Chapter 3: Rising to Prominence

Using digestion as an excuse, he had his little junior brother take him for a walk around the temple, then returned to his residence.

Bai Yichen stood up and went to the open space in the courtyard, where he began practicing the "Three Yang Demon-Subduing Fist" and the "Yellow Court Stance."

These were two martial arts techniques taught to him after he had become an apprentice at the temple. His current body had also practiced them frequently, and even by the standards of his previous life, these were decent techniques.

Perfect for breaking out of his current situation.

"Hoo! Hoo…"

As he executed each punch, he stood firm, feet apart, shoulders relaxed and sinking, controlling his breathing. The twelve different variations of the fist technique focused primarily on breath control. With each punch, his muscles tightened and exerted force. The more strength he gathered, the more his body flickered and shifted with his movements.

After running through the set of techniques more than ten times, his breathing became labored, his entire body ached, and his stamina was nearly depleted.

At that moment, his junior brother came over, holding a bowl of tonic soup that Bai Yichen had instructed him to make with the herbs they'd collected.

After calming himself for a few moments, Bai Yichen gulped down the soup, then removed his Daoist robe, baring his upper body as he returned to the courtyard.

The tonic soup quickly turned into a warm current flowing through his body, spreading to every corner and replenishing his depleted stamina.

"As expected, I truly have the talent of a martial arts prodigy. Even my body's absorption of the medicine is far superior to my previous life!"

Combined with the innate martial arts experience from his past life, it seemed like tonight might…

A look of anticipation flashed across Bai Yichen's face. He readjusted his posture and began training again, using the standing techniques from the Yellow Court method.

With the medicine working in his body, his energy levels steadily increased. It felt like there was a surge of power inside him, ready to burst out.

He threw a punch, and heat rose from his body. The force surging through him seemed to want to erupt through the punch.

There was a sharp crack in the air, and the leaves ahead of him scattered.

Bai Yichen halted, taking a deep breath, feeling utterly refreshed.

He had broken through to the minor stage of the acquired realm!

In this world, martial arts were divided into the acquired realm, the innate realm, and the master realm. Master-level martial artists were rare, seen perhaps once in a hundred years. Bai Yichen had only ever come across vague mentions of them in ancient court records and had no real understanding of what they entailed.

The acquired and innate realms were each divided into three stages: minor stage, major stage, and perfection.

The acquired realm focused on training the body and bones. Once one's blood and energy were condensed into strength, one achieved the minor stage.

"Senior Brother, why does it feel like you're so much stronger now?"

"Haha, because your senior brother is gifted and had an epiphany."

"I want to have an epiphany too! I want to make my punches crack the air!"

"Alright, I'll teach you."

Under the silver moonlight that flowed like water over the green bricks, a youth was instructing a younger boy on the proper stance for training.

...

Over the next three days, Bai Yichen steadily solidified his minor stage in the acquired realm, drawing on his accumulated experience from his previous life, along with daily tonic soups. He was now ready to make his debut.

The following day, after receiving information from his junior brother, Bai Yichen, dressed in a green Daoist robe, led his junior brother to a large open area in the southwestern corner of Xuanzhen Temple, covering nearly a thousand square meters.

The ground was covered in thick yellow sand, with various wooden training weapons scattered around the edges.

This was the martial arts training ground of Xuanzhen Temple.

By now, disciples and Daoists were gathering from all directions around the martial arts field.

A tall figure leaped over the crowd, landing in the center of the raised platform.

The man looked to be in his thirties or forties, wearing a brocade robe lined with gold thread and holding a white jade horsetail whisk. His long hair hung loose, giving him a carefree air.

This was Daoist Master Guan Xu, the head instructor of Xuanzhen Temple and one of the three most senior masters in the temple.

As a large Daoist temple with over a hundred residents, Xuanzhen Temple had a hierarchical structure similar to that of the "Three Leaders, Five Stewards, and Eight Executors" system found in larger monastic communities. Below these were ordinary Daoists, novice disciples, and secular workers, with a clear division of ranks.

The "Three Leaders" were the head instructor, head cook, and head steward, second only to the temple leader himself. Below them were the five steward masters, one of whom had been Bai Yichen's previous master.

However, it seemed there was no head supervisor anymore. In his previous life, Bai Yichen remembered that Xuanzhen Temple had a head supervisor, one of the two innate experts in the temple, who shared power with the temple leader. Together, they held sway over both the local government and the martial world, navigating between official and underworld connections with ease.

