A Thousand Gold Cannot Buy a Sound

In the afternoon, Li Beichen applied the Giant Elephant Meat-Refining Ointment to his body and finished eating the dried Strange Pig meat.

He began his training once again.

However, compared to the other outer sect disciples, the momentum of his movements was somewhat astonishing.

Faint, crackling sounds like thunder emanated from his body.

This was the sign that his entire body's strength was about to unify.

"Brother Li is about to enter the ranks..."

He Keji's face was filled with shock.

He knew Li Beichen was highly gifted, but he had not expected it to be to this extent.

In just two short months, he was actually about to reach the level of "minor accomplishment" in the Giant Elephant Fist.

The other disciples were even more dumbfounded.

There were some veteran disciples who had been here for nearly a year, and they were the ones who truly understood how terrifying this was.

For those who do not practice martial arts, hearing of someone entering the ranks in two months is like a frog in a well gazing at the moon in the sky.

For those within the path, witnessing it is like an ant looking up at the vast blue sky.

On the platform, Yuan Dazong's expression was gloomy; he felt as if ants were gnawing at his heart.

Back then, it had taken him a full eight months of day-and-night toil to produce even a single sound.

He shifted his feet, wanting to step forward and interrupt Li Beichen's training.

But he suddenly discovered that he was shrouded in a shadow.

It felt as if a giant elephant were standing right behind him.

Yuan Dazong turned his head slowly and discovered that Meng Juxiang had emerged from the inner sect at some point.

He was watching Li Beichen, who was practicing in the arena, with a look of satisfaction.

"Master..."

"Shh."

Meng Juxiang simply signaled for him to be silent.

Not far away, fear surged in Zhang Yuan's heart.

How is it possible? Li Beichen is about to enter the ranks?!

He hated himself immensely for that momentary lapse in judgment that led him to provoke Li Beichen, only to be discovered.

Zhang Yuan was flustered, completely at a loss for what to do.

He was merely a concubine's son; if he offended a martial arts prodigy who had entered the ranks in two months, his family would not protect him.

Zhang Yuan only wanted to flee.

"Hey, Zhang Yuan, where are you going?"

"Li Beichen is about to enter the ranks; this is a rare sight to behold."

"I... I have matters at home and need to return."

In the arena, Li Beichen was completely indifferent to these matters.

He was immersed solely in his own practice.

Giant Elephant Fist, twelfth form.

Elephant Charge Strike

After Li Beichen unleashed this final form of the Giant Elephant Fist, several lines of small text immediately appeared before his eyes.

Technique: Giant Elephant Fist - Incomplete (Minor Accomplishment)
Progress: (0/1000)
Trait: Bright Force
Bright Force: Body and strength unified, fist exceeds a thousand catties.

"Crack!"

A sound like a thunderclap clearly reached everyone's ears.

A thousand gold pieces cannot buy a single sound!

This thunderous crack was the mark of entering the ranks.

Li Beichen felt all the strength in his body consolidate; with every movement, he could easily exert his full power, and his muscles, catalyzed by a mysterious warm current, grew stronger once more.

However, his muscle mass did not increase; instead, their density had been enhanced.

They could now easily withstand the transmission of a thousand catties of force.

His entire physique now possessed a lean, hardened air, with well-defined muscles that lacked nothing in aesthetic appeal.

It was not a state of becoming a muscular giant.

Regarding his understanding of the Giant Elephant Fist, Li Beichen had once again reached a new level.

Although the moves remained the same, they now possessed his own distinct style.

"Good, good, good!!!"

Meng Juxiang's voice drifted over.

Li Beichen cupped his hands in a salute.

"Hall Master!"

"Follow me!"

Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, Li Beichen followed Meng Juxiang into the inner courtyard.

Behind him, two voices filled with faint awe could be heard.

"After this... he will likely be Senior Brother Li..."

"Once one enters the ranks, they become a person above others..."

Inside the inner courtyard, Zhang Meng, Fang Meiqin, and the others were also training.

