Heaven rewards diligence; he fought his way through chaos to become a saint.

Yang Huaichuan nodded in satisfaction. Many people who practiced martial arts didn't like to listen to reason and were mostly impatient, wishing that Master Yang would teach them real skills immediately. But Ye Ci was quite composed.

"Martial arts instruction is divided into training methods and fighting methods. Training methods are the foundation of martial arts, mostly involving stance training to strengthen the body, emphasizing striking with one burst of energy. Once you start training, it's the beginning of accumulation, training the skin, muscles, and bones, and nourishing your own qi and blood. When your qi and blood reach a peak, there are further considerations..."

"Either you get stuck in a bottleneck, and once you're stuck, there's no more possibility. Or you break through the barriers. Breaking through barriers means that your body has accumulated enough strength to break through its original limits. There are three breakthroughs: Ming Jin (manifest strength), An Jin (hidden strength), and Hua Jin (transformative strength)."

"Each breakthrough is a transformative experience for martial arts practitioners, but most people get stuck in a bottleneck, and forcibly breaking through it can cause some damage to the body."

"The way you fight is different from the way you train. I can't help you break through the barrier; I can only enhance your strength based on your existing foundation."

Ye Ci had actually known the reason for this all along.

In the military, I often heard people say that training techniques takes a long time, and the military doesn't have time to train people in stance training, so they only teach fighting techniques, and it's enough to be able to fight against people of the same level.

Yang Huaichuan maintained a gentle tone throughout, speaking to Ye Ci as an equal.

When he heard that Ye Ci had a very clear goal of reaching the breakthrough level within a month, he knew that Ye Ci was only learning the cultivation method for the time being.

"If one can truly master the technique within a month, then learning fighting methods is the best way to train in martial arts."

This pleased Yang Huaichuan greatly, and he immediately distinguished him from those who used the sect's banner to "stick together for warmth."

"You have a good temperament! Most people learn both the techniques and the fighting methods. But the way of martial arts is to cultivate one's qi and blood first. As the saying goes, brute force can overcome ten techniques. As long as the foundation is solid, even if the fighting methods are not perfect, it is enough to make a living in the martial world."

"Watch closely, I'm going to teach you how to use the Rock Piling technique."

Yang Huaichuan let out a low shout, and his aura suddenly surged. His seemingly old body exuded a mountain-like spirit.

"Keep your center of gravity low, grip the ground firmly with both feet, and remain as still as a mountain."

His feet were firmly planted on the ground, his hands were as if he were holding a huge rock, his whole body was tense, and his body seemed to be driven into the ground with a thousand pounds of force.

"Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing forward, neither turned inward nor outward. This is 'rooting,' the foundation of stance training. If the root is not firm, the stance will crumble!"

Yang Huaichuan's voice was deep and muffled like thunder. He slowly raised his hands, palms down, at shoulder height, with his arms slightly bent.

"Shoulders should be relaxed, elbows should be dropped, and back should be straight like a pine tree. Do not slouch or hunch your chest. Imagine yourself as a rock buried deep in the ground, unmoved by any storm."

"Listen carefully to my breathing. The stance training focuses on the Qi. The Qi sinks to the Dantian. When inhaling, the lower abdomen expands slightly, and the breath enters through the nose and sinks to the lower abdomen. When exhaling, the lower abdomen contracts, and the breath is slowly exhaled. It should not be rushed or hurried. Breathing and movement should be integrated. When the Qi flows smoothly, the stance is stable."

"..."

Ye Ci stared intently at his every move, afraid of missing any detail.

After completing the entire set of movements, Yang Huaichuan's skin was steaming with heat, and his joints made a crackling sound.

"You give it a try."

Yang Huaichuan stopped and let Ye Ci demonstrate it once.

This set of standing meditation exercises has six steps, which is completely different from the standing meditation I saw in my previous life.

Ye Ci tried to imitate the gourd, but found it extremely difficult, struggling with just the first step.

