No Woman in My Heart, My Fists Will Naturally Be Divine!

The next day.

The morning light had yet to pierce the clouds, leaving only a faint, fish-belly white hue across the horizon.

Jiang Ye had already risen quietly within the gatehouse.

He felt the circulation of qi and blood within his body, his brows twitching slightly as a trace of surprise flickered in his eyes.

After an entire night, the medicinal power of the Blood Replenishing Pill... still has a lingering warmth, slowly nourishing my sinews and bones.

Although the heat that had erupted when he swallowed the pill had subsided, a thread of extremely pure, gentle warmth remained deep within his bone marrow and viscera.

"While the medicinal effect still lingers, it is the perfect time to loosen my joints."

Jiang Ye pushed open the narrow door and stepped into the biting morning breeze.

Right there on the open ground shrouded in thin mist before the gate, he slowly assumed the stance of the Five Animal Fist.

About half an hour later.

The daylight brightened completely, dispelling the last of the morning mist.

Jiang Ye slowly withdrew his stance, his arms hanging naturally at his sides. His aura was rounded and full; far from being sweaty after the intense exercise, his skin instead glowed with a faint, warm luster—a sign that his qi and blood were abundant and the medicinal power had been fully absorbed.

Mastered Martial Arts: Five Animal Fist [Minor Accomplishment, 213/500]

Glancing at the system panel, Jiang Ye nodded slightly. At this rate, he would be able to breach the threshold of Dark Strength in just a few more days.

He looked up at the sky; it was time to play the part of the gatekeeping old man.

"Old Man Jiang, morning!"

A resonant greeting, filled with obvious vigor, shattered the morning silence.

Just as Jiang Ye had expected, the first person to arrive at the Martial Academy, treading through the dew, was Shi Lei.

The bruises on the youth's face were still prominent, especially on his cheekbones and the corners of his mouth, where the purple-red discoloration had yet to fade.

But his eyes had regained their luster. The deathly silence and confusion of yesterday were gone, replaced by a tempered tenacity and a resilience that suggested he was ready to squeeze every ounce of time and sweat out of himself.

His gait was much steadier than the day before, and though he was still injured, his spine was held straight.

Clearly, after that kneeling yesterday, he had carved Jiang Ye's words into his bones and found his own path once more.

Jiang Ye lifted his dim, weary eyelids, his gaze lingering for a moment on the young face that had reignited its fighting spirit, before he gave a slight nod and emitted a flat, emotionless syllable from his throat:

"Mm."

It served as his response.

Shi Lei did not mind the old man's coldness. He grinned, which tugged at the wounds on his mouth and made him hiss in pain, yet his smile did not falter.

He cupped his hands toward Jiang Ye once more, then turned and hurried into the courtyard, unable to wait a moment longer.

Jiang Ye withdrew his gaze and sat back down on the small, polished stool, tucking his hands into his sleeves with his eyelids half-closed.

As more and more disciples arrived at the Martial Academy, hushed discussions—filled with excitement and fear—began to spread through the morning light like ripples caused by stones thrown into a pond.

"Have you heard? Something huge happened last night! Xu Tao of the Wild Wolf Gang, that hall master from the Changxing Street gambling den, was slaughtered!"

"What?! Xu Tao? That guy with the Great Accomplishment of Bright Strength and a fearsome reputation? Is that for real?"

"Absolutely! My cousin works at the yamen; he saw it with his own eyes when he passed by this morning. The back courtyard of the gambling den is sealed off! I heard he died... in a truly miserable way!"

"Hiss—who would be so bold? That's a hall master of the Wild Wolf Gang!"

"Bold is an understatement! My cousin said the room was barely disturbed. It looked like... like Xu Tao was finished off in a single strike! His head was..."

The speaker lowered his voice even further, his tone filled with incredulous horror.

"A single strike?! Xu Tao was a genuine master of Bright Strength! To be able to take him out in one move... what level of power would that require?"

"At the very least, it must have been a master of Dark Strength! And a ruthless one at that!"

"He deserved to die! That Xu Tao bullied the market and forced women into prostitution; he's done so many wicked things, this retribution was long overdue!"

Some whispered their approval, their voices tinged with satisfaction.

"I bet it was a black-handed move by another gang, fighting over territory!"

"I heard the leader of the Wild Wolf Gang has already put out the word: they will find the killer at any cost and demand blood for blood..."

"It looks like the streets are going to be chaotic for the next few days. We'd better be careful on our way home."

The various discussions—fearful, curious, secretly pleased, or worried—wove through the morning air of the Martial Academy like a dense spiderweb.

Jiang Ye did not lift his eyelids, maintaining his sleepy appearance, though he scoffed inwardly.

