October 23, 2023
Fang Residence.
"Rejected?"
Fang Xi's face looked unpleasantly at Afu.
Afu lowered his head, full of unease: "This humble servant spent a lot of money, found a middleman, and even promised to pay more, but..."
Fang Xi took a deep breath.
As a cultivator, when had he ever suffered such humiliation? Well, in the Qingzhu Mountain Market, he often faced such humiliation and had gotten used to it.
Getting used to it was fine, getting used to it was fine.
"Never mind, perhaps it's because my aptitude is average, and others don't see it."
He shrugged.
As a cultivator, even at the lowest level, he had sharp senses and an extraordinary memory.
When he sought help before, he felt a probing gaze.
But obviously, Qi and Blood martial artists had a different way of discerning aptitude, and they didn't give him a chance to demonstrate his exceptional memory and comprehension.
'In other words, do martial artists in this world care more about physical aptitude than spiritual aptitude? No wonder they are considered inferior body cultivators...'
Fang Xi comforted himself in an Ah Q style, and it worked wonders.
Then, he chuckled, "Well... since Yuanhe Mountain won't take me, let's go to the martial academy... martial academies accept disciples without necessarily looking at aptitude."
As he said this, Afu also smiled, "Young Master is right, martial academies... claim to teach without discrimination, they accept those with money."
Fang Xi's mouth curved into a satisfied smile, "Coincidentally, I have plenty of money!"
Afternoon.
The sun was high, in the backyard of the Fang Residence, a makeshift martial arts arena.
Fang Xi lay on a master's chair, next to him was a glass of homemade fruit ice, similar to the air conditioning he had installed, both using the methods of cultivators to make life a bit more comfortable.
On a scorching summer day, sipping a glass of fruit ice was truly refreshing.
In the martial arts arena, there were several martial artists, mostly middle-aged, with a few elderly individuals, all looking at him with some flattery.
Fang Xi turned his head, took a sip of the ice offered by Yuegui, and clapped his hands.
Afu stepped forward, clearing his throat, "My master wishes to learn martial arts. You are all experts from martial academies. If you have any unique skills to demonstrate, and if my master is interested, there will be generous rewards... even if not chosen, there will be a token of gratitude later."
Since he was wealthy, he wouldn't go to a public martial academy to learn martial arts but would hire private tutors!
Upon hearing this, those muscular martial artists' eyes lit up.
Since they all ran martial academies to make money, they wouldn't have issues with money.
And this young master Fang was known to be... a fat sheep!
They exchanged glances, and an elderly man in black stepped forward eagerly, clasping his fists, "I am She Lei from the Red Snake Martial Academy, proficient in the 'Red Snake Leg'!"
He approached a wooden stake, raised his right leg high, muscles bulging, almost tearing his black pants.
Swish!
The next moment, he kicked, his originally sturdy right leg suddenly became flexible and unpredictable, the leg whip carrying a strong gust of wind, fiercely smashing the wooden stake.
Bang!
The thick wooden stake instantly shattered into pieces.
As wood chips flew, She Lei proudly introduced, "Our martial academy's Red Snake Leg technique mainly trains the legs. Once mastered, it not only has great power but also enhances speed. With good agility, one can at least remain undefeated in a confrontation..."
"Not bad, not bad," Fang Xi's eyes lit up.
Although the killing power of this Red Snake Leg was not as good as the small spell he mastered, the Gengjin Grass Mowing Sword, he was only in the early Qi refining stage, with limited mana in his body, unable to support several spell casts.
Seeing the opponent's enduring appearance, he could at least kick out thirty or so times, which was quite valuable.
'As expected, as I thought, these so-called Qi and Blood martial arts can be seen as body refining techniques in the Qi refining stage, and they are quite valuable... Moreover, with further study, they might even compare to body cultivators in the Foundation Building stage!'
Fang Xi felt excited!
Foundation Building!
This was the common dream of all low-level cultivators.
However... this stage was too difficult to pass.
Just reaching the baseline requirement of reaching the peak of the Qi refining stage before the age of sixty was enough to stump most wandering cultivators.
Moreover, failing to break through to the Foundation Building stage meant death, and ensuring the success of Foundation Building required Foundation Building spiritual objects, especially Foundation Building Pills, which were firmly controlled by major powers. Even if the Situ Family wanted to obtain a Foundation Building Pill, it would require a significant effort.
For ordinary low-level wandering cultivators, even the scent of it was a luxury.
Yet at this moment, Fang Xi saw a way to surpass this obstacle!
'If I can elevate my body refining cultivation to a level comparable to a late Qi refining stage cultivator, and then gather auxiliary breakthrough elixirs and techniques for the mid and late Qi refining stages, it will be much simpler.'
'And if I can first become a Foundation Building body cultivator, then gather Foundation Building Pills, my chances will be much greater, and it will be much safer.'
