Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

"Haha, it's done! I've achieved minor success in the Three Yang Stance, Qi is generated from my blood, and I've unlocked the Body Tempering Barrier!"

Everyone instinctively looked in the direction of the sound and saw a boy in the center of the line, his clothes billowing slightly.

The boy's feet were firmly planted on the blue bricks, his body as stable as a rock, giving him a sense of unity and solidity that set him apart from the others, without any trace of fragility.

His skin had a warm, soft glow, a sign that his flesh was being nourished by blood and qi.

A wisp of pale red blood energy lingered on the surface of his body, rising and falling slightly with the boy's breathing.

This is precisely the sign that after the Three Yang Stance is partially completed, Qi and blood will be generated naturally, and the first strand of Qi and blood will be refined.

The surrounding teenagers were taken aback at first, then turned to look at him, their eyes filled with envy when they fell on him.

"It's really done! Lin You actually mastered the Three Yang Stance in just half a month!"

"Look at the luster on Lin You's body and the flowing blood and qi; these are signs of completing the Sanyang stance and entering the skin gate!"

........

"Lin You's aptitude is simply terrifying! I've only just begun my stance training, yet he's already generated his own qi and blood and stepped into the Pi Guan!"

"The instructor said before that once you've mastered the Three Yang Stance, you can use the stance to stimulate your Qi and blood, nourish your skin and flesh, and reach the stage of tempering your body's defenses. Today, I've witnessed it firsthand!"

.....

Exclamations of amazement and envy rose and fell, and many of the boys with only the lowest aptitude looked at Lin You's figure with a hint of sadness in their eyes.

Shi Jian strode up to Lin You, gently placing his thick hand on Lin You's shoulder. After a brief examination, he abruptly withdrew his hand, his face filled with undisguised elation.

"Good! Good! Good! You truly deserve your superior innate talent!"

In just half a month, he achieved a minor success in the Three Yang Stance, and his Qi and blood began to grow from within his skin and flesh, thus unlocking the body's tempering barrier.

"Our Sanyang Hall has produced another promising talent!"

With considerable satisfaction, Shi Jian glanced at Lin You again, then changed the subject.

"Lin You, come with me into the inner courtyard! I will then lead you to see Master Ning, who will personally teach you the breathing technique!"

"Breathing techniques?"

Upon hearing this, Lin You's eyes lit up with joy, and he immediately clasped his hands in a respectful bow to Shi Jian, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Master Shi!"

The surrounding teenagers were even more astonished upon hearing this; that was a breathing technique...

Shi Yuan glanced at the shocked crowd, then continued to give Lin You pointers, and also took the opportunity to impart the fundamentals of martial arts to everyone.

"The cultivation of martial arts after birth involves internally refining one's breath and externally strengthening one's muscles, bones, and skin."

The stance training you have now mastered is a practice method, mainly focused on nourishing and accumulating qi and blood.

In the future, when fighting the enemy and protecting oneself, one will rely on fighting methods.

To stimulate the flow of Qi and blood and break through barriers, breathing techniques are indispensable.

Breathing techniques involve breathing in and out with specific rhythms to connect with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and stimulate the accumulated Qi and blood within the body.

Transforming stillness into movement, like a surging river, it breaks free from the shackles of the physical body and overcomes the barriers of one's realm.

These three elements combined form the complete foundation of acquired martial arts.

"You have just entered the Body Tempering Stage, and the road ahead is still long."

The leather barrier is divided into three levels: cowhide, stone, and copper. Further on, there are the flesh barrier, tendon barrier, and bone barrier. Each barrier is harder than the last.

Only by first solidifying one's external physical body can one later be qualified to climb the three levels of internal cultivation, opening the meridians and gathering qi to achieve acquired perfection.

"Once you enter the inner courtyard, with Master Ning's guidance and the complete breathing technique to assist you, you will be able to temper your flesh and skin more quickly, break through the skin barrier, and even reach higher realms. Don't waste this opportunity!"

