In chaotic times, one can become a martial immortal.

Lu Yuan didn't delay and immediately started cultivating as well.

[Five Animal Fist - Minor Mastery (275/1000)]

More than half an hour later, as Lu Yuan completed the Five Animal Fist training once, his proficiency level changed again.

Not only that, but his blood and qi had increased by three strands, at the cost of his body being almost completely drained again.

So, everyone continued to cultivate diligently, while Lu Yuan sat to the side and leisurely rested.

Everyone was clearly used to it by now and continued to diligently cultivate on their own.

During lunch break, many people gathered together and started chatting.

The newcomers were mostly poor teenagers from humble backgrounds who couldn't afford to attend proper martial arts schools.

Some people asked them, "Why did you come to practice martial arts?"

"I don't want to be bullied, so I need to practice martial arts to become stronger!"

"Martial artists can earn more money, enough to feed their parents and younger siblings!"

"I practice martial arts because I want to be superior to others, step by step, climbing to the very top!"

In fact, the reasons why everyone comes to practice martial arts are basically the same.

It's not about making myself stronger so I won't be bullied anymore, it's about becoming someone superior.

However, the difficulty of martial arts cannot be overcome by hard work alone.

Leaving aside the fact that the gap in physical constitution is almost impossible to bridge, the sheer amount of money required is enough to prevent most people from ever crossing it in their lifetime.

Those familiar faces who didn't come back probably chose to give up for this reason.

Either they can no longer afford the monthly tuition fee of one or two taels, or they can no longer support the expenses required for martial arts training.

Whether it's the former or the latter, the root cause is insufficient funds, making it impossible to continue.

After finishing his share of meat, Lu Yuan left again.

Why did he leave so early?

Seeing Lu Yuan leave alone, a newcomer asked curiously.

"Don't worry about him. In a few days, you shouldn't see him anymore!"

"Giving him a free serving of meat every day is such a waste!"

Wang Er, Zhu Ba, and the others all spoke with some indignation.

If they were given this free meat, coupled with their diligent practice, they would probably have already mastered the Five Animal Fist technique.

Without paying much attention, after resting for a while, everyone continued to work up a sweat.

……

Cultivation knows no time, yet time flies by.

Three days passed quickly.

Over the past three days, Lu Yuan has been going to Song Academy in the mornings to practice the Five Animal Fist once a day.

After finishing the free meat at lunchtime, I would leave immediately.

Although they still haven't found a suitable way to make money, the progress is still incredibly fast.

[Five Animal Fist - Minor Mastery (889/1000)]

Judging from his proficiency, Lu Yuan should be able to master the Five Animal Fist technique after just one more practice session today.

"Ah Yuan, you only practice the Five Animal Fist once a day, which is really affecting your progress. Among all the elders, not only Wu Yu and I have already mastered the Five Animal Fist, but even Chen Yong and the others successfully mastered it yesterday."

Chen Pi glanced at Lu Yuan, who was late again, and couldn't help but advise, "If you don't work harder, you definitely won't be able to keep third place in the test three days from now. Without the help of free meat, your cultivation progress will be even more affected."

"Brother Chenpi, I understand!"

Lu Yuan smiled and nodded; he naturally knew that Chen Pi was doing it for his own good.

However, his current recovery speed only allows him to train once in the morning and once in the evening at most.

After each training session, although there was obvious progress, I felt as if my whole body had been hollowed out, and I entered the sage stage directly. It would be difficult to do it a second time in a short period of time.

Unless one eats three large meals of meat a day, or even has medicinal soup to supplement their diet, it is impossible to train three times a day or even more.

"There's no need to say anything more to Chen Pi; just let him be!"

"Exactly, he's just not ambitious enough; no matter what we say, it's useless!"

"It's better if he doesn't try harder; in the test three days from now, we can at least compete for third place!"

Lu Yuan ignored all these discussions.

He came here to practice martial arts and become stronger, not to socialize.

In this world, it's not about human relationships and social graces, it's about fists.

Without delay, Lu Yuan immediately began cultivating on his own.

In a little over half an hour, the five types of stance training were completed in succession.

[Mastery of Five Animal Fist (7/10000)]

Almost simultaneously, proficiency also changed.

This also signifies that Lu Yuan has successfully mastered the Five Animal Fist.

It wasn't just a change in his proficiency; he also gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Five Animal Fist style.

His internal energy surged to three strands.

"My strength should now be at least 300 jin. If I unleash these three strands of blood energy within my body, I'm afraid even breaking through 400 jin wouldn't be a problem at all."

Lu Yuan carefully sensed the changes in his body and couldn't help but feel a little joy.

In addition to strength, speed and reaction ability have also been greatly enhanced.

Most importantly, he can finally begin his first Qi and Blood Tempering.

However, Lu Yuan did not rush to start tempering his blood and qi, but wanted to wait until he was fully recovered before doing so.

After finishing his lunch of meat, he left immediately.

The group continued to work hard, preparing for the test three days later.

……

After an afternoon of rest and recuperation, coupled with two consecutive meals of meat, Lu Yuan's condition finally returned to its peak.

"Well then... let's begin!"

Without hesitation, Lu Yuan assumed a proper stance, adjusted his breathing, and began to guide the three strands of qi and blood within his body to circulate throughout his entire being.

Wherever the Qi and blood flow, a slight burning sensation is felt.

Again and again, the flesh and blood were constantly washed away, and the bones and muscles seemed to crackle and pop.

As time went on, Lu Yuan seemed to feel a sense of blockage.

He knew that the time for tempering his Qi and blood was now the most crucial.

Without the slightest hesitation, he channeled all his energy and launched the final charge.

Flesh and blood trembled, and qi and blood boiled.

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Yuan felt as if his body had been completely opened up.

The body's Qi and blood seemed to be jumping for joy, flowing continuously and unimpeded.

At this moment, Lu Yuan found that his five senses had become more acute.

The chirping of insects outside was not only clearer, but he could also tell from the chirping which brick crack the insect was under.

Looking up again, although he couldn't quite see in the dark, he could still see everything within ten steps.

"The first Qi and Blood Tempering is a success!"

Lu Yuan couldn't help but feel excited. In less than half a month, he not only mastered the Five Animal Fist, but also completed his first Qi and Blood Tempering, becoming a true External Force Martial Artist.

"Slap! Slap! Slap..."

Once inside the courtyard, Lu Yuan casually threw a few punches.

The force of the punch created a crisp sound, as if tearing the air apart.

The next moment, Lu Yuan suddenly swung his fist and smashed it into a wooden stake.

As the Qi and blood circulated rapidly, a solid force suddenly erupted.

"Bang!"

……