"How does it feel?"

When Master Qin asked, Wan Ze noticed everyone looking at him with strange expressions. Realizing he might have been showing off too much, he said sheepishly, "It was agonizing."

Master Qin chuckled at his words and said no more. He turned, walked to an open area in the courtyard, and prepared to teach the Fist Technique.

"Iron Mountain Fist emphasizes a balance of hardness and softness. While practicing this Fist Technique, you must also cultivate a specific Breathing Technique. The goal is to use your qi to supplement your power, focusing on a progressive increase in Punching Power..."

As Master Qin spoke, Wan Ze glanced back to see Zhou Xianchuan with a dazed expression, already lost to the world.

...

"The set of forms for Iron Mountain Fist is called the Five Bridge Hands. Each ’bridge’ represents a core method of applying power..."

"They are: Erhu Chenzhou Bridge, Double Sword Cutting Bridge, Left and Right Cun Bridge, Three-Degree Pearl Bridge, and Bridge Control!"

"As this is your first time practicing, your movements should be slow. The focus is on experiencing your breathing and building a solid foundation..."

Master Qin might have a somewhat cold demeanor, but he was incredibly dedicated when teaching the Fist Technique, imparting all five of the Iron Mountain Fist’s Bridge Hands.

Wan Ze discreetly glanced at the bottom of his field of vision.

...

[Illustrated Guide: Iron Mountain Fist]

[Skill Beginner Level Satisfying Conditions: Practice the fist technique for thirty minutes.]

...

’That’s not a difficult condition.’

Wan Ze felt a little more at ease.

As soon as Master Qin announced they could begin free Cultivation, Wan Ze wasted no time. It was his first time practicing the fist technique, after all, and he was still a bit clumsy at first.

Perhaps because his attitude during the Squatting Horse Stance had been the most earnest, Master Qin did something rare and came over to give him some individual guidance.

Even though it was only for a short while, it was enough to make everyone burn with envy.

"Iron Mountain Fist emphasizes being rooted to the ground, so your stance must be stable and solid... Your foundation isn’t bad... For now, just focus on mastering the movements. Once you’re proficient, I’ll teach you the Breathing Technique. When paired with the Breathing Technique, Iron Mountain Fist becomes even more ferocious."

Master Qin watched from the side for a while, correcting Wan Ze’s improper movements one by one before moving on to the other students. He quickly devolved into grumbling and cursing at them.

Wan Ze performed the movements very slowly, deliberately feeling the changes in his muscles.

Normally, performing a slow-motion fist routine after more than ten minutes of Squatting Horse Stance would have completely exhausted him. However, his High Level Basic Swordsmanship had somehow enhanced his physique, granting him more Endurance than ever before.

After practicing the Five Bridge Hands of Iron Mountain Fist seven or eight times, Wan Ze was drenched in sweat, yet he couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across his face.

...

[Illustrated Guide: Iron Mountain Fist] (Beginner Level Mastered)

[Skill Basic Satisfying Conditions: Practice the fist technique for 1 hour.]

...

"You’ve got to be kidding me, Ah Ze. How can you still be smiling after a workout that exhausting?" Zhou Xianchuan, so tired he was just lying on the ground, turned his head and saw the smile on Wan Ze’s face. He couldn’t comprehend it.

"There were a few things I didn’t understand before, but I’ve figured them out now." Wan Ze savored the new information that had flooded his mind, feeling the power of the Iron Mountain Fist more profoundly.

He lifted his slender arm. A faint outline of muscle was now visible—a sign of increased Power.

’And this is just the Beginner Level...’

’In comparison, the boost from Basic Swordsmanship really doesn’t measure up to Iron Mountain Fist.’

Wan Ze was lost in thought.

’A Skill only needs to reach the Intermediate level to grant its corresponding enhancement Effect, strengthening my various physical stats... That means I can totally use the Illustrated Guide’s ability to accelerate my own enhancement. At this rate, I’m sure no one can become a powerhouse faster than I can!’

’The more advanced the Martial Dao, the greater the improvement. The problem is how to get my hands on such a Martial Skill!’

Wan Ze lifted his head, his gaze fixed on Master Qin’s retreating back.

The path before him was clear.

