Five Animal Fist!

The sky gradually darkened.

Closing time for the Martial Academy was finally approaching.

Those who came out first were usually apprentices from the Outer Courtyard.

Though the Martial Academy was not large, its hierarchy was strict. Newly admitted disciples trained in the Outer Courtyard. Only those who achieved an entry-level grasp of fist techniques within two months could be accepted by Liu Qingshi as formal disciples and enter the Inner Courtyard to train.

If they could not even gain an entry-level grasp of fist techniques within two months, it meant they had no talent at all and would essentially have no fate with the martial path in this life.

Thus, every Outer Courtyard disciple who emerged bore more or less a trace of anxiety on their face.

Soon, the Inner Courtyard disciples filed out as well. At their head was a finely dressed, arrogant-looking youth.

His name was Zhang Xu. Like Su Yan, he came from a wealthy family, but unlike Su Yan's easygoing nature, he was entirely different.

His stride was swift, his chin slightly raised. When his gaze swept over Jiang Ye at the gate, he gave only a faint glance, as though he were looking not at a person, but at a familiar piece of furniture.

Several disciples emerged behind him, vaguely taking him as their leader. Their words carried a measure of caution and flattery.

"Senior Brother Zhang truly deserves to be called a natural martial talent. It probably won't be long before he breaks through to Dark Strength."

"I heard Master Liu say that Senior Brother Zhang's talent for martial arts can rank among the top five since the Martial Academy was founded."

"Once Senior Brother Zhang breaks through the great barrier of Dark Strength, he and Senior Sister Liu will be known as the twin stars of the Martial Academy."

"..."

Compared to the Outer Courtyard apprentices with anxiety written all over their faces, Zhang Xu and his group exuded an entirely different air.

It was the calmness—and even detachment—of people who had already received preliminary recognition, possessed some confidence, and considered themselves above others.

Jiang Ye silently took it all in.

Twenty years of guarding the gate had given him a clear view of the subtle relationships within the Martial Academy.

Disciples like Zhang Xu, born into privilege and not lacking in talent, were the Martial Academy's key focus and one of Liu Qingshi's important sources of prestige and income.

They had their own circle. Ordinary disciples found it difficult to join, and an old gatekeeper like Jiang Ye had never truly been worth their notice.

Jiang Ye stood quietly beneath the eaves outside the gatehouse. After watching all the Inner Courtyard disciples leave, he counted their numbers in his mind.

"Two people are still inside."

Jiang Ye's brows furrowed slightly.

The Martial Academy had rules. Once it was time to close, disciples were forbidden from lingering inside unless they had the master's special permission. This made management easier and prevented unnecessary trouble.

After waiting a little longer, Jiang Ye turned and walked into the courtyard.

"Junior Sister Lin, the key to Mountain Crushing Fist lies in this force of 'sinking' and 'wholeness.'"

"You've only just begun, so don't chase speed, and don't think about making the moves look pretty. Just practice the feeling of 'pushing a wall.' Practice until every breath can move your body ever so slightly, until your force naturally links together without interruption. Only then will the frame of this first stance begin to take shape."

The moment he entered the Outer Courtyard, Jiang Ye saw a dark-skinned, powerfully built youth instructing a young girl in fist practice. She wore her hair in twin buns, and the baby fat had not yet fully faded from her cheeks.

The youth was named Shi Lei. Jiang Ye had heard Liu Qingshi mention him before. Though the boy's natural physique was ordinary, he was diligent in training and was on the verge of gaining an entry-level grasp of fist techniques. He was considered one of the better prospects among this batch of Outer Courtyard disciples.

Jiang Ye also knew the girl he was instructing. She was Lin Xiaohe, a disciple who had only joined two days ago.

When Shi Lei saw Jiang Ye enter, he quickly withdrew his stance and stood straight, apology on his face.

"Old Man Jiang, sorry. We got so caught up in training that we forgot the time and delayed you from closing up. We'll leave right away."

When Lin Xiaohe saw that the newcomer was merely Jiang Ye, the old gatekeeper, she muttered dismissively, "What's wrong with practicing a little longer?"

"Shh... If Master Liu sees that we're still here after closing time, we'll be punished."

Shi Lei hurriedly shot Lin Xiaohe a look, signaling for her to stop talking.

"Ah..."

At that, Lin Xiaohe immediately dropped her stance and hurried toward the courtyard exit like a startled rabbit, afraid she would be caught if she left even one step too late.

Seeing the little girl abandon Shi Lei and run off, Jiang Ye shook his head slightly. A faint, hidden trace of mockery flashed through his clouded eyes.

He said nothing and began gathering the few crude training implements scattered across the ground.

"Old Man Jiang, I'll help you clean up."

Shi Lei gave an honest smile and stepped forward to help.

"Junior Sister Lin came from hardship too. I figured I'd help however I could."

As they put away the equipment, Shi Lei also chatted with Jiang Ye about why he had spent his own time helping Lin Xiaohe practice fist techniques.

Jiang Ye gave Shi Lei a long look but said nothing.

Kindness did not always bring a good return. Only those who had experienced it firsthand would understand that truth.

Before long, all the equipment on the ground had been put away. Shi Lei greeted Jiang Ye and left the courtyard as well.

