The largest courtyard of the Martial Hall.
Lin Chen and Lu Yongfeng's group stood here, waiting for the instructors to arrive.
Lin Chen was the only one present whose strength had not yet reached five hundred jin.
Even compared to the weakest, Yan Dexing, there was still a gap of more than a hundred jin between them.
In the past, students with such a disparity wouldn't have even earned a second glance from Yan Dexing and the others, but at this moment, the gazes of all five kept circling around Lin Chen.
"Junior Brother Lin, how did you do it?"
Zhao Jingchuan still hadn't recovered from the shock. Gaining fifty jin in strength in just a few days—were you trying to defy the heavens?
"I just trained my punches like this," Lin Chen replied very modestly.
"What do you eat every day?" Lu Yongfeng asked in a deep voice.
"Beef and Nourishing Qi Soup."
"That's it?"
"Yes, that's it."
Those two light, casual words—"that's it"—made the five of them fall silent at once.
While Lu Yongfeng and the others were silent, outside the courtyard gate, Yu Yongnian and the other two instructors were also talking.
"Brother Yu, tell us the truth—did you really not give Lin Chen any special help?"
"No."
Yu Yongnian smiled. He knew the two of them wouldn't believe it, but that was the truth.
"Then that's truly strange. Relying only on the cafeteria's beef and Nourishing Qi Soup, how did Lin Chen manage this?"
Instructor Liu held a booklet in his hand. It recorded every student's spending in the cafeteria, and Lin Chen's expenses were clearly listed.
As instructors, the three of them not only received stipends from the Martial Administration, but they also took a cut from the cafeteria expenses of the students they taught.
Yu Yongnian didn't care about these commissions. He was alone with no family and had no further ambitions in martial arts. The stipend from the Martial Administration was more than enough for him.
This was also why, when students first entered the Martial Hall, he reminded them not to pursue quick success.
"What a pity. If Lin Chen had improved his meals earlier, he might have been able to challenge cultivating refined qi within a year. But now, it's a bit late."
There was regret on Instructor Chen's face. Even though Lin Chen's strength was growing rapidly now, once he reached five hundred jin there would be another hurdle, and after five hundred fifty jin, every additional ten jin would be a hurdle. There were already not many days left before the one-year period ended.
"Not necessarily. Maybe Lin Chen can give us a surprise," Yu Yongnian said with a smile.
"Unlikely. There's too little time. If Lin Chen had another three months, I wouldn't doubt it—but unfortunately, there are less than two months left now." Instructor Chen shook his head, still unconvinced that Lin Chen could do it.
"Whether Lin Chen can do it or not is a matter for later. Right now, the three of us need to put Lu Yongfeng and the others through special training."
Special training!
It was something that happened every term in the Martial Hall, aimed at students who had a chance to cultivate refined qi within one year.
The Martial Hall indeed only taught Warm Sun Fist, but if a student was just one final step away from cultivating refined qi, the instructors would lend a hand.
Yu Yongnian and the other two stepped into the courtyard. Seeing the silent Lu Yongfeng group, there was a hint of surprise in their eyes.
"From now on, the three of us will conduct special training for you, helping you break through the obstructed points in your qi and blood. Lu Yongfeng, come here."
Instructor Liu spoke first. Lu Yongfeng walked over, while Lin Chen and the others watched curiously.
"Perform a set of Warm Sun Fist."
"Yes."
Lu Yongfeng began punching, the wind whistling with each strike. Instructor Liu watched closely. After Lu Yongfeng finished, he suddenly grabbed Lu Yongfeng's right hand and pressed a finger against the area under his armpit.
In just three breaths, Lu Yongfeng's entire right arm swelled and turned purplish red.
"When your qi and blood flow reaches this point, it's obstructed. From now on, focus on repeatedly practicing the ninth move of Warm Sun Fist."
"Thank you, Instructor."
Joy appeared on Lu Yongfeng's face. Zhao Jingchuan and the other four also became excited, but there was confusion in Lin Chen's eyes. Why hadn't the instructors pointed this out earlier, instead of waiting until now?
It couldn't have been to create tension, could it?
Yu Yongnian glanced at Lin Chen. Seeing the confusion in his eyes, he knew this disciple of his lacked some knowledge in martial arts, so he spoke up:
"Only when qi and blood reach a certain level, when one is just one step away from cultivating refined qi, can we instructors perceive where the qi and blood are obstructed."
Hearing the explanation, Lin Chen suddenly understood.
If the body's meridians were compared to pipes, each pipe had a thin membrane acting as a barrier.
