Water Ghost, God Hunter, Immortal Healer, and the Great Xia's Number One Martial Saint!

"Have you learned kung fu from someone else, or is it a family tradition?"

Liu Laosan couldn't help but speak tentatively to Li Xingdao, but as soon as he finished speaking, he saw Li Xingdao smile and shake his head.

"Steward Liu, you're overthinking it. I'm a simple-minded person. My parents died when I was young, and I've only recently regained my senses. How could I possibly have martial arts skills for me to practice?"

Li Xingdao had no intention of making things up, and said with a smile, "It's just a set of labor-saving and powerful clumsy skills that I figured out while chopping wood, relying on my strong physique. I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself in front of Steward Liu."

"A crude skill learned from chopping wood? That's acceptable?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Laosan's eyes widened, and he looked at him in astonishment. Then he frowned and couldn't help but say, "No, this doesn't seem right."

"Even if you truly possess such comprehension, you would never be able to comprehend such smooth and natural power. You really haven't learned any martial arts at all?"

"Logically speaking, one should have learned some basic skills to reach this level."

Liu Laosan looked at Li Xingdao with a puzzled expression in his eyes.

"I haven't really studied it; it's all something I've learned recently while chopping wood."

Upon hearing Liu Laosan's words, Li Xingdao smiled and shook his head, then said to him:

"I know nothing about martial arts. My father was a scholar before he died, and there was no martial arts in my family, so naturally I have never practiced it. Steward Liu is overthinking it."

"If that's the case, then it's truly amazing. Your talent is so exceptional that even I would be embarrassed to take you as my disciple."

Upon hearing Li Xingdao's honest answer, a smile flashed in Liu Laosan's eyes, but he couldn't help but frown. After thinking for a moment, he earnestly addressed him:

"How about this, you stay here for now, and I'll teach you a set of basic kung fu. You can practice it first, and after the New Year, I'll invite an old boxing master to come here and see if he's willing to take you as his apprentice."

"If I'm willing to take you as my apprentice, then you've hit the jackpot. From now on, we don't need to be too shy; just call me Brother Liu."

As Liu Laosan spoke, his eyes were fixed intently on Li Xingdao, and a smile immediately appeared on Li Xingdao's face:

"I'm just a country bumpkin, and to have gained the appreciation of Manager Liu is already a great fortune in my life. Not to mention the old boxing master you mentioned, I would naturally be more than happy to accept such a thing, how could I refuse?"

Li Xingdao said with a smile, "As long as Manager Liu is willing to make an introduction, I will be extremely grateful."

"Haha, good, it's all the better that you think that way. Get up, I'll teach you some basic skills. After that, practice on your own, so that when that old master is really willing to take you as his disciple, you can get started quickly."

Upon hearing this, Liu Laosan laughed heartily and then, glancing around at the people around him, addressed them:

"You all go out. What I am about to teach is a secret technique passed down within my sect, which outsiders are not allowed to watch."

"Understood, boss."

The dozen or so male apprentices from the pharmacy brought by Liu Laosan all answered with smiles, and as they spoke, they all looked at Li Lai.

Seeing this, Li Lai forced a stiff smile and followed Liu Laosan's disciple out of the courtyard.

Once outside the courtyard, Zhang Cui closed the door, keeping everyone outside and looking at him warily.

"Zhang Cui, you stay here with Xingdao and Steward Liu, and do any chores like serving tea and water for them. I'll go to the eldest son's house and get some snacks and tea to entertain them."

Looking at Zhang Cui, Li Lai's eyes almost couldn't help but flash with a fierce light.

But he quickly suppressed that fierce glint in his eyes, smiled broadly at her, and turned to leave to call his brothers.

Just as he moved, ten men surrounded him with ambiguous smiles.

As Li Lai's heart pounded and he feigned surprise, one of the men put his arm around his shoulder and spoke calmly:

"Our manager is here on business. Why are you leaving? Don't leave until the matter is finished. We'll hear from the manager after that."

After the apprentice from the apothecary finished speaking, Li Lai glanced at the broadswords they were carrying on their backs and could only nod and smile stiffly.

…………

While Li Lai waited anxiously outside the door, Li Xingdao, under the tutelage of Liu Laosan, was methodically learning a set of techniques on how to use strength and maneuver.

"Your physique and innate talent are unparalleled in my life, and I never expected your comprehension to be so exceptional. You are truly a rare martial arts genius!"

In the courtyard of Liu Laosan's house, watching Li Xingdao, who in a short period of time had already become as agile as water, using the martial arts techniques he had taught him to apply physical strength with ease and fluidity, his expression was full of shock, and his eyes were also flashing with a sharp light:

"With your natural talent and aptitude, that old master would be overjoyed to see you and take you on as his disciple. Now I will teach you a stance exercise to build your foundation and train your qi and blood. See if you can learn it well."

After Liu Laosan finished speaking, he stood still, his feet shoulder-width apart.

He then bent his knees and squatted down, stretching his hands forward, and nimbly assumed a horse stance in front of him.

Li Xingdao immediately focused his gaze intently on it.

Liu Laosan's body rose and fell slightly, but he was always moving, and his knees never went past his toes. His breathing was also very rhythmic.

"The most important thing to cultivate qi and blood through horse stance is the breathing method. When the breathing method is practiced to the point that it becomes instinctive, and the skill of horse stance has been practiced to the point that it is almost integrated into your body and you can't see any trace of it, that is when your qi and blood are born."

"You already possess refined internal strength, but lack robust blood and qi. Clearly, you rely on your powerful physique, and the internal strength you have truly comprehended on your own is entirely without any orthodox martial arts lineage."

"But it makes it easier for you to cultivate your Qi and blood. Once your Qi and blood are cultivated, your strength can be expressed more smoothly and unleash greater power."

Liu Laosan rehearsed the exercise once, offering repeated pointers to Li Xingdao. After finishing, he looked at Li Xingdao with a broad smile.

"I see that you have a grudge in this manor, and it will take some killing to settle it. That's why I'm teaching you a little trick for using your own strength first."

"With these tricks up your sleeve and your strong physique, dealing with these country bumpkins will be a piece of cake."

"But now, these stances are the foundation of martial arts. See if you can learn them."

As Liu Laosan spoke, he wanted to let him actually try it out in front of him so that he could point out any mistakes on the spot.

Upon hearing this, Li Xingdao's eyes flickered, and he immediately nodded in agreement.

Then, in front of him, he awkwardly but methodically demonstrated the horse stance that he had memorized completely through his divine attribute of 5 points.

[Having come across information about low-level martial arts job advancement, should I choose to advance as a farmer or woodcutter?]

Just as Li Xingdao had fully assumed a horse stance and completed a basic cycle of breathing exercises, a job panel suddenly popped up in front of him, causing Li Xingdao to raise his eyebrows.

"What talent! Truly amazing talent! To have mastered this horse stance qi and blood cultivation method in such a short time is unbelievable!"

Liu Laosan, standing to the side, blushed and spoke with a shocked expression:

"What a martial arts genius!"