The Epiphany, as expected, allowed him to naturally grasp more techniques.
It felt like an old master, immersed for years in the art of Hidden Weapons, fumbling for more effective techniques after hitting a bottleneck.
A more concealed wrist-flick… an underhand toss… a slashing throw with a sideways flick… a left-handed throw… a backhanded throw…
Previously, he just gripped a dart and threw it.
Now, more techniques were emerging naturally.
He began to try them out one by one.
The Epiphany's effect was that he naturally grasped these techniques.
But there was clearly a long way to go between grasping them and mastering them.
Even more training methods began to surface in his mind naturally.
For instance, one target was too few. He could set up multiple targets in different areas—some far, some near, some large, some small. Then he could use various throwing techniques to attack the different targets.
A combined training routine like this would naturally be far more effective than just practicing on a single, fixed target.
He could even move during the process… training his accuracy while in motion.
An even more advanced method was to practice on moving targets. For example, he could toss a wooden block into the air and try to hit it with a dart as it fell…
All sorts of different training methods surfaced in his mind.
The power of the Epiphany was truly evident.
'Amazing,' Qin Fang thought.
'And this is just going from entry-level to Minor Achievement.'
'What about Great Success? What more would there be?'
Qin Fang's imagination ran wild.
He glanced at his panel. Both 'Dagger' and 'Hidden Weapon (Darts)' were now at Minor Achievement.
He hadn't practiced with the Dagger for a long time… after all, he didn't have one.
'Elder Wu asked me today if I wanted to pursue Martial Cultivation. He must know Martial Arts… I wonder when he'll teach me…'
Qin Fang's thoughts subconsciously turned to Martial Cultivation.
After all, whether it was the Dagger or Hidden Weapon skills, they were things he had figured out on his own.
And the Martial Arts of this World were clearly not so simple.
He eagerly anticipated how his Golden Finger would perform when it encountered the true Martial Arts of this World…
Before he knew it, the sky was growing dark.
Eating meat really made a difference. He didn't have that gnawing hunger from before; instead, his stomach felt full and content.
'I really need to eat meat to get my body back in shape.'
His stamina today was also noticeably much better than yesterday's. If it had been yesterday, he would have taken countless breaks by now.
But today, even though he'd exhausted himself several times and both his arms were sore and limp, he was clearly stronger than before.
The effects of eating meat were just that immediate!
So…
Although Elder Wu had told him to take his recovery slow.
That evening, he couldn't resist. He made another small bowl of braised pork and ate until his mouth was slick with grease…
He paid for it dearly that night.
He had to run to the latrine several times.
…He had the runs.
Although his stomach had recovered a fair bit after days of his body's natural regulation, it had been too long since he'd had anything so rich and oily. The burden was too much for it.
After his legs went weak from all the trips to the latrine, Qin Fang's heart swelled with profound gratitude for Elder Wu…
'Master is truly wise and farsighted!'
'If he'd given me meat on the very first day, I'd have probably died from diarrhea…'
Qin Fang was alarmed at the thought.
Fortunately, his injuries had already healed. He was just physically weak now. So, while the diarrhea was severe, it wasn't life-threatening.
But if this had happened while his injuries were still unhealed… he probably would have actually kicked the bucket.
'Dying from diarrhea…'
'If that had happened, I'd have set a new precedent for how a transmigrator can die. How embarrassing would that be?'
…
The next morning, Qin Fang made breakfast first. After a whole night of… issues, he was on his best behavior. He diced a little bit of meat and mixed it into his sorghum porridge, not daring to overdo it again.
Then, he went into the courtyard and started setting up a "target range" according to the plan he'd conceived yesterday.
He planned to set up about a dozen targets around the courtyard. He would then stand in the very center and try to hit them all as fast as he could, timing himself.
Since he only had four Darts, the process would require him to move around, retrieving his Darts as he attacked…
This way, he would practice both short-range and long-range throws.
The targets themselves were also varied. Some hung from the eaves, some stood on the ground, and some were wedged into cracks in the wall…
'This way, I'm not just practicing with my Darts. My body is forced to move, so it's a physical workout too…'
Now that he was eating meat and his body was starting to recover, it was natural that he should start being more active.
'Once my body recovers a bit more, I'll start doing sit-ups, push-ups, the whole lot.'
Just as he was making the targets, there was a knock on the courtyard gate. Qin Fang paused, stunned for a moment, then walked to the gate to see who it was.
Elder Wu was standing outside with a group of people.
Qin Fang froze for a second before opening the gate.
"Master," he greeted respectfully.
Elder Wu nodded, then called to the people behind him, "This is the place. Come on in."
As Qin Fang watched in confusion, at least five or six people followed Elder Wu inside.
They were all carrying various tools. Outside, a flatbed cart was parked, loaded with furniture and other household items.
"Master?"
Qin Fang was dumbfounded.
Elder Wu waved his hand. "This place hasn't been lived in for a long time. It's a bit too dilapidated. Let's fix it up a little."
The men were plasterers and carpenters.
The cart was also loaded with furniture like tables, chairs, and benches.
There was no doubt about it. Elder Wu must have seen that another tile had fallen from the roof yesterday, and now that Qin Fang was his disciple, he had brought these men to make repairs.
Qin Fang's heart was deeply shaken.
'This old man… on the one hand, he says he's only taking a Registered Disciple, that he wasn't looking for trouble for himself.'
'But then yesterday he takes my Identity papers and takes on the huge task of helping me stay in the True Martial sect.'
'And today, he even remembers a small detail like fixing the house.'
Qin Fang stood there, stunned, at a loss for words.
But Elder Wu didn't even glance at him, instead directing the craftsmen to get to work.
In a short while, the courtyard was filled with the constant sound of BANGING and CLANGING as the men began to work with brisk efficiency.
The old roof tiles were stripped away and replaced with new ones.
Broken doorframes were torn out and replaced.
They even swept out the main hall and moved in what were clearly brand-new tables and chairs…
They even cleared out the junk piled inside the bedroom—a room Qin Fang hadn't even set foot in yet. Soon, someone was inside, BANGING away as they assembled a bed.
"Master…"
Qin Fang called out to Elder Wu in a low voice.
Elder Wu turned, then frowned. "What's with the childish look? Since I've accepted you, even if it's only as a Registered Disciple for now, I will naturally do what's expected of me. Making sure my disciple has a place to live is a master's basic responsibility. The time for you to repay me will come later… Now, now, stop standing there like a statue. If you know how to cook, go make a meal. Everyone's eating here today."
A warmth spread through Qin Fang's chest. He took a deep breath. "Yes!"
As the workers bustled about outside, Qin Fang went into the kitchen and got busy himself.