Self-Reliance

Lu Yan was captivated by the Yi Jin Jing, finding its simplicity and mystique fascinating. She couldn't help but wonder if the head had truly created this remarkable martial arts technique, as it seemed almost divine in nature.

Not wanting to press the head for more information, Lu Lu returned to his quarters to delve deeper into the study of the technique.

Meanwhile, Li Qingyang also retreated to his room to explore the Yi Jin Jing. As both of them delved into the technique, their expressions constantly shifted from silence to pure ecstasy.

Li Qingyang marveled, "This Yi Jin Jing surpasses the Qingxin technique I've been practicing; it's a worthy replacement!" He couldn't help but reflect on his decision to reject the Azure Mountain School and join the Solid Strike School. He exclaimed, "Father, what a wise decision I made! The Azure Mountain School could never possess such a miraculous technique!"

After taking a deep breath to calm himself, Li Qingyang began practicing the technique diligently. One advantage of the Yi Jin Jing, obtained through the system's exchange, was its seemingly mysterious aspects that were surprisingly easy to understand. With his qualifications, Li Qingyang entered a state of cultivation through daily practice.

On the other hand, Lu Yan progressed even faster. She ran through the Yi Jin Jing multiple times a day, and with each session, her delight grew. She realized, "This technique primarily focuses on body refinement, and it doesn't conflict with my Tai Xuan bing technique, so I can practice them together!"

As she immersed herself in the practice, Lu Yan couldn't help but ponder, "Could the head possess a divine-level technique, or maybe a rare body-refining method? Is it possible that the Solid Strike Sect is truly an ancient sect that has endured through the ages?"

Divine-level techniques were a rarity, typically only found in the most prestigious ancestral sects across the Starfall Continent. Lu Yan doubted that Wang Jun could have casually obtained one. It seemed more likely that such knowledge had been passed down through countless generations.

With determination in her eyes, she clenched her fist and muttered, "Maybe, with this divine-level technique, I can seek vengeance!"

Meanwhile, the other disciples, both first and second, were wholly engrossed in their study of the Yi Jin Jing.

Back in his room, Wang Jun paced restlessly, muttering to himself, "Even when I understand it clearly, why can't I make any progress at all?"

"The host's spiritual root quality is quite poor. While understanding the techniques might come easier, cultivating them is more challenging than for others," the system responded.

Wang Jun sighed, "So you mean, without the system, I'd be nothing?"

There was a brief pause before the system replied, "The host's unique understanding ability is indeed special, but...it could be considered as such."

"Ah!" Wang Jun chuckled, ruffling his hair and playfully growling, "Lu Lu hit me, the system hit me, life is never easy!"

But in reality, the truth was that mastering the Yi Jin Jing required dedication and hard work. As the saying goes, "An hour a day, a day a month, a month a year, and a year for a lifetime." Belief in oneself and self-cultivation were fundamental; relying solely on external forces wouldn't suffice.

Wang Jun chuckled once more, lost in thought, and then settled on his bed to start his enlightenment. This overnight endeavor lasted until dawn, leaving him tired but satisfied. He mumbled, "Finally, I can cultivate day and night..."

However, the ability to understand the technique didn't guarantee successful cultivation. It required diligence in following the practice cycle.

Wang Jun then entrusted the martial arts teaching to Li Qingyang and focused on his own cultivation. The hard work paid off. After two days, Wang Jun had mastered the Yi Jin Jing skillfully. When he concentrated, he could effortlessly circulate the techniques in an endless cycle.

"Ding!"

"Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden task [Heaven's Compensation] and receiving a reward of 10 points of contribution!"

"Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden task [Self-Reliance], rewarding 10 contribution points!"

"Ding!"

"Martial contribution: 50/100."

His contribution points had increased by 30, but Wang Jun shook his head in amusement, saying, "It seems the system doesn't want me to become too dependent on it, given these hidden tasks."