"Huff... They're finally all gone."

Jiang Ye closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The Inner Courtyard.

A man in his early fifties stood in the courtyard.

He was not especially tall, yet he stood exceptionally straight. His broad shoulders and back stretched his somewhat worn dark-blue robe into sharp lines, without the slightest excess sway.

It was a frame and musculature tempered through years of harsh martial training. Even standing still, he carried a heavy sense of weight.

Standing there, he resembled a green pine that had endured frost and snow without ever bending.

He was none other than Liu Qingshi, founder of Bluestone Martial Academy.

Holding a broom, Jiang Ye slowly swept the fallen leaves from the ground, deliberately lingering nearby.

Liu Qingshi noticed him and turned around, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Old Jiang, keeping busy?"

He had always treated this old friend and savior with respect.

"Master." Jiang Ye stopped what he was doing and bowed slightly. The right amount of an old man's shyness and hesitation appeared on his face as he rubbed his hands together. "There's something... I'm not sure whether I should say it."

"If there's something, just say it. Why be so polite between us?"

Liu Qingshi waved a hand.

Jiang Ye sighed and pointed at himself. "I'm old now. This useless old body of mine aches everywhere whenever winter comes, and my joints get terribly stiff."

"I was thinking, could I practice some fist techniques with you too? I'm not asking for anything else—just to loosen up my body a little, so I can sleep more soundly at night."

Liu Qingshi was slightly taken aback. Then understanding dawned on him, and a trace of comprehension and faint sorrow flickered in his eyes.

He understood Jiang Ye's thoughts. At this age, what more could a lonely old man seek besides good health and fewer aches and pains?

"Old Jiang, wanting to stretch your muscles and bones is a good thing."

Liu Qingshi pondered for a moment. His gaze paused briefly on Jiang Ye's hunched figure, whose neck was nevertheless still held straight. Then he slowly spoke, his voice as steady as ever:

"However, my Mountain Crushing Fist is fierce and domineering. It emphasizes surging blood and qi, with sinews and bones sounding as one.

"Even its most basic training methods place considerable strain on the meridians, sinews, and bones through the path of force.

"At your age... I'm afraid your body cannot withstand such rough treatment. If you force yourself to practice it, not only will it do no good, it may instead damage your foundation."

His words were blunt, yet they carried undeniable concern and truth.

Jiang Ye opened his mouth. At the proper moment, gloom and disappointment—the look of a man whose secret had been exposed—rose on his face. He was about to say something more.

"However..." Liu Qingshi suddenly changed tack, as though recalling something. "Now that you mention it, I remember an old matter."

He turned and walked back inside. Before long, he emerged holding a thin, yellowed thread-bound booklet.

The booklet's edges were somewhat worn. Its cover seemed to have once gotten damp, leaving patches of water stains in varying shades, yet it had been kept remarkably flat.

"I obtained this during my travels in my younger days, from a reclusive old physician by chance."

Liu Qingshi held the booklet out to Jiang Ye and said evenly, "This is not some profound martial art. According to that physician, he created it after studying ancient texts, observing the forms and spirits of birds and beasts, and combining them with health-preserving breathing exercises. It is a fist technique for loosening the sinews and invigorating the blood, called..."

Jiang Ye's eyes fell upon the slightly faded cover, where three large characters had been written in plain, unadorned ink—

Five Animal Fist!

The booklet felt slightly heavy in his hand. Its pages were rough, and though the brushwork of the words Five Animal Fist on the cover could not be called masterful, they possessed a simple, natural vitality, as though they truly contained the imagery of birds in flight, beasts on the move, and wild mountain forests.

"Though this is a fist technique inclined toward health preservation and lacks the power to defeat enemies, it may have marvelous effects in nourishing life, prolonging one's years, and unblocking the sinews and bones.

"If you are interested, study and practice slowly according to the diagrams and mnemonic verses in this booklet.

"If there is anything you do not understand, come ask me anytime."

Liu Qingshi paused slightly before continuing, "Oh, and Old Jiang—starting tomorrow, go to the kitchen and receive a bowl of Blood Strengthening Soup as well. Since you are beginning to work your muscles and bones, pairing it with this medicinal soup is precisely the principle of training and nourishing together."

He spoke lightly, but Jiang Ye's heart stirred.

This Blood Strengthening Soup was a medicinal broth used by formal disciples to temper their sinews and bones and replenish their blood and qi. Though it was not rare, it still cost money, and it had always been supplied only to Inner Courtyard disciples.

"Master..." Jiang Ye raised his head. The lantern light reflected in his dim yellow eyes, as well as in the yellowed booklet in his hand. His gratitude was several times more genuine than it had ever been before. "This kindness... Old Jiang truly does not know how to thank you."

"Why speak of thanks between us?" Liu Qingshi waved his hand, a small smile on his face. "I'll be happy if you can find something to do and grow a little stronger. It's getting late. You should rest early as well."

Jiang Ye gave a deep bow and carefully tucked the Five Animal Fist booklet close against his body.

He knew that after tonight, everything would be different.

This seemingly ordinary Five Animal Fist was the first step upon his Ascension Stairway!