Lin You was deeply moved and bowed respectfully, saying, "This disciple will remember Master Shi's teachings! I will certainly not fail to live up to your expectations!"

Shi Yuan nodded in satisfaction, said no more, and led Lin You directly towards the inner courtyard.

As the group of students from the outer academy watched the two figures depart, a mix of emotions—envy, excitement, and inferiority—was stirred within them.

Fang Xia slowly composed herself from the corner, memorizing every word Shi Jian said.

The four major challenges of body tempering, the distinction between training methods, fighting techniques, and breathing techniques...

With a clear path forward in martial arts, he felt even more determined.

Watching Lin You's departing figure, Fang Xia felt no jealousy, but rather grew even calmer.

Yi Shang's innate talent is already beyond the reach of ordinary people. It is only natural that he achieved minor success in the Half-Month Three Yang Stance and entered the inner sect to receive the breathing method.

Although he has average natural talent and aptitude, he has his own path in martial arts.

Silently lowering his shoulders and elbows, he stabilized the Three Yang Stance once again, allowing the Qi within his body to flow slowly.

.........

As the sun set, Fang Xia slowly finished her practice and exhaled a long breath.

The turbid air settles on the ground and turns into mist, carrying a hint of heat, which is a sign that the blood and qi are about to sprout.

Fang Xia moved her stiff limbs, and her bones made a series of slight cracking sounds.

He felt his meridians were relaxed and comfortable, his previous fatigue was swept away, and a surge of vitality arose within him.

Without making a sound, Fang Xia observed the faint golden characters in his consciousness, which had already changed slightly.

[Introduction to Sanyang Zhuang (87/100)]

In just one afternoon of practice, his progress had increased a little.

Fang Xia was secretly delighted; the "late bloomer" destiny was indeed mysterious.

With endurance far exceeding that of their peers, their vital energy and blood, though developing slowly, are continuous and have a strong staying power, which is precisely the result of their destiny working silently.

After finishing her practice, seeing the sun setting, Fang Xia straightened her clothes and turned to go home.

But after taking only two steps, three figures came from the side and behind, walking alongside Fang Xia.

Meng Zhang, who was in the lead, had a smile on his face and a warm look in his eyes.

Lu Sheng, standing beside him, had a cold and stern face, calm and unwavering eyes, and an air of aloofness about him.

Zhang Yuan, on the far right, had a glint in his eye and a calculating look on his lips, glancing at Fang Xia every now and then.

Like Fang Xia, all three had a C-grade aptitude.

Lu Sheng's innate talent is at the C level, making him the most outstanding among the three.

Meng Zhang and Zhang Yuan, like Fang Xia, are both of the lowest rank (C).

Meng Zhang spoke first, cupping his hands and smiling, "Brother Fang, please wait!"

You saw Lin You's breakthrough just now, didn't you? It was truly amazing!

Meng Zhang's words were full of emotion, and his eyes revealed his envy.

"In Heishan County, the number of people with the highest aptitude for the second rank is at most two palms' worth each year."

Lin You achieved minor mastery of the Three Yang Stance in just half a month, refining his Qi and blood and unlocking the body's tempering barrier.

In my opinion, he will definitely pass the county examination and become a martial arts scholar within three years!

Upon hearing this, Fang Xia nodded slowly, her expression calm yet showing a hint of agreement.

"Brother Meng is absolutely right."

Yi Shang's aptitude was already exceptionally gifted, and Lin You's cultivation speed was unmatched by anyone in the outer courtyard of our Sanyang Hall.

For him, passing the county-level examination to become a martial arts scholar was indeed no problem.

Fang Xia paused, then, remembering her martial arts examination achievements, added:

"Once a military officer passes the imperial examination, he will have official rank and will not have to kneel before officials. His family will also be exempt from land and commercial taxes. Even ordinary powerful families will have to give him some respect."

Meng Zhang nodded repeatedly, his face filled with even more envy.

Dispelling his envy, Meng Zhang changed the subject, asking with a hint of probing, "I wonder how Brother Fang's progress with the Three Yang Stance is going?"

