"Wu Qi trains flesh, Wen Wu trains tendons, Yuan Shicai trains bones."
"They walk different paths, but their blood and energy are terrifyingly rich, each with their own area of mastery."
"This must be the level of the 'Ten Elders.'"
"Elder Shao of the Taikang Academy is also at this level."
"He once spoke to me briefly, saying that this level first requires a breakthrough in blood and energy, followed by training in either flesh, tendons, bones, or skin."
In the Shanhai Realm, there are terms like "Blood-Turning Warrior," "Pureblood Warlord," and "Blood-Congealing God of War." These refer to different stages of cultivation.
In the world of Dayan, the levels of martial arts progress from basic fist techniques and internal strength to realms known as "tendons, bones, skin, flesh."
Shao Yancong once explained to Yan Chuang in rough terms—
"Elder Shao said, our level is the 'starting point,' the phase of 'force mastery,' of 'fists and kicks,' of 'blood and energy.' Beyond that is the 'Ten Elders' level — the stage of 'tendons, bones, skin, flesh,' of 'intention mastery,' of 'foundation building,' of 'transformation.'"
Force Mastery! Blood and Energy!
Intention Mastery! Transformation!
These are two distinct realms, separated by two transformative processes: "blood-energy breakthrough" and "blood-energy tempering." Thus, even if an ordinary martial artist reaches Yan Chuang's level, mastering martial techniques to a near-divine level, there is still a fundamental gap from the level of the 'Ten Elders.'
A chasm that is hard to cross!
Of course—
Rare treasures can help leap it!
But they are still external aids.
Especially for someone like Cheng Fengxiao: "I'm lacking too much!"
Blood-energy breakthrough!
Blood-energy tempering!
These aren't just fantasies or brute-force pursuits — they require specific methods.
And the imperial court of Dayan, along with the martial academies, holds these very methods. That's why figures like Wang Kuan, Wu Qi, Yuan Shicai, Wen Wu, and even Shao Yancong, after entering the academies, were able to break through their limits and reach new heights within ten years.
As for Yan Chuang—
As for Cheng Fengxiao—
Without entering the academy, without joining the new school of thought, it's extremely difficult to ascend further!
"I still have hope."
"At the end of the month, I'll take up a guest professor position at Taikang Academy. There, I may gain access to the methods of 'blood-energy breakthrough' and 'blood-energy tempering.'"
Yan Chuang may gain access.
But look at Guangling Academy — how many instructors and professors were once renowned? Yet only ten or so ever truly crossed that threshold — Wang Kuan, Wu Qi, Yuan Shicai among them.
Clearly, it's no easy feat.
Yan Chuang hasn't seen the exact methods and doesn't know how hard it is or whether he can swiftly break through.
But at least he has a path!
Meanwhile, for Cheng Fengxiao, it remains a struggle.
"There were no secret arts or 'Ten Elder'-level experts in Dayan's martial world originally."
"It was only after the imperial court developed the Shanhai Realm that martial limits were broken and more experts began to emerge."
"Those methods for blood-energy breakthroughs, for tempering the flesh, skin, tendons, and bones, surely didn't appear from thin air. Most likely, the imperial court brought them back from the Shanhai Realm."
"If the court can obtain them—"
"Then so can I!"
Despite the blow to his confidence, Cheng Fengxiao remained firm in his future: "In the first half of my life, I was second to none! In the second half, I'll face the surging tides head-on and catch up!"
That's the confidence of a martial artist!
The confidence of a true master of fists!
He looked at Yan Chuang: "Give me three days. Once I've recovered, I'll head into the Shanhai Realm!"
The Iron Thread Martial Hall was in a remote location.
Last night—
Yan Chuang and Cheng Fengxiao joined forces to kill Yuan Shicai and Wen Wu, two masters at the level of the 'Ten Elders.' The commotion wasn't too large, so no one found out.
After disposing of the bodies, Yan Chuang carried on like nothing had happened — continuing his training, continuing to teach his students.
Waiting for Cheng Fengxiao's wounds to heal.
Waiting for the day they'd enter the Shanhai Realm.
In the meantime, Yan Chuang continued his harsh training — refining his martial skills, refining the Hun Yuan Gong technique. Martial practice is like rowing upstream — one must advance or be pushed back. Yan Chuang dared not slack for even a day.
In his previous life, he had a strong interest in ancient martial arts and national techniques.
Now, in a world with real martial skills and real martial sects, he devoted himself even more deeply to practice, firmly believing that diligence is rewarded.
But progress was slow, gains were minimal.
Thankfully, the awakening of the "Palace of Purple Heaven" finally gave Yan Chuang a shot at reaching the martial peak of the world.
Then came—
Secret martial arts!
Stargates!
The Shanhai Realm!
All these fueled Yan Chuang's curiosity and ambition.
Yet beyond that, what drove him most was the martial journey itself — the step-by-step growth, the tiny improvements, the constant refinement. This process captivated Yan Chuang.
He didn't want to stop.
And along the way, seeing new sights — that was just a bonus.
Yan Chuang and Cheng Fengxiao remained hidden at the martial hall.
Outside—
In Guangling City—
Storms were beginning to brew.
"Seventy-Two Arts."
"Tiger-Crane Double Form."