Just as he had thought, when a gang leader who lived by the blade and had enemies everywhere died, ninety-nine percent of people would immediately jump to conclusions about vendettas, internal power struggles, or gang warfare.

Who would ever guess that the person who took out Xu Tao in a single strike was the old man guarding the gate right in front of them?

As the Outer Courtyard disciples continued to trickle in, they all flashed looks of shock upon seeing Shi Lei already diligently practicing his fist techniques.

"Junior Brother Shi Lei? He... he actually arrived so early today? And he's training this intensely?"

"He was humiliated in public by Lin Xiaohe just yesterday... I thought he'd be crushed."

"It seems we underestimated him. We used to think his aptitude was mediocre and that he only knew how to brute-force his training, but I never expected his mental fortitude to be this resilient..."

In the hushed whispers, the usual trace of contempt had vanished, replaced by genuine surprise and a faint sense of respect.

To be able to get back up so quickly after such a blow and pour all his emotions into a near-masochistic training regimen—this willpower was truly worthy of their esteem.

"Hmph, with mediocre aptitude, no matter how hard he tries, it's just a futile struggle. What could he possibly achieve?"

Lin Xiaohe, having just stepped into the Outer Courtyard, naturally saw Shi Lei as well.

Her gaze lingered for a moment on that scarred, intensely focused back. Her willow-leaf brows furrowed, and she curled her lip, a flash of irritation and disdain crossing her eyes as if she had spotted some unpleasant, discarded object she couldn't shake off.

However, when her eyes shifted toward the main gate, the impatience on her face melted away like snow in the sun.

Hu Tian, beaming with a flushed face and a light step, was following closely behind Senior Brother Zhang Xu from the Inner Courtyard, chatting and laughing as they walked over.

Hu Tian was wearing a new fine-cloth garment today, with a sachet hanging from his waist, his demeanor already carrying a "grandeur" that was quite different from his usual self.

Lin Xiaohe's eyes lit up, and a bright, charming smile quickly bloomed on her face, as if her disdain for Shi Lei had never existed.

Like a joyful lark that had finally waited for its target, she walked up with a light gait, her voice sweet and crisp:

"Junior Brother Hu! Senior Brother Zhang! Good morning! You look wonderful today!"

Zhang Xu didn't even acknowledge Lin Xiaohe's greeting; he simply tilted his head to say something else to Hu Tian, causing the latter to nod repeatedly.

He then continued on without stopping, carrying his habitual arrogance and composure as he walked straight through the Outer Courtyard toward the Inner Courtyard, leaving Lin Xiaohe's enthusiastic greeting and smile completely hanging in the air.

The smile on Lin Xiaohe's face stiffened for a fraction of a second, but she recovered instantly, as if she didn't care at all.

She quickly shifted her full attention to the remaining Hu Tian.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Zhang! I will definitely work twice as hard to reach the entry level of the Mountain Crushing Fist as soon as possible! Then I can spar with you."

Hu Tian first raised his voice to assure the departing back of Zhang Xu, his tone filled with a mix of respect and sycophancy.

Only after Zhang Xu's figure vanished from sight did he turn his head to look at Lin Xiaohe, his face now wearing a relaxed, slightly smug, and playful expression.

"Senior Sister Xiaohe, you're here early too."

His tone was casual, his gaze lingering on Lin Xiaohe's face for a moment with the slightly superior familiarity of someone who had just been accepted into a higher circle looking at an admirer from below.

Lin Xiaohe seemed completely oblivious to the subtle change in his attitude; she beamed, seizing the opportunity to continue the conversation:

"It's only so I could see you earlier, Junior Brother Hu, and we could practice together!"

"Did you have any fun when Senior Brother Zhang took you out yesterday? Tell me all about it..."

The two huddled together, whispering and laughing.

Hu Tian spoke with vivid gestures, occasionally demonstrating a move, while Lin Xiaohe chimed in with timely gasps of wonder or coquettish laughter, her eyes lingering on Hu Tian with adoration, as if he were the most dazzling existence in the Martial Academy this morning.

Meanwhile, Shi Lei, who was practicing his punches alone in the corner, remained deaf to it all.

His entire focus was now on his fists.

Time passed quickly, and three days flew by.

In the early morning, Jiang Ye slowly retracted his fists.

Mastered Martial Arts: Five Animal Fist [Minor Achievement, 467/500]

"It seems I can attempt to break through to Dark Strength tonight."

The sharp light in Jiang Ye's eyes dimmed, hiding a flicker of deep-seated excitement.

With the nourishment of the Blood Replenishing Pill, he had tempered his blood and qi over these three days; he only needed to reach the major achievement of his fist technique tonight to attempt the breakthrough to Dark Strength.

"I'll rest well during the day and conserve my energy."

