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The premises remained virtually deserted, but Fang Xi was undeterred.

At that moment, he lay reclined in a taishi chair, removing the book covering his face with a hint of satisfaction. “Ever since deciphering the Trigram formation markings, I finally understand some parts of that legacy…”

Although it was only the beginning, Fang Xi maintained immense enthusiasm.

He well knew that even for a great Foundation Establishment cultivator using divine sense, progress in the four arts of cultivation largely depended on innate talent and the resources invested!

For instance, a Foundation Establishment alchemist might quickly master tier-1 medicinal pills. With substantial resource investment, they could attempt tier-2 pills, but the returns may not justify the expenditure.

Ultimately, one’s proficiency still hinges on natural aptitude!

And when it comes to formations, the requirements are even more specialized.

Fang Xi’s mediocre talent clearly made this endeavor challenging and unrewarding.

However… what choice did he have?

Since he only possessed tier-1 formation legacy at hand, Fang Xi had no choice but to persevere and delve deeper.

“Hmph…ha…”

In the training yard of the dojo’s front courtyard, it wasn’t entirely devoid of people. At that moment, a red-clothed maiden was practicing her boxing techniques against a wooden post.

She stood taller than most girls her age, with flushed cheeks. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she still possessed some charm.

“Master, how was my practice?” The girl finished her set of boxing moves and eagerly looked towards Fang Xi.

“Not bad, not bad…” Fang Xi praised insincerely, “Your execution of this ‘Primordial Fist’ is quite impressive. Soon enough, you should be able to grasp initial control over your blood qi, entering the first transformation stage. With dedication, refining true force in the future and becoming a renowned hero in the jianghu seems within reach, indeed very promising…”

The maiden’s name was Sun Hongdie, the daughter of their neighbor Uncle Sun.

It was unclear what had spurred her sudden desire to learn martial arts, but unfortunately, the Sun family lacked sufficient funds for enrollment fees at larger dojos.

Conveniently, Fang Xi’s dojo was right next door to Uncle Sun’s residence, making it easy for Sun Hongdie to attend, and the fees were remarkably affordable.

Thus, both parties readily agreed, enrolling Sun Hongdie at the Intervale Dojo.

However…

“Hongdie, there’s still firewood left to chop!”

A man’s head suddenly appeared over the nearby wall—it was Uncle Sun himself.

“Oh!”

Sun Hongdie reluctantly set aside her martial dreams to fetch water and chop wood…

When she returned, barely enough time had passed for one incense stick to burn.

“Hongdie, it’s time to prepare dinner…”

This time, a woman’s head peeked out from the neighboring house—her mother.

“Alright!” Hongdie responded, now showing signs of irritation on her face.

Just as she was about to leave, she narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Fang Xi like a cunning fox. “Master…did you make some arrangement with my family? Were you purposely tricking me into practicing martial arts?”

Her suspicions had been brewing for a while; this dojo charged only one-tenth the fee of others, and surprisingly, they even received a further seven percent discount!

“This is just too suspiciously cheap!”

“Uh… I assure you, it’s not intentional. You must trust your master,” Fang Xi replied, his eyes wide open with apparent sincerity.

“As if I believe that! This Primordial Fist doesn’t seem particularly powerful either…” Sun Hongdie muttered to herself.

At that moment, Uncle Sun from next door walked into the dojo with a grin. “Nephew Fang Leng, fancy joining me for a drink tonight? I’ve got some choice pork head meat freshly prepared!”

“Certainly, sounds great!” Fang Xi put down his book and smiled in response.

“Wonderful! I’ll ask my wife to prepare a few more dishes then!” Uncle Sun beamed happily.

In truth, he had ulterior motives. Although Fang Leng was an outsider and the dojo lacked apprentices, he clearly had money!

Uncle Sun had made inquiries; this house wasn’t rented but purchased outright!

Moreover, anyone opening a dojo must possess martial skills and good health!

Wealthy, young, handsome, and healthy… what did all these qualities signify? An ideal candidate for a son-in-law!

His daughter Hongdie, already fifteen, remained unmarried, causing him considerable anxiety. Furthermore, she insisted on learning martial arts - hardly suitable for a woman, right? Still, he eventually agreed, not primarily due to the dojo’s low fees, but because proximity offered its advantages - striking while the iron is hot!

As for tuition costs? Well, they could wait.

His daughter, Hongdie, was already fifteen and unmarried, causing him immense anxiety.

To make matters worse, she insisted on learning martial arts—was that even suitable for a woman?

Despite his reservations, he ultimately agreed, not because Intervale Dojo’s fees were affordable, but due to its proximity—the closer, the better for their plans!

As for tuition? Whatever he paid now would be recouped with interest later; Fang Xi would eventually plead for Uncle Sun’s patronage!

With this thought, Uncle Sun couldn’t help but stroke his beard smugly.

Sun Hongdie glared at her father, sensing some nefarious scheme brewing beneath his surface calm.

Little did she know, Uncle Sun had already decided to package and sell her like a stale egg…

The braised pig head meat was fragrant, complemented by Old Zhang’s homemade yellow wine from the alley entrance.

Fang Xi enjoyed the meal, albeit slightly annoyed by Uncle Sun frequently asking Sun Hongdie to serve dishes and refill drinks. However, he didn’t mind much; as Sun Hongdie’s teacher, the saying goes “once a teacher, always a father.”

Isn’t it natural for a daughter to serve her father during meals?

Nightfall.

