Become a Big Shot, Temper the Great Sinews, Advance Soaring Serpent Chasing Cloud Form, and Vow to Smash the Whole Hall into Silence!

Something major had recently happened across the five hundred li of Anning County.

The Fire Kiln, Firewood Market, and Cattle and Sheep Market.

The proprietors who had originally controlled the livelihoods of half the businesses

had gathered together and twisted themselves into a single rope, actually establishing a new "gang." It was said to be backed by a Qi Refining Expert from Jiangyin Prefecture!

Once the news spread, it was like an earth dragon turning over, shaking the entire Five Hundred Li Mountain Road to its core!

And the chief and deputy hall masters, ranking only below the Three Seats,

had risen in one leap, transforming into Skin Refinement experts among the County Top Ten—first-rate figures of power and luxury.

Whenever they went out, they were surrounded by followers in groups of three or five. The power in their hands was scorching hot, gripping the lifelines of countless people and drawing endless flattery and eager service.

And all of this.

Ji Xiu, a bright-clothed, fiery-steeded youth who had "passed the imperial examination in his youth,"

understood all too well.

"Master Ji!"

"Master Ji!"

The sky had only just brightened.

The saber-bearing retainers and retainers who worked in the Wind and Cloud Association's Fire Kiln business had transformed into members of the Wind and Cloud Association and its outside staff.

When they saw the youth striding with Dragon Walk Tiger Step, dressed in a straight-collared black robe beneath a broad cloak, a saber hanging from his waist, a cloud-patterned belt fastened around him, and long boots treading the icy stone path, his noble bearing impossible to conceal,

every one of them lowered their heads.

Who could have imagined it?

Just over a month ago, he had merely been the poor son of a humble family, an outer residence stablehand, a destitute brat.

Yet in the blink of an eye, he had become the scorching-hot master of a hall within the Wind and Cloud Association.

Seeing Hong Jiang at the youth's side, beaming with joy and following him step for step, benefiting from his favor and rising in one leap to become an official member of the Wind and Cloud Association, they could not help but feel envy.

Out of the Three Great Businesses, only a hundred association members had been selected.

Under the principle of preferring lack to excess, the remaining ordinary retainers were all outside staff. They still performed the work of their former businesses, and only if they distinguished themselves someday might they be able to "take the official exam" and earn a "promotion."

But with so many people staring eagerly at those positions, how could it be so easy?

The competition would only grow fiercer. It would likely be even harder than the old promotion from "retainer" to "saber-wearing retainer."

And this man, simply because he had followed the right person,

had now become the confidant of the Medicine Hall Master. Given time, it was only a matter of time before he took charge and wielded authority.

When one man attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven!

Faced with the respectful greetings and envious looks all along the way, Ji Xiu responded blandly.

Only when he entered his own blue-brick courtyard did his taut expression ease somewhat.

"Brother!"

Ji Wei crashed headfirst into his embrace, her bright eyes gazing up at him.

When she saw the youth before her wearing a cloak, a cloud-patterned belt, and long boots, his heroic air impossible to hide, her eyes immediately curved into crescents.

"No wonder they say clothes make the man, and saddle makes the horse."

"With my brother looking like this, what hall master's seat couldn't you take?"

"Whichever young lady becomes my sister-in-law would be the one marrying up."

She huffed as she spoke. Wearing a willow-green padded skirt beneath a white gauze cape, she was wrapped up tightly, and the exposed skin glowed with the sheen of porcelain.

Her complexion had long since become utterly different from before. She looked just like the daughter of a wealthy household in the county.

The simply dressed youth practicing his saber under the moon, the timid girl peeking through a crack in the door.

Not the slightest trace of either could now be seen in them.

At this, Ji Xiu's expression softened. In the deep autumn chill, he pulled off his outer cloak and laid it across Ji Wei's hands.

"Only a few days of good living, and you've already forgotten what your foundation is?"

"Lean on a mountain and the mountain may collapse; lean on water and the water may run dry."

"Nothing external is as solid as yourself."

"Go cook. Make fresh fish soup boiled milky white, stew deer sinew until soft and tender, then take a jin of beef ribs and stew them with potatoes. Cook a huge pot of millet rice."

"Three parts eating, seven parts training. Take pills every day. Only by keeping this up over time can you strengthen your sinews and temper your bones, advancing bravely and fiercely along the martial path."

After saying that, he rubbed Ji Wei's head.

"Little sister, don't pick up the petty habits of wealthy households before you've even become one."

"When you look at people, don't only look at their fine clothes and outward skin while failing to see the weakness of what lies inside."

"Didn't you say you wanted to practice martial arts?"

His eyes were clear and bright.

"Once your body has recovered a little more, I'll take you before my master. I'll have him assess your bones and sinews, then ask him to teach you a proper Pile Stance and lay your foundation."

"Alright!"

Ji Wei nodded obediently. At the mention of the martial path, stars shone in her eyes. In a flash, she ran off to cook.

"Prepare the carriage. Once I finish my Pile Stance, I'll set off for the Medicine Hall to refine pills."

After watching Ji Wei leave, Ji Xiu took a deep breath. In his fitted training clothes, amid the bitter late-autumn cold, he prepared to focus entirely on building his blood and tempering his sinews.

His diligence moved Hong Jiang at his side.

"Hall Master, you've already reached this position, yet you're still working so hard."

"A few days ago, Yellow Medicine Master spoke a single sentence, and the three proprietors settled the matter once and for all, granting you the seventh hall seat. No one can shake it."

"Yet the moment you took office, you refused flattery, rejected gifts from those seeking posts, and spent every day tempering your sinews and bones. You have enough resources now—when can't you practice your Pile Stance?"