Not only did he need to stand firm, but he also had to coordinate his breathing and muscle movements. He felt that his movements were stiff and he didn't have the imposing presence of Yang Huaichuan at all.

"Sink the center of gravity a third more."

Yang Huaichuan stepped forward, extended his rough and powerful hands, and placed them on his waist and abdomen, continuing:

"Slightly bend your knees, not past your toes, and keep your hips in a state of half-sitting, half-standing. Imagine morning dew dripping from your head and a gentle breeze surrounding you. Maintain your composure while following the natural flow of energy; avoid stiffness and deliberate effort."

"No, bend your knees a little more, straighten your back, don't slouch!"

Ye Ci stumbled through the entire routine, his posture awkward and his exertion strange, but fortunately, familiar characters flashed before his eyes.

[Practice Method: Beginner's Guide to Rock Stance (1/800)]

Almost instantly, Ye Ci gained a new understanding of this technique. Techniques on how to exert force, muscle control, and breathing rhythm flooded into his mind like a river bursting its banks.

Just as expected!

Ye Ci had always been like this; no matter how difficult a martial art was to learn, he could master it after practicing it only once.

Heaven rewards diligence; every bit of hard work will never be wasted.

Yang Huaichuan looked at Ye Ci's poorly executed stance training and shook his head inwardly. Whether it was his physical constitution, aptitude, or comprehension... he was far from satisfactory.

A stubborn rock!

"One more time..."

Yang Huaichuan's voice seemed gentle, but there was a hint of disappointment that was not easily detected.

He felt he was getting old, and seeing such a determined poor person, he couldn't help but feel some sympathy, so he decided to teach him more carefully.

"yes!"

Ye Ci took a deep breath and practiced the first step, "Immovable as a Mountain," again, and then proceeded in sequence.

Almost instantly, he felt a strong tearing sensation, and aches and pains swept over his entire body.

With each breath, my lungs felt like they were being scorched by flames, and every exhale carried a strong, bloody stench.

The strong smell of blood is not a sign of injury, but a sign that the body, parched for a long time, is being forcibly awakened.

Yang Huaichuan's eyes narrowed sharply. Why would he need to be taught any further?!

The last time I was still somewhat unsure, but this time I have completely mastered the essentials of stance training!

Having taught for many years, he naturally possesses keen insight. He has never encountered anyone who, upon first encountering this basic stance training method, grasped the essence after just one repetition.

Ordinary disciples, even those with exceptional talent, would need at least two or three days, or at most half a month, to grasp the essence of it.

But Ye Ci...

Just once.

Yang Huaichuan's Adam's apple bobbed violently.

This child has remarkable comprehension!

In an instant, his mind cleared up again, and he felt sorry for Ye Ci.

Although this child's natural talent is inferior, if he comes to learn martial arts at the age of fifteen or sixteen, his condition may improve.

Judging from the bloody smell he exhaled, if he had come at the age of sixteen, he would have exhaled foul air, and the more he practiced, the better his essence, energy, and spirit would become.

Now that he's eighteen, his innate talent is dead. Even with extraordinary comprehension, it's difficult for him to achieve much. He can only awaken his body; his limit is Ming Jin (a type of internal energy).

"Children from poor families have a hard time changing their fate..."

Yang Huaichuan sighed inwardly, then composed himself, exchanged a few more words with Ye Ci, and sent him to the front yard to practice his skills.

Back in the front yard, Ye Ci calmed herself and continued practicing.

A sharp pain and a tearing sensation came instantly.

About the time it takes for three incense sticks to burn, there was suddenly movement in front of us.

[Proficiency +1]

Almost simultaneously, a faint warm current suddenly rose from the dantian, flowing through the meridians into the limbs and bones, making the whole body feel comfortable, as if every pore was radiating heat.

Ye Ci was overjoyed; it had indeed worked.

Master Yang has just explained that if one can master the stance training to a certain extent, one can glimpse the key to Ming Jin (manifested strength).

Most people only have a 20-30% chance of successfully breaking through the barrier; if they fail, they stop at the level of Ming Jin.

