Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

Several things intertwined in Chen Mo's mind.

First, there was the conflict between the Black Tiger Gang and the Fierce Sand Gang after Huang E's death.

Furthermore, information was extracted from the black-clad assassin who killed him: the deputy leader of the Hansha Gang was under the command of Zhao Huayuan.

Then there's the Black Tiger Gang's recent practice of frequently arresting people for human sacrifice.

Finally, Zhang Cai overheard a conversation between the Black Tiger Hall Master and Zhao Huayuan yesterday by chance.

Chen Mo had a guess in his mind: perhaps Zhao Huayuan was the leader of the Fierce Sand Gang.

The death of Huang E was not enough to cause the two gangs to fight each other. Rather, it was the Black Tiger Gang's demand for the cooperation of the Han Sha Gang on a matter that led to the conflict between the two factions.

Yesterday, Zhao Huayuan was forced by the power of the Black Tiger Hall to agree to their demands. As for what it was about, it might be related to human sacrifice.

Chen Mo had long suspected that human sacrifice was equivalent to losing labor power, which would not benefit the Black Tiger Hall.

He secretly thought that the Black Tiger Gang must have ulterior motives.

However, as long as it doesn't affect his participation in martial arts training, such matters are none of his concern.

"I understand, Ah-Cai. These kinds of conspiracies between big shots are still far removed from my own world."

Chen Mo said calmly.

Zhang Cai nodded as if he understood, "That's true, just be careful."

Chen Mo nodded in agreement, bid farewell to the two, and returned to the Wu family's blacksmith shop to continue refining his skills and cultivating his martial arts.

Before I knew it, it was dusk.

He focused his mind and summoned a virtual interface for cultivating his inner energy amidst mountains and waters:

[Refined through countless trials, nurtured by mountains and rivers]

【Dragon Subduing Stance Exercise: Basic stance exercise, training leg flexibility at the bottom and fist strength at the top】

Comprehension: 72/100 (Minor Success)

【Tiger Subduing Fist: The fist contains the roar of a tiger, imbued with immense power】

Comprehension: 82/100 (Minor Success)

[Luo Yanbu: Steps leave trails of smoke, shadows vanish without a trace]

Comprehension: 24/50 (Minor Success)

He has now begun practicing the fifth form of the Tiger Subduing Fist, Snake Entanglement Hand, and the sixth form, Swallow Return Strike.

The former's punches are tricky and unpredictable, with a trajectory that is as winding and twisting as a snake, making it the best at circumventing the enemy's defense.

The latter is actually a set of counter-whip punches, using retreat as a means of advance, feigning retreat while actually advancing, making it impossible for the enemy behind to defend against.

The addition of these two moves undoubtedly boosted Chen Mo's combat power significantly.

He secretly rejoiced.

Without the method of cultivating one's skills in nature, with his original talent, he would never have been able to comprehend the subtleties of the Tiger Subduing Fist manual.

I've practiced until today.

Even Yin Tianqing wouldn't dare say that his understanding of every move and stance of the Tiger Subduing Fist surpassed Chen Mo's.

Moreover, we have not yet achieved even a minor success. What will it be like if we reach a major success in the future?

Chen Mo pulled his thoughts back from drifting away.

Focus on the present.

Only by quickly reaching the peak of Ming Jin, or even breaking through to An Jin, can one have hope in the martial arts competition arena where masters gather.

Time flies, and another fifteen sunrises and sunsets have passed.

During this period, Chen Mo escorted the Wu family caravan twice without encountering any danger, and his status in the caravan's eyes rose day by day.

The blacksmith's iron billets ran out several times, and Wu Zhi'ai immediately ordered people to replenish them each time, so that Chen Mo would not be delayed for even a moment.

As for Tianqing Martial Arts School, Luo Heng's mentality was fractured after his defeat by Chen Mo. He has been in a slump ever since and left Tianqing Martial Arts School two days ago. Perhaps he will never be able to master the Dark Force again.

……

That morning, the morning dew had not yet dried.

