I Am Single-Mindedly Immersed in the Martial Dao

"Fifth Rank! You're already a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master!" Liang Jingtang suddenly stood up, excitement flushing his face.

"Fifth Rank! Oh my god!" Liu Xiaoqiang, sitting next to Xia Daoming, shrieked dramatically, pressing her hand to her chest as if her heart couldn't take the news. Xia Daoming subconsciously glanced at her.

"Becoming a Great Martial Master at twenty-five, you're just like I was back then!" Yuchi Xiao was somewhat dazed, disbelieving.

He knew how much hardship he had endured, how many desires he had suppressed, to become a Great Martial Master at twenty-five.

Only after he passed thirty and saw his chances of reaching the Sixth Rank dwindling did he start to relax, occasionally visiting Jade Flower Pavilion to listen to music and discuss the Great Dao of life with the women there.

And Xia Daoming, young as he was, already had four women at home, living a decadent life of "unbridled debauchery." Yet, he had still become a Great Martial Master at twenty-five. This left Yuchi Xiao truly dazed and disbelieving!

"Senior Brother Yuchi, you're overthinking it. You were accepted as a disciple by Master very early on. You spent a year and a half consolidating your Fourth Rank and taking secret medicines, then observed the secret diagrams four times before comprehending Hidden Strength. After cultivating and accumulating Hidden Strength for three years, you finally broke through to become a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master at twenty-five.

My comprehension is worse than yours; I only comprehended Hidden Strength after observing the secret diagrams five times. But my family background is better than yours. I took a large amount of medicine and cultivated Hidden Strength for two years before breaking through to Great Martial Master.

And Junior Brother Xia only became Master's disciple less than a year ago. He's only observed the secret diagrams a total of two times, and now he's directly a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master! It's different, we can't compare!" Zhuo Xingji sighed repeatedly, adding insult to injury.

Yuchi Xiao's mouth twitched, feeling a lump in his throat.

So, comparing myself to Junior Brother Xia was already flattering myself!

"Indeed, we can't compare! I think if Junior Brother Xia hadn't been born in a remote small town in the north and wasted so much time, but had followed Master from the beginning, he would probably be a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master by now. Even Gu Ren would pale in comparison," Jiao Yongbao continued to add to Senior Disciple Brother Yuchi's woes.

Xia Daoming glanced at Jiao Yongbao, wanting to tell him he could be even bolder and remove the word "probably."

"That's right, that's right. Yuchi Xiao is far behind Daoming. I think even Gu Ren would lose to him," Liang Jingtang said.

A killing blow.

Yuchi Xiao looked up at the sky, speechless and on the verge of tears.

It was bad enough to be inferior, but why add the word "far"!

I'm at least the Senior Disciple Brother now, give me some face!

"Good, very good! I never expected that in my old age, I, Liang Jingtang, would take on such a disciple who is both loyal and righteous, possesses martial talent, and has keen eyes and a calculating mind. My Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School has a successor!"

Liang Jingtang became more and more emotional, stepping forward and patting Xia Daoming's shoulder heavily, tears welling in his eyes.

Seeing Liang Jingtang's gratified tears, Yuchi Xiao felt both happy and inexplicably sad. He stepped forward and said, "Master, now that Junior Brother Xia is managing the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School, you can rest assured. Let this disciple accompany you on this trip."

Liang Jingtang looked at Yuchi Xiao, his gaze complex.

Even ants cling to life. Liang Jingtang was only just past sixty, how could he be willing to die in the Vast Mountain Range?

Yuchi Xiao was in his prime, his Blood Essence surging, and he was a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master. If he could accompany him, they could look out for each other, and his chances of survival would increase.

But this would mean Yuchi Xiao would have to face danger alongside him.

Moreover, Yuchi Xiao had been diligent and selfless, working with him for many years, managing the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School for him without receiving much benefit. Now, he was asking him to risk danger with him and entrust the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School to Xia Daoming, which was clearly unfair to him.

"I've dedicated myself to martial arts; I have no interest in managing the school. I'll definitely go with you, Master!" Xia Daoming quickly said upon seeing this.

The area around Mangzhou Prefecture City had fallen into chaos, making his subsequent path of strengthening meridians even more difficult. It was rare that the Xu Family was willing to form a team and act as guides to hunt Ice Rabbits in the Vast Mountain Range. How could he miss such an opportunity?

Besides, Master Liang Jingtang was truly a good person. Xia Daoming couldn't bear to see him risk his life without regard.

"You're dedicated to martial arts?" Yuchi Xiao and the others looked surprised, then sneered. Even Liang Jingtang did.

Which young person dedicated to martial arts kept four beautiful young maids at home?

Didn't they know that besides maids, this world also had male servants?

Dedicated to martial arts? Hmph, I wouldn't believe that even if you told me to my face. You're more dedicated to lust!

