Chapter Seven: Wool

"System panel!"

Qin Yi:

Five Energies Returning to Origin Fist: Minor Achievement+
Energy: 5

"At last, I can break through again!" Qin Yi's heart stirred.

At home.

Night had fallen. Once Old Qin, who lived next door, was sound asleep, Qin Yi opened the panel.

"Breakthrough!"

The five energy points instantly dropped to one.

A powerful surge of warmth flooded from his internal organs to his limbs, bones, and his entire body.

He could distinctly feel his muscles, bones, and even his internal organs quietly undergoing changes!

Twenty minutes later.

Drenched in the stench of sweat, Qin Yi glanced at his now taller frame—he’d grown from 180 to 183 centimeters! His muscles stood out even more than before, brimming with athletic power.

"System panel."

Qin Yi:

Five Energies Returning to Origin Fist: Mastery
Energy: 1

He moved lightly about the room and could clearly sense his strength had taken yet another leap. This time, it wasn’t just strength—he could feel his speed and endurance had both improved as well.

"Tomorrow, I’ll test just how much my strength and speed have increased!"

The next day, in a small grove outside the town.

Qin Yi stopped running; he realized his speed had increased compared to before.

"Now for a test of strength!"

"Fiery Energy Faces South!" With a sudden motion, he executed the "Fiery Energy Faces South" sequence. Qin Yi felt his body’s power had reached an unprecedented harmony.

Bang!

A tingling, aching sensation shot through his fist, and at the same time, he realized his fist was now embedded in the tree!

He pulled his hand out.

Sure enough, he saw a deep fist mark in the trunk, half an inch deep!

"If that kind of force struck a person..."

The next day, Qin Yi returned to the Azure Microcosmos Daoist Palace.

The days that followed were much the same: morning lessons, chores, practicing Five Energies Returning to Origin Fist, evening lessons. In a flash, ten days passed.

...

Morning.

Fields at the foot of the mountain.

During the midday break, Zhang Broadsword looked at the dozen or so brothers from his home town, all lounging lazily on the grass. In a low voice, he asked, "Anyone interested in learning martial arts with me? I’ve got a way in!"

"Martial arts?" Most of them sat up at once.

"Yes! I got this information with great difficulty—there’s a senior brother willing to teach us martial arts privately, but we have to pay tuition!" Zhang Broadsword spoke mysteriously.

"Aren’t you supposed to have Daoist registration to learn martial arts? What if we’re caught..." a young man named Wei He from the same town frowned.

"He’ll teach us in secret, and we’ll learn in secret! If our Daoist registration applications fail, we’ll have no chance at all!" Song Jie chimed in.

These words made Qin Yi’s heart skip a beat.

To be honest, he was tempted.

If he failed the registration and was conscripted within half a year of returning home, a little more martial skill could well save his life.

"Broadsword, how much is it?" Qin Yi asked.

"Two taels of silver! He’ll teach us until we master it!" Zhang Broadsword replied.

"Two taels? That’s too expensive!"

"Forget it, I’m not interested..." More than half the group lost interest.

"When is it?" Qin Yi thought this deal was worth making. As long as he learned the basics, his system could help him perfect it! He’d just gone down the mountain yesterday and had gained another six taels of silver in his pocket.

"This afternoon, in the little grove to the east."

...

Afternoon.

In the grove.

Qin Yi, Zhang Broadsword, and four or five others from the same town headed deeper into the woods.

Sure enough, before long, they saw a young man in a greenish-brown Daoist robe waiting for them in a clearing.

"Senior Brother Liang, we’re here!" Zhang Broadsword quickened his steps at the sight of Liang Chaoqiang.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Liang." As they approached, everyone saluted.

Zhang Broadsword had introduced him earlier—this Senior Brother Liang was a disciple of the Guest Hall Elder, having been here for five years. According to Uncle Pines, his cultivation must also be at least five years in the making!

"Mm." Liang Chaoqiang glanced at the five before him and nodded slightly.

"I believe Junior Brother Zhang has already told you: if you want to learn martial arts from me, it’s two taels each, guaranteed mastery. But let me be clear—if this gets out, don’t blame me for being rude!" As he spoke, Liang Chaoqiang struck a tree with his palm.

The tree shook, shedding a flurry of leaves. Everyone saw a faint palm print left on the trunk, and their pupils narrowed.

"Senior Brother Liang, we understand!" Song Jie said obsequiously.

"Yes, yes!" The others nodded repeatedly.

"Good. Now, hand over the tuition. From now on, I’ll teach you here for one hour every afternoon!" Liang Chaoqiang said, extending his hand.

Zhang Broadsword and the others all handed over their money.

"Senior Brother Liang, what martial art will you teach us? What’s its name?" Qin Yi didn’t hand over his money yet; he asked cautiously.

"I’ll be teaching you one of our Azure Microcosmos Daoist Palace’s Seven Skills—'The Pivot Palm!'"

"I’ve heard martial arts training requires special secret medicines. Will you also give us the recipe, Senior Brother Liang?" Qin Yi pressed further.

Liang Chaoqiang shot Qin Yi a surprised look, squinting. "Of course. But you’ll only need the secret recipe after you’ve learned the technique. The cost for that will be settled later. For now, focus on learning."

Hearing this, Qin Yi felt somewhat reassured.

Soon, Liang Chaoqiang collected the money from all five.

"You may leave now!" He tucked the money into his robe and spoke coolly.

"Senior Brother Liang, what do you mean? Weren’t you going to start teaching us now?" Zhang Broadsword was taken aback.

"Teach you what? I don’t know what you’re talking about!" Liang Chaoqiang chuckled.

By now, it was clear to anyone with sense—Liang Chaoqiang was reneging on his promise!

"Liang Chaoqiang, how dare you go back on your word! You took our money and won’t teach us the Pivot Palm? I’ll report you if you don’t!" Zhang Broadsword stepped forward angrily.

"Report me if you like. The law forbids teaching outsiders. Why would I teach you martial arts in secret? Besides, when did I ever take your money? Do you have proof?"

"You... Give the money back!" Zhang Broadsword’s face flushed with rage, and in his agitation, he tried to take the money back by force.

"Hmph, you don’t know what’s good for you!" Liang Chaoqiang snorted, stepped forward, and struck Zhang Broadsword with his palm.

Bang!

Zhang Broadsword, burly as he was, didn’t even react before he was knocked to the ground with a scream of pain.

"Why did you hit him!" Wei He stepped forward, glaring.

"What, do all of you want to take turns tasting my palm?" A sneer appeared on Liang Chaoqiang’s face.

At his words, everyone’s faces turned red with anger and shame. Zhang Broadsword was the largest and strongest among them, yet he had been so easily felled. Even if they all attacked together, they likely weren’t Liang Chaoqiang’s match.