Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, the rear courtyard.

A redwood tea table was set up in the center of the courtyard.

Weng Xiaolin sat in the host’s seat, with the three Martial Arts Hall True Inheritance disciples—Liu Changfeng, Luo Moyou, and Zhao Xuanqi—seated around him. Weng Xiaolin personally brewed the tea and filled their cups.

"The triennial Yuehai Martial Arts Association is about to begin. Although it’s just a friendly exchange, it’s also a great opportunity to make a name for oneself. Countless factions will be watching. The Ten Heroes of each Association become renowned figures in the Southern Martial Arts World for a time. The time before last, your Eldest Senior Brother accompanied me. It was because of his outstanding performance at that Martial Arts Association that he secured a bright future for himself, earning a post in the Giant Spirit Army."

"Last time, Chang Feng went with me. This time, I’m planning to have Qi accompany me. According to tradition, Chang Feng and Moyou, as his senior brothers, you two must test him for me."

Weng Xiaolin drained the scalding hot tea in one gulp, his expression calm as he spoke to the three of them.

"Alright, Master, just let me off the hook. With Junior Brother Zhao’s abilities, I’m hardly qualified to test him. I’ll sit this one out. I have no desire to get a pointless beating."

Luo Moyou took a sip of his tea and shrugged with a roguish nonchalance.

Hearing Luo Moyou’s words, Weng Xiaolin couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless.

He knew very well how lazy his third True Inheritance disciple was. When he first joined, Weng Xiaolin had to stand by with a whip while he practiced, or he’d slip away at the slightest opportunity. He was constantly thinking up excuses to skip his training, and he definitely spent more time thinking about women than about his Fist Technique.

If it weren’t for a bit of talent and a nearly endless supply of resources, his cultivation and strength would probably be lower than some of the top Inner Sect disciples in the Martial Arts Hall.

But there was nothing to be done. Selecting a True Inheritance disciple wasn’t based solely on innate talent and aptitude.

In the cultivation of the Martial Dao, besides talent and aptitude, the two words "power" and "wealth" were indispensable.

Therefore, a True Inheritance disciple was chosen for either their exceptional innate talent or their exceptional power and wealth.

Luo Moyou was clearly the latter, making him a bona fide fraud among the True Inheritance disciples.

However, it was precisely because Luo Moyou was a Martial Arts Hall True Inheritance disciple that the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall could rely on the Luo Family. Using the Luo Family’s wealth and connections, they had established a firm foothold in the Upper River District. The other two major martial arts halls never even considered encroaching on the Upper River District to do business.

From this perspective, Luo Moyou was far more useful than several skilled True Inheritance disciples combined.

Fist Technique can lead to Divine Communication, but so can power and wealth.

"Junior Brother, you and I haven’t sparred in the last six months. Let me be the one to trade a few moves with you. It will also let Master see your progress over this half-year. Coincidentally, I’ve had some new insights myself during this time."

Liu Changfeng said, turning his head to look at Zhao Xuanqi.

"Of course, Senior Brother."

Zhao Xuanqi nodded.

The two then stood up and moved to the center of the courtyard to face each other. They both removed their Martial Arts Uniforms, baring their upper bodies.

Since this was a demonstration-focused match, removing their shirts would allow for a more direct observation of their Qi Surge coverage and the state of their Power Generation during the bout.

Liu Changfeng’s physique was as tall and sturdy as ever, like a giant’s. His muscles were like granite, showing no significant change from before.

However, the change in Zhao Xuanqi, who stood opposite him, was immense.

A year ago, when he had just passed the assessment to become an Outer Sect disciple of the Martial Arts Hall and was being tested by Liu Changfeng for the first time, Zhao Xuanqi was barely 1.7 meters tall. His frame was still thin and weak, making him look like a child in front of Liu Changfeng.

Now, nearly a year later, Zhao Xuanqi’s height had surpassed 1.9 meters. His entire body was covered in strong muscle, with a high, prominent chest and back muscles that connected seamlessly to his waist. Although he was still a head shorter than Liu Changfeng, the difference in their builds was no longer so vast.

The transformation of Zhao Xuanqi’s body could be described as earth-shattering.

In a daze, Liu Changfeng seemed to recall the scene of his first confrontation with Zhao Xuanqi a year ago. He couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. "Junior Brother, your transformation in just one short year is truly immense. If I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes, I would never have believed you’ve only been formally initiated for a year."

"Without your guidance, Senior Brother, I never could have progressed so quickly."

