Hearing this question, all the disciples hurriedly pricked up their ears.
They were also very curious why Li Chuan, with a Low-Grade Bone Constitution, had broken through to Dark Force on his first Gate-Knocking attempt!
Li Chuan pondered for a moment before saying calmly:
"My achievements today are entirely due to my own efforts."
At those words, the disciples erupted in cries of astonishment again.
The looks they gave Li Chuan became even more respectful!
To break through shackles that ordinary people found impossible to cross through sheer diligent cultivation alone.
What kind of perseverance was that!
For a moment, many disciples' bodies trembled faintly as their goals became even firmer.
The disciple who had taken the lead in asking could not help nodding repeatedly.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Li. I understand now!"
Li Chuan nodded impassively, passed through the bustling crowd, and headed toward the Martial Arts Arena.
"The training post I usually use is occupied?" Li Chuan was somewhat surprised.
But upon thinking about it carefully, it made perfect sense.
He had always arrived earliest in the past, so he could claim the best post.
But it was already the hour of the goat, the busiest time of day.
There was no way such a good spot would be left empty.
Li Chuan was just about to find a worse post and make do with it for now.
Suddenly, a clever-looking disciple stepped forward and said with a grin:
"Senior Brother Li, I am Zhuang Beiwang. Though I have not been in the courtyard long, I have admired Senior Brother Li's accomplishments for a long time."
"I learned that Senior Brother Li usually trained at this post, so I deliberately got up at dawn to secure it for you."
"Such a fine wooden post naturally belongs to the capable."
"Senior Brother Li, please!"
Having said that, Zhuang Beiwang yielded the wooden post.
Li Chuan was stunned for a moment.
Only at this moment did he truly realize that his status had changed.
There were only eight Dark Force practitioners in the entire Pine Wind Martial Hall. Including him, there were merely nine in all.
In other words, he was already among the top ten figures in Pine Wind Martial Hall.
They could no longer be mentioned in the same breath!
Li Chuan immediately smiled.
"Then I'll have to thank you, Junior Brother Zhuang. If there's anything you don't understand while practicing your fists in the future, you can come ask me for guidance."
Delight appeared on Zhuang Beiwang's face. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he clasped his fists and said:
"Senior Brother Li, please train first. This junior brother will not disturb you any longer. If there's anything you need me to do, just give the word!"
In the distance, quite a few disciples had initially looked down on Zhuang Beiwang's fawning behavior.
But when they heard Li Chuan say that, every one of them regretted it inwardly.
They cursed themselves for not being cleverer. An opportunity to receive guidance from a Dark Force practitioner was rare indeed!
At once, quite a few quick-witted disciples began considering how to get closer to Li Chuan.
"A-Chuan, you're back."
In the distance, Luo Zheng walked toward Li Chuan with a complicated look in his eyes.
As the eldest son of the Luo Family Apothecary, his sources of information were naturally very well-connected.
Early that morning, he had learned that the Wave-Breaking Gang had been wiped out.
Thirty or forty people had died inside the house, and even their corpses had been charred by the fire.
Combining it with Li Chuan's urgent request for poison yesterday, Luo Zheng had basically arrived at the answer.
However, after learning the full story, Luo Zheng could understand why Li Chuan had acted this way.
Were it him, although he would not have been as ruthless as Li Chuan, he would not have let Wu Wenda off either.
Luo Zheng carefully examined Li Chuan a few times, his thoughts churning.
This junior brother of his... had truly changed greatly.
When Li Chuan had first joined the hall, Jiang Ting had him so bewitched that he did not know heaven from earth.
He spent his family's hard-earned money without striving to improve himself.
He entered and left taverns day and night, throwing silver around freely just to win Jiang Ting a smile.
His martial cultivation had fallen completely behind as well.
After four months at the Martial Hall, he had not even mastered Through-Arm Fist, Pine Wind Martial Hall's signature boxing art.
Then later, it was as though he had suddenly become a different person.
His thoughts became meticulous, and he became hardworking and diligent.
He had gone all the way from an ordinary person to knocking on the gate once, then knocking on it twice.
Now, he had even entered the Inner Courtyard and stood "on equal footing" with him.
Even with Luo Zheng's experience and knowledge, he could not help feeling somewhat wistful.
"Junior Brother Li, how many people were there in total?" Luo Zheng asked quietly.
"How many people?"
Luo Zheng rolled his eyes at him.
"Why are you still pretending with me? The Wave-Breaking Gang was such a large gang. Don't tell me you handled it all by yourself..."
