Senior Brother's Sponsorship (Fourth update, seeking readership!)

After this round of guidance, the fellow disciples around him also benefited immensely, and all their inner doubts were dispelled.

Chen Yuan had actually grasped Clear Force, with a D-Grade Bone Structure, in a mere two and a half months, breaking through the Skin Realm to become an initiate martial artist.

The Gu Family didn't think much of you, yet you were the one who proved them wrong.

One by one, they scrutinized Chen Yuan with complex expressions, a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

This disciple who had been silently training hard—he remained silent for a long time, but once he spoke, he stunned everyone.

Many disciples who had joined earlier would likely have to change their tune and address Chen Yuan as Senior Brother.

There were no more than ten initiate martial artists present.

Sun Chengjie was already impressed to the point of prostration; he finally understood Chen Yuan's composure.

Once it was certain one could become an initiate martial artist, even if abandoned by the Gu Family, what was there to worry about?

With such potential, one could thrive anywhere.

Xue Anping's expression was melancholy as he sighed, "What virtue or ability do I possess to be placed in the same group as Chen Yuan? Thinking back to how I wanted to compete with him, it seems truly laughable now."

The man had already become an initiate martial artist, while he hadn't even touched the threshold of the Skin Realm; the difference was truly like heaven and earth.

He was worthy of being the strongest D-Grade.

While He Qing was astonished, his inner resolve grew even stronger.

The stronger Chen Yuan was, the greater the certainty.

The Zhou Brothers were at the other extreme, their faces pale and filled with trepidation.

Chen Yuan's successful breakthrough was already hard for them to accept, but the sudden display of Clear Force strength made the gap infinitely wider.

An initiate martial artist was not someone they could afford to provoke.

Zhou Mo said tremblingly, "Brother, should we humble ourselves and go apologize to Chen Yuan? He doesn't look like the type to hold a grudge."

Zhou Qian snorted, "Don't go looking for trouble. At most, we muttered a few things when he arrived; he's been training so hard he's probably forgotten all about it. Apologizing would only be counterproductive."

Zhou Mo thought about it and agreed, his panicked heart settling down.

"Let's go see Master," Tao Ping said with a smile.

Even within the entire Huo Academy, there were few initiate martial artists still practicing, and Chen Yuan's status was climbing step by step.

Chen Yuan nodded; he had been wanting to ask for guidance on the Twelve Forms Boxing.

Not far away, Xu Heng, who had witnessed everything, stared at Chen Yuan's back until it disappeared into the inner courtyard.

He said faintly, "To have already grasped Clear Force is indeed rare; it seems my judgment was clouded."

He had grasped Clear Force only half a month ago.

Song Qiao also clicked his tongue in wonder, "Remarkable. If not for you being here, I might have even considered trying to recruit him."

He came from one of the four great families of the inner city; he came to Huo Academy first because he had heard of the Six Harmonies Mind Boxing and Master Huo's early reputation, and second, to scout for talent.

Few were worth his notice; Xu Heng far exceeded expectations, and Chen Yuan's current performance was barely passable.

Xu Heng withdrew his gaze and prepared to continue practicing his boxing, "This is finally getting interesting. Let me set a goal to widen the gap to the ends of the earth and put in a little effort."

Huo Academy was finally not so boring.

Just as he stepped into the inner courtyard, he saw Master Huo practicing boxing.

It was the same Twelve Forms Boxing, yet the artistic conception was vastly different, a cut above even Tao Ping's.

Every movement was effortless, executed with a flick of the wrist; he had reached the realm of perfection.

Noticing the movement, Huo Lin calmly finished his practice and cast his gaze over:

"What do you need?"

Tao Ping bowed with a smile, "Master, Junior Brother Chen has broken through the Skin Realm and grasped Clear Force; he is now an initiate martial artist."

Huo Lin's eyes narrowed instantly, slightly surprised. He scrutinized Chen Yuan and asked:

"When did you make the breakthrough?"

In his memory, Chen Yuan's aptitude was mediocre.

Chen Yuan bowed, "I grasped Clear Force yesterday and broke through the Skin Realm today."

Huo Lin nodded in satisfaction and praised with a smile, "Very good, keep working hard."

After the pleasantries, seeing the hope in Chen Yuan's eyes, he said:

"Since you have attained Clear Force, I presume your Six Harmonies Mind Boxing is already at the minor success stage. I shall now teach you the true essence of the Six Harmonies Mind Boxing—the Twelve Forms Boxing."

Chen Yuan quickly cupped his hands, "Thank you, Master. I will study diligently."

