Chu Fan sat at the table, reflecting on his training over the past few days.
Master Cao had them pair up for combat spars these last few days.
Chu Fan discovered that his skills had changed dramatically.
His movements were so swift he could even keep up with Zhao Tianxing.
If he focused his gaze, his opponent's movements would seem to slow down in his eyes.
In a life-or-death, one-on-one fight, he could take the life of any of the hundreds of handymen at this Sub-Branch within ten moves—with the sole exception of Zhao Tianxing.
But...
Ever since Master Cao had reprimanded Zhao Tianxing for being too flashy, Chu Fan had become even more cautious.
Nine days ago, on the very day he arrived at this courtyard, his Twelve Forms Fist had broken through to the Small Success realm.
But even when facing Master Cao, he chose to hide it.
During the recent spars, he had deliberately held back.
The scene of Master Cao angrily scolding Zhao Tianxing in the courtyard that night was still fresh in his mind...
"You boys are still too young, too naive."
"You don't understand how treacherous the world is. Acting so willfully could get you killed at any moment!"
"The eight hundred li of Cyan Yang County is the martial world, and the Seven Stars Gang is the martial world, too."
"Within the Seven Stars Gang, factions are everywhere. There's constant deception, open strife, and hidden struggles. On the surface, everyone calls each other 'brother,' but behind their backs, they're all plotting. It's not as simple as you think!"
"If your talent was mediocre, it wouldn't matter. But parading around with the 'genius' label, letting everyone know your cultivation level, your strength, and when you break through—how is that any different from standing naked in front of your enemy?"
"From now on, remember to hide your cultivation and strength. Don't trust anyone easily... including me!"
"In this world, aside from your parents, there is no one you can trust without reservation!"
"Be anxious and careful, as if standing at a valley's edge. Be fearful and cautious, as if treading on thin ice... Only then can you survive longer in this perilous world!"
Master Cao's words were earnest, and every sentence struck at the heart.
Some of his words also vaguely hinted that he might teach him and Zhao Tianxing a saber technique in the future.
TAP!
TAP!
TAP!
Chu Fan tapped lightly on the tabletop, lost in thought.
He had always been a cautious person.
Having lived two lives, he was long accustomed to forbearance.
He didn't need anyone to remind him to hide his edge and feign incompetence.
So even without a reminder, he would never have revealed his true capabilities to others.
'Even a great roc, before it soars ninety thousand li, must first lie dormant among the weeds, pecking at ants, and awaiting the perfect moment.'
But over the past few days, as Zhao Tianxing gathered more and more information, Chu Fan had no choice but to start thinking about the Seven Stars Gang.
This was because his Twelve Forms Fist was on the verge of reaching Great Success today.
And breaking through the Blood Nourishing realm was just around the corner.
He had to start thinking about what would happen after he became a disciple of the Seven Stars Gang.
Master Cao's warnings, corroborated by the news Zhao Tianxing had gathered, allowed him to see the dangers within the Seven Stars Gang.
'This Seven Stars Gang...'
'The gang is riddled with factions.'
'Enemies surround it from the outside.'
'The slightest misstep, and fledglings like him and Zhao Tianxing could become cannon fodder in the power struggles and gang wars!'
...
Master Cao wasn't just the Chief Instructor.
He was also one of the two Guardians of the Seven Stars Gang.
In fact, he was the gang's number one expert!
Unfortunately, after the old Gang Leader died, he was ostracized by the current Gang Leader and several Hall Masters. His power was completely stripped away, leaving him frustrated and unfulfilled. He ended up here as an Instructor, drinking himself into a stupor every day.
He did plenty of the hard, thankless work, but never saw a single benefit.
And his niece, Li Qingxue, was once the top genius of the Seven Stars Gang, known alongside the Fang Family's Second Miss as the "Cyan Yang Beauties."
It was said she was also the Seven Stars Gang's fastest blade, having made great contributions and striking fear into the hearts of those from the Blood Saber Sect and Iron Armor Sect.
In the end, she too was relegated to doing menial chores here.
How lamentable!