When will I be able to achieve a minor level of mastery, condense my qi and blood, and cross the threshold of body tempering?

Fang Xia raised her eyes and said calmly, "No rush. We don't have a clue yet. Let's solidify our foundation first!"

He is naturally calm and composed, and with the blessing of a "late bloomer" destiny, he is not in a hurry to achieve success.

This answer came from the bottom of my heart.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yuan jumped out, a hint of sarcasm flashing across his face.

His tone was sharp and sarcastic, and he deliberately raised his voice.

"Brother Fang, aren't you being too modest?"

Speaking of which, Brother Fang, among all of us apprentices, you were the first to master the Sanyang stance.

Even Lin You is inferior to you by three points; Master Shi personally praised your comprehension.

How come Brother Fang says he has no clue now that Lin You has already broken through?

Is this just a way of brushing us off?

Zhang Yuan's words were full of provocation, and he made no attempt to hide his smugness.

Fang Xia was fully aware of this.

Zhang Yuan is deliberately trying to antagonize me!

Lin You has just broken through to the next level and has been accepted into the inner sect by Master Shi. He has unlimited potential and a promising future.

Zhang Yuan did this simply to curry favor with Lin You.

Sanyang Hall wasn't very big to begin with, so it wouldn't be long before the news reached Lin You's ears.

As is well known, although Lin You has outstanding natural talent, he has always been jealous of Fang Xia's superior comprehension.

Zhang Yuan deliberately stirred up trouble, hoping to take advantage of Bo Linyou's favor.

Fang Xia never bothered to waste words on such a petty person, nor would she give him the slightest bit of a friendly look.

Fang Xia ignored Zhang Yuan and slowly turned her head to look at Lu Sheng, who had a cold expression on his face.

With feigned surprise, Fang Xia asked in a questioning tone, "Brother Lu, did you hear the dog barking?"

I think I heard a dog barking; it was very noisy.

Although Lu Sheng has a cold personality, he has always been rational.

However, he and Lin You were secretly at odds, so he naturally wouldn't let Zhang Yuan act arrogantly here.

Upon hearing this, Lu Sheng raised his eyes and glanced at Zhang Yuan, then revealed a perfectly timed look of surprise.

"A dog barking? I've never heard that before!"

Didn't Shi Shi's big black dog die a few days ago?

I haven't heard anything about him adopting another black puppy.

Fang Xia pretended to suddenly realize something, sighed repeatedly, and put on a guilty look on her face.

"Oh, really? I must have misheard!"

Perhaps I've been practicing standing meditation for too long today, and I'm feeling dizzy and confused..."

The two of them sang in unison, making Zhang Yuan tremble with anger.

His eyes instantly turned bloodshot, his hands clenched so tightly they cracked, and his chest heaved violently.

He couldn't wait to rush up and confront the two of them.

But when Zhang Yuan looked up and saw that Fang Xia and Lu Sheng were looking at him with hostility, his arrogance immediately vanished.

Neither Fang Xia nor Lu Sheng are easy to deal with; if they really fight, he will definitely not come out on top.

Zhang Yuan gritted his teeth, but ultimately chickened out.

He didn't dare utter a single harsh word and slunk away.

Zhang Yuan's initial arrogance followed by his obsequiousness drew sidelong glances and murmured sneers from the surrounding youths.

After a brief burst of laughter, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast long, thin shadows of the boys.

Seeing Zhang Yuan leave in a disheveled state, Fang Xia and Lu Sheng exchanged a glance and both revealed a smile.

Lu Sheng was the first to suppress his smile, regaining his cold demeanor as he looked at Fang Xia with a certainty in his voice.

"Brother Fang, within half a month, I will definitely be able to master the Three Yang Stance, condense my Qi and blood, and enter the Body Tempering Stage. I hope you won't fall behind."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xia nodded slightly, a hint of certainty flashing in his eyes: "Brother Lu, rest assured, I will not let you down."

Lu Sheng said no more, nodded slightly to Fang Xia, and then turned and walked away into the distance.