Astonishing Wisdom!

"Next, Ye Li!"

Hearing his name called, Ye Li felt a tightening in his chest.

As his turn arrived, he suppressed his inner unease and stepped forward quickly.

Feng Yue stared at the youth before him, the boy's file instantly appearing in his mind, and said indifferently:

"Since your trait is [Keen-witted], and you have a background in private schooling, you shall practice this Nine Chapters Fist Manual."

Solemnly saying "Yes," Ye Li felt a slight heaviness in his heart as he took the thick book handed to him.

He could only pray that, without any talent bonuses, he would still be able to easily master this martial technique.

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Feng Yue finished distributing all the low-tier cultivation methods he had brought in bulk, and every youth present wore a look of gravity.

Because unlike the common goods that could be acquired for a mere 10 taels of silver, what Feng Yue was about to impart next was the core secret technique of the Azure Dragon Sect: Azure Dragon Force!

This was an absolutely core secret, relying on the Azure Dragon Sect's monopoly on knowledge through their military might in Guangming.

If anyone outside the sect was reported to be practicing or teaching it, the punishment ranged from having their limbs broken to the total annihilation of their entire family.

Even those who joined the sect had to sign a contract of indenture; unless they became official disciples and were exempted from the cost, they would remain slaves and servants for life.

If Ye Li could not become an official disciple within half a year, he would be a slave and servant to the Azure Dragon Sect for the rest of his life!

The reason for such strict control was that only cultivation methods were the foundation of martial arts!

Without the support of a cultivation method, the preceding martial techniques were nothing more than aerobics—flowers in a mirror, moon in the water.

Feng Yue scanned the crowd below and said in a leisurely tone: "As everyone knows, the martial path focuses on body tempering, divided into Body Refining, Postnatal, Innate, Grandmaster, and Martial Saint!"

"Each time you break through a realm, you enter an entirely new world, and your strength will undergo a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering transformation!"

"Body Refining is about tempering the muscles and bones, strengthening the skin! It is to forge a web of blood and energy within the skin!"

"Therefore, this realm is known in ancient times as Skin Refining!"

"Unlike those Qi Refiners who live long and see the ages, often extending their lives by a thousand years, we martial artists prioritize combat and have short lifespans—only a hundred years until we reach the Innate realm!"

"Thus, talent is the most important factor in martial arts. If you step into the Body Refining realm within half a year, your talent is considered passable, and you will have the qualifications to become a core disciple."

As Feng Yue spoke, a sinister, ill-intentioned grin appeared on his face:

"At that time, if any of you can become a core disciple of the sect, the sect will pay for you to go have some fun in Spring Return Alley!"

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar broke out on the scene.

Some of the more worldly youths wore knowing smiles!

"Spring Return Alley..."

Ye Li thought for a moment before the meaning dawned on him; it seemed to be a pleasure district under the control of the Azure Dragon Sect!

Feng Yue maintained his ill-intentioned expression:

"In the words of those upper-city folks, one of the benefits of becoming a core sect member is that from then on, listening to music in the brothels will be completely free!"

"Not only free, but you are encouraged to go every day! Every single day! You won't even be able to stop if you want to!"

Listening to the grand promises Feng Yue was painting, the youths below were already stirred up.

Their faces flushed red, and they made up their minds to become core members so they could listen to music in the brothels every day!

But looking at Instructor Feng's smile, Ye Li felt that there was more to his words than met the eye.

Isn't this just corroding the fighting spirit of the sect's disciples?

What martial artist could withstand such a test?

After the simple promise-making, Feng Yue held his hands in a guarding stance and explained:

"In the Body Refining realm, Azure Dragon Force is divided into two stages: Breath Regulation and Force Manipulation!"

"Martial Saints have studied the mysteries of the human body to the peak, knowing through introspection that the human body consists of 639 muscles from outside to inside!"

"The breath regulation of Azure Dragon Force is divided into 81 stages of varying depths. Combined with different body postures to move the force, it activates the tendons and bones, nourishes the blood and energy, and can simultaneously stimulate over 500 muscles to unleash infinite mysteries!"

"Only when you can maintain the continuous 81 stages of breathing while walking, standing, sitting, lying down, swinging your arms, or taking a step, can you be considered to have mastered it!"

