Martial Saint: Starting with Accumulating Experience

Seeing Lin Yan deep in thought, one of the disciples made a suggestion.

"Why don't we go and take a look? Someone with average to below-average aptitude who can become a disciple must have some skills."

"Sure, I happen to have a friend who studies martial arts. I can ask him to introduce us. We're all from the same school, so it's good to get on good terms early on. Brother Lin, are you going?"

"Of course I'll go! I'd love to meet this genius, and if the opportunity arises, I might even represent the Lin family and make an investment."

"As expected of Brother Lin, your mind works so fast, you're already thinking about how to win him over."

The group chatted and laughed as they walked through the courtyard and turned down the corridor, arriving at the disciples' quarters of the boxing academy. The decor was no different from the staff academy's dormitory, the only difference being that there were fewer disciples there.

Especially among wealthy families, the number of disciples learning boxing is far less than the number learning staff.

At this moment, there was only one person in the small courtyard in front of the dormitory.

"Huai'an! Huai'an!"

One of Lin Yan's disciples greeted the people in the courtyard loudly upon seeing them.

"Song Linzhou? What brings you here? And who are these people?"

"These are all my good friends from the same courtyard. This is Lin Yan, and this is..." Song Linzhou introduced the people next to him one by one.

Lin Yan nodded, which was considered a greeting.

"He's the friend I was talking about, his name is Cheng Huai'an."

"What are you doing here...?"

"We heard that the headmaster has taken on a disciple at the boxing academy, so we thought we'd like to come and see. Could you introduce us?"

Cheng Huai'an scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed.

"Actually, I'm not very familiar with him. We've only chatted briefly twice. It seems that Brother Chen's family isn't wealthy. The tuition fees he pays are all in the two-ounce range."

Upon hearing this, Song Linzhou was delighted.

"That's perfect. He's at a low point in his life right now. If we invest in him, he'll achieve great things in the future, and he'll never forget this kindness."

Cheng Huai'an suddenly realized, "So that's why you've come. Alright, Brother Chen should still be training right now. I'll take you there and tell you which one it is, then you can discuss it yourselves."

"Hurry, hurry, before they leave."

……

The setting sun slanted across the courtyard wall, its golden rays falling on the bluestone slabs.

Chen Feng, dressed in a plain-colored short-sleeved shirt, with his waist tightly bound, stood alone in the corner of the courtyard wall, practicing his boxing again and again. Other disciples nearby were observing Chen Feng's movements carefully, trying to understand them.

Chen Feng mobilized all the qi and blood in his body with every move, seeking to achieve the greatest possible training. The result of this was an exhaustion several times greater than that of an ordinary person.

Each punch he threw was accompanied by the cracking of bones and muscles, and the bluestone beneath his feet seemed to tremble slightly.

Sweat trickled down his forehead, his resolute face held a determined gaze, and sweat soaked his back, a thin layer of heat rising from his skin.

With the final punch, Chen Feng exhaled a breath of stale air and stood up, fist withdrawn. Feeling the surging blood and qi within his body, he had already touched the edge of the Blood Refining Realm!

[Practicing boxing techniques...Experience +200]

"Thank you, Brother Chen, for clearing up my doubts."

A rather thin young man quickly stepped forward and handed Chen Feng a handkerchief. At the same time, he slipped a few loose silver coins into Chen Feng's hand.

This man's name is Meng Zhaowu. His father is the president of the Fuxing Chamber of Commerce, the largest chamber of commerce in Pingcheng. It's less about learning martial arts and more about recruiting talent.

Chen Feng had been having pleasant conversations with him in recent days and found him to be shrewd and intelligent.

"Thank you, Brother Meng." Chen Feng accepted the handkerchief, but refused the money, saying:

"No need for silver. I usually practice my boxing here, and I haven't given you any special instruction."

"Oh, you're mistaken. My observation of your boxing techniques here will inevitably have an impact on you, so I must show my appreciation."

Unable to resist Meng Zhaowu's enthusiasm, Chen Feng stopped refusing and finally accepted the gift.

"Thank you, Brother Meng."

Chen Feng bowed and thanked him.

