CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 49: CHOOSING AN INSTITUTION OF LEARNING

Jiang Shu—

Da Jing Dynasty Language/Writing: Small Success (300/1000)

Horse Stance: Perfection (10/1000)

Famished Tiger Sitting in Cave Stance: Great Success (600/1000)

Famished Tiger Breathing Method: Great Success (600/1000)

Tiger Form Three Styles: Perfection (10/1000)

With Qi Yuan’s sparring guidance and the boost from Fox Bear meat, Jiang Shu’s cultivation of the three methods of martial practice progressed by leaps and bounds, achieving Perfection in the Tiger Form Three Styles today.

The slanting moonlight shone on the small courtyard.

Jiang Shu’s form was like that of a tiger; behind him, the fragrance of the roasting Fox Bear on the grill was pervasive.

Qi Yuan was not sitting on a chair. Having already achieved Perfection in the Famished Tiger Sitting in Cave Stance, he crouched like a tiger and picked up a skewer of meat, the fragrance overwhelming.

He never imagined that the barbecue made by his junior brother could be so delicious.

With a brush of sesame oil and a sprinkle of various spices, the once hard-to-swallow Fox Bear meat transformed into a top-notch delicacy under this simple preparation.

The days he had lived before—what hardships they were!

Fortunately, there was his junior brother.

It was just a pity that this Fox Bear meat alone was hardly enough for him. With Jiang Shu included, the daily consumption increased even more.

In just five days, the Fox Bear meat he had bought from the black market was halfway consumed by the two of them.

"Junior brother, your Tiger Form Three Styles have reached Perfection, but the ferocity—it’s still not strong enough," Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes and leaped up. Having abstained from alcohol for five days, he practiced martial arts for about an hour longer each day than before.

The strength in his body circulated, and he threw a punch.

"In our Pingling County’s martial arts halls, most martial arts are based on visualizing birds and beasts. The Spin Turtle Martial Arts Hall’s practice seeks steadiness of mind. The Antelope Martial Arts Hall emphasizes alertness."

"Therefore, those with a peaceful mindset go to the Spin Turtle Martial Arts Hall to learn. Those of humble birth and cautious characters often train at the Antelope Martial Arts Hall. Matching martial arts with one’s temperament is key to swift progress."

"At our Famished Tiger Martial Arts Hall, we focus on one word: ’kill.’ The Famished Tiger Sitting in Cave Stance is about brewing killing intent. Without sufficient ferocity and killing aura, practicing Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength naturally falls short."

As he spoke and demonstrated, Qi Yuan directed Jiang Shu, his punch bursting forth with an intimidating killing aura. Ever since his overnight conversation with Jiang Shu, it was as if invisible shackles on him were gradually being shrugged off.

He was a true son of Pingling County.

Having lived in Pingling County for twenty years, he understood it even better than Jiang Shu!

The wealthy households. The county government office. More so than the distant mountain, they were a barrier standing before him, weighing on his heart.

In such times, in such a county town... to be as peaceful as a turtle? To be as timid and cautious as an antelope? What use was that!

If one is to learn martial arts, then they should burst forth like a tiger leaving its cave!

Qi Yuan’s practice became smoother and smoother, and he occasionally let out a long roar. His strength circulated without end. Suddenly, it was as if he had broken through some barrier; the strength in his body became unstoppable. The punch he could no longer hold back slammed directly into a stone pile in the courtyard.

BANG!

The stone pile flew up.

Under the moonlight, Jiang Shu looked up and saw a clear Fist Seal where Qi Yuan’s punch had struck the stone pile!

Skin Grinding Realm.

Stone Skin!

Background determines the future. Fortune can create heroes!

If Qi Yuan had been on Xuanxing, with his outstanding martial arts talent, he could have entered an academy, enjoying ample exotic beast meat resources; he would not be merely at the Stone Skin Realm now. Unfortunately...

「Back on Xuanxing, Jiang Shu woke up.」

The morning sunlight had long pierced through the gaps in the curtains, casting its rays upon his bed. He rose and flung the curtains open; outside, the sky was a brilliant azure with soft white clouds adrift.

It was a stark contrast to the gloomy weather of Pingling County.

