Good News

Within the Sun Family Estate, aside from Master Qin, Sun Qianchuan held the highest status.

Sun Qianchuan was the young master, so naturally he didn't practice boxing in the martial arts grounds like everyone else. He had people specifically assigned to spar with him.

Wei Luo had been in the estate for quite some time, yet he'd only seen him a few times. He knew of the man, but tonight was their first proper meeting.

After Zhao Xiu introduced them, Sun Qianchuan learned that the two of them were also crewmen.

However, once Sun Qianchuan learned that they came from fishing households and were still only at the First Refinement, he quickly lost interest.

Before long, he sat down beside Shen Wu. The two apparently already knew each other.

"Don't take it to heart. Children of great families are just like that. Once you two break through to the Second Refinement, no one will look down on you again."

After everyone took their seats, Zhao Xiu spoke up on his own.

Wei Luo didn't care much. It was hardly anything new for wealthy and powerful households to look down on ordinary people.

After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere at the table began to change.

Wei Luo finally saw what it meant to toast fine clothes before toasting the person inside them.

Liu Changle and he sat unnoticed in a corner, while people constantly carried wine cups over to toast Sun Qianchuan, Shen Wu, and Zhao Xiu.

Before long, Zhao Xiu's face was flushed red from drink, and he opened his mouth.

"By the way, although today is my birthday, Shen Wu is the real main character."

Everyone looked confused upon hearing that, unable to understand what Zhao Xiu meant.

Zhao Xiu smiled at Shen Wu and explained.

"You don't know yet, do you? Master Qin has already accepted Shen Wu as his disciple, and the Sun Family also plans to take Shen Wu in as a son-in-law."

The moment those words came out, everyone was stunned.

"Becoming Master Qin's disciple and marrying into the Sun Family—Shen Wu is about to soar to the heavens in a single step!"

Even Liu Changle couldn't help letting out a sigh.

Everyone turned to Sun Qianchuan for confirmation, and Sun Qianchuan answered with a smile.

"The elders of the family do indeed have such intentions. We'll probably work out the details soon."

Clearly, the matter was nearly certain.

Shen Wu's natural talent was the best in the estate. The Sun Family naturally wanted him as a son-in-law because they valued his martial talent.

"Becoming Master Qin's disciple, it seems Shen Wu will reach the Three Refinements before long."

"With the Sun Family's support, he'll definitely make a name for himself in the Martial Examination selection!"

As the focus of everyone's attention, Shen Wu spoke proudly as well.

"What are the Three Refinements worth? Within a year, I'll achieve Force Refinement."

Zhao Xiu nodded at that. With Shen Wu's talent, he truly had the right to say such things.

He had befriended Shen Wu in order to form a good connection in advance.

At that moment, Sun Qianchuan took a sip of wine and dropped another bombshell.

"Actually, Master Qin isn't taking just one disciple this time. He plans to take three!

"Our Sun Family paid no small price to persuade Master Qin. The estate should receive notice in a few days."

Those words made everyone even more excited.

It didn't matter if they couldn't marry into the Sun Family. Becoming Master Qin's disciples was what mattered most to them!

Because only by becoming Master Qin's disciples did they have any hope of reaching Force Refinement.

Almost everyone who had spent a long time in the estate knew this.

The Folding Waves Fist came with a Visualization Diagram for the technique. Without the diagram, the Three Refinements would be the absolute limit of one's strength.

In truth, everyone understood. They weren't Master Qin's disciples, but crewmen of the Sun Family.

That was why Master Qin had never planned to teach them the core things.

But now it was different. If they were accepted as disciples, things would naturally change. Who wouldn't want a higher ceiling for themselves?

No wonder Zhao Xiu had said there was good news that afternoon. Even Wei Luo listened intently.

With the Great Thousand Revelation in his possession, he had no intention of remaining a Sun Family crewman forever.

Passing the Martial Examination and walking all the way to the end of the martial path was his goal.

After another round of clinking cups and exchanged toasts, everyone finally dispersed deep into the night.

Several days later, Master Qin indeed announced that he would be taking disciples.

Everyone held their breath, wanting to stand out and become Master Qin's disciples.

Master Qin publicly announced that Shen Wu had become his disciple, and for a time, Shen Wu was without equal in the limelight.

However, Master Qin still hadn't stated how he would choose his disciples.

