Chapter 14: I admit he surprised me, but I don

The largest courtyard in the Wu Tang.

Lin Chen, Lu Yongfeng, and a few others stood here, waiting for the instructors to arrive.

Lin Chen was the only one on the scene whose strength had not yet reached five hundred pounds.

There was even a gap of over a hundred pounds between him and the weakest one, Yan Dexing.

In the past, Yan Dexing and the others wouldn't have spared a second glance at a student with such a gap, but at this moment, the five of them kept casting their gazes toward Lin Chen.

"Lin Shidi, how did you do it?"

Zhao Jingchuan still hadn't recovered from his shock. His strength had increased by fifty pounds in just a few short days—was he trying to defy the heavens?

"I just practiced my punches until it happened," Lin Chen replied very modestly.

"What do you eat every day?" Lu Yongfeng asked in a deep voice.

"Beef and Qi-Nourishing Soup."

"Just that?"

"Yes, just that."

With those two lightly spoken words, "just that," Lu Yongfeng and the other four fell silent all at once.

While the five of them were silent, outside the courtyard gate, the three instructors, Yu Yongnian and the others, were also conversing.

"Brother Yu, give us an honest answer. Did you really not give Lin Chen any help?"

"I did not."

Yu Yongnian smiled. He knew the two of them certainly didn't believe him, but this was the truth.

"That's truly strange. Relying only on the beef and Qi-Nourishing Soup from the cafeteria, how did Lin Chen manage it?"

Yu Yu Jiaoxi Liu held a booklet in his hand; it was the record of every student's expenses in the cafeteria, and Lin Chen's expenses were clearly listed on it.

As instructors, besides the salary issued by the Poyang Poyang Wuzhengsuo, they also received a commission from the cafeteria expenses of the students they taught.

Yu Yongnian didn't care about these commissions. He was a lone man with no further pursuits in the Martial Way, and the salary from the Poyang Poyang Wuzhengsuo was enough for him to live on.

This was also the reason why he reminded students not to seek quick success when they first entered the Wu Tang.

"It's a pity. If Lin Chen had improved his diet earlier, he might have been able to make a push to develop Essence Qi within a year, but it's a bit late now."

Yu Yu Jiaoxi Chen had a look of regret on his face. Even though Lin Chen's strength was increasing rapidly, five hundred pounds was another hurdle, and after five hundred and fifty pounds, every ten pounds was a hurdle. Moreover, there weren't many days left before the one-year term expired.

"Not necessarily. Perhaps Lin Chen can give us a surprise," Yu Yongnian said with a smile.

"It's difficult. The time is too short. If Lin Chen had three more months, I wouldn't doubt it, but unfortunately, there's less than two months left now." Yu Yu Jiaoxi Chen shook his head; he still found it hard to believe Lin Chen could do it.

"Regardless of whether Lin Chen can do it, that's a matter for later. Right now, the three of us must conduct special training for Lu Yongfeng and the others."

Special training!

It was something every session of the Wu Tang had, aimed at students who had a chance to develop Essence Qi within a year.

The Wu Tang indeed only taught the Warm Sun Fist, but if a student was just one step away from developing Essence Qi, they, as instructors, would give them a helping hand.

The three, Yu Yongnian and the others, stepped into the courtyard and saw the silent Lu Yongfeng and the others, their eyes showing some surprise.

"From now on, we three instructors will conduct special training for you to help you break through the blockages of Qi and blood in your bodies. Lu Yongfeng, come here."

Yu Yu Jiaoxi Liu spoke first. Lu Yongfeng walked up to him, and Lin Chen and the others watched curiously.

"Perform a set of Warm Sun Fist for me to see."

"Yes."

Lu Yongfeng threw his punches, the wind whistling. Yu Yu Jiaoxi Liu watched intently. After Lu Yongfeng finished, he suddenly grabbed Lu Yongfeng's right arm with his right hand and pressed a finger under Lu Yongfeng's armpit.

In just three breaths, Lu Yongfeng's entire right arm turned purple-red.

"Your Qi and blood are obstructed when they flow to this point. Next, keep practicing the ninth move of the Warm Sun Fist."

"Thank you, Yu Yu Jiaoxi."

Lu Yongfeng had a look of joy on his face. Zhao Jingchuan and the other three also became excited, while Lin Chen's eyes held some confusion. Why didn't the instructors point this out earlier instead of waiting until now?

It couldn't be just to create a tense atmosphere.

Yu Yongnian glanced at Lin Chen and, seeing the confusion in his eyes, knew that this disciple of his lacked some knowledge of the Martial Way. He immediately spoke: "Only when Qi and blood reach a certain level, and one is just one step away from developing Essence Qi, can we instructors detect where the Qi and blood are obstructed."

Hearing the instructor's explanation, Lin Chen suddenly understood.

If human meridians were compared to pipes, each pipe had a thin membrane blocking it.