After enjoying his meal and drinks, Fang Xi hummed a tune as he approached the dojo, ready to unlock the door. Suddenly, he glanced to the side.

In the cold night wind, two dark figures seemed to be wriggling like stray dogs.

“Street kids?”

With Fang Xi’s exceptional eyesight, he immediately discerned that huddled in the corner of darkness were not wild animals but…humans!

Two emaciated children, dressed in tattered clothes akin to beggars, were curled up against the wall seeking shelter from the chill.

“You…which group of beggars do you belong to?” Fang Xi asked, directing the question at the older child as he walked closer.

The elder one, with messy hair, lifted his head and flashed a pleading smile. “Sir…we’re from the Land Temple, but it’s been taken over by some outsider beggars… Please have mercy and spare us some food…”

This slightly older beggar appeared to be around twelve or thirteen years old, but through observing his blood qi, Fang Xi estimated him to be about fifteen - a sign of long-term malnutrition.

“The world is indeed harsh… What’s your name?” Fang Xi recalled Zhang Mingding and couldn’t help but ask.

“Q-Qing Sang!” Qing Sang looked at the burly man with pleading eyes.

If they didn’t find food soon, they might starve to death by tomorrow.

However, he watched as the man opened his gate, stepped inside, and then… slam!

The gate closed forcefully behind him.

Qing Sang lowered his head, the glimmer of hope gradually fading from his eyes…

“Big brother… I’m hungry!”

The younger beggar murmured softly, unclear if it was due to hunger-induced delirium or perhaps a dream.

The cold wind persisted relentlessly.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Snap!

From within the walled courtyard, several white objects were tossed out, landing near their feet.

“These are… steamed buns? A’Dai, wake up quickly… we have buns to eat.”

Qing Sang grabbed the buns and immediately stuffed them into his mouth. When was the last time he experienced such a satisfying, savory taste?

Beside him, A’Dai also seized a bun and devoured it hungrily, almost resembling a wild beast rather than a human!

The next morning.

As dawn broke, Fang Xi opened the dojo’s gate and leisurely stretched under the warm sunlight.

“M-Mister!”

A timid voice called out nearby.

“Oh? It’s you two again? Still hanging around?” Fang Xi squinted slightly.

Small kindnesses may be appreciated, but excessive charity breeds resentment.

If these beggars thought he was too lenient and sought a long-term handout, then…

“Many thanks for yesterday’s generous meal, kind benefactor!”

Qing Sang and A’Dai bowed fervently twice before getting up to leave.

Having survived on the streets for years, Qing Sang well understood that one cannot forever rely on others’ goodwill and charity…

“Wait!” At that moment, Fang Xi suddenly called out to them. “As you can see, I run a martial arts dojo. Since fate has brought us together, let me teach you a move!”

Young street beggars often faced bullying from older ones due to their youth and frailty.

Qing Sang immediately stopped, staring intently at Fang Xi.

Without hesitation, Fang Xi raised his right arm, clenched his fingers into a fist, drew it back, and swiftly thrust forward!

Bang!

The air resonated with a cracking sound.

“This technique is called Moon-Stealing Form, perfect for those of smaller stature… When executing it, remember to channel your power from the feet through the waist…”

He then meticulously explained a few key points.

These were not techniques from the Martial Path of Blood and Qi but rather minor tricks.

Even if mastered, they could not lead to the first transformation of blood and qi, and instead might potentially harm one’s body.

They resembled ‘killer moves’ in nature!

However… it had to be admitted that their effectiveness was remarkably swift! While ineffective against skilled fighters, these tricks would surely succeed against those with no martial training!

The Moon-Stealing Form, when executed by a child, specifically targeted lower areas; any momentary lapse in attention risked painful consequences…

If used during a formal competition, such tactics would undoubtedly draw fierce condemnation from spectators.

But why would beggars care about such reactions?

As for potential bodily harm? If they couldn’t secure food, Qing Sang and his brother might starve to death within days…

Compared to imminent starvation, future injuries seemed trivial.

“All right, let’s go!”

After teaching the two beggars, Fang Xi returned directly to the dojo. This impromptu act was merely on a whim.

He also wondered how the seeds he planted today might grow in the future.

Upon returning to the dojo, he spread out a sheet of white paper in his private room, picked up a brush, and began practicing calligraphy!

Yes, practicing calligraphy!

Following the techniques outlined in Linghu Shan’s Yuan Fusion Five Thunders Hand manual, reaching the fourth step of martial mastery - ‘Spirit unites with Vigor’ - primarily relied on insight.

However, there were methods to accelerate progress.

Yuanhe Mountain’s secret technique involved - Calligraphy Practice!

By continuously writing, one could refine the True Force within their wrist and fingers, harmonizing it with the brush, aiming for each stroke to embody both form and spirit perfectly!

As Linghu Shan recounted, during a moment of drunken inspiration, he spontaneously copied an ancient literary piece using this method and achieved a breakthrough right then…

“Unite Spirit with Vigor, merge Hand with Strength, ultimately manifesting onto paper…”

Fang Xi examined the character ‘yǒng’ (eternity) he had just written, frowning at its noticeably crooked appearance.

There was no easy fix; while writing, controlling the True Force flow through his wrist according to specific patterns proved highly challenging.

It felt akin to asking someone to write with heavy stones tied to their arms - simply managing to produce any legible script would be commendable.

“It seems…I still need more practice,” Fang Xi thought somewhat helplessly.