Break Through Again, Guard Against Arrogance and Impatience

Zhao Ya did not take it. Instead, he looked at Tan Dong with remarkable calm.

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why? Didn't I say before that if you taught me boxing these next few days, I'd cover all your meals? I figured this thing should be enough, right?" Tan Dong said with a grin.

Zhao Ya still did not take it. He even looked at Tan Dong as if asking, Do you think I'm an idiot?

Only when Tan Dong could no longer withstand that stare did he sigh.

"Fine, I'll tell you the truth. My father gave me this, but you know my situation now—I have no use for it at all. You, on the other hand, clearly need it badly, so I'm giving it to you."

"Also, don't overthink it. I simply want to make a friend of you. You might not believe me, but I've always had a sharp eye for people. The moment I first saw you, I knew you were no creature meant to remain trapped in a pond. So all I'm doing now is investing ahead of time."

Only then did Zhao Ya's gaze gradually soften, and he accepted the box.

"Consider me owing you a favor."

"Hehe, you don't need to take it so seriously. This stuff is good, but my dad can still get some. At worst, I'll just ask him for more later."

"One thing is one thing. This may be nothing to you, but it is very important to me. So I owe you a favor."

Seeing Zhao Ya's sincerity, Tan Dong chuckled.

"Fine, then you owe me a favor. We've trained for half the day now. How about we go to the pleasure quarter, listen to some tunes, and relax?"

Zhao Ya: "..."

"Farewell!"

Four days later.

Drenched in sweat, Zhao Ya finished the final movement of the Eight-Part Vajra Art and began to settle his stance.

Yet this time, he discovered that his boiling blood and qi refused to return to their proper places. Feeling a stir within, he immediately spread his stance and began practicing the Five Tigers Fist.

His feet stood together, his shoulders sank, and his qi settled in his dantian, ready to burst forth. He regulated his breath and stilled his mind; his entire body relaxed and moved as one.

In an instant, he wielded the Five Tigers Fist like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, enough to make anyone shudder in fear.

Hah!

After finishing the set, Zhao Ya stood still and felt his blood and qi gradually settle, while his mind became crystal clear.

[Five Tigers Fist proficiency increased by 5]

[Stomach unlock progress increased by 3%]

After the two notifications, Zhao Ya opened the Attribute Panel.

His remaining lifespan had become twenty-two years. The Five Tigers Fist had become Beginner's Glimpse 4/200, while the Eight-Part Vajra Art had risen to Beginner's Glimpse 22/200.

But the greatest improvement had been in his stomach unlock progress. In merely four days, it had risen from 20% to 30%, a full increase of 10%.

Zhao Ya understood that much of this rapid progress was thanks to the box of Earthworm Jerky Tan Dong had given him.

Not only was the Earthworm Jerky packed with abundant blood and qi, it also contained very few impurities, making it exceptionally suitable for cultivation.

At that moment, Zhao Ya felt blood and qi surging through his entire body. With the slightest movement, the joints all over his body crackled.

That was a sign that his bones were gradually becoming harder and sturdier.

Once all the bones in his body became as hard as jade, Zhao Ya would complete the first level of body tempering: Great Completion in Bone Refinement.

At this realm, one's bones were tough and one's strength fierce. One could rein in a startled horse by force, and seven or eight ordinary strong men would be unable to get close.

Thus, this realm was also known as the One-Horse Martial Artist.

At this level, one could already be considered an expert in some small gangs or small Escort Agencies.

Zhao Ya was quite satisfied with his cultivation progress, but he also secretly warned himself never to become arrogant or complacent.

After all, the scene he had witnessed on the street still remained deeply etched in his mind.

So what if one had reached Great Completion in Bone Refinement? Wouldn't one still be at the mercy of others?

Therefore, until he possessed sufficient strength, he had to remain cautious. Even in tomorrow's martial demonstration, he could not show off too much. One had to know that keeping a low profile was the true kingly path.

