"Ah?"
Zhang Yao was startled for a moment and instinctively said, "What Internal Martial Arts?"
Zhou An observed his expression, squinted slightly, and slowly said, "All the Martial Arts in this world have distinctions between inner and outer techniques. The Horizontal Refining of Hard Skills taught by the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall belongs to the External Martial Arts."
"But I see traces of Internal Martial Arts in your movements, especially in the transitions of the Pillar technique..."
As soon as he said this, Zhang Yannian by his side instantly changed his expression, suddenly turning his head to look at Zhang Yao, eyes blazing.
"Pillar technique transition? Could it be..."
Zhang Yao's heart was slightly moved, and he immediately bowed respectfully, saying, "Master, I have never practiced Internal Martial Arts, but I have practiced a Pillar technique for health and longevity."
"A health-maintaining Pillar technique?"
Zhou An's eyes flashed, he pondered for a moment, and his expression immediately relaxed, "I see... I overreacted."
As he spoke, he took a careful look at Zhang Yao again and said, "But judging by your appearance, the skills have almost become innate, that health-maintaining Pillar technique must be quite refined, right?"
"Yes, it cannot escape Master's discerning eyes."
Zhang Yao stood with hands clasped, honestly said, "That health-maintaining Pillar technique, I've been practicing since I was young and have done so for many years."
"Not bad."
Zhou An nodded slightly, revealing a faint smile, "Considering your age, getting the health-maintaining Pillar technique to such a level shows your dedication and perseverance."
"Your talent and disposition are of the highest caliber, you can indeed be called a Martial Arts prodigy."
Zhang Yao quickly bowed his head, humbly saying, "Master overly praises me, I am unworthy of such acknowledgment."
"Alright."
Zhou An waved his hand, saying, "With the foundation of this Pillar technique, when practicing the Twenty-four Bear Pole Forms, your progress will surely be rapid."
"But you must be very careful, these two skills should not be practiced simultaneously, or it will lead to a deficiency of Qi and blood, causing serious internal illness."
Hearing this, Zhang Yao's heart was immediately moved.
"Taiyi Pile Skill and Twenty-four Bear Pole Forms should not be practiced at the same time?"
"It must be because the consumption of Essence Qi is too intense, beyond what an average person can bear... I'll experiment with it when I return."
Thinking this, he respectfully said, "Yes, I will heed Master's guidance."
Zhou An nodded and said, "Now, practice the Twenty-four Bear Pole Forms from the beginning, slowly."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao followed Zhou An's instructions and re-practiced the Twenty-four Bear Pole Forms from the start.
This time, Zhou An came to his side, pointing out his mistakes and correcting them one by one, demonstrating personally during his verbal teachings.
With such a renowned master, Zhang Yao's progress was naturally remarkable, almost experiencing new changes with each practice.
After more than an hour, Zhang Yao's punches and kicks were precise, his movements nimble, reaching almost ninety percent similarity, with only minor details needing adjustment.
"Truly a phenomenal talent!"
Zhang Yannian watched from start to finish, his expression complex, inwardly sighing in self-awareness.
"Master, it's time for lunch."
A servant came by to remind Zhou An.
"Hmm."
Zhou An nodded, gesturing, "Zhang Yao, go eat first, take a little rest, and come back in the afternoon."
"Yes, Master."
Zhang Yao bowed respectfully, turned, and left the backyard, passing through both the inner and front martial practice grounds, exiting the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall.
"Master..."
Zhang Yannian approached and couldn't help but say, "Have you had the thought of taking a disciple?"
Normally, although Zhou An would instruct new recruits at the hall, he wouldn't say so much, nor put in so much effort.
After all, they were just registered disciples, and the relationship was very straightforward, one pays, the other teaches; I teach real skills, but how much you learn depends on your own capability in the hall.
But Zhou An's treatment of Zhang Yao was entirely different from other new disciples, naturally sparking Zhang Yannian's speculation.
"There is indeed some such thought..."
Zhou An didn't hide it, smiled and reflected, "It's rare, this kid's talent is even better than yours and Yao'Er, even superior to Zong Wei."
"Seeing oneself growing old, Qi and blood declining, finding such a good seedling truly makes my heart itch."
"Moreover, having another fellow disciple, when you encounter problems in the future, you will have someone more to rely on."
Zhang Yannian's expression slightly changed, as he said, "Master is only in your fifties, you are in your prime, not the least bit old."
"Cannot defy old age."
Zhou An shook his head, saying, "In this day and age, living past sixty is a good ending, and practitioners of External Martial Arts rarely live long."
Zhang Yannian was silent for a moment, then asked softly, "And this Zhang Yao, what do you think..."
Zhou An pondered for a moment and said, "This is not urgent, let's first explore his background."
"Even if he is clean, with no bad deeds, and his parents and ancestors have done honest business, we still need to assess his character and disposition, it will take at least a few months."
Zhang Yannian heard this, nodded and said, "I understand, Master, I will find time to handle this."
In this era, the relationship between a master and a direct disciple was as close as that of actual father and son.
Therefore, although Zhou An had the thought of taking a disciple, he approached this matter with caution, not making a hasty decision.
......
"Martial Arts prodigy?"
Walking on West Main Street, Zhang Yao shook his head secretly.
He knew his own limitations, his talent in Martial Arts was average, otherwise he would have been noticed by the Old Palace Master long ago.
What truly set him apart was the Taiyi Pile Skill.
This Pillar technique is easy to learn but hard to master, and there are countless examples of Registered Daoists in Qingping Palace in their forties and fifties who have practiced it their entire lives yet fail to achieve Great Success.
Zhou An probably never thought that Zhang Yao, at the age of merely fifteen, was already nearing Great Success in the Pillar technique.
"However, with the solid foundation of the Taiyi Pile Skill, plus the talent for Essence Qi Transformation, no martial arts prodigy would necessarily surpass me."
With this thought, Zhang Yao's confidence grew, and with a slight movement of his mind, a faint azure light screen appeared:
Name: Zhang Yao
Talents: Primordial Energy Spring, Essence Qi Transformation
Skills: Herb Mastery (50%), Taiyi Pile Skill (66%), Alchemy (14%), Golden Furnace Technique (3%)
"A 3% progress just upon entry? Not bad."
Zhang Yao raised an eyebrow, feeling a tinge of joy in his heart.
It seems that his speed in practicing this Golden Furnace Technique was faster than he imagined.
This is an External Cultivation Method meant for fighting and combat, and reaching Small Success would grant him some self-defense ability.
"I should go rent a courtyard."
With this in mind, Zhang Yao picked up his pace.
He first went to a brokerage on West Main Street, explained his needs, and was led by a broker to view several courtyards.
He was not too picky and quickly chose a courtyard, swiftly completing a series of formalities for signing and stamping.
"It's pretty dirty, and it still costs five taels a year..."
In the secluded courtyard, Zhang Yao grumbled while cleaning up.
The place wasn't large, but it was more expensive than most houses in Changping City, naturally because of its good location.
It's not far from the bustling West Main Street, only a few minutes' walk to the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall, a location he specifically chose.
"This money, if it must be spent, so be it."
"Changping City is not a haven, with plenty of thieves and local gangs around."
"I am alone, which is not safe; living near the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall and being a martial hall disciple can avoid many troubles."
With this thought in mind, Zhang Yao didn't care much about the silver expenditure.
Lord Guanlu's savings still had over a hundred taels left, enough to support several years of expenses.
In a few years, when his Golden Furnace Technique reaches not only Perfection but at least Great Success, he would naturally find ways to earn money.