Frost Sky Fist

On the other side.

Qin Hao had found the Brother Zhong he'd mentioned and explained the situation, then introduced Hong Ming.

Brother Zhong's real name was Zhong Shaoying, and he had the air of a chivalrous wanderer.

At that moment, hearing Qin Hao lavish praise on Hong Ming, he replied with great swagger, "Since this is someone Old Qin recommended, he must have something special about him. Then I, Zhong, will sponsor him."

The process went more smoothly than Qin Hao had imagined. Zhong Shaoying agreed without a second thought.

Qin Hao was rather surprised, but quickly recovered and thanked him. "In that case, I'll thank you on Hong Ming's behalf, Brother Zhong!"

"We're brothers. There's no need to be so polite!"

Zhong Shaoying spoke boldly, his sincerity unmistakable. Then he asked,

"By the way, Old Qin, what sort of bone structure does this fellow have? I need to know before deciding how much to sponsor him."

At the mention of this, Qin Hao's expression froze, and he suddenly looked a little uncomfortable.

He'd been so focused on handling the matter that he'd forgotten about that.

At the Preparatory Camp, not everyone could receive sponsorship. What mattered most was talent.

If he remembered correctly, Hong Ming had only a Low-Grade Bone Structure.

In the eyes of many factions, someone with such a bone structure had no potential worth sponsoring.

"What is it? Is there something wrong with Hong Ming's bone structure?"

Seeing Qin Hao's unusual reaction, Zhong Shaoying asked, seemingly guessing the answer.

Qin Hao gave a wry smile and told him the truth. "I won't hide it from you, Brother Zhong. Hong Ming's bone structure is on the low side. It doesn't even reach the average grade."

If it didn't reach the average grade, then it was a Low-Grade Bone Structure.

Zhong Shaoying understood at once and fell briefly silent.

Seeing this, Qin Hao hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Brother Zhong, I was too rash about this. If you think it's difficult, then forget it. I'll explain things to Hong Ming myself."

He could see that Zhong Shaoying was in a bind, and didn't want him to waste his resources.

Sponsorship wasn't just a matter of saying a few words. It meant handing over real silver, and that was clearly no small sum.

Zhong Shaoying had agreed so readily earlier to give him face.

He couldn't push his luck and demand more.

"Hold on."

Zhong Shaoying stopped Qin Hao, feigning irritation as he said,

"Old Qin, what kind of person do you take me for? I already promised to sponsor him. How could I go back on my word?"

Qin Hao considered Zhong Shaoying's position instead. "But Hong Ming's talent..."

"How about this? I'll give Hong Ming ten taels a month. It's not as much as yours, but at least you'll have something to report when you get back. How does that sound?"

Zhong Shaoying cut him off, laying out his compromise.

"Thank you, Brother Zhong!" Qin Hao was deeply moved.

He knew Zhong Shaoying was only willing to give him this much because of their friendship.

The money wasn't much, but the kindness behind it weighed as heavy as a mountain. He would remember it and repay him someday.

Just as he was about to share the good news with Hong Ming, a voice like rumbling thunder suddenly rang across the training ground.

Instructor Lin Zhen had arrived and was calling everyone to form up.

At the sound of his voice, the Water Soldiers, who had been scattered like stars across the sky, hurriedly converged like a hundred rivers rushing into the sea.

All the noise receded like the tide, leaving only the wind stirring the sand and the faint sound of footsteps.

The whole process was orderly. In less than a hundred breaths, they had formed neat ranks.

Everyone except Hong Ming and Shen Lin.

The two were new arrivals and didn't know where to stand.

"You two are new, right? What are your names?"

Lin Zhen noticed the pair, who stood out like cranes among chickens. He didn't reprimand them, but asked in a deep voice.

Shen Lin and Hong Ming introduced themselves one after the other.

"Is everyone else here?"

After a brief introduction, Lin Zhen turned to Wang Heng, who stood at the head of the group.

Wang Heng took on the role of captain and replied, "Reporting to you, Instructor, everyone else is here."

"Good. The rest of you, practice the Frost Sky Fist on your own. You two, stay behind."

Lin Zhen singled out Hong Ming and Shen Lin to stay, intending to teach them the fist technique.

A moment later, only the three of them remained on the training ground. Hong Ming seized the chance to inspect Lin Zhen.

[Trait: Average Aptitude]

[Status: Can be solidified]

[Fortune required: 66 points]

[Solidification effect: Greatly increases the efficiency of practicing any martial art.]

