Art of Yin-Yang Cultivation

The sky turned dim.

Ancient city walls were shrouded in layers of shadow.

A cold wind whistled, causing many passersby to pull their clothes tighter.

Wang Sheng leaned against the wall at the bend of a narrow alley, organizing his gear.

A sharp dagger, three bags of lime powder scraped from the walls of a wealthy household, and a packet of styptic powder.

In reality, with his current strength, he could kill an ordinary person in a one-on-one fight.

But just to be safe, Wang Sheng decided to use his full strength, even against a rabbit.

The Martial Path was merely a last resort when all else failed.

Squelch!

Footsteps echoed from within the alley, gradually approaching the bend.

The puddles on the ground paved with broken flagstones made the solitary sound of footsteps even clearer, almost eerily tranquil.

Suddenly, the footsteps stopped.

"Hmph, I'm such an idiot. To think I found the quietness around here strange!"

Sun Ping's self-deprecating voice rang out.

Then, the footsteps resumed.

This time, he didn't hesitate at all. He rounded the corner, about to enter the next alley.

Suddenly, countless white powder particles flew towards him.

"Ah, ahhhh!"

Sun Ping cried out in fright, then screamed, clutching his eyes.

Wang Sheng stepped forward, veins bulging on his forearm gripping the dagger. The blade plunged directly into Sun Ping's chest as he stumbled backward.

Blood splattered, causing Sun Ping's body to tremble uncontrollably from the pain.

"Ah! Help me! Spare my life!"

Sun Ping let out a shrill scream, then with a splat, fell heavily into the puddle on the ground.

Crack.

Wang Sheng placed a foot on Sun Ping's head, silencing his struggles and forcing him to listen intently.

"Sun Ping. I, Wang Sheng, have come to kill you."

Wang Sheng wouldn't feel satisfied unless Sun Ping knew who was killing him.

Now that he possessed the strength, such a scoundrel had to be eliminated swiftly.

"Ah, Wang Sheng, it's you, you son of a—"

Before Sun Ping could finish his curse, Wang Sheng stomped on his mouth.

After a short while, Sun Ping stopped struggling.

The blood flowing from his chest had already increased.

Wang Sheng pulled out the dagger and stabbed Sun Ping's heart and head several more times. He then searched Sun Ping's body, taking the few coins he found, before leaving with peace of mind.

When Sun Ping's death was reported the next day, it didn't cause much of a stir.

Sun Ping, a New Disciple about to leave the Martial Academy, his death was of no concern to Zhao Jie.

The yamen merely sent a few constables to go through the motions.

As long as it wasn't a large-scale murder case, Ershui City wouldn't be Ershui City if a few people didn't die every day.

However, when Su Youwen heard of Sun Ping's death, he couldn't help but feel a trace of fear in his gaze towards Wang Sheng after some speculation. His original plan to ask Wang Sheng for guidance on entering the academy was abandoned.

The remaining New Disciples all gave up on the last day.

Thus, out of this batch of New Disciples, after two months of training at the Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy, only two successfully entered the Martial Path.

Due to the turbulent times, the unstable imperial court, rebellions in neighboring prefectures, and invasions from the Han Kingdom, Zhao Jie decided to purchase more grain and focus on training disciples, temporarily halting further recruitment of new disciples.

Time passed day by day.

With the silver and Blood Replenishing Pills in hand, Wang Sheng's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

In just over half a month, Great Tablet Shattering Hand had reached the introductory stage (96/300).

If things went smoothly and he had enough pills, in a little over a month, Wang Sheng would become a Bright Energy Martial Artist, surpassing more than a dozen senior brothers still stuck in the introductory stage.

Within the Martial Academy, some had begun their Martial Path last year, but by this year, none had yet achieved Bright Energy.

Bright Energy, Dark Energy, Transforming Energy. These were also known as the three great hurdles. Each hurdle was difficult to overcome, and all were difficult.

Therefore, some people, even if they were only one step away from Minor Accomplishment in their ultimate techniques, and could achieve Bright Energy the moment they stepped through, could still be stuck at this bottleneck for months or even years.

But for Wang Sheng, there was no such obstacle. As long as he cultivated diligently, there was no martial path hurdle he couldn't overcome.