'There is hope on this path, there is hope!'
Although he had resources from two worlds, Fang Xi did not forget his lowly status in the Southern Wasteland cultivation world. He still did not dare to bring the special resources of the Great Liang to the Southern Wasteland cultivation world for sale.
Unless... he had even greater power.
Now, he saw hope.
"Master Lei has great skills, well done!"
In a pleasant mood, Fang Xi spoke up.
Originally, She Lei was a bit dissatisfied, after all, even though he was really selling himself, he had a bit more prestige than those street performers.
But seeing Afu come out with a smile and a plate of silver coins, all his dissatisfaction disappeared, and the wrinkles on his old face were about to bloom with smiles.
This fat sheep was truly generous!
Seeing this scene, the representatives of the martial academies all turned envious, and a tall, slender woman stepped forward, "I am Mu Miaomiao from the White Cloud Martial Academy. Our White Cloud Palm technique excels in defeating the strong with the weak, and it is extremely easy to learn..."
Clearly, this female martial artist had carefully inquired about the customer's needs, knowing that Fang Xi's martial aptitude was not excellent, otherwise he wouldn't have been rejected by Yuanhe Mountain, and she hit the nail on the head.
Moreover, when she demonstrated her palm technique, she revealed her beautiful figure, with high peaks and a hint of allure.
Causing the other martial artists to secretly curse her as a seductive fox, yet unwilling to shift their gaze away.
After Mu Miaomiao finished, another martial artist stepped forward.
"I am Yuan Tiangang, proficient in the 'Infinite Staff'..."
"I am Yiqiu Jue, skilled in the 'Iron Wire Fist'..."
"My 'Green Robe Sword'..."
...
After the last martial artist finished demonstrating, Fang Xi thought for a moment and asked, "All masters' martial arts are quite good. I wonder if I can learn them all?"
Since he had plenty of money, there was no harm in learning them all.
"This..."
Several martial artists exchanged glances, but Mu Miaomiao took a step forward and explained, "Master Fang, Qi and Blood martial arts consume a lot. Practicing one martial art may deplete your body, requiring replenishment with tonics. Greediness may lead to imbalances in your Qi and Blood, hindering breakthroughs. Also, some martial arts may conflict with each other in terms of Qi and Blood circulation..."
"Oh."
Hearing Mu Miaomiao's explanation, Fang Xi pondered.
This Qi and Blood martial arts indeed had some taboos.
And from the way she described it, there seemed to be some unfinished details, probably knowledge that could only be obtained by truly delving into the art.
He thought for a moment and finally said, "In that case, I'll learn one leg technique and one palm technique for now... Master Lei, Master Mu, please stay."
The other martial artists felt somewhat disgruntled upon hearing this.
She Lei was understandable, being one of the strongest in martial arts, he was confident.
As for Mu Miaomiao, wasn't she just flaunting her long legs and ample bosom?
Was this the simple hobby of a wealthy person?
...
After the martial artists left with resentment, Fang Xi carefully examined She Lei and Mu Miaomiao, "Master Lei, Master Mu... the tuition starts from today, with a visit every three days. How does that sound?"
Only then did he carefully assess these two.
She Lei was an unremarkable old man when not using his techniques.
Mu Miaomiao had a voluptuous figure, exuding a sense of heroic beauty, with fairly attractive features, albeit rough skin.
"That's fine," Mu Miaomiao thought for a moment, "The Qi and Blood circulation of the Red Snake Leg mainly focuses on the legs and does not conflict with our White Cloud Palm. However, you must be careful not to learn too much, as excessive Qi and Blood practices can be detrimental to breakthroughs..."
At this point, Fang Xi felt a bit frustrated, "Mainly training the legs and palms in Qi and Blood... isn't there a martial art that can truly train the entire body's Qi and Blood?"
This body refining technique had a significant flaw, especially in terms of defense against spells!
She Lei and Mu Miaomiao exchanged glances, and the old man coughed, "Cough... Actually, as long as it's a Qi and Blood martial art, when training the main parts, there is always an accompanying effect of tempering the entire body's blood and Qi. But to truly temper the entire body uniformly, that's not the third-rate martial arts we teach, but top-notch secret techniques. Perhaps... only the secret martial arts hidden by Yuanhe Mountain can achieve this level."
"Alright..."
Fang Xi sighed, making a decision in his heart.
Isn't it just a genuine secret technique?
In the future, he might not be unable to obtain it.
After all... the methods of cultivators might not be something the martial artists of this world could withstand.
Of course, this required careful experimentation and couldn't be rushed.
After all, he was still young, this body was only seventeen years old, and cultivators had long lifespans. Even if a Qi refining stage cultivator lived to be eighty or ninety years old, it wouldn't be a problem.
(End of Chapter)