Chapter 31: Entering the Outer Gate

"Cheng Feng, the Martial Arts Hall Master is calling for you," Qian Ming said, walking over to convey the message.

Cheng Feng knew what it was about; it should be a confirmation of his progress in strength.

Facing Qian Ming's call, Cheng Feng did not panic, calmly saying, "Coming, I'll go right now."

Cheng Feng followed Qian Ming to Wang Tieshan's room.

"Greetings, Martial Arts Hall Master!" Cheng Feng cupped his fists in salute.

"Hmm, rise." Wang Tieshan looked Cheng Feng up and down, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

At Wang Tieshan's level, he could tell roughly what stage an ordinary apprentice was at with just a glance.

The young man before him had a solid aura, with spirit hidden in his eyes; he must have entered the Strength Refining Realm.

"Cheng Feng, I heard your strength has already reached the Strength Refining Realm?" Wang Tieshan asked.

"Yes, Martial Arts Hall Master. It is thanks to your guidance," Cheng Feng replied.

"Not bad, but you must remember, the increase in strength is only one aspect; more important is the cultivation of one's state of mind. Do not become lax just because you have entered the outer gate," Wang Tieshan said earnestly.

"Many thanks for your instruction, Martial Arts Hall Master, I will surely keep it in mind," Cheng Feng said.

"Very well, you may go now," Wang Tieshan waved his hand.

Cheng Feng exited the room, silently pondering Wang Tieshan's words. He knew he still had a long road ahead.

Currently, he was still just a small fry in the Strength Refining Realm.

Just as Cheng Feng walked out of the room, he saw Zhang Zhuo walking toward him, smiling as he said, "Junior Brother Cheng, I just heard you've broken through to the Strength Refining Realm; that is truly a joyous occasion!"

Cheng Feng smiled modestly, "It is all thanks to the Martial Arts Hall Master's expert guidance."

Zhang Zhuo continued, "Hehe, since you've broken through, why don't we spar a bit to see how much your strength has actually improved?"

Before Cheng Feng could answer, a woman to the side interjected, "Zhang Zhuo, stop messing around. Cheng Feng just finished reporting to the Martial Arts Hall Master; he must be tired."

Cheng Feng looked at the Senior Sister before him, who was dressed in red, with a cold expression and a graceful figure, and thanked her quickly for speaking up for him.

Zhang Zhuo then introduced, "This is Senior Sister Zhao Wei and Second Senior Brother Zhang Hu. Why haven't you paid your respects yet?"

Cheng Feng hurriedly cupped his fists in salute: "Greetings, Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother."

The Senior Sister nodded in acknowledgment, while the Second Senior Brother smiled and returned the salute.

He also chimed in, "That's right, Zhang Zhuo, just let Cheng Feng rest."

Seeing this, Zhang Zhuo had no choice but to give up, "Alright then, I'll find another chance to spar next time." Having said that, Zhang Zhuo turned and left with the two of them.

Cheng Feng watched the backs of the Senior Sister and the others as they left, secretly resolving in his heart never to invite trouble.

The Ninth Senior Brother, who had been kind and pleasant to him at the start,

has now begun to probe him?

Cheng Feng felt as if he sensed an undercurrent, but being caught in the whirlpool, he could only be more cautious.

After walking a distance away, Zhang Zhuo complained, "Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother, you had business with Master, so why did you drag me along? I could have been sparring with our new Junior Brother."

Senior Sister Zhao Wei did not speak, but the Second Senior Brother chuckled, "You want to use your Skin Refining Realm to spar with a Junior Brother who just entered the Strength Refining Realm?"

Zhang Zhuo touched his head sheepishly, "I could have controlled my force, couldn't I?"

The Senior Sister said with disdain, "You should focus on your own efforts to reach the next stage first! You'd best have less of this behavior of bullying the weak with your strength. A Martial Artist should yearn for stronger opponents to better hone themselves."

Facing the Senior Sister's lecture, Zhang Zhuo could only whisper to himself, "Yes, yes, you're right. Who could compare to a martial arts fanatic like you?"

