Foundational Skills for Entry! Bodily Changes, The Marvel of Medicinal Soup, Deterrence

Shi Wen felt a surge of joy in his heart.

The Extreme Seal was the golden finger he had discovered after transmigrating into this world.

The Extreme Seal could digitize martial arts; as long as he increased his proficiency, he could master the perfect version of any technique without encountering any bottlenecks whatsoever!

[Baji Fist Introductory Foundation has now been digitized. Data is as follows:]

[Baji Fist Introductory Foundation: Not Yet Initiated (0/1)]

"It really worked!"

Shi Wen clenched his fists, his heart filled with delight!

He drank a bowl of coarse tea in the Outer Courtyard to recover his strength.

Gritting his teeth, he hurriedly began to practice.

He maintained the awkward posture of the Yin-Yang Stance for half an hour, practiced the Charging Step, and finished the six killing moves in succession, by which time he was drenched in sweat.

And the data on the Extreme Seal.

Had also undergone a subtle change.

[Baji Fist Introductory Foundation: Initiated (1/50)]

"Initiated!"

In an instant, Shi Wen felt a warm current surge through his body, with the sensation being most pronounced in his legs.

He even noticed that his previously thin legs now displayed distinct muscle definition, and his mind was flooded with new memories and information regarding the foundation techniques.

When he performed the Yin-Yang Stance again, his movements were significantly more standardized than before.

While practicing the Charging Step.

He gained a deeper sense of clarity.

"So the Charging Step relies on the leg's push to transmit force through the waist and hips to the opposite hand, thereby unleashing doubled power!"

"And those six basic killing moves actually contain so much essence..."

Shi Wen finished his stance.

He began to practice the moves.

The Prop Punch, also known as the Crushing Bow and Darting Arrow, draws power from the feet and transmits it through the waist and hips to the fist, creating a Penetrating Force specifically designed to attack the chest and abdomen!

One strike, and even a burly man would be reduced to a weakling!

The Mountain-Splitting Palm, also known as the Five Mountains Facing Heaven Cone, is specifically designed to attack the head and neck.

The Face-On Palm primarily targets the throat and face.

The Silk-Reeling Crushing Punch is used to break free from grapples using spiral force, borrowing momentum to strike the opponent's jaw or throat with a crushing punch.

And the Heart-Piercing Elbow is the ultimate killing move within the foundation techniques!

Also known as Yama Beckons, it can shatter an opponent's sternum and internal organs in an instant; it is the premier killing move of the foundation!

The Mountain Leaning Strike utilizes the shoulder, back, chest, and hip to unleash an explosive impact capable of sending an opponent flying!

"These may seem like foundation techniques, but they contain a complete system of training methods and moves. Master Li truly has some real skill!"

A sharp light flickered in Shi Wen's eyes.

Before initiation, he couldn't see much depth in these moves while practicing.

Now that he had initiated, he felt that mastering these six killing moves alone would be enough to travel the world!

"If the foundation techniques are this fierce, I wonder how powerful the true Baji Fist must be?"

After recovering his strength, Shi Wen continued to practice.

Whether it was because the training was too exhausting or the potato pancake he ate in the morning wasn't filling enough.

He hadn't practiced for long.

Shi Wen's stomach let out a rumbling sound, his intestines twisting in pain as if knotted; practicing felt like being pricked by ten thousand needles, which was incredibly uncomfortable!

His Foundation Techniques practice became very awkward, making it difficult to complete a single set.

Fortunately, it was time for lunch.

Disciples who had been training in the Outer Courtyard, those who hadn't, and even some wearing training uniforms walked in from outside, swarming toward the Dining Hall to eat.

Shi Wen was left dumbfounded.

He hadn't seen this many disciples in the Outer Courtyard just a moment ago.

But when it was time to eat, over sixty people gathered all at once; it was simply absurd.

Shi Wen had practiced all morning.

Soaked through by sweat and the drizzle from the sky, Shi Wen decided to change into his training uniform.

It had to be said, although the Fist Academy's training uniform was also made of coarse cloth, the craftsmanship was clearly superior to his own clothes.

The training uniform was a brown short-sleeved set, with the Fist Academy emblem embroidered on the left chest.

Shi Wen stood in the queue for food, and it was soon his turn.

He was quite shocked when he saw what was on offer.

There was actually rice in the wooden barrel!

Although it was only coarse rice with uneven grains, and one could still see tiny black pebbles and rice husks mixed in, his predecessor's memories indicated that rice was only eaten during festivals and holidays!

