Breakthrough

"Here's Zhang Lingfeng's information. Master Hong, do you think he can break through to dark force?"

"Superior bone aptitude? His bones have already closed, and he's past the age for martial training. Hahahaha, rest assured, Master Li. Martial training isn't just about talent; it's closely tied to one's foundation. Zhang Lingfeng's bones closed long ago. However good his bone aptitude, he has no chance to lay a foundation. In the end, all his efforts will be in vain."

Inside the Li Clan compound.

Master Li summoned Master Hong, his resident martial instructor, and handed him the information on Zhang Lingfeng's bone aptitude.

Master Hong was initially startled by the words "superior bone aptitude." But once he learned that Zhang Lingfeng had only begun practicing martial arts after his bones had closed and he was past the age for training, he thought nothing more of it.

"In that case, the Zhang Clan will have to sell those three hundred and sixty mu of the Wang family's land, whether they like it or not."

Master Li's expression brightened considerably.

Those three hundred and sixty mu of Wang family land were prime paddy fields. Their location enjoyed a warm climate, allowing two rice crops and a crop of winter wheat.

Whether they managed the fields themselves or leased them to tenant farmers, they would yield a good harvest every year.

"I can't speak for dealing with anyone else, but if it's just Zhang Lingfeng, you can rest assured, Master Li."

Master Hong gave his solemn assurance.

"But as far as I know, Zhang Lingfeng has also trained a ming jin martial artist named Chen Sanshi. He was the one who helped seize Stone Village's water source."

Master Li reminded him.

"Though I've failed three times to break through to dark force, there are precious few ming jin practitioners in all of Baiyang County who can match me."

Master Hong's face was full of confidence.

"Good. I'll provide you with plenty of nourishing meat over the coming days, Master Hong. Once the matter is settled, there will be a reward as well."

Master Li was delighted.

"Thank you, Master Li."

Master Hong smiled.

"Right, what if Zhang Lingfeng asks his fellow disciples at the martial arts school for help?"

As Master Li thought of this, his smile involuntarily faded.

"Zhang Lingfeng has only been training for a few months. Could his connections possibly be broader than mine?"

Master Hong sounded somewhat displeased.

"You're right. Hahaha."

Hearing that, Master Li was finally completely reassured.

Li Hongwei, the Li Clan's young master, had been sitting by the door and heard their entire conversation clearly. He quickly rose and left to tell Wang Fang about it.

He had liked Wang Fang all along, but she was proud and aloof, willing only to be a principal wife, not a concubine. That was why she had become engaged to Zhang Lingfeng instead.

Who could have expected Wang Biao to offend the Yan family in the county town, dealing the Wang family a grievous blow? At that crucial moment, Zhang Lingfeng had also attained ming jin, and the Zhang Clan had actually come openly to their door to break off the engagement.

How could the ever-proud Wang Fang swallow such an insult?

She had sought out Li Hongwei again and asked him to goad his father into taking those three hundred and sixty mu of land. That was what had set this whole series of events in motion.

In the county town.

Inside Zhang Lingfeng's rented home.

Zhang Pingping had only mentioned it in passing.

No one gave it much thought. After all, the Wang family was a shadow of its former self. Keeping a low profile and resting to rebuild their strength was what they ought to do most.

They were unlikely to be involved in this matter.

"Dad, don't worry about this yet. Tomorrow, I'll have someone ask around about the background of the martial instructor employed by the Li Clan.

"If we can smooth things over, that would be best. If not, we'll think of something else."

Zhang Lingfeng said.

He had spent six or seven hundred taels of the family's silver and finally gained those three hundred and sixty mu of prime paddy fields. How could he sell them off cheaply for a mere five hundred taels?

If he could not protect this family property, how would he establish himself in the county town in the future?

"All right."

Zhang Da nodded.

He and Xu Laiyi stayed there for the night before hurrying home early the next morning.

A few days later.

Zhang Lingfeng arrived at the martial arts school.

