Thunder Meteor Spear Art (Seek Follow-up Reads)

"You shouldn't spend money like this, even if you have it. This is enough to cover your tuition for a whole month."

Lady Liu said this, but she still took the money.

She knew that if she didn't accept it, Zhou Yun would never be able to focus on his martial arts training with peace of mind.

"By the way, why don't I see Ning Yue? Where did she go?"

Seeing Lady Liu put the silver away, Zhou Yun finally asked.

"Ning Yue? She's still at the workshop doing needlework. She probably won't be back until dinner time."

Lady Liu sighed. "Ever since her father passed away, she hasn't had any kin left. You know how your grandfather is—always looking to bleed people dry. It's a miracle he hasn't demanded money from Ning Yue to pay for Zhou Chuan's training..."

"If there's nothing else, just stay home and help me feed the chickens and ducks. I'll figure out the money situation."

For some reason, Zhou Yun felt that Black Stone County was on the verge of a massive upheaval, especially with the recent strange movements from the Shen Family, who were tied to the Sky Sea Martial Arts Hall.

Coupled with his experiences over the last two days, his desire to head to the main city grew increasingly urgent.

But to place in the top three at the Three Halls Martial Tournament, he would at least need to successfully break through to the Dark Force realm, and even then, a top-three finish wouldn't be guaranteed.

Only by reaching the minor completion of the Dark Force, combined with the foundation of his two martial arts already at the great completion stage, could he firmly secure a spot in the top three.

"Alright, I will pass that message on to her."

Lady Liu nodded, stood up, and asked, "You must be hungry, right? Do you want me to cook you something?"

"No, Mother. I'm planning to go to the market to buy a few things, then I'll head back to the martial hall."

Zhou Yun had no intention of lingering; coming home was just on his way.

Now, he only wanted to pour his heart and soul into the martial path to secure a future where he could see the light.

"Very well, I won't keep you then. Remember to pace yourself at the martial hall; don't work your body to the point of collapse."

As she spoke, Lady Liu took several hand-stitched robes out of the room. "I sewed these in my spare time. Take them with you to wear at the hall."

The robes were stitched with standard, precise needlework, without a single loose thread, and they felt very comfortable to the touch.

It was clear she had spent quite a few copper coins on the fabric and dedicated many days and nights to the task.

"I understand, Mother."

Zhou Yun placed the robes into his bundle and slung it over his back.

He walked outside the courtyard, and Lady Liu followed him to the gate, watching him until he disappeared into the distance.

Only when Zhou Yun waved his hand did Lady Liu finally pull back her gaze, her heart filled with concern for her son.

Black Stone Martial Hall, training grounds.

"Today, I will teach you the Black Ape Movement Technique."

Following tradition, Master Liang came to instruct the newly admitted disciples, focusing once again on the Black Ape Movement Technique.

His philosophy of teaching everyone regardless of their background ensured that in every batch of outer court disciples, there were always a few who could grasp the essence of the martial arts, allowing him to identify those with good aptitude.

However, this time, no one stepped forward to demonstrate like Zhang Hu had, as the outer court disciples were very clear about their own lack of talent.

"Since no one is coming forward to practice, the lesson ends here."

Master Liang felt no ripples in his heart; it was the norm for no one to step up, as it had been for many years.

As he walked back toward the Inner Court Martial Hall, he suddenly ran into Zhou Yun, who was looking for him.

"Master Liang."

Zhou Yun bowed first, then went straight to the point. "Disciple was just looking for you."

"Oh? Is this about the Shen Family again?"

Master Liang raised an eyebrow, implicitly confirming that he had been keeping an eye on the situation as well.

"It is not about the Shen Family; it is for myself."

Zhou Yun said, "Disciple has reached the minor completion of the Bright Force. I am in urgent need of a suitable weapon and a corresponding weapon-based martial art, and I wish to seek your guidance."

