Luo Kun nodded.
He looked forward to seeing how this genius disciple would perform.
Gong Yulei took a deep breath and began to imitate Luo Kun's movements.
Although his strength was worlds apart,
surprisingly, by his second time practicing the set,
the transitions between his moves were already quite smooth, and one could faintly discern a hint of its Divine Charm!
Luo Kun's eyes lit up. "Good! A natural-born martial artist, indeed!"
His heart burned with excitement. This disciple's Talent was greater than any he had ever taken on before!
A look of defiance in her eyes, Lin Xue'er pursed her lips and stepped forward.
Her first two attempts were still a bit clumsy.
But by her fifth, her movements were already quite standard, even kicking up a faint breeze with her fists!
Not to be outdone, Zhang Xiong's moves were also full of vigor by his fifth practice run, creating an impressive display.
Luo Kun was very satisfied. To become proficient in five repetitions was already a sign of superior Comprehension.
When it was Jiang Che's turn, Luo Kun was secretly filled with anticipation.
Although this disciple was born with insufficient Qi Blood, he had managed to train the White Cloud Fist to the Perfection Realm.
Even more impressively, he had grasped the Inner Insight Realm.
This was a state one could only touch upon when their Fist Technique had reached the Transformation Realm and their mind was free of all distractions!
However, after five repetitions, Jiang Che's movements were still stiff.
Even the most basic transitions between moves were riddled with flaws!
Luo Kun's brow furrowed deeper and deeper, the scar at the corner of his eye twitching like a centipede.
"Strange..." Luo Kun muttered under his breath. "His White Cloud Fist is so exquisite, this shouldn't be happening..."
At the edge of the training ground, the corner of Gong Yulei's mouth curled up slightly, a flash of disdain in his eyes.
'Hmph, looks like he just got lucky with the White Cloud Fist!'
Lin Xue'er stood to the side with her arms crossed, her face expressionless.
Zhang Xiong, however, frowned slightly.
'Why is Junior Brother Jiang in such bad shape today? Could it be because of his insufficient Qi Blood?'
In the center of the field, Jiang Che had just finished a set of the Fist Technique and was slowly returning to his ready stance.
'This Cloud-Stacking Fist is really difficult. It took five repetitions to even begin to get the hang of it. I should be able to enter the Heart Stream now...'
It wasn't that he didn't want to use the Heart Stream from the start.
But when his movements were still very unpracticed,
he couldn't successfully enter the Heart Stream State, no matter how he tried to focus his attention.
He could understand why.
When his movements were still unfamiliar, his concentration was completely distracted by trying to remember the sequence of moves and being mindful of various incorrect actions.
It was impossible to maintain perfect focus.
It was like playing a video game when you still had to remember what each skill did and in what order to use them.
You'd be lucky just to execute the skills correctly.
Pulling off any kind of flashy combo was out of the question.
In that sense, the more proficient you were at something, the easier it was to enter the Heart Stream State.
He began to practice the Cloud-Stacking Fist again, this time trying to focus his concentration.
Because his movements were much more proficient now,
he successfully entered the Heart Stream State.
In an instant, all the flaws in his previous movements became crystal clear.
And the correct movements Luo Kun had demonstrated immediately surfaced in his mind.
After another three repetitions,
Jiang Che's fist forms gradually became as smooth as flowing water.
Although his power was still shallow,
the transitions between his moves were now seamless, and one could even faintly see the beginnings of the "Overlapping Waves"!
[Cloud-Stacking Fist, Entry Level (1/100)]
"PHEW—"
He had finally reached the Entry Level!
Jiang Che let out a long sigh of relief, retracted his fists, and stepped aside.
'How did he suddenly get so good?! Did he enter the Inner Insight Realm again?'
Luo Kun was a little stunned.
"Jiang Che, do it again!"
he urged hastily.
"Yes, Master!"
Jiang Che calmed his mind and qi, maintained the Heart Stream State, and performed the entire set once more.
This time, the path of his fists was even more fluid.
When he executed the final move, "Mountain Shattering," it actually stirred a faint current of air!
Beside them, Zhang Xiong nodded slightly.
This was the Jiang Che he knew.
Gong Yulei raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
'I didn't expect him to improve so quickly.'
But he quickly regained his composure.
Lin Xue'er pouted, clearly unconvinced.
Seeing Jiang Che's obvious improvement, Luo Kun was very pleased.
He secretly thought that Jiang Che must have entered the Inner Insight Realm.
Although Jiang Che's Root Bone was average compared to the others,
if he could enter the Inner Insight Realm every time,
then his future achievements would be limitless!
