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

The morning sunlight streamed through the courtyard wall, spreading a pale gold layer on the blue brick ground.

Lu Changqing stood shirtless in the center of the courtyard, his legs slightly bent and his back straight as a pine tree.

The breathing is long and even, and with each breath, one can feel the blood and qi flowing slowly and gently through the internal organs.

He stopped his movement and exhaled a long breath.

The breath was like an arrow, concentrated and not dissipated, shooting out more than a foot into the cool air before slowly dissipating.

[The subject has effectively practiced Tai Chi stance, proficiency +12]

【Tai Chi Stance (Mastery, 187/10000)】

After three rounds of practice, the speed of cultivation did not slow down.

But it requires more skill.

Moreover, once it reaches a certain level, it will definitely be similar to the "muscle and bone" level.

Specific training methods are required to continue improving.

He knew how to train the "internal organs" three times, but he still needed Liu Bai for the necessary elixirs.

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open.

Liu Bai walked in carrying two oil paper packages, still wearing the same old robe, and waving an iron fan in his hand.

He was about to place the steamed buns on the stone table when his gaze swept over Lu Changqing, and he paused.

"Um?"

Liu Bai raised an eyebrow and looked Lu Changqing up and down, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He put down the oil paper package, circled around Lu Changqing, and gently tapped the iron fan in his palm.

"Your Qi and blood are abundant, contained within and not dissipated..." Liu Bai murmured, his eyes filled with even greater surprise, "You've broken through?"

Lu Changqing had no intention of hiding it, and knew that he was with Liu Bai every day, so it was impossible to keep it a secret: "I was lucky last night, and my stance training has improved."

"Just lucky?" Liu Bai chuckled, shook his head, and sat back down in his armchair.

He leaned back in his chair, gently waving his fan, but his gaze remained fixed on Lu Changqing.

I thought that if I could master the basics in five years, that would be considered fast.

If one can develop internal strength within seven or eight years, then one has succeeded.

How long has it been?

Could it be that the boy who was born with a disability was actually a genius?

After a moment, Liu Bai spoke, his tone tinged with emotion: "I always thought you had average talent and started cultivating late, but now it seems... I misjudged you."

But Liu Bai quickly reverted to his lazy demeanor, took out two porcelain bottles from his pocket, and casually tossed them to Lu Changqing.

"then."

Lu Changqing caught it and looked at the porcelain bottle in his hand.

One is cyan, the other is white, and they feel slightly cool to the touch.

"The cyan one is the Inner Strengthening Pill, and the white one is the Reshaping Pill." Liu Bai waved his fan, his tone calm. "The Three Trainings temper the internal organs; it can't be achieved just by standing meditation."

"You have to actively 'hurt' it, and then 'raise' it."

"The Reshaping Elixir is something that causes minor injuries to your internal organs. The Strengthening Elixir, on the other hand, repairs injuries and strengthens the internal organs."

He paused, then looked at Lu Changqing: "One pill a day, alternating between them. Combined with stance training, it will be twice as effective."

Upon hearing this, Lu Changqing immediately smiled.

I was just thinking about this!

Liu Bai is still too authoritative.

He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Thank you, Young Master Liu."

"No need to thank me." Liu Bai waved his hand. "It's all your own money."

"However... these pills, plus your daily meat and medicinal supplements, will cost you about twenty silver dollars a day."

"Your thousand-odd dollars should last you a while. But I'm letting you know in advance so you're not caught off guard if the money runs out."

Lu Changqing clicked his tongue inwardly in amazement.

Twenty silver dollars a day...

For an ordinary family, it wouldn't cost that much in a month.

Practicing martial arts is truly a money pit!

He quickly made a mental calculation.

You can make about five silver dollars a day from that wild water in the west of the city.

One hundred and fifty yuan a month.

But after three training sessions, it costs twenty yuan a day...

This only covers the costs of daily cultivation, not other unexpected expenses.

We need to find a way to make more money.

That underwater paradise, and the withered bones in the tomb being watched by the Umbrella Sect and the Kunlun Sect...

Lu Changqing's heart stirred slightly, but he remained expressionless and simply nodded: "I'll remember it."

Upon seeing this, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Liu Bai's eyes.

This kid is indeed calm and composed.

Anyone else would have panicked upon hearing about these expenses.

But he was able to remain calm.

Liu Bai waved his fan, then suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, there's some news you can just listen to."