Zhao Xuanqi also spoke with some emotion. In these chaotic times, deception and backstabbing were everywhere. Brothers would turn on each other and fight to the death over the slightest benefit. Factions like the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall were simply too rare. If he were in any other martial arts hall, who knew what kind of bloody internal struggles he would have had to endure to reach his current position.

Of course, he wasn’t afraid of such things, but they would have undoubtedly consumed a great deal of his time and energy.

Regardless of the future, he would always remember the kindness the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall had shown him.

"Haha, Junior Brother, don’t get too happy just yet. I haven’t been wasting my time these past six months either."

Liu Changfeng laughed heartily and slowly assumed the opening stance of the Tiger Form Fist. The formidable Qi and Blood in his body surged, and under the cover of the Qi Surge, his powerful upper body swelled by a full size, turning a deep red. Veins bulged on the surface of his skin, looking as if they were about to burst.

At first glance, it didn’t seem much different from before.

But Zhao Xuanqi could perceive something more subtle.

A frequency, a rhythm.

The movement of the human body itself has what one might call a "rhythm."

Only by mastering the optimal rhythm of one’s own movements, allowing one’s Qi and Blood, Spirit, and breath to exist in a state of fusion, can the body unleash its greatest Physical Ability.

This was even more true for Fist Technique.

Right now, Zhao Xuanqi could feel that Liu Changfeng’s body, his breathing, the movement of his Qi and Blood, and everything else had achieved a state of exquisite harmony and smoothness.

This was the sign of a Fist Technique transitioning from external to internal.

Above Cross-Training is Inner Cultivation.

Cross-Training tempers the skin, membranes, muscles, and bones, while Inner Cultivation tempers the five viscera and six bowels.

Although Liu Changfeng’s current state had not yet fully entered Inner Cultivation, he had already grasped the key to it. He merely lacked the accumulation of time.

In as little as one or two years, or at most two or three, Liu Changfeng would be able to step into the Inner Cultivation realm.

"Then I should congratulate you in advance, Senior Brother."

Zhao Xuanqi smiled and slowly assumed the opening stance of the Tiger Form Fist.

This time, however, his Stance no longer held that sense of forbearance, concealment, and viciousness. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

His broad shoulder blades spread naturally, his body stretched out, chest puffed out and head held high. He was like a ferocious tiger standing proudly on a mountaintop, surveying everything within its territory.

Domineering! Ferocious! Brutal!

Not the Black Tiger Style, but the Red Tiger Style!

BANG!!

The Qi and Blood in his body roiled. Under the Qi Surge, his arms, chest, and back were all completely covered.

’His only progress in half a year is his chest and back?’

Weng Xiaolin narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew that six months ago, Zhao Xuanqi could already cover his entire arms with Qi Surge. Given his rate of progress, this advancement seemed a little slow for half a year’s time.

However, it was still plausible. After all, Zhao Xuanqi’s innate talent wasn’t the best, and it was normal for progress to slow as one approached their limits. He was still very young and had plenty of time to improve slowly.

’Red Tiger?’

Liu Changfeng’s eyes narrowed. ’It seems my junior brother is looking down on me, confronting me with the Red Tiger Style.’

BOOM!

He stomped on the ground, his figure shooting forward as he took the initiative to attack Zhao Xuanqi.

His hands swung and his body pounced.

Fierce Tiger Inquiry!

This attack was vastly different from his previous moves. The further coordination of various frequencies and rhythms—the movement of his muscles, the circulation of his Qi and Blood, the functioning of his internal organs driven by his breathing—allowed the already immense Physical Ability of his body to be released even further.

As if Adding Wings to a Tiger!

As his hands swung, the very air seemed to dent slightly!

Facing Liu Changfeng’s attack, Zhao Xuanqi revealed a slight smile. He too moved his feet and met the attack head-on.

He also raised both hands!

However, at the instant of his Force Release, his two arms, along with his chest and back, suddenly swelled to a terrifying degree.

Blood Essence!!

BOOM!!

Their hands slammed into each other head-on, fingers locking tight. They were actually in a direct contest of strength!

Most importantly, in this direct contest of strength, Zhao Xuanqi wasn’t at a disadvantage in the slightest!!

"This..."

Luo Moyou stared in disbelief at Zhao Xuanqi’s arms, chest, and back muscles, which had swollen to an inhuman degree. He nearly spat out the mouthful of tea he had just sipped.

’I’d heard rumors about Junior Brother Zhao’s ability, but can a human body really transform to this extent?’

’To be able to match Senior Brother Liu—who was born with Divine Power and already has one foot in the door of Inner Cultivation—in a direct contest of strength... What kind of monster is he?!’