Daoist Yellow Dragon

"Eight Trigrams Stance?"

"Right."

Han Che nodded. First the Five Force Fist, then the stance work—or stance work first, then the Five Force Fist. It was just a matter of changing the order.

Now that Feng Xiu was hale and hearty, with a sense of qi and blood and improved flexibility, this was the perfect time to stabilize his lower body and practice the stance work.

As he spoke, Han Che glanced at the two octagonal steel maces on the rack to the left.

He picked them up and walked to a more open area. Then he bent his knees into a horse stance, gripping one mace in each hand.

Feng Xiu's interest was piqued. He watched intently as Han Che moved his feet through the Eight Trigrams Steps, tracing circles while swinging the maces clockwise through the air.

After half a cup of tea, Han Che finished demonstrating the stance work and the supplementary method using the weapons.

He handed the maces to Feng Xiu. "Young Master Feng, give it a try. This method isn't difficult."

Feng Xiu took them and followed Han Che's example. He planted himself in a horse stance while swinging the maces in his hands, then moved into the Qian trigram step.

The moment he took his first step, Feng Xiu felt something was off.

Below his waist, both legs seemed to be braced by something. They weren't stiff; instead, a warm sensation welled up from deep within his bones.

His knees and ankles felt heavier, and his entire lower body sank.

After completing the Qian, Dui, Li, and Zhen trigrams, he felt like a tree with roots sunk deep into the earth.

Watching Feng Xiu sink into the stance work, his steps growing more assured, Han Che gave an almost imperceptible nod, then quietly withdrew.

"This stance work... has something to it."

Feng Xiu's expression shifted slightly. The feeling seemed oddly familiar.

One of the forms in the Vajra Skill faintly echoed the Eight Trigrams Stance, though the Vajra Skill focused on nurturing qi, while the stance work focused on strengthening the foundations.

Combining the two brought an unexpected benefit. Feng Xiu continued practicing the Eight Trigrams Stance, and the movements of his hands grew more rapid.

He had been on the martial path for many days now, and understood why Han Che insisted on pairing the stance work with the weapon method.

The two maces were heavy. Swinging them slowly required the strength of his sinews, bones, and qi and blood.

With his lower body moving through the prescribed Eight Trigrams Steps, the qi and blood in his upper body was suppressed and couldn't be mobilized. The rest of it could only surge toward his waist and hips.

This strengthened his grip and arm strength while also making his lower body more stable.

Needless to say, this was probably one of Han Che's best-kept martial arts methods. In the past, one couldn't learn it without paying a hundred or so taels of silver.

After completing a full set of the Eight Trigrams Steps and stance work, the warmth in Feng Xiu's legs gradually faded, and he slowly came to a stop.

He let out a long breath of white vapor. A glint flashed in his eyes. The qi and blood in his lower body hadn't yet dissipated, and a solid sensation, like muscle growing to fill out his frame, slowly spread through him.

[Life: 11]

[Spirit: 5]

[Strength: 7]

[Agility: 2]

[Technique Record: Eight Sections Vajra Skill (Perfected: Life +2, Spirit +2) Cannot be upgraded]

[Five Force Fist (Hall-Entering Realm: Strength +3, Life +1, Spirit +2)]

[Eight Trigrams Stance (Hall-Entering Realm: Strength +1)]

[Synthesis: Cannot be obtained before reaching perfection]

"It jumped up three stages at once?" The details of the Eight Trigrams Stance appeared plainly on the panel before him.

Feng Xiu's expression turned thoughtful as he pondered.

"That makes sense. Martial arts begin with qi and blood. The so-called stance work ultimately serves to refine the body's sinews, bones, skin, and membranes."

Feng Xiu understood. The Five Force Fist had already laid his foundation, and he had used vast resources to advance his overall Body Refining through its four stages.

After learning how to channel qi and blood and use force, practicing stance work in turn would naturally bring twice the results with half the effort.

June 7, early morning.

Feng Xiu had risen early to practice. On the Martial Arts Arena, his sturdy, upright figure shifted through the steps.

He slowly moved through a set of Vajra Skill that worked his whole body, facing the rising sun. After completing one Greater Celestial Circuit, the qi and blood in his body had grown stronger.

Only after learning the Five Force Fist's Internal Breath Method had Feng Xiu truly experienced the wonders of martial cultivation.

This special method, which combined the mind with breathing techniques, greatly enhanced even a health-nurturing art like the Eight Sections Vajra Skill.

"Qi and blood, internal breath... At my current level, I can only unleash the Five Forces as One six times."

After finishing the Vajra Skill, Feng Xiu picked up the two maces and continued practicing the Eight Trigrams Stance.

"If I force out a seventh, I'll only damage the foundation of my qi and blood." Feng Xiu focused on two things at once, assessing the gradually strengthening qi and blood in his body.

The Internal Breath Method was a high-level technique that unified the qi and blood throughout the body, using the breath as a guide to form an inner circulation and mobilize qi and strength.

Only by harmonizing them with internal breath and directing the qi and blood into a single force could the Five Force Fist unleash its true destructive power!

Yesterday, it was this very move that had let him defeat Han Che.

At the thought, Feng Xiu paused, finding Zhou Gang's skill ever more unfathomable.

At his current level, the Five Forces as One could only serve as an active killing move, and it consumed a tremendous amount of qi and blood.

Once used, it also carried the risk of leaving him completely drained.