Looking at the cowering Zhang Zhuo, Zhao Wei lost interest in lecturing him.

She walked straight into the room and looked at Wang Tieshan, who was sitting upright in his chair, cupping her fists: "Master, the Junior Brother and I have returned."

Wang Tieshan looked at his eldest disciple and said with satisfaction, "Good, good, it is good that you have returned. Did any accidents occur on the road?"

The Senior Sister briefly recounted the matter of killing a few evildoers.

Wang Tieshan did not take it to heart; with his cultivation in this territory of Qingxi County,

he could handle whatever trouble arose.

He looked at the two of them and asked with hope, "Did you have any breakthroughs in your realm?"

Zhao Wei and Zhang Hu both shook their heads in silence, and Wang Tieshan knew he had been a bit impatient.

He waved his hand and said, "Forget it, you two go and rest first!"

These two disciples of his had been by his side since they were young.

They were gifted in martial arts, yet for these past two years, they had been stuck at Blood Refining Perfection, unable to progress.

Wang Tieshan could only let them gain more experience,

hoping for some improvement.

But now, could it be that they would really be stuck at this realm forever?

Wang Tieshan did not know the outcome, but he had seen many more martial artists who, upon reaching a certain point on their path, became stuck, with no hope of promotion, and ended their lives in gloom.

Just like himself, at the Organ Refining Initial Stage; he had only advanced from Bone Refining to Organ Refining after fighting others for a treasure back in the day.

But because of the injuries sustained while fighting for that treasure,

the Organ Refining Initial Stage was already his limit.

Yet his own Thunder Art was not just a Blade Technique for the Organ Refining stage.

Even for that Thunder Art manual, he had no hope of continuing his practice.

That was something he had gone to great lengths to snatch from that old fellow's hands.

And yet, this was the result.

Was it truly retribution?

Wang Tieshan felt a bitterness in his heart.

Then what did that make him?

And what did that man, whom he had poisoned to death and once called Master, amount to?

No one around Wang Tieshan could give him an answer.

Wang Tieshan could only silently walk back to the table, pick up his blade, and practice his martial arts.

In martial arts, if you do not advance, you retreat; if you retreat once, you are ruined.

Cheng Feng had made up his mind not to attract attention, but how could Niu Laoshi and the others, who were always together with him, not see it?

After all, Cheng Feng had already been summoned by the Martial Arts Hall Master.

"How was it, did you pass?" someone nearby asked impatiently.

The people around were also stealing glances; Cheng Feng nodded and headed to the side room to exchange his waist token.

It was still that Lao Li; Cheng Feng did not dare to be arrogant, so he cupped his hands and said, "Sorry to trouble you, Li Lao."

Li Lao smiled and said, "It is no trouble, and congratulations on entering the Outer Disciple ranks."

He then took out a set of Outer Disciple robes and said, "In the future, do not go looking for trouble when you go out, but do not be afraid if others bully you; if you must fight, then fight."

Being an Outer Disciple actually mainly concerns the work arranged by the Martial Arts Hall; otherwise, it is just changing into a different set of clothes.

Cheng Feng cupped his hands and said, "This junior has heard that entering the Outer Disciple ranks also provides job opportunities?"

Li Lao understood immediately and explained, "That generally happens after the March assessment. We will try our best to divide the same batch of Peripheral Disciples uniformly. Since you are asking now, you will still have to wait about ten days or so. I suggest you practice well; there might be selections for the martial arts at that time."

Cheng Feng understood and left after taking the robes.

He did not put on the robes to attract attention.

Cheng Feng continued to practice the Horse Stance diligently and in a low-key manner.

Watching the happy companions around him, Cheng Feng did not know what they were happy about.

He knew their strength very well, having practiced martial arts with them for a long time; except for Niu Laoshi, who practiced quite well and had hopes of entering the Outer Disciple ranks during the assessment,

the others basically would not pass.

Once the assessment day passed, everyone might go their separate ways, scattered to the four winds.

Cheng Feng could understand; his good friends from university in his past life had drifted apart just like this.

As had the person he was dating at the time.

Long-distance relationships are always an unavoidable reality.