Jiang Ye returned to his post as the gatekeeper, gathering his strength.

However, the trees wanted to be still, but the wind would not cease.

Around noon, a crisp, startled cry from a girl suddenly erupted from the direction of the Outer Courtyard, shattering the usual dullness of the Martial Academy.

"Junior Brother Hu Tian has reached the entry level of his fist technique!"

The voice belonged to Lin Xiaohe, carrying undisguised surprise and a deliberately raised volume that instantly drew everyone's attention.

This was immediately followed by the gasps of the Outer Courtyard disciples, filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

"What?! Junior Brother Hu Tian? How long has he been here? If you count it all up... it's not even seven days, right?!"

"My god! Seven days to reach the entry level of the Mountain Crushing Fist?! Is... is this what superior aptitude looks like?!"

"Comparing people is infuriating, and comparing goods is just depressing! I've been practicing for nearly a month and haven't even touched the threshold..."

"Sigh, stop comparing. Comparing yourself to a genius like that is just asking for misery."

The wave of noise even drifted faintly toward the main gate.

Even Jiang Ye, who had been resting with his eyes closed, felt his brows twitch imperceptibly, a flash of surprise crossing his face.

"The speed at which this Hu lad has mastered the basics of his fist technique is even faster than Yiyi was back then."

Jiang Ye remembered that Liu Yiyi, who also possessed superior bone structure, had taken seven or eight days to master the basics of the fist technique.

It seems this Hu Tian truly has some potential.

Of course, such talent, which would be considered shocking to ordinary people, was merely the light of a firefly compared to Jiang Ye's own peerless comprehension, which allowed him to master fist techniques in a single second.

The Outer Courtyard training grounds were in an absolute uproar.

"Junior Brother Hu Tian is truly a genius among geniuses!"

Lin Xiaohe surrounded the beaming, triumphant Hu Tian like stars circling the moon.

The excitement on her face, filled with reflected glory, was practically overflowing.

It was as if she were the one who had mastered the fist technique.

While she spoke loudly with flattery, the corner of her eye glanced surreptitiously—with a hint of provocation and scrutiny—toward the figure not far away who remained silent, immersed in his own fist stances: Shi Lei.

However, to her disappointment, Shi Lei seemed completely unaware. He continued to polish his Mountain Crushing Fist stance, one move at a time, with heavy, powerful focus. Sweat dripped down his temples, his gaze was as focused as iron, and he showed no reaction to Hu Tian's breakthrough or the surrounding clamor, as if he existed in another world.

A flash of irritation and disappointment at her failed attempt crossed Lin Xiaohe's eyes. She let out a cold snort, quiet enough that only those nearby could hear:

"Hmph, he probably knows the gap between him and Junior Brother Hu Tian is as vast as clouds and mud, so he's resigned himself to his fate, burying his head in grinding out that pathetic bit of sweat."

Soon, the news of Hu Tian mastering the fist technique reached the Inner Courtyard, and Liu Qingshi was stirred, arriving at the Outer Courtyard.

Looking at the flushed, barely contained excitement of Hu Tian before him, a trace of appreciation flashed in Liu Qingshi's eyes as he nodded slightly:

"Not bad. Mastering it within seven days—your talent is even better than I imagined. In the last ten years, among the new disciples of the martial arts hall, your talent can be considered top-tier!"

He paused, his expression turning solemn:

"Hu Tian, from today on, you are an official disciple of Liu Qingshi and may enter the Inner Courtyard to study. If you have any difficulties in your future cultivation, you may come to ask me at any time."

As he spoke, he took a small celadon bottle from his robes and handed it over. "After mastering the fist technique, tempering your blood and qi to strike at the threshold of Bright Strength is of the utmost importance. This bottle of Blood Replenishing Pill is a reward for you, to help you stabilize your foundation and break through sooner."

"Thank you, Master!"

Hu Tian took the pill with an excited expression.

He had seen Zhang Xu take a Blood Replenishing Pill and knew that this medicine was expensive, costing twenty taels of silver per bottle.

This was not just medicine; it was a symbol of status and favor!

Under the gaze of eyes filled with envy or complexity, Hu Tian straightened his back and, following Liu Qingshi, strode with his head held high into the Inner Courtyard, which symbolized a higher level.

The Outer Courtyard disciples watched Hu Tian's retreating back, their expressions complex.

Although they had known this day would come, they hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly.

Lin Xiaohe's heart was also a mix of joy and worry.

What she was happy about was that the "potential stock" she had bet on had indeed skyrocketed, giving her a backing in the Inner Courtyard for the future.

What she worried about was that Hu Tian's progress was so rapid that his horizons would inevitably rise; if she didn't seize the opportunity, she feared...

