Martial Arts

[Zhao Meng, Vitality: 27.7, Spirit: 5.0, Swordsmanship Talent: 41.8 (White)]

"Five times my vitality... twice my talent..."

Although he had looked over Zhao Meng's information many times, Li Mu still sighed inwardly...

Worthy of being the head servant of Myriad Swords Tower, the instructor personally appointed by Leng Shuangyu.

His swordsmanship talent was only 8.2 lower than Leng Shuangyu's.

His vitality surpassed that of every other servant. Among all the people Li Mu had encountered, it ranked second, below only Leng Shuangyu.

The vitality information of everyone in Myriad Swords Tower flashed through his mind... Li Mu roughly understood the levels corresponding to the so-called "vitality barriers."

With 10.0 vitality as the threshold, reaching that level meant breaking through the first vitality barrier and earning the title of "martial artist."

At 20.0 vitality, one had broken through the second vitality barrier and could be called a "martial master."

And so on... Leng Shuangyu's vitality was as high as 48.9, making her an expert above the fourth vitality barrier.

No wonder Leng Shuangyu could keep a group of rough, boorish men like Zhao Meng in line.

The nine vitality barriers...

Li Mu's eyes shone brightly. He yearned deeply for the martial path of this world.

"Instructor, what changes occur in the human body when one breaks through a vitality barrier?" Li Mu could not help asking.

Zhao Meng glanced at him and smiled. "Every breakthrough is, in truth, a process of cleansing the sinews and marrow.

"There are seven hundred and twenty acupoints throughout the human body, each bound by shackles.

"Starting with opening the acupoints and breaking those shackles, every eighty acupoints opened allows one to break through a barrier.

"The first three barriers form the Lesser Circulation. Breaking through six forms the Greater Circulation. Break through all nine, and vitality transforms into a furnace, boiling throughout the body as sinews and bones ring together!

"Each barrier strengthens the body and multiplies one's strength.

"Even a martial artist at the first vitality barrier, with the weakest constitution, can lift a two-hundred-jin cauldron with both hands. One hand alone can exert over a hundred jin of force!

"Of course, lifting a cauldron is something even ordinary people can manage with enough training.

"But after breaking through a vitality barrier, one's speed, explosive power, and the might of one's martial arts will all surpass ordinary people...

"That is the countless benefit of practicing martial arts! In this world, martial strength is power, status, and standing!"

At that point, Zhao Meng changed the subject.

"However, different martial arts require different orders for opening the acupoints."

"If you practice fist techniques, the acupoints in both fists must be opened first! If you practice leg techniques, the acupoints in both legs must be opened first..."

"We practice the sword. To wield slashing sword forms, we first open the acupoints in both arms!"

Li Mu asked again, "How long does it take to break through all nine vitality barriers?"

"The nine vitality barriers? Do you think practicing martial arts is some storyteller's tale? Don't aim so high!" Zhao Meng laughed. "I have practiced the sword for six years and have only broken through the second barrier! I have not even formed the Lesser Circulation!"

"When you truly reach the point of breaking the shackles of vitality, you will understand how difficult it is."

"You must know that the martial path depends on three things. First, talent. Second, cultivation methods. Third, great medicines."

"Even Estate Master Ye Ying, one of the foremost experts in Azure River County, must rely on great medicines to help break through his shackles!"

"Of course, you have all heard that every medicine carries some poison. The better the medicinal effect, the less impact it has on the body, but the more expensive it is..."

Hearing this, Li Mu understood why so many people with similar swordsmanship talent had such vastly different vitality values.

One word: poverty!

What use was talent without resources? How could one practice martial arts?

Li Mu understood this all too well. He could sense the helplessness Zhao Meng had concealed within his words.

And with Clear Sword Eyes, Li Mu saw even more clearly.

Leng Shuangyu's swordsmanship talent was only slightly higher than Zhao Meng's, yet she had already broken through four barriers!

That was the advantage of status and birth. Resources accumulated over the years had allowed her to leave Zhao Meng far behind!

The further one went, the wider the gap became...

Li Mu vaguely realized that if he wanted to achieve anything on the martial path,

he had to fight his way upward, again and again!

"In short, the path of martial arts is arduous and long. You have only just begun."

After saying this with a sigh, Zhao Meng's expression changed. "All right! Starting today, I'll teach you the essentials of cultivating Fine Rain Flying to the proficient level!"

At those words, everyone turned solemn.

Li Mu also put on an attentive expression.

After listening for a while, he discovered that what Zhao Meng said was basically identical to what he had comprehended through Clear Sword Eyes.

