Chapter 14: Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation Reaches Major Accomplishment

After his comment, Scholar Ji suddenly recalled what Li Yaozu had mentioned in his letter about Wei Tu's background, and everything made sense.

As a former servant of the Li family, the only martial practice he could have encountered was the widely available Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation.

True combat arts had strict lineages, with each school maintaining detailed records of their disciples.

A trained fighter only needed to mention the name of their technique, and seasoned martial artists could immediately deduce their origins—whether they were taught by a renowned master or belonged to a particular martial household.

The martial arts community was neither too large nor too small; its connections ran deep.

"For now, focus on your labor. Work as a farmhand. If you prove yourself, I'll teach you a few sets of boxing techniques."

"It's getting late."

Scholar Ji glanced at the sky and said curtly.

Hearing this, Wei Tu felt a tinge of disappointment, but he did not let it show.

If Scholar Ji had agreed to teach him immediately, that would have meant fully accepting him as a personal disciple—an unlikely scenario.

No matter how much Li Yaozu's letter had helped, it was impossible for him to gain such favor instantly. If it had that much weight, Li Yaozu would not have simply handed it over.

With that, Scholar Ji, who was reclining in his chair under the eaves, narrowed his eyes, exhaled a puff of smoke from his water pipe, then stood up and walked into the third courtyard.

Wei Tu, still holding the 300-jin stone lock from earlier, hesitated for a moment. He wasn't sure what he should do.

The third courtyard was the Ji family's inner residence, where the womenfolk lived. Like all large households, there were strict rules—no men outside the family were allowed to enter.

Before he could think further, a young woman in her early twenties stepped out of the courtyard and greeted him.

She had fair skin, delicate features, and an oval face. Her long hair was tied neatly, and she wore a blue tunic with black trim and matching trousers, accessorized with silver earrings—an elegant and refined appearance.

"My surname is Gao, but you can call me Third Madam."

"Follow me. I'll arrange your lodging. The laborers in this household are under my management. First Madam hasn't been involved in these matters for quite some time."

With a short introduction, Madam Gao led the way.

When Wei Tu heard that she was Scholar Ji's concubine, his posture immediately became more reserved. He kept his gaze lowered and refrained from looking around.

A short while later, Madam Gao brought Wei Tu to the first courtyard, leading him to the western quarters.

She pushed open the door.

Inside, there was already a middle-aged laborer in his forties resting on a kang bed. When he saw Madam Gao, he immediately got up and greeted her respectfully.

"Third Madam."

"Deng An, you've been working here longer, so look after Wei Tu."

"This year, we're only hiring two farmhands. The wheat harvest is just a few days away. Rest up while you can, and don't slack off when the time comes."

Madam Gao gave a few instructions before swaying her hips and leaving the western quarters.

As soon as she left, Deng An jumped down from the kang bed and stood in the exact spot where Madam Gao had just been, taking a deep breath through his nose, as if savoring her lingering fragrance.

Wei Tu silently observed this without reacting—he neither stopped him nor reported his behavior.

Scholar Ji was an older man married to a much younger woman. A twenty-something widow-like beauty in a household full of laborers was bound to stir desires.

It was only natural.

Scholar Ji, despite his sharp gaze and nimble steps, was clearly past his prime. Wei Tu estimated that he was likely in his sixties or seventies, though his martial training had kept him from showing his true age.

After a brief moment, Deng An finally snapped out of his daze and greeted Wei Tu.

The two exchanged names and hometowns.

"Changming Township? That's quite a distance from Sanyuan Township."

Deng An seemed surprised.

It wasn't common for people from Changming Township to travel all the way to Sanyuan Township just to find work. Unlike seasonal wheat harvesters, long-term laborers usually stayed in their own hometowns.

"Two days' journey."

Wei Tu nodded casually, giving a vague response.

He did not mention his goal of taking the martial examination.

One could never truly know another's heart.

From Deng An's earlier actions, Wei Tu had already determined that this man was not someone he could trust.

Some people might not be capable of achieving anything themselves, but they were certainly capable of ruining others.

After putting away his belongings, Wei Tu stepped outside under the moonlight and began practicing his Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation stance work.

Though the past few days had been exhausting, diligence was the key to mastery, and neglect led to mediocrity. Wei Tu had no intention of letting his progress stagnate.

Moreover, the technique required nine sessions per day, and while he was unsure if that was a strict requirement for advancing to the Qi Perception Realm, he was unwilling to take any chances.

He had already devoted five years to this training—if he failed now, it would all be for nothing.

Even though his body had become significantly stronger, the idea of falling short at the final hurdle was unbearable.

In the courtyard, Wei Tu rooted himself in a solid stance, performing each movement with precision.

His motions were slow and deliberate, exactly as illustrated in the technique manual.

If Instructor Ruan had been present, he would have immediately recognized that Wei Tu's execution of Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation was flawless, without a single deviation.

Once.

Twice.

By the third and fourth rounds, Wei Tu's muscle memory took over, allowing his mind to fully focus on the subtle flow of energy through his body.

Gradually, his thoughts faded into the background.

His footwork became more fluid, his movements more instinctive, and the warm current within him began to coalesce into a single, powerful surge—traveling from his spine down to his legs, then looping back up to his core.

Whoosh!

As his fists and kicks connected with the air, a faint buzzing sound reverberated, causing the surrounding atmosphere to tremble slightly—like the roar of a tiger or the rumble of a storm.

[Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation (81/100): Nine sessions per day, completion in five years.]

"Major accomplishment?"

After finishing his training, Wei Tu habitually checked his progress—only to be stunned.

In just one session, his progress had jumped from 63% to 81%, an increase that would have normally taken months of effort.

"That was eigthteen percent in one go... equivalent to several months of practice."

"This must be the result of accumulated effort. I wonder... could I achieve Perfection within five years and advance to the Qi Perception Realm ahead of schedule?"

A hint of excitement flickered across Wei Tu's face.

Since he had first begun training, he had never once slacked off. Not only did he complete his required nine sessions per day, but he often practiced ten or more, far exceeding the expectations of his Late Bloomer destiny.

And now, with only half of his five-year timeline elapsed, his progress had already reached 81%—how could he not be overjoyed?

However, he quickly composed himself.

"I can't relax now."

"The hardest part of any technique is reaching its final stages. It's entirely possible that I could train for months without seeing any improvement at all."

Wei Tu reminded himself to stay vigilant.

In any field, entry was easy, but mastery was difficult.

Whether it was painting, craftsmanship, or martial arts, the difference between an amateur and a master was monumental.

That was why most martial artists dismissed Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation—it was easy to learn but incredibly difficult to refine.