Unable to resist looking at the glaring sun, Jiang Shu squinted, opened the window, and took a breath of fresh air before turning on his cell phone.

One missed call.

Jiang Shu dialed back, "Uncle Zheng, is there something you need?"

"You lad, why didn’t you tell me about such a big deal? If it weren’t for the martial arts promotional film being broadcast, and Miss Ye adding your personal introduction to it, I wouldn’t have known you’ve achieved Perfection in your Horse Stance."

Zheng Yanbo’s voice carried a hint of complaint, but it was mostly affectionate.

In his estimation, it was indeed possible for Jiang Shu to achieve the full circulation of qi and blood before the college entrance exam.

But actually achieving it and just guessing were two different things!

Moreover, judging by the time, it had been a while since Jiang Shu achieved Perfection in his Horse Stance.

With such talent, given the coming trends, he might well soar with the wind.

"I was just lucky to have achieved it recently; I’m still stabilizing it these past few days."

Jiang Shu felt a bit embarrassed; he had indeed been very busy lately. After shooting the martial arts promotional film, he was practically immersed in martial arts training. His Martial Arts Realm was steadily improving, but he hardly socialized.

Even at home, after having a meal and chatting briefly, he would return to his room to rest immediately.

After his parents went to sleep, he would travel to Pingling County to continue his martial arts practice.

In these five days, his progress in martial arts had far surpassed that of the dozen or so days he spent training while filming the martial arts promotional film!

Jiang Shu’s breath was calm, and on the other end of the phone, Zheng Yanbo’s voice sounded again, "Then do you have a target academy in mind?"

"Shengjing or Jiangnan, perhaps. It depends on the offers from the two major academies. Uncle Zheng, you’re so well-informed; do you have any inside information you can share?" Jiang Shu asked with a smile.

"Oh, only call me Uncle Zheng when you need something, but no calls when you don’t, right? Shengjing Academy and Jiangnan Academy each have their pros and cons. The competition is more intense at Shengjing Academy."

"Jiang Shu, you might be the top in Ji City currently, but Ji City is just a second-tier city, and there’s a huge gap compared to Shengjing. In Shengjing, once a government directive is issued, who knows how many high school students will switch to learning martial arts? Those with extraordinary talent have also reached the full circulation of qi and blood."

"If the talent is the same, what’s competed for in the Late Stage is one’s family background. So, at Shengjing Academy, Jiang Shu, you must prepare for the possibility of becoming the least significant among the best. Don’t lose your heart as soon as you enter."

"Human nature is the same everywhere. When I, your Uncle Zheng, was in Shengjing, I saw countless students from Shengjing Academy. Many were once highly esteemed in their counties or second and third-tier cities, considering themselves prodigies with outstanding academic talent. But after entering Shengjing Academy, they were repeatedly struck down by setbacks, leading to crippling self-doubt."

"As their academic performance declined, they gradually became ordinary. I believe martial arts are the same; mindset is extremely important. You absolutely must prepare for this."

Zheng Yanbo earnestly advised.

"There’s competition everywhere."

Jiang Shu didn’t mind that. The more he understood about Pingling County, the clearer his goals became.

Pingling County’s greatest lack was resources for martial arts cultivation.

As for cultivation methods, he had Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength, enough for him to cultivate to the Bone Forging Realm.

But exotic beast meat was exceedingly rare.

His primary requirement for entering an academy was access to ample exotic beast meat!

Even Fox Bear meat, which wasn’t an ideal match for him, could roughly double his martial arts cultivation speed.

What if he could get enough exotic leopard meat, or even tiger meat, at an academy!

As long as he could achieve Perfection in the three methods of practice—training, nurturing, and combat—he could cultivate internal force.

For Martial Artists on Xuanxing, manifesting ’Ming Jin’ might require talent.

But for him, it simply required resources!

Shengjing, Jiangnan—whichever offered more, that’s where he would go.

"Uncle Zheng, I’m not afraid of competition. I need freedom from worldly distractions and sufficient initial resources for martial arts cultivation. Which academy do you think is better? If Shengjing and Jiangnan aren’t suitable, what about East Sea and Tianshu?"