Inner Court

That afternoon, Chen Chong led Lu Chen into the inner court to pay respects to their master.

Compared to the bustle of the outer court, the inner court was noticeably quieter.

In the rest area outside the Martial Practice Yard, several senior brothers and sisters sat beneath the shade of a tree, chatting.

The most conspicuous among them was Shi Hao.

Dressed in a clean, crisp white training uniform, he sat on a stone bench with an unhurried expression.

Though he had entered the inner court only a month ago, he had already become fast friends with the older disciples.

"Little Stone, your fist technique has been at the minor mastery stage for some time now. There's no need to keep burying yourself in fist practice."

The speaker was a tall young man with a deep, weighty voice and broad palms—Song Tieshan, also a true disciple of the martial hall.

As Song Tieshan spoke, he casually picked up a tea bowl beside him and took a large gulp.

"Between minor mastery and major mastery lies a chasm. It cannot be crossed in a single leap; it requires long years of accumulation."

Liu Qingping took up the thread, smiling. "Senior Brother is right. Little Stone, you've been in the inner court for a month now. Your fist technique has been polished well enough. What you should be doing now is building up your blood and qi."

She curled a finger and tapped the tabletop, her tone carrying the warmth of an elder sister.

"The initial Blood Moving realm is merely the first spark lit on the road of martial arts. If you can nurture your blood and qi until they flow endlessly like a stream, and step into minor Blood Moving mastery, only then will your strength truly pull away from your peers."

Shi Hao nodded slightly, but said, "I understand. But my fist technique has only just entered minor mastery, and I still feel there are many transformations left unexplored. It would be a pity to set it aside now."

Just then, footsteps sounded. As though sensing something, Shi Hao raised his head and looked over.

Lu Chen happened to be looking at Shi Hao as well, and their gazes met across half the Martial Practice Yard.

Shi Hao was startled at first, then recognized Lu Chen.

However, he paid him little mind and instead turned his gaze toward Chen Chong.

From far away, Chen Chong cupped his fists toward Shi Hao and the others. "Senior Brother Song, Senior Sister Liu, Senior Brother Shi..."

These three were all true disciples of the martial hall, their status a cut above Chen Chong's.

Song Tieshan, Liu Qingping, and the others all looked over.

"Junior Brother Chen, who is this?"

Song Tieshan asked.

His voice was deep and steady. His gaze fell upon Lu Chen, carrying a measure of scrutiny, yet it did not make one uncomfortable.

Chen Chong led Lu Chen before them and introduced him. "This is Lu Chen, a registered disciple who has just broken through to become a martial artist. I brought him to pay respects to Master and all the senior brothers and sisters!"

Then Chen Chong introduced them to Lu Chen one by one. "This is Senior Brother Song, Master's chief true disciple. Everyone calls him Eldest Senior Brother."

"This is Senior Sister Liu. And this one, you should know already—Senior Brother Shi!"

Lu Chen cupped his fists in salute. "Lu Chen greets Senior Brother Song, Senior Sister Liu, and Senior Brother Shi."

Shi Hao looked at Lu Chen with a trace of lofty pride. "Junior Brother Lu, I didn't expect you to break through and become a martial artist."

"If there's anything you don't understand about fist techniques in the future, you may come ask me."

Lu Chen glanced at Shi Hao and merely cupped his fists calmly. "Thank you, Senior Brother Shi. Should I encounter anything I do not understand, I will ask Master and the senior brothers and sisters for guidance."

While they exchanged pleasantries, a series of footsteps came from the main hall of the inner court.

Everyone turned toward the sound.

Qin Wuhe emerged slowly from beneath the corridor eaves, dressed in a dark teal training robe. He was past fifty, frost already coloring his temples, yet his back remained straight. His eyes were steady and sharp; when they settled upon someone, they seemed capable of seeing through their sinews, bones, blood, and qi.

Song Tieshan and the others straightened their expressions and saluted him.

"Master."

Lu Chen immediately cupped his fists and bowed. "Greetings, Master."

Qin Wuhe swept his gaze across the group before it finally settled on Lu Chen.

"You broke through?"

"Yes."

Lu Chen answered respectfully, "This disciple Lu Chen has now successfully broken through to the Blood Moving realm, and my fist technique has also reached minor mastery. I came especially to thank Master for the grace of teaching me martial arts!"

A flicker of pleasant surprise passed through Qin Wuhe's eyes.

"Oh?"

