50 Points

After the first example, the others could not help but itch to try. They were all hot-blooded youths; after practicing martial arts for several months, they naturally wanted to test their own skills.

Before long, someone volunteered.

Then came the third, the fourth...

By the end, they were practically fighting to go first.

Chen Ming treated them all equally, letting each person unleash all thirty-six forms of the Three Powers Fist before defeating them.

You defeated an LV1 enemy and gained 2 experience points.

You defeated an LV1 enemy and gained 2 experience points.

You defeated an LV2 enemy and gained 5 experience points.

Every time he defeated a student, a notification popped up before his eyes.

Chen Ming felt the joy of a bountiful harvest.

These youths varied greatly in strength. The weaker ones were not even particularly familiar with the forms.

There were also some stronger ones whose Iron Horse Stance had already crossed the threshold, and whose forms looked fairly convincing. He had to take them seriously, lest the boat capsize in a gutter.

Watching from the side, Hong Mingquan soon relaxed. Chen Ming was still quite measured in his attacks and had not injured any of the students.

Moreover, his Three Powers Fist was practiced to a considerable degree of proficiency—more than enough to deal with these newcomers.

Through their sparring, Hong Mingquan could tell at a glance which moves these youngsters had not practiced well enough and where they fell short.

After each person finished sparring, he pulled them aside to point out their weaknesses, which moves needed more practice, and then, hmm, added fifty repetitions every day.

Hong Mingquan's teaching method was this simple and brutal. Practiced poorly? Do more.

Still not good enough? Keep adding!

If that still did not work, then your talent was lacking!

Teaching according to aptitude? Such a thing did not exist.

By the time Chen Ming defeated the last student, it was already noon.

Even though his Iron Horse Stance had broken through to the second level, he was still exhausted and gasping for breath.

He had fought fifteen matches in all, a tremendous test of his stamina.

But seeing the notifications for defeating enemies, he felt that no matter how bitter or tiring it was, it had all been worth it.

You defeated an LV3 enemy and gained 10 experience points.

Huh?

Seeing the contents of the notification, Chen Ming could not help but feel surprised.

LV3?

The same level as me?

He turned to look at the youth who had just left. The boy had refined features and fair, clean skin, with a hint of pride hidden in his eyes.

He had sensed it during their fight. Among all the newcomers, this youth had practiced the Three Powers Fist the best. He had been able to trade blows with him evenly.

He hid his strength just now.

Why would he do that?

Chen Ming was deeply curious and committed the man's name to memory: Li Jinchuan.

"Hmph, he has only practiced fist techniques a few years longer than I have. In another two or three months, I will definitely defeat him with the Three Powers Fist."

As Li Jinchuan walked, his fists clenched tightly, his heart full of resentment.

If he had not been restricted to using the Three Powers Fist, which he had only recently begun practicing, he would never have lost to that fellow.

"Li Jinchuan, your Three Powers Fist is so good. How exactly did you practice it?"

At that moment, two people came over to strike up a conversation.

Li Jinchuan ignored them, his face cold as he walked straight past.

The two were left hanging there, feeling humiliated and thoroughly angered. "What is so great about him? He just learns forms quickly, that's all."

"Exactly. If he truly had ability, he would have gone to Third Senior Brother long ago."

Li Jinchuan, who had not gone far, heard them and sneered inwardly. These mediocre fools—saying even one extra word to them was a waste of his time.

He hurried home to eat, then would practice more.

He had actually lost to someone today. He needed to practice the Three Powers Fist ten extra times.

"You mean Li Jinchuan? His talent is no less than Seventh Junior Brother's. It is just that Master said he is too arrogant and needs to have his temperament tempered, which is why he was kept here with me."

In Hong Mingquan's courtyard, he and Chen Ming chatted while eating.

When Chen Ming asked about Li Jinchuan, he received an unexpected answer.

Understanding dawned on him. "So that is how it is. I was wondering why he was so much stronger than the others, and why his forms had such structure. But if Old Huo does this, will Li Jinchuan not become disheartened and leave in anger?"

If this turned into some "do not bully a poor youth" scenario, that would be no joking matter.

Hong Mingquan did not care. "Then let him leave. If he cannot even endure this, he is bound to be a restless person, and Master certainly will not accept him. Master once said that those who display their sharpness too openly cannot be accepted no matter how gifted they are. Such people will inevitably invite great disaster in the future."

Chen Ming was thoroughly convinced. "Old Huo truly sees far ahead and possesses remarkable foresight."

Indeed, how could someone so proud be willing to remain at Huo Manor and help Huo Chengkun teach these students? He was bound to venture out into the world—who knew what trouble he might stir up?

For Huo Chengkun, taking in such a disciple might not bring any benefits at all. Once the disciple caused trouble outside, he would inevitably be implicated.

The risk was too great.

Chen Ming guessed that the old man's foremost requirement for taking disciples was honesty and dependability.

Like Hong Mingquan, for instance—without family or backing, he could only rely on this great tree.

That afternoon, Chen Ming returned home.

Returning to the small courtyard where he lived, he opened the panel.

Name: Chen Ming

Level: 3

Current Points: 50

Cultivation Method: Iron Horse Stance (Second Level 0/200+)

Martial Skill: Three Powers Fist (Proficient 21/200+), Bagua Saber Technique (Beginner 12/100+)

Fifty points!

He felt somewhat excited. It was much higher than the thirty points he had anticipated.

That was because among these newcomers, there were four at level two, each contributing five experience points.

There was also one at level three, contributing ten experience points.

Altogether, that made exactly fifty points.

If he put them all into the Iron Horse Stance, he could instantly reach one-quarter progress.

However, he now had a new idea.

Improving his realm was certainly important, but his current way of gaining experience was defeating opponents, so martial skill proficiency was also very important.

Before reaching a rank, all martial artists were considered unranked. At this level, battles depended more on combat experience and martial skill mastery.

Like those newcomers today—although they had practiced martial arts for several months, half of them could not even beat the street thugs and hooligans they encountered. There was only one reason: lack of experience.

And in this world, unranked martial artists were also the most numerous.

Chen Ming felt that he could make a name for himself through exceptional martial skills. Once he became famous, countless people would naturally come looking for him to be their Sparring Partner.

Thus, he came up with a point-allocation plan.

Add 5 points to the Iron Horse Stance.

Add 20 points to the Three Powers Fist.

Save the remaining 25 points for now.

Once the points were added, Chen Ming felt a warm current rise within his body, bringing the satisfying sensation of growing stronger.

He also gained new insights into the forms of the Three Powers Fist.

Changes appeared on the panel.

Name: Chen Ming

Level: 3

Current Points: 25

Cultivation Method: Iron Horse Stance (Second Level 5/200+)

Martial Skill: Three Powers Fist (Proficient 41/200+), Bagua Saber Technique (Beginner 12/100+)