Sun Yong was stunned by the sight. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then forced the words back down.

That thought surfaced in his mind once again.

’That boy, Yang Jing... he’s steady and reliable, and now it seems he’s quite talented, too. He and Ning Xiang would make a good match.’

Previously, he had favored Lin Yue. He felt Lin Yue was exceptionally talented and was a disciple he had personally trained. If he could marry Ning Xiang, it would be a wonderful union and would also ensure Lin Yue would serve the Martial Arts Hall with even greater dedication.

But now, Lin Yue was severely injured and had failed the tournament trial. His personality was also arrogant and flighty. In contrast, Yang Jing had shot to prominence, becoming not only the hope of the Martial Arts Hall, but judging by Ning Xiang’s expression, she also seemed to have a good impression of him.

On one hand was Lin Yue, into whom he had poured so much effort. On the other was the recently risen Yang Jing. Both were fine prospects. He would be satisfied with either of them becoming his son-in-law.

However, the matter was complicated, especially with Lin Yue still confined to his sickbed. It was inappropriate to say anything at this moment.

Sun Yong shook his head slightly, suppressing the thought.

’Matters of the heart must ultimately depend on their own feelings. They can’t be forced.’

’It’s better to let nature take its course. If they are truly fated, it will all fall into place.’

He set down his teacup, cleared his throat, and said, "Ning Xiang, if you have a moment, go check on the front courtyard. Remind your junior brothers to be careful when practicing their fists. And Yang Jing—don’t let him train too hard. He should focus on recuperating for the next few days."

Sun Ningxiang finally snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushing slightly. She quickly replied, "Yes, Father."

After speaking, she turned and quickly walked out of the study, though her steps seemed to carry a hint of barely perceptible panic.

Sun Yong watched his daughter’s retreating figure, a faint smile playing on his lips. He picked up his teacup and sipped it slowly.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo branches outside the window, casting dancing spots of light on the pages of a book. ’There’s still plenty of time for things to unfold.’ 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

...

「Two days flew by in a flash.」

Morning sunlight filled the front courtyard of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall. Yang Jing, bare-chested, was practicing the Mountain-Shattering Fist over and over again.

The wind from his fists whistled, carrying a steady Inner Strength. Each punch he threw caused the surrounding air to vibrate slightly.

After two days of rest, the wounds on his body had faded somewhat, and his complexion had returned to a healthy ruddy color. Only his eyes were sharper than before.

With Lin Yue still recovering from his severe injuries, the focus of the Martial Arts Hall had imperceptibly shifted toward Yang Jing.

Now, even veteran disciples with Inner Strength like Xu Hong and Zhao Wenzheng didn’t dare show him the slightest disrespect.

Whether it was the awe from other disciples during their daily spars or the earnestness with which they sought his guidance on martial arts, it all sent a clear signal: Yang Jing had quietly become the core of the Martial Arts Hall, his status even surpassing that of several senior brothers and sisters with more experience and Inner Strength.

After completing a full set of the fist form, Yang Jing panted slightly, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

He could feel that the energy from the beast meat he had eaten that morning was completely depleted. The momentum of his fists and the circulation of his Inner Strength had become somewhat sluggish.

So he took a porcelain bottle from his robes, poured out a Qi Storage Pill, and swallowed it.

The elixir dissolved the moment it entered his mouth. A gentle medicinal power slowly spread, nourishing his meridians and restoring his vigorous energy and spirit.

After a brief moment of regulating his breathing, Yang Jing walked back to the most spacious spot in the center of the front courtyard. He sank into a low horse stance, slowly beginning the opening moves of the Mountain-Shattering Fist.

Just then, Sun Yong emerged from the inner courtyard.

He was dressed in gray martial arts attire today. His gaze swept over the disciples training in the courtyard, and he would occasionally stop to offer some pointers on a disciple’s move or correct the details of their force generation.

Seeing their master personally instructing them, the disciples gave it their all, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Sun Yong made his way through, offering guidance, and finally stopped beside Yang Jing.

He didn’t speak immediately. He just stood to the side with his hands behind his back, watching Yang Jing practice with a look of scrutiny and contemplation.

Only after Yang Jing finished a set did Sun Yong slowly speak. "The Mountain-Shattering Fist emphasizes being ’heavy as a collapsing boulder, fierce as a crumbling cliff.’ Your punches have enough power, but the intent is lacking. When you punch, you shouldn’t just think about shattering the object in front of you. You must also project an indomitable aura, concentrating your Inner Strength at the point of your fist, not spreading it across the surface..."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and gestured, personally demonstrating the secret to generating force.

