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

"Alright, that's all for today." Coolie Qiang waved his hand, took the silver dollar Liu Bai handed him, carefully put it in his pocket, smiled at Lu Changqing, and said, "See you tomorrow."

After seeing off Coolie Qiang, Lu Changqing was about to continue practicing his skills when he noticed that Liu Bai did not leave or pretend to sleep as usual, but instead gently tapped the back of his chair with his fan.

"You've already grasped seven or eight tenths of Ah-Qiang's true essence in legwork. If you continue practicing, your progress will be slower."

Liu Bai said slowly, "Martial arts combat relies heavily on legs, but it's not just about legs."

"Practical skills are also crucial."

Lu Changqing nodded; he had already experienced this.

Leg techniques are often characterized by wide, sweeping movements.

It's really useful when you're fighting each other.

But when facing an evenly matched opponent, it comes down to fundamental skills and attention to detail.

At this point, technique becomes crucial.

Unfortunately...

The slow progress of the Arhat Subduing Demon Palm technique had been a constant worry for him.

"So, I found someone to train you in martial arts." Liu Bai's lips curled slightly as he gestured towards the courtyard gate with his chin.

Upon hearing this, Lu Changqing looked in the direction of the sound.

A figure awkwardly shuffled in through the courtyard gate.

The man was about forty years old, with a slicked-back, center-parted hairstyle. He wore a faded but impeccably ironed light gray long gown and held a plain handkerchief in his hand.

He had a fair complexion, thin and long eyebrows, and his waist seemed more flexible than that of ordinary people when he walked. His eyes were unfocused, and he looked around the courtyard with a somewhat timid expression.

What's most striking are his hands: long, slender fingers, neatly trimmed nails, and skin so smooth it doesn't look like someone who does rough work.

But his arms were frighteningly thick!

"Young Master Liu..." The person approached Liu Bai, bowed slightly, and spoke in a slightly high-pitched voice with a deliberately affected tone, "Did you call me?"

"Hmm." Liu Bai pointed at Lu Changqing with his fan. "Asheng, this is Lu Changqing."

"From now on, come and practice with him at this time every day."

Specializing in fist, palm, and grappling techniques.

"He practices the Arhat Subduing Demon Palm, which is the correct method, but he lacks real combat experience."

"Your Hung Gar Iron Wire Fist combines strength and gentleness perfectly."

Hung Family Iron Wire Fist?

Lu Changqing's heart skipped a beat. He looked at the man called "Asheng" who had a slightly effeminate manner, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Another expert!

This Pig Cage Alley...

How many more masters are there?

"Oh my, this must be Brother Lu?" Ah Sheng turned his head, gently covering his mouth with a handkerchief, and looked Lu Changqing up and down. A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes, but his outward appearance remained mild and unassuming.

"He's really handsome, and quite robust... If Young Master Liu has given the order, then I will certainly do my best."

Suppressing his surprise, Lu Changqing clasped his hands in greeting and said, "This humble one, Lu Changqing, greets Uncle Sheng."

"I'll have to trouble you with this from now on."

"No trouble at all..." Ah Sheng waved his hand, stuffed the handkerchief back into his sleeve, walked to the center of the courtyard, and stood there casually.

But the moment he stood still, Lu Changqing keenly sensed that the other person's slightly effeminate temperament suddenly changed!

A calm and steady aura, yet subtly powerful, quietly spread out.

"Brother Lu, shall we give it a try?" Ah Sheng smiled, still speaking softly, but his eyes had become serious.

Seeing Ah Sheng's straightforward and unambiguous manner, Lu Changqing immediately assumed a starting stance.

"Please enlighten me, Uncle Sheng!"

The next moment, Ah Sheng moved.

He slid his feet, seemingly slowly, but in the blink of an eye he was close to Lu Changqing. His right hand, with its five fingers slightly spread, gently reached for Lu Changqing's wrist without making a sound.

Hung Gar Iron Wire Fist: Cloud-Piercing Hand!

Lu Changqing twisted his wrist and pulled back his elbow, meeting the attack with the "Mountain Pushing" style from the Arhat Subduing Demon Palm technique.

However, the moment the two made contact, Lu Changqing's expression changed slightly.

Ah Sheng's fingers appeared soft, but were actually as tough as steel bars. With each touch and grip, they seemed to possess endless stickiness, easily dissolving the force in his palm.

Then it wrapped around his arm and went straight for the Jianjing acupoint!

It is both soft and strong, with the power of silk reeling!

Lu Changqing quickly changed his move, using his footwork to deflect the force by turning to the side, and then using his other hand to strike Ah Sheng's ribs, forcing him to defend.

Ah Sheng let out a "Huh," seemingly surprised by Lu Changqing's reaction speed.