If he wanted to cultivate more powerful Martial Skills, he first had to become an Official Disciple of the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall!

...

「The days passed, one by one.」

Wan Ze started a daily routine: a morning run, practicing his Squatting Horse Stance and fist technique in the park, and then going to the martial arts hall in the evening for more practice under Master Qin’s guidance.

He did this every day, rain or shine.

He wasn’t just doing this to temper his body; he was also trying to complete the High Level requirements for Iron Mountain Fist!

...

[Illustrated Guide: Iron Mountain Fist] (Intermediate Mastered)

[Effect: Enhances Qi and Blood (Physical Strength +0.03)]

[Skill High Level Satisfying Conditions: Total fist technique practice time: 200 hours (195/200), and total Squatting Horse Stance time: 20 hours (20/20).]

...

He had already raised his Basic Swordsmanship to the High Level, but the resulting physical enhancements were nowhere near as noticeable as this.

Iron Mountain Fist truly was... terrifyingly effective!

...

「Time flew by.」

Ever since he started practicing, Wan Ze found himself craving more and more meat. For his family, which was already struggling financially, this was like pouring salt on a wound.

His parents hid it well, but unlike his sister, he noticed. He saw it all, and while blaming himself, he began to think about how to solve their family’s financial problems.

One morning.

"Brother, what are you writing?" his sister asked as she walked over, yawning. She wore a pair of pink pajamas that had faded to a pale white from countless washes.

"It’s nothing."

After writing the final two words, "Dragon Snake," Wan Ze quickly closed his notebook. He looked up as his sister approached, reached out to straighten her collar, and patted her head. "Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Not yet."

Wan Xiaoyu didn’t notice anything special about the notebook. She looked up blankly and asked, "Where are Mom and Dad?"

"They went to work."

"Isn’t it the weekend? Why do they still have to work? How many times is this they’ve had to work overtime?" His sister sounded disappointed.

Wan Ze opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. After a moment of silence, he said, "...I left breakfast for you in the kitchen. I have to go out in a little while, so make sure you eat."

"Brother, are you going to the martial arts hall?"

"Yeah."

"I want to go too!" Wan Xiaoyu’s eyes immediately lit up.

But Wan Ze didn’t agree. "I have other things to do. It wouldn’t be convenient to bring you. Some other time."

"Oh." Wan Xiaoyu pouted unhappily. "Then bring me back some fried rice from Xiaohua’s when you come home!"

"I’ll make you some when I get back."

"Brother, you can cook? How did I not know that?"

"Well, now you know."

Wan Ze smiled and patted her head, then tucked the notebook into his backpack and left.

His sister sat at the dining table, sullenly watching the door close, lost in a daze.

...

...

「At the entrance of the Heroes’ Newspaper office.」

Wan Ze looked upset when he came out.

The person at the desk had him write down his contact information and then sent him away, not even bothering to glance at the novel he’d brought. This was not a good sign.

’Forget it,’ he thought. ’I’ll find time to try another publisher later.’

Seeing that he was running out of time, Wan Ze had no choice but to head to the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall.

The sun was high in the sky, and its brilliant light felt warm on his face.

Wan Ze strode through the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall complex. By the time he reached the courtyard, some students were already engrossed in their training. Of course, that slacker Zhou Xianchuan was late again.

In the shade of a tree, a young man in a black shirt—the Martial Dao Robe of an Official Disciple—stood respectfully before Master Qin, speaking to him about something.

The moment Wan Ze appeared, Master Qin suddenly smiled and waved him over. "Wan Ze, come here a moment."

Many of the students looked over.

This included the young man in the black shirt, who sized him up with a calm, appraising gaze.

"Master Qin, you were looking for me?" Wan Ze asked as he approached.

Master Qin gestured. "A Class needs a teaching assistant. Do you have the time? It’s for... how long was it again?"

He turned to the young man in the black shirt.

The young man in the black shirt chimed in at the perfect moment. "Five days. Four hours a day on Saturday and Sunday, two hours each weekday afternoon. You get paid daily."

"How much is the daily pay?" Wan Ze couldn’t help but ask.

"Fifty per day on weekends, twenty-five on weekdays."

"Deal."