Thinking back, perhaps when Zhou Gang casually demonstrated how he split a stone table with a single finger, he had already turned the Five Forces into an instinctive, passive ability. Every move he made held terrifying power.

After finishing the Eight Trigrams Stance, Feng Xiu tossed a White Deer Pill into his mouth and seamlessly transitioned into the Five Force Fist.

A surge of fullness swept through his qi and blood. Feng Xiu's eyes turned sharp, and his punches grew fierce and explosive, whooshing through the air.

His bones shook violently, while his sinews, bones, skin, and membranes stretched and tightened.

A moment later, he slowly completed his practice.

A long breath of white vapor escaped his nostrils. He breathed in the fresh morning air, his expression brightening as he felt refreshed and completely at ease.

Thud, thud, thud~

Just then, Uncle Zheng walked over and reported, "Young Master, he's here."

"Who from our side?"

"Daoist Yellow Dragon."

Feng Xiu's face lit up, though he sensed something was amiss. "Is he alone? What about Master Black? Hasn't he returned yet?"

Uncle Zheng shook his head. "Master Black said he still had some business to take care of in Yulin Prefecture, so he sent Daoist Yellow Dragon here first."

Master Black could get along with all sorts of people, and his business touched on many fields. Feng Xiu thought nothing of it. "Where is he?"

"In the reception hall."

"Quick, take me there."

At that moment, in the reception hall.

Two pretty maids carried a wooden tray and gently set down cooling iced water, pastries, and flower tea on the table.

A girl of about ten sat beside the table, dressed in yellow and wearing a black hat with a wide brim.

Her big, bright eyes were fixed on the delicate flower cakes and pastries on the table.

"Grandpa, I'm hungry~" The enticing aroma so close at hand stirred her appetite, and she couldn't help swallowing. She turned to the white-bearded old man standing beside her.

"You little rascal."

The old man was helpless. The hosts hadn't even arrived yet. The refreshments were just there as a courtesy while they discussed business. What would it look like if she ate them now?

He then put on a stern face and scolded her. "Didn't you eat breakfast?"

"That porridge was so thin you could float chopsticks in it. My stomach's still sloshing with water."

At the old man's words, the girl's face filled with indignation. She puffed out her cheeks and argued with conviction.

As she spoke, her eyes drifted toward the table. "Master Black gave us money, so why didn't you buy anything tasty...?"

"Don't start. If you weren't so lazy about practicing, would I have to be so frugal with food?" The old man glared at her.

"I don't care! I don't want to practice that stuff. I'm hungry. I want to eat~"

Thud, thud~

Just then, two hurried sets of footsteps approached outside the hall.

The old man's expression changed. He quickly lowered his head to straighten his worn, musty blue robe and smooth his beard.

The girl's dark eyes shifted. When she saw he wasn't paying attention, she grabbed a flower cake and stuffed it into her mouth.

At the same time, she used her black hat to hide her face, concealing her bulging cheeks as she chewed.

"Daoist, Daoist Yellow Dragon, I've long admired you."

The moment Feng Xiu entered, he saw a frail, white-haired old man. His clothes were worn, but his posture was straight and his features plain.

Yet he carried the quiet bearing of a pine tree, and wore a black hat resembling a conical bamboo hat.

He was no immortal-looking elder with the bearing of a transcendent, but rather seemed ill at ease in the presence of a wealthy household.

Feng Xiu's face beamed with a smile as he reached out to clasp Daoist Yellow Dragon's hand.

"Young Mas—"

Daoist Yellow Dragon froze. Before he could finish speaking, Feng Xiu's visibly warm welcome left him at a loss.

"Ah, Daoist, you're too courteous."

Daoist Yellow Dragon gave an awkward laugh and was about to say something else, but Feng Xiu still hadn't let go of his hand. He ushered the old man to the large chair on the left side of the seat of honor.

It was the same seat Zhou Gang had once occupied.

"Your mastery of the Dao is profound, and your reputation has spread through Yulin Prefecture for years. Though I live in Qingyan, I've long admired you."

Feng Xiu took his seat in the master's chair and looked at Daoist Yellow Dragon, his face full of heartfelt admiration.

The maids brought fresh tea. Feng Xiu waved them away.

Silence settled over the hall. Daoist Yellow Dragon perched on the edge of his seat. With Feng Xiu saying nothing, he felt uneasy.

The most powerful official he had ever met was a tax collector from Yulin Prefecture, and that man had only come to collect incense money. This was his first time entering a grand residence like the Feng Clan's.

"Daoist, you must be tired from the journey. I hope Master Black treated you well?" Feng Xiu asked with a smile.

"Not at all, not at all. Master Black made all the arrangements very well." Daoist Yellow Dragon hurriedly waved his hands. "It's just..."

He paused and glanced at Feng Xiu, hesitating.

"Daoist, speak freely."

Daoist Yellow Dragon took a deep breath, looking as if he were carefully weighing his words.

"When I came here, I heard people in the city saying that I was some great master who had attained the Dao, an immortal reincarnated... May I ask if this was Young Master Feng's doing?"

As he spoke, Daoist Yellow Dragon couldn't help blushing. Before arriving, he had heard the rumors in teahouses and wine shops.

They called him Green Rock City's savior, an earthly immortal who rescued the suffering. He had nearly died of embarrassment.

He even had a biography circulating about him, claiming that in his previous life he had been a true dragon reincarnated?!

My surname is Huang, my given name is Long, and I call myself a Daoist.

Was that supposed to be me?!