Breaking through to the Blood Moving realm in a little over two months was certainly not bad.

But within Hidden Dragon Martial Hall, it was not particularly remarkable.

Yet reaching minor mastery in the Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist at the same time was another matter entirely.

Fist techniques were harder to cultivate than stance arts and demanded greater comprehension. Many veteran martial artists at the initial Blood Moving realm might not even grasp a single fist technique at minor mastery.

At that moment, Shi Hao's expression changed. "This kid's fist technique has reached minor mastery? Impossible!"

His master had personally guided him, and it had still taken him two months to reach minor mastery. How could this mud-legged bumpkin from the mountains compare with him?

Shi Hao could not help speaking up, suspicion in his voice.

"Lu Chen, if you don't understand, don't talk nonsense."

He looked at Lu Chen, his brows slightly furrowed. Though he restrained his tone, his arrogance was impossible to conceal. "The Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist is not so easy to learn."

"Many outer court disciples practice their fists until they feel familiar with the moves, then believe they have touched the threshold. In truth, they have nothing but an empty frame, still far from genuine minor mastery."

Hearing this, Qin Wuhe also looked toward Lu Chen, his gaze evaluative.

Lu Chen was utterly straightforward and demonstrated the Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist on the spot.

When Lu Chen finished his demonstration, Qin Wuhe could not help throwing back his head and laughing. "Good!"

Qin Wuhe's eyes brimmed with delight.

He had never imagined that in less than three months, two martial artists would emerge from among the youths he had recruited from the mountains.

Shi Hao had entered the gate in three days and broken through in a month. His talent was dazzling beyond question.

Lu Chen had broken through to the Blood Moving realm in a little over two months and simultaneously brought his fist technique to minor mastery. Though he was not as radiant a genius as Shi Hao, he was still an excellent seedling worth cultivating.

"Haha, could it be that my Hidden Dragon Martial Hall is about to rise again!"

"The Heavenly Dao loves a good cycle of retribution!"

Qin Wuhe felt a surge of exhilaration in his heart. He became all the more convinced of how wise his decision had been back then!

Shi Hao, meanwhile, flushed crimson, his expression exceedingly ugly.

"Lu Chen, your fist technique has indeed reached the minor mastery realm. This shows that your comprehension is quite good."

"From this day onward, you are an inner court disciple of my Hidden Dragon Martial Hall and may cultivate in the inner court."

"When you travel the martial world in the future, you may also invoke my name."

Qin Wuhe declared boldly.

As the master of a martial hall, Qin Wuhe's name carried some weight in this region.

Whether Lu Chen went to an escort agency, a trading house, or sought work elsewhere in the future, he would have proof of standing and a name to lean on.

Afterward, Qin Wuhe thought for a moment, took a porcelain bottle from his robes, and handed it to Lu Chen.

"Take it. This is Blood-Qi Powder, a fine medicinal powder for strengthening blood and qi."

"You have only just broken through. Your blood and qi have only begun to stir and are not yet stable. For the next seven days, do not greedily rush for progress. Practice your stance daily to stabilize your blood and qi."

"If you are eager to show off and damage your foundation, don't blame me for not warning you."

Lu Chen accepted the porcelain bottle and solemnly expressed his thanks. "This disciple will not forget Master's teachings."

Qin Wuhe nodded, then looked toward Chen Chong. "Over the next few days, take him around and familiarize him with the rules of the inner court."

Chen Chong cupped his fists. "This disciple understands."

Having given these instructions, Qin Wuhe turned and left.

At that moment, Song Tieshan, as the Eldest Senior Brother, was the first to step forward and congratulate Lu Chen.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lu, on joining the inner court."

As he spoke, he removed a black cloth bundle from his waist and handed it to Lu Chen.

"You came so suddenly, and your senior brother had nothing prepared."

"Inside is some Redblood Beast jerky I eat regularly. It's very filling. When you're exhausted from stance practice, you can chew on a couple of pieces."

Lu Chen accepted it, gratitude rising in his heart. "Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother."

Liu Qingping also approached with a smile, drew a small wooden box from her sleeve, and handed it to Lu Chen. "This is Jade Skin Paste. It works better than medicinal wine for bruises and sprains."

Lu Chen accepted it with both hands. "Thank you, Senior Sister Liu."

Liu Qingping blinked. "No need to be polite. If anyone bullies you, the newcomer, in the future, you can come find your senior sister."

Song Tieshan snorted with a laugh. "It'll be good enough if you don't bully him."