Chapter 58: Toad's Breath

Cheng Ming pondered for a moment, his expression solemn. "A-Qing, I have heard that Gao Sheng of the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall has been practicing in seclusion since the Martial Examinations. It is said he is attempting his third breakthrough. You must be extremely careful."

"So soon?"

A flash of surprise crossed Chen Qing's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Gao Sheng's physical foundation was already superior to Qin Lie's, and now that the Songfeng Hall Master, Shi Wenshan, was devoting all his efforts to his cultivation, his rapid progress was only logical.

It was only natural that his cultivation was advancing so quickly.

His thoughts raced: The old and new grudges between the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall and the Zhou Academy were long-standing knots that could never be untied.

Gao Sheng had been able to cripple Qin Lie on the Martial Examination stage; once he found an opportunity, he would certainly not hesitate to strike at Chen Qing. The provocation from Zhu Lian'er just now was clear evidence of this. It was undoubtedly a latent threat to him.

"You must be more cautious from now on. Do not leave any opening for the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall to exploit, lest you repeat Qin Lie's fate."

No one knew what the people from the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall might do. If they resorted to underhanded tactics, a single moment of carelessness could lead to total ruin.

At that moment, Cheng Huan approached with hurried steps, his tone urgent. "Cheng Ming! What are you standing there for? Go immediately and fetch the best physician for injuries in the city! No! Go straight to Huichun Hall and invite Old Mr. Sun, the resident physician, with a heavy sum! Hurry!"

"Patriarch Cheng, there is no need for such a grand commotion," Chen Qing said, waving his hand to stop him. "Just send me back to rest."

Ultimately, at Chen Qing's insistence, Cheng Huan had no choice but to order a carriage to take him back.

Cheng Ming said solemnly, "A-Qing, great kindness needs no words of thanks. The Cheng family will keep this favor etched in our hearts."

His voice was low, filled with gratitude.

Chen Qing smiled. "Boss, saying such things makes us sound like strangers."

He had received considerable support from the Cheng family previously, which was why he had stepped in today.

Cheng Huan had originally intended to exchange pleasantries with Chen Qing to deepen their relationship, but seeing the intensity of the duel just now, he knew Chen Qing's injuries were "not light." He immediately instructed the driver, "Drive steadily."

The carriage slowly departed from the bustling pier.

"A-Ming, we owe a lot to Chen Qing this time."

Cheng Huan's heart was a whirlwind of emotions. While feeling secretly relieved, he couldn't help but marvel that when Cheng Ming had supported this young man in the past, he had seen his character.

Looking back now, it was arguably the most correct "investment" the Cheng family had made in recent years.

Not only was Chen Qing's talent extraordinary, but more importantly, he was a man of loyalty and gratitude.

When the Cheng family was in a precarious position, it was he who resolutely stepped forward, shouldering this life-and-death burden and preserving the family's vital foundation through a single duel.

This sense of responsibility and loyalty was a hundred times more precious than any gold or silver!

Cheng Ming also felt quite moved. "Indeed."

"A-Ming," Cheng Huan said decisively, "Chen Qing values righteousness and saved our family from the brink of disaster. How could the Cheng family be stingy? Go to Third Uncle immediately and withdraw three hundred taels of silver, along with twenty high-grade 'Blood Qi Pills,' and deliver them all to Chen Qing! From now on, triple his monthly allowance!"

Cheng Ming nodded heavily. "Understood. I'll go do it right away!"

***

Jinghong Martial Arts Hall, Inner Hall.

Deng Feihu was examining the progress of his elite disciples one by one.

When his gaze fell upon Jiang Yang, he asked in a deep voice, "How is your blood qi recovery?"

Jiang Yang bowed and replied, "Reporting to Master, your disciple is dull-witted. The hidden injuries left from my previous failed attempt to break through the Transformation Stage are far more stubborn than expected. It will take at least half a year at the fastest to fully replenish my blood qi."

Deng Feihu nodded slightly. "The greatest enemy in tempering one's foundation is impatience. You must be thoroughly prepared this time."

"Yes."

Jiang Yang nodded heavily. The opportunity to attempt a breakthrough was extremely rare; a single mistake could damage his foundation, making further progress impossible.

After a few more words of casual conversation, Deng Feihu waved his hand to the disciples and said, "If you have any difficulties, come ask at any time. You may all leave now."

"Your disciple takes his leave."

Jiang Yang cupped his fists and slowly exited the inner hall.

As he reached the front courtyard, a figure rushed toward him—it was Xu Zheng, a follower disciple who usually looked up to him.

"Senior Brother Jiang! Something terrible has happened!" Xu Zheng's face was filled with panic.

Jiang Yang frowned slightly. "What is the cause of such agitation?"

Xu Zheng lowered his voice and spoke rapidly, "That Chen Qing whom the Cheng family hired... he killed Tian Yaozong on the duel stage today! I heard he drew his last breath before they could even carry him to the clinic!"

