C16 Heavenly Dragon Eight Styles

In that instant, Lee Cha's mind was blown. As soon as the name Qiao Feng was mentioned, he tuned out everything that followed.

System Alert: Primary Trial, first stage complete.

[Heavenly Dragon Eight Styles] main quest initiated.

Objective One: Elevate your strength to the Houtian Stage—the higher your level, the better your rating.

Objective Two: Acquire and master an Innate Cultivation Technique.

Mission Rewards: Points and Intermediate Cell Repairing Fluid.

[Heavenly Dragon Eight Styles]! I've actually crossed over into the world of [Heavenly Dragon Eight Styles]!

Lee Cha inhaled deeply several times, trying to calm his racing heart.

This meant that genuine martial arts and internal energy existed in this world.

Could I really cultivate advanced martial arts and become an unmatched master?

And by completing the mission, I could gain Intermediate Cell Repairing Fluid, which could extend my lifespan.

I have to succeed.

Lee Cha's thoughts raced.

He pondered whether the martial artists here were as powerful as an Evolver.

He was itching to immediately grab a supreme Cultivation Technique and devote himself to its practice.

Since discovering his compatibility score was zero, he had nearly abandoned the hope of becoming an Evolver. But who doesn't dream of becoming powerful, of standing above the rest?

Gao Xiong remarked, "I forgot, Mr. Lee, you've come from N Country... The Beggar Sect I mentioned is the foremost faction in the Central Plains martial arts community. Qiao Feng is the ninth leader of the Beggar Sect—"

"He's renowned for his wisdom and bravery, and with his formidable Dragon Subduing Palms, he not only propelled the Beggar Sect to rapid growth and strength but also struck fear into the hearts of Liao Country's warriors, preventing them from entering the Central Plains. There's a saying that Qiao Feng is the hero of the north, just as Murong is of the south."

Lee Cha inquired, "Where can I learn advanced martial arts?"

Gao Xiong explained, "You can join any of the major sects, but acquiring advanced martial arts is no simple feat. Such arts are the guarded treasures of the sects, accessible only to those who have achieved fame and proven their prowess."

Lee Cha grasped the implication: acquiring the sects' treasured artifacts would be no easy feat.

Noticing Lee Cha's eager expression, Gao Xiong advised, "However, Lee, you've missed the optimal age for cultivation. At this point, the most you could achieve is to fortify your body...

"You'd be better off choosing some widely practiced and easier-to-learn common Cultivation Techniques. The deeper the technique, the more challenging it is to master. Forcing it could easily lead to mental instability.

"The various sects' disciples are meticulously trained from a young age, possessing remarkable talents. They don't typically take in just anyone."

Lee Cha nodded, outwardly taking Gao Xiong's advice to heart, yet inwardly, he remained indifferent.

He wasn't one to concede defeat easily. A history of being bullied had instilled in him an intense need for personal safety.

Now aware of a method to enhance his own strength, he wasn't about to let it go.

After a moment's thought, he inquired, "Brother Gao, what Cultivation Techniques would you recommend?"

"If you're open to it, Lee, I can teach you the Tiger Subduing Palm and the Six Directions Stick Technique," Gao Xiong offered.

Lee Cha expressed his astonishment, "Shaolin Kung Fu can be shared with outsiders?"

Gao Xiong's face flushed with a hint of embarrassment as he explained, "Well... the Tiger Subduing Palm and the Six Directions Stick Technique are actually quite fundamental. Shaolin Temple monks annually teach these to the local villagers to help them build strength and health."

Lee Cha pondered the situation.

It appeared that the Tiger Subduing Palm and the Six Directions Stick Technique were entry-level martial arts.

Yet, without alternatives and easily overpowered by mere thugs, not to mention true martial arts experts, he had no choice but to focus on self-improvement and gaining some defensive capabilities.

In this sword-wielding, martial world, indiscriminate killing was a common thrill, heedless of personal vendettas—it was all about the joy of the fight.

Traveling with Gao Xiong, Lee Cha had learned much, including the various Stages of martial arts mastery.

The most basic was the external martial arts, focusing on raw power, conditioning the physique, and enhancing bone strength, known as the Body Refining Stage.

