Chapter 1 Arriving at the Mountain

An Qisheng's arrival attracted the attention of many, with much discussion ensuing.

He stopped, his peripheral vision sweeping across the several pavilions. There were about twenty or thirty people present, most of whom were energetic and possessed a deep, solid aura, clearly indicating a foundation in martial arts.

"Another friend has come?"

A calm and gentle voice echoed from the leftmost pavilion.

An Qisheng turned slightly to see a young man in his late twenties or early thirties.

He wore cloth shoes, black clothing, and had a head of silver hair, a handsome face, and a slender build.

His words were neither rushed nor slow, yet they drowned out the murmurs of the others present.

It was evident that this silver-haired youth held a rather special position. Everyone in his pavilion seemed to be unintentionally distancing themselves from him, while simultaneously wanting to get closer.

"An Qisheng, passing by Treasure Island, I couldn't miss the chance to pay respects at Yangming."

An Qisheng slightly raised his hand as a greeting.

He was somewhat surprised.

The silver-haired youth didn't seem much older than him, but his aura was restrained, bearing a slight resemblance to Wang Zhixuan's.

He was actually a master who had achieved perfection in *jin* (internal force).

"An Qisheng..."

The silver-haired youth pondered for a moment, seemingly unaware of any master with that name.

However, observing An Qisheng's dragon-like movements between steps, his seemingly slow but actually fast pace, and the restrained energy between his brows, it was clear that he was a master of martial arts.

"My name is Jing Xiaolou, a disciple of the teacher. I am here today to receive all of you."

Jing Xiaolou stood up, returned the greeting, and smiled:

"Brother An's visit will surely delight my teacher."

"Hmm? Little Mister actually acknowledged him?"

"What makes him think he can go in? An Qisheng, what kind of master goes by that name?"

"An Qisheng? Could he be a disciple of some famous boxing master?"

Before An Qisheng could speak, the crowd erupted into an uproar.

Although the Grandmaster was amiable and willing to guide younger generations, not everyone was qualified to visit him. Not out of arrogance, but simply due to the sheer number of martial artists in the world.

Without any criteria, he wouldn't be able to do anything else.

Many of those present had come to visit multiple times, but each time they failed the test. How could this ordinary-looking youth be acknowledged with just a glance?

"Friends, do you doubt my judgment?"

Jing Xiaolou's gaze swept across the crowd as he spoke softly.

His voice was unhurried but like a spring breeze, gentle yet impossible to ignore, instantly silencing the surrounding noise.

"We naturally trust Little Mister's judgment."

One person gritted his teeth and stood up, cupping his fist in salute:

"However, I have come three times without being able to see the Grandmaster. Even if this person has caught Little Mister's eye, he should at least show us his skills to convince us."

"That's right, Little Mister."

The others dared not cause further commotion, but they echoed the man's words.

"Your name is Ren Kaiyu, and you practice military combat techniques. You were in the army for a few years, weren't you?"

Jing Xiaolou slowly rose, his voice calm:

"Your strikes are accompanied by *Ming Jin* (obvious force), and the masculine martial arts of the military in your hands can probably compete with *An Jin* (hidden force). So, you're not convinced, am I right?"

"I am not."

Ren Kaiyu gritted his teeth.

He could, of course, see that An Qisheng had martial arts skills, but he had been stuck before the *An Jin* stage for a long time. After leaving the army, he had no guidance and desperately wanted to see the Grandmaster.

Although it might be offensive, he couldn't help but stand up.

*Whoosh!*

Jing Xiaolou was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something and looked up.

He saw An Qisheng smiling slightly as he walked step by step towards the pavilion where Ren Kaiyu was.

"Hmm? Is he going to make a move?"

Ren Kaiyu's gaze sharpened, his arm muscles bulged, and his fist clenched tightly.

An Qisheng walked unhurriedly, taking a full twenty steps to cover the short distance of ten meters, stopping beneath the pavilion steps.

"You!"

Ren Kaiyu's heart skipped a beat, and his clenched fist involuntarily loosened as he stared blankly behind An Qisheng.

Behind him, on the pure white stone slab, footprints were clearly visible, coming closer from afar!

"Hiss!"

The people in the several pavilions gasped.

The stone slabs outside the pavilions were all made of the finest stone selected from Yangming Mountain, extremely hard and durable. They believed they couldn't damage them without tools.

But under this youth's feet, they were as fragile as tofu.

The difference was truly significant.

"Every step can generate hidden force, making the light seem heavy. Has he achieved great success in *An Jin*?"

Ren Kaiyu's heart trembled, and he smiled bitterly as he cupped his fist in salute:

"My eyes failed to recognize a true master. Please forgive my offense."

"Ignorance is forgivable."

An Qisheng exhaled slightly.

Although his *An Jin* had not yet permeated his entire body, after the battle in the New Country with that swordsman, his control over *An Jin* became increasingly smooth.

When he first achieved *An Jin*, he could only release it six or seven times at most. Now, he could unleash it fifty times without much trouble.

"Brother An's *An Jin* is deeply rooted, and *Hua Jin* (transforming force) is not far off. If you friends can also achieve this, I will naturally welcome you with respect."

Jing Xiaolou wasn't surprised. He cupped his fists towards the surroundings and focused his gaze on Ren Kaiyu:

"Military boxing techniques are the most ferocious. In three years, they can bring someone who doesn't know martial arts to the peak of *Ming Jin*. However, they also harshly exploit the body.

Now that you've left the army, you no longer have the army's benefits. Without tiger and wolf medicines to replenish the losses, your body is already strong on the outside but weak on the inside. What you need to do now is not to be brave and strive forward, but to go home and nurture yourself."

"Thank you for your guidance, Little Mister."

Ren Kaiyu bowed in gratitude.

"Come again in three to five years, and you should achieve *Ming Jin*."

Jing Xiaolou smiled slightly, walked towards the manor, and waved his hand:

"Brother An, please come with me."

An Qisheng nodded and followed Jing Xiaolou into the manor.

"Brother Ren! If this place doesn't work, we'll find another one!"

A short, stocky man walked up to Ren Kaiyu and said indignantly:

"They all say that Grandmaster Xue is the best at supporting and guiding the younger generation, but now it seems he only caters to certain people!"

Ren Kaiyu's eyes widened, and he raised his hand and slapped the man.

*Slap!*

Ren Kaiyu's strength was immense, and he showed no mercy. With just one slap, the short, stocky man flew three meters away.

"Ah!"

His head was spinning, his cheek was swollen, and he spat out a mouthful of blood in disbelief:

"Brother Ren, you hit me?"

"Hitting you is letting you off easy!"

Ren Kaiyu's face was gloomy as he cursed:

"Grandmaster Xue's martial virtue and character are beyond reproach! How dare you, you bastard, question him? Get lost!"

"Fine!"

The short, stocky man staggered to his feet, gritted his teeth, and left.

.......

Inside the manor, the floor was paved with seamless pure white stone, with artificial mountains and lush vegetation on both sides. At the end of the view was a man-made lake with rising mist.

On the riverbank, Xuanfeng-style buildings rose and fell, carrying an indescribable rhythm.

Although the Gong family was large, building such a manor amidst these mountains naturally wouldn't be cheap.

As they walked, Jing Xiaolou suddenly slowed down and walked alongside An Qisheng:

"That Ren Kaiyu was in the army for a few years and was forced to retire for injuring someone in a military brawl. He's reckless, but not a bad person. Brother An, don't hold it against him."

"Don't mention it."

An Qisheng smiled wryly:

"Brother Jing, rest assured, I never hold grudges."