Chapter 75: Cheng Lei's Background

Within that magnificent and solemn Tieshan Martial Arts Hall, Cheng Feng, the highly regarded star pupil of the Martial Arts Hall Master, deeply understood the essence of keeping a low profile, always maintaining a steady, reserved, and humble demeanor.

The people around him knew nothing of his true strength, but only the highly respected Martial Arts Hall Master, Wang Tieshan, could perceive his true excellence from Cheng Feng's increasingly refined martial arts, and he did not hesitate to offer high praise and affirmation.

After completing the martial arts guidance for Qian Ming, Cheng Feng chose to return to a quiet life, living reclusively and contentedly as a happy "homebody."

After all, being with his gentle and beautiful wife at home was also a form of cultivation; how could such a happy and fulfilling life not be joyful!

However, Xiao Qing was an exception; she could be described as being "in pain yet happy."

Fortunately, Cheng Feng did not cling to Xiao Qing like a madman, merely repeating the daily required lessons in an orderly fashion.

Perhaps one day when Xiao Qing is also pregnant, it will bring even more surprises!

As for Cheng Lei, he had already grown up and was being looked after by Qian Ming, so presumably, nothing would go too wrong.

When Cheng Lei first stepped into the martial arts hall, he was like a fresh, green, and immature sprout.

He kept the earnest teachings of his older brother, Cheng Feng, firmly in his heart and went all out to adapt to the rhythm of life in this unfamiliar environment.

At first, he got along very well with the other disciples learning there, with laughter and chatter rising one after another, as if they had endless topics to discuss. It was precisely through this natural way that Cheng Lei made a group of like-minded friends.

However, as time passed and the days went by, they slowly noticed a phenomenon—the martial arts instructor showed an unusual degree of attention toward Cheng Lei.

Whenever Cheng Lei encountered difficulties or suffered setbacks, that martial arts instructor named Qian Ming would always appear as if following his shadow, providing him with detailed and patient guidance to clear his confusion. Such special treatment not only made Cheng Lei feel flattered but also made his companions suspicious. Consequently, they began to beat around the bush, questioning whether Cheng Lei had any special connections within this martial arts hall.

Cheng Lei was very clear about his brother's background and influence, so he kept shaking his head firmly, indicating that he had no connection to his brother, so as not to bring any unnecessary trouble or risk to him.

But the truth would be revealed one day. At a certain accidental moment, everyone was finally shocked to discover this astonishing secret: it turned out that Cheng Feng was actually Cheng Lei's own older brother!

It should have been just a relaxed and pleasant dinner, hosted by the younger generation of the family for the same group of martial arts disciples. One of the disciples expressed a hint of confusion and curiosity as to why Cheng Feng, the highly regarded Closed-door Disciple of their own martial arts hall, seemed not to have made much of a contribution.

However, it was this casual inquiry that angered Cheng Lei. Deep in his heart, his second brother was always the most powerful and capable existence; how could he tolerate others spouting nonsense and damaging his reputation?

Thus, the emotional Cheng Lei defended Cheng Feng right there at the dinner table. But who could have expected that these few words would make those friends who spent day and night with Cheng Lei begin to see him in a new light.

You don't know him, yet you defend him?

Cheng Feng, Cheng Lei, both surnamed Cheng.

The daily attention from Instructor Qian, and so on.

Some small manifestations were slowly magnified among this group of family descendants.

They just didn't have power in the family.

They weren't fools; otherwise, why would they host a banquet for the apprentices?

These were future connections.

Realizing that there was such a person around them.

How could they still hold themselves in such high regard?

And some disciples who were originally hostile toward Cheng Lei began to mock him behind his back, believing that he relied on his brother's connections to receive such treatment.

Cheng Lei faced all of this calmly; he knew his stance had exposed some things.

But it didn't matter; he and Cheng Feng had already communicated privately.

It was harmless; at most, it would just be explained in the end.

Cheng Feng had said directly to Lao San at the time: "Do you remember the gossip from the people in the village when we were catching fish a year ago? There is no need to pay attention to them. I brought you to the martial arts hall for you to learn martial arts and increase your skills. At the same time, you can take this opportunity to see the people around you clearly; all of this will be a tempering and a test for you."

Cheng Lei knew very well that there was still a long way to go in the future, and he had to rely on his own strength to prove himself.

Just as his second brother said, this was undoubtedly a valuable experience.

The primary goal for the brothers coming to the martial arts hall was to practice martial arts and improve their abilities.

By comparison, dealing with interpersonal relationships seemed less important.

Cheng Lei still clearly remembered that before leaving, his second brother had shown him a unique skill—crushing a stone into powder with his bare hands.

That unremarkable stone, the size of a goose egg, was just lying casually on the side of the road.

He saw his second brother pick it up with a smile, then press his palms together and begin to rub it up and down.

As his second brother continued to rub, layer after layer of fine powder gradually drifted down.

Finally, when his second brother stopped, only a thin layer of lime remained in his hands.

His second brother told him with a lighthearted expression: "If you had this kind of strength, who could do anything to you?"

Cheng Lei stood there stunned, not expecting his second brother's strength to have reached this level.

He longed for this realm even more.

Martial Dao, it could actually be like this.

With the scene of Cheng Feng using Blood Qi to rub the stone, Cheng Lei's passion for Martial Dao was greatly stimulated, and his daily practice became even more diligent.

And Cheng Feng gained even more.

Cheng Feng also didn't expect that it was just a whim, wanting to show off in front of his slightly slow-witted younger brother.

As a result, the Thunderous Blood-Bursting Art had actually entered the introductory stage.

Since the Thunderous Blood-Bursting Art had already entered the introductory stage, then the Blood Refining Realm might just be a matter of time for Cheng Feng.

Two months had passed; he looked at his Panmian, the accumulation of two months.

Basic Blade Technique (Proficient 123/200).

That meant the advancement of the Thunderous Blood-Bursting Art required 500 points.

This was truly too difficult.

Thunderous Blood-Bursting Art (Introductory/500).

The Blood Refining Realm technique that had reached the introductory stage gave Cheng Feng hope again.

Usually, Cheng Feng was also working hard on practicing static meditation, but he didn't feel the progress on the Panmian.

He had received two dividends in these two months, totaling forty-five taels, plus the twenty taels he had kept at the bottom of the box before.

Cheng Feng now had sixty-five taels on hand.

The cost of selling the house was about thirty taels.

Ninety-five taels is enough to buy a two-courtyard house.

This is truly a great joy for Cheng Feng.

Cai'er is due to give birth in about a month.

Cheng Feng does not want the women running back and forth.

Being able to live in a large courtyard is also excellent.

This is Cheng Feng's small goal, and it is about to be achieved.