--

[Trait: Fist Technique Expert (Level 2 · Gold)]

[Status: Can be solidified]

[Fortune required: 49 points]

[Solidification effect: Doubles the efficiency of practicing fist techniques.]

--

[Trait: Leg Technique Expert (Level 2 · Gold)]

[Status: Can be solidified]

[Fortune required: 49 points]

[Solidification effect: Doubles the efficiency of practicing leg techniques.]

--

[Trait: Breathing and Exhalation (Level 2 · White)]

[Status: Can be solidified]

[Fortune required: 32 points]

[Solidification effect: Adjusts one's breathing to match the rhythms of all things.]

Four traits in all—enough to make Hong Ming's eyes nearly pop out.

Especially since every trait was quite high-level, and he could solidify them all.

The only pity was that the landlord's granary was running low.

While he watched with envy, Lin Zhen's crisp, decisive voice rang out. "Watch closely!"

Without wasting a word, he began teaching the Frost Sky Fist.

At that, Hong Ming immediately put aside his thoughts and focused, staring without blinking for fear of missing a single detail.

Lin Zhen assumed the opening stance of the Frost Sky Fist and explained as he demonstrated:

"The Frost Sky Fist and the Coiling Dragon Stake are at the same level. Both have three stages: introductory, minor mastery, and major mastery."

"This is the first form, 'Frost Sky Standing Snow.' It emphasizes sinking the qi to the dantian, gathering strength, and building momentum."

"This is the ninth form, 'Cold River Condensing Frost.' It's about concealing strength within and releasing it in an instant, using the waist and abdomen as the axis, and infusing the fist with frost qi."

"..."

Lin Zhen demonstrated the various moves: settling his shoulders, tightening his fists, chopping with his palms, sweeping with his legs. Every movement brimmed with force.

His fists swept through the air—sometimes as heavy and still as snow-covered ground, sometimes sharp as a blade of frost, sometimes swift as a bitter wind. It was as if even the light had turned cold.

The complete Frost Sky Fist had thirty-six forms. With Lin Zhen's explanations, the lesson took quite some time to finish.

Lin Zhen slowly ended the set and asked the two of them, "Did you remember it all?"

Who could possibly remember all that?

Shen Lin scratched his head and glanced at Hong Ming. Seeing him shake his head, he felt reassured and said softly, "No."

"Again."

Lin Zhen wasn't surprised. After resting briefly, he continued the lesson.

Two quarters of an hour later, the second lesson ended. Lin Zhen looked over at the two and asked the same question again. "How about now?"

"I remembered some of it," Hong Ming answered honestly.

Shen Lin quickly chimed in, "I remembered most of it."

Lin Zhen said nothing. His manner remained cold, but he seemed to have taken their answers into account.

When he demonstrated the third time, he clearly focused more on Shen Lin.

Shen Lin noticed. As soon as the demonstration ended, he hurriedly said, "I've remembered seven or eight tenths. Give me two more rounds, and I'll have it all memorized."

"Not bad," Lin Zhen said, offering rare praise.

Shen Lin's face lit up at the words.

Just as he thought Lin Zhen would indulge him with two more rounds, Lin Zhen instead called everyone back into formation.

Then he left the rest to someone else. "Who's willing to teach them?"

Clearly, this wasn't Lin Zhen's first time doing this. The Water Soldiers around them all looked unsurprised.

They scrutinized Hong Ming and Shen Lin in silence.

Their attitude made it clear: no one wanted to take on such a thankless task.

Seeing this, Shen Lin grew anxious. He wanted to speak up, but caught sight of Hong Ming standing calmly beside him and held back.

Good fortune seemed to arrive just then, as someone called out, "Instructor Lin, I'm willing to teach Shen Lin."

It was Wang Heng. He had volunteered for the task.

He had already figured out the aptitude of Hong Ming and Shen Lin. The latter wasn't as gifted as Qin Hao, but he did have Average Aptitude.

He was worth teaching—and worth befriending.

Lin Zhen had no objection. "There's still one person left. If no one volunteers, I'll choose someone myself."

He clearly knew Hong Ming's predicament.

Most of the people there remained silent.

After sweeping his gaze around the group several times and getting no response, Qin Hao, at the back of the ranks, was about to speak when someone beat him to it. "Instructor Lin, Chen Yao says she's willing."