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

Song Yue pursed her lips, as if she had a thousand words to say, but in the end she gently shook her head and said:

"Junior Brother Chu, I heard that your escort mission this time was extremely dangerous. You almost fell into the hands of a master of internal energy. It was only because Shi Yi blocked a blow for you that you survived."

"I think you've probably never truly experienced hidden strength."

"Come on, let your senior sister practice with you, so you can personally experience the difference between hidden strength and manifest strength."

Upon hearing this, Chu Hong was somewhat puzzled.

Why did Song Yue stop speaking when she had the words on the tip of her tongue?

Are you afraid of being rejected by me, or is there some other reason?

But since Song Yue insisted on this, Chu Hong didn't delve into it further.

He takes matters of the heart very lightly and would never put effort into such things now.

As for the requirements for sparring, he couldn't be happier.

Song Yue was right. During the escort mission, he faced hidden forces several times and even struggled with them for a long time.

But to be honest, Chu Hong had never truly experienced the power of hidden strength.

Now that he has the opportunity to experience the hidden strength characteristic, how could he refuse?

Chu Hong immediately adopted a posture and said, "Senior Sister Song, please enlighten me!"

Song Yue took a step forward and charged forward, her fist aimed at Chu Hong's arm.

Seeing this, Chu Hong quickly twisted to the side to dodge the incoming fist.

Suddenly, Senior Sister Song changed her fist into a palm and swiftly slapped him.

The touch was soft and gentle, like a lover patting your shoulder.

But a strange force penetrated his body, making his shoulders go numb.

Is this the characteristic of hidden strength?

At that moment, Senior Sister Song leaned in and attacked.

Chu Hong remained calm and prepared to use his iron fist to fight against the hidden force, to see what the outcome would be.

"Bang!" Senior Sister Song got what he wanted.

As their fists clashed, Chu Hong's force was enveloped by a soft force before it could be unleashed, instantly vanishing into nothingness.

The next instant, taking advantage of Chu Hong's momentary daze, Senior Sister Song rolled on the spot and landed a finger on Chu Hong's thigh.

Chu Hong felt as if his thigh had been bitten by ants.

But the next moment, a sharp pain struck.

"Hiss~"

Chu Hong slumped to the ground, his face full of helplessness.

Senior Sister Song stopped and stood up, explaining:

"Junior Brother Chu, now you know exactly what hidden strength is, right?"

"I do understand now," Chu Hong replied, rubbing his thigh. "No wonder the monthly salary of a Dark Force martial artist is so much higher than that of a Bright Force martial artist when they hold a position."

"This kind of power is far beyond what Ming Jin (manifested strength) can match."

Senior Sister Song nodded and sat down next to Chu Hong without any hesitation:

"Yes, hidden force is actually a soft force, but don't be fooled by its softness, its destructive power is several times stronger than that of visible force."

"Not only can it break through the enemy head-on like Ming Jin, but it can also concentrate its strength at one point for a surprise attack."

"The palm strike, the fist strike, and the finger strike I just made were all to help you understand this deeply."

Chu Hong nodded slightly; Senior Sister Song had thought of everything quite thoroughly.

After this firsthand experience, Chu Hong became more familiar with the power of hidden strength and yearned for it even more.

He immediately decided to focus on stance training and develop internal strength as soon as possible.

Chu Hong stood up and thanked Song Yue: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister Song. Junior Brother is going to start practicing standing meditation to refine my Qi and blood."

After saying that, Chu Hong said no more, assumed the Hunyuan stance, and focused intently on his task.

Not long ago, by chance, he cleverly integrated Hunyuan Zhuang (a type of standing meditation) into his daily walking posture, and every step he took was an invisible form of standing meditation.

My proficiency in the Hunyuan stance is steadily increasing, and the progress is encouraging.

At this moment, as he swung his stance and stood in the air, Chu Hong felt his blood and qi circulate more intensely throughout his body, and a warm sensation rose within him.

Shortly after, a message appeared on the panel.

