Becoming a Saint Starting with the Chasing Wind Leg Technique

Three blue bricks were stacked together.

Zhang Wu took a deep breath and slammed his right palm down—

"Snapped!"

Three bricks broken in one go!

He slowly withdrew his palm, leaving only a faint red mark on his palm, which disappeared in an instant.

Perfect pass!

"Bravo!!" Li Wei was the first to applaud, his voice shaking the entire arena. "As expected of the number one genius of our Chasing Wind Martial Arts Academy! Breaking through to a higher realm in just over a month, unprecedented!"

Sun Li and Liu Jiankun squeezed to the front, their faces full of enthusiasm.

"Senior Brother Zhang's divine might is unparalleled!" Sun Li shouted. "We are willing to lead his horse and hold his whip!"

Liu Jiankun was so eager he almost knelt down: "Please, senior brother, give me some pointers!"

Zhang Wu smiled slightly, then took out two small bottles of ordinary skin-tempering ointment from his sleeve and tossed them to them: "These are a reward for you; they'll be enough for you to cultivate for half a month."

The two were overjoyed, holding the treasure in their hands and repeatedly kowtowing, saying, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang! Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang!"

On the high platform, the old master stroked his beard and laughed: "Wonderful! Wonderful indeed! To have such a foundation at the minor stage of skin forging, with solid blood and qi and the initial resonance of tendons and bones—this child is truly a genius!"

I hereby issue this decree: From this day forward, Zhang Wu is hereby designated as a prospective direct disciple. Once he breaks through to the Iron Skin Realm, he will be promoted to a direct disciple.

"Your compensation will be doubled, your share of medicines purchased from the Zhang family will increase, and your monthly allowance will double."

Li Wei, beaming with pride, surveyed the crowd. As the senior disciple, he naturally didn't need to consider Song Jing's feelings. His gaze lingered on Song Jing for a moment: "See that? That's true talent! Some people can practice their whole lives and still not even touch Junior Brother Zhang's heel!"

In the corner, the second senior brother, Zhuo Bufan, forced a smile and bowed, saying, "Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhang."

His voice was dry and insincere.

Li Wei glanced at him and sneered, "Second Junior Brother doesn't look too good? Could it be... jealousy?"

Zhuo Bufan's eyes turned cold, but he suppressed his anger and turned to leave.

The others in the room also offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhang! You truly deserve the position of your probationary disciple! You will surely become a pillar of our Chasing Wind Martial Arts School in the future!" Liu Jiankun once again cupped his hands in congratulations, his eyes full of envy.

"Senior Brother Zhang has exceptional talent and comes from a wealthy family. He has a constant supply of elixirs, and in just three months he has already shown signs of great success. The Master has a discerning eye!" Sun Li quickly echoed, his tone extremely respectful, afraid of falling behind Liu Jiankun.

"If Senior Brother Zhang receives the true teachings in the future, don't forget to help us junior brothers!" someone joked in the crowd, and everyone echoed in agreement, with a chorus of compliments filling the room.

Only Song Jing remained silent, staying away from the ceremony and sitting in the cultivation area for a long time.

He watched Zhang Wu being surrounded by the crowd, his eyes showing neither joy nor anger.

Zhang Wu officially broke through to the Bull Skin Realm. During this time, many disciples from the sect personally attended the ceremony and came to congratulate him. Even the old master of the sect, who usually went into seclusion, paid unusual attention to it.

After all, breaking through to the next realm in just over a month is indeed a testament to his exceptional talent—a genius that the town sees only once in a century, truly deserving of the title, with his breakthrough speed surpassing all other disciples.

Behind this success lies not only the daily guidance from senior disciple Li Wei, but also the profound foundation of Zhang family's precious medicine.

Compared to the "regular" skin-tempering ointment used by others, Zhang Wu used the "premium" version.

The surface can be quenched three times every two days. With long-term use, the time can be shortened by 50%.

The medicine is more potent and the price is so high that ordinary disciples dare not even imagine it and cannot afford it.

Only powerful families like the Zhang family, who control Changchun Hall and dominate half of the town's medicinal herb business, can afford to support them.

The speed of his progress is simply astonishing, and it is only natural that he was able to break through at this time.

Zhang Wu naturally became a formal member of the martial arts school, officially registered, and his prestige was unparalleled.

The disciples were even more envious, and some even harbored secret resentment, though they dared not speak out—throughout history, people have never hated poverty, but rather they have hated that the rich are not themselves.

To solidify his reputation, Zhang Wu hosted another banquet at Juxian Pavilion. On one hand, he enjoyed the thrill of being fawned over by thousands; on the other hand, he aimed to win over people, cultivate power for the Zhang family's pharmacy, and expand its influence.

"It is all thanks to my senior brother's guidance that I have achieved this breakthrough today." Zhang Wu said with a joyful expression, respectfully raising his cup to Li Wei.

The Zhang family went to great lengths, offering a molting pill worth a hundred taels of silver—a rare and priceless treasure—as a token of their gratitude.

He then raised his glass and said, "The family has prepared the second molting pill needed, and will do everything in its power to help our eldest brother break through to the Flesh Refining Realm as soon as possible, fulfill the bet, and take over as the head of the sect!"

"Excellent! Very good. It's worth it for my senior brother to guide me for so many days and to speak well of you in front of Master." Li Wei stroked his beard and laughed. "With this pill, I can expect to reach the perfection of the Skin Forging Realm in no time. Once I comprehend the Ming Jin, I can step into the second realm in one fell swoop!"

