The dockside match drew to a close.
"Junior Brother Chen, I never imagined you were the one hiding your abilities in the martial hall."
"Come on! We're not going home sober today!" Shen Yan said excitedly.
"Brother Chen, you've done our Shen Lineage a great favor this time. Please come with us. I've prepared a modest banquet as a token of thanks."
"Since you've invited me, Senior, it would be disrespectful to refuse," Chen Tie said, cupping his hands.
In contrast to the Shen Lineage's jubilation, Lin Cui's face was livid. But with everyone watching, he could not go back on his word and break the agreement. He could only pack up his things and slink away.
The result of the dockside match swept through all of Duchang City like thunder striking before anyone could cover their ears.
Chen Tie's name and personal information soon appeared on the desks of all the major factions.
Only then did everyone discover that this young man was just fifteen. He had broken through to the Flesh Refining realm after half a year of martial training, attained greater mastery of his martial skills, and demonstrated astonishing prowess in actual combat. What terrifying talent this was.
Naturally, the Shen Lineage's banquet involved more than eating and drinking.
After learning about Chen Tie's circumstances, Shen Zhen intended to deepen their close relationship. Not only did he give him a thousand taels as payment, but he also changed his original monthly stipend to a hundred taels, three portions of secret medicine, and over a hundred jin of choice meat.
Chen Tie naturally refused none of it.
The next day, when Chen Tie arrived at the Fierce Tiger Martial Hall, the disciples gathered around him, their expressions carrying a hint of flattery. Even senior brothers he normally had no dealings with came over to make themselves familiar.
Chen Tie put on no airs, cupping his hands and returning their greetings one by one.
Nearby, Zhang Long watched Chen Tie surrounded by the crowd. After a moment of silence, he finally walked slowly over and cupped his hands.
"Senior Brother Chen, congratulations. You've made something of a name for yourself in the city now. We should spend more time together when we're free."
"You're absolutely right, Junior Brother Zhang. We're all disciples of the martial hall. We can exchange pointers more often when we have time."
Chen Tie cupped his hands in return.
The Zhang Long before him had a little less childishness in his features and a little more maturity. His every movement carried a faint trace of imposing presence.
He had heard that while he was away escorting goods, Zhang Long had accompanied several senior brothers from other martial halls to wipe out a bandit stronghold outside the city. Zhang Long had personally fought and killed a leader at Flesh Refining greater mastery.
Xiao Yue also came forward to offer a greeting, then left with Zhang Long after a brief exchange.
Chen Tie's expression remained unchanged. Clearly, Zhang Long was deeply involved with the city's factions.
Nearby, Mo Hong watched all this, unnameable thoughts rising in his heart.
I never imagined Chen Tie could come this far. If not for Zhang Long, I probably would have nurtured him better.
After his fellow disciples dispersed, Chen Tie resumed his day-after-day arduous training. No one saw any sign of slackness or complacency in him.
Chen Tie felt somewhat frustrated at the moment. Although he had risen to fame in the arena, this was not what he wanted.
This fame had brought few tangible benefits. On the contrary, he always felt that drawing too much attention was a bad thing instead.
As time passed, however, Chen Tie's desire for strength grew even stronger.
With increased resources from the Shen Lineage and the martial hall, he could now cultivate with secret medicine every day. Together with his use of treasure fish regardless of cost, other medicines that boosted blood and Qi, and choice meat, his cultivation was actually progressing considerably faster than it had during Flesh Refining.
After seven days of martial training that still left him wanting more, Chen Tie checked his proficiency information again.
[Fierce Tiger Fist greater mastery (43/300)] [Fierce Tiger Stance Art greater mastery (63/300)][Resounding Viscera Blood Scripture second layer (86/200)] [Supple Bone Palm initiation (85/200)] [White Crane Stance Art initiation (36/100)]
"Having ample resources really is wonderful. Every martial art can now improve by four points a day. At this rate, I'll be able to enter the Bone Forging realm in just over two months!"
At this thought, excitement welled up in Chen Tie's heart.
