#31 - Chapter 31 Entering the Outer Gate
"Cheng Feng, the master wants to see you," Qian Ming said, delivering the message.
Cheng Feng had a feeling it was about confirming his improved strength.
Facing Qian Ming's call, Cheng Feng remained calm and replied, "Coming, I'll be right there."
Cheng Feng followed Qian Ming to Wang Tieshan's room.
"Greetings, Master!" Cheng Feng clasped his fist in salute.
"Mm, rise," Wang Tieshan said, sizing up Cheng Feng, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
At Wang Tieshan's level, he could usually tell the approximate level of a disciple with a glance.
The young man before him had a solid aura, with a hidden spirit in his eyes, definitely having entered the Practice of Strength realm.
"Cheng Feng, I heard your strength has reached the Practice of Strength realm?" Wang Tieshan asked.
"Yes, Master. Thanks to your guidance," Cheng Feng replied.
"Not bad, but you must remember that improving strength is only one aspect. More important is the cultivation of your state of mind. Don't become complacent just because you've entered the outer circle," Wang Tieshan said earnestly.
"Thank you for your teachings, Master. I will keep them in mind," Cheng Feng said.
"Alright, you may leave," Wang Tieshan waved his hand.
Cheng Feng exited the room, pondering Wang Tieshan's words. He knew he still had a long way to go.
Currently, he was just a small fry in the Practice of Strength realm.
As Cheng Feng walked out of the room, he saw Zhang Zhuo approaching, smiling, and said, "Junior Brother Cheng, I just heard that you have broken through to the Practice of Strength realm. Congratulations!"
Cheng Feng smiled modestly, "It's all thanks to the master's excellent guidance."
Zhang Zhuo continued, "Hehe, now that you've broken through, how about we spar and see how much your strength has improved?"
Before Cheng Feng could answer, a woman interjected, "Zhang Zhuo, don't make trouble. Cheng Feng has just finished reporting to the master and must be tired."
Cheng Feng looked at the senior sister in front of him, dressed in red, with a cold face and a graceful figure, helping him out, and quickly thanked her.
Zhang Zhuo then introduced, "This is Senior Sister Zhao Wei and Second Senior Brother Zhang Hu. Hurry up and greet them!"
Cheng Feng quickly cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother."
The senior sister nodded slightly, while the second senior brother smiled and returned the greeting.
And he echoed, "Yes, Zhang Zhuo, let Cheng Feng rest."
Seeing this, Zhang Zhuo had no choice but to give up, "Alright then, I'll find a chance to spar next time." After speaking, Zhang Zhuo turned and left with the two.
Cheng Feng watched the departing figures of the senior sister and the others, secretly resolving in his heart not to provoke trouble.
The ninth senior brother who had been speaking kindly to him at the beginning...
...was now starting to test him?
Cheng Feng seemed to sense undercurrents, but being in the vortex, he had to be even more careful.
After walking a distance away, Zhang Zhuo complained, "Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother, why did you bring me along when you had something to discuss with the master? I could have sparred with the newly-entered junior brother."
Senior Sister Zhao Wei didn't speak, but Second Senior Brother chuckled, "You want to spar with someone in the Practice of Skin realm against someone who just entered the Practice of Strength realm?"
Zhang Zhuo scratched his head sheepishly, "Wouldn't that allow me to control my strength?"
Senior Sister said disdainfully, "You should work hard to reach the Practice of Blood realm first! You should avoid bullying the weak. As a martial artist, you should aspire to stronger opponents to better hone yourself."
Faced with Senior Sister's lecture, Zhang Zhuo could only mutter in his heart, "Yes, yes, you're right. Who can compare to you, you martial arts fanatic?"
Seeing Zhang Zhuo's dejected appearance, Zhao Wei lost interest in lecturing him.
She walked straight in, looked at Wang Tieshan sitting upright in the chair, and clasped her fist, "Master, my junior brother and I have returned."
Wang Tieshan looked at his eldest disciple, satisfied, "Good, good, it's good that you're back. Did anything unexpected happen on the road?"
The senior sister briefly recounted the matter of killing a few thugs.
Wang Tieshan didn't take it to heart. With his cultivation in Qingxi County, he could handle any trouble.
He looked at the two of them, asking hopefully, "Any gains in your realms?"
Zhao Wei and Zhang Hu both silently shook their heads. Wang Tieshan knew he was being a bit impatient.
He waved his hand, "Forget it, go and rest first!"
These two disciples of his had been by his side since they were young.
Their martial arts talent was outstanding, but for the past two years, they had been stuck at the Perfected Practice of Blood realm, unable to advance.
Wang Tieshan could only let them experience more to hopefully make progress.
But now, would they really be stuck at this realm?
Wang Tieshan didn't know the answer, but he had seen many martial artists stuck on a certain path, unable to advance, and ultimately fading away.
Just like himself, the initial stage of Visceral Refinement. He only advanced from Bone Forging to Visceral Refinement after fighting for treasure back then.
But because of the injuries left during the fight for the treasure...
...the initial stage of Visceral Refinement was already his limit.
But his Thunderclap Saber wasn't just a Visceral Refinement saber technique...
...he didn't even have the hope of continuing to practice that Thunderclap Art.
That was something he had painstakingly snatched from that old guy.
But the result was like this.
Was it really retribution?
What was he then?
What about the man he poisoned to death, the man he called master?
No one around Wang Tieshan could give him the answer.
Wang Tieshan could only silently walk back to the table, pick up his saber, and practice his skills.
In martial arts, you either advance or retreat. If you retreat, you're done for.
Cheng Feng was determined not to attract attention, but how could Niu Laoshi and the others not notice?
After all, Cheng Feng had already been summoned by the master.
"How was it? Did you pass?" Someone asked anxiously next to him.
The people around also peeked over. Cheng Feng nodded and went to the side room to change his waist tag.
It was still Old Li. Cheng Feng didn't dare to be presumptuous and cupped his hands, "Sorry to trouble you, Old Li."
Old Li smiled and said, "No trouble at all. Congratulations on entering the outer circle."
He took out a set of outer disciple clothing and said, "Don't cause trouble when you go out in the future, but don't be afraid if others bully you. Fight back when you need to."
Outer disciples were mainly assigned work in the martial arts hall. The only other difference was a change of clothes.
Cheng Feng cupped his hands and said, "I heard that entering the outer circle also provides job opportunities?"
Old Li immediately understood and explained, "That's usually after the three-month assessment. We will try to divide the same batch of outer disciples uniformly. It's still ten days away for you. I suggest you practice hard. There may be selections based on martial arts at that time."
Cheng Feng understood and took the robe and left.
He didn't put on the robe to attract attention.
Cheng Feng still practiced the Horse Stance diligently and low-key.
Looking at the happy helpers around him, Cheng Feng didn't know what they were happy about.
Cheng Feng knew their strength very well. Having been together for a long time, he had fought with them. Except for Niu Laoshi, who practiced well and had a chance to enter the outer circle during the assessment...
...the others basically wouldn't pass.
Once the assessment day passed, everyone would probably go their separate ways again.
Cheng Feng could understand. That's how his good friends from college scattered in his previous life.
And the person he was dating at the time...
Long-distance relationships were always an insurmountable reality.