"A weapon-based martial art? Have you already reached the minor completion in both of your Black Ape martial arts?"

Master Liang became interested and asked instinctively.

"Yes, Disciple has reached the minor completion in both the Black Ape Fist Technique and the Movement Technique."

Zhou Yun answered immediately.

Since Master Liang didn't ask further, he naturally didn't need to mention that both arts were actually at the great completion stage; this was not considered deceiving his master.

"Not bad, your aptitude is quite good."

Master Liang nodded. To reach the minor completion in two martial arts while only at the minor completion of the Bright Force meant he already possessed the strength to rival those at the great completion of the Bright Force.

If he were to advance either of those martial arts further, it would not be impossible for him to trade a few blows head-on with some Dark Force experts who had weak foundations.

"Since you have reached the minor completion in two martial arts, you must have already grasped a trace of the true intent of the Black Ape martial arts."

Master Liang continued.

"Martial True Intent?"

Zhou Yun could not help but feel puzzled.

Just as he was about to speak and ask, he saw a wisp of force dancing in the palm of Liang Wanshan.

That force transformed into the shape of a black ape, and within the square inch of his palm, it simultaneously executed the Black Ape Fist Technique and its associated footwork!

"Force manifesting into form; a Transformation Force grandmaster is truly terrifying."

Zhou Yun could not help but exclaim in admiration; this Transformation Force grandmaster's force was as if it cost nothing, able to manifest into form and move with such ease.

It was said that upon reaching the manifestation level, the force in one's dantian could be produced endlessly, flowing through the body anytime and anywhere.

In other words, as long as that Transformation Force grandmaster was breathing, ordinary blades, spears, swords, and halberds could not harm their vital points, unless the attacker possessed infinite strength or was of an equal realm.

If the Transformation Force grandmaster so desired, that force could also flow outside the body as if it were free, though the consumption would be slightly higher, it was already enough to form a full-body defense.

According to rumors in the streets, once a Transformation Force grandmaster opened their force field, even dozens of ordinary martial artists could not get close to them.

"Martial True Intent is what one perceives after cultivating martial arts of the same nature to a certain level, and it can provide many benefits to a martial artist."

The black ape in Master Liang's hand vanished, and he said to Zhou Yun:

"And the Black Ape True Intent is the ability to enhance one's five senses, even allowing one to perceive the blood energy and force flow of other martial artists; it is a very formidable sensory-type True Intent."

No wonder that after I brought two martial arts to Great Completion, my own perception was so greatly enhanced when I fought that Dark Force old woman.

Zhou Yun silently noted this down; it seemed that in the future, when choosing martial arts, he should learn more related martial arts of similar nature to cultivate more Martial True Intents.

"This applies to blade techniques, sword techniques, and even long spears and halberds."

Master Liang continued: "I do have a few weapon-based martial arts here, but they are no longer related to the Black Ape Martial Arts."

"There is the Flowing Wind Sword Technique, the Thunder Meteor Spear Art, the Vast Sea Sword Art..."

Zhou Yun earnestly committed these martial art names to memory, analyzing the pros and cons of each.

The names of the weapon-based martial arts were not related to animals, but seemed linked to mountains, rivers, and seas.

As for what to learn, since an inch longer means an inch stronger, the spear is the king of all weapons.

"I choose the Thunder Meteor Spear Art."

Zhou Yun made his choice.

"You choose this martial art? You certainly have a sharp eye."

Master Liang was somewhat surprised, but still said: "I obtained this martial art by chance from a senior expert during my time wandering Xiang City, but it is only a remnant page."

"A senior expert, and only a remnant page?"

Zhou Yun could not help but click his tongue; it seemed he was about to pick up something good this time.

"Indeed, but even if this spear technique only has a remnant page, it is enough for an ordinary martial artist to cultivate until they reach the Great Completion of Transformation Force."

Master Liang said with rare seriousness: "Even I would have to temporarily avoid its edge if I were to face this spear technique."