"Your great kindness, sir, is something I will never forget," Bai Yu said with deep gratitude.
Mr. Meng waved his hand dismissively, "As a teacher, I feel guilty for not being able to uphold justice when my students are in trouble."
Bai Yu replied, "This is all the fault of the Chen Family, it has nothing to do with you, sir."
Mr. Meng tapped the table and said, "The 'Five Elements Fist' is the most basic martial art. You can practice it for self-defense, but don't even think about revenge. The Chen Family is powerful, with two of the five brothers being martial artists.
When you have enough to live comfortably, come back to me for lessons. Once you pass the imperial exams and return in glory, it won't be too late for revenge."
Mr. Meng hoped Bai Yu would focus on his studies, pass the exams, and then deal with the Chen Family.
But Bai Yu had different ideas.
As an immortal, why would he bother with the imperial exams?
Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—those who took the exams couldn't engage in lowly professions like funeral processions.
Besides, if he became an official and displeased the emperor, he could end up with his entire family executed.
On the contrary, Bai Yu was more interested in martial arts.
After all, the power of martial arts resides within oneself.
He cupped his hands and asked, "Sir, what exactly is a martial artist?"
Mr. Meng stroked his long beard and explained, "In the world, there are nine ranks. First are the immortals, second the lords, third the martial artists, and fourth the officials.
Immortals are lofty and elusive, lords rule over the people, their status beyond measure.
Beyond that, martial artists reign supreme.
Martial artists are divided into innate and acquired, with nine ranks in the acquired realm, the first being the lowest and the ninth the highest.
The lower three ranks are the Muscle Realm, the middle three the Qi and Blood Realm, and the upper three the Divine Transformation Realm.
The Muscle Realm is divided into refining flesh, strengthening tendons, and tempering skin."
Bai Yu listened intently.
Immortals were elusive, but martial artists could be pursued.
After all, he was immortal and could practice martial arts until he succeeded.
Even if faced with a cultivator, could they withstand a punch with two million years of power?
Mr. Meng continued, "Practicing martial arts requires great perseverance, excellent aptitude, and good techniques. Some people spend a lifetime without advancing a rank.
The Chen Family's five brothers have two first-rank martial artists, very powerful.
Changsheng, you must not act recklessly."
Bai Yu nodded repeatedly, "Rest assured, sir, I know what I'm doing. First, I will not act impulsively."
In his heart, however, he thought viciously, "Just a first-rank martial artist? When you're old, I'll break your cane and smash your dentures!"
Mr. Meng gave some more advice and then returned to his stern demeanor.
Bai Yu bowed and took his leave.
***
Back home, he eagerly opened the Five Elements Fist manual.
The Five Elements Fist was simple, consisting of five moves corresponding to the five elements.
Arranged in the order of metal, water, wood, fire, and earth, the five elements give rise to one another.
Bai Yu couldn't wait to start practicing.
"White Tiger Attacks!"
"Basalt Guards the North!"
The Little Black Dog followed along, mimicking the moves.
These seemingly simple five moves were actually very difficult to master.
They emphasized sinking the shoulders, dropping the elbows, containing the chest, and pulling the back.
There were also the external and internal harmonies: hands and feet, elbows and knees, shoulders and hips.
Bai Yu practiced for two to three hours before completing one cycle.
After finishing the five moves, Bai Yu felt dizzy, his body exhausted.
He took a moment to recover before looking at his attribute panel.
[Name: Bai Yu.]
[Aptitude: 1]
[Qi and Blood: 2.8]
[Strength: 10]
[Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Fist (Not Yet Initiated)]
[Divine Ability: Immortality.]
[Skills: Play Suona (Practice Makes Perfect), Literacy (First Glimpse of the Path), Hunting (First Glimpse of the Path).]
Sure enough, after one practice session, the attribute panel showed the Five Elements Fist.
Proficiency 0.1/10.
At this rate, it would take a hundred cycles to initiate.
The key issue was that practicing the Five Elements Fist consumed 0.2 of his Qi and Blood.
At this rate, he'd be exhausted before even initiating.
