Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

The courtyard in front of us is larger than the Chen residence in Anyang County, but the layout is not new and even a bit old.

But that's not the point.

Chen Mo turned his gaze to the scattered fist stances and sword racks.

Every single item and every single structure is polished to a gleaming shine, silently bearing witness to the passage of time.

"I'll take you to get two sets of summer martial arts uniforms first, so you can change into them. Then you'll have two more sets for winter."

After saying that, Tan Yuan took a few steps and entered a room that looked like a storage room, with Chen Mo following closely behind.

Tan Yuan took out two pieces from some neatly stacked martial arts uniforms, compared them to Chen Mo's figure, shook his head, changed into two more sets, and then handed the uniforms over with satisfaction. Chen Mo quickly accepted them with both hands.

Then, led by Tan Yuan, Chen Mo retrieved some everyday items.

"There's still the most important thing I haven't retrieved; I need to go to Senior Sister Xiaoyun to get it."

Tan Yuan said mysteriously, and then walked towards a house filled with a strong medicinal fragrance. Chen Mo followed him, carrying a large pile of items in his hands.

A short while later, the two entered the house.

Chen Mo looked around and saw that the room was filled with many flowers, plants and herbs, with potted plants on the floor and shelves.

"Senior brother, where is this?"

Tan Yuan explained, "This is the pharmacy, and it's under the jurisdiction of Senior Sister Xiaoyun."

As they were talking, a figure emerged from behind a pile of potted plants—a woman wearing a light blue dress.

"Senior Sister Xiaoyun!" Tan Yuan called out.

"Senior Sister," Chen Mo called out.

Jiang Xiaoyun walked up to the two of them. "You're a junior brother who just arrived today? How's it going on the mountain?"

Chen Mo nodded and replied, "Yes, Senior Sister, my name is Chen Mo. On the way up the mountain, Senior Brother Tan told me about the basic situation of Fangyuan. I feel that this place is very good, and it is no different from home."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoyun smiled slightly. "That's good. Each of us disciples can receive three doses of pills each month: Qi Condensation Pill, Meridian Activation Pill, and Vein Protection Pill. The first is used to increase cultivation speed, while the latter two are used to protect the meridians and tendons."

As she spoke, she took out three small bottles and handed them over, each with the name of a pill written on it in elegant handwriting.

Chen Mo accepted it and immediately thanked him.

Tan Yuan said, "The pills in our Fang Academy are all grown and refined by Senior Sister Xiaoyun herself. Other academies don't have this privilege."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo revealed a look of admiration.

But then it occurred to me that one of the ingredients in the Vein Protection Pill is cicada molting. Perhaps I could come and help Jiang Xiaoyun refine the Vein Protection Pill more often in the future, so as to hone the Fire Separation Mystic Art.

However, now that I've entered the sect, I need to strike a balance between refining my cultivation of nature and practicing martial arts. Otherwise, it wouldn't be good if someone discovered my use of nature cultivation.

He then asked, "How long do we practice each day? Are there any rules?"

"The road up the mountain is long, Junior Brother Chen, you should go and rest first."

Jiang Xiaoyun said with concern, "There's no rush to practice. When Master returns, he will teach you how to do it. However, the pace of practice in our Fang Academy is relatively leisurely, and we generally don't force you."

In other words, they are quite easygoing.

This was exactly what Chen Mo wanted.

He nodded and clasped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Senior Sister Xiaoyun. Thank you, Senior Brother Tan."

After leaving the pharmacy, they arrived at a room that Tan Yuan had previously indicated. This was Chen Mo's single room, fully furnished with all kinds of items. Although it wasn't high-end, it was sufficient.

Chen Mo put down his belongings, thinking that there was no rush to practice his skills and hone his skills in the mountains and waters. He should first familiarize himself with the environment here to make things easier in the future.

So, after resting for a while, he pushed open the door and went out, taking a different path than he had come by.

In the height of summer, cicadas chirp incessantly.

It was almost evening, and the sunset clouds on the horizon were like ribbons of silk, as if a celestial maiden were waving her sleeves, a breathtaking sight.

On the way, he met several fellow disciples. During their conversation, they learned that he was a new junior disciple and were very interested in him, questioning him in various ways.

According to them, Fang Liang had not taken on any new apprentices for almost a year, so his sudden acceptance of one today must mean he is a promising talent!

Chen Mo circled the Fangyuan courtyard for about half an hour. Besides the training grounds that could be seen everywhere, there were also pharmacies, herb gardens, dining halls, purification rooms, weapon rooms, and other buildings.

He entered the armory and saw a variety of ordinary weapons on display, including knives, forks, swords, halberds, spears, and clubs.

Especially swords.

Nine Swords Mountain is named after swords, and therefore has a unique "obsession" with them.

"From now on, I'll need to get myself a handy weapon..."

"In terms of lethality, fists and feet are ultimately weaker."

After thinking about all this, Chen Mo slowly walked back to his dormitory.

Not long after, Fang Liang returned to the courtyard alone, without bringing back any other new disciples.

He called Chen Mo into the training room and asked, "What kind of martial arts do you practice?"

Chen Mo pondered for a moment and replied, "This disciple practices the Dragon Subduing Stance Technique."

Fang Liang nodded slightly. "The Dragon Subduing Stance Technique is indeed a good match for the Tiger Subduing Fist, but after coming to Nine Swords Mountain, this technique has become inferior. Tomorrow, go to the Technique Pavilion at the highest point of Linzhi Peak and choose a technique with the other newly initiated disciples."

"Yes, Master."

"Your Tiger-Taming Fist was quite good, but if you come to Nine Swords Mountain and don't learn swordsmanship, you'll be wasting a great opportunity. Tomorrow, you should also choose a swordsmanship manual."

Chen Mo nodded and asked, "How should I choose my cultivation method and swordsmanship?"

He actually knew what he was doing; choosing cultivation methods and swordsmanship only required following the principles of cultivating one's skills through nature.

He asked this question because he wanted to hear what Fang Liang, a master of the "Baodan Jin" (a type of internal energy cultivation technique), would think.

Without hesitation, Fang Liang said, "Your punches are adept at variation, so when choosing martial arts techniques and swordsmanship, you should also choose those with diverse styles and not bound by a single move, so as to maximize your strengths."

Chen Mo's heart stirred slightly, and Fang Liang immediately saw that his boxing style was unpredictable, which came from the improved comprehension he gained from cultivating his skills in the mountains and rivers.

"Oh, right."

Fang Liang suddenly said, "Every disciple who enters the sect must undertake a long-term mission. Tomorrow, after you have chosen your cultivation method and swordsmanship, go to Chengyun Pavilion to receive a mission. You will receive a corresponding monthly stipend of medicinal herbs."

"it is good."

"That's all for now. You can go back first. Our courtyard is usually quite free, and there isn't much to do. You can make your own arrangements."

Chen Mo responded with a "yes," then left the training room, had a simple dinner with Tan Yuan and the others, and returned to his dormitory.

He sat down quietly, flames gathered in his palms, and began to refine his martial arts techniques.

into the night.

A flame's shadow danced and swayed on the windowpane.

Beneath this flame, a piece of malachite was stripped of its verdigris and transformed into metallic copper, and the Iron Light Skill's comprehension also slowly improved.

In the middle of the night, the flames went out, and Chen Mo in the room began to practice the Luo Yan Step and the Iron Light Skill.

He pondered that if he found a new martial arts technique tomorrow, the Dragon-Capturing Force and the Tiger-Subduing Fist would be the next choices.