Luo Guanyun stood on one leg atop a wooden stake, arms crossed, smiling smugly:
"Do you understand the art of deception in combat? True combat has never been about who has higher Qi Blood or who has better punches.
It's filled with many unpredictable factors both inside and outside the ring. When I said I'd only use punches, it was to deceive you, and you fell for it, hahaha."
"Come up again. This time I'll only use my feet."
Meng Chuan leapt onto the stake and assumed a stance:
"Please, Master Luo, this time I'll just dodge without countering with Cannon Fist."
"You've learned to infer one thing from another! Time for a beating!"
...
11 PM.
The day's training was over. All night, Meng Chuan had been like a spring; no matter how much pressure Luo Guanyun applied, he could unleash his potential and counterattack.
"Whew, I'm really tired."
Meng Chuan focused his mind and opened the panel to check.
[Martial Arts]
[Cannon Fist: Mastery (8%) pending Limit Breaking]
[Limit Breaking Trait: Heavy Strike (Basic)]
[Body Technique]
[Inch Step: Proficient (2%) pending Limit Breaking]
[Limit Breaking Trait: Light Body (Basic)]
"After a night of Master Luo's personal guidance, Inch Step has broken through to Proficiency as expected."
"As for Cannon Fist, I practiced it a lot tonight too, but the proficiency only increased by a single digit. It seems that after reaching mastery, the difficulty of training has indeed increased significantly."
With the Martial Arts Limit Breaking panel, Meng Chuan could directly see his martial arts growth progress.
Luo Guanyun approached with a bowl of hot soup in his hand.
"Come, Chuan, drink this."
Before the bowl reached him, Meng Chuan smelled a strong herbal scent.
"This is a medicinal powder ground from Dragon Bone Strengthening Grass. Drink it after brewing; depending on the individual, it can slightly enhance bone toughness. Drink it now while your muscles are tight and your bone gates haven't closed—it's most effective."
Though he didn't understand much about bone toughness, Meng Chuan knew it must be beneficial for him. Master Luo wouldn't harm him, so he took it and drank it all in one gulp.
It was bitter and hard to swallow, with a slightly cooling sensation mixed with a faint bitterness.
Luo Guanyun, seeing Meng Chuan drink it all without minding the taste, smiled with satisfaction.
"This medicine is bitter and cold but has a certain effect on the roots. Try it when you're practicing tomorrow."
Hearing what Luo Guanyun said, Meng Chuan was shocked.
He had once seen a medicine that could improve bone roots on the Martial Arts Association's shopping website, but it was snapped up in an instant, and had always been out of stock since then.
He didn't even get to see the price clearly because there were too many zeros after the first 8.
Luo Guanyun seemed to have anticipated Meng Chuan's surprise and said with a smile:
"Some external possessions are not worth worrying about."
"Master Luo, this is too precious. I feel unworthy of it."
"No matter how good something is, it's meant to be used by someone, isn't it? You're my only disciple, be at ease, no need for words."
Meng Chuan didn't know how much this Dragon Bone Strengthening Grass cost, but he knew he couldn't afford it.
"Master Luo, how much does this cost? I can't buy it now, but I'll definitely repay you in the future."
Luo Guanyun replied:
"No need, wait until you've accomplished something and then we'll talk. Just don't forget to carry forward the Primordial Spirit Thunder Planting Skill."
Meng Chuan was deeply moved, understanding that Luo Guanyun meant it as a gift.
"Master Luo has been like a mountain of grace to me, Meng Chuan won't forget!"
Luo Guanyun waved his hand:
"You're excellent in every way, just a bit too earnest. I gave it to you, so consider it a gift. Don't have too much psychological burden. I value your talent and wish to pass on our Luo family's True Skill."
Though Master Luo showed no care on the surface, Meng Chuan still harbored this kindness deep in his heart.
"Also, don't tell anyone about using the root-improving medicine, to avoid trouble."
"I understand, Master Luo."
"It's been a while since you went to the dojo, right? Go to the dojo tomorrow morning to test your Qi Blood."
"Alright, Master Luo, I was planning to anyway."
Luo Guanyun nodded and continued:
"The annual Yong'an Martial Arts Dojo ranking competition will be held in Beilin District next spring. I plan to let you compete in the underage group. Practice hard during this period and bring honor to us."
The dojo ranking competition is scheduled every spring, partly for the mutual exchange between dojos but mainly for the allocation of resources among dojos for the new year.
Top-ranked dojos not only gain popularity, aiding in new year's enrollment,
but also receive various resources from the Martial Arts Association. Like last year's Infinite Martial Arts Dojo, they placed first, significantly increasing student numbers, and even had their entire building's rent paid by the Martial Arts Association.
"I will not fail you, Master Luo."
"But don't feel too pressured; the underage group results only account for 20% of the total score. The final ranking relies mainly on the dojo master's strength.
Truthfully, the other dojo masters combined aren't enough for me to handle."
Luo Guanyun's words were full of pride.
"Understood, Master Luo. I will do my best."
"Yes, but don't be too relaxed. Since you haven't been with the dojo for long, if your Qi Blood doesn't reach the third gate in tomorrow's test, it might not convince others."
"Don't worry, Master Luo. I've surely broken through the third gate; who else for the dojo battle if not me?"
Meng Chuan had some confidence. When he mastered Cannon Fist earlier, he felt his Qi Blood surge, almost breaking through the third gate.
Today's Inch Step breakthrough surely put him past the third Qi Blood Gate now!
"Very good. As this represents our dojo in the competition, the winner can also earn prizes. Assigning you directly might cause rumors within the dojo."
"Prove it to them with your strength then."
Meng Chuan nodded and said:
"Yes, Master Luo."
...
The next day, at the break of dawn.
On the rooftop, Meng Chuan sat cross-legged to regulate his breath, preparing to practice Cannon Fist one last time before heading downstairs.
He needed to arrive at the dojo early today, so he finished his rooftop practice earlier.
In an instant, Meng Chuan suddenly rose and practiced his punches. Coupled with his Inch Step body technique, his punches flowed smoothly and naturally.
After he finished, Meng Chuan headed downstairs while checking his Martial Arts panel.
[Cannon Fist: Mastery (8%) → (10%) pending Limit Breaking]
Not bad. Practicing on the rooftop indeed had a miraculous effect. In just two hours, his proficiency increased by 2%, not as fast as at Master Luo's place last night, but still impressive.
Meng Chuan suspected it was partly due to last night's soup. Initially, his lower-middle bone root was already on the upper side, and now it might count as average root.
After all, while practicing today, he genuinely felt his movements and body coordination improve.
"Improving bone root for me is just the icing on the cake; acquiring more traits is what I need to focus on."
Meng Chuan felt that even if he had top-notch bone roots, he wouldn't progress as fast as now. And this is only a part of the function of a one-time permanent certification.