Secret Medicine

Luo Kun nodded.

He was eager to see what kind of performance this genius disciple would deliver.

Gong Yulei took a deep breath and began imitating Luo Kun's movements.

Though the force behind them was worlds apart.

What was surprising was that by his second run-through.

His transitions between moves were already quite fluid, faintly carrying a trace of the form's spirit!

Luo Kun's eyes lit up. "Good! As expected, a born martial arts prodigy!"

His heart burned with excitement. This disciple possessed greater talent than any he had ever taken before!

A flicker of unwillingness appeared in Lin Xue'er's eyes as she pursed her lips and stepped forward.

Her first two repetitions were still somewhat awkward.

But by the fifth, her movements were already quite precise, even stirring a faint gust from her fists!

Not to be outdone, Zhang Xiong's moves were also fierce and wind-whistling by his fifth repetition.

Luo Kun was very satisfied. Being able to master it in five repetitions already counted as superior comprehension.

When Jiang Che stepped up, Luo Kun secretly looked forward to it.

Though this disciple had been born with insufficient Qi-Blood, he had managed to cultivate White Cloud Fist to the perfected realm.

Even more rare, he had comprehended the realm of "Heart-Insight."

This was a state that could only be touched when one's fist techniques had reached the pinnacle of mastery and one's mind was free of all distractions!

Yet after five repetitions, Jiang Che's movements remained stiff.

Even the most basic transitions between moves were riddled with holes!

Luo Kun's brows furrowed tighter and tighter, the scar at the corner of his eye twitching like a centipede.

"Strange..." Luo Kun muttered softly. "He performed White Cloud Fist with such exquisite skill. He shouldn't be this bad..."

At the edge of the field, Gong Yulei's lips curled slightly, and a trace of disdain flashed through his eyes.

"Hmph, looks like he only mastered White Cloud Fist by sheer luck!"

Lin Xue'er stood to one side with her arms folded, expressionless.

Zhang Xiong, meanwhile, frowned slightly.

"Why is Junior Brother Jiang in such poor form today? Could it be because of his insufficient Qi-Blood?"

Jiang Che had just finished a set of punches and slowly drew back his stance.

"This Layered Cloud Fist is really difficult. It took until the fifth repetition before I finally got some idea of it. I should be able to enter Flow State now, right..."

It was not that he had not wanted to use Flow State from the beginning.

But while his own movements were still unfamiliar.

Even if he tried to focus his attention, he could not successfully enter Flow State.

He could understand why.

When the movements were still unfamiliar, his attention was completely disrupted by remembering the sequence of movements and watching for all sorts of mistakes.

His focus could not remain completely concentrated.

It was like playing a game while still needing to remember what each skill did and what order they should be used in.

Being able to cast the skills correctly was already good enough.

There was simply no way to pull off any dazzling maneuvers.

In that sense, the more proficient one became at something, the easier it was to enter Flow State.

As he tried focusing his attention again, he began practicing Layered Cloud Fist.

Since he was now far more familiar with the movements.

He successfully entered Flow State.

In an instant, every flaw in his previous movements became crystal clear.

And the correct movements Luo Kun had demonstrated also surfaced in his mind at once.

After another three repetitions.

Jiang Che's fist movements gradually became as smooth as drifting clouds and flowing water.

Though the force behind them was still shallow.

There was no longer any stiffness in the transitions between moves, and one could even faintly see the rudiments of "Wave Stacking"!

[Layered Cloud Fist Beginner (1/100)]

"Phew—"

Seeing that he had finally reached the beginner level!

Jiang Che let out a long breath, withdrew his fists, and stepped aside.

"Why did he suddenly perform so well?! Could he have entered the realm of Heart-Insight again?"

Luo Kun was somewhat stunned.

"Jiang Che, perform it once more!"

He hurriedly called out.

"Yes, Master!"

Jiang Che calmed his mind and steadied his breath, maintaining Flow State as he performed the entire set once more.

This time, his fist path became even more rounded and harmonious.

When he unleashed the final move, "Mountain Crushing," it actually stirred a faint wisp of airflow!

Zhang Xiong nodded slightly from the side.

This was the Jiang Che he knew.

Gong Yulei raised a brow, surprise flashing through his eyes.

"I didn't expect him to improve so quickly all of a sudden?"

But he soon returned to calm.

Lin Xue'er curled her lips, clearly unconvinced.

Seeing Jiang Che's obvious improvement, Luo Kun was delighted.

He secretly thought that Jiang Che must have entered the realm of Heart-Insight.

