Three days later,

A faint white glow lingered on the horizon.

After bidding farewell to his three friends, Xiangzi followed a senior brother from the miscellaneous courtyard toward the first-class courtyard.

Baolin Martial Hall was divided into six courtyards, and the miscellaneous courtyard handled all the chores, inside and out, for the vast martial hall.

It didn’t take long to reach an ornate mansion adorned with carved beams and painted rafters.

The courtyard was serene, its scale clearly surpassing that of the third-class courtyard by a wide margin.

Stepping inside, Xiangzi found pavilions and towers interspersed with winding streams and rocks, likely more refined than the grand old mansions of the wealthy in Forty-Nine City.

The interior was a world of its own.

Not only did each person get a clean, spacious single room, but hot water was piped in through brass tubes—a thoughtful touch.

As for clothes and bedding, the servants from the miscellaneous courtyard washed them daily, spotless and crisp, sparing Xiangzi any effort.

The senior brother from the miscellaneous courtyard explained that if Xiangzi felt tired, he only needed to give a heads-up, and meals could be brought straight from the kitchen to his room.

Beyond the usual meat and vegetables, the weekly menu allowed a choice of demon beast meat—not the stale, subpar stuff from the kitchen, but genuine, high-grade demon beast meat.

Additionally, Xiangzi received a wooden token.

With it, he could claim one Skin-Grinding Pill, one serving of Blood Energy Broth, and one portion of Bone-Tempering Powder each week.

Xiangzi marveled inwardly: Just these weekly provisions are worth as much as an apprentice’s tuition.

“You lot are lucky this time,” the senior brother said with a smile. “This treatment’s better than usual—even the outer disciples might not get this much.”

“Thank you, senior brother,” Xiangzi replied, standing at the doorway and clasping his fists in respect.

The first-class apprentice courtyard of Baolin Martial Hall followed a strict rule: the capable rose, the mediocre fell. There was a weekly elimination and a monthly assessment, with no fixed number of apprentices.

A few apprentices noticed the newcomer and, seeing an unfamiliar tall figure, offered distant salutes.

As competitors, their smiles carried a hint of perfunctory politeness and scrutiny.

Xiangzi understood clearly and returned their gestures courteously.

But as he observed these young men, their temples bulging and eyes gleaming with vitality, it was clear they were robust martial artists with strong blood energy—far beyond the spirit of the third-class courtyard apprentices.

Looks like life in the first-class courtyard won’t be easy, Xiangzi thought.

—

After changing into his training clothes, Xiangzi headed to the first-class apprentice courtyard.

When he saw the young martial instructor standing in the training ground, a smile crept onto his face—it was none other than the stern-faced instructor Zhao Mu, still overseeing the first-class courtyard.

Back in the third-class courtyard, Xiangzi had heard from some wealthy disciples that the martial hall had assigned several instructors, but the one in charge was the youngest and most skilled: Zhao Mu.

My luck’s not bad, Xiangzi thought. I keep getting pointers from Instructor Zhao.

Once the apprentices were assembled, Zhao Mu’s voice rang out: “You all know this trial is no ordinary matter, so we’ve skipped the muscle and bone test.”

“But that doesn’t mean training your muscles and bones isn’t important. To withstand the potency of Bone-Strengthening Broth, you need strong muscles, tough skin, and robust blood energy—none can be lacking.”

“Since we have new apprentices today, Qi Ruiliang, step forward! Perform a set of Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art for them to see!”

Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art?

The name alone suggested a technique for tempering muscles and tendons, and Xiangzi’s heart stirred with excitement—this was something the other courtyards couldn’t teach.

No sooner had Zhao Mu spoken than a young man with a jade-like complexion stepped forward, clasping his fists.

This Qi Ruiliang was clearly a standout among the first-class apprentices. As he took the stage, several apprentices cheered softly, calling out, “Young Master Qi is mighty!” Evidently, though he’d only arrived a week earlier, he’d already won over the crowd.

The loudest was a chubby newcomer, Chen Jiashang, his face brimming with enthusiasm, fists raised as if reaching for the sky.

Qi Ruiliang’s lips curved into a proud smirk as he planted his feet firmly in a stance.

Suddenly, his body dipped, and a sharp edge crept into his aura.