Seeing Li Beichen following Meng Juxiang, although they hadn't witnessed his breakthrough in the outer courtyard, they had already vaguely guessed what had happened.

In the main hall, Meng Juxiang looked at Li Beichen with satisfaction.

"Li Beichen, are you willing to join the inner courtyard of my Like-Elephant Martial Hall and take me as your master?"

"This disciple is willing!"

"Good. You shall train with me in the inner courtyard for now, and in three days, we will hold the formal apprenticeship ceremony!"

Li Beichen naturally agreed.

Although Li Beichen was accustomed to relying on himself, in Ram City, having a Sixth-Rank martial artist as a master—and being highly regarded by him—meant his status was vastly different from an ordinary Ninth-Rank practitioner.

"For these three days, I will teach you the Giant Elephant Breathing Method. The Giant Elephant Fist taught in the outer courtyard can only temper the majority of your muscles; to polish every single inch, you must coordinate it with the breathing method."

"Only when the breathing method is combined with the external martial arts moves is the Giant Elephant Fist truly complete."

"Practice diligently. Once you reach mastery, you will be able to strike ten consecutive sounds, signifying the completion of the Muscle-Refining stage. Afterward, by using subtle force to penetrate the tendons throughout your body, you can begin the Eighth-Rank Tendon-Refining stage."

In just a few words, Meng Juxiang pointed out the direction for Li Beichen's early cultivation.

"Li Beichen, go close the door. I will teach you the breathing method now!"

"Understood."

Li Beichen turned and closed the nanmu door behind him, then began to follow Meng Juxiang in learning the breathing method.

Previously, Li Beichen had seen his senior brother, Zhang Meng, practicing the breathing method.

Each inhalation and exhalation was extremely long, resembling a giant elephant.

But here with Meng Juxiang, the word "resembling" could be discarded.

He watched as Meng Juxiang inhaled and exhaled; it was continuous and endless, his breath long to an incredible degree.

"The Giant Elephant Breathing Method: inhale and lift, breath returning to the navel; lift and swallow, water and fire meeting."

"These are the sixteen-character essentials."

"Come, let me guide you to try it."

A quarter of an hour later, a few lines of small text appeared before Li Beichen's eyes.

[Technique: Giant Elephant Fist (Elementary)]
[Progress: (134/200)]
[Traits: Bright Force, Long Breath, Stamina Boost]
[Bright Force: Body and power combined, fist exceeding a thousand catties]

The original incomplete text had vanished, and the proficiency had dropped from "Slightly Accomplished" to "Elementary."

However, a new trait had appeared: Long Breath and Stamina Boost.

Clearly, this was the trait brought about by completing the breathing method.

And the moment the panel appeared, Li Beichen had also initially mastered the breathing method taught to him by Meng Juxiang.

"A quarter of an hour—not bad!"

Meng Juxiang stroked the scar on his face that extended to his jaw with great satisfaction.

Li Beichen had gone from knowing nothing to initially mastering the Giant Elephant Breathing Method right before his eyes.

Such a performance could not be faked.

It was even more impressive than his talent in entering the ranks with the Giant Elephant Fist in just two months.

"Keep the breath continuous and sink it to the navel!"

He continued to instruct Li Beichen, while the progress on Li Beichen's panel rose rapidly.

They stayed like that for the entire afternoon.

Outside the room, the Fourth Senior Brother, Yang Ling, said to Han Fengqi beside him with a hint of jealousy.

"Sixth, you were only shut inside for private instruction by Master for two hours back then, right!"

"It was two hours and a quarter."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, incredible..."

"Stop talking, Master is coming out!"

Zhang Meng cut their conversation short.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the nanmu door was pushed open, and Li Beichen walked out of the inner room, following Meng Juxiang.

Meng Juxiang looked at everyone in the inner courtyard, pointed at Li Beichen, and his deep voice resonated.

"Li Beichen is my seventh disciple. The apprenticeship ceremony will be held in three days. Zhang Meng, make the preparations!"

"Yes, Master!"