Innate Constitution Theory

The following evening, the Outer Court training grounds were cold and deserted.

The apprentices left in twos and threes, with only a few still training bitterly in the corners.

Fang Han was also practicing his punches over and over.

After drawing back his fist at the end of the final form, he exhaled a breath of stale air and stood still.

The Panel flickered faintly, and a line of small text appeared:

Gale-Breaking Fist proficiency +1

The corners of Fang Han's mouth rose slightly in a satisfied smile.

At this rate, by this time tomorrow—

The Gale-Breaking Fist would break through Minor Accomplishment and enter the realm of Major Accomplishment!

As he pondered this inwardly, he happened to see Huo Zheng emerge from the Inner Court.

Fang Han put aside his thoughts and hurried forward to greet him.

"Senior Brother Huo."

Huo Zheng gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over Fang Han as he said evenly, "You still haven't gone home?"

"I was waiting for you to come out, Senior Brother."

Fang Han did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

"Senior Brother, I have a favor to ask. I hope you can help me."

Huo Zheng's expression did not change. He merely said, "Speak."

"I want to purchase some training resources through your connections." Fang Han cupped his fists, his attitude sincere.

Huo Zheng considered it briefly. His expression remained calm, as though this did not surprise him in the least.

After a moment of thought, he nodded calmly. "All right."

Fang Han relaxed inwardly. Just as he was about to thank him, Huo Zheng spoke again.

"Have you decided what sort of resources you need?"

"Pills, medicinal broths, herbs, or meat? Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and their prices differ drastically."

He paused and glanced at Fang Han's washed-out clothes, the implication obvious.

Fang Han understood what Huo Zheng meant and continued to cup his fists.

"Senior Brother has far more experience. Please give me some advice. Whatever you say is best, I'll buy that."

Huo Zheng pondered for a moment before speaking.

"If your funds are not very ample, I suggest you go to Poplar Street in Eight Treasures Ward. There is a butcher's shop at the end of the street.

Once you get there, mention my name. You'll be able to buy all kinds of meat that replenish Blood Qi."

"Meat?" Fang Han was slightly stunned and somewhat confused.

He had expected Huo Zheng to recommend pills or medicinal broths. After all, those sounded far more high-end than meat.

Buying meat from a butcher's shop to train martial arts somehow felt a little... back to basics.

Huo Zheng seemed to see through his thoughts and continued explaining.

"Compared with pills and medicinal broths, meat is indeed somewhat less effective at replenishing Blood Qi.

But for newcomers who have just entered the martial path, eating meat to nourish themselves has one greatest advantage: it has no side effects."

Fang Han listened attentively.

"Pills may be good, but pill toxins accumulate in the body over time. You may not see any problems in the short term, but in the long run, they become a serious hidden danger.

Medicinal broths are also three parts poison. Taking too much of them will instead damage your foundation."

Huo Zheng spoke unhurriedly.

"Meat nourishes the body mildly and causes no burden whatsoever.

More importantly, for someone of your family circumstances, meat offers the best value.

For the same amount of silver, pills are only enough for one day, while meat can last three days.

Though the effects are slower, it is safe and sustainable."

After hearing this, Fang Han felt thoroughly enlightened. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. I understand now."

Huo Zheng nodded and said no more.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking calmly at Fang Han.

"Perform the Gale-Breaking Fist once. Let me see your progress."

"Yes."

Fang Han nodded. He did not hold back and assumed the opening stance of the Gale-Breaking Fist.

Fang Han threw a punch, the wind from his fist howling with a faint sound of air tearing.

His punches were fierce and sharp, every move and stance delivered with vigorous ease.

Huo Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, initially watching with little interest.

But as Fang Han unfolded each move in sequence, his gaze gradually changed.

A trace of surprise first flashed through those cool eyes, followed by several degrees of astonishment.

By the end, there was even a faint hint of disbelief.

Fang Han withdrew his fists, his breathing slightly labored.

