Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

The inner courtyard and the outer courtyard seemed like two different worlds.

Passing through the courtyard gate, one is greeted by pavilions and towers.

In the center of the courtyard is a clear pond, where lotus flowers are in full bloom.

Green willows droop along the riverbank.

As the wind blows, the fresh fragrance of grass and trees wafts over, completely unlike the roughness of the outer courtyard.

The inner disciples who occasionally passed by on the road all had a calm and composed demeanor and walked with ease.

As Shi Jian walked, he whispered to Fang Xia, "Fang Xia, once you enter the inner sect, you will be a disciple of the Sanyang Hall's genealogy."

First, one must not trespass into the inner courtyard, a place for quiet meditation.

Secondly, inner disciples may spar, but they must not engage in private fights or kill each other; those who violate this rule will be expelled from the sect.

Third, one must be respectful and courteous to teachers and senior students, and should not be arrogant or conceited.

Did you remember that?

"Your disciple will remember Master Shi's teachings."

Fang Xia nodded slightly, making sure she remembered everything.

The two walked to the pavilion by the pond and ran into Lin You.

Several richly dressed inner disciples were gathered in the pavilion at this moment, including Han Qing, Luo Zhao, Xiao Pingshan, Zheng Sanze, Qi Wanyu and other scions from wealthy families.

They were chatting and laughing when they saw Shi Jian and Fang Xia, especially noticing Fang Xia's new face, and their eyes turned to them.

Lin You had just come out of the meditation room, dressed in brocade, looking very spirited.

Upon seeing Fang Xia, he was taken aback, his eyes filled with surprise.

His pupils then contracted slightly, a barely perceptible hint of apprehension flashing across his face.

Fang Xia's physical constitution is only at the lower grade of C, far inferior to his.

But now, Fang Xia has actually achieved minor success in the Three Yang Stance and has opened the skin barrier?

It was only six or seven days later than him.

This level of understanding is even more terrifying than his!

"Junior Brother Fang, congratulations."

Lin You quickly composed himself, nodded to Fang Xia, and suppressed his unusual thoughts.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin." Fang Xia returned the greeting with a respectful bow, without saying anything more.

Lin You didn't say anything more, gave Fang Xia a deep look, and then turned and left.

Fang Xia glanced at Lin You's departing figure out of the corner of her eye, lost in thought.

Although Lin You concealed it well, he still sensed that strange emotion.

However, not sensing any malice, he didn't think much of it.

"Bottom-level bone structure? The skin barrier was opened in just twenty-three days? That's quite rare."

In the pavilion, Han Qing watched Fang Xia's retreating figure, his tone tinged with amusement.

Luo Zhao shook his head and said, "Hmph, maybe it's just luck!"

Given their inherent limitations, their future achievements are destined to be limited.

The fourth stage of body tempering is becoming increasingly difficult, affecting the skin, flesh, muscles, and bones...

Xiao Pingshan crossed his arms and chuckled, "Senior Brother Shi is kind enough to bring him in."

However, one cannot advance in the inner sect solely through luck.

Zheng Sanze and Qi Wanyu also shook their heads with smiles, clearly not optimistic about Fang Xia.

Their voices were neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Fang Xia, who hadn't gone far, to hear.

Fang Xia continued walking, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Shi Jian frowned slightly and glanced back at the pavilion.

The wealthy young men toned it down a bit, but the disdain in their eyes remained.

Shi Jian led Fang Xia to Ning Tianyang's meditation room.

"Master, your disciple Shi Jian has brought your new disciple Fang Xia to pay our respects."

"Come in." Ning Tianyang's voice came from the meditation room.

The two pushed open the door and entered, only to see Ning Tianyang sitting on a futon, his aura deep and unfathomable.

Even without deliberately releasing its pressure, Fang Xia still felt an overwhelming sense of oppression.

That's the foundation of a martial artist at the Qi Gathering and Meridian Opening Realm!

"Disciple Fang Xia greets the Master." Fang Xia clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.

