Chapter 55

Instructor Yu was not upset by Su Wangchuan’s stubbornness. The next morning, he personally delivered the manual to Blackstone Village.

Although Instructor Yu was only the leader of the metal-forging team, his strength was far from weak. He was clearly a martial artist.

Wearing an official constable’s uniform and riding a tall horse into Blackstone Village, he immediately drew the attention of the village chief and Captain Zhao Heiniu.

Instructor Yu had no interest in idle chatter with the two of them. He stated directly that he was looking for Su Wangchuan, tossed him a boxing manual, and rode off without lingering, disappearing in a cloud of dust.

Black Tiger Fist: First-Rank Martial Art (Boxing Manual)

Upon cultivation and study, one may grasp the essence of Black Tiger Fist.

The moment Su Wangchuan received the manual, he opened it to read.

Instantly, the text transformed before his eyes into vivid, dynamic images, demonstrating the technique in real time.

A burly, powerfully built man appeared, his movements broad and forceful. His left hand rose with an open palm, his right hand formed into claws.

The two alternated between offense and defense, his attacks fierce and explosive, every punch howling with power, each strike aimed at vital points. A ferocious aura accompanied the movements, like a tiger roaring through the mountains.

There were twelve moves in total.

Pounce, claw, hook, tear, slap, crash, elbow strike, sweeping kick, upward thrust, grapple, double thrust, and whip kick.

Each movement, once practiced a thousand times, would naturally allow one to comprehend a portion of the Black Tiger essence and formally enter the discipline.

Su Wangchuan did not hesitate. He immediately began practicing according to the movements engraved in his memory.

He chose Captain Zhao Heiniu’s backyard once again as his training ground.

The village chief and Captain Zhao Heiniu stood to the side, watching quietly.

“I never expected Wangchuan to have such connections in the county seat. First the Yulong Gang, then Kongming Temple, and now even official constables,” the village chief sighed, his face full of worry. “It looks like our village won’t be able to keep him much longer.”

Captain Zhao Heiniu nodded.

“He really is good material. Staying in Blackstone Village limits his future. Still, that kid has a good heart. The reason he remains here is probably for his master.”

“Mhm.”

“Well, forget it.”

“Those who are meant to leave cannot be kept.”

The village chief shook his head and walked away.

Captain Zhao Heiniu, however, continued watching Su Wangchuan practice Black Tiger Fist methodically, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Su Wangchuan was already fully immersed.

He lunged forward, then formed claws with both hands, striking the iron-armored wooden dummy in rapid succession—hooking, tearing, slapping, crashing—one seamless flow. He spun and followed with an elbow strike, a thrust, a grapple, then another thrust.

Whip kick. Sweeping kick.

He repeated every movement again and again.

Following his own rhythm, he reordered the attacks, hammering the iron-armored wooden dummy until it boomed with impact.

His movements grew smoother.

Each strike became fiercer and heavier.

Fifteen points of Strength ensured lethal force in every blow.

Thirteen points of Agility guaranteed swift transitions between techniques.

Boom! Boom!

Su Wangchuan rolled and repositioned around the iron-armored dummy, repeating the training. Gradually, wind sounds accompanied his strikes, his power fully releasing, and a faint aura of a Quasi-Martial Artist began to emerge.

Captain Zhao Heiniu looked on with deep satisfaction.

After half a day.

Su Wangchuan ate several pieces of jerky to clear his Hunger, then resumed training.

He no longer knew how many rounds he had completed.

But since the system had not yet given a prompt, it meant the fist technique had not entered the beginner stage, and he needed to continue.

By the afternoon, the punching wind grew continuous.

Each strike flowed more smoothly into the next.

A full set of punches could now be completed in just two breaths.

At a glance, he no longer looked like a novice practicing fists for the first day.

The iron-armored wooden dummy even began to sway slightly with each blow.

Su Wangchuan paid it no mind. Fully focused, he rained down punches, sweat pouring freely.

He did not know how much time had passed.

Ding!

“Beginner-level 《Black Tiger Fist》 mastered. Next stage: ‘Minor Mastery.’”

The system notification finally arrived.

Su Wangchuan grinned broadly.

As expected, mastering a martial art through a manual made entry much easier.

In less than a full day, a first-rank martial art had already been learned.

