Starting from the pharmacy, he grew into a martial saint among men.

Meanwhile, the Iron Fist Gang.

"Boss, Wang Yang of the Blackwater Gang has been captured," Chen Long, the leader of Wutongfang, reported in a low voice.

The gang leader sat imposingly in the main seat, his eyes fierce.

"What's the point of keeping so many of my brothers alive? Kill them!"

Chen Long quickly shook his head and said:

"Boss, we've been tricked! The one who killed Chen Hu and the others wasn't Wang Yang at all; it was someone else!"

He reported all the information he had obtained from interrogating Wang Yang.

Upon hearing this, the gang leader's face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, his anger erupting:

"How dare you mess with members of my Iron Fist Gang! You don't want to live!"

He had sensed something was wrong earlier, but Wang Yang had indeed escaped.

Logically, returning for revenge is the only course of action.

So I didn't think about it anymore.

Unexpectedly, someone dared to take advantage of the situation.

"Chen Long, do you have anyone you suspect?"

Chen Long replied in a deep voice, "The investigation is still ongoing. We have several candidates in mind. The most suspicious one is Chu Hong from the Chu Family Pharmacy."

"He was practicing martial arts at Chengfeng Martial Arts School and happened to be home these past few days, which coincided with the time of the murder. In addition, the thugs who had previously caused trouble at his house have also disappeared."

"So he's the most likely candidate."

Upon hearing that it was the Chu Family Pharmacy, the gang leader's eyes turned slightly cold:

"Let's investigate secretly first. Even if it really is him, don't make any moves for now. We still need Chu Jianghe to contribute to the gang."

"Once we take over the Triads, we'll settle accounts with the Chu family."

-----------------

"Hey, Tang Sinian is actually back."

"What good will it do to come back? It's just a joke. What future can someone with such inferior talent have?"

Chu Hong had just returned to Chengfeng Martial Arts School when he heard this gossip.

But he didn't care and immediately threw himself into a new round of martial arts training.

With ample money in hand, he no longer felt the need to compromise himself.

The martial arts school's regular meals were no longer enough for him.

In order to accumulate qi and blood more quickly, he spent a lot of money to purchase more nourishing donkey meat and venison.

He even generously invited Xiao Yi to enjoy the meal together.

Eat your fill, then practice martial arts; practice until you're hungry, then eat again.

The two were accumulating qi and blood at a rapid pace, and Xiao Yi even successfully broke through the barrier thanks to this push.

Therefore, he was even more grateful to Chu Hong.

Tang Sinian became much quieter, spending his days with Chu Hong and Xiao Yi, also leaving early and returning late, diligently practicing martial arts.

And just like that, more than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Chu Hong was practicing his boxing with Xiao Yi when he suddenly heard a hearty laugh coming from the inner courtyard.

"Hahaha, great! Xiao Hai, congratulations on successfully breaking through to the Dark Force realm!"

The outer disciples immediately stirred up a commotion and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

It turns out that Pang Hai, who has superior physical constitution, has already made his second attempt at breaking through to the Ming Jin level in just one month.

He has become a true master of internal strength.

All told, he has only been practicing martial arts for a month and a half.

This progress is truly astonishing.

As news of Pang Hai's breakthrough in internal energy cultivation spread, the threshold of the martial arts school was soon worn down by visitors.

"Brother Zhuang, congratulations! Xiao Hai has reached the Dark Force realm; his future is limitless!"

Zhuang Chengfeng went up to him with a beaming smile: "Master Zhao, you're too kind. Please come in, please come in."

The Zhao family head looked at Pang Hai and smiled:

"Xiao Hai, from today onwards, your temporary post at my house will be upgraded to a monthly salary of twenty taels of silver. I will tell you about the other benefits later."

Pang Hai bowed deeply, his face full of excitement: "Thank you, Patriarch Zhao."

A month ago, when he successfully broke through to the Ming Jin level, the Zhao family head extended an olive branch.

They hired him to work for the Zhao family and teach their daughter martial arts.

Ten taels of silver per month, and one hour of instruction every three days.

Now that he has mastered the hidden strength, his treatment has naturally improved accordingly.

Patriarch Zhao patted Pang Hai with considerable appreciation and said with a smile, "Little Hai, I think you're of marriageable age. What do you think of Yan'er?"

Yan'er is naturally the daughter of the Zhao family head.

After more than a month of martial arts training, the two had already developed feelings for each other, so how could he refuse such a good opportunity?

"Xiao Hai...we wish Patriarch Zhao would make the decision!"

