Becoming a saint begins with apprenticing under the last martial arts champion.

Lu Changqing stared at the ink-black words in his mind, slightly taken aback.

He had thought that this otter's heart, at most, would just fill in the white part and allow for some modifications.

Unexpectedly, it even affected the black part of the Tai Chi diagram!

What surprised him even more was...

It turns out that one's own talent can evolve!

After carefully reading the ink-stained handwriting, he fell into deep thought.

After a brief consideration, he chose option two.

Enhance the talent [Swimming]!

He has now experienced the power of swimming.

And I have witnessed a dazzling corner deep within the river.

Strengthening swimming is a step closer to having a continuous and inexhaustible source of resources.

There's no reason for him not to choose option two.

In addition, he had seen the otter manipulate water curtains to block bullets and control water jets to attack the burly men with guns on the deck.

This ability will definitely not be weak in the future!

Therefore, even with doubled strength and speed, it pales in comparison to the above factors.

Lu Changqing made his decision.

The energy filling the black area instantly transformed into an indescribable feeling, merging into his mind.

[Talent: Water Control (...can control a portion of the water flow in rivers and seas)]

His talent has completely changed.

The final description specifically refers to the area in rivers and seas...

But Lu Changqing was certain...

We can extrapolate from the perspective that talent can evolve.

Sooner or later, he will be able to directly control the water flow without restricting the environment.

Even...blood is water...

Imagine one day, he faces a host of enemies, and without moving his body, with just a slight thought, all of these enemies suffer a reverse flow of blood and energy, and explode and die!

What kind of scene is this?

At least when Lu Changqing fantasized about it, it was exhilarating...

"call!"

He let out a long breath.

Lu Changqing suppressed his surging emotions.

But now, he is certain.

Practicing martial arts was the first thing he had to insist on.

The second thing is to constantly hunt spirits and demons!

The former strengthens itself, paving the way for the latter.

After a successful hunt, the spoils are then given back to the hunters!

This cycle repeats itself endlessly!

Immediately, he looked at his own attributes.

Attack: 7 (Hundred-Foot Soaring Step +2) (+)

Defense: 5 (+)

[Life: 7 (Tai Chi Stance +2) (+)]

Without hesitation, he immediately added the new points to [Life].

Life: 7 → 8

Immediately, he noticed his heart beating even stronger!

The fatigue from the intense underwater battle just now vanished instantly!

He became even stronger...

After several days of cultivation, Lu Changqing had already realized it.

For a martial artist, "fate" is the foundation of all skills.

Attack, defense, and other attributes can all be further enhanced through various powerful techniques.

To enhance one's "life force," one must practice stance training and diligent practice.

This demonstrates how difficult it is to increase the difficulty level.

In addition, his talent, cultivation, and daily life all require a great deal of energy.

Therefore, with the various stats being roughly the same, [Health] is his current priority for stat point allocation.

Feeling the changes within his body, Lu Changqing suddenly felt dizzy and rushed into the side room. He took out some cured meat and dried food, and ate it with the meat broth.

I'm so hungry!

The only downside to increasing [Life].

It means that the amount of food consumed, or rather, the need for "refined energy," will continue to increase!

This leads to his need for money.

It will be even bigger!

Especially now that he has broken through to the second level of training...

That little bit of money I had before probably won't be enough.

Thus, the "Tiger Head Gang" came to mind again.

A gang should have some savings, right?

I had planned to ask Wang Hao and the brothers at the dock for help today, but this whole otter and foreign water ghost thing thing has delayed me...

Looking at the darkening sky, after a moment's hesitation, Lu Changqing decided to visit Wang Hao the next morning and ask him for help.

...

...

the next day.

As soon as it was light, Lu Changqing brought some nourishing items and went to visit.

He had just arrived at the door.

The servant, who had previously been unfamiliar with him and had asked him to leave, immediately put on a fawning smile.

"Is that Brother Lu?"

Lu Changqing replied politely, "I am Lu Changqing, please inform him of my arrival."