The Cao Family and the Li Family once held considerable influence in the Seven Stars Gang.
But over the past few years, they had been completely marginalized.
Master Cao and the others were burdened by their families. Bullied to this extent, they could only sigh in helplessness.
If it were Chu Fan, who was all alone and had no ties, he would either curse "To hell with you!" and walk away...
...or he would secretly stir up trouble and turn the entire Seven Stars Gang upside down!
However...
Chu Fan had no interest whatsoever in the Seven Stars Gang's scheming or the open and hidden struggles between the major gangs and families.
He was even less willing to be drawn into such a vortex of conflict for a few meager benefits.
'The Map of Mountains and Rivers and time are my most precious assets.'
'With the Map of Mountains and Rivers, the path to the heavens is open before me!'
'Why should I fight to the death with others?'
But in the martial world, one's fate is often not their own...
Often, just because you don't look for trouble doesn't mean trouble won't find you.
Chu Fan knew that the moment he accepted those two bowls of medicinal soup from Cao Feng, he had already chosen a side.
In this dragon's lake and tiger's den, he could only be doubly careful.
'All fear stems from the unknown and insufficient firepower.'
Once he was powerful enough, all this scheming and backstabbing would become a joke.
Only by rapidly increasing his strength could he secure an invincible position!
Chu Fan rested for another moment. Feeling that most of the fatigue from his earlier fist practice had dissipated, he exhaled a breath of turbid air, stood up, and walked into the courtyard to stretch his limbs, preparing to practice his Fist Technique.
Just then...
The sound of footsteps approached from outside the courtyard, growing closer.
'One person's footsteps are as light as an ape's.'
'The other's presence is as steady as a mountain.'
'It's Master Cao and Tianxing... they're back.'
Chu Fan listened intently for a moment and knew who had arrived.
Sure enough.
A dozen or so breaths later...
Cao Feng and Zhao Tianxing walked into the courtyard.
"Chu Fan, I've condensed my first wisp of Qi Blood Power!"
Zhao Tianxing shouted excitedly the moment he entered the courtyard.
SMACK!
The words had barely left his mouth when Cao Feng smacked him on the back of the head. "I've told you countless times, the moment you make a little progress, you can't wait for the whole world to know, can you?"
"No, I didn't..." Zhao Tianxing rubbed his head, aggrieved. "I only told Chu Fan. I didn't tell anyone else."
"Hmph!" Cao Feng snorted lightly.
He strode over to the chair under the large tree in the courtyard and sat down, subconsciously letting out a whistle.
Only after whistling did he remember that the white bird had been roasted and eaten by Zhao Tianxing, and he was suddenly angry enough to curse.
But on second thought, Zhao Tianxing had successfully condensed his first wisp of "Qi Blood Power." His efforts hadn't been in vain, which improved his mood considerably.
Cao Feng just shot Zhao Tianxing a sidelong glance and said no more.
Ever since Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing had given him that "surprise," his Essence, Qi, and Spirit seemed to have recovered somewhat. He was no longer as perpetually drunk as before.
...
"Congratulations!" Chu Fan lightly punched Zhao Tianxing on the chest.
'This kid's talent really is astonishing.'
Just two days ago, Master Cao had started teaching them how to condense Qi Blood Power. He hadn't expected him to condense the first wisp in only two days.
At this rate, he should be able to break through the Blood Nourishing realm in a few more days.
"But I've decided..."
Zhao Tianxing gave a slight, mysterious smile. "Even if I break through to the Blood Nourishing realm, I'm not going to register it for a while."
"I'll continue to train with Master Cao. After twenty-some days, I'll let people know I've broken through."
"Hmm... As long as I register a few days earlier than that Ling Feng, it'll be fine."
"This is called 'acting like a pig to eat the tiger'!"
"Good. You've gotten smarter," Chu Fan said with a smile and a nod.
"Thanks... Huh?" Zhao Tianxing faltered. "Are you saying I was stupid before? That's a weird way to praise someone!"
Cao Feng laughed. "The boy can be taught."