Li Chuan said innocently:
"It really was just me. Who else could have helped me?"
Luo Zheng jabbed Li Chuan hard with his elbow.
"My uncle really didn't misjudge you!"
"My wife is sick today, and I'm in a foul mood. Come accompany me for a match on the Arena!"
Looking frivolous, Luo Zheng crooked a finger at Li Chuan.
Warmth rose in Li Chuan's heart. He knew that Luo Zheng was absolutely not such a casual person.
Luo Zheng was stronger than him. If they sparred, Li Chuan would probably benefit more.
As for that tone, it was merely so Li Chuan would not feel indebted.
Li Chuan grinned.
"You'd better be careful this time."
Luo Zheng raised an eyebrow.
"Come try me!"
"Whoosh!" A fist as large as a sandbag instantly came smashing over.
Luo Zheng snapped:
"You attacked without warning!"
Li Chuan's fists were like an impenetrable wall, pressing Luo Zheng so hard that he could barely breathe.
"Senior Brother, this is the 'Formless Fist' you taught me!"
Luo Zheng sneered.
"Then I'll teach you once more what it means for no moves to defeat all moves!"
Luo Zheng steadied himself and began his counterattack.
But the longer they fought, the more alarmed he became!
When Li Chuan had broken through to Dark Force, Luo Zheng had sparred with him as well.
At that time, if he wanted to, he could easily defeat Li Chuan.
But now, even after giving it his all, he could only barely maintain the upper hand.
For a moment, Luo Zheng exclaimed:
"Your Through-Arm Fist has reached Major Mastery?!"
Li Chuan said nothing, responding instead with Rib-Breaking Mountain-Crushing.
Very soon, Luo Zheng discovered that not only had Li Chuan brought Through-Arm Fist to Major Mastery, his fighting style had also become exceptionally fierce.
He had once been somewhat hesitant and restrained, but now he handled everything with effortless familiarity.
Every stance and every move carried a faint aura of "killing intent."
Anyone whose mind was unsettled would likely lose half their momentum after a single exchange!
Luo Zheng knew he could not drag this out any longer, or the prestige of his title as "Second Senior Brother" would be lost!
"Tendon-Severing Bone-Dislocating Style!" Luo Zheng unleashed his family's secret art and sent Li Chuan back in one stroke.
"Whoa!" The Outer Courtyard disciples watching below the stage let out a burst of exclamations.
Compared to the last time, when Luo Zheng had easily defeated Li Chuan.
This evenly matched clash was the truly exciting one!
Luo Zheng's expression remained unchanged as he offered guidance.
"Junior Brother Li, your Through-Arm Fist is becoming more and more agile, but I'm still the stronger one."
"You still need to train!"
Li Chuan wore an ashamed expression.
"Senior Brother Luo's skill is superior. I admit that I am inferior."
Luo Zheng smiled faintly.
"Wait for me here a moment. I'll be back soon."
Luo Zheng quickly left the Arena and went to a secluded place.
Only after seeing that no one was around did he relax. The healthy flush on his face instantly turned pale.
Feeling the strong taste of rust in his mouth, Luo Zheng wiped the corner of his lips and gave a bitter smile.
This Junior Brother Li of his was improving far too quickly.
Even to defeat him, Luo Zheng had to pay a price to forcefully unleash a powerful fighting technique.
At that thought, Luo Zheng felt a surge of relief.
Fortunately, his family had inherited secret arts that could unleash formidable strength.
Otherwise, fighting a junior brother who had only recently entered Dark Force would require such tremendous effort...
Did he still want his face or not!
Luo Zheng could accept taking unknown risks in order to help Li Chuan.
But he absolutely could not accept Li Chuan riding roughshod over his head!
"This past year, I've let my martial practice slip somewhat. I need to cultivate diligently, or my reputation won't survive!"
After regulating his breath, Luo Zheng returned to the Martial Arts Arena.
"Senior Brother Luo, are you all right?" Li Chuan asked with concern.
Luo Zheng waved his hand casually.
"Just a minor matter."
"By the way, A-Chuan, you haven't celebrated entering Dark Force yet, have you?" Luo Zheng asked. "Come on, as your senior brother, I'll take you to Flying Swallow Pavilion in the Inner City and reserve a table. I'll let you see the world!"
"Also, regarding the quote from last time,
I went back and discussed it with my father and uncle. I'll explain it to you in detail later."
Luo Zheng said seriously:
"I guarantee you won't be disappointed!"
Before you continue