The people in the estate couldn't fathom Master Qin's thoughts, so they only practiced their boxing even more diligently each day.

Some even knelt for long stretches outside Master Qin's door to show their determination.

But Master Qin apparently didn't care for that sort of thing. A few days later, unable to stand the sight of it, he kicked the fellow unconscious and had someone drag him away.

Wei Luo didn't resort to any crooked tricks. He continued practicing boxing every day as usual.

The Yao Family kept its promise and sent someone at the beginning of the month to deliver his ten taels of monthly wages.

Whenever there was a large shipment that needed transporting, they also asked Wei Luo to help.

Wei Luo spent fifteen taels of silver to buy thirty portions of Bone-Strengthening Soup at once, enough to last him two months.

It had to be said that practicing martial arts really burned through money like water.

Zhao Xiu's family operated a pharmacy, and according to him, Bone-Strengthening Soup was merely an ordinary medicinal broth.

There were also Body-Tempering Liquid for soaking the body and Body-Tempering Pills, both of which cost even more than Bone-Strengthening Soup.

Of course, their prices were outrageously high as well. A single dose cost at least several taels of silver. Even though Wei Luo had earned quite a bit this time, he still couldn't afford them.

The days passed one by one.

Wei Luo and Liu Changle also took the initiative to blend into the circle of veteran crewmen, seeking others out for sparring matches.

After all, if they sparred with each other every day, they would become too familiar with each other's techniques. Over time, both of their boxing skills would improve more slowly.

In a corner of the martial arts grounds.

At that moment, around a dozen people had gathered together, watching two figures exchange punches in the middle.

A layer of white ash coated Wei Luo's fists.

It wasn't that he was trying to play dirty. His opponent's fists were coated the same way.

Wei Luo had come up with it in his spare time.

The estate's usual sparring matches had no real structure. No one had guidance, and most people simply competed in blood, vigor, and strength.

Since it wasn't real combat, they usually stopped at the right point. Their boxing improved little as a result.

So Wei Luo suggested coating their fists with white ash before fighting, using a point system to hone their boxing. Strikes to vital areas earned more points, while other hits earned less.

Everyone quickly accepted Wei Luo's suggestion. The method worked quite well, and after practicing it for several days, everyone's boxing had improved.

The young man exchanging punches with Wei Luo was called Chen Yang. When Zhang Chi had taken several new crewmen out to sea, aside from Luo Sanhu, two others had survived.

One was Chen Yang, and the other was his younger brother, Chen Qiu.

Though they had escaped death, the Chen brothers had each eaten half a Treasure Fish, so their strength wasn't weak.

Chen Yang's punch shot out like a cannon, immediately driving straight at Wei Luo's face.

That punch carried the plain yet powerful Surge Force of the Folding Waves Fist. It could leave a fist mark even on bluestone.

Wei Luo knew he couldn't take it head-on. He turned sideways and received the attack with Whirling Force, their fists and palms meeting with a dull thud.

Even when using the same set of boxing techniques, different people used them differently.

Chen Yang's style was broad and forceful, his attacks fierce, but defense was his weakness.

After using Whirling Force to receive more than a dozen of Chen Yang's moves in succession, Wei Luo seized back the initiative. He smoothly shifted into Continuous Force, his fists coming wave after wave as he completely suppressed Chen Yang.

Constant defense was bound to lead to a mistake. The sparring ground they had marked out was only so large, and Chen Yang was soon forced to its edge.

The instant Chen Yang lost focus, Wei Luo caught the opening and used Surge Force to tap his chest twice in quick succession.

With a thump, Chen Yang's body fell out of the ring.

Chen Yang got up, looked at the two patches of white ash on his chest, and said with emotion.

"I lost, Wei Luo. It looks like you've surpassed me now."

After what happened with Zhang Chi, the brothers had become much steadier in temperament. But Wei Luo had once struggled even to get started, and now he had surpassed them. For a moment, both brothers felt rather bitter.

"Rubbish. With your boxing, you can't even beat me, let alone Wei Luo."

Liu Changle was still as blunt as ever, speaking without the slightest mercy.

Soon, several more people at the First Refinement exchanged blows with Wei Luo. But after their bouts, none gained any advantage. At most, they left a few white marks on Wei Luo's arms and legs.

"Wei Luo, you're not far from the Second Refinement now, are you?"

The moment Wei Luo stepped out of the ring, Liu Changle immediately asked.