[Hun Yuan Stance Proficiency +1]

Chu Hong's heart stirred, and he opened the panel he hadn't seen for many days:

Heaven rewards diligence.

[Effect: Reflecting on all methods, diligent study and practice will surely yield results!]

【Hun Yuan Zhuang (Minor Success) 420/2000】

【Nine-Forged Fist (Minor Success) 249/2000】

【Swift Step (Minor Mastery) 46/2000】

"Hmm...not bad."

The Hunyuan Stake that Chu Hong was focusing on was now almost a quarter complete.

This is because when escorting goods, there isn't much time to stand still.

If he focuses on the Hunyuan stance later on, it won't be long before he can master the hidden strength.

But Chu Hong estimated that internal strength alone was not enough. To gain fame in the martial arts examination, he would have to master the Nine Forging Fist.

"Junior Brother Chu, are you finished practicing? Let's go to the cafeteria together."

Song Yue's voice rang out softly.

It turns out that Song Yue did not leave when Chu Hong was practicing standing meditation.

Instead, she stood not far away, observing Chu Hong while secretly making a decision.

Seeing that Chu Hong seemed to have finished practicing his stance, and noticing that it was already noon, he finally spoke.

Chu Hong hesitated for a moment, patted his stomach, and nodded in agreement.

"I'm actually a little hungry. Let's go, Senior Sister Song, it's my treat."

The two chose some meat dishes and sat in a corner of the dining hall.

To Chu Hong's surprise, Song Yue brought back two jars of wine.

"Senior Sister Song, please don't be shy, eat as much as you like," Chu Hong said generously. "If you're still hungry, we'll get more."

Song Yue didn't waste any more words with Chu Hong, picked up a pork knuckle and started cooking.

Her movements were clean and efficient; even the pork knuckle didn't make her eating manners appear uncouth.

On the contrary, it revealed a sense of exhilaration.

"Why isn't Junior Brother Chu eating?"

While eating, Song Yue noticed that Chu Hong hadn't made a move, which made her curious.

Chu Hong smiled slightly and reached out to pick up a chicken leg:

"I'll eat right away!"

"Don't just eat, junior brother, have a drink!"

"Okay, drink it!"

Martial artists are truly extraordinary; the two devoured a table full of food in no time.

Song Yue was a little drunk, and seemingly emboldened by the alcohol, she suddenly slammed her hand on the table:

"Junior Brother Chu, you should know what I'm going to say."

"Senior sister... Senior sister has a favor to ask of you, please be sure to grant it."

Chu Hong nodded. Indeed, only when one mustered up the courage would one speak out what was on one's mind.

Senior Sister Song is like this, and so is Xiao Yi.

Even that devoted friend from my past life was the same.

But instead of nodding in agreement, he tapped the table and said:

"Senior sister, please tell me what you need to say first."

"If you can help, I will. But if your situation is too complicated, or if you are not suitable, please forgive me for refusing."

Senior Sister Song shook her head, her face flushed, her eyes unfocused, and said:

"First thing, junior brother, what do you think of your senior sister?"

"Would you... like to marry me?"

Chu Hong was suddenly alarmed.

Although I had expected it, Senior Sister Song had feelings for me.

But I never expected Senior Sister Song to be so direct.

Although children who practice martial arts do not have to completely follow the rules of "arranged marriage by parents and matchmakers".

But Senior Sister Song is being a bit too bold and unrestrained.

Chu Hong stared intently at the somewhat drunk Senior Sister Song, shook his head, and avoided the question:

"Since you've mentioned the first thing, there must be a second, right? Why don't you tell me about the second thing first?"

Although he did not say it explicitly, his meaning was already quite clear.

A hint of melancholy inevitably flashed across Song Yue's face, but it was quickly hidden away.

She closed her eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then said:

"Junior Brother Chu, the second thing is that I'd like to ask you for a favor."

This time, when Senior Sister Song looked up again, there was no longer any drunkenness in her eyes, only a sense of tranquility.

"What kind of help?"