Li Manor.

Fourth Madam's room.

The red silk canopy billowed like clouds, and moans of pleasure emanated from the bed, causing the little maidservant keeping watch nearby to feel her whole body flush.

The little maidservant could never have imagined what Fourth Madam and that Wang Sheng were doing. How could they have gone from sitting to standing!

Half a day later, Wang Sheng emerged from the red silk canopy, holding a small silver ingot, and put on his clothes.

"Young master is truly getting more and more capable! Practicing martial arts really makes one stronger. I've experienced it deeply."

"Young master, come back in two days!"

Fourth Madam said, no longer rolling her eyes.

Wang Sheng's mouth twitched, and he cursed inwardly.

If this Fourth Madam had always been straightforward, Wang Sheng, with his youthful vigor and after practicing martial arts, wouldn't have feared her.

But she actually used that thing – even an Iron Mannequin couldn't withstand it.

"No, Madam. My Master needs to check our progress in a few days. Let's postpone it until after this month."

Wang Sheng said, choosing his words carefully.

After speaking, Wang Sheng left directly.

Fourth Madam fell silent and did not try to keep him any longer.

Only after the little maidservant quietly left to fetch water did Fourth Madam sit up, her ample bosom extremely prominent.

"This little fellow's demeanor has become even more steady, which I find very pleasing."

"Unfortunately, the more I like him, the more I want to... devour him!"

"I eagerly await the day he achieves Bright Energy, so I can let him truly experience my authentic Yin-Yang Art!"

"But with his talent, it will probably take a year or two. I'm afraid I can't wait that long. I don't know when the Cult Master will launch his rebellion either. I hope it's later."

Fourth Madam raised her slender jade finger and licked the corner of her mouth, her alluring face appearing even more sinister beneath the red silk canopy.

Early morning.

Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy.

"Wang Sheng, go fill that water jug."

Just as Wang Sheng was fully focused on cultivating the Great Tablet Shattering Hand, someone suddenly slapped his shoulder heavily, nearly causing him to lose his breath.

Wang Sheng glanced at the person. It was Meng Xu, an older disciple who had been here for over a year and hadn't yet achieved Bright Energy.

"Did Master say that?"

Wang Sheng asked.

"What, can't a Senior Brother ask his Junior Brother to help with some chores?"

"Or do you think you don't have to respect your Senior Brothers and Sisters now that you've been admitted?"

Meng Xu, seeing that the newly admitted Wang Sheng wasn't obeying him, immediately got angry and asked sternly.

Zhao Jie had rules: newly admitted disciples didn't have to do any miscellaneous tasks. However, disciples who had been admitted for over a year without achieving Bright Energy, but still wished to remain in the Martial Academy, were required to do some chores around the grounds.

Meng Xu's actions were clearly bullying Wang Sheng, and he was banking on Wang Sheng having little future potential.

Wang Sheng suddenly looked to the side and saw Lin Shu standing at the entrance of the inner courtyard at some point, watching the spectacle.

Meng Xu didn't hide anything and smiled, nodding at Lin Shu.

It seems Lin Shu's revenge has arrived, Wang Sheng thought.

Disciples within the Martial Academy generally wouldn't easily offend each other. Who knew if they might achieve a breakthrough in cultivation and rise to prominence one day? Moreover, they were all flesh and blood. If pushed too far, with similar cultivation levels, they could still take each other down.

For Meng Xu to dare to step forward, Lin Shu must have made preparations for some time, paying a considerable price and making promises.

"Actually, Junior Brother just had a slight insight into his martial arts. I'd like to ask Senior Brother for guidance before I go fill the water."

Wang Sheng said.

He had long noticed that these older disciples were solely focused on cultivating the Great Tablet Shattering Hand, wanting to break through to Bright Energy, but neglecting the Stone Stance Technique. This resulted in their lower bodies being unstable and weak.

"Just you, who hasn't even been here a month, dares to fight me?"

Meng Xu was genuinely amused, his eyes full of mockery.

"You can't even take a little humiliation and stay calm. This Wang Sheng won't amount to much!"

"It seems we overestimated this Wang Sheng. He's already lost himself after just starting on the Martial Path!"

The surrounding official disciples all shook their heads.