Cultivation

By the time Feng Xiu opened his eyes, it was already deep in the night. The medicinal liquid in the tub had long gone cold.

He stood up, dried himself with a towel, changed into a loose set of clothes, and ordered the room to be tidied up.

After the guards withdrew.

Before bed, Feng Xiu went through his usual routine of the Eight Sections Vajra Skill.

His movements carried a richer, more profound rhythm than before.

His mind was exceptionally clear, and beneath his brows, his eyes gleamed with sharp vitality.

"This feeling!"

Feng Xiu gently clenched his fist, sensing a surge of vitality far greater than before flowing through his body. The soreness and fatigue from the day's fist practice had already faded by more than half.

"Only in the internet age could this happen. Back in the old days, where would you find a land-bound immortal personally teaching you a technique?" Feng Xiu clicked his tongue.

The Eight Sections Vajra Skill was a health-preserving qigong method emphasizing the unity of movement and stillness. Its qi-circulation techniques weren't particularly profound, but it was excellent for regulating the body's meridians, and some of its moves shared a subtle resonance with the Five Force Fist.

After finishing one round, Feng Xiu felt unsatisfied. He rested briefly, then immediately continued.

Once, twice—only after the fifth repetition did he finally stop with a contented sigh.

Just as he was about to get into bed, a disturbance stirred within his consciousness.

[Life: 6] 
[Spirit: 0] 
[Strength: 0] 
[Agility: 0] 
[Technique Record: Eight Sections Vajra Skill (Intermediate, Life +3), Five Force Fist (None)] 
[Fusion: Not yet at mastery, cannot be performed]

The previously flickering entry for Five Force Fist had now fully materialized. Not only that, but for an instant, the [Fusion] slot had briefly brightened before displaying new text.

A look of joy spread across Feng Xiu's face. He sank his mind into the glowing panel, staring at the refreshed data and the blinking line of small text at the bottom, his emotions surging.

If before, practicing the Eight Sections Vajra Skill had only been about mimicking its form, this time, he seemed to have touched the core essence of the technique.

Moreover, with the support of the first eight stances of the Five Force Fist, he had further refined and purified his inner spirit.

Feng Xiu stared at the panel, his mind racing.

This was the most dramatic change the Technique Record had ever shown, and he had little experience to draw from.

"Mastery must be the highest level of a technique. Two techniques can be fused once. Even though I haven't learned the Five Force Fist yet, the panel has already acknowledged it."

Feng Xiu glanced at his Strength stat, still at zero, and couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

"Looks like the Technique Record only displays data from actual cultivation effort."

"It consolidates all practiced techniques into four attributes, then applies an overall boost to the body."

Otherwise, there was no way to explain how an adult's strength could possibly be zero.

"Still, the Technique Record shortens my growth time, but it's not overwhelmingly powerful—just a special kind of shortcut."

With that thought, Feng Xiu's expression calmed.

In his mind, he recalled the Five Force Fist that Zhou Gang had taught him. Though he hadn't yet completed all sixteen stances, the earlier stiffness and hesitation had already transformed into a smooth, coordinated flow within his body.

Suppressing the urge to continue, Feng Xiu stretched his body once more and lay down on the bed.

No rush. There was plenty of time. A new, broad road lay right before him.

Faced with a martial philosophy that demanded gradual progress, if he damaged his body, he wouldn't even have a place to cry about it.

The next day, Feng Xiu woke up early.

More precisely, he was pushed awake by the warm yet vigorous life force flowing inside him.

The sky outside was still dim, but he felt no trace of drowsiness.

After yesterday's training and the medicinal bath, for a body that had no foundation and had just undergone systematic exercise, it was no less than returning him to the peak of his eighteen-year-old self, with a surging vitality radiating even from his bones.

In the small courtyard.

Feng Xiu performed two rounds of the Eight Sections Vajra Skill, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. His breath deepened as he shifted his stance.

Seizing the lingering sensation of the technique, he smoothly transitioned into the Five Force Fist.

His hands extended in an opening salute, and his posture suddenly straightened.

As he sank into a bow stance, Feng Xiu felt a continuous, pleasant tingling spread through his hip bones, ligaments, and ankles—an incredibly comfortable sensation.

The first eight major stances of the Five Force Fist encompassed the sinews, bones, skin, and membranes of a martial artist's body refinement. Almost every move triggered noticeable changes throughout his entire body.