The servant immediately pushed open the door and stepped aside, saying, "Master and young master said that Brother Lu, you can just go in and find them directly."

"We won't announce it."

He bowed slightly and lowered his voice: "Brother Lu has changed so much before, I was too blind to recognize you. Please don't take it to heart, Brother Lu."

As he spoke, the servant took out two silver dollars from his pocket and stuffed them into Lu Changqing's arms.

Lu Changqing said it wasn't necessary, but the servant was extremely insistent and forcefully stuffed the item into Lu Changqing's hand.

In the end, Lu Changqing understood what was going on and accepted it.

If they don't accept the money, the gatekeeper will probably be constantly worried that he will be fired by the Wang family at any time.

As we entered the Wang family's gate.

Immediately, servants came to guide Lu Changqing.

Hearing the constant flattery around him, Lu Changqing knew that the news of him saving Wang Hao had spread throughout the Wang family.

Not only that, but his actual strength and abilities have certainly been exaggerated in the rumors...

But I have to admit.

The feeling of being treated with respect is many times better than being looked down upon or disdainful!

This is the benefit of having strength!

You must constantly improve yourself! Otherwise, the respect others show you now will only fade away in the future!

...

"Evergreen!"

The study was lit even during the day by a large chandelier.

When Wang Hao saw Lu Changqing arrive, he excitedly stood up to greet him. His complexion was much rosier than yesterday, no longer as pale as it had been the day before.

"I brought you some tonics. They're not expensive, but they're warming. You can make soup with them later," Lu Changqing said with a smile.

Then he looked at Wang Shouyin, who had also stood up to greet him, and bowed, saying, "Uncle Wang."

Wang Shouyin waved his hand gently, saying, "No need to be so polite!"

"You saved Xiao Hao's life yesterday; the Wang family and your uncle owe you a huge debt of gratitude!"

"If you need anything else in the future, just let me know!"

"I wanted to thank you properly in person yesterday, but you left without saying goodbye... I figured you must have something to do, so I didn't send anyone to look for you..."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands.

Uncle Xing walked in from outside, holding an invoice in his hand.

"I know you're strong-willed, Xiao Lu, but you must accept this thousand silver dollars first!"

"Your uncle will arrange a position for you that matches your status and abilities."

Lu Changqing took the 1,000 silver dollar invoice that Wang Hao handed him, opened his mouth, and finally clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Uncle."

Wang Shouyin: "You're welcome. It's I who should thank you..."

After a slight pause, he asked about yesterday.

"Changqing, you rescued Xiaohao...do you know what kidnapped Xiaohao?"

"Or rather, who is it?"

"Xiao Hao was kidnapped yesterday. They said they saw golden hair underwater..."

As soon as Wang Shouyin finished speaking, Uncle Xing consciously walked to the study door and closed it.

Lu Changqing noticed several pairs of eyes staring at him, and finally nodded: "They are foreigners."

After receiving a definite answer, Wang Shouyin took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with a variety of emotions.

Uncle Xing's eyes revealed a ruthless glint.

Wang Hao grumbled indignantly: "Those foreign devils!"

"This is outrageous!!"

Finally, Wang Shouyin said to Lu Changqing, "Xiao Lu, you and Xiao Hao should go to the bedroom and rest first."

"Lunch will be served with otter meat from yesterday's catch."

"You should try it too."

Lu Changqing and Wang Hao agreed, and Uncle Xing opened the door, and the two prepared to leave.

At this moment, Wang Shouyin suddenly said, "Little Lu."

"You shouldn't be involved in the affairs of foreigners and the Wang family."

"But what's done is done. Whether you should or shouldn't, you'll definitely be targeted by those two-faced foreign devils..."

"If you need any help, please remember not to be shy!"

Lu Changqing paused, looked at Wang Shouyin whose face was sincere and whose emotions were genuine, and replied with a smile.

"I can't just stand by and watch Xiao Hao die because of our relationship."

"Uncle, don't forget, my father's grudge was also related to the foreigners' opium addiction."

"If they don't target me, sooner or later..."

"We should also meet them."