Chapter 11: Grinding for Experience

Hearing Senior Sister Li Qing’s words, Jiang Ning smiled but said nothing.

From the manual of the Five-Animal Boxing he had just read, he already knew that the only correct way to practice this art was to cultivate all five forms simultaneously, advancing them in tandem.

Only by practicing all five forms together could one rapidly condense qi and blood. Once the qi and blood were strengthened and circulated throughout the body, one could enter the ranks of martial arts. Only in this way could one avoid squandering such a precious foundation-building martial art.

Focusing on a single form might make it easier to improve in that specific area, but it offered little help on the path of martial arts.

Even if one were to master the Tiger Form to perfection, what good would it do to unleash a punch that possessed both form and spirit, mobilizing the strength of the entire body to explode with several times the power of an ordinary person?

If the physique was not tempered and the qi and blood were not strengthened, the overall physical quality would ultimately be little better than that of an average person.

Before a martial artist whose qi and blood permeated their limbs, so-called boxing techniques were nothing more than child’s play.

Absolute physical quality could crush any technique.

A martial artist whose qi and blood circulated throughout their body could suppress others with sheer force; a casual punch could kill an ordinary person.

So, how could Jiang Ning possibly listen to Li Qing and put the cart before the horse?

With the panel, as long as he was diligent and "grinded" for experience, he could break through the Five-Animal Boxing without any bottlenecks.

Every breakthrough in the boxing technique would bring the effect of qi and blood condensation to a higher level.

This was the root of his strength.

With the panel as his reliance, why would he be like those people, wasting time practicing a single boxing style or a single form just to pass the assessment and become a true disciple of the martial arts hall?

Practicing all five forms together, advancing all five styles at once, would allow his strength to improve rapidly. Only with improved strength could he be unafraid of the threats from Xu Yunfeng and his ilk.

Afterward.

Standing in the front courtyard, Jiang Ning took his stance, adjusted his state, and prepared to practice the Five-Animal Boxing, grinding for experience points to get this technique to the entry level as quickly as possible.

At this moment, the men in the front courtyard saw Jiang Ning begin to practice and stopped their own training, looking over with curious expressions.

As Jiang Ning began his movements, some eyes widened in shock.

"Didn't this kid just join the hall at noon? Has he already memorized the essence of the manual?"

"Don't rush, keep watching!" someone said, still sticking to their previous opinion.

The others watched Jiang Ning even more intently.

They had been whispering about Jiang Ning ever since they finished observing Old Wang’s demonstration.

Because some remembered that Jiang Ning had only just joined at noon, and it was only afternoon, yet Old Wang had personally demonstrated the Five-Animal Boxing for him—this made them suspicious.

New disciples were only eligible for a personal demonstration from Old Wang once they had memorized the entire Five-Animal Boxing manual.

As Jiang Ning practiced move by move, the crowd’s disbelief gradually turned into conviction.

"Incredible, he actually memorized the entire manual in such a short time!"

"It is indeed incredible. And his every move, along with the rhythm of his breathing technique, perfectly matches the records in the manual. This talent is a bit frightening!"

"..."

The group of men let out exclamations of wonder.

However, Li Qing, dressed in blue martial attire, frowned slightly. Jiang Ning was clearly practicing the complete Five-Animal Boxing, not just the Tiger Form.

After watching for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she shook her head slightly.

Starting martial arts at the age of eighteen meant he had already missed the three-year golden window for training, yet he didn't know how to seize the opportunity! He had a decent appearance, but he didn't know how to seize the chance to change his own destiny.

At this moment, her heart was filled with disappointment toward Jiang Ning.

She turned and left.

At this moment, someone else noticed Li Qing’s expression.

After all, such a tall, slender woman with an excellent temperament would inevitably attract many gazes in the martial arts hall, and even secret admiration.

But they also knew that this woman’s background must be extremely wealthy, far above their own, and not something they could touch. Thus, no one had any thoughts of pursuing her; they could only steal glances from time to time.

"Why did Senior Sister Li shake her head?" someone whispered.

"Can't you tell? Senior Sister Li is disappointed in this junior brother!" someone explained.

"Why disappointed?" the man asked, looking confused.

