Demons and monsters wreak havoc: gain one new confidante every day.

The courtyard remained quiet for a long time.

Tap! Tap!

It wasn't until footsteps sounded and Shen You slowly turned around and walked back that everyone snapped out of their daze.

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear and astonishment.

"That is..." one person said hesitantly.

"There's no mistake, I've seen that irresistible aura on those guards too..." someone said with a bitter expression.

"That's a martial artist!!" someone finally said through gritted teeth.

Overnight, Shen You became a martial artist.

This fact made everyone feel like their world was collapsing.

How could such an outrageous thing happen in the world?

What kind of miraculous medicine did Shen You take?

Shen You returned to Guard Xue's side and smiled at him:

"Boss Xue, not bad, right?"

"Not bad at all...you..."

Guard Xue was speechless at Shen You's antics.

Although he had sensed it for a while, he still felt a sense of disorientation when he actually saw Shen You display his current strength.

Yesterday he was a rascal who couldn't even stand properly in the "White Ape Stance," how did he become a martial artist today?

When did martial arts become so worthless?

Shen You laughed again, "Brother Xue, I think I've found the Qi sensation you were talking about. I can feel a thin, warm current flowing around in my stomach."

Guard Xue was speechless for a moment.

"Brother Xue, why aren't you saying anything? Are you just naturally quiet?" Shen You asked, feigning confusion.

Snapped!

Guard Xue slapped Shen You on the head.

"You brat, that's not some kind of qi sensation!"

The sensation of Qi is simply the state of Qi and blood rising in the legs and the dantian slightly swelling when practicing the "White Ape Stance".

That was the highest expectation that Guard Xue had for Shen You.

But this kid...

Guard Xue stared at Shen You's smiling face, growing angrier the more he thought about it.

Snapped!Snapped!

He couldn't resist giving Shen You a couple more hard slaps on the head.

"That's fucking..."

Guard Xue gritted his teeth and said:

"...It's called Qi Jin!"

……

It took Shen You quite a while to figure out that after eating the flesh and blood of the demon beast, he had far exceeded Boss Xue's expectations and had ascended to the heavens in one step.

Boss Xue only wanted to lay a foundation for himself, but he ended up becoming a martial artist directly.

"The first step in learning martial arts is to practice standing meditation and find the 'qi sensation'."

Guard Xue explained, "After that, it usually takes a long time of hard work to accumulate enough qi and blood to break through the barrier at the dantian. This step is called 'breaking through the barrier' or 'rushing through the barrier'."

"After 'breaking through the barrier,' one becomes a martial artist. Their body is brimming with qi and blood; their strength, speed, endurance, and even the toughness of their skin far surpass those of ordinary people. They can also utilize 'qi energy,' the warm current that forms in their dantian after 'breaking through the barrier,' integrating it into their techniques, thus drastically increasing the power of their moves and making them invincible!"

"In fact, simply incorporating 'qi' into a technique can increase its power by at least 30%. And if 'qi energy' is incorporated into a technique, its power can at least double. This is the terrifying aspect of a martial artist!"

Guard Xue sighed again as he spoke, truly surprised that Shen You had become a martial artist so quickly.

"But what did you eat, kid?"

Guard Xue frowned again. "Why do I sense a fierce, malevolent aura about you, as if you've been influenced by some demon?"

"A malevolent aura?"

Shen You blinked and said, "Is it because I ate the flesh and blood of a demon beast? I broke through my cultivation level by eating the flesh and blood of a demon beast. There was indeed a murderous aura at the time, and I held it under my tongue."

"The flesh and blood of a demonic beast? A malevolent aura contained within its tongue?"

Guard Xue frowned even more deeply: "I've vaguely heard of using demonic beast flesh and blood to break through to higher levels. However, this method seems to have some hidden dangers. Most martial artists would rather spend more money to buy 'Foundation Building Pills' to break through. So, I don't know if your current condition is good..."

"And then there's the 'containing evil' technique, which involves holding evil energy in the back of the tongue. It's actually a vicious and insidious sneak attack method, and I've heard it can be harmful to the body. So you'd better not hold the evil energy in your mouth for too long; you should find an opportunity to spit it out!"

"Brother Xue, do you mean that there's actually a lot of risk involved in me breaking through to become a martial artist by eating the flesh and blood of demonic beasts?" Shen You asked in surprise.

"Otherwise what?" Guard Xue rolled his eyes.

"Okay..." Shen You could only scratch his head.