To develop Essence Qi, one had to break through these membranes. However, because the Qi and blood were not vigorous enough or due to other reasons, they didn't completely break through these barriers when trying to force them. Although they were pierced, there were remnants, which led to the Qi and blood flow being unable to reach its maximum speed, thus failing to condense Essence Qi.

"From today on, you will also practice your punches in this courtyard. The cafeteria will send meals to you. The three taels of silver rewarded by the Poyang Poyang Wuzhengsuo will be credited directly to your cafeteria meals."

"Thank you, Yu Yu Jiaoxi." Lin Chen looked grateful.

Next, the three instructors pointed out the areas that needed individual practice for Zhao Jingchuan and the other four. Lu Yongfeng and the five didn't delay and soon threw themselves into it.

One move, one punch, one sweeping kick...

Repeating it over and over again, the instructors didn't call for a stop, and not one of the five stopped.

The grind!

Lin Chen felt the grind, and he also felt the determination in the martial hearts of these five.

He himself wanted to change his fate, and he also wanted to change the fate of his family.

Lu Yongfeng and the five were the same. Different family backgrounds led to different pursuits, but what they had in common was knowing the importance of learning martial arts.

Lin Chen also threw himself into it. He wanted to strive to catch up with Lu Yongfeng and the others by the end of the month, also racing against time.

No one was slacking off; there was only active extra practice.

With enough beef every day and the Qi-Nourishing Soup, there was no situation of excessive physical exhaustion.

Eight days later!

Lin Chen spoke again: "Yu Yu Jiaoxi, this disciple wants to try the five-hundred-pound stone pedestal!"

Lu Yongfeng and the others, who were practicing their punches diligently on the side, stopped their movements simultaneously.

Did they hear that right?

Lin Chen said he wanted to lift a five-hundred-pound stone pedestal, not four hundred and seventy, four hundred and eighty, or something like that?

"Good!"

Yu Yongnian's pupils contracted slightly. He turned and walked out of the courtyard, and in a short while, he walked back in, carrying the five-hundred-pound stone pedestal with one hand.

Lin Chen walked to the stone pedestal, and at this moment, Lu Yongfeng and the five stopped completely. They wanted to see if Lin Chen could really lift the five-hundred-pound stone pedestal.

Yu Yu Jiaoxi Liu was not there, and Yu Yu Jiaoxi Chen, out of curiosity, stood directly in front of Lin Chen, watching him intently.

【2513/3000】

Lin Chen took one last look at his Qi and blood panel, bent down, and grabbed the handle of the stone pedestal. Although it was a bit strenuous, he finally lifted the stone pedestal up.

Yu Yongnian was all smiles, and Yu Yu Jiaoxi Chen's eyes were also shining.

Lu Yongfeng and the five, however, had their mouths twitching at this moment. They looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

"It's fine, he's only at five hundred pounds. We are already at five hundred and ninety pounds. He can't possibly surpass us."

Yan Dexing comforted the others.

"I admit Lin Chen surprised me, but he absolutely cannot catch up to us. I am confident that I will develop Essence Qi before this month ends." Lu Yongfeng pursed his lips, his words filled with arrogance.

Zhao Jingchuan and the other three were the same. Although there was no hatred between them, no one wanted to be outdone.

Originally, they were five people competing with each other, but now they had to guard against Lin Chen catching up.

"Today, there is Lin Chen, a student of the Hehe Town Wu Tang. Last month, his strength was four hundred pounds. Over fifteen days, his strength increased by one hundred pounds. Verifier: Yu Yongnian."

Yu Yongnian's expression was serious. After saying this, he finally revealed a smile again: "Lin Chen, your strength increased by over a hundred pounds in one month. According to the announcement of the Poyang Poyang Wuzhengsuo, you will be rewarded with ten taels of silver. The Wu Tang will issue it to you tomorrow."

Hearing Yu Yongnian's words, Yu Yu Jiaoxi Chen on the side glanced at Yu Yongnian, his eyes filled with the smugness of someone who saw through everything. Yu Yongnian still said he didn't give Lin Chen special treatment; he had been helping Lin Chen all along.

Under normal circumstances, to receive the silver, the Wu Tang would have to report it to the Poyang Poyang Wuzhengsuo in the city, and then the Poyang Poyang Wuzhengsuo would issue the silver. If it were fast, it would take three to five days; if it were slow, it would take ten days or half a month.

"Thank you, Yu Yu Jiaoxi."

Lin Chen didn't know the ins and outs of this and thought the Wu Tang issued it directly to them, the students.

Yu Yongnian didn't explain either. He knew Lin Chen's family background and feared he didn't have much silver on him. Since the Poyang Poyang Wuzhengsuo needed time to issue the money, he would just pay it for Lin Chen first.

An ambitious youth should not be let down!

PS: Thanks to Little Fatty Mother and Misty Rain Red Dust for the ten-thousand-coin tip. Love you all, mwah. Please keep reading; don't stockpile the book during the new book phase, everyone. I'm begging you.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 15 =====