Upon cultivating a sense of Qi, one would enter the Houtian Realm.

This realm is segmented into four minor stages: early, middle, late, and peak.

Above Houtian lies the Xiantian Realm.

The specifics of the Xiantian Stage and its various stages were beyond Gao Xiong's knowledge.

Currently, he was merely in the Body Refining Stage, not even having reached Houtian.

Lee Cha began to mentally inventory the advanced cultivation techniques from "Heavenly Dragon Eight Styles."

These included the Shaolin Temple's Tendon Altering Scripture, the seventy-two consummate skills, the Carefree Sect's North Nether Divine Arts, the Tianshan Sixth Route Folding Plum Hand, and the Eight Wilderness and Six Harmonies Solemn Merit.

Also, the Duan family of Dali's One-finger Death Touch, the Six Meridians Divine Sword, Gusu Murong's Canhe Finger, the Changing Star, and the Beggar Sect's Dragon Subduing Palms, among others.

Most of these sophisticated martial arts already had masters, but the North Nether Divine Arts were out in the wild. It was uncertain if Duan Yu had lucked into discovering the Blessed Land.

With this in mind, Lee Cha grew increasingly eager.

He resolved that once he had healed and could defend himself, he would set out in search of the North Nether Divine Arts.

The trio didn't make it back to Aozi Mountain until after nine that night.

Mrs. Gao, upon hearing about Lee Cha's generous purchases, playfully scolded him for his extravagance, though her smile clearly showed her delight.

Meanwhile, brothers Gao Xiong and Gao Shuai took care of the hens and then tackled the task of processing the mutton and beef.

With Lee Cha's direction, they sliced the meats into long strips and marinated them with salt and the acquired sauces to make cured meats.

For the lean pork, which had a stronger odor, Lee Cha had thoughtfully bought vinegar to neutralize the smell.

Lee Cha pondered whether introducing castrated pork production to the Northern Song Dynasty might revolutionize dietary habits, making pork a staple and potentially turning a handsome profit.

The one who dares to eat the crab first usually ends up with a pot of gold.

Despite the decline in technology after the great catastrophe, some merchants managed to live quite comfortably.

Business is inevitable wherever there are people.

Regrettably, he needed to urgently seek out the North Nether Divine Arts. If Duan Yu beat him to it, that would be a tough pill to swallow.

He didn't drift off to sleep until late into the night.

The next morning, Lee Cha awoke and had Gao Xiong inspect the wound on his back, which had already formed a scab.

After breakfast, at Lee's insistence, Gao Xiong began teaching him the basics of external martial arts.

Until his scar healed, he was limited to learning the mantras and practicing the movements in slow motion.

The Tiger Subduing Palm and Six Directions Stick Technique were both external martial arts. Typically, one would start with the external and work inward, laying a foundation before moving on to internal cultivation techniques.

There are no shortcuts in external martial arts; it's mostly about the grueling work of conditioning the body.

Lee Cha's first challenge was mastering the Horse Stance.

In the biting cold of deep winter, he had barely held the stance for a few minutes before sweat beaded on his forehead.

Gao Shuai stood nearby, his taunts cutting through the chill, "With that form, you might as well stick to farming instead of martial arts."

Lee Cha shot him a fierce look and doubled down on his resolve.

Ten minutes in, his legs began to shake, and large droplets of sweat fell from his brow.

A voice inside him whispered, "Give up, you're not cut out for this."

But another countered, "No, if you can't handle this bit of soreness, how will you ever become a martial arts master?"

"You don't need to be a master. Just make money and hire one to protect you."

"Exactly, hire a bodyguard. Why am I putting myself through this?"

"Give up! Effort might not guarantee success, but without it, you're sure to be comfortable."

He began to think that maybe that wasn't such a bad idea...

After all, the system's mission was for him to become an expert in the Houtian stage and then to acquire an Innate Cultivation Technique.

What would the consequences be if the mission failed?

He fixated on the ring adorning his right hand.

Punishment for failure: System extraction. Consequences: Immediate idiocy or death.

Damn it!

What kind of cursed ring is this?

A surge of defiance welled up within him. Just wait until I'm powerful enough, I'll flay you and melt you down into a shoe buckle.