It seems I actually became a martial artist through unorthodox means, and I'll probably have to find a way to deal with the hidden dangers I carry.

For example, the malevolent energy under the tongue should be expelled when the opportunity arises.

"Aunt Dou said this malevolent energy is very beneficial to martial artists, but it seems she doesn't really understand it."

"That's true. If she knew, she wouldn't be a cafeteria lady!"

Thinking of this, Shen You asked Guard Xue, "Brother Xue, how can I expel this murderous aura?"

"I don't know either, but it shouldn't be too difficult," said Guard Xue. "After all, other people use this method to launch sneak attacks and injure others."

"A sneak attack that resulted in injury?"

Shen You's heart stirred, and suddenly she felt somewhat reluctant to exhale the murderous aura.

"Since I've already eaten the flesh and blood of a demon beast, I'll keep this malevolent energy until I figure out the harm it causes."

"Anyone who dares to provoke me again will be killed with a single breath of my murderous aura!"

Having made up his mind, Shen You asked Guard Xue, "Brother Xue, after becoming a martial artist, how should I continue my cultivation?"

Guard Xue answered without hesitation: "The stage you are currently at is also called 'Ming Jin,' which includes the first to third ranks of martial artists. From 'Breaking Through the Barrier' to becoming a martial artist, and then to 'Breaking Through the Origin,' 'Breaking Through the Acupoints,' and 'Breaking Through the Peak,' these correspond to the three hurdles one will encounter when cultivating to the peak of the first to third ranks. After 'Breaking Through the Peak,' you will achieve 'An Jin' and advance to the fourth rank of 'Martial Master.'"

"So, after I 'break through the barrier,' I need to first cultivate to the 'Primordial Essence' stage?" Shen You's heart burned with excitement. "Then how do I 'break through the Primordial Essence' stage?"

"The method is still the same as before, which is standing meditation!" Guard Xue said. "If you can master the 'White Ape Stance' and develop 'internal strength,' you will basically be able to reach the second rank of 'Chongyuan'."

"What is 'strength'?" Shen You asked anxiously.

"'Strength' is a more concentrated form of 'qi'."

Guard Xue laughed and said, "You don't need to study this now. You'll understand when the time comes."

……

canteen.

Shen You strode in, looking radiant.

"Auntie, two bowls of rice, and bring me all the good dishes you have here!"

"Hey kid, what are you doing acting so tough in the cafeteria!"

Aunt Dou was getting her food when she gave Shen You a disapproving look.

But Shen You was radiant, his energy and spirit were highly concentrated, giving people a feeling of sharpness and brilliance.

This is the change that victory brought to Shen You.

Having defeated Wang Hu, who had always been a threat to him, even though Wang Hu's strength was now insignificant compared to his own, he felt as if he had broken through another shackle, and his whole being was renewed.

Furthermore, having learned about the route ahead from Guard Xue, Shen You was now full of confidence.

That's how martial artists are; they not only train their bodies but also their minds. Although Shen You hasn't truly reached the level of cultivating his mind yet, changes in his state of mind will be reflected in his appearance and strength.

"Kid, you won this time?"

Aunt Dou asked casually, while simultaneously serving Shen You a large bowl of rice, and then scooping all sorts of vegetables and meat into the bowl, pressing it down heavily.

"Yes, I have to thank the auntie for the special treatment she gave me."

Shen You grinned and leaned closer, pointing and gesturing, "One bowl isn't enough, have another!"

"You'll eat yourself to death!" Aunt Dou said irritably.

"Auntie, I knew you were the best to me." Shen You had a roguish look on his face, which made Aunt Dou unable to do anything about him.

Shen You carried two bowls to the dining table. Everyone else was eating a small bowl of rice with half a spoonful of meat and a few side dishes, but Shen You's bowl was overflowing with all sorts of large pieces of meat.

There were even two bowls!

"Auntie, this isn't fair!" someone slammed their hand on the table and stood up. "Why does he get to eat so well?!"

"He's my son!" Aunt Dou glared at him. "None of your business!"

The man was speechless.

"The one surnamed Shen!!"

A loud shout suddenly came from outside the cafeteria.

The sound was so powerful that it seemed to cause the tables and chairs in the cafeteria to vibrate slightly.

Everyone looked surprised and turned to look.

Shen You also frowned and looked outside.

Wang Hu's older brother, Wang Long, stood outside glaring at them, looking menacing. He didn't dare to come in.