Fortunately, Qi and Blood could be replenished by other means.
What Bai Yu didn't know was that in this world, martial arts were divided into practice methods and combat methods, with performance methods for street performers.
Practice methods were for training, combat methods for fighting, and performance methods for shows.
Regular martial arts practice used practice methods, which not only didn't harm the body but also strengthened Qi and Blood.
However, the Five Elements Fist was just a basic Yellow Rank Low Grade technique, lacking a practice method, only a combat method, depleting Qi and Blood with practice.
To master the Five Elements Fist, one needed either naturally abundant Qi and Blood or a large supply of herbs to replenish, along with a diet rich in meat.
Bai Yu thought for a moment and added his remaining 2 Life Experience points to the Five Elements Fist.
The experience progress for the Five Elements Fist became 2.1/10.
It seemed he needed to conduct more funerals.
"No wonder they say the poor study while the rich practice martial arts. Without money, martial arts training becomes confusing.
No matter the world, you need financial power.
Forget about herbs for now, let's eat some meat to fill the stomach."
Bai Yu was particularly hungry.
He started a fire to cook venison.
After eating a pound of venison, he felt nothing.
Eventually, he cooked another pot, eating five to six pounds of venison, finally feeling much better.
He could feel the energy from the venison replenishing his body's deficit.
The depleted Qi and Blood also recovered significantly.
Bai Yu calculated that this meal alone, including what Old Mo ate, consumed nearly ten pounds of meat.
An ordinary family couldn't sustain such consumption.
***
In the following days, Bai Yu dared not forcefully practice the Five Elements Fist.
Only when the hunt on the mountain was bountiful did he dare to practice freely for a while.
In this way, his Five Elements Fist progress grew to 3.2/10.
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In addition to training, he and Old Mo opened two plots of wasteland on the mountain, planting sweet potato vines.
Once the sweet potatoes matured, combined with the hunt, they wouldn't have to worry about food.
Farming, training, hunting.
Time flowed peacefully.
"With food and clothing secured, how do I solve the Qi and Blood deficit?
If only I had money.
People rush about for a few pieces of silver; yet it's these few pieces of silver that can solve countless worries."
Fortunately, Bai Yu was an immortal, so there was no rush.
As he pondered, Uncle Dazhuang's loud voice came from the mountain below: "Changsheng, there's work. Grab your gear and head to Doctor Zhou's house."
Doctor Zhou was the village doctor, over sixty years old, who had passed away peacefully.
Bai Yu grabbed his suona and rushed down.
This time, he played mourning tunes for the Zhou family for three days straight.
[Funeral Target: Doctor Zhou.]
[Identity: Physician, Farmer.]
[Cultivation: None.]
[Skills: Zhou Family Medicine, Planting, Cooking.]
[Funeral Participation: 57%.]
[Basic Reward: Qi and Blood +7, Life Experience +8.]
[Optional Reward: Zhou Family Medicine, Essence-Nourishing Recipe (First Rank).]
***
After Doctor Zhou was buried, the rewards finally came.
[Funeral Participation over 50%, you may choose one optional reward.]
There was even an optional reward, which delighted Bai Yu.
However, he remained as calm as ever, not choosing immediately.
This funeral earned him fifteen coins.
Compared to the first time, it was a fifty percent increase.
Back home, Bai Yu finally chose his reward.
[Funeral Successful, Qi and Blood +7, Life Experience +8!]
Bai Yu's complexion instantly became rosy, a warm current flowing through his body.
His body, like a sponge, greedily absorbed this warm current, filling the deficit.
"Cough."
Bai Yu coughed up a mouthful of black blood, feeling completely refreshed.
From now on, his congenital deficiency was completely resolved.
In high spirits, Bai Yu began to choose the other reward.
Zhou Family Medicine and the Essence-Nourishing Recipe.
The former was the Zhou family's ancestral medical skill.
The latter was a recipe for replenishing essence, not only nourishing Qi and Blood but also greatly beneficial for bedroom matters, reputedly enhancing virility.
Which should he choose?
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