Wang Kuan didn't talk long with Yan Chuang. After handing over the Thunderquake Bow and ten pounds of dragon blood to him and giving a few instructions, he lost interest in conversation.
He was eager to go into seclusion and cultivate.
He had also received a share of dragon blood this time and was on the verge of breaking through. If it weren't for waiting on Yan Chuang, he would've shut his door to guests already!
"Elder Wang, I'll take my leave now," Yan Chuang said.
He could tell that Wang Kuan didn't want to be disturbed. Though he was keen to learn more about "breaking the blood and qi limits," now clearly wasn't the time.
But just as he was leaving, Wang Kuan grabbed his arm again. "The Thunderquake Bow is powerful. With two bows working together, you'll be unstoppable. If you ever encounter a beast you can't handle, I'll ask for your help—or maybe just borrow your bow. Don't worry, you'll be well rewarded."
"Of course—just call on me!" Yan Chuang responded without hesitation.
It was a good deal. He was more than willing.
A favor given and repaid would make borrowing in the future easy.
Leaving the academy grounds—
With the red-tassel spear in his left hand, a dragon blood pouch in his right, and the Thunderquake Bow slung over his back, Yan Chuang strode out with a heroic air.
His heart burned with excitement:
"Ten pounds of dragon blood. Breaking the limits of blood and qi. I can temper my muscles, bones, skin, and flesh!"
"Once I do that, I'll reach the level of the Ten Masters. I'll be able to fully draw the Thunderquake Bow. My power will skyrocket, and slaying Ten Masters will be as easy as killing dogs!"
The long-sought "blood and qi breakthrough" had fallen into his hands so easily!
Yan Chuang was overjoyed.
The Guangling Academy was truly generous.
Last time, when he counter-killed Wu Qi, not only did the academy not punish him, but they even offered an apology.
This time, when Tu Meng chased him relentlessly, forcing him to draw the enemy into the academy grounds, it was obvious what he'd done. Yet the academy didn't blame him. Instead, they returned the Thunderquake Bow, gifted him dragon blood, and even seemed grateful to him!
Such generosity!
Truly, the Guangling Academy was impressive!
Despite some rotten apples like Wu Qi, Wen Wu, and Yuan Shicai among the Ten Masters, the overall environment was still positive.
With the iron bow on his back and the dragon blood in hand, Yan Chuang marched straight toward the Iron Thread Martial Hall, feeling quite good about Guangling Academy.
"Arrogance! Laugh proudly at a thousand waves!"
"Hot blood! Burning brighter than the sun!"
By mid-morning—
Close to a hundred disciples gathered in the hall. Under the guidance of Yu Jinping, Jin Yutang, and Wei Quan, they stood in stances, practiced forms, and shouted aloud to the rhythm of a passionate martial anthem.
The atmosphere was electric.
Yan Chuang had no time to teach today. He summoned the three: "It's the 26th today. I've got classes at Taikang Academy the day after tomorrow. I need to head there early. I'll leave at noon. Jinping, Wei Quan—you stay. Yutang, you're coming with me."
Yu Jinping was skilled and steady, perfect to hold the fort.
Wei Quan was still immature and needed more time.
Jin Yutang was average in strength and temper, but that made him ideal—he could be trained further and would be useful to have around.
"Master—" Wei Quan protested.
But Yan Chuang had already made his decision.
He instructed Jin Yutang, "We're leaving after lunch. Go home, pack up, and inform your parents. Everything good on your end?"
"Absolutely!" Jin Yutang nodded enthusiastically.
His family didn't need him, and this was a rare opportunity to follow the master personally. No matter the obstacles, he'd overcome them to seize this chance.
He told Yan Chuang, "Master, I'll be back within half an hour!"
"Go on."
Yan Chuang smiled.
This disciple wasn't the best in any area—
Yu Jinping was more stable.
Wei Quan was more lively.
Jin Yutang was more thoughtful.
But he was a good man.
He had stuck with the Iron Thread Martial Hall through its toughest days, loyal and committed. Yan Chuang was willing to invest in him.
At present—
Yu Jinping had already matured in his practice. His horse stance, Twelve Bridge Hands, Tiger Fist, and Crane Fist had all reached sixth level—no less than Guangling's elite. What he lacked was more tempering and stronger qi and blood.
Wei Quan had a long way to go.
So now, Yan Chuang was focusing on training Jin Yutang.
"Bring him along, train him frequently."
"Maybe by the end of the year, he can make another leap."
Then, Jin Yutang would be able to stand on his own, further strengthening the martial hall's foundation.
"Mother!"
"Master is heading to teach at Taikang Academy and wants me to come along. It could be as short as three days, as long as half a month. You take care of yourself until I get back!"
In the Jin household in Guangling City, Jin Yutang returned and went straight to his mother's courtyard.
"Good!"
"Go on, go on!"