From the foundational stance work of the fist form, to the circulation path of Inner Strength, and then to the transition between movements, he explained everything in detail. He even occasionally reached out to adjust Yang Jing’s arm, correcting his minute deviations in form.

In the past, this was treatment reserved solely for Lin Yue.

Even the other few disciples with Inner Strength had never received such detailed instruction from Sun Yong.

After finishing his guidance on the Mountain-Shattering Fist, Sun Yong added, "Practice your Rushing Wave Kicks for me as well."

Although Yang Jing was a bit surprised, he did as he was told, assuming the stance and beginning to practice the leg technique.

His figure was agile, his legs a blur of motion—at times like waves crashing against the shore, at others like a gale sweeping through a forest.

Sun Yong watched intently. When Yang Jing finished, he commented, "The essence of this leg technique lies in ’change.’ Your footwork transitions aren’t fluid enough, especially the links between different moves, which are a bit stiff. The way of Body Technique is that all changes stem from the same principles. It’s nothing more than borrowing force, deflecting force, and storing force... Try to integrate a sinking strength into your footwork. You might find the right feeling."

Although he didn’t know the Rushing Wave Kicks himself, his perspective as a grandmaster and his deep understanding of martial arts principles allowed him to give guidance from a higher level. Every word was a pearl of wisdom, and it was as if a veil had been lifted from Yang Jing’s eyes.

Sun Yong didn’t go anywhere else. He remained standing not far from Yang Jing. Whenever he saw a problem in Yang Jing’s practice, he would point it out directly or wait until Yang Jing finished a set before stepping forward to give detailed instruction.

Yang Jing focused on understanding the advice. He began practicing the Mountain-Shattering Fist again, incorporating his master’s pointers one by one. As expected, the momentum of his fists became more fluid and substantial than before.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted from outside the Martial Arts Hall’s main gate, mingled with the excited shouts of several disciples.

Immediately after, a few disciples who had arrived late rushed in from the main gate, their faces filled with excitement. They started shouting at the top of their lungs from a distance:

"Senior Brother Yang! Senior Brother Yang! You made it onto the tournament trial rankings!"

"The government has already posted the lists! They’re outside the County Yamen and at the city gates!"

"There are five passing spots in this year’s tournament trial, and Senior Brother Yang is ranked fourth! It’s a sure thing!"

"Our Martial Arts Hall finally has someone with an official position! HAHAHA!"

They ran into the front courtyard, panting. The excitement in their words was almost overflowing. Their gazes were fixed on Yang Jing, filled with undisguised admiration and joy.

The clamor in the front courtyard instantly died down. All the disciples stopped what they were doing, their eyes focusing on Yang Jing and the disciples who brought the news.

Even Sun Yong paused abruptly, stopping his instruction. He turned to look at the gate, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

The wrinkles on his face smoothed out in that moment, as if more than a decade of pent-up frustration had dissipated in an instant.

Sun Yong strode quickly over to the disciples who brought the news. His voice carried a barely perceptible tremor, but he tried hard to remain calm. "Don’t rush. Speak slowly and explain the situation in detail."

His gaze swept over the disciples’ excited faces, then instinctively turned to Yang Jing, his eyes filled with unconcealable relief and excitement.

The Sun’s Martial Arts Hall had been in a slump for too long—so long that he had almost forgotten the last time a disciple made it onto the tournament trial rankings. Now, Yang Jing had finally broken the deadlock. This honor was enough for everyone at the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall to hold their heads high.

The lead disciple took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing, and replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Hall Master, notices and the tournament trial rankings have been posted at the entrance of the County Yamen and the city gates! This year’s tournament trial has a total of five spots, which go to the top five contestants: Li Mengchao, Qin Yu, Zhou Zhiqiang, Senior Brother Yang, and Zhou Tong!"

He deliberately emphasized the words "Senior Brother Yang," his tone filled with vicarious pride. "The list was just posted a little while ago, and it was already surrounded by a huge crowd! We squeezed in and checked it several times to confirm. Senior Brother Yang’s name is written clear as day in the fourth-place spot, no doubt about it!"

Another disciple added, "And we heard from the Officials nearby that the Court has already sent people to deliver the good news to the ancestral homes we registered with! Senior Brother Yang, you should head home quickly! An Official might already be on the way to your house right now. You’d better hurry home and see!"