Gou Zai Wu Dao Chao Shi Xing Nian Da Gong

"Junior brother, this is a small token of my appreciation."

After leaving his master's courtyard, Liu Cheng took out a silver ingot from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Sheng; it weighed five taels.

"This, this will not be allowed!"

Zhou Sheng quickly declined.

"Take it."

Liu Cheng forced it on him.

"Thank you, senior brother."

"You're welcome. Master has already covered most of it. Let me explain in more detail..."

Liu Cheng then explained some of the details to him.

"The second fighting technique is called Mountain-Treading Leg, a leg technique that complements the Hammer Cloud Fist. The leg strikes like treading on a mountain; with each step, a footprint several inches deep is left on the bluestone slab..."

"The Mountain-Treading Leg technique has another benefit: the vibration of each step helps to temper the muscles and bones, accelerating the improvement of the muscle and bone gate cultivation. However, it only becomes effective when the Mountain-Treading Leg technique is cultivated to at least the minor mastery level. If it can be mastered to the major mastery or perfection level, the help will be even greater."

"Junior brother, you have good comprehension. You can improve your Mountain-Stepping Leg first, which will greatly benefit your progress in breaking through the Bone and Tendon Barrier," Liu Cheng reminded him.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior brother," Zhou Sheng said.

"No need to be so polite. Next, I'll tell you about the temporary posting," Liu Cheng said, waving his hand.

"You already know what the temporary assignment is all about, but there are still a few things I need to explain. Our temporary assignments mainly involve forces that are on good terms with the martial arts school, such as Zhenyuan Escort Agency, Shanhetang, and the Zhang family of Nancheng. As for gangs like the Black Snake Gang, participation is strictly prohibited. If anyone violates this rule, Master will definitely take action to eliminate them. Please remember this."

"I've got it."

"Besides official appointments, there are also financial aid opportunities. Some powerful organizations will seek out highly talented disciples for investment, hoping to reap the rewards once the disciples' cultivation levels rise. However, this is generally only available to geniuses like Junior Brother Zhao."

Liu Cheng spoke with a helpless, bitter smile.

As soon as Zhao Xiong broke through the skin barrier, several prominent forces sponsored him at the apprenticeship banquet, ensuring he wouldn't have to worry about money for his future cultivation. He didn't even need to take up a temporary post. Even a major power in the inner city, the Zhang family of Nancheng, showed him great favor.

However, no force is willing to sponsor a martial artist like him. At most, they might offer some reward for his services, which is just a transaction and no different from a nominal position.

Zhou Sheng naturally understood what he meant. Fortunately, he hadn't expected anyone to sponsor him, so he wasn't disappointed.

After finishing his explanation, Liu Cheng took him to a corner of the training ground in the backyard and began to teach him the Mountain Step Leg technique.

Zhou Sheng immediately perked up and began to study with full concentration.

...

As evening fell, Zhou Sheng finished his training and left the martial arts school, only to find Wang Teng waiting for him outside.

"Junior brother, I'll host a banquet at Zuixianlou tomorrow to celebrate your successful breakthrough," Wang Teng greeted him with a smile.

"Then I'll trouble you to spend so much, senior brother," Zhou Sheng declined.

"Hey, junior brother, don't refuse. I'll need your help in the future. Haha," Wang Teng laughed.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Brother."

"You're too kind."

......

"Mountain-stepping leg!?"

At home, Zhou Fugan was overjoyed after hearing Zhou Sheng explain the treatment of newly initiated disciples.

Here comes the leg technique he needs! And it can also help temper his bones and muscles, which will further accelerate his cultivation speed.

"I've seen Master Chen practice this Mountain-Stepping Leg technique before. Show me how you've learned it," Zhou Fugan said.

"it is good."

Zhou Sheng, unsuspecting, immediately displayed the few Mountain-Stomping Leg moves he had just learned. In his mind, his grandfather was a martial arts master; wouldn't it be easy for him to teach him?

He never imagined that his grandfather was secretly learning.

After reading it several times, Zhou Fugan grasped some of the tricks of the trade and casually gave Zhou Sheng a couple of pointers.

"The first move should be like this: use your legs, sink the force downwards..."

Zhou Sheng tried it and saw obvious improvement. He immediately looked on with admiration.

After practicing the Mountain-Stepping Leg technique, Zhou Fugan said, "Sheng'er, give me one of your Hammer Bone Pills. I want to see how effective and toxic it is so I can choose the best medicine for you later."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Sheng was very excited and immediately took out the Hammer Bone Pill given to him by his master and gave one to Zhou Fugan.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. Ask Liu Wushi and the others tomorrow if they know of any ways to buy a larger courtyard house."

Zhou Fugan thought for a moment and then said.

"Buy a courtyard?" Zhou Sheng asked in surprise.

Zhou Fugan explained, "That's right. Originally, this place was small enough for us to live in, but you brothers want to practice martial arts, so you need a larger training ground. This place is not suitable."

Actually, he had wanted to buy a courtyard house for a long time, but he was worried about causing trouble and didn't want to reveal his strength. So he waited until Zhou Sheng broke through the skin barrier before buying the house. As a martial artist who had broken through the barrier, buying a larger courtyard house wouldn't attract too much attention.

"Grandpa is right. I'll ask tomorrow. What size should we buy?" Zhou Sheng nodded and asked.

"Within one hundred taels of silver," Zhou Fugan replied.

"good!"

...

Late at night, in a remote and desolate place.

A figure kicked its legs, producing a series of dull thuds on the ground.

It was Zhou Fugan practicing his mountain-climbing leg technique.

This martial art is too noisy to practice at home. That's why he came here. There's no one around, so he doesn't have to worry about disturbing anyone.

"踏山腿 (残): Perfection".

After performing the move once, the words "Mountain-Stepping Leg" appeared on the virtual interface.

"Let's test its power!"

Zhou Fugan looked around and spotted a bluestone half-buried in the soil. Then, he lifted one foot and stomped down hard.

Boom~~~

With a loud crash, the bluestone was crushed into the ground, cracks appeared on its surface, and it had shattered into many pieces.

"very good!"

Zhou Fugan smiled with satisfaction.

The power of this Mountain-Stomping Leg is quite impressive. If this kick were to land on someone, even a martial artist at the Skin Membrane Gate level could be killed with a single blow.

If you can master the entire "Mountain-Stepping Kick" technique, its power will increase significantly.

After learning the Mountain-Stepping Leg technique, Zhou Fugan returned home, took out the Hammer Bone Pill, and swallowed it.

He soon felt a heat emanating from his body. This heat wasn't too hot, but it was quite strange. It seemed to like drilling into the gaps between his bones, making him feel itchy all over.

"You've got some skill!"

Zhou Fugan had tried several kinds of tonics, but none of them gave him this feeling.

Afterward, he began to practice the Hammer Cloud Stance Technique.

After a night of arduous cultivation, Zhou Fugan finally exhausted the medicinal power of the Hammer Bone Pill. He summoned the virtual interface, glanced at it, and nodded in satisfaction.

His cultivation progress increased by a full ten points, significantly surpassing that of the Fiery Pill. The cost-effectiveness was truly high.

"I wish we could have a long-term supply of Hammer Bone Pills!"

Zhou Fugan sighed.

But he knew it was impossible for the time being. The special tonics made by Hammer Cloud Martial Arts School were only supplied to internal disciples, and in limited quantities; they were never made available to outsiders. He couldn't possibly ask Zhou Sheng to give up his share.