Though Jiang Che's innate physique was ordinary compared to the others.

If he could enter the realm of Heart-Insight every time.

Then his future achievements would be beyond measure!

"Not bad. Step down!"

"Yes, Master!"

Jiang Che withdrew his fists and returned to the line.

Having entered Flow State twice in such a short time, he felt a faint swelling pain in his head.

Luo Kun stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze slowly sweeping over the four disciples.

"Though these four differ in temperament, they are all materials that can be shaped!"

Anticipation immediately rose within him.

"These few seedlings of mine may not necessarily lose to Old Li's disciples!"

After practicing their fists, everyone felt the Qi-Blood within their abdomens churning.

So they all sat down cross-legged on the meditation cushions that had been prepared beforehand, regulating their breaths.

"One breath returns to the sea, ten thousand thoughts ride the wind!"

"Qi sinks into the dantian, the spirit roams the vast void!"

Luo Kun recited the incantation.

Everyone closed their eyes and sensed their breathing.

Very soon, Jiang Che felt the thread of Qi-Blood within his dantian begin to stabilize.

Though it was still somewhat unsteady, it was no longer dangerous.

Luo Kun was not surprised to see Jiang Che enter meditation first.

Whether one could enter meditation depended on one's temperament only in part.

The amount of Qi-Blood was the true key.

Jiang Che had the weakest Qi-Blood, so entering meditation was also the easiest for him among them.

Before long, Zhang Xiong and Lin Xue'er also entered meditation one after another.

"These two have quite abundant Qi-Blood. It is already not bad that they can enter meditation now."

Luo Kun nodded secretly.

Then he looked toward Gong Yulei, and his expression changed at once.

Not only had Gong Yulei not improved, his complexion had grown even worse!

"Damn it! This boy is too talented, has too much Qi-Blood, and lacks a sufficiently steady temperament. He can't calm down. If this continues, something may happen!"

Luo Kun inwardly cried that things were bad and hurriedly shouted toward the room:

"A-Shan! Bring the medicinal broth over, quickly!"

"Yes, Hall Master!"

Immediately, a simple-looking middle-aged man came jogging over with a pot of medicinal broth.

He poured out a bowl and handed it to Luo Kun.

Luo Kun hurriedly carried it over to Gong Yulei.

"Here, drink this!"

Gong Yulei's face was pale at this moment, and his forehead was drenched in sweat.

Hearing this, he took the bowl and drained it in one gulp.

"Close your eyes and regulate your breathing immediately!"

Gong Yulei closed his eyes and began breathing out slowly.

He only felt a clear spring pour into his lower abdomen, instantly neutralizing the massive amount of Qi-Blood in his dantian.

His complexion also became rosy once more.

He opened his eyes, his face full of shock.

"This medicinal broth is actually this effective..." he murmured.

Seeing Gong Yulei return to normal, Luo Kun let out a breath of relief.

"Of course. This is Soul Condensing Powder, a secret medicine specially made for the Qi-Blood stirred by Layered Cloud Fist. It is the closely guarded secret of our White Cloud Martial Hall!" Luo Kun said proudly.

"What about you all?"

The servant A-Shan lifted the medicine pot and asked the others.

Seeing this, Lin Xue'er and Zhang Xiong each asked for a bowl as well.

After drinking it, the two instantly felt refreshed and clear-minded, while the Qi-Blood in their dantians became completely obedient.

The three of them took out silver and handed it to A-Shan.

With effects like these, one tael of silver was indeed worth it.

"I'll pass for now."

Jiang Che shook his head.

He did not have much Qi-Blood to begin with, so he was not in too much pain.

And his meditation just now had already eased part of it.

Besides, his purse was embarrassingly empty...

Luo Kun nodded and did not force him.

"Then make sure to practice less in the future. If it truly becomes too much, don't force yourself! When it is time to take medicine, you still need to take it!"

He instructed.

"Yes, Master!"

The other three had already completely refined their Qi-Blood. Taking advantage of the medicine's effects, they returned to the field to practice their fists.

After all, a bowl of this medicinal broth could last for a day. They could not waste the opportunity.

Jiang Che, meanwhile, could only continue meditating and slowly refine his remaining Qi-Blood bit by bit.

Watching the others practice their fists while he could only meditate left a bitter taste in his heart.

"I have to earn more money. Otherwise, I really won't be able to take a single step!"

"But if I have to meditate all day, I won't have time to go out and earn money either..."

"What should I do?"

He was troubled.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

"If I enter Flow State and then meditate, would I refine it faster?"