"What are you guys looking at? I am truly dedicated to martial arts!" Xia Daoming said earnestly.

"You're dedicated to martial arts and still keep four beautiful maids at home? Aren't you afraid it will affect your drawing speed?" Zhuo Xingji said with disdain.

The spear strikes like a dragon!

Aside from fist and foot techniques, the most famous martial art of the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School was the Dragon Snake Nine Spears.

"Senior Brother Zhuo, can't you be more subtle when you speak? I'm a woman, Senior Sister!" Liu Xiaoqiang rolled her eyes.

"Senior Sister, you're overthinking it. Senior Brother Zhuo is a proper person; he's talking about the Dragon Snake Nine Spears!" Xia Daoming blurted out.

The assembly hall fell silent.

Even Liu Xiaoqiang, who ran a pleasure house, had her pretty face turn red from Xia Daoming's words. Embarrassed and angry, she raised her delicate fists and began to rain blows down on him.

"I'm overthinking it, where am I overthinking it, where am I overthinking it?"

"Cough, cough, Senior Sister, I was wrong, I was wrong, I was overthinking it!" Xia Daoming quickly raised his hands in surrender.

"Haha!" Liang Jingtang and the others couldn't help but burst into laughter at the sight.

"Pfft!" Liu Xiaoqiang suddenly couldn't help but chuckle, giving Xia Daoming a sideways glance with her peach blossom eyes. "I thought you were the most honest person, based on what Wanqing and I said about you in private, but it turns out you're the most cunning!"

"Cough, cough, I really am the most honest!" Xia Daoming said.

Everyone sneered, looking disdainful.

"Master, I'm serious." Xia Daoming looked at Liang Jingtang helplessly.

"Cough, cough, forget it! After what happened with your Senior Brother Gu, I've come to terms with it. It's better to let it flow than to suppress it. Martial artists naturally have strong Blood Essence, and you're at the age of vigorous youth. Relax when you need to.

However, the world is in chaos now. If you really want to go out and have fun, go to your Senior Sister's place; at least you'll have some care there," Liang Jingtang said.

"Exactly, exactly, this way the good stuff stays in the family!" Liu Xiaoqiang said.

Xia Daoming looked at Liu Xiaoqiang with admiration.

As expected of a senior sister who ran a pleasure house, her driving skills and speed were something even Xia Daoming, a transmigrator, couldn't match.

However, now was clearly not the time to admire his senior sister's driving.

He had to convince his master to take him along, not Yuchi Xiao.

If persuasion failed, then he'd have to resort to force.

"Master, Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I'm being completely serious. I'm truly devoted to the martial path, which is why I was able to break through to become a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master in such a short time.

Furthermore, this mission is extremely dangerous, and we definitely need the strongest person to accompany Master." Xia Daoming said.

"What? Daoming, are you saying you're stronger than me?" Yuchi Xiao immediately jumped up.

"Heh heh, Senior Brother, we're both Fifth-Rank Great Martial Masters. I'm younger than you, so I must have more strength," Xia Daoming said.

"Uh!" Everyone present was taken aback.

After his initial surprise, Liang Jingtang said with annoyance, "Nonsense. Your Senior Brother Yuchi is only thirty-four. It's just that his Blood Essence has passed its peak, making it difficult for him to break through further, but he's far from declining.

When it comes to sheer power, with his many years of cultivation and refinement, how could a young man like you, who just broke through to the Fifth-Rank, possibly compare?

Moreover, your Senior Brother Yuchi has been practicing martial arts for many years and has a lot of practical combat experience, which you can't match either."

"Heh heh, see, Daoming! In terms of talent and potential, I can't compare to you, but in terms of strength, you're still a long way off!" Yuchi Xiao said with a hint of smugness.

"Alright, words are cheap. Senior Brother Yuchi, let's spar a few rounds. If you lose, you can stay behind and manage the martial arts school," Xia Daoming said with a helpless shrug.

The discussion hall fell silent.

After a long moment, Liang Jingtang reached out and patted Xia Daoming's shoulder. "It's rare for you to have such dedication. Then, let your Senior Brother Yuchi spar a few rounds with you. It's also a good opportunity for me to see your strength. However, after the match, don't argue with Yuchi Xiao anymore. Stay and help me manage the martial arts school properly."

"Heh heh, Master, I won't lose!" Xia Daoming said with a smile.

"It's good for a junior brother to be confident, but overconfidence can be detrimental," Yuchi Xiao said with a smile.

Xia Daoming smiled and strolled out of the discussion hall, walking to the center of the training ground.

Yuchi Xiao shook his head helplessly at the sight and followed him onto the training ground.

Liang Jingtang and the others also followed out of the discussion hall, standing at the edge of the training ground to watch.

Today's update is complete. We sincerely request continued strong support from all fellow readers!