This was what had made him so cautious in his old age during his previous life. It seemed the temple had truly declined, but that worked in his favor.

"Embrace the primal force and maintain oneness, as though placing oneself in the furnace of heaven and earth. Stand firm like an ancient pine on the peak of a sacred mountain, squatting as if merging with the earth mother, rising as if welcoming the energy of the heavens. Align your spirit within, letting yin and yang balance in your body, gradually entering the wondrous realm of primordial harmony…"

Hearing Master Guan Xu on the high platform beginning his teachings, Bai Yichen suppressed his thoughts, quickly focusing his attention and planning to monitor his junior brother.

However, he found that his junior brother had already settled down, sitting cross-legged with a serene expression, showing an impressive level of focus for someone his age.

After half an hour, Master Guan Xu waved his horsetail whisk and sat quietly with his eyes closed, as if in meditation, signaling the end of the lecture.

Those gathered below were captivated, with Bai Yichen catching a glimpse of the profound teachings of Daoist scripture. He also realized that this instructor had already reached the perfection stage of the acquired realm.

Afterwards, everyone began to scatter and practice martial arts. At that moment, Bai Yichen walked straight towards a young man of about seventeen or eighteen years old.

"Senior Brother Shaoyang, may I ask for some guidance?" Bai Yichen said, cupping his hands in respect.

This young man, now eighteen, was one of the rare disciples of the "Shao" generation to have already reached the minor stage of the acquired realm and had received the Daoist talisman. He was also one of the top martial artists in the training ground, making him a natural target for Bai Yichen.

Shaoyang withdrew his stance and, seeing who had approached him, expressed some surprise, saying, "So it's you, Junior Brother Shaochong. What brings you here today? It's good that you've managed to move past your grief."

Ah, you're so kind, it almost makes me feel bad about what I'm about to do. Just kidding.

"Senior Brother, I've recently had some insights. I hope you'll be careful," Bai Yichen warned.

Shaoyang chuckled but said nothing, knowing full well that Bai Yichen, based on his age and level of cultivation, was no match for him.

Bai Yichen assumed the stance for the "Three Yang Demon-Subduing Fist," focusing on Shaoyang.

Seeing Bai Yichen's seriousness, Shaoyang decided not to take him lightly, but still insisted that Bai Yichen make the first move.

Alright, Senior Brother Shaoyang, I won't waste your goodwill.

With a sudden shift in his fist technique and rapid movement, Bai Yichen disappeared from where he stood, reappearing beside Shaoyang in an instant. Both fists flew toward him, fast as lightning.

Shaoyang only saw a blur before his eyes and immediately sensed danger.

But he had underestimated Bai Yichen, who had been going all out from the start, aiming for a decisive finish.

Before Shaoyang could even react, a punch infused with strength was already hurtling toward his neck.

At the critical moment, Bai Yichen changed direction, his punch grazing Shaoyang's neck and landing to the side.

"Thank you for letting me win, Senior Brother," Bai Yichen said.

Too fast! It was so fast that everyone around was left dumbfounded.

"Senior Brother is amazing!" his junior brother cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines.

"You've broken through to the minor stage of the acquired realm," Shaoyang said after collecting himself.

"That's right. I had some insights recently and made the breakthrough," Bai Yichen admitted with a nod.

Upon hearing this, the onlookers' eyes filled with envy and jealousy.

Shaochong was only fifteen years old!

But the reality was clear for all to see. Others attempted a few exchanges with Bai Yichen, but they were all swiftly defeated.

In truth, they had no reason to feel ashamed about their losses. Bai Yichen had trained in martial arts across two lifetimes, having reached the major stage of the innate realm in his previous life. His judgment and experience in combat far surpassed that of the other disciples, and even Master Guan Xu was no match for him in those aspects.

"Shaochong, come to my hall after lunch," a voice suddenly called out. Bai Yichen turned to see that Master Guan Xu had been standing nearby all along.

Bai Yichen's heart leapt with joy, and he quickly lowered his head in acknowledgment.

This was exactly what he wanted: to stand out and attract the attention of the temple's higher-ups.

After all, Xuanzhen Temple was a martial sect, and despite its decline, how could they not value a talented disciple?

Moreover, he was considered part of the temple's inner circle, having been brought in and raised by the Daoists from a young age.

His master had even died in service to the temple—how could he not be regarded as the orphan of a loyal and brave servant?