The first of the ninth lunar month was the first day of lessons at Pingxi Prefecture Martial Arts Academy in the current term. This also meant that it was the first lesson the new students of the martial arts academy would attend and the venue was the huge cla.s.sroom in the academy.

Apart from the old students, most of the new students had already arrived and filled the seats of the cla.s.sroom, leaving only a few empty seats. The entire cla.s.sroom was filled with excitement. All of the people were whispering to the people beside them rather excitedly while some couldn't help but look everywhere. The sight before Yan Liqiang's eyes was no different from those university students in lecture halls during their first day of lessons at the university.

Yan Liqiang still came even though he already knew the subject of the first lesson and had even 'gone through' it once.

There were almost no new students who didn't attend the first lesson. Yan Liqiang didn't wish to attract too much unnecessary attention either which is why he came. There was another important reason for it. Yan Liqiang had been clueless about everything that had happened to his body over these two days. Living in Wuyang Village, he couldn't find anyone he could ask. Therefore, he was hoping that he could seize the opportunity to find an academy tutor and ask his question today.

Yan Liqiang held his student ident.i.ty pa.s.s and entered the martial arts academy. By the time he arrived at the huge cla.s.sroom, most of the seats were already taken.

"Yan Liqiang! Here! Here!"

While Yan Liqiang was scanning the surroundings, someone had already stood up from the last row of seats at the back of the cla.s.sroom. He was yelling Yan Liqiang's name and waving at him.

The person who stood up to greet Yan Liqiang was none other than s.h.i.+ Dafeng.

Upon seeing s.h.i.+ Dafeng's face br.i.m.m.i.n.g with enthusiasm, a mysterious warmth filled Yan Liqiang's heart. He smiled at s.h.i.+ Dafeng, then made his way towards him.

Due to the incident from last time, s.h.i.+ Dafeng furiously ripped the announcement that the academy had published. He simply couldn't believe the words which tarnished Yan Liqiang's reputation. In the end, he was forced to withdraw from the martial arts academy, so he ended his studies in advance and was later sent elsewhere by his father.

Yan Liqiang might not have a lot of friends, but s.h.i.+ Dafeng definitely counted as one. Pa.s.sionate, loyal, and responsible; that was who s.h.i.+ Dafeng was.

"So he's the first among the top three in Qinghe County's Martial Arts County Trial…"

"Wow, so young. He's probably fourteen or fifteen years old at most…"

Due to s.h.i.+ Dafeng's yells, many people in the cla.s.sroom spontaneously directed their gazes on Yan Liqiang in unison. The lively cla.s.sroom instantly quieted down for a moment. As newcomers at the Pingxi Prefecture Martial Arts Academy, many new students paid a lot of attention to the top three new students from different counties. Although Yan Liqiang hadn't appeared at the academy over the past few days, his reputation had already spread like wildfire.

As the youngest amongst the top three new students, it was difficult for Yan Liqiang to avoid the attention.

Under the scrutiny of many gazes, Yan Liqiang walked to the row s.h.i.+ Dafeng was sitting in.

Shen Teng was also seated beside s.h.i.+ Dafeng. There was still another seat on the other side of s.h.i.+ Dafeng, so Yan Liqiang went over there.

Previously, Yan Liqiang came to this lesson with s.h.i.+ Dafeng, so they sat together. When Shen Teng came, he sat a few rows away from them. However this time, the seating arrangement for three of them had completely changed and they were gathered together again.

"It's been a few months. You seem to have made progress in your cultivation again, Liqiang. How admirable!" Shen Teng, who lacked youthful vigor, turned his head to face Yan Liqiang and greeted him with a smile.

Unlike s.h.i.+ Dafeng who was pa.s.sionate and outspoken, Shen Teng was always elegant, poised, gentle, and refined. One would have a favorable impression of him after they exchanged a few conversations with him. Yan Liqiang had some fortuitous encounters these few days, so his physical state was at its peak. Naturally, his complexion was quite different than before and it didn't escape Shen Teng's keen observation.

Yan Liqiang's heart was thumped and raced wildly for a moment. After his senses told him that there was no way for Shen Teng to know what was going on with him, and that his words were most likely praises and courtesy, Yan Liqiang smiled. "Please don't ridicule me, Brother Shen. My menial improvement over these two months is nothing like Brother Shen's. If we are going to spar next time, please go easy on me!"

"To be honest Liqiang, since you suddenly appeared and s.n.a.t.c.hed the first position among top three, squeezing me into the second position. I have indeed been forced by my uncle to shut myself in and cultivate painstakingly. I thought initially that I would be able to relax for two months after the martial arts examination and do something I enjoyed, but I didn't expect my plans to be ruined because of this…" Shen Teng sighed and said miserably.

"Fine, fine, let's leave the past behind. Who cares about which position in the top three as long as we tried our best with no regrets? What good will come out of harping about it?" s.h.i.+ Dafeng interrupted Shen Teng then looked at Yan Liqiang. "I've been searching for you for these two days…"

"Oh, why were you looking for me, Brother s.h.i.+?"

