Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint-Chapter 62 - 58: Toad Breath

Cheng Ming pondered for a moment, his expression grave. "Ah Qing," he said, "I’ve heard that Gao Sheng from the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall has been in closed-door training since the Martial Arts Examination. Rumor has it he’s attempting to break through the Transformation Pass for the third time. You must be extremely careful."

"So soon?"

A flash of surprise crossed Chen Qing’s eyes, but he quickly understood.

Gao Sheng’s Root Bone was already superior to Qin Lie’s. And now, with Songfeng Hall Master Shi Wenshan pouring all his resources into his training, his progress was bound to be swift.

It was only to be expected for his cultivation to advance so quickly.

His thoughts raced. ’The old and new grudges between the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall and the Zhou Institute have long since become a deadlock. There’s absolutely no chance of resolving them.’

’Gao Sheng crippled Qin Lie in the Martial Arts Examination arena. If he gets a chance, he won’t hesitate to do the same to me. Zhu Lian’er’s provocation just now was clear proof of that. He’s undoubtedly a hidden threat.’

’I have to be more careful from now on. I can’t give the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall any openings, or I’ll end up just like Qin Lie.’

’No one knows what the people from the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall might do. If they resort to underhanded tactics, the slightest carelessness could lead to a fate beyond redemption.’

Just then, Cheng Huan strode over, his voice urgent. "Cheng Ming! What are you standing there for? Go get the best bonesetter in the city! No! Go straight to Huichun Hall and pay whatever it takes to have their resident physician, Mr. Sun, attend to him! And hurry!"

"Patriarch Cheng, there’s no need to go to such trouble." Chen Qing waved his hand to stop him. "Just send me back to rest."

In the end, at Chen Qing’s insistence, Cheng Huan had no choice but to have someone call for a carriage to send Chen Qing home.

Cheng Ming said solemnly, "Ah Qing, words can’t express our gratitude. The Cheng Family will never forget this favor."

His voice was low, filled with gratitude.

Chen Qing smiled. "Chief, there’s no need for such formalities between us."

He had received considerable financial support from the Cheng Family in the past, which was why he had stepped in today.

Cheng Huan had wanted to exchange a few pleasantries with Chen Qing to strengthen their bond. However, seeing how fierce the earlier fist exchange had been, he knew Chen Qing must be badly hurt and simply instructed the driver, "Steady now."

The carriage slowly pulled away from the bustling pier.

"Ah Ming, we really have Chen Qing to thank for this."

Cheng Huan was filled with a swirl of emotions. Beyond his private relief, he couldn’t help but marvel at how Cheng Ming had sponsored the young man, valuing his character above all else.

Looking at it now, this was simply the best "investment" the Cheng Family had made in years.

Chen Qing was not only exceptionally talented, but more precious still, he was loyal and knew how to repay a debt of gratitude.

When the Cheng Family’s future hung in the balance, he had resolutely stepped forward and shouldered a life-and-death burden. With a single duel, he had saved the very foundation of the Cheng Family.

Such responsibility and loyalty were a hundred times more precious than any gold or treasure!

Cheng Ming was also deeply moved. "Yes, indeed."

"Ah Ming,"

Cheng Huan said decisively, "Chen Qing is a man of honor who saved our Cheng Family from dire straits. How can we be stingy? Go to Third Uncle at once. Withdraw three hundred taels of current silver and twenty Top Grade Blood Qi Pills, and send them all to Chen Qing! And from now on, triple his monthly allowance!"

Cheng Ming nodded firmly. "Understood. I’ll see to it at once!"

...

「Jinghong Martial Arts Hall—Inner Hall.」

Deng Feihu was examining the progress of his elite disciples one by one.

When his gaze fell on Jiang Yang, he asked in a deep voice, "How is your recovery coming along?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Jiang Yang bowed and replied, "Master, forgive my slow progress. The internal injury from my failed attempt to breach the Transformation Pass is more stubborn than I anticipated. It will take half a year, at the very least, for my vitality and blood to reach Perfection."

Deng Feihu nodded slightly. "Impatience is the greatest enemy when building a foundation. You must be thoroughly prepared this time."

"Yes."

Jiang Yang nodded firmly. The opportunity to attempt a breakthrough was incredibly rare. The slightest misstep could damage his foundation, making any future advancement impossible.

After a bit more small talk, Deng Feihu waved a hand at the disciples. "If you run into any problems, don’t hesitate to ask. You’re all dismissed."

"This disciple will take his leave."

Jiang Yang clasped his fist and slowly withdrew from the inner hall.

As he reached the front courtyard, a figure rushed to greet him. It was Xu Zheng, a junior disciple who always followed his lead.

"Senior Brother Jiang! This is bad!" Xu Zheng looked frantic.

Jiang Yang frowned slightly. "What has you so flustered?"

Xu Zheng lowered his voice, speaking in a rapid-fire burst. "That Chen Qing the Cheng Family hired, he killed Tian Yaosong on the dueling platform today! I heard the man was dead before they could even carry him to the clinic..."