Huo Zheng fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking, undisguised praise in his voice.

"Your comprehension is exceptional. It seems your Gale-Breaking Fist is about to reach Major Accomplishment."

Huo Zheng looked at the young man before him, his gaze somewhat complicated.

Even he had to admit that Fang Han's comprehension was truly astonishing.

He had been at the martial academy for less than half a month, yet the Gale-Breaking Fist was already about to reach Major Accomplishment...

At this speed, there were not even two people like him in the entire martial academy.

"Your comprehension can be called genius-level," Huo Zheng sighed.

"But it is a pity that you have a Lower-grade Bone Constitution. No matter how high your comprehension is, you will ultimately find it hard to achieve anything great. In this regard, you cannot compare with Zhao Jing."

He had always spoken bluntly and never considered others' feelings.

If anyone else had heard those words, they would inevitably have been disheartened. Yet Fang Han merely smiled, his expression calm.

"Senior Brother," Fang Han looked at Huo Zheng seriously and asked a question that had troubled him for a long time.

"There is something I do not understand. Ever since my first day at the martial academy, you have mentioned the importance of innate constitution many times.

From your words, it seems that you regard innate constitution as the sole measure of a Martial Artist.

Could it be that without a good innate constitution, one truly cannot practice martial arts?"

His question was sincere, without the slightest resentment—merely pure curiosity.

Huo Zheng was slightly taken aback. Rarely, he fell into thought.

After a moment, he slowly said, "Innate constitution is the foundation of a Martial Artist, the base of a towering building. The better a person's innate constitution, the faster their progress in martial arts. Whether it is comprehending martial arts, gathering Blood Qi, or even absorbing medicinal supplements, an Upper-grade Bone Constitution is far beyond a Lower-grade Bone Constitution."

He paused, his tone becoming more solemn.

"One day of training for someone with an Upper-grade Bone Constitution is equivalent to five, even ten days for someone with a Lower-grade Bone Constitution. That is the gap—an unbridgeable gap."

Fang Han fell silent.

"And in the martial academies of the prefectural cities, or in those martial sects, there are even Supreme Bone Constitutions, and even Earth Phenomenon Bone Constitutions and Heaven Phenomenon Bone Constitutions.

Those people are geniuses among geniuses, heaven-blessed prodigies born one in ten thousand.

Within the Great Qian Martial Saint Hall, there are even the legendary Martial-Bone Prodigies and Martial Saint Bloodlines...

Compared to such monstrous martial talents, even the most gifted of Azure Cloud City's younger generation are no more than ants."

Fang Han cupped his fists and said solemnly, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. I have learned much."

Huo Zheng nodded slightly, turned, and left.

At the same time, within the Inner Court of the Xiao Residence in Azure Cloud Inner City.

In a secluded courtyard, Xiao Ran was tempering himself with a Profound Grade Standing Post Skill.

He was known as the most talented of Azure Cloud City's younger generation.

Halfway through the stance, Xiao Ran's nose suddenly itched, and he sneezed violently.

"Achoo!"

His body swayed, and his standing post skill nearly broke.

Xiao Ran frowned, rubbed his nose, and muttered, "Who's talking behind this young master's back?"

The surroundings were silent. No one answered.

Xiao Ran curled his lips, resumed his stance, and continued tempering his standing post skill.

Fang Han left the martial academy and headed home.

Upon reaching Mud Bay Alley, Fang Han's steps remained steady as he kept a close eye on the activity around him.

As he turned a corner, he suddenly stopped.

At the mouth of the alley ahead.

Two men from the Dragon King Gang stood by the roadside, asking a street vendor about something.

Fang Han's expression did not change. He turned and took a detour through another alley.

He frowned slightly, feeling a bad premonition.

"Why are Dragon King Gang members here? It looks like they're asking around about something."

Fang Han lowered his head and walked even more cautiously, avoiding crowded places as much as possible and taking only secluded paths.