From Martial Arts Dungeon to Master of Martial Arts

Zhenyuan Guan (True Origin View).

The three major martial arts schools of Changshu are Zhenyuan Temple, Baiwu School, and Hongyu Hall.

In the world where Mu Sheng was born, martial arts are highly valued; you can't just open a martial arts school here with just your hands.

At least he had never heard of any small martial arts school in Changshu. Only the three major martial arts sects monopolized the martial arts world in Changshu.

It is said that even the city lord cannot control the affairs of the three major martial arts sects.

Of course, this was something Mu Sheng had heard about.

Zhenyuan Temple is somewhat unique compared to the other two martial arts sects. The latter two are located in the inner city, while Zhenyuan Temple is in the outer city.

There was no special boundary between the inner and outer city of Changshu. The distinction between the inner and outer city arose simply because the wealthy families lived in the center, while the poor families lived in the outer circle.

The inner city also has two major martial arts gates and is patrolled by constables, making it much safer than the outer city.

In reality, the inner city was the area patrolled by the constables; they would never go to the outer city.

Zhenyuan Temple is located in the northern outer city, while Mu Sheng lives in the western outer city, and the two places are not too far apart.

Mu Sheng came alone. Although Mu Yun wanted to come along, he was unable to walk properly at the moment.

He stood on the street, looking at the Taoist temple in the distance, its incense burning brightly. People streamed in and out of the gate, most of them pilgrims.

When people are in despair, they always place their hopes on God.

His main destination was not the main gate, which is where worshippers enter; he went around to the back gate of Zhenyuan Temple.

The back door was open, and you could vaguely see a group of people in Taoist robes practicing martial arts inside. The whooshing sound of their punches could be heard clearly from a distance.

Many people gritted their teeth and led their children through that back door.

Mu Sheng gritted her teeth, clutched the silver tucked in her chest, and walked through the back door.

In the middle of the back door was a martial arts arena, where many people dressed in Taoist robes were wildly swinging their fists. Next to them, an old man in a Taoist robe smiled, revealing a gap in his yellow teeth, and was pointing and gesturing with a stick.

"Those guys over there, their punches have weakened."

What are you doing?

"You're only at the level of a beginner, and you still want to get started in just one month?"

Some even went so far as to strike him with a stick if they couldn't stand it.

There were at least twenty of these people, but the old Taoist priest was able to quickly see whose movements were wrong.

These eyes are extraordinary.

At the entrance of a small house on the right, a young Taoist priest was surrounded by a crowd, mostly poor people who had come to send their children to learn martial arts. They clutched their money tightly and muttered something under their breath.

The sounds were somewhat chaotic, and he couldn't hear them clearly.

There were only five or six people there, and Mu Sheng didn't join them. Instead, she stood quietly to the side and waited.

After these people paid the money, they left the children behind.

These children all looked a bit younger than him.

Once the young Taoist was alone, he stepped forward and said to him, "Master, I've come to learn martial arts."

The Taoist priest then looked up at Xiang Musheng, his eyes slightly raised. Although his face was expressionless, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and his expression was quite dismissive.

But he still followed the rules and said, "Let me see your hand."

Mu Sheng immediately reached out her hand.

The Taoist priest grabbed Mu Sheng's hand bones, the force of which caused him pain, but he endured it.

"His bone age is quite advanced, his physical condition is poor, but his patience is acceptable."

He released his grip, putting his hands behind his back, and said, "Let me give you a piece of advice: turn around and leave. You won't succeed."

Mu Sheng's heart sank. He hadn't expected such a comment, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "We have to give it a try."

The Taoist priest shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips, not a smile, but a look of helplessness. He said, "In that case, even with ten taels of silver, there will always be someone as persistent as you. In the end, you'll only end up with a mountain of debt."

Mu Sheng ignored him, took out the silver ingot from his inner pocket, and respectfully extended his hand, saying, "Daoist Master, this is my tuition fee."

"Hmm." The Taoist priest picked up the silver ingot, nodded, and said, "Go inside and get a Taoist robe and a book. Read the book first, then practice with the people over there."

He raised his head slightly in greeting.

Mu Sheng turned to look at the thirty people the old Taoist was training.

The Taoist priest said in a low voice, "In previous years, there were always a hundred people, but only a few were able to stay in the end. It's not too late for you to regret it now."

Mu Sheng lowered her head and walked into the house. Inside, there was a young Taoist priest who was watching the people who had come in earlier to take their things.

On the left were boxes containing blue Taoist robes, and on the table in front of the young Taoist priest were books, which visitors could take as they came.

Someone spoke up, saying, "But what if we can't read?"

"Then practice following the movements outside," the young Taoist said without even lifting his eyelids.

Everyone looked at each other.

For poor families like theirs, learning to read is not easy.

Mu Sheng stepped forward but didn't strike up a conversation. Instead, she picked up a secret manual and glanced at it.

"The Five Animals and Beasts' Primordial Power".

He placed the secret manual directly into his chest.

He used to work in a restaurant where he learned to read from the accountant for two years, so he could recognize most of the commonly used characters. Generally, as long as it wasn't too complicated, he could understand it.

He then stepped forward, picked up a blue Taoist robe, and went out the door.

The young Taoist priest was standing at the door. He glanced at Mu Sheng, who came out, and said, "You are responsible for your own food, clothing, and lodging. Whether you come here to practice martial arts or stay at home to study on your own, no one will care. If you succeed... never mind, you won't succeed anyway. Your bone age is quite advanced, and even the best aptitude will be difficult to achieve."

He shook his head and went into the house.

Mu Sheng took a deep breath, but instead of leaving, she found a corner to sit down and glanced around the entire back courtyard.

It's said to be the back courtyard, but there's a tightly closed gate in front, blocking it out. It seems that's where the real Zhenyuan Temple's courtyard is.

A shadow fell over him, and the others simply found a spot to watch those people practice martial arts.

Mu Sheng then took out the book and opened it to read.

There weren't many words inside; most of them were actions. He held them up and compared them one by one with those of the person practicing martial arts.

This martial art is based on imitating five animals and consists of five moves, each corresponding to one of the five ways to strengthen the body.

Deer train their muscles, tigers train their bones, bears train their strength, monkeys train their spirit, and birds train their breath.

He silently completed the movements, then got up and started practicing with the others. At first, he was too clumsy, but he gradually got the hang of it. The movements weren't difficult, but each one was extremely strenuous.

As he followed along, the old man looked at him with surprise.

"This comprehension is quite good, but it's a pity that his bone age looks too advanced."

He shook his head and immediately came to his senses, watching the person in front of him continue practicing martial arts.

Mu Sheng became completely absorbed in the movements, comparing herself to the others and constantly adjusting her own. Gradually, she completed the movements perfectly.

As soon as he finished the movement, he plopped down on the ground and immediately felt hungry.

He rubbed his stomach: "I still need to figure out what to eat."

But most importantly, he looked at the panel in front of him.

[Martial Arts Dungeon]

[Five Animals and Beasts Yuan Gong (Beginner Level) (Available to be Unlocked)]