Mastery Achieved

The Black Awning Boat glided lightly over the water, swiftly approaching the dock.

Then it steadied neatly into its berth.

Zhang Yuan, standing at the bow, sprang up and landed on the embankment.

The dock was especially lively that morning. Several Merchant Ships were unloading cargo at once, with quite a few fishing boats mixed in among them.

The air was thick with the pungent stench of fish.

Zhang Yuan tied the mooring rope to the Mooring Post and said to Old Fisherman, who was still aboard, "Sun Bo, I'll go speak to Incense Master Chen right away. There definitely won't be any problem with your son's matter!"

Sun Bo was overcome with gratitude. "Thank you, little brother!"

"No need to be polite."

Zhang Yuan waved his hand and turned to find Chen Zhize.

Chen Zhize was as busy as ever.

When he saw Zhang Yuan, he smiled and asked, "Something the matter?"

Zhang Yuan said nothing about Sun Bo's son. He merely told him that he had completely learned the craft of fishing.

From now on, he could manage this line of work independently.

He especially emphasized Sun Bo's conscientiousness, responsibility, and willingness to teach without holding anything back.

A little indirect prodding like that was more than enough.

If he said it outright, it would imply distrust toward Chen Zhize—a move showing a severe deficit in social intelligence!

"That's good."

Chen Zhize said with satisfaction, "From now on, hand all the fish you catch to the fellows here. We'll settle the payment on the spot according to the current market price!"

The Raging Whale Gang not only controlled the docks, but also held the fish market of Linhe County in its grip.

It was impossible for ordinary fishermen to bypass the Raging Whale Gang and sell their fish themselves!

And ordinary fishermen would never receive such treatment.

Zhang Yuan said gratefully, "Thank you for the trouble, brother."

"I already told you, there's no need for politeness between brothers."

Chen Zhize chided, "As long as I'm at the dock for one day, I can protect your livelihood for one day. If I need your help with anything in the future, I won't stand on ceremony either!"

Zhang Yuan smiled. "Of course!"

There was no such thing as care and generosity without cause in this world. Zhang Yuan did not mind owing Chen Zhize a favor now. He believed that when the time came, he would certainly have the ability to repay it.

After chatting with Chen Zhize for a few more moments, Zhang Yuan headed for Whale Fortress.

The moment he arrived at the Wooden Dummy Room, he saw Dong Yuanwei wave him over.

Zhang Yuan hurried forward. "Instructor Dong."

Dong Yuanwei got straight to the point. "What level have you reached with the force of the Surging Wave Palm?"

Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment, then answered decisively, "Within three days, I'll achieve mastery!"

This mastery meant that without using Black Giant Ant Power, relying only on the application of force from the Surging Wave Palm, he could shatter the fish scales covering a wooden dummy's outer hide!

Over the past month, although Zhang Yuan had gone to learn the skills of boating and fishing,

he had not put any less effort into the Surging Wave Palm!

In fact, he had already touched the threshold half a month ago.

Yet despite his deliberately restrained claim, the disciples present all revealed disbelief.

During this period, more and more new disciples had passed the preliminary assessments and moved from the Martial Arts Field to the Wooden Dummy Room, further improving their attainments in the Surging Wave Palm.

Of the eighteen Fish Skin Dummies, only three remained unoccupied.

Naturally, they knew very well the requirements for achieving mastery in this palm technique. That was why they did not believe Zhang Yuan could reach such a level within three days, thinking he was merely boasting.

Among these disciples, Xu Zhengyang wore the most complicated expression.

He had long known that when he lost his bet to Zhang Yuan, it had not been because Zhang Yuan had already achieved mastery.

Rather, it was because Zhang Yuan possessed inborn divine strength!

His loss had been rather unjust.

But unjust or not, after the painful lesson from before, Xu Zhengyang did not dare jump out again.

If he got slapped in the face once more, he truly would have no face left to show anyone!

"Very good!"