He saw several senior brothers and sisters with dark force cultivation gathered outside Guo Wei's room, Wu Yun among them. Remembering that they had gone drinking with Ye Fan at a restaurant the night before, Zhang Lingfeng could not help approaching to ask what had happened. But Wu Yun raised a hand to stop him and pulled him aside.

"Keep your voice down. Master is helping Junior Brother Ye break through."

Wu Yun explained.

"So soon?"

Zhang Lingfeng looked astonished.

Although he had already known Ye Fan could attempt his breakthrough within a month and a half, seeing it happen still left him utterly amazed. His supreme bone aptitude truly lived up to its name!

Creak!

The door was pulled open.

Guo Wei emerged, his face glowing.

Ye Fan followed close behind, the pride between his brows more pronounced than ever.

"Master."

"Junior Brother Ye!"

Everyone greeted them.

"All of you, step back."

Guo Wei motioned for everyone to retreat.

"Perform a round of your fist technique for me."

"Yes!"

Guo Wei spoke, and after nodding, Ye Fan began performing the Twelve-Routine Iron Mountain Fist in front of everyone.

A force like a waking tiger coursed around his body with his movements. Though he had only attained ming jin, his punches gave the impression of sinews and bones resonating together and force flowing without end.

At that moment, compared with just over a month ago, Ye Fan seemed to have shed his old flesh and bones. Confidence filled him inside and out.

His punches grew faster and faster.

The power bursting from his body actually produced a series of explosive cracks.

In his hands, the Twelve-Routine Iron Mountain Fist, a technique combining offense and defense, brimmed with killing intent and the destructive power to sweep away rotten wood. He performed it with the ferocity of a tiger, leaving everyone dumbstruck.

"Excellent!"

After Ye Fan drew back his fists, Guo Wei led the praise.

The Twelve-Routine Iron Mountain Fist had been created by a military officer of the previous dynasty. It suited battlefields and chaotic melees: the more opponents one faced, the greater its killing intent and the stronger its fist force.

Though Ye Fan had only just broken through, his cultivation talent had actually allowed him to align with the fist intent. The presence and force of his performance far surpassed those of many ming jin martial artists.

"Junior Brother Ye is incredible."

"Congratulations, Master, on finding a worthy successor."

"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Junior Brother Ye! Congratulations on finding a worthy successor, Master!"

Everyone crowded forward, unable to help congratulating Ye Fan and Guo Wei in unison.

"Hahaha! Good, good, good! Today, each of you will receive ten bowls of Qi and blood replenishing soup."

Guo Wei waved a hand as he spoke.

Clearly, taking in a disciple like Ye Fan had truly made him happy and excited.

"Thank you, Master."

Everyone was delighted.

"Senior Brother Wu, Senior Brother Yang, Senior Sister Liu... I hope you'll all give me plenty of guidance from now on."

Ye Fan addressed Wu Yun, Yang Tao, and the others.

Zhang Lingfeng was standing there too, yet Ye Fan seemed not to see him. As though deliberately trying to embarrass Zhang Lingfeng, he skipped straight past him and warmly greeted Liu Feng and the other ming jin senior brothers, gathering together with them.

Zhang Lingfeng could only head to the outer courtyard. Fortunately, the outer courtyard apprentices all treated him as their center. With Hei Hu and Sun Yan kneading his shoulders, massaging his legs, and waiting on him hand and foot, he finally felt considerably better.

"Junior Brother Ye's ancestors were tenant farmers. Don't take it to heart."

Liu Feng came out and said.

"It's fine. I'm happy for him too, now that he's broken through to ming jin."

Zhang Lingfeng looked as though he did not care at all.

He took the opportunity to ask, "By the way, Senior Brother Liu, I wanted to ask you about someone. Do you know Master Hong, Hong Wenjun, who works for the Li Clan outside town?"

"I do. That position with the Li Clan should originally have been mine, but he beat me to it. Still, his strength really is among the very best at ming jin, so it's only natural that the Li Clan chose him."

Without giving it much thought, Liu Feng told Zhang Lingfeng everything he knew about Master Hong's lineage and strength, leaving nothing out.

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