[Martial Artist's Log: You trained hard for a day and successfully broke through; Martial Artist Experience +100]
Xu Guang looked at today's Martial Artist settlement on the panel, a hint of excitement flashing across his face.
What a double blessing; this is the first time Martial Artist Profession experience has exceeded beggar experience.
Xu Guang was quite satisfied with this unexpected joy, adjusted his mindset, and quickly resumed standing桩.
After breaking through to the Ninth Grade, the Pile Skill remained effective, but the effects were no longer as apparent.
However, Xu Guang discovered that because his Pile Skill level was sufficiently high, each standing桩 still had significant effects.
"Since that's the case, I'll lay low for a while. After all, achieving Entry Grade in one month is too conspicuous, especially since there's a hidden enemy. If I display too much talent, it might push that person to the brink!"
Xu Guang set his mind to seek the next step in the cultivation technique at the Iron Armor Sect only when nearly three months had passed.
Until then, he would use the Pile Skill to train his vital energy and nurture his flesh.
...
Iron Armor Sect's Teaching Courtyard.
Xu Guang stood in the courtyard, behaving very moderately.
It's worth mentioning that over time, those children had also started practicing the Pile Skill.
"Is that the one with connections? I heard he's related to Senior Sister Zhu."
"Hmph, at such an age, what achievements could he have?"
Xu Guang listened to these youthful voices, his expression unruffled, simply commenting internally.
So what if I'm older? Are you paying for my rice?
He couldn't be bothered with these people.
Unexpectedly, when reaching for his Little Wan Soup, a small hand grabbed his bowl out of nowhere.
Turning around, Xu Guang saw the strongest among the batch of test disciples, also the oldest next to him, already fifteen years old.
"Waste, from today, I'll also train in the Pile Skill. From now on, your soup is mine, got it?"
The boy's appearance was prematurely aged, looking almost thirty.
It's noteworthy that this person was a child from a prominent family in Qingshuo County, a family with considerable assets, albeit slightly less than the Zhu Family.
This remark made Xu Guang chuckle in exasperation.
He hadn't expected to be harassed despite being older.
"Are you talking to me?"
Xu Guang slowly withdrew his hand.
"Why? Waste, don't you understand my words? What achievements can someone like you have in martial arts? You should let me have the decoction. When I achieve Entry Grade, I'll take you as a servant."
Xu Guang's smile grew radiant.
The surrounding children were already watching this scene.
"Do you think he can beat Zhao Fang?"
"Definitely not. Brother Fang started honing his basics at eight and can achieve Entry Grade quickly with Pile Skill, while that waste only started martial arts close to twenty. How could he beat Brother Fang?"
"But he's so much older."
"Being older is useless!"
Listening to the surrounding discussions, Xu Guang's smile became even more radiant.
He was never one to swallow insults quietly. When begging, he'd figure out ways to hit back if robbed; now someone was bullying him directly, how could he allow it?
He stepped forward, his aura suddenly changing, from a weak chick to a fierce tiger ready to pounce.
In full view of everyone, he approached the opponent slowly.
Zhao Fang seemed stupefied with fear.
"Say what you just said, one more time!"
Zhao Fang's face turned pale, devoid of blood, as if facing a terrifying Great Beast in Xu Guang, whose overwhelming presence felt suffocating.
"I... I'm just a kid, you can't hit me..."
"Damn it!"
Slap!
Xu Guang's slap landed.
Thud!
Zhao Fang donned a mask of pain instantly, rolling several times in the snow like a ball before stopping.
Seeing Xu Guang approach again, the fear in his eyes nearly overflowed; he rolled his eyes and fainted from fright.
[Martial Artist's Log: Horizontal Pressure! Horizontal Pressure! After an exhilarating confrontation, you fully exerted your Professional Talent; Martial Artist Experience +5]
Xu Guang stopped in his tracks.
His expression turned quirky.
If that's how it was, it truly was exhilarating.
He suddenly turned, sweeping his gaze over the few boys who had spoken earlier.
"What were you just saying?"
"I..."
"Big brother, it was a misunderstanding..."
Several of Zhao Fang's cronies looked at each other, seeing the fear in each other's eyes.
Don't think that kids don't have circles; children's circles are hard to get into.
Having found such a quick way to earn Experience Points, Xu Guang wasn't ready to give up.
He slowly moved forward, spreading his arms, his fingers splayed.
"My grip isn't strong, just one hit."
"You..."
[Martial Artist's Log: Horizontal Pressure, more Horizontal Pressure! You fought one against three, battling fiercely, winning by luck; Martial Artist Experience +15]
Awesome!!!
Xu Guang was thrilled.
He looked at the kids again, like seeing moving experience dolls.
Such an exhilarating fight was indeed a delight in life.
...
The crowd of children watching was startled by Xu Guang's swift, decisive actions.
To their knowledge, Xu Guang was always amiable, greeting everyone he met. Only later did they hear from Zhao Fang that Xu Guang was being nice because he was too old, unlikely to achieve much in martial arts.
But now...
Is this how you kiss up to people?
They dared not meet Xu Guang's eyes, feeling those eyes were devilish.
Xu Guang looked for a long time, reluctantly withdrawing his gaze. As for the remaining children who behaved, he saw no reason to act.
"Where's your courage? You don't even have the guts to challenge a waste like me, making you more of a waste."
"Alright, time to disperse."
Han Song approached from the side, looking at Xu Guang, "Are you feeling anything in your recent cultivation?"
Xu Guang shook his head, "Still missing something, but I'm naturally strong, Instructor, you know that."
Han Song nodded, saying little, just softly, "These people sometimes go overboard, but don't mind them much; they're just kids after all..."
"Kids mean unlimited potential."
Hence, they, the instructors, weren't too harsh on these children; who knows if any of them might become notable figures later on.
Xu Guang's face remained silent, but in his heart, he had nothing but disdain, pondering whether to revisit some places after dismissal.
It's not good to act against these kids, but when he was a beggar, he had some 'great foes' to deal with.
...
Niu the Third felt recently things were improving for him.
Since being clobbered, begging had been smooth as if overnight the locals became wealthier.
'Could it be that this money used to go to that brat before?' he wondered.
Niu the Third thought, then involuntarily recalled the rascal who had clobbered him.
Begging in his territory and then clobbering him was utterly abhorrent!
Just then, he noticed the alley becoming dim.
Something seemed to block the light.
He looked up to see a tall, hefty man.
The man spotted him and grinned, exposing two rows of spotless white teeth.
"You... It's you!"