Having silently made up his mind, Zhao Ya returned to his room to rest.

The next day, Zhao Ya arrived at the Escort Agency early.

By then, preparations had already been made on the training ground.

Numerous wooden stakes had been driven into the sandy ground.

The stakes were as thick as bowls, with half buried in the earth and half exposed above ground.

Soon, all the miscellaneous workers had arrived. Even Tan Dong, usually the most carefree and undisciplined of them all, had come right on time today.

A moment later, Chief Escort Meng Lei arrived at the training ground, surrounded by the escorts.

He swept his gaze across the crowd and did not waste words, merely saying in a deep voice,

"You have all been with my Escort Agency for some time. Today is the day of the martial demonstration. I hope everyone achieves a good result. As always: reward the excellent, punish the poor."

As he spoke, Meng Lei nodded to an escort beside him.

"Begin!"

"The martial demonstration begins."

First came the Five Tigers Fist, which all miscellaneous workers were required to learn.

Everyone performed in turn according to the order.

The difference in skill became obvious at once.

Some had mastered the fist art and sent wind whistling with their movements, while others stumbled even through the most basic forms.

Chief Escort Meng Lei sat on the platform, watching without a change in expression, and the atmosphere in the arena gradually became oppressive.

Soon, it was Zhao Ya's turn.

His heart remained calm as still water. He strode forward and stood in the center of the arena, first cupping his fists toward the chief escort on the platform. Then he stepped forward and hooked his hand before launching into the form.

His advances and retreats were methodical, his fist wind surged, and he carried himself with considerable force.

Meng Lei secretly nodded from the platform.

Hmm.

The fist art was not particularly exquisite, but it was clear he had put in hard work on ordinary days. At the very least, he was better than the previous few.

Soon, Zhao Ya finished the set. His breathing was unlabored and his expression unchanged. He cupped his fists to both sides, turned, and left the arena.

Tan Dong secretly gave Zhao Ya a thumbs-up.

Zhao Ya smiled.

He had not deliberately concealed his skill in that set, because even if he wanted to hide it, he could not.

Who was sitting on that platform?

Would an expert in Fascia Tempering be fooled by such petty tricks? It was better to perform openly and honestly.

Zhao Ya returned to his group, and the martial demonstration continued.

Soon, it was Tan Dong's turn.

He walked onto the stage somewhat nervously. At first, his movements were still a little halting, but Zhao Ya's special training over the past few days had not been for nothing.

Tan Dong quickly found his rhythm and skillfully completed the Five Tigers Fist, then left the arena with a sigh of relief.

No matter what, this result was at least presentable.

Several more miscellaneous workers went up afterward, but their performances were all quite ordinary.

Just as the escorts on the platform were beginning to grow drowsy, a young man stepped into the arena. Without even cupping his fists, he directly assumed a starting stance and began.

His fist wind howled and fist shadows overlapped. A simple set of Five Tigers Fist became vigorous and powerful in the young man's hands, its rhythm crisp and distinct.

"Eh!"

Even Meng Lei on the platform could not help letting out a soft exclamation.

Even in his eyes, the young man's Five Tigers Fist showed considerable mastery.

Soon, the set ended. The young man stood in the arena, his expression calm.

Clap clap clap!

Meng Lei began applauding and could not help praising him.

"Good fist art. What is your name?"

The young man gave a slight nod. "Reporting to Chief Escort, my name is Wei Yu."

"Very good. Step down for now."

Wei Yu turned and left the arena.

A commotion immediately rose among the miscellaneous workers. Many of them, even some Escort Guards, eagerly went up to speak with Wei Yu.

Watching from afar, Tan Dong could not help whispering, "Old Zhao, this guy has some real skill. Looks like he might be your formidable rival."

Zhao Ya merely smiled and said nothing.

He had never thought about whether someone was a rival or not.

However, he keenly noticed that after Wei Yu left the arena, although he tried his best to appear calm, a trace of pride and arrogance still slipped through the corners of his eyes and brows.