Ye Ci knew clearly that there was no such thing as a "barrier" in his martial arts; as long as he mastered the stance training to a minor level, he would surely reap the rewards.

------

The sun is high in the sky.

The disciples in the courtyard were resting, and a few fellow apprentices were whispering among themselves, but Ye Ci continued to cultivate as if no one else was around.

His coarse cloth jacket was soaked with sweat and clung to his body, making him look as if he had been pulled out of the water.

"Dinner's ready!"

Shouts rang out, and several people carried in a huge wooden barrel.

The disciples pounced on them like hungry wolves; they had been practicing all afternoon, and their stomachs were growling with hunger.

"Queue up! If you make a mess, you won't be allowed to eat!"

Fang Cheng gave a shout, and the disciples, who had been in a chaotic state, immediately lined up in an orderly fashion.

Ye Ci snapped out of his reverie and realized that his stomach had been growling for a long time.

Looking around, I noticed that the two disciples next to me hadn't joined the queue; they had somehow pulled out two flatbreads and were eating them on the side.

"Junior Brother Ye, come and line up."

Fang Cheng shouted loudly.

Ye Ci paused for a moment, then realized he still had a few taels of silver in his pocket, so he didn't feel awkward about it.

The food was quickly distributed.

Each person received a large bowl of dry rice mixed with corn, cabbage and vermicelli, green vegetables and tofu. Although it lacked meat, it was enough to fill them up, and it was better than what most families ate.

"Junior Brother Ye."

Fang Cheng walked over, squatted down next to Ye Ci, and said with a smile:

"My master reminded me that since you came on the first day, it was obvious that no food was prepared, so I need to make sure you have a full lunch to train your energy. Not eating enough is very harmful to your health."

"In addition, you can eat at the martial arts school every day at noon from now on, and I won't charge you extra for tuition. Although it's just a meal, it usually costs more money. Generally, only disciples who pay twenty taels of silver can eat and stay at the martial arts school. Your master is being lenient with you. He also said that the martial arts school doesn't lack food for one or two people. I hope you will train hard."

"Please thank your master for me."

Ye Ci shoveled a mouthful of rice into her mouth. The dry rice tasted more satisfying than the thin porridge. It was sweet and moist, and it made her stomach feel warm after eating it.

Looking back on his time back home, this was probably the best meal he had ever had.

The martial arts school is not a charity; many of its disciples come from poor backgrounds, so this would never have happened under normal circumstances.

This was because Yang Huaichuan had secretly come several times to observe Ye Ci and discovered that Ye Ci was not only highly perceptive but also very focused. He secretly praised him and considered it a reward from his master.

Watch as Ye Ci wolfed down his food in two or three bites at a time.

Fang Cheng magically produced several large pieces of dried meat and threw them into Ye Ci's bowl.

Judging by the texture, it's beef.

Oxen were forbidden to be slaughtered, and only wealthy families could afford to eat beef, which was even rarer than pork.

Ye Ci was stunned.

Fang Cheng squatted down beside him, grinning憨厚ly: "The martial arts school's meals lack meat. Martial artists can't train their qi and blood well without eating meat. If you want to train quickly, you have to eat more meat."

"I saw you practicing martial arts non-stop this morning, and I wanted to remind you but was afraid of interrupting your practice. I wanted to tell you something when I had some free time: practicing is important, but replenishing is even more important. You must not practice too much and not replenish enough, otherwise you will damage your body. So, if you feel that your body can't take it, you should rest appropriately."

Seeing that Ye Ci was not eating for a long time, Fang Cheng scratched the back of his head:

"Don't be so polite. I am my master's personal disciple, the second oldest in the family. I usually get to eat meat, so this is a gift for you."

"Master said you have good comprehension, but unfortunately your natural talent is too limited. If your family were wealthier, we would have sent you to learn martial arts earlier, and you would definitely have a bright future."