Next to the rice barrels were two buckets of meat and one of soup.

No wonder so many people returned to eat in silence when mealtime arrived; the food here was truly excellent.

He queued up and received a large, overflowing bowl of rice topped with meat, along with a bowl of soup.

Smelling the fragrant aroma of the meat, Shi Wen's appetite was piqued, and he carried his food to find a place to sit.

There were seats in the Dining Hall, but those were reserved for Inner Courtyard disciples.

Most of the Outer Courtyard disciples simply found a spot to sit and started eating, with no regard for their image.

Shi Wen also silently found a place to sit down, but he didn't expect Yan Kai, who was sitting at a table, to wave him over. "Junior Brother Shi."

"Senior Brother Yan?"

Shi Wen saw him and hurried over. "Is there something you need?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he unobtrusively sized up the people sitting at the table; there were both men and women, all of them sturdy and tall. The food they were eating was clearly much better than his, featuring braised pork, pig's trotters, and spare ribs.

"Everyone, this is the new junior brother who joined the Fist Academy today."

Yan Kai smiled. "This junior brother is quite talented and very hardworking. I saw him practicing on his own all morning without taking a single break. I expect he will be a member of our Inner Courtyard in the future."

The Inner Courtyard disciples who hadn't seen Shi Wen before gave him a cursory glance.

Then, they retracted their gazes, completely uninterested.

This junior brother was indeed handsome, but good looks couldn't serve as talent.

Those who practiced martial arts either needed natural aptitude or a family fortune; training required proper nutrition and medicinal nourishment to refine the body's blood and qi, otherwise, one would never make progress!

Shi Wen was likely just one of those people who would quietly leave after two months.

He might not even last that long.

Seeing Yan Kai introduce him.

Shi Wen hurriedly greeted everyone, only to be met with an awkward silence.

No one paid him any mind at all.

"How was your training today, Junior Brother? You should rest well this afternoon, and I'll come to give you some pointers later."

Yan Kai also sensed the awkwardness.

After chatting with Shi Wen for a moment, he poured some meat onto a small plate for him, then turned back to continue his conversation with the other Inner Courtyard disciples.

The topics discussed by these Inner Courtyard disciples mostly revolved around which martial arts academies or schools had young disciples reaching new realms, which factions were rising or falling, and which positions offered the best pay and benefits.

The content of their conversation.

Had nothing to do with a poor kid like him, who was living hand-to-mouth.

Shi Wen naturally wouldn't ask for trouble.

He said a word to Yan Kai and turned to leave.

This scene was witnessed by quite a few Outer Courtyard disciples, inevitably sparking some mockery and disdain, as they all assumed this newcomer was trying to climb the social ladder by cozying up to the Inner Courtyard disciples.

Shi Wen said nothing, silently lowering his head to eat and replenish his energy.

After he was full.

He returned to the Outer Courtyard and found a corner to continue his training.

This scene was seen by some disciples who had finished their meal and returned to the Outer Courtyard, all of whom cast disdainful looks his way.

They all believed Shi Wen was just grandstanding, trying to attract attention.

Not sleeping after a full lunch just to go practice.

Was he that desperate to catch the eye of Master Li and the Inner Courtyard disciples?

Shi Wen ignored them.

He simply found that after a full meal, his state for training was excellent, and he had plenty of strength in his body.

The increase in proficiency on the Extreme Seal was the source of his motivation to train.

Others couldn't see the future or their progress, so over time, they would become numb and give up in despair.

But he was different.

He had the Extreme Seal, which could quantify his martial arts; as long as his proficiency increased, he could break through.

With every punch and kick, he could see his own improvement!

Everything he did was backed by a powerful driving force that sustained his will to repeat the grueling, exhausting training over and over again!!

During this time, some Inner Courtyard disciples left the Outer Courtyard to head outside.

They also caught sight of Shi Wen practicing during the lunch break.

They didn't pay much attention, however, withdrawing their gazes and hurrying on their way.

To be honest, if it weren't for Yan Kai's introduction earlier, they wouldn't have even bothered to notice the disciples in the Outer Courtyard.

Could a newcomer really make a name for themselves?

Who among them wasn't incredibly diligent when they first arrived, only to start doubting their life choices after ten days or so, and then simply stop showing up?

It was rare to see anyone last even two months before quitting!

The thick-skinned ones would come back at noon to mooch a meal, while the thin-skinned ones just stopped coming altogether.

Shi Wen said nothing.

