Breakthrough

Li He took his mother's icy hand. "Mom, don't panic. Dad used to handle electrical circuits. Maybe it's just a power outage and there's no signal. He's probably fixing it right now. He's experienced—he'll be fine. Let's wait a little longer."

Li He poured a cup of hot water, reheated the dishes, and waited with his mother, Zhang Xiujuan, for news from his father.

Not long after.

Ding-dong!

A crisp notification sounded.

Zhang Xiujuan hurriedly opened her phone, and Li Jianguo's booming voice came through the speaker:

"Ha ha ha ha! Honey, sorry I sent the message so late."

"Today really turned disaster into fortune! The wiring deep in the mine had aged, and while we were repairing it this afternoon, I found a big one—a perfectly preserved energy core. The technicians said it's worth a fortune. We're rich! This time, we've really struck it rich!"

"The bonus has already been approved. The money will be transferred over soon. Hurry and buy some more Exotic Beast Meat for Hehe, and get some for yourself too. Have a good meal, ha ha ha!"

His father's hearty laughter instantly swept away all the gloom.

Zhang Xiujuan listened to the voice message again and again, crying and laughing at once. "It's fine as long as you're okay. That old fool scared me to death."

The weight in Li He's heart finally settled.

"Mom, what did I tell you? Dad's a lucky man. Heaven will watch over him."

"Yes, yes, yes! Heaven watches over lucky men! Heaven watches over lucky men!" Color finally returned to Zhang Xiujuan's face. "Why are you home so late today? The food's gone cold. Mom will heat it up again."

With that, his mother headed for the kitchen.

Li He took out his phone and, sure enough, saw a bank transfer notification. The amount was not small, but not enormous either—still equivalent to half a year of his father's wages.

"This money came with quite the scare."

Li He murmured to himself.

After dinner, he returned to his room. Rather than resting immediately, he began practicing his stance again.

[Proficiency +1]

[Turtle-Crane Health Stance: Beginner (50%) → (51%)]

Right afterward, Li He began swinging his arms and practicing the Cloud Hand Eighteen Forms, over and over. Sweat seeped out once more, but his gaze was incomparably resolute.

His father was safe, and the family had extra money.

The path of martial arts lay right beneath his feet.

Over the following days.

Li He maintained a regular routine, traveling between Pine Listening Courtyard and home every day.

One day, Li He was returning home as usual when he suddenly sensed something. Looking back, he saw a black-clothed man in a hood behind him hurriedly duck back around a corner.

He frowned and chased after him, only to find that the man had already vanished.

After that, he never noticed anyone following him again. He was happy to be left in peace and focused on his cultivation.

Pine Listening Courtyard.

The pine breeze and bamboo shadows remained as they were, while the occasional clatter of mahjong could still be heard beside the stone tables.

Master Zhou still wore that ever-smiling expression, but when teaching martial arts, he was anything but careless.

He had Li He demonstrate on his own and only offered pointers at crucial moments. "Relax the shoulders, drop the elbows, keep the wrists alive. The force must flow without interruption." "In this move, Cloud Rolling Cloud Relaxing, the intent is not in the form, but in the inhaling, releasing, and circling of force."

Li He's movements gradually shed their initial awkwardness and gained a hint of smooth, flowing grace.

On the system panel.

The proficiency of the Cloud Hand Eighteen Forms rose rapidly.

Master Yin still had that cold, stern face, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Li He's footwork at all times.

"Your stride is too wide. Pull it in!" "Your transitions are sluggish. Faster!" "Your breathing is off. Adjust it!"

Li He did not dare slack off in the slightest. He darted, shifted, and turned across the bluestone slabs, stirring faint gusts of wind as his movement technique became increasingly nimble.

The proficiency of Wild Goose Eight Steps also rose steadily.

But the fastest improvement came from the Turtle-Crane Health Stance. Li He practiced the stance with Master Sun beneath the old pine tree, remaining there for half an hour at a time.