After Chen Mo completed ten repetitions of the Dragon Subduing Stance Exercise, he exhaled turbid air and his eyes gleamed.

After practicing stances for half a month, his cultivation level not only became completely stable at the late stage of Ming Jin, but he also faintly touched the threshold of the peak of Ming Jin.

After having breakfast, he went to the Tianqing Martial Arts School.

Upon entering the martial arts school, I learned some news from Li Xuan:

"There will be a competition between several factions in Heihe Town tomorrow as a warm-up for the upcoming martial arts competition."

This has happened in previous years as well.

Not only does it provide practical training, but it also allows for mutual understanding, giving us a glimpse into the strength of our opponents in this competition.

However, at this moment...

Yin Tianqing stepped out of the inner room, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire room. His voice, like thunder, said, "The three of you, come in one by one and spar with me. I'll test your skills."

After saying that, he put his hands behind his back and walked into the inner room, saying, "Yue Lun, you go first."

Yue Lun paused slightly, then murmured softly, "This never happened in previous years..."

Chen Mo remained relatively calm. He knew that this meant Yin Tianqing didn't have much confidence in the three of them and wanted to temporarily impart some practical experience.

Thinking of this, he silently retreated to the side of the wooden stake and focused on walking on it.

Li Xuan, on the other hand, seemed a little flustered, with a nervous look on his face, and his eyes kept glancing towards the inner room.

Impatient, he walked over to Chen Mo and asked, "Junior Brother Chen, how much of Master's strength do you think he'll use against us?"

Chen Mo stopped and shook his head.

Just as Li Xuan was about to speak again.

"Squeak—"

The door to the inner room opened, and Yue Lun walked out panting. When he reached Chen Mo and Li Xuan, he reminded them, "Junior Brother Li, it's your turn. We'll only test your moves, not your strength. It'll continue until you lose."

Li Xuan suddenly realized, and then a look of surprise appeared on his face.

If only the moves were tested, Yue Lun was one of the best among his fellow disciples in mastering the essentials of the moves, but from the moment he went in until he came out, it took him no more than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea...

He took a deep breath and went into the inner room.

In a short while, before Chen Mo had even finished half of his Dragon Subduing Stance Technique, Li Xuan came out shaking his head, his face looking rather grim.

"Junior Brother Chen, it's your turn. Master's test is... very strict."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo nodded slightly, then went into the inner room and closed the door.

Several people familiar with Chen Mo, including Ji Chang, Yin Shanshan, Yue Lun, and Li Xuan, all turned their gazes toward him.

Yue Lun lasted for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, while Li Xuan lasted for about a quarter of a cup. As for Chen Mo…

It should be faster.

The difference in understanding techniques between a master of Hua Jin (化劲) and a martial artist of Ming Jin (明劲) is like heaven and earth!

However, after waiting for a while, they still did not see that slightly thin figure emerge.

Half a cup of tea.

A cup of tea.

Two cups of tea.

"Junior Brother Chen..." Li Xuan frowned deeply, "Could it be that he received private instruction from Master?"

Yue Lun's expression hardened slightly. "If we consider that Junior Brother Chen started learning late, it's only reasonable for Master to teach him more techniques and essentials."

Even Ji Chang and Yin Shanshan, who had witnessed Chen Mo's many amazing feats, couldn't understand it at this moment.

"That doesn't make sense!" Ji Chang shouted.

After about five cups of tea's time, the wooden door to the inner room was finally slowly pushed open.

Yin Tianqing and Chen Mo walked out side by side, with a slight smile on the former's face.

"Snap!"

Yin Tianqing slapped Chen Mo on the shoulder with a heavy palm. "You're something else. I underestimated you. You managed to keep me from winning within fifty moves."

"It was Master who gave in to me," Chen Mo said, bowing slightly.

Upon hearing this, the people standing nearby were all taken aback.

Yin Tianqing's understanding of boxing techniques is second to none in the entire Anyang County. How could Chen Mo, a person with only Ming Jin cultivation, have such ability?

Chen Mo glanced up casually and saw that the gloom on Yin Tianqing's face seemed to have dissipated somewhat.