However, just as the ripples caused by Hu Tian had not yet fully subsided and everyone's thoughts were in turmoil—

About an hour later.

"Junior Brother Shi Lei has also mastered the fist technique!"

An exclamation from an Outer Courtyard disciple rang out.

This news was like a second stone thrown into the lake, but the ripples it stirred were completely different from the first.

There was no stadium-wide cheering or boiling excitement; instead, there was a silence born of expectation mixed with complex emotions.

After all, Shi Lei had been practicing for nearly two months and was only a step away from the threshold; his daily, almost self-abusive diligence was something everyone had witnessed.

His mastery was more like a long-distance runner finally crossing the finish line—worthy of respect, but lacking the shock of a genius suddenly appearing.

"Hmph, taking nearly two months to master it—compared to a genius like Junior Brother Hu Tian, it's simply the difference between clouds and mud."

Lin Xiaohe looked at Shi Lei's determined back, her brows furrowed.

Her cold snort carried obvious disdain, but if one listened closely, hidden beneath that disdain seemed to be a hint of subtle jealousy and unease that she herself was unwilling to admit.

No matter how slow Shi Lei was, he had finally crossed this hurdle.

Once he struck at the threshold of Bright Strength, he would be considered a true martial artist, and he would be... different from ordinary people.

The Inner Courtyard disciples naturally heard the exclamations from the Outer Courtyard.

"What kind of auspicious day is it? Our Martial Academy is going to flourish; two Outer Courtyard disciples mastered the fist technique in a single day!"

"Heh, though they mastered it on the same day, these two can't be compared. That Hu Tian is a genius, but Shi Lei... I heard his bone structure is only low-to-average, and he's been grinding for nearly two months."

"I have some impression of this Shi Lei; he is indeed desperate in his training, but unfortunately, limited by his bone structure, I fear striking at Bright Strength will be his limit."

"Being able to reach Bright Strength is already a foundation for standing in this world; it's better than some, but worse than others."

The Inner Courtyard disciples discussed it with interest.

"What a coincidence."

Liu Qingshi, who was in the middle of guiding Hu Tian to adapt to the training rhythm of the Inner Courtyard, stood up upon hearing the voice, a hint of a smile appearing on his face.

He was just about to head to the Outer Courtyard when he saw Shi Lei walking in on his own.

There was no overwhelming ecstasy on Shi Lei's face following his breakthrough, only his usual steadfastness and calm; indeed, due to days of grueling training and the scars he bore, he appeared far more composed than his peers.

He walked up to Liu Qingshi and bowed respectfully:

"Master Liu, disciple Shi Lei has attained entry-level mastery of the Mountain Crushing Fist."

"Hmm, not bad. I have been keeping an eye on you."

Liu Qingshi looked at him, his gaze filled with scrutiny as well as a trace of imperceptible approval.

He nodded and said in a deep voice:

"Although your aptitude is only mediocre, your temperament and perseverance far exceed those of ordinary people. On the path of martial arts, while aptitude is important, one's will can compensate for the heavens. If you continue to practice diligently without pause, you may yet achieve something great."

As he spoke, he took a celadon porcelain bottle from his robes and handed it to Shi Lei. "Since you have attained entry-level mastery, you are now my formal disciple. Take this bottle of Blood Replenishing Pill; I hope you stabilize your foundation, nourish your blood and qi, and strike at the gate of Bright Strength soon!"

"Thank you, Master Liu!"

Shi Lei accepted it with both hands, his voice steady, though his gratitude came from the bottom of his heart.

He knew well the value of this bottle of pills, and understood even better the encouragement and expectations contained within the Master's gesture.

To the side, Hu Tian, who had been feeling quite smug, saw Liu Qingshi treating Shi Lei—a student with "mediocre aptitude"—as an equal and bestowing upon him such a precious pill. A flash of resentment quickly crossed his eyes, and he thought to himself:

This Shi Lei only has mediocre aptitude. Even if he has mastered the basics of the fist technique, that's all there is to it. How is he worthy of such a pill?

"Junior Brother Shi Lei, please look after me in the future. If there is anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."

Zhao Gang, a well-regarded "nice guy" in the Inner Courtyard, walked over with an honest and kind smile on his face.

"Since we are both in the Inner Courtyard now, we should look out for one another. If there is anything you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask me."

Compared to Hu Tian, whose talent was dazzling but who carried a hidden air of arrogance, he was much more willing to interact with a junior brother like Shi Lei, who was down-to-earth and possessed a simple, honest heart.

Shi Lei hurriedly bowed and thanked him again.

In the afternoon.

Another piece of news shook the Martial Academy.

Zhang Xu had attempted to break through to the Dark Strength, and he had failed.