"Your heart is restless—how can you guard your dantian?" "Thoughts are like dust. Brush them away." "Feel the pine breeze, feel the rhythm of the bamboo, feel the pulse of the earth..."

Under Master Sun's low, tranquil guidance, Li He worked hard to cast aside distracting thoughts. His mind gradually calmed, and his breathing became long and even.

For those seven days, Director Wang Zhengyang kept a low profile. Whenever he had nothing to do, he watered the flowers or received other old masters visiting the courtyard, deliberately praising Li He extravagantly in front of them.

Yet his gaze remained calm, as though he had been watching Li He's reactions all along.

Seven days in a row!

Li He checked his panel.

[Name: Li He]

[Vitality: 8.9 (↑0.5+↑0.5+↑0.5)]

[Skill: Federation Body Forging Fist: Mastery (19%)]

[Skill: Old Ape Stretches Arms: Mastery (0%)]

[Skill: Cloud Hand Eighteen Forms: Proficient (29%) (↑129%)]

[Skill: Wild Goose Eight Steps: Proficient (77%) (↑177%)]

[Skill: Turtle-Crane Health Stance: Mastery (25%) (↑125%)]

The Federation Body Forging Fist and Old Ape Stretches Arms had not budged at all, but the proficiency of the other three martial arts had soared. His Vitality had also climbed to 8.9.

That afternoon.

Li He was practicing Wild Goose Eight Steps under Master Yin's supervision.

The sunlight slanted through the courtyard, which was quiet and peaceful.

The half-closed wooden gate was pushed open. Humming a tune, the slightly plump Master Zhou strode in with a thermal food container in his arms.

"Xiao He, training is hard work. Look what good stuff I brought you!" Master Zhou's voice was booming, and his round face was full of pride.

When he opened the container, several chunks of tender, stewed meat filled it with an enticing aroma.

The meat had fine grain, and a faint energy glow shimmered across its surface.

"This is Exotic Beast Meat?" Li He asked in surprise.

Between the muscle fibers of the meat flowed a pale golden sheen of fat. It was nothing like the ordinary Exotic Beast Meat he ate at home.

"Ha ha, impressive, right? My boy just salvaged this from the Abyss." Master Zhou proudly lifted his chin. "Genuine third-tier Red-Scaled Ox tenderloin. A great tonic."

As he spoke, he pushed the container closer to Li He. "Don't just stand there. Hurry and eat it while it's hot!"

Master Yin stood nearby with his arms folded, and a faint smile appeared on his face as well. "Xiao He, hurry and eat. No need to be polite with Master Zhou. With your poor foundation, you need to make up for it through acquired means. Don't waste it!"

Li He did not refuse.

The Exotic Beast Meat entered his stomach, and pure energy quickly spread through his body, nourishing his muscles and bones. Its effects were indeed powerful, making him feel as he had on the first day he ate Exotic Beast Meat.

He did not waste the opportunity.

Li He immediately began practicing Wild Goose Eight Steps, weaving and leaping across the bluestone slabs.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

A string of notifications rang out.

[Skill: Wild Goose Eight Steps: Proficient (77%) → (84%)]

The increase was enormous. The effect of the Red-Scaled Ox meat was truly astounding.

Li He slowly drew in his stance and cupped his fists toward Master Yin and Master Zhou. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Yin! Thank you for your generous gift, Master Zhou!"

Master Zhou waved with a cheerful smile. "Ha ha, don't mention it! Seeing you make progress means the meat wasn't wasted!"

Just then, Wang Zhengyang strolled over from beneath the corridor. His gaze swept over Li He, full of approval. "Mm, not bad. You've made great progress these past seven days."

After speaking, Wang Zhengyang turned his gaze toward Master Sun, Master Zhou, and Master Yin. Their eyes met briefly, as though they had reached some unspoken agreement.

"Xiao He, you've worked hard today. Don't rush home tonight. Stay and have a simple meal with us, all right?"