27: cultivation

Chen Linsheng arrived at the training ground reserved for Personal Disciples.

The bluestone slab floor was polished like a mirror, surrounded by rows of weapon racks where cold light glinted. The environment was far more secluded and serene than the spacious and noisy public training grounds outside.

Chen Linsheng was not in a hurry to practice the newly learned Hunyuan Palm. Instead, he immersed his mind into his Sea of Consciousness, carefully observing the new characters that had appeared on the spirit book:

[Martial Skill: Hunyuan Palm (Initiate)]

[Progress: (0/200)]

[Divine Effect: Palm wind initially manifests, force is penetrating. The Qi and blood strength accumulated through the Pile Posture Technique is initially channeled into the palm. The strike carries wind and can injure opponents through leather armor. The palm force is direct and specializes in breaking defenses.]

Looking at the Divine Effect granted immediately upon initiation, Chen Linsheng couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

This Cultivation Technique Martial Skill was indeed completely different from ordinary livelihood skills like the Cleaver Technique and Skinning.

His Cleaver Technique only gained the ability "Armor-Piercing Strike" after reaching the Major Achievement Realm.

Yet this Hunyuan Palm, merely at the initiate stage, could achieve the effect of injuring an enemy through armor, relying on its unique method of channeling Qi and blood force!

"Is this the power of a legitimate Martial Dao Legacy... The starting point is indeed incomparable to unconventional methods."

He thought to himself, but he wasn't disheartened in the slightest; instead, a stronger fighting spirit surged within him.

The existence of a gap only made the pursuit and surpassing of it more worthwhile.

Moreover, he had never considered giving up those ordinary skills that had already reached the Transcendent Realm.

The Cleaver Technique (Perfection) brought the effects of "Force throughout the body, Cutting like a Chef, Combining Hardness and Softness," allowing him to quickly master any weapon and exert considerable power.

Last night in his courtyard, although he had never cultivated any spear techniques, relying on this Divine Effect, wielding the Solid Iron Long Spear was also vigorous and powerful, with proper form and strength.

These skills, based on the most fundamental physical application, were the solid cornerstone of his Martial Dao and would absolutely not be neglected simply because he learned advanced palm techniques.

"First, I'll become proficient in the Hunyuan Palm and the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique, then I'll find time to enter the mountains and also raise my Archery and Trapping skills."

Chen Linsheng's plan was clear in his mind.

Having many skills is never a burden; the Divine Effect gained when each skill reaches a high Realm might prove miraculously effective at critical moments.

Collecting his thoughts, he slowly assumed the posture for the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique in this secluded training ground.

His Qi and blood moved accordingly, flowing like a stream, nourishing and Body Tempering his skin and membranes, which were already showing initial toughness.

The treatment of a Personal Disciple was indeed extraordinary. After standing in the stance for only a moment, he felt that the Heaven and Earth Origin Qi here seemed more active, slightly benefiting the growth of his Qi and blood.

After circulating the Pile Posture Technique for several cycles and adjusting his condition to the Peak, Chen Linsheng began to practice the Hunyuan Palm.

Recalling every subtle movement and explanation of force application by Museum Master Zhao Zheng, his palms flew. Initially, they were slightly clumsy, but soon, aided by Photographic Memory and Agile Mind, they became fluid. The palm wind rose accordingly; although faint, it already had a basic form, carrying a dense force... After becoming a Personal Disciple, Chen Linsheng's cultivation life entered a completely new trajectory.

Every morning, he would Cultivate the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique in his courtyard or the Personal Disciple training ground to stabilize his Foundation and strengthen his Qi and blood.

In the morning, he focused on practicing the Hunyuan Palm, contemplating the changes in force within it.

In the afternoon, Museum Master Zhao Zheng or the available Senior Brother Shi Poyue would come to give guidance and answer the difficult questions he encountered during cultivation.

The supply of resources was even more vastly different from the past.

Besides the fixed supply of Blood-Activating Pellets and Body Tempering Pills, there was also a Medicinal Bath prepared daily from various rare medicinal ingredients.

This could greatly alleviate cultivation fatigue, clear the meridians, and accelerate Qi and blood recovery and the tempering of skin and membranes.

Under the accumulation of such abundant resources, coupled with his own extraordinary Comprehension Ability, his martial arts progress could be described as advancing by leaps and bounds.

The proficiency of the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique and the Hunyuan Palm increased steadily and rapidly, far surpassing any other Disciple of the same period.

His contact with the other three Personal Disciples naturally increased as well.

Senior Brother Shi Poyue was gentle on the surface and fair in his dealings. He was quite supportive of Chen Linsheng, the newly promoted Junior Brother, providing considerable assistance with everything from moving and settling in to daily cultivation.

Third Martial Sister Liu Ruyan had an easygoing personality and was quite friendly toward Chen Linsheng.

During sparring breaks, she often shared information about the personnel relationships within the martial arts museum, the latest movements of the major powers in Qinghe County, and even some rumors from the Prefecture City and Provincial Capital, allowing Chen Linsheng to understand his surroundings faster.

Fourth Martial Sister Zhao Linger, the Museum Master's daughter, was the youngest and had a charmingly naive and lively personality.

She was full of curiosity toward Chen Linsheng, this Genius Junior Brother who reached Minor Achievement in Fifteen Days. She would occasionally run over to watch him practice, calling it "supervising Junior Brother's progress."

As for the Second Senior Brother, who was like a Dragon Only Showing Its Head and Not Its Tail, Chen Linsheng had only seen him a few times from afar.

The other party always looked carefree and cynical, but it was said he was responsible for some of the martial arts museum's external businesses and was extremely busy, rarely staying inside the museum for long periods.

In this fulfilling and disciplined cultivation life, Chen Linsheng did not forget to improve his other skills.

Every few days, he would ask leave from the Museum Master or the Senior Brother, disguise himself, and venture deep into the mountains.

Several of his skills were quickly approaching a Major Breakthrough.

On this particular day, he had just finished his morning palm technique practice and was wiping away sweat when Fourth Martial Sister Zhao Linger skipped over again, holding a small porcelain bottle.

"Junior Brother Chen, look what I brought you? Father newly formulated this 'Hundred Herb Body Moisturizing Ointment.' It's excellent for relieving muscle soreness! I saw you practicing your palm techniques so hard, so you should use some!"

The young girl smiled radiantly and tucked the porcelain bottle into his hand.

Chen Linsheng was slightly startled. Looking at the porcelain bottle still warm in his hand, a trace of warmth arose in his heart.

Just as he was about to thank her, he saw Third Martial Sister Liu Ruyan walk over. She shook her head helplessly at Zhao Linger, then spoke seriously to Chen Linsheng:

"A Sheng, diligent cultivation is good, but you also need proper balance. Three days from now, the martial arts museum will hold a Minor Competition among Personal Disciples. It's mainly to test recent cultivation results and spar for mutual verification. Prepare yourself."

Hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Chen Linsheng's eyes.

A Minor Competition?

This would be the perfect opportunity to test exactly how powerful the Hunyuan Palm is!