"Not bad. Step down!"
"Yes, Master!"
Jiang Che retracted his fists and returned to the line.
Having entered the Heart Stream twice in such a short time, his head was beginning to throb with a dull ache.
Luo Kun stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze slowly sweeping over his four disciples.
'Although these four have different temperaments, they are all malleable talent!'
Anticipation swelled in his heart.
'These seedlings of mine might not necessarily lose to Old Li's disciples!'
After finishing the Fist Technique, everyone felt their Qi Blood churning in their abdomens.
They all sat down on the pre-prepared cattail cushions to meditate and regulate their breathing.
"One breath returns to the sea, ten thousand thoughts follow the wind!"
"Qi sinks to the Dantian, spirit roams the great void!"
Luo Kun recited the mnemonic chant.
Everyone closed their eyes, Sensing their breath.
Soon, Jiang Che felt the thread of Qi Blood in his Dantian begin to stabilize.
Though it was still somewhat unstable, it was no longer dangerous.
Luo Kun wasn't surprised to see Jiang Che be the first to enter a meditative state.
Whether one could enter meditation depended partly on Temperament,
but the amount of Qi Blood was the key factor.
Jiang Che had the weakest Qi Blood, so it was easiest for him to enter meditation.
Before long, Zhang Xiong and Lin Xue'er also began to enter a meditative state.
'Their Qi Blood Amounts are both quite abundant. It's good that they can enter meditation now.'
Luo Kun nodded to himself.
Then he looked at Gong Yulei, and his expression changed instantly.
Not only had Gong Yulei not improved, but his complexion had gotten even worse!
'Damn it! This kid's Talent is too good, his Qi Blood too abundant, and his Temperament isn't steady enough. He can't quiet his mind. If this continues, something bad will happen!'
Luo Kun cursed inwardly and hurriedly shouted toward the hall:
"Ah Shan! Bring the medicinal soup, quickly!"
"Yes, Hall Master!"
A simple-faced, middle-aged man immediately came jogging over, carrying a pot of medicinal soup.
He poured a bowl and handed it to Luo Kun.
Luo Kun rushed over to Gong Yulei with the bowl.
"Here, drink this!"
Gong Yulei's face was pale, and he was covered in sweat.
Hearing this, he took the bowl and drank it in one gulp.
"Close your eyes and regulate your breathing, now!"
Gong Yulei closed his eyes and began to breathe out slowly.
He felt a cool spring gush into his lower abdomen, instantly neutralizing the massive amount of Qi Blood in his Dantian.
His complexion also returned to a healthy, ruddy color.
He opened his eyes, his face filled with shock.
"This medicinal soup is so effective..." he murmured.
Seeing Gong Yulei return to normal, Luo Kun breathed a sigh of relief.
"Of course. This is Soul Condensing Powder, a Secret Medicine specifically designed for the Qi Blood of the Cloud-Stacking Fist. It's a secret passed down only within our White Cloud Martial Arts Hall!" Luo Kun said proudly.
"What about the rest of you?"
The servant, Ah Shan, asked the others, holding the medicine pot.
Seeing this, Lin Xue'er and Zhang Xiong also asked for a bowl each.
After drinking it, they both instantly felt refreshed and clear-headed, and the Qi Blood in their Dantian became completely docile.
The three of them took out silver and handed it to Ah Shan.
For such an effect, one tael of silver was definitely worth it.
"I'll pass for now."
Jiang Che shook his head.
He didn't have much Qi Blood to begin with, so he wasn't in extreme pain.
Besides, the meditation had already alleviated some of it.
And on top of that, his purse was feeling a little light...
Luo Kun nodded and didn't insist.
"In that case, be careful to practice a little less in your daily training. Don't push yourself if you can't handle it! When you need the medicine, you have to drink it!"
he instructed.
"Yes, Master!"
The other three had already fully refined their Qi Blood. Taking advantage of the medicine's effects, they returned to the training ground to practice the Fist Technique.
After all, one bowl of the medicinal soup's effects lasted for a day. They couldn't waste the opportunity.
Jiang Che, however, could only continue to meditate, refining his remaining Qi Blood bit by bit.
Watching the others practice while he could only sit and meditate left a sour taste in his mouth.
'I have to earn more money. Otherwise, I can't take a single step forward!'
'But if I have to meditate all day, every day, I won't have time to go out and earn money...'
'What should I do?'
He was troubled.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
'If I enter the Heart Stream and then meditate, will the refining process be faster?'