The next morning.
Name: Jiang Ning
Source Energy: 3.9
Skill:
Reading and Writing (Break Limit 1 time 69/2000) (Trait: Unforgettable)
Five Animals Fist (Beginner 4/100)
When he opened his panel, he was instantly stunned.
"Did my Source Energy really increase by 0.3 in one day?"
"This is the only time my Source Energy has increased by 0.3 in over two months!"
"This proves my previous deduction was correct! The increase in Source Energy is related to the energy intake of the day!"
"Yesterday I consumed one-tenth of a Wild Ginseng, as well as a bowl of medicinal soup from the Martial Arts Hall, along with meat and a large amount of rice. That's why I was able to achieve an increase of 0.3 Source Energy in one day."
He pondered thoughtfully, gradually understanding the logic behind the increase in Source Energy.
"It seems in a few days I'll need to find a way to make money! Without money or supplements like Wild Ginseng to support my strength training, the growth of Source Energy will slow down!"
At this moment, he had a deeper understanding of the phrase "poverty hampers martial progress."
Wealth was too important for his martial arts training!
Five Animals Fist Experience Value +1
...
Five Animals Fist Experience Value +1
This practice session has added a total of 2 points to your Five Animals Fist Experience.
Skill: Five Animals Fist (Beginner 6/100)
"I've reached five percent of the journey from Beginner to Mastery in Five Animals Fist!"
Jiang Ning clenched his fists again. Qi Blood Power circulated and surged into his right fist.
"Having Qi-Blood running through one arm is considered small success of Qi Blood, and I'm still far from that!"
A new idea suddenly emerged in his mind.
I wonder what trait Five Animals Fist will produce when I Break Limit?
At this thought, he shook his head slightly, "I'm getting ahead of myself! Martial Arts Skills also progress through beginner, mastery, small success, great success, and perfection. Only after reaching Perfection can one Break Limit. Given the current rate of earning Five Animals Fist experience, who knows how long it will take!"
Then, Jiang Ning approached the stone lock again.
He grabbed the hundred-pound stone lock with his right hand and lifted it off the ground with ease.
"It's even easier than last night; it appears my physique has grown stronger!"
Feeling the change in strength, Jiang Ning was secretly thrilled.
The feeling of constant improvement was somewhat addicting.
He wished he could spend all twenty-four hours of the day practicing his fist and grinding for experience.
"Don't rush! Don't rush!," he admonished himself, shaking his head, "Being impatient for quick results isn't good! There's a limit to what the body can endure! My rate of improvement is already far beyond that of an ordinary person, and besides, any bottlenecks are ineffective against me. That's one of my biggest advantages!!"
Elsewhere.
Jiang Li, who had just stepped out of his room, saw Jiang Ning lifting the stone lock to test his strength. His eyes narrowed involuntarily, and a hint of surprise flashed through them.
My younger brother's strength seems to have improved again; it's even more effortless than last night when he lifted this stone lock.
At that moment, Jiang Ning set down the hundred-pound stone lock and approached another one that weighed one hundred and fifty pounds.
He exerted force with his right hand, and three corners of the stone lock left the ground instantly, but he was unable to lift the final corner.
"It seems I still fall short of the strength needed for one hundred and fifty pounds. I should be between one hundred and ten to one hundred and twenty pounds. The growth of strength in the early stages is indeed rapid!" Jiang Ning shook his head slightly, giving up on the idea of continuing the strength test.
Afterwards, as he rested and recovered his strength, he picked up the book from last night and slowly flipped through it.
Literacy and Judgement Experience +1
...
Literacy and Judgement Experience +1
...
"Little brother, come and have your meal!"
A voice called out, and Jiang Ning stopped flipping through his books, closing the one in his hands.
[Reading and writing this time has increased your experience by 6 points.]
[Skill]: Literacy and Judgement (Once Break Limit 75/2000) (Trait: Unforgettable)
"It's still the simplest to gain experience in Literacy and Judgement!" Jiang Ning deeply understood.
