Training

A month and a half later.

On the back mountain of Shaolin Temple, Li Changfeng held horse stances. Starting with the Four-Level Horse, he switched to a different stance every half hour, ending with the T-Character Horse. The twelve stances each had different effects, corresponding respectively to the Twelve Principal Meridians.

Li Changfeng felt streams of True Qi flowing from the Twelve Principal Meridians and slowly surging into his Dantian, forcefully opening it up and forming a True Qi Seed the size of a bean sprout.

Then Li Changfeng's entire body trembled, like the shiver after taking a piss. Waves of comfort coursed through his body, and his physical strength instantly increased by fifty jin.

"Phew~!"

"Qi gathers in the Dantian, condenses into a seed. Once True Qi forms a seed, that meets the standard of a third-rate expert. Third-rate experts mainly cultivate the first three of the Twelve Principal Meridians:

"The Hand Greater Yin Lung Meridian, the Hand Terminal Yin Pericardium Meridian, and the Hand Lesser Yin Heart Meridian. Yet I was too arrogant and took the wrong path. I cultivated all Twelve Principal Meridians at once, thinking that developing them together would let me advance to third-rate expert faster. I never expected to waste so much time!"

"If I had focused solely on the Four-Level Horse and cultivated the Hand Greater Yin Lung Meridian from the start, I would have broken through to third-rate expert a month ago."

"Now, after a month and a half, I haven't even opened a single meridian. I only became a third-rate expert by cultivating all Twelve Principal Meridians together. Since the Greater Yin Lung Meridian remains unopened, my True Qi circulation is far from smooth. I'm twenty percent weaker than an ordinary third-rate expert."

"Forget it! I'll just take things step by step from now on. My Hong Fist techniques have also reached the beginner level. Since they were adapted from Luohan Fist, I can cultivate them twice as efficiently."

"That's how I reached this level in a month and a half. Now I'll first take on some Shaolin Temple commissions and train the Shaolin Bronze Body Skill to mastery!"

Li Changfeng then opened his panel.

A screen of light instantly appeared before his eyes.

Host: Li Changfeng (Li Dazhuang).

Identity: Shaolin Temple disciple.

Inner Force: 1 year (50 jin).

Strength: 250 jin.

Experience Points: 10.

Cultivation Techniques: Shaolin Bronze Body Skill, Beginner (50/160); Luohan Fist, Beginner (80/160); Hong Fist, Beginner (0/180).

Title: Jianghu Scrub.

Fame: Unknown (10/80) (For every 10 Fame points, 1 Cultivation Point can be obtained).

Cultivation Points: 16 (Every 20 Cultivation Points can be used to open one Lucky Pack or enter System Training Time at a 1:3 conversion ratio. Each session allows one month of training.)

Current Lucky Packs: 0.

Current Mission: Train the Shaolin Bronze Body to mastery within three months at Shaolin.

Side Mission One: Within one year, send Peak Third-Rate Expert Gold Master to the afterlife! Reward: 200 Experience Points, 10 years of Inner Force, Superior Bronze Body Elixir.

Side Mission Two: As the saying goes, if I do not enter hell, who will? The host must accept Shaolin Temple commissions and help others send evildoers to the afterlife. No time limit. For every completed commission, reward: 50 Experience Points and 1 year of Inner Force.

Li Changfeng looked over the panel. His Inner Force was now equivalent to one year. A single year of Inner Force was comparable to fifty jin of physical strength. Its power truly was formidable. No wonder everyone in the jianghu said that those who did not cultivate Inner Force were beneath notice, while those who only trained external techniques were dumb as dogs!

That was not to say that people who only trained external techniques were really dumb as dogs. Internal cultivation techniques were not available to everyone. Only certain sects and major martial arts clans had access to decent techniques. Basic techniques did exist outside, but the most common Breathing Technique was practically everywhere.

However, cultivating with that Breathing Technique required a full year to gain one year of Inner Force. The farther one progressed with Inner Force, the harder it became to cultivate. Without top-tier techniques, one could never reach the grand stage.

Therefore, most martial artists did not avoid cultivating Inner Force because they did not want to. They simply had no choice but to train external techniques that focused only on the body.

"My Internal Fist, Hong Fist, is decent. One month of training gives me one year of Inner Force, which isn't bad. But this fist art is only temporary. With the system, do I need to worry about lacking cultivation techniques? I'll head to Shaolin's Red Dust Hall to accept a commission and go out for training!"

Red Dust Hall.

"Jue Kong! You wish to accept a commission and go out for training?"

"Yes! Please grant me permission, Abbot!"

The abbot suddenly struck with his palm! Li Changfeng's face changed in alarm, and he hurriedly raised his guard. He used the Bridge Stance from Hong Fist to block the sudden palm strike.

Bang!

A metallic collision rang out. Li Changfeng was sent several steps back by the palm strike. Finally, he stomped through the floorboards and forcibly withstood it, though his hands were slightly numb.

"Good lad! You managed to withstand a palm strike using the strength of a third-rate expert. You have some skill, and you're qualified to accept commissions and train outside. Go!" Abbot Hongchen gave Li Changfeng a deep look.

This kid's talent truly is astonishing. To train the Shaolin Bronze Body Skill to the beginner level in such a short time, he is indeed a rare genius. It seems he will have a place in this year's Subduing Tiger Hall assessment!

This commission was to go to the Dragon Gate Escort Agency and help them escort a shipment.