"The position of head of the herb shop will be within reach soon. With the Zhang family's help, the Xu family can be ousted, and we can monopolize the medicinal herb market in Xiushui Village. Then we'll be able to wield immense power and make a fortune."

Amidst the cheers, only two figures were nowhere to be seen—Xu Qian and Song Jing.

Xu had previously been backed by the Xu family, and was at odds with the Zhang family. His second senior brother, Zhuo Bufan, was someone supported by the Xu family, so it was only natural for him to refuse the banquet.

But Song Jing, a rootless orphan from a fishing village, dared to disrespect Zhang Wu?

Many disciples shook their heads: "They're courting death! Offending Senior Brother Zhang will make it impossible for them to move an inch in the martial arts school in the future!"

Song Jing, however, did not care at all; those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.

He looked down at the panel, his eyes fixed on the flashing numbers:

[Character] Song Jing

[Realm Progress] Skin Forging Realm - No Realm (70/100)

[Technique Progress] Introduction to the Wind Chasing Leg Technique (32/100)

In another fifteen days, I will surely break through the Bullhide Realm and become a formal disciple!

Inside the iron pot, the red-hot iron filings hissed, and the heat distorted the air. Song Jing gritted his teeth and plunged his palms into the scalding sand—the sound of flesh scorching was ear-piercing, and wisps of smoke rose from between his fingers.

Blood blisters burst on all ten fingers, mixing with iron filings, creating a pungent and burnt smell. However, the pain was no longer as excruciating as it had been at the beginning.

He remained silent, repeatedly inserting, withdrawing, and cooling the device, practicing tirelessly time and time again according to the instructions given by his senior brother Zhou.

Aside from necessary rest, he devoted almost all his time to rigorous training. The martial arts school disciples were astonished: "Has this guy gone mad?"

They tried their best, but nine out of ten quit, and only one in a hundred succeeded.

Xiushui Village has a large population, approaching ten thousand, but only a dozen or so have mastered the art of leather forging, and those who have achieved perfection are extremely rare.

It was precisely for this reason that Zhang Wu's talent was praised by the sect leader: "His potential is no less than Li Wei's. Given time, he is likely to reach the Great Perfection of the Skin Forging Realm, the Copper Skin Realm, and even entering the Flesh Refining Realm is not out of the question!"

Li Wei even declared publicly, "I'm only a few years older, and in terms of talent, I'm far inferior to Junior Brother Zhang. One day, he will definitely surpass me!"

—The room was filled with agreement, but no one noticed the silent figure in the corner.

However, just as Song Jing was about to break through the critical stage...

Senior Brother Zhou suddenly approached Song Jing and told him that he planned to go out for training for a month.

However, undercurrents were stirring up within the Black Tiger Gang's branch in the west of the village.

The leader, He Dabiao, was eight feet tall, with a face full of scars and a pair of triangular eyes that were as sinister as an eagle's.

He had long coveted Lin Hou'er's beautiful and clever younger sister, Lin Xiaochun, and had sent people to propose marriage several times, but Lin Hou'er had always politely declined on the grounds that she was "too young."

He intended to seize it by force, but he was always wary of one person—Zhou Xingyun.

Zhou Xingyun is not only a veteran disciple of the martial arts school and highly valued by the school's master, but also possesses exceptional strength.

He Dabiao knew that if he offended this person again, he would likely get himself into trouble and suffer a lot.

"Wait! Wait until he leaves Xiushui Village!" He Dabiao gritted his teeth. "As soon as he leaves, I'll make my move!"

Sure enough, the day after Zhou Xingyun left, He Dabiao received news that Zhou Xingyun had set off.

Only a few people knew about this matter, and Sun Lina had long disliked Song Jing.

Through subtle probing, they discovered that Senior Brother Zhou had already gone out and secretly leaked the information, intending to teach Song Jing a lesson.

So Sun Li went to the Black Tiger Gang that very night to inform them.

The two had originally agreed that He Dabiao would deal with Song Jing and teach him a lesson, but He Dabiao dared not.

After all, he was a disciple of the martial arts school, and the old master's reputation was still intact. He dared not offend him, so he could only take a step back and agree to take advantage of his brother Monkey's sister, killing two birds with one stone.

He Dabiao grinned maliciously and immediately summoned two of his trusted men—

Wang Mang, nicknamed "Iron Head," had a head as hard as iron and the strength to lift a tripod.

Zhao Kui, nicknamed "King Kong," is as tall as an iron tower and specializes in kidnapping and human trafficking.

"Go to Linjia Village at midnight tonight and 'invite' that girl here for me," He Dabiao said in a sinister voice. "Be careful. Spare that brat Lin Hou'er's life and let him see for himself what happens when you offend the Black Tiger Gang!"

Late that night, in the early hours of the morning, the Lin family's thatched hut was kicked open.

"Where's your sister? Where did you hide her?" Two burly men roared angrily, demanding an explanation. Seeing Lin Hou'er remain silent, they said, "You're being stubborn, aren't you? Beat her up!"

Iron Head flew into a rage, smashing three of the monkey's ribs with a single punch. King Kong kicked the monkey's left arm, dragging it half a mile before throwing it at the village entrance, where blood stained the yellow earth.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Song Jing pushed open the door to head to the martial arts arena, only to see a thin figure huddled at the courtyard gate—it was none other than his brother, Lin Hou'er!

He was covered in blood, his clothes were torn, his left arm was twisted like a pretzel, his face was a mixture of blue and purple, and his breath was as weak as a spider's thread.

When Song Jing came out, he struggled to raise his head, his lips moved, and his voice was hoarse.