Fist Technique Minor Accomplishment

Time slipped by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.

The meat shop heard the reports from the two men.

Between sending more men and taking a detour, they chose the cost-free detour.

All procedures were moved up by half an hour.

Ever since his last escort mission with Zhuo Yong, Li Yun had officially started his job.

He spent two hours a day on escort duties, and for the remaining time, he basically stayed within the martial arts hall.

[Tiger-Subduing Stance (Entry): 648/5000]

[Tiger Subduing Fist (Entry): 4999/5000]

Without Blood Replenishing Powder, the accumulation and growth of his blood and energy tended to stabilize.

Ever since he discovered that sparring could accelerate the experience growth of his Tiger Subduing Fist, Li Yun had not stopped for a single moment.

From time to time, he would go find Yu Qingqing to tell her a joke.

Having never heard such varied and strange bits before, she would laugh until she trembled like a flower in the wind.

Naturally, her admirers didn't mind having a "protecting the food" sparring match with their junior brother, Li Yun.

Sometimes, they even had to line up.

The most troublesome of them all was Chen Bin.

After all, with his Bright Force strength, his fist techniques at the minor mastery level, and his lack of martial ethics, he would use his internal force from time to time.

But Chen Bin was also one of Li Yun's favorite opponents.

Because sparring with him yielded the fastest experience growth.

Seeing that his Tiger Subduing Fist was about to reach minor mastery, Li Yun stopped looking for people to spar with.

Instead, he walked to a corner and began practicing the fist techniques by himself.

After finishing the entire set of techniques, a golden light flashed in his mind.

[Tiger Subduing Fist: +1]

[Tiger Subduing Fist (Minor Mastery): 1/10000]

Every move and stance of the Tiger Subduing Fist rotated rapidly in his mind like a revolving lantern.

An indescribable sense of clarity surged into his heart.

"Junior Brother Li, what are you spacing out for? Want to spar?"

"Let's go."

Facing Lu Kuan's invitation, Li Yun did not refuse.

Even though he was the boss, Li Yun did not hold back or play "social favor" punches.

He unleashed his newly mastered fist techniques to their fullest extent.

Lu Kuan remained calm and unhurried, standing with his feet in a balanced stance, sinking his shoulders and dropping his elbows to meet Li Yun's attack.

But after only three or five moves, the smile on Lu Kuan's face gradually faded, and his heart skipped a beat.

Something was wrong!

Li Yun's fist paths and moves connected as smoothly as flowing water.

What shocked him even more was that his own counterattacks were repeatedly dodged by Li Yun with ease, and several times, he was even countered by the other party seizing his openings.

"This... could it be?"

With this realization, Lu Kuan reined in his internal force and focused entirely on matching him with pure technique.

The fierce and powerful moves of the Tiger Subduing Fist unfolded like a violent storm, each punch carrying a sharp whistling sound as he tried to test Li Yun's true level.

However, the more they fought, the more intense the shock in Lu Kuan's heart became.

A feeling of disbelief surged within him.

He clearly remembered that just over a month ago, Li Yun's Tiger Subduing Fist had only just reached the entry level!

Yet the Li Yun before him moved with measured steps, his advances and retreats completely under his control.

This was clearly the realm of minor mastery in the Tiger Subduing Fist!

After a head-on collision of fists, the two separated.

"Has your Tiger Subduing Fist reached minor mastery?"

Although it was phrased as a question, Lu Kuan was eighty percent certain in his heart.

Li Yun did not hide anything from him:

"I have to thank Senior Brother for sparring with me; it was only by luck that I reached the minor accomplishment stage."

Despite his inner suspicions, Lu Kuan could not help but feel shocked upon hearing Li Yun's answer.

Fist techniques were things that relied heavily on comprehension; otherwise, one could only grind away at them over time.

If that weren't the case, he, Lu Kuan, wouldn't have taken until now to reach the minor accomplishment stage himself.

Seeing Lu Kuan's somewhat exaggerated expression, Li Yun was a bit puzzled:

"Senior Brother, it's just a minor accomplishment in a fist technique, why be so surprised?"

Lu Kuan rolled his eyes at Li Yun, feeling annoyed.

It was truly a case of someone standing on the sidelines not feeling the pain of the one working:

"Do you know how long it took me to reach the minor accomplishment stage?

