Han Ye looked at Widow Liu's fiery eyes, dropped a line, and then slipped away.
Who the heck could withstand this?
A woman in her thirties, fierce as a wolf.
That "Friend of Women" was just too weird.
Didn't you see Widow Liu's man-eating gaze, as if she wanted to swallow him whole?
As he ran and turned another corner, Han Ye came upon the brightly lit Liu Manor. Thinking he had some free time, he wondered if he could try his luck and returned to the bamboo forest and artificial mountain.
He observed the martial artists in the inner courtyard practicing and sparring with each other.
Their movements were nimble, their horse stances solid, their fist winds howling—they carried out each technique with genuine skill. As for the basics, there was no need to say more; they fought excellently.
Han Ye watched with envy.
Accompanying one of the martial artists' thunderous shout, his fist sped up by a notch, and between the opening and closing of his limbs and spine, his body was taut like a bowstring fully drawn, his punches as swift as the wind, his strikes as piercing as arrows.
"Whoosh!"
At that moment, a dazzling green light orb fell to the ground in response.
Han Ye's face lit up with joy.
He hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise tonight.
But he couldn't pick it up now; he could only wait for these martial artists to take a rest first.
The martial artist who had been practicing his punches slowly retracted his fists, his face showing delight, and he turned to his companion and said,
"This Tiger Arm Fist is a horizontal training method that strengthens the shoulders, arms, and bones. After practicing through the summer's heat and winter's cold, I have finally mastered it!"
Looking at these martial artists' arms, as solid and metallic as if they were made of iron, one could not help but feel intimidated, as if just one punch could break bones.
However, the big man's face quickly changed from joy to worry as he sighed,
"But the gap to joining the sect is still very large. Who knows how tough the Dragon Sparrow Sect's trials are? Every year, they weed out a good number of people. This time, it's only because the eldest son of the Liu family advanced to an Inner Sect disciple that the manor got quite a few extra spots. In seven days, the manor will receive a batch of new candidates, and as servants who have long been by the young lady's side, we must not neglect our duties."
After speaking, he began to beat at the wooden stake in the courtyard again.
Upon hearing this, Han Ye mused slowly.
Liu Chengfeng, the eldest son of the Liu family.
He had overheard some old tenant farmers from the manor mention him a few times.
This young man was particularly gifted in martial arts, and at a young age, he possessed the strength to fight a hundred men. After studying martial arts in the state's dojos and returning home, he had left Liu Manor and not returned for several years.
Now, it seemed that he had joined the Dragon Sparrow Sect and become a cultivator.
And he had become an Inner Sect disciple, which indicated he was indeed a gifted candidate.
Liu Lingqi, the young lady of the Liu family, probably returned this time aiming to follow in her brother's footsteps.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
One by one, the robust martial artists in the courtyard struck a man-high wooden stake with their arms, emitting powerful thumps.
Seeing this, Han Ye's eyes sparkled as he took a deep breath.
He knew full well that only by learning martial arts and then pursuing cultivation could he shed his status as a tenant farmer and truly establish himself in this world.
It seemed that picking up attributes could change one's destiny.
And learning martial arts offered a way out.
Two hours passed, and it was deep into the night.
The martial artists finally left one after another, and the vast courtyard became desolate.
Only then did Han Ye approach to pick up the attribute.
"Attribute picked up: Fist Technique Proficiency +5"
"Do you wish to absorb?"
"Fist Technique Proficiency (Green): Your fist technique is highly skilled, deeply mastered, and you have a slight advantage in comprehending the art of boxing."
"Fist Technique Proficiency (5/100): Your fist technique is highly skilled, deeply mastered, and you have a slight advantage in comprehending the art of boxing."
Let me absorb it!
As the "Fist Technique Proficiency" attribute was absorbed into his destiny,
He found his hands unconsciously clenching, his arm muscles trembling slightly, as if he would be uncomfortable without throwing punches.
An addiction seemed to crawl over his body.
But now, he hadn't mastered any specific boxing techniques, and his mind was a blank slate.
However, having spied the martial artists' footwork and boxing moves, he had some impressions in his mind.