He simply gritted his teeth and used the lunch hour to increase his proficiency once more, then found a corner and lay down to sleep in a sheltered spot, just like the other disciples.

Afternoon arrived.

The sounds of the Outer Courtyard disciples practicing their martial arts rang out.

Shi Wen was jolted awake.

He opened his bleary eyes, and only then did the various aches and pains begin to wash over his body.

He looked down at his palms, and the pain throughout his body seemed to dissipate as he did so.

[Extreme Seal]

[Baji Fist Introductory Foundation: Introductory (3/50)]

"As long as I practice the foundation 50 times, I can reach the Minor Accomplishment stage."

"I imagine that once I perfect the foundation, I will be able to temper blood and qi within my body. Only by becoming a Blood-Tempering Realm martial artist will I have the strength to barely protect myself in these chaotic times. If I become an Inner Courtyard disciple, the Red Lantern Gang shouldn't dare to take me to Dragon Sorrow Ravine to sacrifice me to the gods, right..."

Clinging to this thought.

Shi Wen gritted his teeth and persisted, rising to sit for a moment to clear his head before heading to the vat to scoop up a handful of cold water to wash his face.

Only then did he continue his training.

In the afternoon, Shi Wen gritted his teeth and persisted in his practice.

But he could only increase his Foundation proficiency twice at most before he was too exhausted to move.

It wasn't that he didn't want to practice, but his body couldn't withstand the high-intensity exertion. He was forced to stop; the soreness throughout his body and the sharp pain in his bones were unbearable, making it impossible to maintain his training state.

"This body has been in a state of hunger and cold for years, suffering from malnutrition. Suddenly engaging in high-intensity training is simply too much for it to handle."

"Truly, literature is for the poor and martial arts for the rich. I've only practiced for a few hours and I'm already feeling famished again; my intestines are knotted in pain. I've heard that later on, one needs to drink medicinal soups and take medicinal baths to nourish the tendons and bones, otherwise, the body can't withstand the intensity of martial arts training and will suffer internal injuries."

"In this state, let alone breaking through, even maintaining daily training is difficult."

"I wonder if my Extreme Seal can help me avoid this problem."

Shi Wen sat on the steps.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, silently estimating how many days it would take to bring his Foundation to the Minor Accomplishment stage.

He wondered.

If he joined the Fist Academy, would the Red Lantern Gang have any reservations and refrain from targeting him?

"Senior Sister Li is here!"

"Greetings, Senior Sister Li! Are you the one distributing the medicinal soup today?"

"..."

A burst of noise pulled Shi Wen's thoughts back.

It turned out that Senior Sister Li Qianqian from the Inner Courtyard had come to distribute the medicinal soup, and Yan Kai had enthusiastically run over to receive her.

The Outer Courtyard disciples, who had been practicing their stake training, Charging Steps, and forms, all trotted over to line up for the soup. One by one, these rough men would show rare blushes and shyness when facing the beautiful and gentle woman.

Shi Wen also went over to line up for a bowl of medicinal soup.

After a bowl of the thick, pungent medicinal soup entered his stomach, it felt as if a warm current was nourishing his internal organs.

The soreness throughout his body began to melt away bit by bit.

Shi Wen was shocked to discover that the fatigue and muscle swelling in his body had quietly vanished. Once the bowl of medicinal soup was consumed, it was as if all his negative status effects had disappeared!

"Little Junior Brother, I saw you practicing very diligently this afternoon. If there's anything you don't understand, remember to ask me; don't be shy."

Yan Kai walked over to say this.

During this period, he had been assigned to manage the Outer Courtyard disciples and lead the newcomers in practicing fist techniques.

Over the last few days, more than a dozen newcomers had joined, and Shi Wen was the only one who had practiced for half a day and was already performing with some semblance of form.

Seeing that Shi Wen's practice was error-free and very earnest, he hadn't come over to disturb him.

"Many thanks, Senior Brother Yan."

Shi Wen nodded. He wanted to drink another bowl, but was stopped by Yan Kai. "Everyone only gets one bowl. If you want more, you have to pay extra."

"Junior brother, don't underestimate this medicinal soup. The soups provided by the Fist Academy are tailored to our martial arts and aren't cheap. The human body has its limits, and this soup acts like firewood, adding fuel to the furnace that is the human body."

"Those senior brothers and sisters in the Inner Courtyard have either been soaking in medicinal baths since they were young, drinking medicinal soups, or practicing the foundation exercises from a tender age. Those with the means even seek out medicinal pills to nourish their bodies. With such a solid foundation, they can soar to great heights once they begin their true training!"