Pang Hai was overjoyed, but he forced himself to remain composed.

"Hmm? Still calling him Patriarch Zhao?"

"Father-in-law!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

At this time, more and more powerful groups arrived at the entrance of the martial arts school.

Representatives from the Wang and Li families in the inner city, as well as gangs like the Sanhe Gang and the Iron Fist Gang, were present.

Some immediately offered dozens of taels of silver, while others presented rare medicinal herbs such as Snow Jade Ginseng, vying to show off in front of Pang Hai.

Pang Hai is already a member of the Zhao family, so they naturally can't win him over.

But leaving behind a good relationship is never a bad thing.

The apprentices from the foreign language department were filled with envy, dreaming that they would be like that in the future.

Some people even projected themselves onto Pang Hai, letting out strange, chuckling laughs.

Some people, upon seeing Pang Hai's engagement, also began gossiping about other martial arts schools.

For example, Xiang Rufei, a disciple of Tianhua Martial Arts School, is very close to Qin Lin of the Qin family, and Chen Qing of Zhou Family Martial Arts School recently took a third concubine.

But none of this, like the commotion caused by Pang Hai's breakthrough in internal energy, affected Chu Hong.

He remained immersed in his own world, practicing standing meditation, sparring, eating, and resting.

The proficiency level on the panel increases very quickly.

Three days later, Chu Hong arrived at the training ground for his final push.

【Hun Yuan Zhuang (Beginner)】

[Proficiency: 498/500]

"Just a little bit more, just a little more perseverance, and it'll be done!"

Chu Hong held his breath and focused his mind, getting into position, his blood and qi surging throughout his body.

Xiao Yi stood quietly by his side, protecting him.

Suddenly, white steam rose from Chu Hong's body.

In an instant, someone noticed him and exclaimed in surprise.

"Look, another one is about to knock on the gate!"

"It's Chu Hong!"

These days, everyone has seen this kind of scene before.

But every time someone knocks on the gate, he can't help but shout and watch.

Pang Hai, who had just returned from outside, also stopped to watch, with his beautiful senior sister Song Yue by his side.

Song Yue stopped, looked at the arena, and asked, "Is Junior Brother Pang looking at Junior Brother Chu Hong?"

Pang Hai nodded: "We used to be roommates, I didn't expect him to be trying to get close to me too."

"Junior Brother Pang is truly a sentimental person."

The girl smiled and hooked her finger: "Although Junior Brother Chu's aptitude is a bit lacking, he is very hardworking. He has had a tough time these days."

"Oh?" Pang Hai looked at Song Yue in surprise and smiled, "Senior Sister seems to admire him quite a bit."

"I...I just really admire his perseverance..." Song Yue's cheeks flushed slightly.

A shadow crossed Pang Hai's eyes.

He knew that Senior Sister Song would occasionally sneak a peek at Chu Hong practicing martial arts.

Is this admiration for perseverance? He wouldn't believe it even if you beat him to death.

Senior Sister Song is very beautiful.

Although not as good as Zhuang Qing and Zhao Yan.

But its full-figured body has a unique charm.

Having come from a life of hardship, Pang Hai has little resistance to beautiful things.

In his heart, he wanted to inherit the Chengfeng Martial Arts School and be its master.

Everything inside the martial arts school will be his private property.

Even if she's his senior, she should belong to him.

It cannot be allowed to be coveted by outsiders.

Therefore, listening to his senior sister's words, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

Do you admire him?

"It's questionable whether someone with inferior physical constitution can even unlock the Ming Jin (a type of internal energy) level."

"Even if you manage to succeed by sheer luck, you'll be stuck at the hurdle of internal strength."

"Senior sister, you should have higher standards, instead of choosing such a rotten apple."

In the training ground, Chu Hong remained focused and dedicated.

Suddenly, a panel flashed in front of him.

[Hun Yuan Stance Proficiency +1]

[The Hunyuan stance has broken through to the 'minor completion' stage]

The accumulated energy and blood exploded out with a roar, transforming into a massive force.

It washes over the meridians, tempers the flesh and muscles, and almost shatters the whole body before rebuilding it.

A series of piercing pains and tingling sensations arrived simultaneously.

It almost knocked him unconscious.

Before long, Chu Hong felt a lightness all over his body.

The world has become clearer than ever before.

Even the tiny mosquitoes on the leaves in the distance were crystal clear to him.

The sound of autumn mosquitoes flapping their wings, the crawling of ants on the ground, and the breathing of those around him were all exceptionally clear to his ears.

"It's done! It's at the Mingjin level!"