The Twelve Forms Boxing consists of the Dragon Form, Tiger Form, Monkey Form, Horse Form, Chicken Form, Sparrowhawk Form, Swallow Form, Snake Form, Alligator Form, Horse-like Form, Eagle Form, and Bear Form.

Each form has corresponding techniques and methods, each with its own unique characteristics, profound and vast.

Huo Lin perked up, genuinely intending to teach Chen Yuan well.

After all, Chen Yuan becoming a martial artist in just two and a half months had come as a pleasant surprise to him.

This progress proved that Chen Yuan possessed talent and was a moldable piece of jade.

Yet, once he actually began teaching, his brows furrowed; Chen Yuan's comprehension was no different than when he had taught him the Five Elements Boxing.

If he could grasp Clear Force in two and a half months, his comprehension shouldn't be that poor, right?

The only consolation was that Chen Yuan's foundation was excellent, and his Five Elements Boxing was rock solid.

His physical constitution also seemed quite good; he could train for a couple of hours without showing signs of fatigue, which explained why he accumulated vitality so quickly.

If his comprehension was lacking, so be it; diligence could compensate for clumsiness.

Moreover, since Chen Yuan was able to grasp Clear Force, he naturally had his own unique strengths.

Amidst the shadows of fists, two hours passed quickly, and it was time for lunch.

"Go eat first. This afternoon, I will teach you the remaining Twelve Forms Boxing," Huo Lin waved his hand.

Chen Yuan bowed and took his leave.

Relying on his previous foundation and his physical constitution, he had finally learned half of the Twelve Forms Boxing.

After all, the Twelve Forms Boxing was an extension of the Five Elements Boxing, so there were still quite a few commonalities.

He had also noticed the subtle changes in Master Huo's gaze, which seemed to be saying, Is this kid a bit slow?

Chen Yuan sighed, feeling quite helpless.

Ten points of comprehension were clearly not enough; he had to increase it as soon as possible, otherwise, even if exquisite techniques were placed before him in the future, he wouldn't be able to understand them.

The agony of being lopsided in his stats.

Fortunately, he resisted the urge to spend his remaining four Survival Path points on Six Harmonies Mind Boxing just to save face; this way, he would be able to increase his comprehension in two more days.

Walking to the entrance of the Dining Hall, Chen Yuan saw He Qing waiting at the door, hurrying toward him with a mysterious air:

"Brother Chen, I have some solid information regarding the location of a precious herb in the nearby Funiu Mountain. Would you like to go with me?"

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and declined without a second thought: "Brother He, I have just successfully broken through the barrier and am currently stabilizing my realm, so I won't be going. Since you have solid information, you should look for other senior brothers."

He Qing hurriedly said:

"Brother Chen, I swear on my life that it is absolutely true. I trust your character, which is why I wanted to find you, and I know you are short on money right now. That is at least a five-year-old precious herb. How about we split it seventy-thirty after we get it? You take seven, I take three, how about that?"

Chen Yuan was slightly surprised; He Qing spoke with such certainty that the item likely existed. A five-year-old precious herb could sell for over twenty taels of silver, which was indeed a significant fortune.

He still shook his head decisively: "He Qing, I believe you, but I dare not go. The mountains are treacherous; I would rather cultivate step by step."

There were usually exotic beasts lurking near precious herbs, and they were exceptionally fierce. He Qing was likely looking for a helper because he was wary of that.

Although Chen Yuan had become an entry-level martial artist with offensive and defensive capabilities superior to ordinary people, he knew that if he ran into a tiger, the odds would still be against him.

Besides, he was the owner of the Survival Path Panel; "survival" came first. Only someone with water in their brain would go take such risks.

He Qing tried to persuade him repeatedly, but Chen Yuan remained unmoved, leaving him no choice but to give up.

He secretly thought that Chen Yuan was far too cautious.

He would have to look for someone else.

This money was his only hope of breaking through his own barrier, and he was determined to get it.

After the meal, Chen Yuan sat in the Dining Hall resting and chatting with Sun Chengjie when he saw another senior brother walk straight over and say gently:

"Junior Brother Chen, are you free now? I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

Chen Yuan stood up to show respect, but asked first: "Senior Brother Fang, may I ask what this is regarding?"

In over two months, he had basically gotten to know all the senior brothers in the courtyard, though the depth of their friendships varied.

This Senior Brother, Fang Minghai, was someone he only exchanged nods with.

Fang Minghai smiled faintly: "It's about the sponsorship."

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up, and he quickly said: "Senior Brother, please, this way."