Ba Yun Fist, Ba Kong Fist

Yang Chen hurriedly thanked him. "Since that is the case, this junior will respectfully accept."

Before long, he entered Limitless Pavilion and began selecting a martial skill.

There were as many martial skills in the Yang family's Limitless Pavilion as hairs on an ox, but their quality made Yang Chen secretly click his tongue.

These martial skills were truly too shabby to be put on display. Though there were quite a few of them, not a single one caught his eye.

Of course, he had never expected to find any formidable martial skill in a backwater place like the Yang family's Limitless Pavilion.

"Shadowless Leg."

"Hundred Steps Gait."

"These things called the Yang family's famed ultimate arts are a little too pathetic, aren't they?" Yang Chen did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Given his discernment, it was hardly strange that the Yang family's martial skills did not even make the grade.

He searched around, and before long, he suddenly cried out in surprise. "Eh? Ba Kong Fist!"

His gaze fell upon a jade slip containing a martial skill called "Ba Kong Fist."

Ba Kong Fist was naturally nothing exceptional either, but as he studied it carefully, a martial skill extremely suitable for Body Refining Realm cultivation surfaced in his mind: "Ba Yun Fist."

Yang Chen soon laughed soundlessly. "So that's how it is. I never expected to find an abridged version of Ba Yun Fist in a backwater place like this."

Ba Yun Fist was a martial skill cultivated by low-level Body Refining Realm disciples of certain great sects in the prosperous lands where Yang Chen had lived in his previous life. If placed in this Great Wilderness, it would absolutely stir up a bloody storm. Compared to the martial skills in the Yang family's Limitless Pavilion, Ba Yun Fist stood as far above them as heaven above earth.

And Ba Kong Fist, placed here in the Yang family's Limitless Pavilion, was actually an abridged version of Ba Yun Fist.

"Most likely, some disciple with extremely poor aptitude from a great sect was expelled from the sect and brought this abridged version of Ba Yun Fist into the Great Wilderness, renaming it Ba Kong Fist. That is rather interesting. Ba Kong Fist came from Ba Yun Fist. If I cultivate Ba Yun Fist, it will be much easier to explain." Yang Chen muttered to himself.

What he feared was displaying several powerful martial skills and drawing jealous eyes. When that happened, he might not even be able to explain himself.

But Ba Kong Fist came from Ba Yun Fist; they followed the same path. It was only that Ba Yun Fist was far more profound than Ba Kong Fist.

And naturally, Ba Yun Fist was recorded in his mind.

That made Yang Chen reach a decision. "In that case, I'll begin my martial skill cultivation with Ba Yun Fist."

With that thought, Yang Chen took Ba Kong Fist and walked out.

"Have you chosen?" Fourth Master Yang's tone toward Yang Chen had become much kinder now.

Yang Chen smiled faintly and bowed. "Fourth Master, this junior has chosen Ba Kong Fist."

"Oh? Although Ba Kong Fist is a formidable fist technique, it is not mainstream. Once cultivated to completion, it has too many restrictions and quite a few flaws. Are you certain you wish to cultivate Ba Kong Fist?" Fourth Master Yang asked skeptically.

Yang Chen had already prepared his explanation. "Fourth Master, this junior has considered everything you mentioned. I simply feel that Ba Kong Fist suits me very well, which is why I chose it. As for later on, I can select other martial skills to make up for its shortcomings."

"That is fine as well. Since you understand that what suits you is best, my earlier advice was not wasted." Fourth Master Yang stroked his beard, showing no displeasure as he said, "Take Ba Kong Fist with you. If you can fully learn it within ten days, no spirit stones will be charged."

"If you have not succeeded after ten days, you must bring the secret manual of Ba Kong Fist back. Hand over ten spirit stones before you may continue reading it. Remember the ten-day limit. Do not make this old man come looking for you."

Yang Chen naturally knew these rules. He smiled freely. "This junior understands. I certainly will not trouble Fourth Master to make another trip personally."

"It is good that you understand." Fourth Master Yang waved his hand.

Yang Chen rose and took his leave.

Afterward, Yang Chen returned home and began sorting through the memories concerning Ba Yun Fist in his mind.

"Ba Yun Fist balances hardness and softness, divided into two kinds of force: hard force and soft force. It is a fist art that combines both hardness and softness, and within the Body Refining Realm, it can be called one of the finest martial fist techniques." Yang Chen muttered inwardly.

Over the next several days, he remained in the courtyard and began cultivating Ba Yun Fist.

To completely master Ba Yun Fist would take at least a month.

However, grasping twenty percent of Ba Yun Fist would be enough for him to return to Limitless Pavilion and complete the task. After all, the Ba Kong Fist in the Yang family's Limitless Pavilion was merely an abridged version of the superior Ba Yun Fist. Since Yang Chen possessed Ba Yun Fist, bringing Ba Kong Fist to the required level was as easy as turning over his hand.

At that moment, Yang Chen moved his fists beneath the sun, sweat streaming down his body.

Soon, the sound of footsteps rang out. Gu Mingyue, holding a handkerchief in her small hand, came over and began wiping the sweat from Yang Chen as he rested after getting up. Her movements were attentive and gentle, warming Yang Chen's heart.

"Young Master, you have been practicing for several hours already. Rest for a while." As Gu Mingyue wiped his sweat, she spoke with pained concern.

Yang Chen grinned. Looking at Gu Mingyue in her new clothes, he felt far more satisfied. "Mingyue, you are much prettier than before in those new clothes."

It had merely been an offhand compliment from Yang Chen, but to Gu Mingyue, it meant something entirely different.

When she heard Yang Chen praise her beauty, her pretty face flushed red.

After all, this was an especially sensitive time.

In theory, once Yang Chen passed the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, people from other clans would immediately come to propose marriage.

In the Great Wilderness, people generally began marrying at around fourteen.

When the time came for Yang Chen to take a wife, she would also be sent along as a concubine.

With only two months left until the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, at a time like this...

The more Gu Mingyue thought about it, the harder the little deer in her heart crashed about. She hurriedly changed the subject, lowering her head as she said, "Young Master, those spirit stones..."

"Enough, do not bring up those spirit stones again. Haven't I already told you? If one outfit does not use them all, then buy several more. Do I look like someone short on spirit stones? Right, where is my sister?" Yang Chen asked in surprise.

Over the past few days, he had not seen Yang Caidie at all.

Even the meals had been prepared by Gu Mingyue.

Gu Mingyue opened her large eyes and said softly, "Young Master, Miss entered Demon Beast Mountain while you were in seclusion some days ago."

"Why did she go to Demon Beast Mountain again?" Yang Chen froze for a moment.

He knew what kind of place Demon Beast Mountain was.

Without the cultivation of the Body Refining Realm Fifth Level, entering that place was no different from courting death. His sister's cultivation was also unfathomably deep, which was why she dared enter such a place. Yet Demon Beast Mountain was, after all, the domain of demon beasts. Even if a Spirit Martialist ventured deep inside, they would not dare guarantee that no danger would arise.

Gu Mingyue stuck out her little tongue and smiled. "Miss said that Young Master is a genius and needs some demon beasts to nourish his body. Also, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony is about to begin. If Young Master successfully passes its assessment, Miss will hold a banquet to celebrate. Oh, and Miss has even traveled to various clans to find some of her good sisters, preparing to have them cheer you on at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony."

Yang Chen rubbed his nose. Recalling Yang Caidie's doting affection for him, he could only smile bitterly.

His sister truly did not demand much of him. Simply passing the assessment was enough to warrant a celebration.

But his goal was far more than merely passing the Coming-of-Age Ceremony assessment.