Two and a half years.

A full two and a half years!"

Li Yun smiled and said nothing.

His talent was so good that he had no bottlenecks.

He learned as soon as he practiced.

How could he possibly understand the other man's feelings?

Although he felt a bit bitter, Lu Kuan quickly reined in his emotions and congratulated Li Yun:

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Li.

The path of martial arts is about to become smoother and smoother for you."

"Oh? What does Senior Brother mean by that?"

About to?

Li Yun didn't quite understand what that meant.

Lu Kuan thought about Li Yun's background and realized it was normal for him not to know, so he explained:

"Junior Brother Li, you should be aware that most of us in the Outer City come from the various counties under the jurisdiction of the neighboring Green Wind Prefecture, right?"

"Yes."

Li Yun had learned this from Zhuo Yong.

"The martial arts halls in the Outer City might have some reputation back in our home counties.

But once you arrive in this territory, who recognizes you?

Therefore, a few prominent martial arts halls take the lead in organizing a tournament at the end of every year.

They divide the competition into three realms: Body Tempering, Bright Force, and Dark Force.

Firstly, it's to show off some skills to the public, and secondly, it's to build a reputation so they can recruit more apprentices."

Lu Kuan took a breath and continued:

"Junior Brother Li, since you've reached the minor accomplishment stage in your fist technique while in the Body Tempering Realm, your ranking in the Body Tempering competition will surely be excellent.

By then, you can take the competition rewards, the Master will value you more, and the wealthy families watching the event might even take the initiative to sponsor you.

Wouldn't your path become smoother and smoother?"

After hearing what he said, Li Yun weighed it in his mind and felt that this was indeed feasible.

Getting on stage to spar would not only allow him to rapidly increase his experience.

If he won, he could also take the competition rewards; these were all tangible benefits.

It was just that it would push him into the public eye, which didn't quite align with his preferences.

It wasn't steady enough.

There was still half a year left, so he would decide based on the situation then.

"Is a minor accomplishment in a Body Tempering Realm fist technique considered very strong?"

"Of course it's strong.

Whether it's Body Tempering, Bright Force, or Dark Force, the focus of cultivation is on qi and blood.

Most people spend their time on stance training, and the remaining energy must be used to earn money to buy medicinal herbs that replenish qi and blood.

Naturally, they practice fist techniques less.

Last year, among the top three in the Body Tempering Realm, only one had reached the minor accomplishment stage in their fist technique."

Li Yun had also realized what Lu Kuan was talking about.

Wasn't he himself forced to set aside two hours to take a job as an escort guard?

His daily food intake was only enough for him to temper the Tiger-Subduing Stance eight times.

To accumulate enough blood and qi to reach fullness, break through the bottleneck, and condense internal force.

It would take quite a bit of time.

In the midst of their conversation, Li Yun turned his gaze toward Lu Kuan, his tone carrying a hint of probing:

"Senior Brother, will your family be sending people to the scene to watch and scout for promising talent?"

"That goes without saying."

Lu Kuan nodded.

The Lu Family would certainly not miss such a prime opportunity to recruit martial arts geniuses.

Li Yun thought of a shortcut.

One that would allow him to obtain the resources needed for cultivation without having to show his face in the matches.

"Ahem, Senior Brother, what do you think of your Junior Brother here?

In the Body Tempering Realm, I've managed to bring the Tiger Subduing Fist to minor completion in just over a month.

You've seen this comprehension and progress with your own eyes.

Investing in me, you definitely won't lose out."

"Oh?"

Lu Kuan raised an eyebrow.

He had truly forgotten about that.

This investment, it seemed, might actually be viable.

Lu Kuan's expression gradually turned solemn, and his gaze toward Li Yun became more earnest:

"Junior Brother, talent like yours is indeed worth investing in.

However, this matter concerns the allocation of family resources and involves a significant cost; I cannot make the decision alone.

I need to go back and discuss it carefully with my family.

I will give you a definitive answer later."

If they were to invest, and to what extent, they would need to establish a clear plan.

The Lu Family's money didn't just fall from the sky.

It required careful consideration.

"I await your good news!"

Li Yun's approach was simply to take a swing at the tree regardless of whether any dates fell.

What if it actually worked?