Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

"As a swordsmith, I can't just abandon my duty. So I want to go back to Changping County first, finish my work, and then come to Qingyang County to bother Miss once everything is settled."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengwen's tense nerves immediately relaxed.

He let out a long sigh of relief, a smile returning to his face, and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes, that's exactly right! Let's finish this job first, and we'll talk about the rest later!"

Li Qingning glanced at her older brother, then at Shen Chu, pondered for a moment, and finally nodded slowly:

"Alright. Since you have your own plans, I won't force you to stay. However..."

A smile appeared on her otherwise muscular face as she pointed a finger at Shen Chu:

"Remember this: once you've finished dealing with your current matters, you can come to me anytime. If you pass the academy's entrance exam, I will personally act as your recommender."

She thought for a moment, then added:

"Since you're still in Qingyang County these days, don't just sit around. Come to the academy to see me every day, and I'll give you some pointers on martial arts. Reaching the peak of the Bone Forging Realm on your own is a long shot; you don't know how long it will take. With my help, it'll save you a lot of trouble."

Shen Chu was overjoyed and bowed again to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Miss!"

Li Chengwen opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but seeing that Shen Chu had already agreed, he didn't dare to stop her anymore and could only mutter something under his breath:

"Alright then... it'll only be a few days anyway..."

Over the next few days, Shen Chu's life became regular and fulfilling.

Every morning, he would arrive at Qingyang Academy on time and cultivate under the guidance of Li Qingning.

Although Li Qingning seemed carefree, he was extremely meticulous when it came to instructing him on martial arts. He explained every detail to him, from the techniques of exerting force to the rhythm of breathing, from adjusting his stance to changing his steps.

Although Shen Chu's innate talent was poor, his comprehension was quite good. Coupled with the speed-up provided by the skill "Twice the Result with Half the Effort," and Li Qingning's guidance being perfectly tailored to his needs,

Over the course of a few days, his understanding of the Crushing Stone Fist deepened, and the power and speed of his punches improved significantly.

Through his training with Li Qingning, he finally understood the difference between combat strength and cultivation level.

For example,

If Shen Chu cultivates the Crushing Stone Fist to its perfect state, but he never puts it into actual combat, then if he encounters someone in the future who has mastered the Crushing Stone Fist to a high level, or even a minor level, but has incredibly rich combat experience, then...

Even if you exchange two punches, you might still lose!

This conclusion can also be extended to the realm of understanding.

In cross-border martial arts battles, there are quite a few instances of the weak defeating the strong.

Even someone at the Skin Polishing Realm has a chance to defeat someone at the Bone Forging Realm!

From Situ Aotian's words, Shen Chu also learned that Li Qingning was a typical example of the weak defeating the strong!

When she was in the Bone Forging Realm, she defeated a master in the Meridian Opening Realm, crossing two major realms!

Shen Chu was amazed by such a formidable record, and thus studied even harder. Li Qingning, the instructor, was also very open with her teachings, passing on all her clever tricks to Shen Chu.

When Shen Chu first started learning, she was also completely bewildered.

Good guy,

How could this young lady, with her thick eyebrows and big eyes, be so familiar with these silver coin tricks?

But most importantly, under Li Qingning's guidance, he finally touched the threshold of the Great Perfection of the Bone Forging Realm.

The tempering of his entire skeletal system is nearing perfection, and his strength flows freely. He is only one step away from reaching the Great Perfection!

"Very good, very good!" Li Qingning examined Shen Chu's cultivation level and a smile appeared on his lips. "Although your aptitude is average, you have a very good foundation. With your hard work, reaching the Great Perfection of Bone Forging is only a matter of time."

"As for the issue of physical constitution, there's no need to worry too much. Physical constitution determines the upper limit, while effort determines the lower limit. Right now, you're far from the point where you need to consider the upper limit. When that day comes, there will naturally be a way to solve it. There are countless natural treasures in this world, and there are quite a few things that can improve physical constitution."

"Thanks to your guidance, Miss!" Shen Chu gratefully cupped her hands in thanks.

Of course, it was also thanks to my own hard work.

As for the support from the system and the primordial energy, those are all external factors.

It's nothing to mention, cough cough, it's nothing to mention.

Li Chengwen has been busy these past few days as well.

He would find an excuse to visit Mrs. Hu next door every day, sometimes bringing a box of pastries, sometimes a basket of fruit, as attentive as a young man experiencing his first love.

Mrs. Hu responded to him politely and gently, maintaining a courteous distance.

Hu Bai, as always, watched Li Chengwen's every move with wary eyes, like a small beast guarding its territory.

Shen Chu saw this but didn't have the energy to intervene.

He already has enough on his plate; let the young master deal with matters of the heart.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye.

Shen Chu felt that he was only one step away from breaking through to the Great Perfection of the Bone Forging Realm.

"Hey!"

Shen Chu swiftly threw a punch at the bluestone slabs in the courtyard, then slowly withdrew it, while Hu Bai silently served him from the side.

Strangely enough, this kid looked at Li Chengwen like he was a thief, but he was extremely respectful to Shen Chu, calling him his benefactor and a good person. He was also very respectful when working behind Shen Chu's back.

But Shen Chu wasn't used to being friend-zoned, and after a long time of correction, Hu Bai and Madam Hu finally changed their tune.

"Brother Shen, I've seen you practice for so long, and you're still using the same move. Why don't you stop and take a break?"

Seeing Shen Chu's face covered in sweat, Hu Bai promptly offered her a towel and smiled.

Shen Chu took the towel, thanked her, and wiped the sweat from her body.

He glanced at Hu Bai unintentionally.

This kid usually seems cold and aloof, but he's actually quite handsome when he smiles.

Hmm? That's not right!

Thinking of this, Shen Chu suddenly shivered.

Lao Tzu's tastes can't be that extreme!

Without realizing it, he silently took two steps, increasing the distance between himself and Hu Bai.

However, recalling Hu Bai's question, Shen Chu couldn't help but sigh again:

"You don't understand, it was just one step away, but it just got stuck here, it's really frustrating."

With the Red Lotus Sect's troubles looming large, Shen Chu was hoping to reach the Great Perfection of Bone Forging, or even the Marrow Cleansing Realm, while Li Qingning was around. This would help him further improve his strength.

If it weren't for the fear of being exposed, Shen Chu would have liked to take out the Crimson Flame Seven Kill Blade and the Netherworld Ghost Control Technique to ask for guidance.

After all, nobody knows what will happen next.

Strength, only strength.

Now we can give Shen Chu more security!