Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune: Starting with death row inmates

At this moment, Qin Pi, seeing Shen Chen knock Luo Tieniu more than three meters away from the ring, said gleefully to Luo Xiong, "Fatty Luo, your brother looks fierce, but how come he's actually as fragile as paper?"

Luo Xiong's face was grim, and he didn't answer. He just turned his head and snorted coldly.

"This is the Fang family's Thousand Cloud Hand technique." Tang Long stared intently at Shen Chen, thinking to himself, "Just as I saw it back then, it has the effect of using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds. If I can master it, even Huang Ahu will be no match for me!"

He glanced at Fang Xue below the stage, thinking to himself, "It's a pity Fang Xue didn't believe me back then, and I couldn't get this martial art out of her. Damn it..."

The round of 16 to 8 has ended. Now, besides Huang Sancai, the "Tiger Descending the Mountain," there are four other True Qi martial artists on the field: Shen Chen, the "Ghost Calculator," Hei San, the "Mysterious Iron Hand," Lu Feng, the "Whirlwind Blade," and Wu Long, the "Black Dragon Blade."

Luo Tieniu could have easily made it into the top eight, but unfortunately he ran into Shen Chen, and his ranking was not as high as some of the Visceral Realm martial artists.

At night, Shen Chen, holding the waist token given to him by Huang Sancai, arrived at Huanghu Ridge.

The henchmen guarding Huanghu Ridge saw Shen Chen approaching and immediately reached out to stop him: "This is Master Huang's training ground. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter."

Shen Chen showed the waist token that Huang Sancai had given him, and the henchman immediately stood up straight and said politely, "So you're a friend of Master Huang. I'm sorry for my rudeness. Please, please."

Shen Chen arrived at the top of the hill, where Huang Sancai was practicing his leg techniques in front of a tree as thick as a millstone.

A whip kick suddenly lashed out, accompanied by a loud bang, and the tree trunk was cut in half, sending brownish-yellow wood chips flying everywhere.

"You're here?" Huang Sancai heard the noise, turned his head and nodded to Shen Chen. "I watched your match with Luo Tieniu during the day. You used the Thousand Cloud Hand technique quite well, better than Fang Yong."

"I dare not compare myself to Master Fang," Shen Chen said modestly. Then, looking at the half-remaining wooden stake, he exclaimed sincerely, "Master Huang's kick was as sharp as a knife, his blood and energy were boundless. It was truly formidable."

"We're all brothers, no need to keep calling me 'Master,' just call me Big Brother," Huang Sancai said.

He took a step forward, extended a hand to Shen Chen, and said, "Since you're here, let's have some practice. Try to attack me."

"Alright." Shen Chen didn't say much, and immediately used the Thousand Cloud Hand to attack Huang Sancai.

Huang Sancai easily deflected all of Shen Chen's deadly attacks with one hand. While fighting Shen Chen, he pointed out the problems in Shen Chen's fighting: "Your use of true qi is too superficial. To use true qi, you must first use your muscles and blood! This is the foundation of martial arts. You must never lose the foundation just because you have true qi."

He meticulously listed all of Shen Chen's problems, which enlightened Shen Chen, leading to rapid progress.

Huang Sancai's realm was lower than Qin Pi's, but his teaching level was far superior to Qin Pi's.

Qin Pi is a self-taught martial artist who relies entirely on his talent and skill with his sword. Huang Sancai, on the other hand, is a martial arts master who has taken his path step by step. He knows about most of the cultivation problems Shen Chen has encountered and can offer very practical advice.

Shen Chen and Huang Sancai sparred for an hour before Shen Chen finally put down his fists, feeling thoroughly refreshed. He was drenched in sweat, his inner energy circulating freely, and he felt incredibly happy.

"Thank you so much, Brother Huang!" Shen Chen solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Huang Sancai. After a moment's hesitation, he couldn't help but ask, "Brother Huang and I were complete strangers before. Why are you helping me like this?"

Huang Sancai waved his hand: "I can see that you are insightful and have a high level of understanding. I just cherish your talent."

Shen Chen paused, then asked, "What is 'mind'?"

"Hmm? You didn't know?"

Huang Sancai was slightly taken aback, then realized what he meant and explained the matter of "mind's eye" to him in detail: "When you practice martial arts to the point of forgetting yourself, you will enter this state. Some people call it 'mind's eye,' while others call it 'flow of the mind.'"

"I noticed you because I saw you were in that state during the day," Huang Sancai said.

Shen Chen nodded in realization: "I see."

Huang Sancai continued, "While your hand skills are good, your footwork is still lacking. I'll teach you a set of stance training exercises; you should learn them carefully!"

Afterwards, Huang Sancai taught Shen Chen a set of stance training that was extremely suitable for him: "This stance is called Pear Blossom Stance. It mainly focuses on improving flexibility and bone health. Since you are not muscular, it is perfect for you. It also works well with your Thousand Cloud Hands technique."

[Good Fortune: You have learned the Pear Blossom Pole Kung Fu from Huang Sancai, greatly increasing your strength. Auspicious!]

Even after reading the fortune slip, Shen Chen still felt it was somewhat unreal. It was as if someone in this bandit stronghold would actually rush to teach kung fu and share their insights with someone they had only met once, simply because they valued talent.

After much deliberation, Shen Chen couldn't help but ask Huang Sancai, "Brother Huang, why are you so enthusiastic towards me?"

Hearing Shen Chen's doubts, Huang Sancai generously replied, "I see you're quite talented. Who wouldn't want another pillar of the stronghold?"

"I've been in this stronghold for eight years. This stronghold is my home. Now that we are surrounded by enemies, the stronghold needs leaders even more," Huang Sancai said. He was looking at the problem from the perspective of the stronghold, without any sense of "preventing the younger generation from riding on our heads."

Shen Chen's eyes flickered slightly. Apart from Huang Sancai, he had only ever met Qin Pi, and even Qin Pi was not as pure as him.

For the next two days, Shen Chen stayed at Huanghu Ridge to hone his martial arts skills under Huang Sancai's guidance. His progress was astounding, his true energy became more refined, and his martial arts skills became more and more exquisite.

"Thousand Cloud Hands - Parting the Clouds to Reveal the Sun!" Shen Chen unleashed his power with both hands, his true energy surging like clouds parting to reveal the blazing sun. With a single move, he forced Huang Sancai back several steps before stopping.

"Brother Shen's comprehension is truly extraordinary. He was able to create such a martial arts image in just two days." Huang Sancai's eyes shone brightly as he praised him endlessly, feeling even more certain that he had made the right choice in choosing him.

Shen Chen nodded: "It's all thanks to Brother Huang's guidance."

He was truly grateful to Huang Sancai, because if he had relied solely on luck, he would never have made such rapid progress.

As dawn broke, the two left Huanghu Ridge together and arrived at the martial arts training ground.

The arena had been set up, and a quarter of an hour later, the remaining eight contestants gradually arrived at the venue.

Once everyone had arrived, the drawing of lots began.

[A1 vs. A2]

[A4 vs. A3]

[Jia Liu vs. Jia Ba]

Shen Chen glanced at his lot: A4.

He jumped onto the ring, silently praying, "Please, please don't let me face Huang Sancai."

A moment later, a young man in brocade robes, wielding two swords, slowly stepped onto the arena.

[Wind Blade] Lu Feng, the adopted son of Zhao Ying, the fifth leader, is recognized as the strongest true qi martial artist in the mountain stronghold!