"Every time, you train until you're utterly exhausted, then rush without pause to the Medicine Hall to find Yellow Medicine Master. Watching you, I truly..."

Ji Xiu gave him a serious glance.

"Yellow Medicine Master, Manor Lord Lu, and the three vice presidents spoke, so my position is unshakable. But do the others truly accept it?"

Soaring Serpent Chasing Cloud Form: (12/30)

Set your body like a Teng Snake, gather its form, condense its charm. Perform the stance thirty times and comprehend its true meaning to reach completion!

Note: Mystic Tortoise Great Toad Form has reached completion. Once Soaring Serpent Chasing Cloud Form reaches mastery, its trait may be comprehended!

Ji Xiu turned his wrist and gradually gathered his stray thoughts. As the thin morning mist surged in, it made him, standing there in stance, seem like a Teng Snake amid the clouds, a celestial crane soaring through the air.

The Mystic Tortoise was a still stance, emphasizing immovability like a mountain.

The Teng Snake was a moving stance. It required stretching and extending in harmony with the rhythm of one's breath, tempering the great sinews and driving flesh, bones, blood, and muscle into transformation throughout the entire body!

After nourishing one's blood, one's punches became heavy and deep, but that did not necessarily mean one could unleash all of one's strength.

But those who had succeeded in sinew tempering could drive force and command power, releasing and withdrawing it at will. Every fist and palm carried the force of a thousand jin!

The two could not be mentioned in the same breath.

"Hall Master Ji's Pile Stance... has advanced again!"

Watching Ji Xiu's indistinct figure, as though a whole world separated him from himself, Hong Jiang's eyes trembled in shock.

"The hall master's position and the favor of powerful people were handed to me. Though convenient, they are no more than flowers in a mirror, moons in water."

"If I used this to make friends everywhere, seek wealth, and gather confidants, it might seem as though I were surrounded by followers—but if my sinew tempering remains unfinished..."

"What use would any of it be?"

Crack! Crack!

His sinews and bones erupted in a series of sharp pops!

Ji Xiu threw a punch. Before Hong Jiang could react, it struck a stone stele deliberately placed in the courtyard with a bang!

Boom!

He slowly spread his five fingers, revealing calluses worn rough beneath skin entirely unlike its outward appearance. His hair billowed wildly in the wind, yet his gaze remained exceptionally calm.

"There's always a breath lodged in my chest."

"From servant to stablehand, then retainer... I received the care of the manor lord's family and somehow grew a little lax."

"I did not notice it before, but that was not a good thing."

"Fortunately."

"Because of what happened at the Medicine Hall, that breath has risen again."

"The great Skin Refinement figures of the Three Seats spoke, and I had no room to utter a word. Listening to the whispers throughout the hall then, I could only hold it in."

"Because I knew too well that much talk invites mistakes."

"Although Yellow Medicine Master's forceful entrance turned my circumstances around, and others saw me as having ascended to heaven in a single step, however unwilling they were, they could only lower their heads. But Hong Jiang, do you know?"

Hong Jiang stood dumbly silent, looking at the young martial artist whose entire body seemed wrapped in some inexplicable "breath," tempering his great sinews in the bitter winter cold.

He only felt that the shadow cast by this sight would press heavily upon his heart for the rest of his life.

"Others might have been ecstatic, as if pies had fallen from the sky. They would turn around to ride five-flowered horses, wear furs worth a thousand gold, and call their boys to bring out fine wine."

"But for me."

"It is a warning bell that never stops ringing!"

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Wild blood and qi surged as he performed the moving stance, raising wave after wave like a raging river. Along with Ji Xiu's words,

they began ceaselessly washing over the great sinews threaded through his flesh!

Ji Xiu stretched out his arms like a Teng Snake leaping into flight. From his arms to his legs, great masses of muscle and sinew shook wildly like coiling serpents in dance.

He assumed nine consecutive postures, closed his eyes, and comprehended the true form of the Teng Snake amid the howling cold wind. His movements grew ever closer to its form and charm, while his close-fitting robes and trouser hems all swelled and trembled!

As he stood there.

A boom suddenly rang out!

The bricks beneath the youth's feet cracked!

His eyes opened. A deep, radiant gleam filled their depths as he stared at the entire Fire Kiln, at the entire Wind and Cloud Association.

"Why do they think"

"that these iron fists of mine can't smash out a hall master's seat!?"

Sooner or later, Ji Xiu would

smash the business members from the Firewood Market and Cattle and Sheep Market within the Wind and Cloud Association into silence with a single punch!

Those who ate could eat; those who needed to shut up would shut up!

Since this position had fallen into his hands, of course he would take it!

'Soaring Serpent Chasing Cloud Form' progress +1!

Soaring Serpent Chasing Cloud Form: (13/30)

As the training of the Tortoise Snake Great Pillar drew ever closer to completion,

Ji Xiu could clearly sense himself growing stronger at a rapid pace.

The feeling was intoxicating.

And this

was the true foundation!

Never let power blind one's eyes and make one lose one's true self!

Otherwise, even with the Primordial Dao Talisman, one would never climb high or travel far!

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

When his rapid breathing and surging blood and qi subsided like a receding tide.

"Prepare the horses."

Hong Jiang had been immersed in the artistic realm of the Pile Stance, rigid as a stone pillar.

Only upon hearing those calm words did he suddenly awaken and hurried off at once.

As waves of food fragrance curled upward.

Ji Xiu turned his head.

He looked at Ji Wei, who had her hands tucked into her padded skirt for warmth, a light gauze cloak over her shoulders, fluffy as a little ball. As she watched him speak and practice, her eyes glittered brightly.

He exhaled and smiled.

"Eat!"