...
Arriving in the main house, the steaming white porridge was already set out on the wooden table, with some minced meat floating in it.
"Little brother, hurry up and eat! After eating, shall I take you to the Martial Arts Hall?" Jiang Li skillfully served a bowl of white porridge to his wife Liuu Wanwan, while speaking to Jiang Ning.
"Are you coming with me to the hall today, big brother?" Jiang Ning asked, a bit surprised.
"Mm-hmm!" Jiang Li nodded, "Yesterday, Xu Yunfeng followed you all the way back. I plan to start escorting you to and from the hall from today onwards. With me there, Xu Yunfeng wouldn't dare to touch you!"
"That won't do!" Jiang Ning shook his head as he continued, "If big brother comes with me, it won't be safe for sister-in-law and the two children at home."
Jiang Li confidently said, "You don't need to worry about this matter, little brother! I have already made arrangements. There will be sworn brothers from the government office patrolling this area."
Liuu Wanwan also made a reasoned remark at this moment, "Little brother-in-law, don't worry about us three. After all, your big brother is a man of the government office, with an official record. Xu Yunfeng is a smart man, and smart men wouldn't do something as outrageous as forcibly entering the residence!"
"Before the end-of-year assessment at the government office, there should be no accidents happening to us three, nor to your big brother. But you are different! You are susceptible to all sorts of mishaps on your daily route to and from the Martial Arts Hall!"
Jiang Li then smiled and continued, "Your sister-in-law is right, and besides, whether or not you can become a disciple of the Martial Arts Hall is the most critical issue right now. Your achievements concern both your sister-in-law and me. Under such circumstances, how can we take your safety lightly?"
Jiang Ning quietly listened to his brother and sister-in-law's discourse, feeling deeply moved in his heart.
How could he not understand that their words were certainly not made up on the spot?
His brother and sister-in-law must have talked through the night to have such a conversation today.
He shook his head firmly again, "Big brother and sister-in-law, do not worry. I plan to stay in the Martial Arts Hall from now on!"
"Stay in the Martial Arts Hall?" Jiang Li suddenly looked up.
Jiang Ning nodded, "Yes, I plan to ask Hall Master Wang Jin for something to do, and then I'll stay at the Martial Arts Hall during this period."
"Is that... feasible?" Jiang Li hesitated.
Jiang Ning also shook his head, "I don't know if it's feasible, but I want to try!"
"Alright then!," Jiang Li decisively nodded, "There's no harm in trying. If you can stay at the Martial Arts Hall, it'll definitely help with your martial arts training. It saves you running back and forth every day, and you'll indeed be much safer. Later when we go to the Martial Arts Hall, I'll take you one more time."
"Okay!" Jiang Ning nodded, no longer objecting.
...
A short while later.
They finished breakfast.
"Big brother, wait here a moment!"
Before leaving, Jiang Ning returned to his room for a brief time, then emerged again in just a few breaths.
"Little brother, what are you carrying there?" Jiang Li asked, noticing something bulging at Jiang Ning's waist.
Jiang Ning smiled, "Just a little something for self-defense!"
As he spoke, he also patted the area around his waist.
What he carried was not something else but the lime powder often seen in historical TV dramas.
Though lime powder may seem like a trivial item, it was undeniably a great thing to have in close combat.
He also carried a book on his person, which was to be used for accumulating Literacy and Judgement Experience during his spare time.
...
Two hours later.
The two arrived at the entrance of Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
The journey was free of any incidents.
"Go back!" Jiang Ning said.
"Okay!" Jiang Li nodded before adding, "I will come by again in the afternoon."
Jiang Ning smiled, "Don't worry, big brother! I'll make sure the hall master keeps me on."
After saying this, he strode toward Canglang Martial Arts Hall's entrance.
Watching Jiang Ning vanish into the hall, Jiang Li also turned and left.