At the age of 32, Li Wei found himself surrounded by the warmth of his home, his wives bustling about with a mix of concern and admiration. They were gathered around him, discussing his latest adventure in the gorge, where he had somehow managed to fall off a cliff and return with a glowing herb.
"Husband, are you sure you're alright?" one of his wives asked, her brow furrowed in worry. "You said you took quite a tumble."
Li Wei waved a dismissive hand, trying to downplay the concern that shone in their eyes. "I'm fine! Just a few scratches. I've survived worse—remember the time I tripped over that log and rolled into the mud?"
His wives exchanged concerned glances. "This is different," another wife insisted, her voice laced with anxiety. "What if you had been seriously injured? What if something had happened to you?"
"Come on, I'm tougher than I look," Li Wei replied with a reassuring smile. "Besides, I need to learn a new body forging technique to absorb all the medicinal properties of the Azure Starlight Mushroom. I want to become a later-stage second-rate martial artist."
The worry didn't leave their faces. "We just want you to be safe, Husband," one wife said softly, placing a hand on his arm. "You can't keep putting yourself in danger like this."
Li Wei nodded, appreciating their concern. "I understand. I'll be careful. But to reach the peak of second-rate martial artist level, I need to master at least four more body forging techniques. That's good enough for me."
He thought about Zhao Jun's advice regarding the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Dojo. "I should check it out," he decided, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
The next morning, with determination in his heart, Li Wei made his way to the dojo. As he approached, the building loomed before him, proud and imposing. He took a deep breath, ready to step into the world of training and self-discovery.
Upon entering, he was met with the smell of sweat and the sound of fists connecting with bodies—a symphony of martial arts enthusiasts. As he surveyed the room, his gaze landed on a middle-aged man instructing a group of students. The man moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, his movements fluid yet powerful.
"Excuse me," Li Wei called out, making his way over. "Are you Master Ren?"
The man turned, revealing a kind smile that belied his strength. "I am indeed. And you are?"
"Li Wei," he introduced himself, offering a slight bow. "I'm here to learn."
"Good to see more eager students!" Master Ren clapped a hand on his shoulder. "But be prepared. Learning isn't just about physical strength. It takes determination, patience, and sometimes a bit of good humor. Now, what can I do for you?"
"Well, I want to learn new body forging techniques in the dojo," Li Wei said, intentionally omitting details about the Azure Starlight Mushroom. He knew that revealing too much could lead to unwanted attention or pressure.
"Very well! I charge a small fee, but I promise the knowledge you gain will be worth it," Master Ren replied, gesturing toward a training area.
Two months passed in what felt like a whirlwind of training and growth. Li Wei trained diligently under Master Ren Shiming's guidance, soaking up knowledge like a sponge. He reached three stars in the new technique, which impressed even Master Ren. "You've made remarkable progress," he said, eyes widening. "What's your secret?"
Li Wei hesitated for a moment, then casually shrugged. "Just a lot of hard work and dedication."
Master Ren raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical but pleased nonetheless. "Keep it up, and you'll go far."
As the training continued, Li Wei's performance soared. His body felt stronger and more resilient, his movements more precise. The bond between him and Master Ren grew, but he still kept the mushroom's secret to himself.
After the two months, Li Wei had reached four stars. One afternoon, after an intense training session, Master Ren was visibly amazed. "You've improved faster than anyone I've seen in years! What did you do?"
Li Wei chuckled, finally deciding to share. "Alright, fine. I had a lucky encounter with the Azure Starlight Mushroom," he admitted, grinning. "That's what helped my progress."
"Azure Starlight Mushroom?!" Master Ren exclaimed, eyes widening in disbelief. "You're telling me your incredible improvement is thanks to a lucky find?"
Li Wei nodded, a proud smile on his face. "Yep! Just a lucky mushroom."
Master Ren shook his head in amazement, a smile breaking through. "You've got some good fortune on your side, Li Wei. Just remember, luck can only take you so far."
As Li Wei continued his training, news of the bandits who had attacked him began to circulate. They called themselves the Crescent Moon Bandits, a group known for their ruthlessness and penchant for trouble. However, unbeknownst to them, they apparently had messed with the wrong guy. A secret information only known to high levels was that they had stolen something precious from someone in the government.
'They will probably send people from above and we will have to assist them.' Li Wei thought.
Master Ren, appreciating the atmosphere of Li Village, decided to move there from Longjiang Town. "You know," he said, helping Li Wei polish his technique one afternoon, "this village has a charm that the city just can't match. Plus, I get to hang out with you and enjoy the peaceful surroundings."
Li Wei grinned. "Welcome to the neighborhood, Master Ren! Just watch out for the magical talking squirrels. They're everywhere."