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

In his spare time, Li Xingdao had already had a bricklayer rebuild a courtyard next to his own.

With his own hands-on help, the yard was built to a high standard and quickly, without costing much money.

When the old boxing master named Zhang Yuanqing saw the courtyard he had built next door, he nodded with great satisfaction. Then he turned to look at Li Xingdao and said with a warm smile:

"The martial arts I learned were passed down from the Martial Saint Wu Wuji. I was once an inner disciple of Wu Wuji, and what I learned were all the advanced techniques of the Wuji lineage."

"Because of insufficient talent and ability, as well as lack of family wealth and humble origins, he did not become a true martial artist, but his cultivation has reached the Innate Realm. Even though he is now over 140 years old, he is still healthy and has more than 30 years to live."

"Since you practice martial arts, you should know that there are two realms in the beginning of martial arts training: the acquired realm and the innate realm. When a martial artist is in the acquired realm, he or she is simply refining his or her internal energy and tempering his or her body. His or her lifespan can only be increased by ten years at most."

"But once you step into the Innate Realm, you can gain at least 80 years of life. Even those with short lifespans can live to 160 years old, and those with long lifespans may live to 180 or even 200 years old. If you also cultivate health preservation techniques, you can live even longer. This is the mystery of martial arts."

"Besides, drawing a sword to cut a river and shattering a mountain are merely side effects of my path. In your future martial arts practice, you must also have this spirit in your heart, so that you can reach the peak of martial arts and not diminish the prestige of my martial saint lineage."

As Zhang Yuanqing spoke, he glanced around the courtyard again, a smile appearing on his face:

"I once aspired to a career in government, so I passed the military examination to become a military scholar, and then I wanted to become a military graduate. However, because I offended some powerful and influential people and scions of prominent families in the province, I had to stay away from this path."

"Of course, this is also related to my cold heart. I am unwilling to seek knowledge and let them be. Now, all I want to do is promote martial arts and pass on the skills of this martial saint to more disciples."

"You've built this house for me before even seeing me or learning my methods, which shows your true intentions. So it's alright for me to teach you all these skills, but there's one thing I need you to understand."

As Zhang Yuanqing spoke, his gaze fell upon Li Xingdao, who remained smiling beside him throughout:

"If you learn martial arts from me, after you graduate, you may be hostile to the powerful families in the provincial capital. You may be hindered in the future because of this, or even deliberately harmed by someone out of resentment."

"You may not know the power of these powerful families in the provincial capital. Let me put it this way: as long as you live in this world, you will be subject to their control in everything you do, from what you eat and wear to what you use."

"Once you offend them, they'll try to harm you behind your back. Nothing you do will go smoothly, and there will always be people looking for trouble and causing you problems."

"Even if you fall into the hands of the government, what was originally a small matter will be turned into a big one, and if it is a big one, you will be exiled to the frontier, or even sentenced to death. They will find all sorts of ways to torture you."

"However, if you can comprehend the Dao and ascend to the Innate Realm, even if they want to cause trouble for you, they won't have the ability or power to do so."

"So whether you have any problems cultivating with me depends entirely on your own cultivation level. I'm old now and have no hope of breaking through to the Innate Realm, but you're still young, so you can only rely on your own cultivation to achieve it."

"Otherwise, unless you're like your senior brother Liu Laosan, and only learn a few freestyle moves from me without receiving the true teachings, they naturally won't do anything to you."

"In that case, would you still be willing to learn martial arts from me?"

Zhang Yuanqing speaks in a frank and open manner, and his eyes and demeanor convey a sense of openness and honesty.

However, Li Xingdao knew that this person was trustworthy because he had clearly explained the advantages and disadvantages of learning martial arts from him and then left the choice to him.

"I am already extremely grateful to Master Zhang for his sincerity and willingness to impart his skills and techniques."

"As for some risks, if my cultivation level is insufficient, I can simply learn the techniques and stay in this village without going out; if my cultivation level is sufficient, then I can travel all over the world, so what can they do?"

Li Xingdao responded decisively, looking at Zhang Yuanqing with gratitude, and said earnestly:

"This humble one is willing to follow Master to learn martial arts."

As Li Xingdao spoke, he mentioned Wu Wuji, the Martial Saint Zhang Yuanqing had spoken of, which stirred something within him. He wondered who this Wu Wuji was, that he was given the title of Martial Saint.

Besides, thinking of Zhang Yuanqing's words about "drawing a knife to cut a river and pulling out a sword to split a mountain," and the fact that breaking through to the Innate Realm could add 80 years to one's lifespan, I was even more excited. I secretly wondered what I would feel and what kind of glory I would have if I reached such a level of cultivation!

This also broadened his understanding of the world. With such powerful martial arts, what surprises await him in this world remains to be seen; it's truly something to look forward to!

"Okay, it's good that you've thought it through."

Upon hearing Li Xingdao's words, Zhang Yuanqing smiled broadly, then walked with his hands behind his back towards the courtyard that Li Xingdao had built for him:

"However, with your natural talent and aptitude, reaching the Innate Realm shouldn't be difficult for you. Let's go to the courtyard and test your comprehension, let me see what you're capable of."

Zhang Yuanqing said, and led him straight to the large courtyard that Li Xingdao had built for him.

Upon entering the courtyard, he saw that everything was brand new, the ground was firmly tamped down, and paved with blue bricks. He nodded in satisfaction.

"What you said before is correct. If you stay in the village and maintain this kind of life for the rest of your life, even if you learn martial arts, those powerful families can't do anything to you or affect you. So since you have this mindset, learning my martial arts is a perfect match."

As Zhang Yuanqing spoke, he turned and glanced at Li Xingdao with a smile:

"I observe that your body is full of qi and blood, which suggests that you have mastered the stance training. Why don't you practice the stance training first, and let me take a look?"

Zhang Yuanqing's words brought a bright smile to Liu Laosan's face, and he couldn't help but say:

"Master Zhang, just you wait and see, this young man's aptitude will definitely satisfy you."

Liu Laosan was full of confidence, and as he spoke, he raised his eyebrows and looked at Li Xingdao.

He was eager to see how well his junior brother, who had only been practicing stance training for two or three months, could improve, to the point that Master Zhang praised him so highly.

"Yes, please instruct me, Master Zhang."

Upon hearing this, Li Xingdao immediately sensed Zhang Yuanqing's forthright nature. Without further ado, he replied and then immediately stood up to practice his stance training, fully demonstrating the stance training he usually practiced.

Seeing him standing in the stance, it was as if he had come to life, as if he were really riding a horse, so mysterious.

Internal energy was circulating, and the flow of qi and blood was faintly visible. His cheeks were rosy, and he was calm and composed.

A glint of light appeared in Zhang Yuanqing's eyes, and Liu Laosan was even more shocked.

"Very good, not bad! In just two or three months, you've achieved what others take ten or eight years to accomplish. I'm relieved to see you have this talent."

Zhang Yuanqing smiled broadly, stroking his beard as he praised Zhang Yuanqing, though his breathing was slightly rapid.

His words eased the shock in Liu Laosan's heart, and he looked at Li Xingdao, who had finished his work, with great admiration.