An Invitation from the Martial Arts Association

The sky was blue, the breeze gentle, and Dragon Pool Lake lay still amid the scent of flowers. The lakeside was unusually quiet as the elders stared at the young man in stunned silence. Aptitude, whatever the field, could make someone a leader if it was exceptional enough. Qin Fen had clearly earned his place in the martial arts world. Genius was the word on all their minds.

Age had sharpened their judgment and their eyes. Even an outsider could see why Old Sun and Old Chen were so astonished.

Qin Fen let out a long breath and stood still, filling his lungs with air scented by the earth. His mind grew clearer. He had grasped how to generate force with his strikes and speed the flow of his blood, all thanks to Medicine Master's Five Animal Frolics.

Without the breathing method it contained, mastering the essentials of both schools of Tai Chi in one go would have been difficult.

The moment he stopped, Old Chen and Old Sun hurried over. Old Sun's eyes shone as he looked at Chef Qin. "Well done, kid. You've grasped the essentials of both schools already."

Old Chen nodded. What a rare talent. He studied Qin Fen from head to toe. The young man looked perfectly ordinary, yet he had such uncanny aptitude.

Their scrutiny made Qin Fen feel awkward. Big Chef was thin-skinned. He certainly wouldn't stare at a pretty girl like that, and having two old men look him over left him uncomfortable all over.

After a moment's hesitation, Old Chen spoke. "Qin Fen, what are your plans?" Old Sun smiled. He knew what his old friend was thinking. After so many years of friendship, he could tell that Old Chen had taken a shine to Qin Fen's talent.

"My plans? Run