Twenty minutes in, as Gao Xiong and his brothers believed Lee Cha had hit his breaking point, he glared fiercely ahead as if facing his father's killer.

Even Gao Shuai couldn't resist shifting away from his intense gaze.

It wasn't until the thirty-minute mark that Lee Cha collapsed, panting heavily.

Gao Shuai tightened his grip on his machete. The guy was a lunatic, undeniably hardcore.

Lee Cha was trapped between a rock and a hard place: complete the mission or die. Unwilling to die, he had no choice but to push himself to the brink.

By the end of the day's training, Lee Cha's legs were so numb with pain that he had nearly lost all sensation. He had contemplated surrendering to his exhaustion time and again.

But the thought of becoming an idiot or facing death if he gave up spurred him to bite down and endure.

At dinner, his legs still shook uncontrollably. The sight changed the way both Gao Xiong and his wife, and even Gao Shuai, looked at him.

Did he really need to push himself this hard?

Gao Xiong felt embarrassed, recalling how he had only managed to hold the horse stance for a mere ten minutes when he first tried.

He advised, "Lee, you need to balance hard work with rest. Don't overdo it, or you'll harm your body."

Lee Cha nodded, sitting ramrod straight.

It wasn't that he was reluctant to talk; the aching in his thighs and calves was so severe he dared not make a move.

He feared that any shift in weight might send him crashing into the pot of hot soup on the table.

In the days that followed, Lee Cha continued his relentless training regimen. Even when his legs failed him, he swung stones to build his arm strength.

The Gao family trio suspected he was possessed, repeatedly cautioning him.

But Lee Cha was unshakable, steadfastly following his own training schedule.

He discovered that no matter how exhausting his daily training was or how sore his muscles became, he would wake up the next morning feeling completely rejuvenated. It was likely due to the effects of the Primary Cell Repairing Fluid. Within a week, his injuries had nearly vanished, and his muscles began to show a slight definition. Gao Xiong marveled at this rapid progress; he himself had taken a month to achieve similar results, whereas Lee Cha needed only a week.

What truly astonished Gao Xiong was Lee Cha's exceptional ability to recover. Such intense training would quickly wear out anyone else, potentially causing irreversible damage. Yet Lee Cha seemed unfazed, as if he were in perfect condition, training vigorously every day. Could he possibly be a martial arts prodigy? Gao Xiong doubted this after observing Lee Cha's techniques. Beyond his remarkable resilience and healing, Lee Cha didn't possess any innate talent; if he did, he wouldn't struggle to replicate even the first form of the Tiger Subduing Palm.

At Lee Cha's current pace, mastering the initial three forms of the Tiger Subduing Palm would take months, and understanding its true essence would require even more time. Host: Lee Cha. Fighting Power: 13. Stage: Body Refining Stage... Gaining three points in Fighting Power in just one week was impressive, a vast improvement over the past eighteen years.

Lee Cha was eager to seek out the North Nether Divine Arts. Given the era's limited transportation options, it would take months to travel from Aozi Mountain to Dali. At dinner, he shared his intentions with the Gao family, carefully omitting his quest for an advanced Cultivation Technique. He had already learned the approximate location of The Infinite Sword School from Gao Xiong, but the exact mountain would require further inquiry upon arrival.

Gao Xiong expressed his understanding with a sigh, "Lee, we all have our own paths to follow. I won't hold you back, but remember, the martial world is fraught with peril. Take care." Lee Cha had left a positive impression on him; he was hardworking, approachable, and had shared many business strategies, even leaving behind a modest sum of silver as seed money.

He truly found it hard to leave.

"Don't worry," Lee Cha assured, "I'll take extra care. I'm heading out tomorrow, starting with Yingchang Prefecture..."

After some more conversation, they all retired to their rooms for the night.

Deep into the night, a rush of footsteps grew louder, and the Gao family's guard dog erupted into barking.

Lee Cha's eyes snapped open. He leapt out of bed and strode to the door, only to find Gao Xiong and his brother already in the living room.

"Fire!" A commanding voice bellowed from outside.

A flurry of arrows thudded against wood, and the roof was suddenly ablaze, the thatch set alight by flaming arrows.