Wan Jian returns to his clan!

Chapter 74 Boy's Kung Fu, Three Meridians Grand Competition
Lu Wubing feigned disappointment and probed, "Junior brother, I was playful when I was young and wasted my precious time. Now I regret it deeply."

I wonder, what benefits would a foundation of rigorous training from a young age bring to one's spiritual practice?

"It's not surprising that you don't know this since you're a beginner. In the martial arts world, various sects are generally keen to find talented young children, take them under their wing, and teach them from a young age."

On the one hand, it helps cultivate loyalty among disciples; on the other hand, there is a specific need for it.

At this point, Shen Xinzhu didn't hide anything but directly revealed some of the common practices of martial arts sects.

"Leaving aside the cultivation of internal strength, when one is young and has not yet settled one's character, cultivating internal strength is extremely dangerous and difficult to begin with."

As for methods to strengthen muscles and bones, those should be started when one is a bit older.

However, aside from cultivating strength and internal energy, all other skills—such as agility, reaction time, swordsmanship affinity, and even the control of attack distance and timing—must be learned from childhood. This is what sects and aristocratic families refer to as the "Boyhood Skill."

So this is what "childhood training" really means.

Lu Wubing suddenly understood.

He used to think that "virginity training" was about preserving one's virginity.

In fact, this situation was commonplace in my previous life. However, once you enter this field, it's like crossing a mountain to find a completely different one.

They wouldn't delve into the underlying principles.

Those who dance, practice gymnastics, play table tennis, and participate in various competitive sports mostly start training from a young age.

There's a reason for that.

Some people claim that starting martial arts too early will damage their bones and muscles, but they only see one side of the story and not the other.

Martial arts skills are never just about muscles, bones, and strength.

Shen Xinzhu then said, "Starting from a young age has another advantage: it allows the techniques to be ingrained in your instincts during the period of fastest growth."

Just like flexibility, even if an adult trains hard, they can't compare to a six- or seven-year-old child.

Once the optimal time has passed, even putting in ten times the effort will be useless.

The same applies to other abilities...

Starting training at the best time leads to the fastest progress and a solid foundation.

Just like your Wangtianya lineage, in terms of swordsmanship and internal strength, Senior Brother Yue Lingfeng is undoubtedly the best. But when it comes to the depth of one's foundation, one must look to Senior Sister Ouyang.”

"It turned out to be her."

This time, Lu Wubing was genuinely surprised.

"Junior Brother Lu, don't underestimate Senior Sister Ouyang. She laid her foundation at the age of four and began learning martial arts at the age of eight. Under the personal supervision of Senior Uncle Ouyang and Senior Uncle Qin, she used the secret methods of the Heavenly Star Sect to refine her body and sense Qi, so her foundation is almost flawless."

However, this senior sister usually loved excitement and spent her days chasing wild rabbits or catching birds, and didn't pay much attention to practicing martial arts and swordsmanship, which led to her being caught up by several senior brothers.

Even so, her lightness skill was still among the best of all the disciples.

At this point, a hint of envy appeared in Shen Xinzhu's eyes.

I don't know if I envy Ouyang Lan for receiving specialized training from a young age, or if I envy Senior Sister Xiao Lan for being able to happily play around on the mountain every day.

"That's really true..."

Thinking back on the experiences along the way.

Lu Wubing still remembered that Senior Sister Xiaolan's lightness skill was really strong.

Even after I broke through to the [Square Inch Step] mastery level, I still couldn't surpass her.

As for swordsmanship, after practicing with herself for a short time, Senior Sister Xiaolan improved several sword techniques from the [Proficient] level to the [Master] level.

It's not that she lacks talent in martial arts; it's just that she hasn't put in much effort to practice.

With such strong parents and no great ambitions, she couldn't find a reason to train hard.

Seeing Lu Wubing deep in thought, Shen Xinzhu thought he was upset and quickly comforted him with a smile.

"Although Junior Brother Lu did not cultivate a strong foundation from a young age, nor did you begin gathering Qi and nourishing your meridians at the age of eight, your meridians have only been solidified for a short time now. Given the opportunity, there is still some chance to remedy the situation..."

Shen Xinzhu said something she herself didn't quite believe, then changed her tone: "With Junior Brother Lu's intelligence and erudition, a mere difficulty will certainly not be a problem for you."

