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

The heat on Ye Ci's body gradually dissipated, the medicinal effects were almost exhausted, and the fatigue in her body was swept away.

He got out of the bathtub, dried himself off, greeted his senior brother Fang at the door, and went to the front yard to practice martial arts.

As dusk fell, he was the only one left in the courtyard, but he still had plenty of energy left.

[Heaven bestows its ordination, Heaven rewards diligence, with unwavering focus, all laws will naturally arise]

[Introduction to Rock-Solid Pile (328/800)]

With the aid of the medicinal bath, his cultivation efficiency increased significantly, and he gained nearly 50 points of proficiency in a single day.

"I can practice a little longer when I get home."

Ye Ci was in a good mood. Unlike Xiao Hua, who was obsessed with achieving great success, he only wanted to live a peaceful life.

After all, he was the only male heir in the Ye family, with elderly, weak, sick, and disabled people behind him.

Time passed by unnoticed.

Disciples come and go in the front courtyard, with new disciples entering and old disciples leaving.

Some people were asked to leave by Senior Brother Fang, supposedly because their Qi and blood couldn't accumulate enough, and their families couldn't afford the tuition.

Occasionally, a few disciples would be seen sighing and groaning in the courtyard, looking troubled.

They have accumulated enough vital energy, but they dare not attempt to break through the barrier, for once they fail, there will be no hope left.

Because Xiao Hua had attempted to break through the barrier too quickly, two disciples in the front courtyard were provoked and tried to break through the barrier by force but failed. They disappeared the next day.

Wang De, on the other hand, was always carefree and irresponsible, showing absolutely no sense of urgency.

Ye Ci remained completely unaffected and continued practicing martial arts.

That day, the martial arts school suddenly became lively. The courtyard, which was usually filled only with the sounds of fists and kicks, suddenly had many more people.

Ye Ci caught a glimpse of several people dressed in brocade and with jade belts around their waists walking in, followed by a respectful steward. Without asking, he knew that they were wealthy families or owners of large shops in the city who had come to select people.

Wang De explained, "They are all wealthy families in the county. As long as we get to Mingjin, we can make a lot of money, and the monthly salary is quite good."

Master Yang Huaichuan stood at the door and greeted them with his hands clasped in greeting.

At this moment, the second senior apprentice, Fang Cheng, called out to the apprentices in the front yard:

"Come to the inner courtyard, everyone, and let's see what our senior brothers are capable of."

Upon hearing this, the boys in the front yard all followed suit.

This was Ye Ci's first time stepping into the inner courtyard. In Ye Ci's eyes, the so-called inner courtyard was nothing more than a larger martial arts training ground.

By this time, many seats had already been allocated for the spectators.

"The table on the east side belongs to Mr. Wang, the owner of the silk shop."

Upon hearing Wang De's introduction, Ye Ci saw a chubby man who looked like a shopkeeper, squinting his eyes, occasionally raising his hand to point, and whispering something to the steward beside him.

Wang De had trained at the martial arts school for a long time, so he was very familiar with these intricacies and explained them to Ye Ci one by one:

"Those people to the west are the owners of the largest grain shop in the south of the city... over there are the blacksmiths... and the escort agency... and the gangs, but Master Yang forbids his disciples from joining gangs, but it's not easy to offend them either..."

"These people who are recruiting usually only come once every six months, but this time it's earlier than expected, because Master Yang personally invited them."

The students from the outer academy around him whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with envy.

"You still need to develop your strength! If you work part-time for wealthy families, you can earn three taels of silver a month; if you work full-time, the pay will be even higher!"

"Yes, then your family won't need to farm anymore..."

Some people secretly scoffed, "If you develop strength, you'll eat even more, and that little money won't be enough to cover your expenses."

Some people nodded in agreement: "It's all thanks to Master Yang for helping to contact these wealthy families, otherwise, who among those senior brothers could support us... Practicing martial arts is a bottomless pit."

Ye Ci's heart stirred slightly. Regardless of whether it was a bottomless pit or not, at least Master Yang had a wide network of connections, which would be of great benefit to his disciple.

If one develops Ming Jin (a type of internal strength), even a part-time job can earn three taels of silver per month, which amounts to thirty-six taels of silver per year.

This is an enormous sum of money for four elderly, infirm, or disabled people in the family.

You should know that Grandma Li only earns two or three hundred coins a month, and she can't even afford to eat all year round. Although I let them spend money now, I am actually reluctant to spend it on the "old, weak, sick and disabled".

Only when I actually have a stable income can my grandparents eat with peace of mind.

Second Senior Brother Fang Cheng, leading a group of youths, noticed the burning gazes on them and covered his mouth with a low laugh:

"Look at these wealthy families. If any of you master this skill, you might even be chosen as a son-in-law and brought into their household. Then you'll truly have no worries about food and clothing."

By this time, everyone was seated.

"Come, let me demonstrate for you distinguished guests."

Yang Huaichuan said.

After he finished speaking, a senior brother who had been called upon by Master Yang led the group out and clasped his hands in a salute to the wealthy households.

This man was tall and straight, and his punches were swift and powerful, his movements swift and decisive. In just a few moves, he drew nods of praise from the crowd.

The owner of the silk shop, Mr. Wang, immediately waved and told his steward to write down his name.

