Chapter 46: Insight Improved

Jiang Yan glanced at Li Rui, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

“Zhu Shi-di, is that your family’s stable boy?”

Zhu Yue smiled happily—it was the first time Jiang Yan had spoken to him voluntarily in days.

He looked toward Li Rui.

He also wore a look of confusion; yes, he was indeed Zhu’s old stable hand, but now Li Rui was dressed in the attire of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

Clearly, something had happened during his absence from Qinghe while he returned to Huaqing Sect.

Han Qin chuckled: “Everyone has their own destiny; we should focus on the Blood Tiger Gang.”

Jiang Yan nodded.

They had barely subdued Dao Xiong, and Qinghe Branch had agreed to intervene—no need to stir up trouble now.

Before leaving, Jiang Yan cast one last deep look at Li Rui, her eyes holding an unusual glint.

“Phew!”

Li Rui watched the three Huaqing Sect members depart and exhaled in relief.

He didn’t want to get entangled with Huaqing Sect yet.

For him now, being watched by Jiang Yan was certainly not a good thing.

Let the messy affairs of the world stay far from this old man—he only wished to train in peace.

But then a flicker of joy passed through his eyes.

Because Jiang Yan’s appearance had allowed him to fully fill his Achievement Points.

【Achievement Completed: Childhood Companions!】

【Age +2】

【You rose to fame young, met a girl of similar age, grew up together, and walked side by side in mutual understanding.】

【Achievement Points reached 100. Reward being granted.】

【As a young hero wandering the Jianghu, insight is paramount—it alone lets you seize opportunity. If a celestial lifts my head, I shall joyfully become an immortal.】

【Insight Improved!】

【Young Hero, begin your perfect Jianghu journey!】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 7】

【Talent: Wu Bone, Outstanding Insight】

【Martial Art: White Ape’s Cloak Blade】

【Achievements: 0/100】

Childhood Companions

“Who’s ever seen a seventy-year-old man still having childhood companions?”

Li Rui’s mouth twitched.

He decisively ignored the introductory text—after all, according to the system, he was only seven years old.

Finally, his gaze settled on the words “Outstanding Insight.”

It is widely known that judging a person’s talent consists of two parts.

One is bone structure.

This is easy to judge—some can be assessed just by appearance.

For example, those with arms reaching below the knees are suited for Tong Bi Quan; those with broad backs and sturdy frames are suited for hard-body training; Zhou, the deputy branch master of Qinghe Branch, lost his hair young—perfect aptitude for Iron Head Art.

Others require a professional bone-reader to determine.

Like Li Rui’s Wu Bone, it’s nearly impossible to discern by sight.

Thus, many great clans and sects cultivate a bone-reader to avoid missing martial prodigies.

They determine bone structure the moment a child is born, tailor training accordingly for those with exceptional structure—they win at the starting line.

How can a peasant martial arts master compete?

There’s no comparison.

The second is insight.

Compared to bone structure, insight is far more elusive.

It cannot be measured by physical means.

But it’s not entirely undetectable—children who speak in full sentences at one, compose poetry at three, demonstrate insight beyond ordinary people.

In martial training, it means some grasp a martial art quickly, others slowly—the fast ones have superior insight.

Thus, compared to bone structure, insight is less practical in martial arts.

Because insight’s greatest use is creating new martial arts.

But unless one is already a renowned martial master, creating new arts is meaningless.

Hence, many talented disciples with mediocre bone structure but excellent insight are often overlooked, eventually fading into obscurity.

Improved insight mainly raises a martial artist’s ceiling.

Li Rui carefully sensed the changes in his body.

Aside from a clearer mind, there seemed to be no other changes.

“Perhaps the effects of improved insight will only become apparent over time.”

“Ah He, I give up, I give up.”

Zhou Shulin plopped onto the ground, panting heavily, one hand braced on the earth, the other waving frantically.

Liang He reluctantly lowered his wooden sword, still eager for more.

“Shulin, you’ve grown so weak.”

Zhou Shulin rolled his eyes.

“Have I grown weak?”

“It’s you who’s grown stronger!”

He roared inwardly, but never voiced these words.

Zhou Shulin rose, feeling gloomy.

He, Liang He, and Liu Tong joined Tianyi Hall around the same time, their skills once nearly equal.

He was even slightly stronger than Liang He.

After all, his family background was far better than Liang He’s commoner status; since his uncle, the branch master, became deputy branch master, he never lacked for martial arts manuals.

Yet now Liang He defeated him in just ten moves.

This was only the beginning—the gap between them would only widen.

It was said Liu Tong, after transferring to the Civil-Martial Hall, shone brightly in the latest assessment and had already gained some fame.

Thus, among Tianyi Hall’s three disciples, he alone was a waste.

Zhou Shulin naturally felt gloomy.

It wasn’t that he didn’t work hard—it was simply that his talent couldn’t match theirs.

Thinking of the upcoming assessment, he felt even worse.

Liang He noticed Zhou Shulin’s low spirits; since being guided by Master Li, he could better sense others’ emotions.

He immediately guessed Zhou Shulin’s mood stemmed from the assessment.

“Shulin, you train diligently and have improved greatly—I’ve just improved faster. You’ll still earn a fine rank in the assessment.”

Zhou Shulin felt somewhat better: “Really?”

Liang He nodded seriously: “Of course.”

He had once been aloof, with almost no friends in the Heaven and Earth Alliance—Zhou Shulin was one.

He didn’t want to lose his only friend.

Simply comforting Zhou Shulin by saying he was strong would have no effect—no one was foolish; only truthful encouragement truly worked.

Zhou Shulin finally grinned: “Good.”

He didn’t expect to match Liang He or Liu Tong—just to stay in the branch’s Seven Halls was enough.

He was about to speak.

Liang He’s expression changed, bowing respectfully: “Master.”

Zhou Shulin turned and saw Li Rui standing behind him, unseen until now.

He quickly spun around and stepped back.

“M-Master.”

Li Rui saw his two disciples training earnestly and nodded approvingly: “Good. Keep training—the assessment is coming. Don’t tarnish Tianyi Hall’s reputation.”

He then realized Tianyi Hall had no reputation to speak of, so added: “Your master is old now. The future belongs to you.”

The two boys instantly blushed.

Approval from the Master!

Liang He, neck flushed, said: “Master, I won’t let you down.”

Li Rui patted both boys’ shoulders: “Good. Keep going.”

Then he walked into Tianyi Hall.

He first inspected the first and second floors, then selected a book: The True Interpretation of Nan Hua.

One cup of tea, one book.

Li Rui sat comfortably on a wooden chair.

This life — not even a prince would trade for it.

(End of chapter)