"I wanted to ask if you found a place to stay. Out of all of Qinghe County, I think I hit it off the best with you and Shen Teng and we can get along well. These few years in martial arts academy will be fun if the three of us can stay together. We can cultivate together, supervise each other, and spar together…" s.h.i.+ Dafeng chuckled.

Yan Liqiang gave him an apologetic smile. Before he relieved himself of his crisis, he didn't wish to involve anyone whom he considered a friend. "Well… I'm really sorry. I've already found somewhere to stay outside the city!"

"Oh, you're not staying in Three Yuan Street too?" s.h.i.+ Dafeng asked in great disappointment. "The courtyard beside the house I rented is still empty. Never mind that Shen Teng is not living anywhere near the martial arts academy, why did you have to go so far too, Liqiang!?"

"Well first, it's very peaceful there and it's convenient for cultivating. Second, it's cost-effective. Renting a courtyard on Three Yuan Street for three months is probably enough for me to stay outside the city for a year!"

"Where are you staying, Liqiang?"

"In one of the villages near the public road, east of Pingxi City…" Yan Liqiang replied vaguely. There were more than ten villages on that side of the public road that was east of Pingxi City. With this reply, it was enough that he had given Shen Teng and s.h.i.+ Dafeng a vague idea about where he lived.

Qi Donglai was seated in front of Yan Liqiang, in the nine o'clock direction. He was only ten meters away from Yan Liqiang. Yan Liqiang cast a glance at Qi Donglai and realized that he appeared to be very relaxed, leaning against the back of the chair as far as he could. However, his ears were probably already perked up since long ago.

Looking at Qi Donglai, Yan Liqiang secretly and coldly sneered.

Yan Liqiang got the worst of it last time for not taking Qi Donglai seriously. This time, he would definitely not repeat the same mistake again.

The trio who had not seen each other for a long time managed to chat for a while before the academy tutor for the first lesson arrived.

The person who entered was an old man who had an air of arrogance around him and a rather stern expression. After coming in, he stood on the platform and clasped his hands behind his back. He lifted his chin slightly and looked down at the bunch of new students. The entire cla.s.sroom instantly grew quiet.

"The Horse Stance is the result of hard work and persistence over time. Do not be lazy, and make sure your tendons are taut when you a.s.sume the Horse Stance!" This was the first sentence the old man said after the cla.s.sroom went completely silent.

When he saw a number of students being drawn to his words with thoughtful looks on their faces, he spoke again. "You need to be able to hold the stance until you can maintain your entire body in a relaxed manner along with a peaceful state of mind. Only with a relaxed body and tranquil mind will you be close to pa.s.sing the Horse Stance stage."

His two sentences caused all the student's attention to be focused on him. The cla.s.sroom was so silent all of the sudden that one could hear a pin drop.

Seeing so many students around him with their full attention on the old man as they waited for him to continue, Yan Liqiang could only smile wryly in his heart. That was because he knew that the first lesson from this old man would end with another final sentence.

And as expected…

"I will not be coming in for future Horse Stance lessons. This skill will only succeed through practice and not words. My words will not do any good. Go on and practice it independently, spend a few years time. You will achieve a great outcome if you can endure the hards.h.i.+p. That's all, you are dismissed!"

After finis.h.i.+ng that sentence, the old man lifted up the hem of his robe, turned around, and exited the cla.s.sroom. The students in the cla.s.sroom looked at each other in dismay, unable to believe that their first lesson at the Pingxi Prefecture Martial Arts Academy had ended just like that because it only lasted for less than three minutes...

"d.a.m.n, so that's the end of it…?" s.h.i.+ Dafeng had a look of disbelief...

The cla.s.sroom was silent for about half a minute. After seeing that the old man wasn't coming in again, everyone in the cla.s.sroom only realized that the first lesson had indeed already ended.

The new students in the cla.s.sroom were then in an uproar...

"Who was that d.a.m.ned old man?"

"No idea, but he seems to be very strong.."

"He seems to have some very impressive knowledge, but he didn't share all of it…"

The new students broke into discussions.

"Liqiang, let's have lunch together!" s.h.i.+ Dafeng invited Yan Liqiang.

"Brother s.h.i.+, I have something to do in the afternoon. I'll pa.s.s this time…" Yan Liqiang gave s.h.i.+ Dafeng and Shen Teng a smile before he stood up and quickly made his way to the exit of the cla.s.sroom.

"What about you?" s.h.i.+ Dafeng looked at Shen Teng. Shen Teng looked at Yan Liqiang with unswerving determination. "I can't slack either. I need to get back to my training…"

"d.a.m.n, that makes me sound like I'm here to have fun!"

...

Ignoring the noise in the cla.s.sroom behind him, Yan Liqiang exited the cla.s.sroom and looked around the path outside. When he spotted the old man who was leaving martial arts academy and making his way to the foot of the mountain, he quickly chased after him.

"Sir…!"