"Haven't you figured it out? Although this new junior brother has good talent and a high memory, he clearly doesn't know his own limits. He's already seventeen or eighteen, having missed the golden years of training, yet instead of focusing on the Tiger Form, he's practicing all five!"

"I see, no wonder Senior Sister Li is disappointed! Not knowing one's own limits only wastes time and wastes the chance to change one's fate!"

"Exactly!" someone nodded. "Looking at his clothes, it's obvious he comes from an ordinary family. For ordinary families in the outer city, even scraping together the silver to join the hall isn't easy. You can tell from his age that his family conditions are average. The best age to start is when the body is maturing, around fifteen, but he is clearly seventeen or eighteen! Starting so late, yet he doesn't know how to seize the chance to change his destiny!"

"Indeed!" another agreed. "Within half a year, if you grasp the spirit and form of the fierce tiger and push the Tiger Form to mastery, you can become a true disciple of the hall. The status of a disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall is very important to us, let alone to ordinary people. It’s a chance for them to cross social classes and change their destiny."

"..."

The men discussed for a while before dispersing, no longer paying much attention to Jiang Ning.

Meanwhile.

Jiang Ning followed the images in his mind, coordinating with his breathing technique to constantly correct his movements, finding it increasingly smooth and enjoyable.

Warm currents surged from his abdomen throughout his body, and instead of feeling exhausted, he felt more vigorous and robust, as if he had endless strength.

【Five-Animal Boxing experience +1】

Seeing the familiar prompt after finishing one set, he was filled with excitement.

"Eight more sets, and my Five-Animal Boxing will reach the entry level!"

He took advantage of the lingering medicinal effect in his body and continued to practice the second set.

Zhou Xing, who had just come out from the back courtyard, wore a gentle smile. His gaze swept over the crowd in the front courtyard and was instantly drawn to Jiang Ning.

"This is..." His expression was one of surprise, his eyes filled with a strange light.

As a true disciple of the hall who had already entered the ranks of martial arts, his own Five-Animal Boxing had long reached the realm of true mastery. He had even grasped the true intent of the Tiger Form, reaching the pinnacle of the highest realm.

Such a level of boxing was among the top few in the entire hall.

Reaching the perfection level of a boxing technique required not only high comprehension but also a flash of inspiration.

Thus, he could see at a glance how correct Jiang Ning’s Five-Animal Boxing was. Every move, though a bit green, was exactly as recorded in the manual, especially the breathing rhythm, which was maintained perfectly.

"This Junior Brother Jiang has such strong learning ability!" he thought, secretly shocked. "To reach such a standard on his first day of joining... this memory and learning ability are simply too strong!"

Seeing this, he was in no hurry to leave and stopped to continue watching Jiang Ning.

【Five-Animal Boxing experience +1】

Seeing the prompt, Jiang Ning struck while the iron was hot and practiced the third set.

At this moment.

Seeing Jiang Ning halfway through his third set, Zhou Xing’s eyes flashed with even more brilliance.

Comparing it to the previous set, from the perspective of an observer and a master of the Five-Animal Boxing, he could clearly see that Jiang Ning’s technique had improved slightly.

The subtle movements were more standard, the breathing technique was more fluid, and each move was slightly faster than before, yet there were no major errors.

【Five-Animal Boxing experience +1】

It wasn't until the third set was finished that Jiang Ning felt a slight sense of exhaustion.

"Hoo—"

He exhaled a breath of turbid air and stopped his intention to practice a fourth set.

【This training session, Five-Animal Boxing experience increased by 3 points.】

【Skill】: Five-Animal Boxing (Not yet entered 4/10)

"Six more sets and I will successfully reach the entry level!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

He clenched his fist and could feel the tight muscles in his arms; his whole body was filled with a sense of power.

"As expected of a true martial art, just a few sets have brought me a clear improvement!" he praised inwardly again.

"At this rate of improvement, I will definitely pass Wang Jin’s test and become a true disciple of the hall! At that time, even if I stand openly before Xu Yunfeng, he won't dare to make a move!"

"Even Cao Bin, as long as he isn't a fool, won't dare to act! In the struggle between dragons and snakes, no one would choose to push a neutral party that is not inferior to them toward the other side. Even if there is only a possibility, no one would take that risk!"

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning felt excellent.