With a sway of his waist like a willow, he easily dodged the punch, but his coiled arm suddenly exerted force like a serpent, trembling and shaking!

"Ta-da!"

Lu Changqing felt a strange shockwave, his arm went numb and he involuntarily took three steps back.

"Good capture!" Lu Changqing was not surprised but delighted, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

This is the kind of pressure he needs!

"Again!"

In the courtyard, the sounds of fists clashing and clothes rustling through the air rang out once again.

At first, he was completely suppressed, defending more than attacking, and his body was constantly being hit by those supple yet powerful fists and palms, causing waves of pain.

But gradually, during practice sessions, his moves became more fluid.

......

Time flies, and another three days have passed.

In the courtyard, two figures moved as fast as phantoms, colliding and passing each other.

Lu Changqing struck out with his palm, the wind from which carried a faint whistling sound; it was none other than the "Vajra Throwing the Earth" technique from the Arhat Subduing Demon Palm.

Ah Sheng neither dodged nor evaded, but crossed his arms in front of him, his forearm muscles instantly tensing like iron, taking the blow head-on.

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, Asheng's body swayed slightly, and the blue bricks under his feet cracked with a "crack." But he immediately twisted and flicked his arm, cleverly deflecting and rebounding Lu Changqing's palm force. At the same time, his five fingers, like hooks, gripped Lu Changqing's wrist.

This time, Lu Changqing seemed to have anticipated it. His wrist slid like a fish, narrowly avoiding the capture. At the same time, he changed his palm to his fingers and swiftly struck the numb tendon in A Sheng's elbow.

Ah Sheng had no choice but to stop and return to defense, his eyes filled with even greater surprise.

The two suddenly separated.

Lu Changqing's chest heaved, his clothes were soaked with sweat, but his eyes were bright.

[Through intensive combat experience, the client honed the Arhat Subduing Demon Palm technique, gaining insights and increasing proficiency...]

【Arhat Subduing Demon Palm (Beginner, 891→2023/10000)】

After sparring with masters of fist and palm techniques, my progress has been remarkable!

As expected, with such a powerful backer, cultivation is truly twice as effective with half the effort.

If he hadn't chosen to become a disciple of Liu Bai, but instead tried every means to join a martial arts school...

I'm afraid he's still stuck in a rut right now.

Let alone those third- or fifth-grade techniques.

Ah Sheng was also slightly out of breath. Looking at Lu Changqing, his habitually mild smile now contained a hint of genuine shock.

"Incredible... truly incredible." Ah Sheng wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, his voice still high-pitched, but his tone completely different. "Brother Lu, it's only been a few days! The changes are so dramatic!"

"And your physique and strength... You're only at the second level of training, yet the weight of your palm strike and the speed of your reaction are simply unbelievable!"

He paused, glancing at Liu Bai, who was feigning sleep with her eyes closed. His tone carried a cautious, obsequious quality, but his eyes subtly observed Liu Bai's reaction.

"Lord Liu, you truly have an excellent eye! Young Master Lu is quite... quite like you were when you first showed your talent!"

Liu Bai kept his eyes closed, as if he hadn't heard.

But Ah Sheng keenly noticed that Liu Bai's fingers, which were resting on the armrest, moved almost imperceptibly.

The fan paused for a moment.

The courtyard was quiet for a few moments.

Then, Liu Bai slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Lu Changqing, calm and undisturbed, yet seemingly able to penetrate everything.

He didn't respond to Ah Sheng's words, but simply said to Lu Changqing:

That's all for today. Ah Sheng, see you tomorrow as usual.

"Yes, Young Master Liu." Ah Sheng quickly bowed in response, smiled at Lu Changqing, and swayed his hips as he left the courtyard.

Lu Changqing clasped his hands in farewell.

Just as he was about to continue practicing on the stakes, he heard Liu Bai suddenly speak:

"Evergreen".

"Young Master Liu?" Lu Changqing turned around.

Liu Bai looked at him, paused for two breaths, and finally calmed down.

"Practice hard."

"Also, think of a solution for the money quickly. I see you have plenty of energy; you should be about to start your third training session soon."

That's all Liu Bai said in the end.

Lu Changqing watched Liu Bai's departing figure, his words lingering on his mind.

He knew, and guessed, that it was the astonishing wisdom of his Tai Chi diagram that had caught Liu Bai's eye.

He didn't have many thoughts or emotional reactions to this.

In any case, strength is the most important thing.

Whether Liu Bai values ​​it or not, it doesn't stop him from being short of money right now.

Resources are the foundation!

Just as he was thinking about whether he should go down to the bottom of the water tonight to take a look.

The gate to the courtyard was knocked on.

The voice of Li Erwa, a servant of the Wang family, could be heard from outside.

"Brother Lu, are you there?"

"Young Master asked me to inform you that you can go to that desolate area in the west of the city now."