Li Yuan followed his instructions and performed the Ape, Bear, and Tiger forms of the fist one after another in the open space in the backyard.
Over the past two months, he had also reached minor mastery in the Ape Form Fist.
His movements were practiced, and his strength flowed smoothly. The agility of the ape, the steadiness of the bear, and the fierce power of the tiger each carried a hint of their distinctive essence.
After several rounds of punches, Li Yuan's breathing remained even, and a sheen of sweat had appeared on his brow.
Yang Chong watched him and spoke slowly. "You've got the forms, but not the spirit. You're trying too hard to make every move and every burst of strength perfect. You're missing a certain natural, seamless quality."
He rose and walked into the middle of the yard. "Watch closely."
Yang Chong used little of his qi and blood. He simply assumed the opening stance of the Ape Form Fist, then began to perform the moves.
His movements flowed like water and drifting clouds. Every gesture made it seem as though he had truly become an old ape, stretching its limbs, climbing and leaping, its lively movements brimming with a unique sense of power.
"Fistwork isn't something you force out. It comes when your qi and blood flow naturally, when they harmonize with the form and spirit. Then it happens of its own accord.
"You're thinking too much about how to exert your strength. That's only making the flow of your qi and blood sluggish.
"Going from Stone Skin to Iron Skin isn't just about building up strength; it's about bringing everything together. Try to forget the moves. Feel the flow of your qi and blood beneath your skin, and let your fistwork follow that current."
As he demonstrated, Yang Chong pointed out the key details.
Li Yuan pondered his words. When he practiced before, he had indeed focused constantly on how to exert his strength and circulate his qi and blood.
He had tried to make every move conform perfectly to the standard form, but had neglected the state of being in harmony with himself.
He took up his stance again and followed his teacher's advice. Rather than controlling every movement, he tried to sense and guide the qi and blood within him, letting his fistwork unfold naturally with its flow.
At first it felt a little awkward, but after a few rounds, he gradually found a different sensation.
His fistwork was no longer so stiff, and the sluggishness had indeed eased considerably.
"Mm, that's more like it. Remember this feeling and practice it diligently." Yang Chong nodded, then returned to the stone stool.
He lowered his head and continued fiddling with the small bowl in his hands. Inside was a dark lump of something, impossible to recognize in its original form.
He pressed down on it a few more times with a small wooden pestle. When he seemed satisfied, he held the bowl out to Li Yuan.
"Quick, eat it."
Li Yuan froze for a moment, staring at the lump in the bowl. He asked instinctively, "Teacher, what is this...?"
Yang Chong offered no explanation and simply urged him, "Don't ask. Hurry up and eat it."
Li Yuan leaned closer and sniffed. It didn't have any particular smell, just a faint bitterness from the herbs.
He hesitated for a moment, but chose to trust Yang Chong.
After all, with Yang Chong's strength, if he really wanted to harm him, there was no need to go to all this trouble.
Li Yuan tipped his head back and swallowed it.
The Black Paste had no particular taste, just a hint of earthy odor and the bitter edge of herbs.
A moment later, a warm current surged up from his stomach and swiftly spread into his limbs.
The warmth was far stronger than anything he had felt after eating large amounts of meat.
It was as if his qi and blood had all been activated and nourished. His skin swelled faintly, bringing an intensely comfortable sensation.
[Skill: Consumption (Minor Mastery)] [Progress: 300/1000 points] ... [Progress: 400/1000 points]
It had gone up by a whole hundred points!
Li Yuan's eyes flew wide as he felt the changes in his body, hardly able to believe it.
This Black Paste was more effective than anything he had ever eaten. If he could have it regularly...
Yang Chong saw right through his thoughts and chuckled, interrupting him. "No need to ask. From now on, just come here once a month to eat this.
"Remember, don't tell anyone about this, not even your family."
The Black Paste had originally been prepared for Cao Chuan, the senior disciple he valued most. He had only been willing to give it to him once every three months.
Cao Chuan had talent and worked hard. He was the successor Yang Chong had placed his hopes in.
Unfortunately, someone had dealt him a heavy blow, and he was still bedridden, recovering. No one knew when he would be able to heal.
Of course, abandoning Cao Chuan was out of the question. After all, he was still an Iron Skin practitioner.
But while he recovered from his injuries, Yang Chong would nurture someone else.
Yang Chong suddenly remembered something from when he was young and had followed an army into battle. What was that saying again?
"Right, it's called a strategic withdrawal..." The phrase came to mind.