Dong Yuanwei laughed heartily. "Three days from now, I'll assess your progress again. If you pass, I'll teach you the Wave Cutting Blade and Rippling Steps as well!"

Wave Cutting Blade! Rippling Steps!!

The Raging Whale Gang had four introductory martial arts: the Azure Sea Body Refining Art, Surging Wave Palm, Wave Cutting Blade, and Rippling Steps.

Among them, the Azure Sea Body Refining Art was a foundational technique for cultivating force.

Since Zhang Yuan had cultivated force through the Boulder Foundation Skill, he had not learned this technique of the same rank.

In truth, he was also very interested in the Wave Cutting Blade and Rippling Steps.

One was a blade technique, the other a movement technique. Both skills could increase Zhang Yuan's combat strength.

Especially the Wave Cutting Blade.

After all, the Divine Nest's second host, the Jade Mantis, could grant intermediate blade mastery. Nothing could be a better fit!

But Dong Yuanwei had his own rules for teaching martial arts. Zhang Yuan did not want to leave this instructor with the impression that he was aiming too high, so he had always practiced diligently and followed the proper progression.

Now that he had the chance to "skip a grade," how could he not be happy?

Zhang Yuan smiled. "Thank you for your generous favor, Instructor!"

"This is not special treatment."

Dong Yuanwei swept his gaze around, his sharp eyes passing over every disciple's face.

He said gravely, "No matter who it is, as long as they cultivate the force of the Surging Wave Palm to the level of mastery, I will teach them the true principles of the Wave Cutting Blade and Rippling Steps in advance."

As the saying went, the Dharma was not lightly transmitted.

Even disciples of the Raging Whale Gang itself had to meet all manner of conditions if they wished to learn the essence of the gang's martial arts!

All the disciples were awed, some even lowering their heads.

They did not dare harbor any resentment toward Dong Yuanwei. They simply found Zhang Yuan even more unpleasant to look at.

Zhang Yuan was like a catfish that had darted into the fish hold, stirring everyone's hearts into unease!

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

As promised, Dong Yuanwei assessed Zhang Yuan. For this purpose, he had even specially replaced the dummy with a brand-new Fish Skin Dummy!

A group of new disciples, including Xu Zhengyang, were also present.

Every one of them stared fixedly at Zhang Yuan, as though flowers had grown from his body.

Their expressions were exceedingly complicated!

Without any needless words, Dong Yuanwei directly signaled, "You may begin!"

Zhang Yuan nodded.

Facing the Fish Skin Dummy before him, he drew a deep breath and clenched both hands into fists, gathering his force.

"Break!"

The next instant, under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhang Yuan suddenly raised his arms and struck with his palms, slamming toward the wooden dummy with the speed of lightning.

His palms threw out layer upon layer of afterimages, and in the blink of an eye, no one knew how many times they struck the dummy's chest.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The heavy impacts rang like morning bells and evening drums, battering the youths' eardrums one strike after another.

Their hearts and minds trembled violently!

Before these new disciples could regain their senses, Zhang Yuan had already withdrawn his palms and finished his technique.

On the Fish Skin Dummy before him, within a palm-sized area on its chest, the fish scales had shattered one after another.

They rustled down to the ground!

The Surging Wave Palm had achieved mastery!

The youths who witnessed this scene fell utterly silent.

Though they desperately did not wish to believe the truth before their eyes,

Zhang Yuan clearly could not have cheated.

That meant Zhang Yuan, whom they had looked down upon, had already far surpassed all of them.

Their pride and confidence as Raging Whale disciples were completely smashed to pieces at that moment, leaving every one of them deeply dejected!

"Good!"

Dong Yuanwei praised loudly. "Zhang Yuan, from today onward, I will teach you the Wave Cutting Blade and Rippling Steps. I hope you will keep striving and, from atop a hundred-foot pole, take another step forward!"

Hearing this, the new disciples felt even more despondent.