"Your master is someone important now. Follow him, work hard, and you'll learn real skills. One day you'll open your own martial hall, and your future will be secure."
His mother had streaks of white in her hair and looked fifty or sixty, although she was only in her early forties. She had aged early raising her son.
She still thought martial halls were easy to open and that success came automatically after mastering a style—completely unaware how much the world had changed.
"I'm doing well now. Don't worry. Look at this courtyard—we just got it redone. Isn't it more spacious?"
"They say it just happened to open up…"
"But I know the truth. They see I've got a promising son with a good master. That's why they're being kind!"
She rambled happily, proud and relieved.
A mother rises with her son.
She'd waited over ten years—finally, things were looking up!
"Mother—"
"When I open my own martial hall, we'll move out!" Jin Yutang couldn't bear to see his mother get excited over mere decency, nor to watch her so pleased with a few scraps of kindness. It made his heart ache. He stood up. "Master's leaving soon. My things are already packed at the martial hall. I just came back to tell you."
"Oh!"
"You should've said so earlier!"
"Go! Go! Don't keep your master waiting!"
His mother waved him off immediately.
Jin Yutang acknowledged her and stepped out—only to run into Wang Ma, his mother's old servant, returning with a grin. But when she saw him, her smile vanished, her eyes darting nervously.
"Master Yutang, I was just out for a moment!" she said, fawning.
He smiled. "Go wherever you like, Wang Ma. But if my mother has another seizure while you're gone—well, there are ten people in your household, right? Your oldest son just gave you a grandson. Got a new baby even with a broken leg. Impressive."
A devil!
This guy is a devil!
Wang Ma trembled. That leg—was definitely his doing!
What did he mean now—threatening the baby?
She hated him but still smiled. "I'll stay! Won't leave! Right back to her side!"
Back to caring for the epileptic "old hag."
Jin Yutang smirked and walked away.
As Jin Yutang returned, Yan Chuang was packing.
Clothes, shoes—basic stuff.
And—
"This is the felt cap Master wanted. And these rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, hairpins, jade pendants, and charms—I picked each one carefully from the market. Master's bound to like them!"
Wei Quan handed over a pile of jewelry, almost blurting something but correcting himself at the last second. Then, squinting suspiciously, he asked, "Master... got a lady in Taikang?"
Surely!
Why else would he bring so much jewelry?
"You talk too much!"
Yan Chuang frowned at him. "Clearly, you need more training."
"Huh?!"
Wei Quan's face fell.
Shortly after lunch—
With everything packed, Yan Chuang and Jin Yutang set off for Taikang Prefecture.
But—
Just as they stepped outside—
They saw three familiar faces—two men and one woman—lingering near the martial hall.
"Sigh!"
"So unlucky!"
"Utterly cursed!"
That morning, after seeing Yan Chuang off, Yu Renjie and Dai Pu received terrible news—
Their mentor, Professor Cai Yuming, had passed away days earlier. Now, they had to be reassigned. But the other two professors of "Five-Ancestor Crane Sun Fist" were full. So they'd be placed with random instructors—excluding Lin Jiuru, who only accepted female students.
They could've accepted being placed with Chen Jingming.
But no—luck betrayed them, and they ended up under Wei Nanshan and Weng Zhaoxian!
One was an old-school relic, still obsessed with outdated martial theories.
The other was notorious for mistreating students—stingy with knowledge unless bribed.
Their mentor was dead.
Their new assignments were downgrades.
They were truly cursed.
Dejected, they sat on a bench, staring at the sky, wanting to cry.
Just then, Yan Chuang appeared—bow on back, spear in hand, striding like a hero.
Dai Pu was in awe.
Yu Renjie suddenly had a thought. His eyes lit up. "Staying with Wei Nanshan or Weng Zhaoxian? What future is there in that? We should leave Guangling Academy altogether!"
He pointed at the departing Yan Chuang. "I heard Master Yan is going to teach at Taikang Academy. He's a master of countless fists. Even our late mentor Cai Yuming might not match him in Crane Sun Fist! If we become his students, we'll have a bright future!"
"Master Yan?" Dai Pu hesitated. "But Taikang Academy is ranked so low…"
Out of 420 schools, Taikang ranked 400th!
Guangling was also low, but at least it broke the 300s.
"You fool!"
"So what if Taikang is weak?"
"Master Yan is strong!"
"Think about his duels! His students!"
"Use that pig brain and think!"
The more Yu Renjie spoke, the more convinced he was. "He's new at Taikang—he doesn't know many people. If we go with him now, help out, and apply as research students, is that too much to ask? Taikang might be weak, but there we'd actually stand out! When he picks students, whether by looks or skill, we have a shot!"
"Damn…" Dai Pu was moved.
After some deliberation, they made up their minds—
"Screw Guangling Academy!"
"We're out!"
To Taikang—
To join Master Yan!