"Six Harmonies Eight Methods Fist."
"Five Forms Eight Methods Fist."
"Godly Speed with Hundred Variations."
"Five Animal Frolics."
"Cheng-Style Six Harmonies Spear."
"Hundred Blossoms Errant Fist."
"Excluding the 'Seventy-Two Arts,' let's see—one, two, three, four—seven martial arts styles."
In Guangling City, at the Guangling Branch of the Martial Treasury Bureau, Jiang Bianliu flipped through file after file. These documents detailed the martial arts Yan Chuang had created since July — from basic peasant styles to elite techniques, to secret martial arts, to light movement techniques, to health practices, to spear techniques, and finally, the "Hundred Blossoms Errant Fist."
Jiang Bianliu became more excited the more he read: "A 26-year-old youth who created so many martial arts, many of them secret techniques — what a prodigy!"
Zou Xiong agreed: "This Yan Chuang is a late bloomer. He was unknown until this year's martial tournament, where he shone brilliantly — single-handedly defeated the Guangling Academy and earned the title 'Shadowless Kick,' now recognized as a young master in his generation!"
"Oh?"
"Tell me everything."
Jiang Bianliu was intrigued.
He had been in seclusion for six months, buried in ancient texts and analyzing all the martial arts of Guangling County, hoping to create a comprehensive "Guangling Fist" style.
But it was hard — too hard.
He had worked on it for eight years, since the very founding of Guangling Academy. He was even a lead editor and researcher on the major project cataloging and improving the 18 major styles taught in the academy.
Over the years, his skills had deepened and he had created many advanced techniques — but none satisfied him, none brought a true breakthrough.
This time—
Six months of seclusion led to minor insights.
But still far from enough.
Until—
He emerged from seclusion—
And heard about Yan Chuang!
"Speaking of Yan Chuang—"
Zou Xiong quickly summarized Yan Chuang's performance in the martial tournament and the background information gathered since.
Jiang Bianliu's eyes lit up: "A true case of latent talent! And some even doubt his self-created techniques? If they weren't his own, how could he master and perfect them so quickly? Just look — from 'Tiger-Crane Double Form' to 'Six Harmonies Eight Methods Fist,' from 'Godly Speed' to 'Cheng-Style Spear' — all are clearly derived from 'Cheng Family Fist.' How could that be faked?"
He was intimately familiar with the local styles and recognized the roots immediately.
As for the skeptics—
Jiang Bianliu scoffed: "These people know nothing of genius!"
Some are born with it — they grasp concepts instantly, refine them effortlessly, and create anew with flair.
Jiang Bianliu himself was like that in his youth.
So—
Seeing Yan Chuang stirred a deep resonance in him. He had read the detailed descriptions of Yan Chuang's techniques, especially the "Hundred Blossoms Errant Fist," and was full of admiration: "Blending many styles, creating a new path — seemingly wrong, yet profoundly right. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"
He closed his eyes, imagining the scene: Yan Chuang using the "Hundred Blossoms Errant Fist" to battle twenty-five elite fighters of the academy — brilliant, passionate, fluid.
Each technique blooming in his hands — transforming, evolving.
"His understanding of Guangling martial arts even surpasses mine."
"A true prodigy!"
"A marvel of talent!"
He turned to Zou Xiong: "This kind of person belongs in our Martial Treasury Bureau. Why haven't we recruited him?"
"Elder Jiang, it's no longer called the Martial Treasury Bureau. It's now the Hidden Martial Bureau—"
"I don't care what it's called!"
Jiang Bianliu waved him off. "Just answer me — can we recruit Yan Chuang?"
He was perfect for Jiang Bianliu's current project — deducing a unified "Guangling Fist" based on all known local styles.
It required breadth.
It required depth.
It required mastery.
Jiang had led this project for eight years with scholars and specialists, yet still hadn't succeeded.
Why? Because true all-round talents were rare.
But with Yan Chuang's help, perhaps by year's end or early next year, a peak-level style incorporating all of Guangling's martial essence might finally emerge!
How could Jiang Bianliu not be invested?
But—
"Elder Jiang!"
"It's difficult!"
Zou Xiong shook his head: "Yan Chuang is overly loyal and filial. He clung to his master Cheng Fengxiao, refused to join the academy, and now that he's inherited the Iron Thread Martial Hall, he's even less likely to join the Hidden Martial Bureau."
"You tried recruiting him?"
Jiang frowned.
"We tried back in September. Yan Chuang declined, saying his master hadn't returned and he wouldn't consider it."
"And afterward? Cheng Fengxiao came back, didn't he?"
"We haven't tried again since."
Zou Xiong shook his head: "Elder Jiang, Yan Chuang has refused to join the academy for eight years and clearly dislikes the new school. Cheng Fengxiao is even more stubborn — it's well known in Guangling. Even if we try again—"
"So that's it?!"
Jiang's eyes widened.
He was right!
Since the September attempt, the Hidden Martial Bureau really hadn't tried again.
"You people—!"
"If you won't go, I'll go myself!"
Jiang Bianliu swept up his robes and strode out. When Zou Xiong didn't follow, he turned and barked, "Aren't you going to lead the way?!"
He didn't even know the way to the Iron Thread Martial Hall.