinary aspects.

But as it was only a fragment, its value was limited, unless all three could be collected in the future to form a complete map.

"Master, this map is of great importance. I have to turn it in after I go back this time, so let's make a copy now," Hong suggested, his eyes shifting.

"Very well. Who knows, we might actually go and explore the area recorded on this map in the future," Teng Qingshan agreed with a smile.

The two chatted for a long time afterward, and Teng Qingshan gave Hong some pointers on his spear techniques before they took advantage of the night to head to Yangzhou.

After buying the materials needed for the rubbing, Teng Qingshan made two copies of the map, keeping one for himself and leaving one for Hong.

As for the original, it would naturally be handed over to the Dark Hand so that Hong could exchange it for a measure of freedom.

After staying in Yangzhou for two more days and learning several secret techniques of the Xingyi Fist from Teng Qingshan, Hong quietly departed.

However, before leaving, Hong left behind the 200,000 in cash he had received from White Bear and Monkey.

Teng Qingshan did not object to this.

He was planning to forge a suitable long spear and a large number of Flying Daggers for his daily training, all of which required financial support.

Although he could ask Teng Yongyuan for the money, since he had it now, there was no need to trouble the old man.

After Hong left.

Teng Qingshan's life returned to a state of cultivation.

However, in his spare time.

Teng Qingshan found a sword and blade shop; these shops, which usually dealt in collectibles, also accepted custom weapon orders.

This time, Teng Qingshan found a shop with a good reputation online and ordered a spear with a shaft made of high-carbon steel alloy and a spearhead made of high-hardness alloy.

Due to certain reasons, the spearhead could not be sharpened for the time being.

However, Teng Qingshan did not mind.

The reason he was having this spear crafted now was simply to regain the feeling of practicing with a spear back in the day; as for lethality.

Even without a sharpened tip, the spear could still unleash immense power in Teng Qingshan's hands.

Besides that, Teng Qingshan also ordered thirty of the best alloy Flying Daggers.

Since they were ordered under the guise of fruit knives, these Flying Daggers could be sharpened.

Because the best materials were used, this two-point-four-meter-long, twenty-plus-jin spear, along with the thirty alloy Flying Daggers, cost a total of several tens of thousands of China currency.

Several days later.

After the custom spear and Flying Daggers arrived, Teng Qingshan began practicing his spear techniques.

In his previous life.

Teng Qingshan had already reached an extremely high level of attainment in spear arts.

Although he had transmigrated here, many of his martial arts realms were not applicable.

But the most basic spear techniques, as well as the spear arts evolved from the Five Elements Fist and the Twelve Forms Fist, could still be utilized.

In preparation for the Monster Crisis that would erupt in less than a year.

There was naturally no need to rely solely on his fists for combat.

A long weapon like a spear was very suitable.

Furthermore, he would soon awaken Telekinesis, and being able to control Flying Daggers for long-range attacks was undoubtedly an excellent way to cope.

Facing the Monster Cataclysm.

Teng Qingshan naturally hoped that as many China citizens as possible would survive.

As for other countries and other places, he would just have to let nature take its course.

Although Teng Qingshan was kind-hearted, it was only directed toward the China citizens who shared the same roots and origins as him.

Moreover, during this period, Teng Qingshan had been learning about the history of this world, and he felt a strong aversion toward certain countries; it was already generous enough that he didn't go out of his way to wipe such nations and peoples off the map.

Let alone saving them proactively.

He was a killer in his first life, and in his second life on the Nine Provinces Continent, he fought his way to become a Supreme Powerhouse; Teng Qingshan had never been an indecisive person who dispensed kindness indiscriminately.