In Duchang City, the Bone Forging realm was the highest level of the Martial Dao.
If he became a Bone Forging martial artist at fifteen, it would probably cause a sensation throughout the city.
"Senior Brother Chen, Father wants to see you." Mo Fang's clear voice rang out.
"All right, Junior Sister Mo."
Chen Tie came to the room in the inner courtyard. Zhang Long and Shen Yan were already there, and the three nodded in greeting.
Mo Hong picked up his teacup and took a sip, the tea rolling down his throat.
"I called you here to tell you something. The Martial Hall Grand Competition is in two months. When the time comes, all disciples in Duchang City at the Flesh Refining realm may participate."
"I don't expect you to take first place. Raising the martial hall's ranking a little will be enough."
"Yes, Master Mo (Master)."
The three respectfully cupped their hands.
"Zhang Long, how is your Fierce Tiger Fist coming along?"
"Master, I should reach greater mastery in a few more days," Zhang Long answered honestly.
Mo Hong nodded slightly at this.
Zhang Long had the greatest talent and would probably be approaching Flesh Refining greater mastery in two months. His fist technique realm lagged a little behind, but that did not matter much. With more practice, he ought to break through eventually.
"Mm. Chen Tie, stay behind. The rest of you may leave."
"Yes, Master Mo (Master)."
"Do you know why I kept you behind alone?" Mo Hong asked with a smile.
"I don't know," Chen Tie answered honestly.
"You're currently the only disciple in the martial hall whose fist technique has reached greater mastery. Have you noticed anything different about your subsequent training?"
Chen Tie pondered for a moment at this. Before his fist technique reached greater mastery, he had always trained step by step.
"When your fist techniques reach greater mastery, blood and Qi suffuse them, your moves become polished, and every movement accords with the principles of the art. But this is merely perfection of form."
"Perfection of form?" Chen Tie caught the crucial point.
"Repeatedly tempering your sinews and bones and honing your moves, even rehearsing them hundreds or thousands of times, can bring you to greater mastery of a martial skill, but cannot touch true perfection. Moves are dead things, and blood and Qi are their vessel. Through hard practice alone, you'll ultimately remain trapped within set routines. When you encounter an opponent skilled at redirecting force and fighting at close quarters, you'll easily become locked in a stalemate."
Chen Tie gained some understanding from these words. This was exactly what had happened in the dockside match; he had needed dozens of exchanges to defeat Qi Feng.
Mo Hong took a sip of tea and continued, "To truly perfect this Fierce Tiger Fist, you must develop Martial Dao true intent."
"Martial Dao true intent? Please instruct me, Master Mo."
Chen Tie cupped his hands. It seemed Mo Hong was about to impart what he kept at the bottom of his chest.
"What we call Martial Dao true intent isn't mere brute strength. Through countless battles and insights, the practitioner comprehends the fierce, primal nature of a tiger pouncing on its prey, melding their mind, blood and Qi, and fist forms into one. Once true intent takes shape, each punch naturally carries a tiger's might. No longer confined to fixed moves, you adapt at will, making feints and solid strikes as your heart dictates. Only then can your fist technique be considered perfected."
Chen Tie looked deeply shaken. So advancing from greater mastery to perfection in a fist technique also required Martial Dao true intent.
"Master Mo, I understand now. So reaching Fierce Tiger Fist perfection requires fighting battles to the death."
No wonder no one apart from the hall master had even reached greater mastery in the fist technique.
Battles to the death were far too risky. Deliberately seeking someone out to fight for his life just for a fist technique was far too dangerous. One careless moment, and he could be beaten to death.
With proficiency at his disposal, Chen Tie could reach perfection without fighting others to the death.
Mo Hong froze. This disciple had definitely gotten the wrong idea. He laughed and scolded, "Where has that mind of yours wandered off to?"
"Fighting life-and-death battles to cultivate Martial Dao true intent doesn't mean going out and fighting other people to the death."
"If not people, then who?"
Mo Hong gave an inscrutable smile. "It's the Fierce Tiger Fist. Naturally, you have to fight a tiger!"