"However," he continued, "first, it was about defeating people, and now it's about rewarding diligence and self-reliance. Could it be that these hidden tasks are related to the four-character idioms?"

The impact of the Yi Jin Jing went beyond just refining the body; it also encompassed the mental aspect.

Wang Jun chuckled and continued his practice for another day, realizing that the rate at which he absorbed the surrounding spiritual energy was faster than when he meditated.

"As expected, being at the divine level is advantageous."

"At this rate, even with only average qualifications, I could gather enough psychic energy to open the Meridian in just a few days!"

Having tasted the benefits, Wang Jun became even more dedicated to his cultivation.

His own progress could be achieved through hard work, and disciples with similar aptitudes were naturally successful as well.

However, the disciples with lower aptitudes had a tougher time. Lower aptitude was akin to a steep mountain, requiring seven or eight days of relentless effort to comprehend successfully.

After ten days, all the Solid Strike Sect disciples had a basic grasp of the Yi Jin Jing.

During this period, Li Qingyang didn't need to do much to manage the school. The sisters and brothers were so engrossed in their practice that they even forgot to eat.

"Master, how has your practice been these past two days?"

"Brother, it's going well. I've gathered enough psychic energy for the meridian."

"Hahaha, me too! We've gathered enough!"

"Our unique cultivation method is truly amazing. Before, it took me at least two or three months to consolidate enough psychic energy for the meridian, but now it only takes three to five days!"

The disciples gathered together, discussing the Yi Jin Jing as they practiced. If they knew that this mental method could increase their success rate in opening the meridian, they would undoubtedly be overjoyed.

The following day arrived.

One by one, disciples began to attempt to open their meridians.

"This... did it actually work?"

A disciple at the fourth stage of meridian opening level sat on his bed, sensing the newly opened meridians within his body, and a look of gradual realization crossed his face.

His aptitude was only at the Common level, and he had been stuck at the fourth stage of Meridian opening Stage for three years. During this time, he had experienced numerous failures in opening his Meridian. This time, he attempted it without much expectation, and then he heard a satisfying "pop" sound—the meridians were successfully opened.

The disciple secretly vowed that he hadn't even exerted his full effort yet, and it felt as though the thick wall of meridians had collapsed!

"Hahaha!"

"I've reached the fifth meridian, I've reached the fifth meridian!"

He laughed and shouted with ecstasy, tears of joy welling up in his eyes.

In this manner, one room in the courtyard after another became the stage for success. Regardless of the disciples' initial qualifications, as long as they relied on Yi Jin Jing to consolidate their psychic energy and open their meridian, some of them successfully broke through.

The next day, Li Qingyang stood in the hall and reported:

"The second stage of meridian opening has advanced to the third stage, with nine successes and eight failures."

"Meridian opening third has advanced to the fourth stage, with five successes and six failures."

"Meridian opening fourth has advanced to the fifth stage, with one success and one failure."

After delivering the report, he took a deep breath, still unable to completely calm his astonishment. Li Qingyang, who hailed from a noble family, understood how challenging it was to open the meridian. For instance, in his family, if three or five members managed to open their pulses in a year, it was cause for great celebration.

And what about today?

Yesterday alone, there were 30 brothers and sisters who succeeded in opening their pulses!

The quantity was staggering. Li Qingyang couldn't wrap his head around it, and he didn't dare to contemplate it. What was even more astonishing was that out of those 30 disciples, 15 of them had succeeded!

Wang Jun often smiled and stroked his chin, saying, "That's right."

"Right?" Li Qingyang's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He said, "Master, more than a dozen masters and brothers succeeded on the same day. It's beyond belief!"

"Qingyang."

Wang Jun often walked down with a smile and patted him on the shoulder. "This kind of thing will become quite common in the future. As the second disciple, you need to learn to adapt."

Watching his departing master, Li Qingyang muttered, "Will this kind of thing really become common?"