Zhao Mu stood with his hands behind his back, giving a barely perceptible nod at the smooth, flowing technique: “Newcomers, watch closely how Qi Ruiliang channels his energy.”

“Your stance must be steady, your foundation solid! Just like training your skin and membranes, tempering muscles and tendons is slow work. Slack off even a little, and the results will suffer.”

“This Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art mimics the spinal structure of dragons and tigers, emphasizing extension and alignment, with each segment connected…”

“Inhale deeply and slowly, sinking your energy to your dantian; exhale steadily and evenly, sending blood energy to your limbs and bones.”

As Qi Ruiliang moved like the wind,

Zhao Mu’s deep voice recited the essentials of the Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art: “Lift energy from the dantian, like a spring surging upward, flowing through the spine and central channel, each segment rising like a dragon. First temper the spine’s dragon, then sharpen the limbs’ edge. Energy surges to the hips, like a hammer lightly striking bronze.”

Xiangzi watched intently. Qi Ruiliang’s blood energy was impressive, but his fierce fist strikes seemed to draw not just from blood energy but from something more.

His movements were fluid, his energy smooth—far beyond Xiangzi’s current level.

To put it simply, Xiangzi’s three pillars of blood energy were formidable, but they were mostly raw strength. Only after learning Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist had he grasped a sliver of energy control.

In contrast, this jade-faced martial artist moved with a natural ease, reminiscent of what Master Lin Junqing had described as “energy follows intent, like an arm obeying the mind.”

Suddenly, Xiangzi’s heart jolted. Energy follows intent?

He couldn’t achieve that yet. Only after practicing Iron Shirt Thirteen Tensions had he gained a faint understanding.

Now, watching Qi Ruiliang’s seamless muscle and tendon flow, Xiangzi realized—this so-called ‘energy’ rises from the dantian, courses through the limbs and bones, and settles into the skin.

Qi Ruiliang’s blood energy wasn’t as strong as Xiangzi’s, yet his energy flow surpassed him. The reason? It had to be this Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art.

Is this the purpose of tempering muscles and tendons? Blood energy rises from the dantian and flows through them?

At its peak, energy follows intent, moving as naturally as a limb?

In a flash, a spark of insight lit up Xiangzi’s mind. Without realizing it, he sank into a Four-Square Horse Stance

.

His thoughts stirred, blood energy surging like a soaring dragon.

Inhale deeply and slowly, exhale steadily and evenly—the essentials of the Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art raced through his mind.

Xiangzi’s form began to unfold!

The other apprentices noticed the tall newcomer stepping onto the field, and a flicker of disdain rose in their hearts. What’s this country bumpkin doing? Can’t he see Young Master Qi is demonstrating?

Chen Jiashang, especially, animatedly recounted Xiangzi’s background, and the elite first-class apprentices’ eyes grew even more contemptuous.

Got in through Lin Junqing’s connections?

Hmph. Who here doesn’t have some backing? Why’s your entry so shameless?

But soon, a few sharp-eyed apprentices frowned—this big guy seemed to have some skill.

Xiangzi’s form stretched out, his skin faintly glowing red. Those with keen eyes could tell he was using Iron Shirt Thirteen Tensions.

Even Qi Ruiliang, mid-demonstration, noticed something unusual about the newcomer.

On the surface, Xiangzi seemed to be mimicking the Dragon Bone Tiger Tendon Art, but in truth, he was applying the skin-grinding energy method of Iron Shirt Thirteen Tensions.

Qi Ruiliang’s eyes narrowed, his heart stirring—This technique?

Unable to pinpoint how to “channel blood energy into the limbs,” Xiangzi was flooding his entire body’s skin with energy, searching for the entry to his bones and tendons.

If you can’t find the gate, just flood the whole system?

What a bold method!

But it came with a catch—his blood energy had to be exceptionally strong to withstand the massive loss and locate that vital energy gate.

Even Young Master Qi grew intrigued, halting his stance to watch Xiangzi with interest.

In that moment, the clumsy newcomer, only a day in the courtyard, became the center of attention.

Even the usually aloof Senior Brother Liu perked up, crouching by the field with his hands clasped, watching closely.

Seeing the old martial artist take notice, even the less perceptive apprentices sensed something extraordinary and wiped the sneers from their faces.

Chen Jiashang’s smug grin froze.