The old man stopped when he heard Yan Liqiang's voice and turned around to look at him. He sized up Yan Liqiang seriously. After realizing that the clothes Yan Liqiang wore was just of ordinary quality and he didn't seem like some n.o.ble young lord either, that old man's face was instantly filled with arrogance. The expression on his face became stern once again. "I've already said what I needed to say. The rest will depend on your own diligence in practice. Anything you don't understand, you may sign yourself up to study at the Dragon Flag Dojo!"

Song Tianhao, the dojo master of Dragon Flag Dojo, was a famous person in Pingxi City. With his capability which helped many to pa.s.s the Horse Stance stage through the Essence Unifying Post secret technique and concocting Essence Nurturing Pills, the business of his small dojo thrived and many people in Pingxi Prefecture sought his help. Aside from the secret techniques of Essence Unifying Post and Essence Nurturing Pills, there were another three reasons behind Dojo Master Song's fame. First, he was avaricious and wors.h.i.+pped wealth like his life. Using the money he earned from running his dojo, he bought quite a bit of land in Pingxi City and ran different businesses. It could be said that he was a rich and powerful person in the region.

Apart from being avaricious, the second reason which made Dojo Master Song a hot topic among others was the fact that he had eighteen wives. His youngest wife, which he just married last year, had only turned eighteen this year. The third label Dojo Master Song had on him was not a positive one in many people's eyes. Many claimed that he was a sn.o.b...

"Sir, I have already pa.s.sed the Horse Stance stage. But I still have a question in mind. When you mentioned the Horse Stance today, I suddenly recalled something which I wish to ask you…" Yan Liqiang scratched his head and acted like he was an obedient student.

Song Tianhao was slightly taken aback upon hearing that Yan Liqiang had pa.s.sed Horse Stance stage. He thought about Yan Liqiang's age before he softened the tone of his voice. "What is it?"

"After pa.s.sing the Horse Stance stage, I realized that my body can receive the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth's blessing which significantly enhanced my strength by the strength of one horse. I asked around and most people told me that pa.s.sing the Horse Stance stage is the only chance a person can receive the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth's blessing. From that point onwards, no matter what technique one cultivates or how many stages one pa.s.ses, one can only resonate with the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth to allow the cultivation technique's phenomena to emerge but they cannot receive the blessing of the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth. I wonder if this is really true?"

"Yes, of course." Song Tianhao replied emotionlessly.

"Oh. Is there no other exception? Are there any cultivation techniques from which I can obtain the blessing from the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth upon pa.s.sing it...?"

"Of course there are exceptions. But you can forget about those other 'exceptions'." Song Tianhao casted Yan Liqiang a glance and spoke with a slightly mocking tone.

"Why?" Yan Liqiang deliberately made an unconvinced expression. "If others can do it, why can't I? I'm sure you know the saying, 'don't discriminate a poor young man' [1], Sir!"

"HAHAHAHA!!" Song Tianhao roared with laughter, seemingly amused by Yan Liqiang. "It may be possible to use the saying, 'don't discriminate a poor young man' somewhere else, but not here. If we do, then we truly do not know the immensity of Heaven and Earth. Do you know what kind of people are these 'exceptions'?"

"What kind of people are they?"

"People who can once again obtain the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth's blessings after pa.s.sing the Horse Stance stage are the founding fathers of various sects, secret techniques, and battle techniques." Song Tianhao had a look of reverence on his face. "These founders are the people who open up the way of cultivation and comprehend the Great Dao. When they first create an unprecedented secret technique or battle technique, they would resonate with the Heaven and the Earth and gain their approval, thus obtaining the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth's blessings when pa.s.sing the stage or advancing onwards. This blessing is known as Heavenly Bestowment. Heavenly Bestowments may vary, depending on the different secret techniques or battle techniques. The highest number of realms a secret battle technique may possess is already decided the moment these founders create them. The maximum number of Heavenly Bestowments these founders can obtain when they establish it will be the highest realm to his secret battle technique. This is how the realms of various battle techniques came about and are what the later generations can only imitate. Figures who can enjoy Heavenly Bestowments like founding fathers haven't appeared in the entire Great Han Empire for a few centuries. They don't even exist among the four major sects. What makes you think you can compete with these founding fathers who have obtained Heavenly Bestowments?"

"Oh, I see. Thank you for enlightening me, Sir!"

"Young man, do not overestimate yourself just because you have pa.s.sed the Horse Stance stage. Cultivate diligently from now on and strive to become a Martial Warrior. It is much more sensible to aim to get some high-grade conferred fields which can support your family…" Song Tianhao glanced at Yan Liqiang for one last time and left after pa.s.sing on his final piece of advice.

Yan Liqiang watched the Song Tianhao's disappearing silhouette and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Although he seemed calm on the surface, his heart was already racing like crazy. Blood rushed to his head, causing Yan Liqiang to suddenly feel a little dizzy.

Did no one ever think about the possibilities of creating things like blow darts in the Silver Continent? Although the blow darts he made seemed a little wretched and sinister, he was actually the first to create it in Silver Continent...

It was him… He had actually become a founder who could receive the Heavenly Infusion— the founder of blow darts! He had actually blown his way to his t.i.tle of a founder as well as Heavenly Infusion with his mouth [2]!

As expected... His mouth was indeed unrivaled!