"Oh?" A sharp light flashed in Jiang Yang's eyes, unable to hide his astonishment.

He knew Tian Yaozong's strength very well—he had achieved Great Success in the Hidden Strength stage and was a seasoned fighter. Even Jiang Yang wouldn't dare claim a certain victory against him.

This Chen Qing actually possessed such capability?!

Xu Zheng said worriedly, "Senior Brother, this kid Chen Qing is making a name for himself by stepping over Tian Yaozong. This is highly disadvantageous to you! The rumors outside... who knows how they will twist the story..."

Jiang Yang had originally refused to fight for the Cheng family, which had already drawn accusations of being "ungrateful and cowardly."

Now that Chen Qing had turned the tide, it made Jiang Yang look even worse.

Jiang Yang fell silent for a moment, his thoughts churning.

Xu Zheng asked tentatively, "Senior Brother Jiang, what should we...?"

"Tomorrow," Jiang Yang suddenly spoke, his tone flat, "prepare a generous gift for me and send it to Chen Qing."

"To Chen Qing?!"

Xu Zheng was stunned, unable to believe it.

In his view, Jiang Yang should be hating Chen Qing to the bone right now.

"What do you know?"

Jiang Yang glanced at him, his eyes deep. "If I were to act out of jealousy or use underhanded methods, it would only confirm my status as a petty man and invite ridicule. By defeating Tian Yaozong and resolving the Cheng family's crisis, Chen Qing has, in a sense, done me a favor by preserving my relationship with them."

He paused, his voice turning colder. "I am sending this gift to acknowledge his 'assistance to the Cheng family.' This will solidify the fact that my relationship with the Cheng family remains close, and it will also prove that my failure to act previously was truly due to my injuries and lack of strength."

His failure to fight for the Cheng family had already damaged his reputation among the martial artists of Gaolin County.

In this world, a person labeled as "heartless and ungrateful" is destined to have a difficult path ahead.

Now was the perfect opportunity to salvage the situation.

Xu Zheng suddenly understood, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Brilliant! Truly brilliant! Senior Brother, your foresight is incredible!"

The corner of Jiang Yang's mouth curled into an inscrutable smile. "Besides, using the gift as an excuse allows me to form a good connection with this newly risen expert. Having one more friend is always better than having one more rival, is it not?"

Xu Zheng nodded repeatedly. "Senior Brother is wise! I will go do it immediately!"

***

The next morning.

Chen Qing sat cross-legged in meditation, his eyes closed in concentration.

Suddenly, his breathing became long and strange.

His inhalation was slow and heavy, causing his chest and abdomen to sink deeply; his exhalation was long and continuous, causing a faint, low vibration to emanate from his throat, like the low hum of an ancient toad in a deep pool.

This was the foundation of the *Toad Fishing Strength*—the "Toad Breath."

A surge of scorching internal breath rose from his dantian, winding its way up along a hidden path in his spine.

As it passed, his joints made faint clicking sounds, and his dormant fascia woke up quietly like plants receiving rain.

The muscles beneath his skin vibrated slightly, his hair standing on end as a sensation of itching and heat intertwined and spread.

When the internal breath reached the junction of his chest and abdomen, Chen Qing's entire musculature suddenly tightened like iron!

*Buzz—!*

A dull toad-like croak vibrated out from between his bones and skin! His chest and abdomen thundered like a giant drum, bulging outward violently. His skin stretched tight, actually taking on a jade-like luster!

An irrepressible force instantly filled his limbs and bones, only to recede rapidly like a tide, causing his bulging chest and abdomen to collapse back inward.

Between the expansion and the collapse, his blood qi acted like an invisible heavy hammer, repeatedly forging the inner walls of his organs.

Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes and muttered to himself, "I always feel that the meaning of this *Toad Fishing Strength* is not yet fully exhausted. Could there be more profound mysteries to follow?"

As an expert in the Hidden Strength stage, he already had his own insights into the martial arts.

The feeling of incompleteness during cultivation made him suspect that this technique possessed far more than just the three realms he currently knew.

Chen Qing thought to himself, "The most important thing right now is to increase my strength. Both the Arm-Stretching Pillar Work and the *Toad Fishing Strength* have significant room for improvement."

Zhou Liang had once told him.

The Martial Examinations were a path to heaven, jointly organized by the Imperial Court and the great sects to select talent.

Those martial arts sects with hundreds of years of heritage and deep foundations possessed secret techniques and manuals far superior to those of ordinary martial arts halls, including high-level martial arts.

High-level martial arts included internal cultivation methods, which were the arts used for the Transformation Stage and above.

This was why so many people participated in the Martial Examinations.

The examinations, held once every three years, featured not only the geniuses of the current generation but also experts from previous years.

It was incredibly difficult to stand out among them.

If one could not reach the Transformation Stage, there was essentially no hope of passing.