I heard that my junior brother and senior sister Ouyang traveled south together, slaying bandits, repelling lecherous thieves, and beheading powerful figures in the underworld. They fought over ten battles, never suffering a single defeat. Such talent, such skill, is truly something Xinzhu has never seen before in her life…”

"It can't be that amazing." Lu Wubing was once again certain that Senior Sister Shen was just a complimenter.

This provides a great deal of emotional value.

I don't know if it's an innate personality or something that's been cultivated later in life.
"What I mean is, with your swordsmanship and internal strength, it's a real pity that you're not vying for the top spot in the Dragon Boat Festival Three Sects Grand Competition."

"Is the Three Sects Grand Competition a contest among all the disciples of Wangtian Cliff, Jinyu Hall, and Menghu'ao?"

Lu Wubing's heart stirred.

With the Northern Zhou army now looming large and the Demonic Sect masters heading south, the martial world is in turmoil, and the Tianxing Sect is feeling particularly precarious.

Various conspiracies, intrigues, sowing discord, and assassinations are secretly unfolding every day.

At this time, the Tianxing Sect's decision to hold a grand competition among the three lineages seems rather inappropriate.

Could it be that there's some deeper meaning behind it?
Shen Xinzhu nodded: "It is indeed a competition among the disciples of the three branches of the Tianxing Sect. The sect leader promised that the final winner would not only become the young sect leader of the Tianxing Sect, but he would also give the [Han Hai Xin Jing] as a prize for first place."

Of course, we also need one of the Heavenly Star's secret medicines, the [Glazed Pill]...

Upon hearing this news, the disciples of the three lineages all became excited, rubbing their hands together in anticipation, ready to test their skills.

“A big deal!”

Lu Wubing realized he had underestimated the sect leader.

He understood what was going on as soon as he heard it.

It seems that the sect leader doesn't have much confidence in the future of the Tianxing Sect.

He then decided to offer the position of young sect leader, the sect leader's secret technique, the "Vast Ocean Heart Sutra," and a rare medicine he had never heard of, as stakes in order to win over both Shen Liancheng's and Li Feiying's factions.

For the sake of the sect, he spared no expense.

Well-intentioned.

Without making a significant investment, how can we expect the two seemingly united factions to work together to fight against external enemies?
Of course, he was also hoping that his eldest disciple, Yue Lingfeng, would live up to expectations, suppress all the sixth-generation disciples, and directly seize the position of young sect leader.

In this way, the benefits won't go to outsiders.

The left and right branches are meant to be passed on to the most outstanding disciples. This transfer from left to right achieves the goal, and the three branches are reunited.

The position of sect leader remains with the Wangtianya lineage, which can be said to be a perfect combination of advantages.

"Master, aren't you afraid of messing things up?"

Lu Wubing knew that no matter how perfect the plan was, it was difficult to guarantee that it would be foolproof.

There are bound to be some unanswered questions.

Otherwise, given Yue Lingfeng's renowned reputation and exceptional martial arts and swordsmanship, why would the other two factions agree?

Shen Xinzhu shook her head and sighed, "Uncle-Master Ouyang has calculated that these two lineages down the mountain will have no choice but to accept this proposal."

He offered the "Han Hai Xin Jing" as a reward, knowing full well that my "Jin Yu Tang" lineage would be unable to refuse.

Back then, the [Han Hai Fu Long Sword] was incredibly powerful and imposing, a top-tier divine sword technique in the world... It has been divided into two over the years and has never been fully reassembled.

My father dreamed of this wonderful thing... My brother had been training desperately for months, hoping to win first place.

As for the precious medicine [Liuli Dan], it is said that the Tianxing Sect no longer has anyone who knows how to refine it, and it is the last precious pill passed down from the previous generation.

Whether it's reshaping the meridians to increase the speed of internal energy cultivation, or cultivating the Heavenly Star Sect's external martial arts technique, the [Glazed Golden Body], it has a huge effect.

Uncle Li's cultivation of the [Golden Body of Lapis Lazuli] has reached a critical stage, and he is extremely eager for this elixir. He would fight for it even if it meant sacrificing his foundation.

His disciple, Yu Qingshan, has mastered the true essence of the [Greedy Wolf Shadowless Spear] and is not far from breaking through to the fifth rank, so he still has a considerable chance of achieving final victory.

At this point, Shen Xinzhu secretly glanced at Lu Wubing again.

Their eyes seem to speak volumes.

I believe in you, go for it!

……

(End of this chapter)