Following that, one after another, senior brothers were called out, each displaying extraordinary skills, earning rounds of cheers.

"Xiao Hua!"

Upon hearing his name called out, Yang Huaichuan stood up, looked around, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said loudly:

"My disciple has mastered the basics of Rock Stance and Mountain-Embracing Fist in just ten days of intensive training."

Everyone nodded, knowing that Master Yang had invited them today because of Xiao Hua.

Xiao Hua stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands:

"Distinguished guests, I humbly request permission to present this!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Hua lowered his body slightly, his feet firmly planted on the ground. His back was straight as a pine tree, his shoulders were slightly lowered, and his hands hung naturally at his sides, exuding a sense of composure and weight.

Yang Huaichuan stood to one side, a barely perceptible hint of approval on his lips.

The surrounding dignitaries gradually fell silent, their gazes all falling on Xiao Hua. Some nodded slightly, while others whispered among themselves…

He mastered the Rock Stake and Mountain-Embracing Fist techniques in just ten days.

Such talent at such a young age is truly exceptional.

A moment later, Xiao Hua exhaled and spoke, a low shout that made the surrounding air tremble slightly, and his figure suddenly moved.

With his left hand loosely held at his chest and his right hand relaxed at the shoulder and elbow, the force of his punches carried the sound of air being cut through, each punch delivered with swift and decisive action.

"A single sound is worth a thousand pieces of gold!"

Ye Ci knew this was Ming Jin, and the strength at this moment was at least five hundred to eight hundred jin.

Xiao Hua moved with agility and flexibility, seamlessly integrating stance training and boxing techniques, each step firm and powerful.

"Excellent boxing skills! To have such a foundation at such a young age, the claim of completing the 'ten-day grueling training' is no exaggeration!"

Suddenly, a cheer rang out from the crowd. It was a nobleman dressed in brocade robes, his eyes filled with amazement.

Xiao Hua ignored him, his fists growing stronger and stronger. His aura became increasingly concentrated. With a final strike, he threw out both fists at once, letting out a deep shout. The force of his fists struck the surrounding open ground, producing a crisp sound.

After a moment of silence, thunderous cheers suddenly erupted from all around.

Xiao Hua steadily finished his stance, his aura calm and collected, and once again clasped his hands in a salute:

"I have made a fool of myself. I have only achieved a small success thanks to my master's guidance."

Yang Huaichuan stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said loudly:

"No need to be so modest. Your skill is evident to all. After ten days of intensive training, you have mastered both stance training and fist techniques. From now on, you will be my last disciple, and I hope you will all take good care of you."

Everyone present nodded in agreement, and someone said with a smile, "Master Yang has a good eye."

Some people looked at Xiao Hua with a recruiting look in their eyes and praised him, saying, "With such talent, and being Master Yang's last disciple... Putting aside the part-time job, I would like to give him a few doses of Qi and Blood Powder as a token of my appreciation."

"A closed-door disciple! When did this happen...? How come I didn't know about it!"

When Wang De heard these words, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Someone nearby muttered, tugging at his sleeve: "You're just an apprentice, why do I need to tell you about things in the inner courtyard?"

"Haha, what happened a few days ago... Xiao Hua is an honest person and wanted to recognize his master as his godfather. His master liked him very much and it was normal for him to accept him as his last disciple."

Fang Cheng led the disciples from the front courtyard away with a smile.

Godfather?

Ye Ci shook his head. On this point, he felt that Master Yang didn't have much insight.

At this moment, the inner courtyard had become a place where various nobles were offering prices to invite the disciples present to become part-time or full-time employees.

But everyone knows that Yang Shi's invitation today is just a side event; the real purpose is for Xiao Hua.

With such talent and potential, Xiao Hua will surely attract investment from influential people.

Who wouldn't want to get to know a martial arts graduate beforehand!

At Xiao Hua's age, his future is truly limitless.

"Junior Brother Ye, how's your training going lately?"

Senior Brother Fang patted Ye Ci on the shoulder and reminded him, "Tomorrow is the end of the month, it's time to hand in your tuition... By the way, have you felt any surge of energy and a desire to break through to the next level lately?"

His last sentence was a polite remark, as he was afraid of hurting Ye Ci's feelings.

The so-called "knocking on the gate" means that when one's Qi and blood are vigorous to a certain extent, one can feel the shackles in the body. Breaking through these shackles can lead to a qualitative change. However, in Senior Brother Fang's opinion, it would be difficult for Ye Ci to reach the Ming Jin level in a month.

However, if one reaches the Ming Jin level within three months, according to the rules, Master Yang will exempt one year from tuition fees.

"Thank you for your concern, senior brother. If I am unable to enter the gate tomorrow, I will naturally offer you tuition fees."

Ye Ci nodded, said no more, and went back to the courtyard to practice his skills.

Senior Brother Fang smiled and shook his head before leaving. He had a very good impression of Ye Ci, who was a diligent disciple.

Unfortunately, hard work doesn't always pay off.

After practicing for a long time, Ye Ci exhaled a breath of stale air, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and stared into the void, where words suddenly appeared.

[Heaven bestows its ordination, Heaven rewards diligence, with unwavering focus, all laws will naturally arise]

[Introduction to Rock-Solid Pile (743/800)]