Lu Changqing looked up.

Liu Bai spoke in a flat tone, as if he were talking about something trivial: "The number one killer on the Hong Kong murder list has been released from the mental hospital."

Lu Changqing's heart skipped a beat.

Number one on the murder list...

The Kunlun School?

He recalled his underwater encounter the previous night, the dark figure that hadn't even seen him but had simply fled.

Seeing Lu Changqing's expression shift slightly, Liu Bai smiled and asked, "You still remember me?"

Lu Changqing composed himself and nodded, saying, "I heard Young Master Liu mention that he is a master who has learned some of the essence of the Kunlun School."

Liu Bai shook his head, "It's just that in this port city, he's the best of the worst."

He leaned back in his chair, gently fanning himself: "But this man is quite interesting. He's a ruthless killer with a twisted mind, yet he's obsessed with martial arts."

"He hasn't been idle during these years in the mental hospital; I heard he hasn't neglected his kung fu either."

Lu Changqing tentatively asked, "Does Young Master Liu know why he suddenly came out?"

Liu Bai glanced at him, a half-smile playing on her lips: "What? Afraid he'll cause you trouble?"

When Liu Bai heard this news from Lao Zeng today...

For some reason, Lu Changqing's image suddenly appeared in my mind.

Lu Changqing did not deny it, but simply said, "It's always good to be cautious."

Liu Bai didn't press further, casually saying, "An old acquaintance of mine is keeping an eye on things. He said it came out suddenly, without any warning. The specific reason is still under investigation."

He paused, a hint of amusement in his voice: "But it's a good thing this person has come out."

Lu Changqing asked, puzzled, "A good thing?"

Liu Bai waved his fan and said slowly, "The current situation in Hong Kong is chaotic, with all sorts of forces—the Canal Gang, foreigners, the Umbrella Cult—mixed together, creating an undercurrent of tension."

"With such a killer suddenly appearing, tell me, whose attention wouldn't be diverted to him?"

He looked at Lu Changqing, a smile in his eyes: "Besides, while those people your good brother's family has offended are busy keeping an eye on him, can't you focus on your cultivation?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Changqing seemed to be deep in thought.

After a brief silence, he used his identity as the King of Killers to probe the Kunlun Faction's stance.

"Young Master Liu, as far as I know, the Kunlun Sect is a well-known and reputable sect in the mainland."

"How come one of your disciples has become an assassin?"

"What went wrong internally?"

At this point in the conversation, Liu Bai's face revealed a hint of melancholy and emotion.

Finally, he replied, "In a big forest, you'll find all kinds of birds."

"When accepting many disciples, flaws in their character are inevitable."

"It's unavoidable that a few scumbags will emerge."

"As for the Kunlun School..."

Liu Bai paused for a moment before replying: "They are a great faction that is loyal to the emperor and loves the country and its people. When foreigners invaded, more than half of their disciples died. They can be called a loyal and heroic faction, without any doubt."

"The sect's unique skills have also been stolen by foreigners, cults, and lurking wolves."

Upon hearing this, Lu Changqing immediately understood.

The Killer King, a Kunlun Sect disciple encountered underwater, is like a rat dropping in a good bowl of porridge—a rare exception.

Just as he was about to say a few more words about the foreign invasion and the conflict between the mainland sects and the previous dynasty, Liu Bai looked tired and didn't want to go into detail.

Lu Changqing had no choice but to give up.

But a doubt and a thought arose in his mind.

There are many masters in the world.

All the major sects are filled with powerful figures.

Why were foreigners still able to break into our country?

Is it because the foreign papacy is too powerful?

Lu Changqing took a deep breath.

The sense of urgency intensified.

But he quickly suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind, opened the blue porcelain bottle, poured out a pill that would strengthen his inner core, and swallowed it.

As the pill entered the stomach, a warm current slowly spread out, seeping into the limbs and bones, and finally gathering in the chest and abdomen.

As Lu Changqing felt the medicinal effects dissipate, he resumed his Tai Chi stance.

In any case, becoming stronger is the fundamental goal.

If he possessed Liu Bai's strength now, what would the Fire Cloud Evil God, the Umbrella Cult, or the foreigners be...?

They're all just stepping stones!

As the sunlight grew stronger, the only sounds in the courtyard were his steady breathing and the occasional soft cracking of his bones.

[The subject has effectively practiced Tai Chi stance, proficiency +11]

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