The Dragon Gate Escort Agency's Chief Escort was a lay disciple of Shaolin. With Shaolin Temple's support, the agency had developed to its current state. It could be considered one of Shaolin Temple's subordinate forces. If they needed Shaolin's help, the shipment must contain something important.

Furthermore, Shaolin Temple had previously been besieged by the Imperial Court, and they had participated in that great battle as well, suffering heavy losses. Thus, they could only ask Shaolin disciples to help escort this shipment!

Dragon Gate Escort Agency.

As soon as Li Changfeng arrived at the entrance of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency, he heard someone call out to him.

"Master! You must be the disciple Shaolin sent to escort this shipment with us, right?"

"That's right! I am the Shaolin disciple here to help escort this shipment!"

"Please, come in! Let's have a cup of hot tea and discuss the details."

"This shipment contains something of great importance. Even the Chief Escort must personally escort it. We will depart from Golden Spring Town and deliver these goods to Iron Refining Town."

"The journey is not far, only three days, but many people may covet the cargo. This escort mission will likely be extremely dangerous, so everyone must remain vigilant. If there are no objections, we will set out tomorrow at the hour of the tiger!"

Meanwhile.

Inside Gold Mansion, a black-clad figure wearing a Flying Fish Uniform and carrying an Embroidered Spring Blade spoke calmly. "Brother Jin, have you considered this business proposal?"

"Hehe! The Imperial Court's dignified Brocade-Clad Guard is secretly hiring people to rob an escort shipment. How disgraceful!"

"Brother Jin, you know our relationship with Shaolin! If we act ourselves, we will alert Shaolin. We are currently in a period of truce, and if the Imperial Court breaks it..."

"Shaolin will certainly gather fellow martial artists to launch an expedition against the Imperial Court. That would be greatly disadvantageous to us. As long as Gold Master helps us rob the shipment, we will also give you a Greater Revitalizing Pill, enough for you to break through to a second-rate expert!"

"Hehe! The reward is indeed generous, but the Dragon Gate Escort Agency's Chief Escort is no easy opponent. In a one-on-one fight, I am no match for him! Going would only mean throwing my life away!"

"Brother Jin, rest assured! I have also contacted the Mountain Bandit Fifth Chieftain to rob this shipment together! With that group, we will certainly achieve twice the result with half the effort!"

"Is that so? Let me consider it..."

"Report!"

A Little Minion rushed in. The Brocade-Clad Guard frowned and immediately disappeared into the shadows. The Little Minion then slowly said:

"Reporting to Gold Master! We have found news of Li Dazhuang. He is currently inside the Dragon Gate Escort Agency. This subordinate did not dare get too close and could only report to Gold Master for your decision!"

"Hm. I understand. You may leave first!"

"Brother Wang! I'll take this job!"

The hour of the tiger.

The night was deep and still; all was silent.

At this moment, the Dragon Gate Escort Agency's party was fully prepared and set off in orderly formation toward Iron Forging Town.

As they passed through a dense mountain forest, rustling suddenly sounded from the woods. Chief Escort Du Jinlong's expression darkened as he shouted, "Who dares block the Dragon Gate Escort Agency's shipment? Are you courting death?!"

Pairs of eerie green lights suddenly appeared in the dark, silent forest. A pack of Hungry Wolves surrounded the escort convoy, letting out savage howls.

Seeing that they were merely wolves, the Chief Escort instantly relaxed. His face filled with killing intent as he said, "Kill these wolves!"

At his command, everyone sprang into action. The wolves thought they were hunters, but they were actually prey. The escorts attacked one after another, killing a wolf with every slash. Li Changfeng was not to be outdone.

He stood there upright as five or six wolves lunged at him, biting his hands, feet, and vulnerable neck. Yet their teeth struck him as though they had bitten hard stone. Their fangs shattered, and they howled in pain.

Li Changfeng then attacked, using Luohan Fist like a tiger descending the mountain. His fists smashed into the wolves' heads one after another, simple and brutal. Wolves burst apart in sprays of flesh and blood, terrifying the rest into fleeing with their tails tucked between their legs.

Seeing Li Changfeng's fierceness, the Chief Escort secretly thought, What a formidable external martial artist! This kid must be cultivating the Eighteen Bronze Men Art, and he has already achieved minor success. With such a body, even ordinary third-rate experts likely cannot easily break through his defense.

A panicked cry suddenly rang out. "Father, save me! I'm being chased by wolves! Come save me!"

The Chief Escort's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly said to Li Changfeng, who was closest to him, "Master! Please save my Little Daughter!"

Without another word, Li Changfeng charged forward, then leaped high into the air. He shouted angrily, "Mere wolves dare act so brazenly! Take this! Crow Takes Flight!"

While still in midair, Li Changfeng used Fierce Tiger Pounces on Sheep from Luohan Fist and smashed his fist into the wolf pack. The lead wolf was instantly blasted into a spray of flesh and blood, frightening the remaining wolves into fleeing.

The Chief Escort and the others were filled with countless questions. Crow Takes Flight??? What kind of move was that? That was obviously Luohan Fist's Tiger Descends the Mountain!

"Thank you, Master, for saving my life. This humble woman has no way to repay you!"

"Amitabha! Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. It is good that Lady Donor is unharmed!"

Ding!

A system notification suddenly sounded, followed by another message. "Congratulations, Host, for activating the Reward for Saving People Function!"

As long as the host saves a good person, the reward is 50 Experience Points.

If the host mistakenly saves an evil person, 100 Experience Points will be deducted.

"What! There's actually such a function?"

After hearing the second half, he cursed, "Damn it! Saving the wrong person costs me a hundred Experience Points! What a scam!"