For the past two months, Yang Chong had been observing Li Yuan in secret.
He had found his disciple steady in temperament, and even after breaking through to Stone Skin, Li Yuan had shown no sign of arrogance.
He was also loyal and helped his fellow disciples whenever he could. He had even given plenty of support to his uncle's family, despite their lack of ability.
Both his talent and his character were excellent.
In the end, Yang Chong decided to place his bet on Li Yuan.
The recipe for the Black Paste had come from the private collection of an old enemy Yang Chong had killed many years ago.
It required three rare medicinal ingredients, each more than thirty years old: Blood Essence Grass, Earth Vein Purple Ganoderma, and Stone Milk Poria. They were supplemented with various common herbs that nourished qi and blood, then cooked into a paste using a special method.
Stone Milk Poria was the rarest of the three. It usually grew in caves or deep within mineral veins, making it difficult to collect.
For that reason, the Black Paste couldn't be made in large quantities. It was extremely precious.
"How do you feel?" Yang Chong asked, watching Li Yuan take in the sensation.
"My whole body feels warm, and my qi and blood have increased noticeably..." Li Yuan answered honestly.
"Good." Yang Chong rose and took his place in the middle of the courtyard. "Come on. Use what you learned from practicing just now and attack me however you like. Let me see how you do in a real fight."
Li Yuan took a deep breath and assumed his stance. Recalling the sensation of his qi and blood flowing naturally, he planted a foot and launched a Tiger Pounce at Yang Chong.
But before his fist had even reached halfway, Yang Chong shook his head slightly. "Your intention is too obvious."
As he spoke, Yang Chong moved faster than Li Yuan could react. His left arm stretched out like an ape's, lightly hooking Li Yuan's elbow and guiding it aside.
Li Yuan immediately felt a deft force pull him off course. His forward momentum was redirected, leaving his centerline wide open.
Then Yang Chong's right hand tapped him in the chest. Li Yuan felt his chest tighten, and his qi and blood seized up. He staggered back several steps before regaining his balance, his face full of shock.
He hadn't even seen exactly how his teacher had attacked, yet he had already lost.
"Teacher, I..." Li Yuan looked at him with admiration.
Yang Chong waved a hand. "You spend every day practicing punches by yourself in the courtyard. You've had too few chances to face formidable opponents in fights to the death.
"Fistwork is alive. Your opponent won't stand there waiting for you to finish your moves. Your openings often appear in the instant you shift your strength."
He returned to the stone stool and sat down. Looking at Li Yuan, he suddenly asked, "Do you know how many Iron Skin practitioners there are in Wuxi County now? And how many are in the Bone Forging Realm?"
Li Yuan shook his head. "This disciple doesn't know."
Yang Chong smiled faintly. "It's normal that you didn't know before. You weren't at the right level.
"But now you've reached Stone Skin and touched the threshold. You're qualified to know.
"You need to have a clear idea of who's out there. Then, when you travel, you'll know whom you can afford to offend and whom you need to avoid."
He paused, then continued. "Here in Wuxi County, the strongest forces in the Inner City are the four great clans—the Li, Lin, Zhao, and Zhou families—as well as the two martial arts halls, Ink Blade Studio and White Rainbow Spear Hall. All of them have Bone Forging experts at their command.
"Next come the three gangs that hold sway in the Outer City: the Transport Gang, the Fierce Tiger Gang, and the Green Garment Gang.
"Below them are martial arts masters like us who run martial arts schools, along with a few small gangs and sects that aren't worth much."
"Originally, the strongest was the garrison commander sent from the Prefecture City two years ago. They say he was beyond Bone Forging, a master of the Organ Tempering Realm.
"Unfortunately, the fighting on the border grew intense, and he was recalled. So now, at least as far as anyone knows, the strongest is Li Zhenshan, head of the Li Family."
Yang Chong's tone grew grave. "Li Zhenshan is at the peak of Bone Forging. He practices the Li Family's ancestral Stone Splitting Palm, and his Stone-Splitting force is incredibly fierce. Right now, no one in Wuxi County should be able to stand against him."
Li Yuan immediately understood.
"The Li Family..."
From the looks of it, the Li Family ranked first in strength.
"The two strongest martial arts halls practice saber and spear. Why isn't there one for fist and foot techniques?" Li Yuan asked, puzzled.
"Fist and foot techniques? Only people without money practice them. Who with money wouldn't want to wield a saber or spear? The costs alone are different.
"Even if some people can't master them, don't those fancy moves look better than your silly punches?"
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