First stretch the sinews, second shake the bones, third tighten the skin, fourth activate the membranes.

Thus the cycle repeats, endlessly renewing.

Feng Xiu sank into it, growing ever more captivated. Compared to yesterday's dull stiffness, even his fist forms now carried a hint of sharpness.

"So that's it—the Eight Sections Vajra Skill nourishes, the Five Force Fist trains. One nourishes, one trains, and together they align with the true path of martial arts." Feng Xiu's expression lit up with surprise.

Once, twice.

On the training ground, Feng Xiu seemed tireless, his fist techniques flowing like quicksilver, smooth and natural.

Sweat gradually soaked his inner shirt, yet his forms grew more practiced and swift, until the first eight sections became pure bodily instinct—the moment a thought stirred, fist and foot were already there.

By now, dawn had just broken. The rising sun cast a faint glow of rosy clouds, dispelling the morning chill.

The manor gradually stirred to life. Soft footsteps and low murmurs came from all directions; cooking smoke rose from the kitchen.

Maids and guards began their day's work, but all kept far from this courtyard, careful not to disturb the eldest young master's training.

Feng Xiu stopped of his own accord, facing the rising sun as he took a deep breath.

"So heavy~"

Instantly, the cool air rushed into his surging lungs, mingling with the warm blood and qi inside his body.

It jolted his spirit, and a weight pressed against his chest.

"Morning practice at dawn, midday practice at noon—this morning vitality truly has great benefit for nourishing blood and qi."

Feng Xiu realized with sudden clarity. No wonder those escort convoy men trained under the blazing sun.

Martial cultivation really did have its principles.

Just as he was focusing on savoring that fresh and wondrous sensation brought by his breathing, a silent footstep arrived at the courtyard gate.

"Good!"

A booming cry of praise rang out abruptly.

Feng Xiu startled and turned to look. Zhou Gang had somehow already arrived, arms crossed, an undisguised smile of appreciation on his face.

"Uncle Zhou." Feng Xiu quickly bowed.

"No need for formalities."

Zhou Gang strode over, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over Feng Xiu from head to toe. He paused especially on the spot where sweat had soaked through and steam rose from the top of his head.

Then he laughed heartily, stepped forward, and clapped Feng Xiu on the shoulder. "Come, do it again. Let me see your progress."

Feng Xiu naturally agreed. His body moved, and his forms carried a distinct rhythm.

A moment later.

After finishing the set, Feng Xiu looked at Zhou Gang, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

"I thought you'd need at least three to five days to train these first eight sections to the point where body follows thought."

"It seems the Five-Strength Medicinal Bath works even better than I expected."

Saying this, Zhou Gang felt a flicker of doubt. He had watched carefully and patiently.

Feng Xiu's progress was swift—beyond what he had imagined.

"How strange. In your blood and qi circulation, there's a toughness I've never seen before, woven into the fierceness. The cycle is so prolonged it doesn't seem like a beginner's—more like someone who's practiced internal boxing for years."

"Did you figure out some kind of harmonizing method on your own?"

It seemed some special technique had been blended into the fist forms, but even he couldn't pinpoint the cause.

Still, he didn't dwell on the question for long. Over the years, he had seen plenty of astonishingly talented people.

Martial arts allowed for geniuses, but geniuses also needed sweat to water them.

A pampered rich young master and a diligent, hardworking rough martial artist were fundamentally at odds.

Though he didn't know if Feng Xiu's effort was just a flash in the pan, his serious and hardworking demeanor alone was worth acknowledging.

"Uncle Zhou has sharp eyes. I did practice some other nourishing qigong before. I thought it wasn't worth mentioning, but I never expected such a harvest."

Since Zhou Gang was a master in this field, Feng Xiu knew he couldn't hide it, so he simply came out with it.

But he didn't mention anything about the Vajra Skill, speaking with a smile instead.

Zhou Gang's gaze sharpened slightly. "Nourishing qigong?" He pondered for a moment.

"What school? For it to make your blood and qi circulation so prolonged, it doesn't look like ordinary stuff."

Feng Xiu's heart tightened, but his face remained calm as he said:

"I stopped by a sundry shop on North Street before and found an old manual on nourishing qigong. I didn't take it seriously at first—I just thought the movements in the book were odd and felt good to practice."

Zhou Gang smiled, not suspicious. "Everyone has their own fate. This is your opportunity."