Ning Tianyang raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Fang Xia, and said calmly, "How long have you been a member of my Sanyang Hall?"

"Reporting to the Master, it has been exactly twenty-three days."

Fang Xia responded in a deep voice, neither humble nor arrogant.

Ning Tianyang looked at Shi Jian beside him, and Shi Jian immediately bowed and smiled, "Master, although Fang Xia has a lower-grade aptitude, his comprehension and concentration are outstanding."

After twenty-three days of initial mastery of stance training, he successfully opened the body's tempering gates, without any hint of impatience, demonstrating exceptional mental fortitude and concentration.

Ning Tianyang nodded slightly, looked at Fang Xia again, and said in a calm tone: "After twenty-three days of basic training, you have reached the Body Tempering Stage."

This progress is comparable to that of a disciple with the lowest level of innate talent; it's not bad.

Unfortunately, your innate talent is lacking. The foundation of martial arts ultimately rests on innate talent, so your future path will be many times more difficult than others.

The inner disciples standing on both sides of the meditation room nodded slightly upon hearing this.

The look in his eyes as he looked at Fang Xia contained a hint of admiration, but mostly calmness.

The inner disciples who can stand here are at least of the lowest level of B-grade physique, and have already passed the four major trials of body tempering, and are now attempting to break through the inner cultivation ladder.

A person who has mastered basic stance training in 23 days may be considered a prodigy by outsiders.

But in this quiet room, it barely qualifies as an entry-level requirement.

Moreover, given their inferior aptitude, they were destined to be at the bottom among them.

Seeing Fang Xia's composure, Ning Tianyang softened his tone: "However, although your physical constitution is poor, you have achieved minor success in stance training in twenty-three days."

This clearly demonstrates your excellent comprehension and perseverance.

On the path of martial arts, one's physical constitution determines the lower limit, while one's temperament determines the upper limit.

If one remains steadfast in their resolve and diligently cultivates, there is hope that they may even reach the third level of the Inner Cultivation Heavenly Ladder.

Fang Xia bowed again, his tone firm: "This disciple will remember the academy master's teachings and will certainly strive to live up to your expectations."

"Be diligent and guard yourself?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Ning Tianyang's eyes as he gave Fang Xia a deep look.

Diligence is the key to determination, while self-discipline is the foundation.

The path of martial arts is fraught with peril, surrounded by demons and unpredictable human nature.

Many exceptionally talented and fortunate geniuses have perished halfway through their lives, and everything they had turned into a dream.

It is truly remarkable that a thirteen-year-old boy, who has just entered the world of martial arts, can comprehend the concept of "self-preservation."

It was he himself who grasped this point back then...

Thinking of this, Ning Tianyang nodded slightly, his tone showing more appreciation: "Good, it's rare to find someone with this kind of mindset."

From this day forward, you are an inner disciple of my Sanyang Hall, and your monthly tuition fees will be waived.

In addition, I will give you three doses of body-tempering ointment every month as a token of my appreciation."

When Ning Tianyang said this, not only was Fang Xia stunned.

Even the inner disciples on both sides showed expressions of surprise.

They exchanged incredulous glances.

Waiving tuition fees would be fine!

They can receive three doses of body-tempering ointment every month, a privilege reserved for the best inner disciples!

Even Lin You only gets five rations per month!

Fang Xia, an inner disciple with a C-grade root bone, actually received such a reward.

Fang Xia quickly came to his senses and hurriedly bowed and kowtowed: "Disciple thanks Master for his generous gift!"

This disciple will forever remember this kindness and will certainly strive diligently in my cultivation to live up to the academy master's high expectations!

Ning Tianyang waved his hand, his tone becoming serious again: "Rewards are not given for nothing."

I'll give you six months. Within six months, you must break through the three levels of the Skin Barrier and enter the Body Tempering Barrier.

If this cannot be done, all subsidies received today will be taken back.

Is it even possible?

