Breakthrough

Huang Haitao pushed his palms forward gently, his movements soft like waves as he slowly practiced each move.

He spoke as he demonstrated, "All of you, watch closely and remember. I'll only teach this once."

"If you don't remember, figure it out yourselves!"

"This palm technique is called the Azure Wave Palm. It has sixteen forms and eight combination sets."

Everyone, including Lu Li, immediately widened their eyes and craned their necks, observing every detail.

Lu Li noticed that most people were just mimicking blindly, their movements wobbly and almost causing them to fall.

Only three people's movements were barely passable.

An hour passed.

Huang Haitao pushed his palms down, breathed deeply, and slowly concluded his practice.

"You can practice on your own now."

He turned to face the crowd and said.

Many people were so anxious they scratched their ears and cheeks, feeling hot all over despite the cold winter.

"It's over, it's over. I didn't understand anything. My movements are a mess, and I didn't remember much."

"Brother, me too!"

Most people complained endlessly, sighing in distress.

Only the three who could keep up had eyes shining like stars. They regarded the Azure Wave Palm as a treasure and immediately struck a stance, beginning to practice each move.

Lu Li took it all in. On the surface, he appeared resolute and began practicing as well.

However, in his heart, he was shaking his head.

This Azure Wave Palm was truly pathetic.

As a Flesh-Refining Realm martial artist, looking down from a high vantage point, he could discern that the Azure Wave Palm's grade was undoubtedly extremely low.

Some movements were weak and powerless, merely going through the motions without any spirit.

Lu Li guessed that the Azure Wave Palm might not even qualify for the Skin-Refining Realm.

It was likely some cheap street-stall garbage.

Others' eyes lit up at the sight of martial arts because they hadn't practiced before and didn't know the depth of it.

But Lu Li was different.

He was on the verge of breaking through the Tendon-Refining Realm. Naturally, he held the Azure Wave Palm in utter contempt.

He could imagine the Huang Family's calculations.

Once they got the hang of the Azure Wave Palm, the Huang Family wouldn't teach them the complete martial art. Instead, they'd dole it out bit by bit, like squeezing toothpaste.

It was simply a tactic to keep these common folk, who hadn't seen much, hooked by dangling this carrot, making them feel indebted and loyal.

Making them believe that the Huang Mansion had given them a new life.

Soon, night fell.

Lu Li glanced at his status panel.

[Martial Skill: Azure Wave Palm (50/100) Practicing once a day, completion in four years]

With his genius and the proficiency panel's boost, he had already reached halfway in just one day!

Huang Haitao's gaze swept over Lu Li and the others, a look of satisfaction on his face.

Afterward, they all had dinner at the Huang Mansion. There was indeed plenty of meat and fish, leaving their mouths greasy.

However, the portions were limited, and Lu Li didn't eat his fill.

After dinner, he thought of Uncle Zhao.

He went to the herb gatherer's courtyard and saw Uncle Zhao chatting and laughing with a few people. Those around him were very respectful.

Upon seeing Lu Li arrive, Uncle Zhao quickly came over, "Learned any real skills?"

Lu Li nodded, his eyes shining, "The Huang Family's martial arts are very exquisite."

Huang Hao, lying on a lounge chair, heard this. His old face broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum, unsure if he was mocking or something else.

After a while, he stopped laughing. "Young Lu, your choice was excellent. You weren't as foolish as Niu Er."

"Niu Er was killed in his home by a mysterious martial artist. That's the consequence of having a treasure mountain but no ability to protect it."

"You must continue to work hard."

"What, Niu Er is dead?" everyone exclaimed in surprise.

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Huang." Lu Li's eyes widened in shock at Niu Er's death, then he quickly composed himself and thanked him respectfully.

Afterward, he bought some side dishes and went to pay Aunt Zhao a visit.

As expected, the medicine cured the illness. After finishing three doses, his complexion changed from ashen to radiant in just one day.

Later, Er Gou and others came to visit, apologizing to Uncle Zhao's family in front of Lu Li and presenting a thank-you gift of five taels of silver, along with some white sugar and cured meat.

Their sincerity was evident, and their attitude was proper. Given their pragmatism, Lu Li decided to let them off the hook.

Afterward, Lu Li returned home, took the potent medicine, and continued to practice the Tiger-Subduing Fist.

Lu Li was immersed in his training, and ten days passed quickly.

At the Huang Family Martial Academy, Lu Li slowly finished his practice.

He hadn't directly achieved mastery of the Azure Wave Palm, planning to do so in another month.

After all, achieving mastery in just two days would be too conspicuous.

If the Huang Family found out, who knew how they would treat him.

He glanced at his status panel.

[Martial Arts: Tiger-Subduing Fist (Flesh-Refining Realm 380/400) Practice once a day, will be completed in 40 years. Demon-Spirit Communion Technique (Cannot be upgraded). Azure Wave Palm (Not yet mastered 65/100)]

He focused his gaze on the Tiger-Subduing Fist, his heart filled with excitement.

Today, he would break through the Tiger-Subduing Fist and officially enter the Tendon-Refining Realm!

He could already vaguely feel his meridians expanding and tightening under the impact of his blood and qi.

With every punch, his meridians vibrated, like drawn bowstrings, unleashing astonishing power.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly saw three people approaching him rapidly, their faces beaming with friendly smiles.

They were the four individuals who were quite skilled in the Azure Wave Palm.

"Brother Lu Li, I've observed your Azure Wave Palm movements are fluid and your strength is controlled with ease. You must be close to mastering it too, right?"

"To be honest, in this courtyard, the only ones with exceptional talent are the four of us."

"The rest are like mud that can't be plastered onto a wall; they'll likely be stuck until after the New Year before they can master it."

"They are no longer in the same league as us."

"Based on my observations, we should be vigorously cultivated. How about the four of us strive forward together?"

"Allow me to introduce myself first, my name is Li Qing." The young man at the head extended his hand.

Listening to Li Qing's words, Lu Li frowned inwardly, feeling displeased.

Even being a dog has its classes?

What narrow-mindedness!

Lu Li looked at the other three. Like Li Qing, their brows revealed a hint of arrogance.

He sighed inwardly. They had achieved a little success and forgotten their origins. People like them were destined for no great achievements.

If they truly compared talent, they were worlds apart from true geniuses.

Take himself, for example. Even without the system, he could have mastered it in four days.

However, one shouldn't strike a smiling face. Lu Li still friendly extended his hand and shook Li Qing's.

He then politely declined, "Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Li. However, I've always been taciturn and prefer to work alone. So, I'll have to pass."

With that, he gave Li Qing an apologetic smile.

"Is that so? Then we won't force you, Brother Lu." Li Qing said with regret and disappointment.

After Lu Li left, Li Qing's expression instantly turned grim.

"This Lu Li, he's truly arrogant. Does he really think his talent is better than ours?" Li Qing gritted his teeth and said.

"Big Brother, who cares? If he doesn't want to hang out with us, so be it. We'll master it first and be noticed by Martial Master Huang. By then, he'll regret it!"

"He doesn't know what's good for him!" Li Qing snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Lu Li returned home with dozens of pounds of meat. He was now wealthy and had the status of a martial arts household servant, so no one would dare to cause trouble. He could spend as he pleased.

He enjoyed spending his money.

Over the past ten days, with Lu Li's vigorous nourishment, his cheeks had become full and round, and his arms had thickened considerably. His nutrition had caught up.

After eating, he began to practice the Tiger-Subduing Fist.

When the progress of the Tiger-Subduing Fist reached four hundred, his body underwent a tremendous transformation!