While speaking, Feng Yue's body began to demonstrate, his movements gradually becoming profound and obscure from the initial simple guarding stance.

Every twist of the waist, every turn of the hips, every sinking of the shoulders and dropping of the elbows was accompanied by deep or shallow, rapid or slow breath regulation!

Staring at the instructor's movements, the youths watched, mesmerized.

The way the breathing and the movements complemented each other was natural and seamless; although the movements were obscure, the transitions were incredibly fluid, completely different from anything they had seen before!

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Feng Yue finished his demonstration.

He fixed his gaze on the crowd below and asked: "How many forms did you remember from the cultivation method I just performed?"

Silence...

The youths below wore expressions of embarrassment.

How could anyone remember it after just one demonstration? It's all gone! I only remember it looked pretty intense! Ye Li thought to himself.

Even though he tried his best to memorize it, the human brain wasn't a computer; he could barely recall a move or two...

"Thirty percent!"

Suddenly, a youth shouted proudly!

"Ah!"

Ye Li turned his head in astonishment, and immediately, another voice rang out from the crowd:

"Fifty percent! I remembered fifty percent!"

Are there experts among us? Ye Li wondered.

Then, another youth boasted, "Instructor, I have firmly memorized seventy percent! If you demonstrate it one more time, I'll have it down completely!"

As these reports came one after another, Ye Li looked over, his heart sinking to the bottom of his chest!

[Sharp-Witted], [Astute and Capable], [Clever and Intelligent]...

Ye Li realized that almost everyone speaking up had gained traits related to comprehension or memory.

Especially the one who remembered seventy percent; he was a classmate from the private school named Tang Jian.

Like Ye Li, he possessed the [Sharp-Witted] trait, which granted a 30% bonus to comprehension!

Those who could obtain such traits were already youths with decent intellects, and with the trait's enhancement, the effect was unimaginable!

"Ye Li, how much did you remember?"

Suddenly, a voice came from above, and Ye Li's heart tightened.

He looked up to see Instructor Feng staring at him with a scrutinizing gaze, as if he wanted to see right through Ye Li's heart!

"You also have the [Sharp-Witted] trait. Did you remember sixty percent... or seventy?"

I... I forgot it all...

Ye Li desperately wanted to say that, but the prospect of broken bones and shattered limbs made it impossible to utter!

I'm dead! I'm dead! I'm dead!

An intense sense of impending doom rose from the bottom of his heart!

The gap between those with traits and those without was like a chasm; it was impossible to hide!

Under the pressure of death, while his face remained as calm as water, a layer of cold sweat gradually emerged on his back.

Should I keep making things up, or tell the truth?

If I pull off a stunt, can I surrender and lose only half?

The atmosphere changed bit by bit in his silence.

A trace of doubt gradually appeared in Instructor Feng's eyes!

Just as the atmosphere grew stifling and Ye Li was about to grit his teeth and speak, he noticed a pale blue virtual frame gradually appearing before his eyes!

Name: Ye Li
Realm: Mortal (0/1000)
Technique: Azure Dragon Force
"Azure Dragon Force (1/100)"
Talent Trait [Dazzling: World-Shocking Wisdom]: Learn, Summarize, Sublimate!
Description:
"Awakened trait [World-Shocking Wisdom]"
"You watched the Azure Dragon Force in its entirety, gained Insight +1"

What is this?

As Ye Li had the thought while looking at the content on the panel, a massive amount of knowledge surged into his mind the very next instant!

The rhythm of breathing, the range of motion, the posture of movement...

The memories he had originally forgotten were now as firmly welded into his brain as if they had been branded there!

After a few breaths, the technique Azure Dragon Force was completely and firmly memorized in Ye Li's mind.

"Ye Li! Why are you spacing out?"

In reality, the long silence and hesitation finally made Feng Yue feel impatient and suspicious.

He looked down at the youth before him: "How much do you remember now?"

Feeling the extra memories in his mind, Ye Li took a light breath and cupped his hands in a salute:

"Reporting to Instructor Feng, I have memorized it all!"

As he spoke, he kept his head lowered, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

From this day forward, he, Ye Li, could finally count himself among the "Cheat Clan"!