Thus, he began to imitate them as best he could, throwing punches with form and mimicry.
Imitating them move for move.
Strangely enough, although his memory wasn't usually impressive, these boxing moves stayed etched in his mind as if carved with a knife once he learned them.
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He had thought he wouldn't remember it all and would quickly forget. On the contrary, every move and stance emerged clearly before him, allowing for practice that was smooth and natural, not at all like a beginner's.
In the shroud of night, scattered stars twinkled, leaving only the whistling of fist winds.
Han Ye had left Liu Manor and was practicing his boxing moves continuously at the base of a large tree by the creek.
This Tiger Arm Fist was not any profound technique but a very simple martial art. One could say that without secret medicines to aid cultivation, its limit was always the peak of horizontal training in the Outer Sect.
But Han Ye practiced with great enthusiasm.
Because he knew that even with a destiny that allowed him to pick up attributes, a great deal of effort was still required to make up for his own shortcomings.
What is building up a strong foundation over time?
It is to remain quiet until bursting forth with a startling display.
Others needed a long, hard cultivation to enter the door of the Tiger Arm Fist, but he, with his ability to pick up attributes, entered easily and progressed rapidly.
With such talent, one must seize the opportunity to use it.
He had already gained quite an advantage over others.
With each punch and movement, his sweat splashed about, soaking Han Ye through and through.
His legs gave out, and he lay directly down on the Reed Marsh behind him.
He was gasping for air, feeling his physical strength completely overdrawn, at his limit.
Practicing the Tiger Arm Fist, especially after perfecting the movements, consumed a great deal of energy.
Even though the benefits of the "as strong as an ox" attribute were slowly restoring his energy, he didn't feel like moving for a while.
So there he lay, on the grass mat, looking up at the stars in the sky.
The silver splendor of the bright moon sprinkled upon the reeds, giving them a dazzling crystalline glow.
"I can't go on like this. Although I have the strength of an ox, to endure high-intensity training, my body must replenish a lot of energy. The martial artists in the courtyard eat meat and tonics daily to nourish and condition their bodies, which is why they can maintain their training."
"I'm just a tenant farmer. Trying to practice martial arts with steamed buns and plain porridge is too difficult; I must improve my diet."
Han Ye seemed to realize this and sighed such thoughts.
Because after a period of practice, he had understood that he must train the strength in his limbs and torso to be solid and flexible enough to practice these powerful moves.
Otherwise, there would be no effect.
Any technique without the support of strength is but an empty shell.
Having understood all this, Han Ye rested for a while, took a bath in the creek, and then returned to his cottage.
He pulled out the little bit of copper coins saved in the layers of his straw mattress.
These were all that his deceased mother had left him.
He made a certain decision on the spot.
...
The next day.
Early morning.
"Hurry up, hurry up, we need to reach Black Cliff Forest by noon today. There are many mushrooms and herbs in the forest that must be taken to the Wan Chun Hall in the county to sell before it gets dark."
"Be cautious of wild beasts, or it'll be your own bad luck."
Manager Liu, with a roll-up cigarette in his mouth, sat on horseback, took a few puffs from his pipe, and seemed to revel in enjoyment while loudly reminding everyone.
Han Ye, among the crowd, quietly edged closer to the horses and whispered,
"Manager Liu, Manager Liu, I want to ask, is the western side of Black Cliff Forest full of wild beasts?"
"Yes, what about it?"
Manager Liu glanced at Han Ye indifferently.
He remembered this young kid; he was said to be literate, and the village children quite liked him. Usually, he worked silently.
"Nothing much, just asking."
Han Ye slipped several copper coins into Manager Liu's outstretched hand.
Manager Liu's eyebrows rose.
"What's this..."
"Buy some good tobacco, manager. I want to have an easy day today."
Manager Liu's lips curled into a smile, silently pocketing the copper coins, his mood visibly brightened as he nodded,
"I've realized that we still need someone to watch over the area around the camp. Today, you just stay near the camp, don't wander too far."
"Okay, understood!"
Han Ye readily agreed.
Today, since he had come to Black Cliff Forest, he had to make a big move.
He couldn't return empty-handed.
...
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