Since he became a disciple, many people have tried to win him over and invest in him, but Meng Zhaowu is the only one who is different. Even after learning that Chen Feng only has a lower-middle aptitude, his attitude did not change and he remained enthusiastic.

Not only did he introduce the other students to Chen Feng, but he also gave Chen Feng no less than ten taels of silver under the pretext of observation and learning.

However, he never mentioned the recruitment, as if he simply wanted to make friends.

Chen Feng also disliked owing favors, so he taught Meng Zhaowu all his understanding of the Five Elements Fist Technique. The two gradually became acquainted.

"Brother Chen's comprehension is truly astonishing; his understanding of the Five Elements Fist Technique is so thorough."

Meng Zhaowu sighed.

"If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, and I will answer them to the best of my knowledge."

"Definitely, definitely."

The two sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, resting and chatting.

At that moment, footsteps came from the courtyard gate; it was Cheng Huai'an and his group.

Chen Feng saw one of them pointing at him, seemingly introducing him to the people around him. After a few whispered words, the group slowly walked over.

"It seems that a disciple from the Staff Academy wants to befriend Brother Chen. In that case, I will not disturb you any longer and will take my leave."

Meng Zhaowu said with a smile, and got up to leave.

As the group drew closer, Chen Feng finally saw their faces clearly. His gaze swept quickly across the crowd, but they were all unfamiliar faces… No, wait.

Chen Feng's pupils suddenly contracted as he noticed the person in the very center.

That was a familiar face—

Lin Yan!

Betrayal, humiliation, ridicule... all sorts of unforgettable memories from the past flooded back.

Lin Yan, standing in the crowd, turned terribly gloomy upon seeing Chen Feng. A fleeting look of disgust crossed his face, which he quickly concealed.

Meng Zhaowu, who had just stood up, was facing the group of people. He noticed the change in Lin Yan's expression and paused in his steps. He glanced back at Chen Feng, thought for a moment, and then sat back down.

Song Linzhou walked over quickly with a smile on his face.

"With your imposing presence and handsome face, you must be Chen Feng, Master Zhou's newly accepted disciple."

Song Linzhou praised Chen Feng, his words clearly showing his approval, completely unaware of the change in Lin Yan's expression beside him.

Chen Feng couldn't figure out the other party's intentions, but as the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, so he responded politely.

"It's me, Senior Brother. What brings you here?"

"My name is Song Linzhou. I have long admired Brother Chen's reputation and have been wanting to make his acquaintance. Now that I see you, you are indeed extraordinary."

"So it's Brother Song, I've heard so much about you."

Upon hearing this, Song Linzhou's face lit up with joy, assuming that Chen Feng had also heard about his extensive network of friends, and he spoke up.

"Come, let me introduce you, this is..."

"No need, we know each other." Lin Yan raised his hand, indicating that Song Linzhou didn't need to say anything more.

Chen Feng looked at Lin Yan; this was the first time he had faced his enemy directly since his transmigration.

He skillfully concealed the look in his eyes, his face remaining expressionless.

"So you two know each other, haha, that's good. Brother Chen, I'll be frank. Actually, I've come here today with the intention of investing. My family is..."

Song Lin'an didn't turn around, so he didn't see Lin Yan's increasingly gloomy face.

"I heard from Cheng Huai'an that your family is poor, but the expenses of learning martial arts are huge. My Song family is willing to provide convenience and cover your training expenses at the Longxing Martial Arts School, including medicinal baths, blood food, and even herbal soups..."

Song Linzhou was still talking eloquently, but Cheng Huai'an's expression changed drastically when Song Linzhou mentioned him. He never expected Song Linzhou to be so blunt.

I did say that Chen Feng only paid two taels of silver for tuition, but you can't just point it out to him directly.

Cheng Huai'an was already thinking about how to explain to Chen Feng that Chen Feng's boxing skills had improved and he often gave pointers to others. He was quite prestigious among the disciples who learned boxing and should not be offended easily.

"...The condition is that after you become a martial artist, you must serve as a retainer in my Song family for two years. How about it?"

Before Chen Feng could refuse, Lin Yan's gloomy voice rang out.

"Brother Song, you should know that if a disciple fails to become a personal disciple within six months, their disciple status will be revoked..."

Song Linzhou was taken aback.