"Oh?" A glint flashed in Jiang Yang’s eyes, his astonishment unconcealed.

’He was well aware of Tian Yaosong’s strength. The man had reached Great Success in Dark Force and was a wily, experienced fighter. Even I wouldn’t be confident of victory against him.’

’This Chen Qing... he’s actually that capable?!’

Xu Zheng said worriedly, "Senior Brother, this punk Chen Qing is using Tian Yaosong as a stepping stone to make a name for himself. This is really bad for you! Who knows what kinds of rumors people will start spreading..."

Jiang Yang’s refusal to fight for the Cheng Family had already led to accusations of him being "ungrateful" and "cowardly."

Now, with Chen Qing single-handedly turning the tide, Jiang Yang was cast in an even worse light.

Jiang Yang was silent for a moment, his thoughts churning.

Xu Zheng asked tentatively, "Senior Brother Jiang, what should we...?"

"Tomorrow,"

Jiang Yang suddenly spoke, his tone flat. "Prepare a generous gift for me to be delivered to Chen Qing."

"For Chen Qing?!"

Xu Zheng was stunned, incredulous.

’In his mind, Jiang Yang ought to hate Chen Qing to the very bone right now.’

"What do you understand?"

Jiang Yang shot him a look, his gaze profound. "If I were to grow jealous and resort to petty tricks, it would only prove that I’m a vile person and make me a laughingstock. By defeating Tian Yaosong and resolving the Cheng Family’s crisis, Chen Qing, in a way, did me a favor. He helped me preserve my ties with the Cheng Family."

He paused, his voice growing colder. "I’m sending him a gift to show my gratitude for his ’assistance to the Cheng Family.’ This will solidify the fact that my relationship with the family is still strong. It also further proves that my reason for not stepping in before was genuinely due to my injury, leaving me unable to help."

Failing to fight for the Cheng Family had already damaged his reputation in the martial arts circles of Gaolin County.

In this world, a man branded "faithless and disloyal" is destined to find every path blocked.

This was the perfect opportunity to salvage the situation.

Xu Zheng’s eyes lit up with understanding and admiration. "Masterful! Truly masterful! Senior Brother, your foresight is incredible!"

A faint, inscrutable smile touched the corners of Jiang Yang’s lips. "Besides, sending a gift is a chance to build goodwill with this newly emerged expert. It’s always better to have another friend than another powerful rival, wouldn’t you agree?"

Xu Zheng nodded eagerly. "Senior Brother is wise! I’ll get on it right away!"

...

「The next morning.」

Chen Qing sat cross-legged in quiet meditation, his eyes closed and his spirit focused.

All at once, his breathing became long and peculiar.

His inhalations were slow and deep, his chest and abdomen sinking inward. His exhalations were long and drawn-out, a faint vibration in his throat creating a low hum, like an ancient toad crooning from a deep pool.

This was the foundation of the Fishing Toad Force—Toad Breath.

A searing Inner Breath rose from his Dantian, winding its way up a hidden path along his spine.

Wherever it passed, his bones creaked softly, and his dormant fascia awakened as if touched by a gentle rain.

The muscles beneath his skin quivered, and the fine hairs on his body stood on end as a tangled sensation of tingling numbness and searing heat spread through him.

As the Inner Breath reached the point where his chest and abdomen met, every muscle in Chen Qing’s body suddenly tensed like iron!

HUMMM—!

A deep toad-like croak vibrated out from his very bones and skin! His chest and abdomen throbbed like a great drum, suddenly swelling outward. His skin stretched taut, taking on a jade-like sheen!

An irresistible surge of Power instantly filled his entire body, only to recede just as quickly, like a tide. His swollen chest and abdomen collapsed back inward.

With each expansion and contraction, his qi and blood acted like an invisible sledgehammer, repeatedly tempering the inner walls of his organs.

Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes and muttered to himself, "This Fishing Toad Force... I always feel like there’s more to it. Could there be more profound levels?"

As a Dark Force expert, he already had his own insights into the path of Martial Arts.

That lingering feeling during his Cultivation that there was more to it made him suspect this Cultivation Technique wasn’t limited to its current three Realms.

Chen Qing thought, ’The most important thing right now is to improve my strength. There’s still a lot of room for growth with both the Long Arm Pile Skill and the Fishing Toad Force.’

Zhou Liang had once told him something.

The Military Examination, he’d said, was a sky-high path to success, a joint venture between the Court and the Major Sects to select talented individuals.

Those Martial Arts Sects, with their centuries of history and profound foundations, possessed Cultivation Techniques and secret arts far beyond anything a Martial Arts Hall could offer, including Upper-Grade Martial Arts.

Upper-Grade Martial Arts contained Inner Cultivation Techniques, skills meant for realms beyond Transmutation Force.

This was why so many people vied to participate in the Military Examination.

The Military Examination was held only once every three years, drawing not only the geniuses of the current generation but also masters from years past.

To distinguish oneself from such a crowd was incredibly difficult.

Without reaching the Transmutation Force realm, there was almost no hope of succeeding.

...