Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

Seeing that Fang Xia was humble and knew how to be respectful, Zhou Cheng secretly praised him.

The path of martial arts is rugged and perilous, never smooth sailing.

Throughout history, countless extraordinary talents and individuals with remarkable fortunes have failed because they lacked this sense of humility and reverence.

Pride and complacency ultimately lead to ruin.

As the saying goes, when fortune smiles, heaven and earth lend their strength; when luck turns, even heroes are powerless.

In martial arts practice, one must have reverence for heaven and earth and for the path ahead in order to go far.

This kind of mindset is extremely precious.

"This child has unlimited potential; perhaps he will go even further than Lin You?"

Seeing Fang Xia's humble and unpretentious demeanor, Zhou Cheng's admiration deepened.

Although Fang Xia has a lower-grade aptitude, he is quick-witted, has excellent concentration, and possesses a sense of awe, which is truly rare.

Such a temperament...

And Lin You...

Although Zhou Cheng had only met Lin You a few times, he vaguely sensed that although Lin You was exceptionally talented, he was also ambitious and arrogant.

This is precisely the biggest taboo in martial arts cultivation!

This sudden display of closeness startled Fang Xia, leaving her somewhat bewildered.

...........

After practicing for a while, the two sparred again in the quiet room.

Fang Xia was fully focused, integrating stance training, breathing techniques, and Qingyang Palm into his exchanges with Zhou Cheng.

In no time, he was drenched in sweat, his clothes completely soaked and clinging to his body.

The blood and qi in my body surged continuously, and my limbs and bones began to ache and feel numb.

Each flow of Qi and blood tempers the skin and flesh, making the meridians more unobstructed.

"Stabilizing stances, breathing techniques, and fighting methods—these three must indeed complement each other to reveal their true wonders?"

Slowly finishing her practice and standing still, Fang Xia was slightly out of breath, her blood and qi still churning throughout her body.

Zhou Cheng looked at him and asked with a smile, "Junior Brother Fang, how did you feel about practicing the punches and sparring this time?"

Fang Xia's eyes flashed with joy, and he spoke truthfully: "Junior Brother can clearly feel that his blood and qi are circulating smoothly, and his skin and flesh are being nourished and tempered."

His Qingyang Palm techniques became increasingly refined, showing tremendous improvement.

Changing the subject, Fang Xia couldn't help but smile bitterly: "I just feel sore and weak all over, as if my muscles and bones are being torn apart, and the pain is terrible."

Zhou Cheng smiled slightly upon hearing this, nodded gently, and pointed to the medicinal bath in the quiet room: "Junior brother, there's no need to worry. This bath was prepared for this purpose."

"The four stages of body tempering involve the skin, flesh, tendons, and bones. This process involves using one's internal strength to manipulate qi and blood, repeatedly refining the physical body."

Since it involves polishing, it inevitably causes minor damage to the body, leaving hidden health problems.

This medicinal bath is used to nourish the body and soothe internal hidden dangers.

Although the medicinal baths from my Sanyangtang are not as good as the secret recipes of the top wealthy families in Heishan County, they are no less impressive than those of ordinary wealthy households.

This will greatly benefit your current physical tempering and cultivation.

Fang Xia looked around Jingyun Residence and couldn't help but sigh, "Sanyang Hall really treats its inner disciples very well!"

Such a medicinal bath setup is unthinkable elsewhere.

Seemingly guessing what Fang Xia was thinking, Zhou Cheng shook his head and said in a calm tone, "This is nothing. The medicinal herbs used in the medicinal bath are all produced in the medicinal fields and will not cost much money."

For Sanyang Hall, investing some resources could help them cultivate a martial artist who could step onto the inner cultivation ladder.

The returns would be tenfold, a hundredfold; this deal couldn't be more worthwhile.

After saying that, Zhou Cheng turned to leave: "Junior brother, please relax and soak in the medicinal bath here. After you've finished bathing, I'll take you to dinner."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhou. I'll see you off." Fang Xia bowed and watched Zhou Cheng leave Jingyun Residence.

Not long after Zhou Cheng left, three maids dressed in plain clothes walked in quietly.

They silently poured the prepared medicinal soup, various herbs, and boiling water into the medicinal bath.

In an instant, a faint medicinal fragrance filled the entire quiet room, refreshing and soothing.

After setting down the wooden tub, three women dressed in plain clothes curtsied in unison, their voices soft: "Senior Brother Fang, we will assist you in your bath."

As she spoke, a maid stepped forward, wanting to help Fang Xia undress.

Fang Xia tensed up instantly, feeling a sense of unease.

In his previous life, he was born on Earth, under the red flag, and grew up in the spring breeze. How could he get used to being served so intimately?

Fang Xia quickly stepped aside, saying firmly, "The three of you don't need to do this. I don't need you to serve me."

The head maid was slightly taken aback, and quickly bowed: "Senior Brother Fang, this is our duty. If we do not serve you well, we will be punished."

"It's alright, I will explain this matter myself, and I will not implicate you." Fang Xia smiled, her attitude remaining firm.

"I've never been comfortable with others getting close, so you may all leave now. Thank you for your trouble."

Seeing Fang Xia's resolute attitude, the maids dared not insist any further.

They could only reply "Yes" in unison and slowly left Jingyun Residence.

Once she was alone in the room, Fang Xia let out a long sigh of relief.

After slowly removing her clothes, Fang Xia stepped into the medicinal bath.

The warm medicinal liquid instantly enveloped his entire body, and the aroma of the medicine entered Fang Xia's lungs through his nasal cavity.

