Chapter 26 - 25: The Effect of the Secret Potion, Sparring Next Month (Please Follow)
"So close! Just so close!"
Sparring time was brief; half an hour passed in a flash.
Not one of the senior brothers who had achieved Great Qi and Blood Circulation became an official Disciple. They all merely obtained a portion of the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine.
Due to an unlucky draw, Luo Yongcheng faced an apprentice who had already achieved Qi Blood Transport. After dozens of moves, he suffered a regrettable defeat on the spot.
Watching the other apprentice jubilantly receive a small bag of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine from the Maid, his eyes filled with frustration and unwillingness.
"Brother Luo, victory and defeat are common for a Martial Artist," Jiang Shu stepped forward and whispered comfortingly. Although I’ve achieved Qi Blood Transport, my foundation was built on the Horse Stance. I’ve only practiced the entry-level Hungry Tiger Cave Sitting Pile and Hungry Tiger Breathing Technique, and I haven’t even reached the Small Success Realm in the crucial Tiger Form Three Styles of boxing. I naturally wouldn’t force myself onto the stage. Otherwise, it would just be a formality. I’d get nothing and might draw unwanted attention.
Luo Yongcheng’s clenched fists tightened and then relaxed. He sighed and said, "I know. It’s just... Jiang, you know my family’s situation... If I don’t reach Great Qi and Blood Circulation soon and get noticed by Elder Qiu, to become an official Disciple of the Martial Hall... my family’s medicine shop might..."
"I also know that Elder Qiu is very strict about accepting Disciples. The last one he accepted was twenty years old and had already achieved Great Qi and Blood Circulation. But... this is the only path for me. In all of Pingling County, only Elder Qiu truly runs his Martial Hall based on martial arts; other Martial Halls are all backed by prominent families..."
"I’m twenty-two already... I can’t delay any longer..."
Jiang Shu remained silent. It wasn’t until later that I learned that among the fifteen Martial Halls in Pingling County, only the Hungry Tiger Martial Hall didn’t rely on the backing of a prominent family. That’s why it was located in a more remote area, and the number of apprentices seeking mentorship each month was twenty to thirty percent fewer than at other Martial Halls.
"Jiang Shu... if... Never mind, we’ll talk about it later. Elder Qiu is about to give guidance on stance and breathing progress..."