"This disciple will certainly not fail in his mission!"

Fang Xia looked up, gritted her teeth, and answered resolutely.

The inner disciples on both sides had different expressions in their eyes.

In half a year, he broke through the three levels of the Skin Barrier and stepped into the Flesh Barrier?

Even Lin You, with his superior innate talent, only has a three-month deadline for this requirement.

The museum owner clearly has high hopes for this boy!

Ning Tianyang nodded in satisfaction and slowly began to explain the acquired martial arts to Fang Xia.

"The cultivation of martial arts after birth involves internally refining one's breath and externally strengthening one's muscles, bones, and skin."

Stance training, breathing techniques, and striking methods are an inseparable trinity; none can be omitted.

"Standing exercises are a training method that helps you accumulate qi and blood, and refine your physical body. They are the foundation of martial arts."

Breathing techniques are the key; by using specific breathing rhythms to communicate with the vital energy of heaven and earth, one can stimulate the flow of qi and blood to break through barriers and advance to higher levels.

Fighting style is a means of protecting one's principles; it is the foundation for fighting against enemies and securing one's livelihood.

Only by cultivating all three can one walk steadily and go far.

Fang Xia focused her mind and etched each word into her heart.

"Today, I will teach you the Three Yang Hall Fundamental Breathing Method, the Three Yang Gathering Yuan Breathing Technique."

Ning Tianyang spoke solemnly and slowly: "This breathing technique is divided into three levels, corresponding to the three realms of the first sunrise of the blue sun, the purple sun in the sky, and the setting sun of the white sun."

It complements the Three Yang Stance you practice, stimulating your vital energy and blood, helping you to strengthen your physical body externally and refine your blood and qi internally!

After saying that, Ning Tianyang taught Fang Xia the incantation, breathing rhythm, and energy circulation route of the Three Yang Gathering Yuan Breathing Technique.

The formula is not obscure, but the details of breathing are extremely subtle. If you make a slight mistake, you will disrupt the flow of Qi and damage your meridians.

Having lived two lives, Fang Xia possessed a mind far surpassing his peers, and was also blessed with a destiny of late bloomer, making his comprehension exceptional.

In less than a quarter of an hour, he had completely grasped the essence of the breathing technique.

He immediately followed the instructions and completed a full breathing exercise.

The body's Qi and blood swelled slightly, perfectly matching the Qi mechanism of the Three Yang Stance.

"Hmm?" A hint of admiration flashed in Ning Tianyang's eyes, and he thought to himself, "This boy's comprehension seems to be several points stronger than Lin You's."

It's such a pity; his natural talent was too poor. Otherwise, his future achievements would have been limitless.

Composing himself, Ning Tianyang continued, "I have taught you the breathing technique. You must practice it diligently every day from now on."

As for fighting styles, my Sanyang Hall has three sets of traditions: Qingyang Palm emphasizes foundational skills, Ziyang Fist emphasizes profound mysteries, and Baiyang Sword emphasizes lethality.

"You've just entered the world of martial arts, and your foundation isn't yet solid, so you should start by learning the Azure Sun Palm."

After saying that, Ning Tianyang said to Zhou Cheng, who was standing to the side, "Zhou Cheng, from today onwards, you will be the one to teach Fang Xia Qingyang Palm."

We must lay a solid foundation and not be complacent.

"Disciple obeys!" Zhou Cheng smiled at Fang Xia, his eyes full of kindness.

"Junior Brother Fang, if there's anything you don't understand in the future, just ask me."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhou!" Fang Xia quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude.

Ning Tianyang waved his hand, signaling the two to step back.

Fang Xia bowed to Ning Tianyang again, and then slowly left the meditation room with Shi Jian and Zhou Cheng.

The sunlight outside was perfect, falling on Fang Xia.

Clenching his fist, Fang Xia felt the surge of energy within his body.

As he recalled the breathing mantra in his mind, a burning light ignited in his eyes.

The path of martial arts has already been laid out beneath his feet.