Martial Arts: Starting with Upgrading the Dilapidated Temple

Xu Hao looked at the painting in front of him.

[Basic boxing technique demonstration complete.]

[Blessed Land Upgrade Successfully! Current Level: LV4]

[Effect Enhancement: Qi and Blood Harmony (High), Blood Qi Sensing (High), Martial Arts Efficiency +50%]

The blessed land has been successfully upgraded!

At the same time, a surge of heat, seemingly from nowhere, instantly poured into Xu Hao's body.

Xu Hao's joints cracked and popped all over his body.

Before he could react, two new lines of text appeared on the scroll:

[New Feature: Access to Affiliated Blessed Lands is now available (can be bound to one branch)]

At that moment, a faint light flashed from the groove on the incense table.

No treasures appeared on the altar, but instead a stream of light emanated from it and instantly entered Xu Hao's brow.

Xu Hao felt a sudden blankness in his mind, as countless pieces of information about footwork and positioning were crammed into his head.

[Received a Blessed Land Gift: Movement Technique - Cat Step (Fragment)]

Xu Hao shook his head, and following the technique in his mind, shifted his feet and assumed a fighting stance.

With one step, he slid three feet away silently.

"nice one!"

His movements are agile, his feet land silently, all thanks to the twisting force of his waist and hips that allows him to shift his center of gravity and move nimbly.

Although it makes my figure look a bit ugly, it really works!

He tried using his technique to walk around the pillar twice more, and he felt like a slippery eel.

Xu Hao used to be panting like a dog when he was boxing, but now, with the advanced blood and qi sensing of the upgraded blessed land, his physical strength recovers very quickly.

"Alright, stop acting crazy. You're making this old man's eyes dizzy."

I don't know when the old beggar came back, but he was leaning against the door frame picking his toes.

The old beggar glanced at the new threshold at his feet and snorted.

"You picked up a dead person's things, aren't you afraid your hands will rot?"

Xu Hao paused, then casually pulled out an iron ring: "Does the old man recognize this thing?"

The old beggar squinted at it, then chuckled coldly, "The root of all evil, and also the key. If you don't want to be torn to pieces someday, tuck it into your crotch and hide it away, don't let it see the light of day."

After saying that, he flicked the skin off his foot, turned over and fell onto the haystack, ignoring everyone.

Xu Hao didn't ask any more questions and hid the ring close to his skin.

I'll remember this well, and I'll definitely make sure to close the door properly next time!

I rushed back to the Chen residence before dark. As soon as I pushed open the door to room number two in the T-shaped building, a strong smell of medicinal oil hit me.

Li Dazheng sat on the edge of the bed, his cheek swollen like a steamed bun, with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Luo Bao huddled in the corner, clutching half a cold steamed bun in his hand, trembling with fear.

Jiang Hu sat on the bunk opposite him, slowly wrapping strips of cloth around his fist.

"You're back?" Jiang Hu glanced at Xu Hao, then whistled sarcastically. "Sweeping is so much easier, unlike us, who have to 'exchange' skills. Li Da's dough was too loose, so I tightened it for him."

Li Da wanted to speak, but the movement aggravated his wound, causing him to gasp in pain. He could only wave his hand at Xu Hao, signaling him not to cause trouble.

Xu Hao wore his signature goofy grin, seemingly oblivious to the barb in Li Da's words. He walked over and examined Li Da's injury, saying, "Brother Hu's skills are excellent. This wound will definitely be stronger once the swelling goes down."

Jiang Hu chuckled and tightened the cloth strip: "I'll tighten the leather for you again tomorrow morning class."

The next morning, at the training ground.

After Instructor Lin finished explaining the key points of "Black Tiger Digs Out the Heart" and said that they should practice in pairs, Jiang Hu jumped out.

"Coach, let me team up with Xu Hao."

Jiang Hu twisted his neck, his joints cracking. "The new guy hasn't learned kung fu before, let's teach him."

The elderly caregivers around them stepped back with their arms crossed, looking on with expressions of amusement.

Everyone could see that Jiang Hu was trying to establish his authority; this new kid was going to break his bones today.

Coach Lin glanced at the two of them but didn't stop them: "That's enough."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Jiang Hu grinned, his teeth not yet fully showing, before he pounced on him.

This punch wasn't some kind of "Black Tiger Claws Out the Heart" at all; it was a killing move he already knew, aimed straight at Xu Hao's face.

The punch carried a whistling sound, clearly indicating the use of hidden force. If it landed, Xu Hao would have to live with a flat nose for the rest of his life.

Xu Hao stood still.

The talisman on his chest felt slightly warm, and the world seemed to slow down in his ears.

He heard the roar of Jiang Hu's blood surging through his body, the cracking sound of his tendons taut, and even the faint sound of Jiang Hu's shoes rubbing against the sand as he pushed off the ground.

Just as the fist was less than three inches from the tip of his nose.

Xu Hao made a move.

He neither blocked nor retreated, but his foot slipped, and his whole body seemed to have its bones removed, collapsing to the side and backward in an extremely awkward posture.

This "collapse" conveniently cleared the way for the punch.

Jiang Hu's punch missed its mark, and his body lurched forward uncontrollably.

Xu Hao stood up naturally, his shoulder seemingly unintentionally bobbing upwards.

This strike used the strength he had developed from practicing martial arts in the past few days, hitting Jiang Hu's exposed ribs precisely.

"Get out of here!"

Jiang Hu suddenly felt his feet slip and he lunged forward, crashing headfirst into the wooden dummy beside him.

"Bang!"

The wooden dummy swayed three times. Jiang Hu slid to the ground, clutching his forehead, blood flowing from between his fingers as he grimaced in pain.

The training ground fell into a deathly silence for a moment, followed by a burst of uproarious laughter.

"Oh dear! Tiger! I'm so sorry, so sorry!"

Xu Hao rushed over in a panic, frantically trying to help Jiang Hu up. "I slipped and lost my balance. How did I trip you?"

Jiang Hu flung away Xu Hao's outstretched hand, his face covered in blood, and said hatefully, "You fucking tricked me!"

"That's enough!"

Instructor Lin walked over and kicked Jiang Hu in the butt: "Unsteady stance, restless and impatient! You even managed to trip and fall while carrying someone, aren't you ashamed?"

Jiang Hu remained silent, simply covering his head and staring intently at Xu Hao.

He knew Xu Hao was faking it, but he really had to swallow this bitter pill today.

Xu Hao shrank back into the line, looking down at his toes, concealing the coldness in his eyes.

Dinner at the cafeteria.

Xu Hao sat at the table with his rice bowl in his hand. He seemed to be concentrating on the fatty meat in his bowl, but his ears were always perked up.

At the next table not far away, Jiang Hu, with a bandage wrapped around his head, was huddled together with two other "nails," whispering to each other.

Xu Hao felt a slight warmth on the listening talisman on his chest. Kui Wu's high-pitched voice, which was speaking, pierced through the noisy crowd and went straight into Xu Hao's ears.

"...This kid is a bit strange. I think we can't delay any longer."

"Tonight is his night patrol, so why don't we meet by the bamboo grove near the West Corner Gate..." Jiang Hu's voice was filled with rage. "I'm going to fuck him tonight, cripple him, and throw him in the river."

Xu Hao chewed the braised pork in his mouth, the juices bursting on his tongue.

West Corner Gate? Bamboo Grove?

He put the last bite of rice into his mouth, a very faint smile appearing on his lips.

That's good, now I don't have to look for it myself.