"Take our Fist Academy's senior brother, Shang An, for example. His family runs the South City Chamber of Commerce, and he has been nourished by all sorts of potent medicines since childhood. He is only twenty-seven, yet he is already an expert in the Origin Blood Realm."

"You might not have a clear concept of the Origin Blood Realm, but the famous experts in the city—such as the hall masters of the Black Whale Gang, or even some of the martial instructors at the Fist Academy and the County Lieutenant at the County Office—are merely at the Origin Blood Realm!"

"But the reason the senior brother can cultivate so quickly, aside from his talent, is also a matter of money. Without money for meat, you can't keep up the training; without money for medicine, your body will suffer a deficit!"

"That is why the saying 'the poor study, the rich practice martial arts' is no lie."

Yan Kai sighed with emotion, then turned to help Senior Sister Li Qianqian maintain order at the scene.

What a carefree personality he had.

Shi Wen finished the medicinal soup and rested for a moment.

He continued to practice his fist techniques.

He didn't know if it was a psychological effect.

Or if the medicinal soup was truly that potent.

It was only after practicing the Baji Fist Introductory Foundation twice in a row that Shi Wen finally felt a sense of exhaustion.

Rest, practice, rest, practice...

Until someone in the Fist Academy struck a gong, signaling that it was time for the day to end, and the Outer Courtyard disciples left the academy in twos and threes.

During this time, many disciples glanced at the thin, weak figure still practicing in the corner.

They sneered.

If hard work were useful, everyone would be an Inner Courtyard disciple.

What was he putting on an act for on his very first day?

After a while, wouldn't he just reveal his true colors anyway?

Heh, does he really think he has the talent for martial arts and can truly refine his blood and qi through the Baji Fist Introductory Foundation?

Some Inner Courtyard disciples also emerged from within.

They seemed to be discussing something, their laughter constant.

The Inner Courtyard disciple named Zhou Heling smiled at Yan Kai: "Junior Brother Yan, let's go. The time we agreed upon with the Boat Gang has arrived; let's go over and talk."

"Right!"

Yan Kai was clearly waiting for them as well.

Seeing them arrive, he smiled and took his leave.

It was clear they were going to discuss some major matter.

But all of this had nothing to do with Shi Wen.

The sun set behind the mountains.

The disciples of the Inner and Outer Courtyards had basically all left.

Li Qianqian walked out from inside, casting a glance at the youth still practicing his fist techniques, but she said nothing.

It was only when he finished the final move of the foundation exercise.

That she said: "Junior Brother Shi, the Fist Academy is closing. Time to head back."

"Understood, Senior Sister."

Shi Wen panted, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Seeing the equipment in the Outer Courtyard in disarray, he helped Li Qianqian tidy up.

After bidding her farewell, he turned and left.

"A sincere little junior brother, it's just a pity that this chaotic world has no place for good people."

Li Qianqian watched Shi Wen leave in silence.

Her heart remained calm.

Clearly, she had seen too many people over the years who arrived with high hopes only to leave in disappointment.

Shi Wen was unaware of the impressions he left on others.

He glanced at the Extreme Seal in his hand, his heart filled with a sense of security.

[Extreme Seal]
[Baji Fist Introductory Foundation: Novice (9/50)]

"In four more days, I will be able to bring my foundation exercises to the minor accomplishment stage."

"The Red Lantern Gang... I hope the Fist Academy can intimidate them!"

Shi Wen took a deep breath and hurried toward the docks.

Black Cloud County was a large county with a population of about five hundred thousand. Its primary livelihood relied on the water transport born from the Dragon King River. It was dominated by two large docks controlled by the government and the Black Whale Gang, supplemented by countless small ports. The flow of people reached tens of thousands, with countless ships coming and going every day.

It provided a living for who knows how many people.

Shi Wen came from an ordinary background; his father was a small-time merchant in water transport, and his mother made a living weaving baskets in a workshop.

Running into something like the Red Lantern Gang was truly a grievance one couldn't voice!

Shi Wen found his father setting up his stall at the docks.

Several members of the Red Lantern Gang were loitering right next to the stall, intentionally causing trouble just to force the Shi family to compromise on the matter of offering sacrifices to the gods at Dragon Sorrow Ravine.

The man in the lead saw that it was Shi Wen who had arrived.

He cast a malicious look, twisting his neck as he prepared to crack a few jokes at their expense.

But out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the Fist Academy emblem on Shi Wen's chest.

His expression shifted slightly, and he silently led his men away...