Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Dual Cultivation of Body and Method

Regarding not receiving gifts from Qingwan and Xuenuo.

Xu Ming was somewhat worried.

However, Xu Ming wasn’t worried that Xuenuo and Qingwan had forgotten him; rather, he was concerned if something had happened to them.

Fortunately, according to Lady Qin and Phoenix, nothing had happened to Qingwan. She was merely at a crucial cultivation phase and couldn’t interact with the mortal world for nine years.

Xuenuo was in a similar situation.

After her Innate Sword Bone transformed into a Life-Bonded Flying Sword, Xuenuo needed to continuously refine her flying sword. She was currently in a secret realm of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect.

As for when she would emerge, that remained unknown.

“Haa!” Xu Ming forcefully delivered the final movement of the Heaven Opening Fist.

In the eyes of his teacher, although Pengda was only ten years old, becoming a scholar was a sure thing. Moreover, the teacher at the Clear Water Academy even wanted Little Fatty to attempt challenging for the top position.

Martial arts are about quality, not quantity. Xu Ming planned to carefully select one manual and study it earnestly.

“I guess this counts as dual cultivation of body and method, huh.” Xu Ming exhaled deeply.

[You have learned “Ascend Cloud Ladder,” stepping on your own feet. As long as you step fast enough, you can ascend to heaven. Agility +20]

Xu Ming closed his eyes and could distinctly feel the spiritual energy and Martial True Qi within him intertwining.

And every time he learned a spell, Xu Ming felt the ancient Spiritual Root tree in his dantian grow slightly denser and taller.

Xu Ming stared at the worn-out boxing manual in his hand, momentarily stunned.

Regardless, I can’t keep falling behind them like this…

Unconsciously, another four seasons had passed.

That tsundere vibe is just right.

“I understand. Please thank Auntie for me.” Xu Ming accepted the “Heaven Opening Fist” manual and remembered this favor in his heart.

“… Hearing you say that, Brother Pangda’s heart feels even more painful.”

Originally, the fifth brother could have been someone skilled in both literary and martial arts, but due to the ancestral laws, he could only walk the path of a martial artist…

“Fifth Brother, rest assured! I, I will definitely work hard and become a very big official!” Little Fatty clenched his fists seriously.

But as long as they are safe, that’s all that matters.

Moreover, since the Wu Kingdom has no age restrictions for participating in imperial examinations, the teacher at the Clear Water Academy wanted Little Fatty to try this year’s Child Examination.

Xu Ming was already eight years old.

Hearing what Xu Pengda said, does this count as the Wang family’s secret art?

Xu Pengda pushed it back: “It’s fine, Fifth Brother. Mother said it’s not valuable. Everyone in our Wang family practices it. Mother also said that boxing techniques depend more on the person. Even the best boxing technique cannot surpass a more diligent person. If Fifth Brother has any questions, Mother said you can always go find her.”

These spell books were sent over by Lady Wang through Little Fatty a year ago.

A prompt popped up in Xu Ming’s mind.

In three months.

“Not just this…” Xu Pengda smiled innocently.

Xu Ming chuckled: “Did Auntie really say that?”

Within a short month, Xu Ming finished reading the simple spell books that Xu Pengda brought over and learned eleven simple skills.

[You have learned “Fire Control Technique.” You can simply control ordinary flames. Flame affinity +10.]

One nine-year period, one eight-year period. Xu Ming felt that after they emerged from seclusion, they would likely have forgotten about him.

At eight years old, Xu Ming could already move the thousand-jin stone lion at the entrance of the Xu Mansion. Xu Ming had also reached the third realm of a qi refiner —— the Furnace Burning Realm.

Xu Ming nodded: “Even if Third Brother becomes an official, one must not forget their original intention and should wholeheartedly serve the people, keeping the world in mind.”

Every time he practiced for fifteen minutes, such a string of words would pop up in Xu Ming’s mind.

Is this name so imposing?

“Yeah.” Xu Pengda nodded, scratching the back of his head, “Mother said this boxing manual was practiced by Uncle Three, but it’s an incomplete version. However, Mother said don’t underestimate this incomplete version. This boxing manual is far superior to the ones collected in the Xu and Qin residences.”

Few people remember things from eight or nine years ago, let alone from childhood.

The tree nearby was shaken by Xu Ming, its leaves rustling down.

The Clear Water Academy had suspended classes mainly because the Child Examination was about to begin, and the academy would serve as one of the test sites.

“Clearly, the fifth brother is more talented than me. If the fifth brother took the exam, the top position would surely belong to him.” In the Xiao Chun Courtyard, Xu Pengda looked regretfully at his fifth brother, “If the fifth brother had been born in the Qi Kingdom…”

Furthermore, Xu Ming went to the Xu Mansion’s library to look at some boxing manuals.

A talented and diligent student had naturally become the private tutor’s favorite at the Clear Water Academy.

In the following month, Xu Ming spent most of his time practicing the “Heaven Opening Fist.”

The more he practiced the Heaven Opening Fist, the more Xu Ming felt the surging blood energy within him, with a current of energy rushing around inside him.

But soon, Xu Ming himself thought of it and laughed, saying: “Oh, right. Third Brother’s original intention was to be ennobled and appointed as a minister.”

Xu Ming took a deep breath and continued practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard.

Phoenix inquired about the news and heard that it would take at least eight years.

A gust of boxing wind blew out.

Xu Pengda worked very hard during these two years, and actually, Little Fatty had talent in reading.

[You have…]

Xu Pengda’s cheeks turned slightly red, somewhat embarrassed: “Serving the people and caring for the world is our duty as scholars, but that’s not my original intention.”

“What is Third Brother’s original intention?” Xu Ming asked curiously.

Upon learning of Xu Ming’s thoughts, Phoenix let Xu Pengda bring a boxing manual to Xu Ming.

“Heaven Opening Fist?”

Xu Ming eagerly took a look at those “long-sealed” spells.

In the Clear Water Academy, the fifth brother was actually the most intelligent one, praised endlessly by the teacher, but he was a concubine-born son…

“Third Brother, there are only five days left until the exam, keep working hard.” Xu Ming patted Xu Pengda who was studying in the Xiao Chun Courtyard.

“Isn’t this too precious? I can’t accept it.” Xu Ming shook his head.

“What else is there?” Xu Ming was confused.

Xu Pengda’s smile became more innocent: “Becoming a very big official, then letting Fifth Brother become an official too.”