The medicinal power seeps slowly into the meridians through the pores, nourishing the skin and flesh.

The soreness and stiffness in my muscles and bones from practicing boxing and standing meditation just now dissipated instantly with this warmth.

Fang Xia leaned against the bathtub, feeling the medicinal power flowing through her body, and her blood and qi became more mellow.

Having just broken through to the initial stage of the Bull Skin Realm, the medicinal power has stabilized the situation considerably, and even the five senses seem to have become clearer.

At the center of the forehead, the person with the destiny of "great talent comes late" also faintly glowed with golden light.

[Destiny: Late bloomer.]

[Attribute: Perseverance will surely lead to success.]

[Sanyang Zhuang Minor Success (4/100)]

[Qingyang Palm Basics (2/100)]

[Body Tempering Realm: Skin Barrier - Initial Stage of Bullhide (2/100)]

"This medicinal bath is amazing!"

"No wonder the inner disciples are making such rapid progress; the daily medicinal bath alone is an invaluable resource."

Lying in the bathtub, a glint of light flashed in Fang Xia's eyes, and she was filled with admiration.

After soaking your feet for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the medicinal properties have already penetrated into your limbs and bones.

Fang Xia got up and dried herself off, feeling refreshed and relaxed all over.

The previous fatigue vanished, and my energy and blood flowed more vigorously than before.

After putting on her clothes, Fang Xia walked out of Jingyun Residence.

In a pavilion not far away, Zhou Cheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the lotus flowers in the pond in a daze.

"Senior brother." Fang Xia stepped forward to greet him.

Zhou Cheng turned around, glanced at him, and asked with a smile, "How are you feeling, Junior Brother?"

"The effects of the medicinal bath are truly miraculous!" Fang Xia exclaimed, her eyes filled with admiration.

"My fatigue disappeared, my meridians were unblocked, and my blood and qi became more abundant. I have truly benefited greatly."

Zhou Cheng nodded slightly, looking at Fang Xia's energetic appearance, and said slowly, "Martial arts cultivation relies on two things: innate talent and comprehension, and the support of resources."

Those with mediocre talent need even more resources to make up for their inherent weaknesses.

The essence of martial arts in this world boils down to one word: "struggle".

They fight for opportunities, for resources, for that sliver of extraordinary possibility.

The two walked and talked, and soon arrived at the place where the inner disciples ate.

The dining hall was filled with delicious aromas as servants served the food.

In front of Fang Xia was a bowl of stewed beef, a bowl of tiger bone soup, a plate of braised mutton, and a bowl of white rice, which was already a very sumptuous meal.

In addition to these, there was also a plate of dark red "demon meat" on Zhou Cheng's table.

"Demon meat?" Fang Xia's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Zhou Cheng, a guess forming in her mind.

Zhou Cheng nodded slightly, lowering his voice: "That's right, it's the flesh of the monster that devours bones and people in the mountains."

Seeing Fang Xia's surprised expression, Zhou Cheng slowly said, "Demons are born in mountains, rivers and seas, and are born with bloodline inheritances, making them naturally powerful."

Even the weakest little demon has the combat power of the fourth level of body tempering.

Its flesh and blood contain abundant vital energy, comparable to a ten-year-old medicine or a hundred-year-old precious medicine.

For ordinary people, consuming this can quickly replenish vital energy and blood, making it a highly beneficial tonic for martial arts cultivation.

"Demons devour humans, and humans devour demons; it's nothing more than the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, all for the sake of strengthening themselves."

Fang Xia felt a chill run down her spine; her previous understanding of the world had been completely overturned.

The cruelty of this extraordinary world was far more direct than he had imagined.

In this world, there is no mercy, only strength reigns supreme.

Humans and demons alike are nothing but ants.

Dispelling the complicated thoughts in her mind, Fang Xia began to eat.

The tiger bone soup is rich and flavorful, and the beef and mutton are simmered with medicinal herbs until tender and flavorful.

Fang Xia's taste buds were awakened, and the hunger in her stomach was instantly soothed.

The intestines and stomach move rapidly, absorbing nutrients from the food.

A trickle of blood energy was generated within his body, constantly nourishing his physical form.

Fang Xia thought to himself, "No wonder people often say that scholars are poor and martial arts are rich. Martial arts cultivation is truly a bottomless pit of wealth."

Food, medicinal baths, and ointments all require money.

Not to mention the rare treasure that is demon flesh?

Without sufficient resources, even someone with good comprehension and strong willpower will be trapped in a bottleneck.

"Thank you for the pills, Junior Sister!"

"It's alright, I just went on a errand for my senior brother."

.........

Just as the two were finishing their meal, a clear and melodious sound rang out in the dining hall, like a mountain stream.

Fang Xia looked in the direction of the sound.

A young woman in a plain-colored dress walked in slowly. Her appearance was delicate and her temperament was gentle, like a rare orchid in a secluded valley.

Behind her followed several inner disciples, each with eyes full of admiration.

Seeing the doubt in Fang Xia's eyes, Zhou Cheng leaned closer and whispered with a smile, "That's Junior Sister Ning Wei, our master's daughter."

My junior sister has been practicing martial arts at Yunshui Hall since childhood. Every time she returns to Sanyang Hall, she attracts a large number of inner disciples.

Junior brother, you should understand the reason behind this.

Fang Xia understood immediately and nodded slightly.

It is only natural for a gentleman to desire a beautiful and graceful woman.

Moreover, Ning Wei is naturally beautiful, and Ning Tianyang stands behind her, giving her a powerful background.

Who wouldn't be captivated by such a secluded orchid blooming in the mountains?