"Having you two live and practice your Fist Technique here is precisely so others won't know your strength or when you break through."
"Teaching you the technique to conceal your Qi and blood is also to prevent others from seeing through your strength and realm."
"Remember, never reveal your bottom card to others!"
"Others think you've just passed the first gate, 'Blood Nourishing,' when in reality, you've already broken through the second gate, 'Blood Refining';"
"Others think you've just passed the second gate, 'Blood Refining,' when in reality, you've already broken through the third gate, 'Bone Marrow Forging'..."
"Master Cao, you're truly cun... I mean, brilliant!" Chu Fan almost let the real word slip.
"Chu Fan, you don't need to be discouraged either." Cao Feng lightly patted Chu Fan's shoulder. "Your talent in Fist and Saber Techniques is actually greater than Tianxing's. It's just that your qi, blood, and bones are a bit weaker."
"Tianxing has a solid foundation and vigorous blood and qi. When he first joined the gang, he was already infinitely close to the Blood Nourishing realm... With a foundation like that, his speed at breaking through the Five Gates of Martial Arts Foundation Establishment will naturally be much faster than others."
"I know," Chu Fan replied with a smile and a nod.
Cao Feng showed a rare smile. "These past few days, I've been busy guiding Tianxing in condensing his Qi Blood Power."
"Now that he has condensed his first wisp of Qi Blood Power, he won't need my guidance for the next two."
"Starting tomorrow, I will teach you a saber technique, the 'Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber'."
"The Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber?!" Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing's eyes lit up.
Although the "Twelve Forms Fist" was highly comprehensive, balancing both offense and defense, and was most suitable for breaking through the Five Gates of Martial Arts Foundation Establishment...
...when it came to attack and defense, fists could never compare to weapons.
When facing enemies or tigers and leopards, having a blade in hand was always better than being bare-fisted.
If they could master the "Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber," they would have few rivals within the same realm!
Over the past half-month, Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing had learned a few things from various people.
The Cao Family's "Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber."
The Li Family's "Seven-Star Bead Slash."
The Blood Saber Sect's "Nine Blood Soul Blades"...
These were the three most formidable saber techniques in Cyan Yang Ancient City!
To be taught the "Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber" by Master Cao was a clear sign that he was truly grooming them as his disciples.
"However..."
Cao Feng narrowed his eyes and added, "Do you know the four requirements for learning the saber?"
"I... do not," Chu Fan answered honestly.
Cao Feng said, "Speed, stability, precision, and ruthlessness!"
"From watching you chop firewood, I see you have a decent grasp of the first three."
"But you're still missing the 'ruthlessness'!"
Before Chu Fan could speak, Cao Feng continued, "It goes without saying for Tianxing. He fought tigers and leopards as a child and once battled a black bear to the death. He met the condition of ruthlessness long ago."
"But you..."
"Chu Fan, when I first saw you outside the North Gate of Cyan Yang Ancient City, I noticed the firewood splitter tucked into your belt."
"These past few days, moving about the Seven Stars Gang, you've also kept that firewood splitter with you."
"And you're so eager to learn the saber..."
"For what reason?"
Zhao Tianxing looked down at the firewood splitter at Chu Fan's waist.
He had wanted to ask this for a long time.
Chu Fan was silent for a moment before saying, "My parents passed away one after the other two years ago, leaving me the Chu Family's ancestral home..."
"A local land-grabber named Huang Shouliang wants to steal the ancestral home. He hired some thugs who beat me severely a few times, which is why I carry the firewood splitter and am so eager to learn a saber technique."
"How outrageous!" Zhao Tianxing said, filled with righteous indignation. "I'll go teach them a lesson for you!"
"Shut up!" Cao Feng said indifferently. "This is his business. He will handle it himself!"
With that, he turned to Chu Fan and said, "Tonight, how about you show me some ruthlessness?"
'What?'
Chu Fan froze.
He saw Cao Feng looking at the firewood splitter at his waist with a half-smile on his face.
'Does Master Cao want me to kill someone tonight to establish my might and display my ruthlessness?'