"I was also born into a poor family. In my early years, I traveled all over the country with my master, which delayed my cultivation. I failed the breakthrough and can no longer cultivate. Among the disciples, I am the least promising. I usually do chores for my master. It doesn't matter if I eat less."

"Eat..."

Fang Cheng patted Ye Ci on the shoulder, picked up the large wooden bucket, and went through the eaves into the backyard.

Ye Ci stared blankly at the meat in the bowl.

Having come to this world, I've seen countless wicked schemes and ruthless people, but this is truly the first time I've encountered someone so kind.

I forgot to say thank you to my second senior brother.

"Hey, junior brother, there's meat to eat! Give me a piece..."

After Fang Cheng left, an apprentice came over carrying a bowl. Although he looked like a young man, his elbows were quite thick, and he had developed a muscular physique.

He was calling him "junior brother".

Ye Ci glanced at the young man, his expression darkening, and frowned, saying:

"Your throat might not be as big as your breath."

"What do you mean?"

The boy was displeased. He put the large bowl in his hand on the ground, deliberately straightened his body slowly, and twirled his upper arm.

"Have you reached the Ming Jin stage yet?"

Ye Ci didn't lift his eyelids and slowly ate his rice.

The boy didn't understand the meaning of his words and sneered:

"You're getting on in years, yet you still come to practice martial arts. I wonder how you managed to please Senior Brother Fang. My name is Wang De, and I became a disciple before you. Logically, you should call me Senior Brother. You should do the same to please me as you did to Senior Brother Fang."

"As your senior brother, let me teach you another rule: fellow disciples must not kill each other, but it is common for them to spar and compete with each other. If you don't listen, then I'll have to test how well you've practiced."

As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples around him turned to look.

"What is Wang De doing?"

"Senior Brother Fang just gave that person a few pieces of meat, and look, they're still in his bowl, he hasn't eaten them yet!"

"Is this a robbery?"

"This is setting rules."

"Judging from his age, he probably wouldn't be able to train properly, so Wang De definitely didn't take him seriously. Yet this guy actually ignored Wang De."

"..."

Under everyone's gaze, Ye Ci finished his meal, put the large bowl on the ground, and then stood up.

In front of him, he picked up a few pieces of meat and put them in his mouth.

His gaze was calm as he slowly chewed his words: "You're lucky."

"What's good?"

"If we weren't at the martial arts gym, we'd be out of a job."

Wang De was stunned: "Damn, you're being a bit arrogant..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ye Ci suddenly threw a punch straight at Wang De's throat, which the latter hurriedly covered with both hands.

Ye Ci strode forward.

Knee strike!

A hook punch!

Hammer again in mid-air!

The crisp sound of flesh touching flesh echoed in the courtyard.

"what!"

Accompanied by Wang De's mournful scream, everyone finally realized that Ye Ci had just cleaned up and gotten away with it.

next second.

Bang!

Ye Ci kicked Wang De hard to the ground.

"vomit!"

Wang De vomited up all the food he had eaten. The series of attacks had left him terrified and exhausted.

Ye Ci stepped forward and stepped on his throat, then slowly squatted down and picked up the bowl of rice that originally belonged to Wang De.

eat.

How dare someone who hasn't even reached the level of Ming Jin make a sound?

The entire courtyard suddenly fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was stunned.

The apprentices had never seen such a display before, and they felt it was incredibly fierce.

The techniques were unpretentious, simple and straightforward, yet they carried a hint of ruthlessness.

The most crucial thing is that aura it exudes; it's deadly.

He was eating.

Look around.

Those around were terrified, avoiding eye contact and quickly shoveling food into their mouths.

"Senior brother, I was wrong."

Wang De spoke with difficulty, already addressing Ye Ci as "Senior Brother," and revealed a pained smile.

He felt that if he moved, his throat would be crushed.

Everyone looked over.

Ye Ci didn't speak, he just ate.

Suddenly, he felt the atmosphere was a bit dull, so he looked around again.

The sound of chopsticks clattering against bowls filled the courtyard, but everyone remained silent, quickly shoveling rice into their mouths.