To cultivate refined qi, all these membranes had to be broken through. But because qi and blood were not vigorous enough, or for other reasons, when breaking through these checkpoints, the membranes weren't completely destroyed. Though pierced, remnants remained. This caused the flow of qi and blood to fail to reach its maximum speed, preventing the condensation of refined qi.
"From today onward, you will also practice in this courtyard. The cafeteria will deliver meals here. As for the three taels of silver rewarded by the Martial Administration, I'll directly record them as cafeteria expenses for you."
"Thank you, Instructor." Lin Chen's face was full of gratitude.
Next, the three instructors each pointed out the areas that Zhao Jingchuan and the other four needed to train individually. Lu Yongfeng and the others didn't waste any time and quickly threw themselves into it.
One move, one punch, one sweeping kick…
Repeated again and again. The instructors didn't call for a stop, and none of the five stopped.
Grinding!
Lin Chen felt the intensity of the grind, and he also felt the firm resolve in these five men's hearts toward martial arts.
He himself wanted to change his fate—and his family's fate.
Lu Yongfeng and the other five were the same. Different backgrounds meant different pursuits, but what they shared was an understanding of the importance of learning martial arts.
Lin Chen also threw himself into it. He wanted to catch up to Lu Yongfeng and the others by the end of the month, racing against time as well.
No one slacked off—there was only voluntary extra training.
With beef in unlimited supply every day and Nourishing Qi Soup as well, there was no issue of overtaxing the body.
…
…
Eight days later!
Lin Chen spoke up once more: "Instructor, this disciple would like to try the five-hundred-jin stone pier!"
Nearby, Lu Yongfeng and the others, who were diligently practicing their punches, froze mid-movement at the same time.
Had they heard wrong?
Lin Chen was saying he wanted to lift the five-hundred-jin stone pier—not four hundred seventy, four hundred eighty, or something like that?
"Alright!"
Yu Yongnian's pupils contracted slightly. He turned and walked out of the courtyard, and shortly after returned, carrying the five-hundred-jin stone pier in one hand.
Lin Chen walked up to the stone pier. At this moment, Lu Yongfeng and the others completely stopped, wanting to see whether Lin Chen could truly lift the five-hundred-jin stone pier.
Instructor Liu wasn't present, and Instructor Chen, driven by curiosity, stood directly in front of Lin Chen, staring intently at him.
[2513/3000]
Lin Chen took one last look at his qi and blood panel, bent down, and grabbed the handles of the stone pier. Though it was strenuous, he ultimately lifted it.
Yu Yongnian was beaming with smiles, and Instructor Chen's eyes shone brightly as well.
Lu Yongfeng and the others, however, had their mouths twitching as they exchanged looks, not knowing what to say.
"It's fine. He's only at five hundred jin—we're already at five hundred ninety. There's no way he can surpass us," Yan Dexing said, comforting the group.
"I admit Lin Chen surprised me, but there's absolutely no way he can catch up to us. I'm confident I'll cultivate refined qi before the end of this month," Lu Yongfeng said, lips pressed together, arrogance in his words.
Zhao Jingchuan and the other three felt the same. There was no hatred between them, but no one wanted to be outdone.
Originally, the five of them were competing among themselves. Now they also had to guard against Lin Chen catching up.
"Today, disciple Lin Chen of the He'an Town Martial Hall, whose strength was four hundred jin last month, has increased his strength by one hundred jin in fifteen days. Verified by: Yu Yongnian."
Yu Yongnian's expression was solemn. After saying this, a smile returned to his face. "Lin Chen, you've broken through a hundred jin of strength in one month. According to the Martial Administration's notice, you are entitled to a reward of ten taels. The Martial Hall will issue it to you tomorrow."
Hearing Yu Yongnian's words, Instructor Chen glanced at him, his eyes carrying a smug look of seeing through everything. Yu Yongnian had said he hadn't given Lin Chen special treatment—yet he had been helping Lin Chen all along.
Under normal circumstances, to receive silver, the Martial Hall would report to the city's Martial Administration Office, which would then disburse the funds. At the fastest, it took three to five days; slower cases took ten days to half a month.
"Thank you, Instructor."
Lin Chen didn't know the inside details and thought the Martial Hall directly distributed the silver to the students.
Yu Yongnian didn't explain further. He knew Lin Chen's family situation—Lin Chen probably didn't have much silver left on him. Since the Martial Administration took time to release funds, he simply advanced the money to Lin Chen first.
A young man with ambition should not be let down.