After entering the beginner stage, Su Wangchuan did not stop. Instead, he continued venting his fists and legs on the iron-armored dummy.

Round after round.

After one full set,

The experience value of 《Black Tiger Fist》 did not increase.

Su Wangchuan was not discouraged and continued.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

He ran through dozens of sets in one go. His fists and legs felt heavier, and every movement linked together faster, striking the iron-armored dummy with increasing force and causing it to sway more noticeably.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The steady, powerful dull impacts continued without pause.

It felt exhilarating.

As if something had suddenly become clear. His movements increasingly matched the demonstrator in the manual, gradually taking proper form.

Unknowingly, Su Wangchuan practiced hundreds of rounds until night fell.

His phone alarm rang.

Only then did he realize it was already midnight.

By instinct, he checked his Status Panel. The next moment, he was stunned by the experience value of 《Black Tiger Fist》.

《Black Tiger Fist》, Beginner Level, next stage ‘Minor Mastery’ (99/100).

Without realizing it, he had pushed the experience value all the way to ninety-nine, just one step away from Minor Mastery.

What was there to wait for?

Su Wangchuan immediately returned to the training ground and ran through Black Tiger Fist another dozen times, finally hearing the long-awaited system prompt:

“Ding!”

“First-rank martial art 《Black Tiger Fist》 has advanced from Beginner Level to ‘Minor Mastery.’ Next stage: ‘Practice Makes Perfect.’ Reward: +1 Stamina.”

Su Wangchuan was slightly surprised.

Stamina?

In the next instant, a subtle, wondrous sensation flowed into his body.

The exhaustion weighing on him noticeably lightened.

Well, that was not bad.

At the very least, his HP increased by ten points.

Su Wangchuan: Male (Blacksmith) (Hunger 82/100)

Strength 8+7; Attack 5–5;

Agility 8+5; Defense 2.6; Speed +13;

Stamina 8+3; HP 110/110;

Spirit 8: (Unactivated).

Life Skill ‘Hundredfold Steel Forging Technique’: Entry-Level Mastery, next realm ‘Integration’ 4/1000;

Combat Skill ‘Archery’: Practice Makes Perfect, next realm ‘Entry-Level Mastery’ 0/500;

Combat Skill ‘Basic Spear Technique’: Practice Makes Perfect, next realm ‘Entry-Level Mastery’ 0/500;

First-Rank Martial Art ‘Black Tiger Fist’: ‘Minor Mastery,’ next realm ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ 0/300;

Current Location: Southern Sky Continent, Nanyu Kingdom, Sanhe Commandery, Huishui County, Blackstone Village.

“One more day of training tomorrow, and I can push ‘Black Tiger Fist’ to ‘Practice Makes Perfect’!”

But early the next morning, he received a phone call from Instructor Yu.

Something had happened to Lin Xun.

Several ships carrying escorted goods jointly transported by the Yulong Gang and Qingfeng Escort Agency had been ambushed in Nu Tao Gang territory. The escort team suffered heavy casualties.

Five martial artists, eighteen Quasi-Martial Artists, and dozens of crew members had been involved. In the end, only two people escaped alive.

One was Lin Xun, who excelled in 《Lightfoot on Grass》. The other was the Qingfeng Escort Agency’s escort leader, He Han.

However, when Lin Xun reached the shore, he had already been struck by three arrows. Although he survived, he remained in a persistent high fever and was sent to a medical hall in Huishui County for treatment.

He Han had also been hit by several arrows and was in equally critical condition alongside Lin Xun.

“How could this happen?” Su Wangchuan’s expression darkened. “I’ll try calling him.”

“Don’t,” Instructor Yu stopped him.

“He must stay online to protect his game character. If he loses mental focus, his in-game character could die at any moment. Don’t worry. The studio will handle everything. I’m telling you this so you can be prepared.”

“Prepared for what?” Su Wangchuan asked.

“Lin Xun is the most important piece our studio placed within the Yulong Gang. He cannot afford to fail. Moreover, the Yulong Gang has just lost three martial artists and eight Quasi-Martial Artists in one blow. They are bound to recruit manpower. The higher-ups have decided to mobilize all Quasi-Martial Artist–level members in Huishui County and assign them to the Yulong Gang.”

“This is an order from above.”

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