He also noticed several points that Zhao Meng had not explained accurately or thoroughly.

Naturally, Li Mu said nothing and merely committed them to memory.

"Sure enough, with the Great Expansion Sword Register, as long as I have a complete sword manual in the future and can get started, I won't need anyone's guidance..."

Having confirmed this once more, Li Mu felt delighted.

At the very least, when it came to cultivation methods, he would no longer need to seek instruction from others. He only needed to rely on himself!

"From now on, you still have to work during the day. You may practice for one hour in the afternoon. If you want to practice extra at night, come on your own."

After giving his instruction, Zhao Meng prepared to leave.

Wang Que hurriedly asked, "Instructor, when will the servant assessment be held, and what form will it take?"

"By convention, there is one assessment around the time of Frost's Descent each year.

"At most, two months. At the shortest, just over a month.

"As for the format, you need not know yet. Reach proficiency first."

Zhao Meng left on his own, leaving everyone looking at each other.

"They actually won't reveal the content of the assessment? Never mind. I'll prepare for the worst."

Li Mu steadied himself, his gaze resolute.

The worst case was that there would be only one spot to compete for.

Among these eleven people, only Cao A-Man and Wang Que still posed the greatest threat to him!

"Senior Brothers Wang and Cao, you two have progressed the fastest and are the most likely to pass the assessment. Please guide us more."

At that moment, Si Xiaoshuang led Meng Ling forward, her voice sweet and gentle.

Wang Que and Cao A-Man exchanged smiles and readily agreed.

The others tactfully drifted over as well.

Before long, a small circle had formed.

Wang Que chatted with ease, already seeming to have become the leader of the group.

Cao A-Man was simple and honest. Perhaps it was also his first time having girls so close to him, for he kept scratching his head and grinning foolishly.

Seeing this, Li Mu also pulled Hui Zhen forward and offered a few flattering words.

There was no need to act like an outsider and invite resentment.

Receiving everyone's praise, Wang Que was brimming with confidence. He waved a hand and said,

"Since everyone calls me Senior Brother, I'll shamelessly accept the role. From now on, we should all look after one another in the compound."

Then, seemingly casually, he looked toward the only two women present.

"Especially you two junior sisters. It isn't easy for women to practice the sword. If you have any questions, just ask. Brother A-Man and I will do our best to answer them..."

"That's wonderful. Thank you, Senior Brothers." Si Xiaoshuang and Meng Ling beamed, a flush appearing on both their faces.

Si Xiaoshuang's eyes never left Wang Que, and her smile was radiant.

Li Mu and Hui Zhen stood at the back of the crowd, watching quietly.

Hui Zhen said softly, "The Buddha said, a tall tree catches the wind, and the wind shakes the tree; when a man's fame grows too high, fame harms the man. Some people have not even shed their servant status, yet they already..."

"Let him be. We'll practice the sword."

Li Mu did not care about Wang Que's behavior.

His eyes were fixed only on the servant assessment two months from now.

He found a shaded corner and began practicing his sword on his own.

At last, he no longer needed to conceal his ability too much. His sword practice became far smoother than before.

In just one hour, he practiced seven times, gaining 14 points of progress.

[Vitality: 5.6↑]

[Dripping Water Swordsmanship: 269/500 (Beginner)]

Although his vitality had risen to 5.6, he could not force himself to train too hard. Straining his sinews and bones would not be worth it.

"I can still practice eight more times tonight."

"No rush. Slow and steady does it."

The sun rose and set, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.

The matter of the Wild Village brothers gradually subsided. Before long, no one mentioned it again.

Like a stone falling into the pond beside Myriad Swords Tower, it had stirred a few ripples before slowly fading away.

Li Mu also returned to his daily routine of wiping swords, carrying water, eating meals, practicing the sword, adding extra practice at night, and occasionally guiding Hui Zhen.

The eleven who had made it through the initial selection now had an extra half hour to practice the sword, which greatly helped their progress.

Through day-after-day effort,

the markings on the sword register changed greatly.

[Dripping Water Swordsmanship: 479/500 (Beginner)]

Under the moonlight, in the shadows of the open ground behind the dormitory building,

Li Mu looked at the sword register and smiled.

"Almost proficient."

No one knew that his swordsmanship progress had already left everyone else far behind.

People like Wang Que and Cao A-Man were nowhere close to catching up.

With the support of Clear Sword Eyes, the further he advanced in his cultivation, the greater his advantage became.

"Once I reach proficiency today and record the proficient Dripping Water Swordsmanship once more, my talent will rise again, and my cultivation will become even faster..."

Li Mu was greatly looking forward to it.