My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 48 Delivering Letters

Returning to his quiet room, he closed the door, lit an oil lamp, and opened the "Broken Wave Manual."

"Water has no constant shape, and waves have no fixed pattern. When they gather, they become tides; when they disperse, they become mist. A drop of water can wear away stone, and a torrent can overturn a mountain."

The first level of mental cultivation emphasizes "transforming energy into tides," which requires circulating one's energy cultivation through special meridian routes to simulate the ebb and flow of tides, gradually transforming qi and blood, and ultimately merging them into a seed of water-based true qi.

Liang Cheng calmed his mind, sat cross-legged on the couch, and began his first real internal cultivation practice, guiding the qi and blood in his body according to the mental method.

The Qi and blood flow like a stream, following the key points of the exercise, circulating along specific meridians. Each cycle is like the tide gently caressing the rocks, carrying away impurities. The acupoints become slightly warm under the scouring, and the openings gradually open.

Overnight, the first acupoint opened.

[Introduction to the First Level of the Broken Wave Technique (1/600)]

Liang Cheng opened his eyes, feeling the acupoints opened by the blood and qi in his body, and slowly exhaled.

Next comes the painstaking process of continuously strengthening the Qi and blood, opening up the acupoints, until the Qi circulates throughout the body, forming the last seed of true Qi.

However, under the fate of the mayfly, everything is perfect. Only when the first level is perfected can one truly step into the True Qi Realm, unlike others who, with sufficient Qi and blood, can break through to the True Qi Realm after reaching the Lesser Completion stage.

Liang Cheng suppressed all his thoughts and looked at his ribs, which were wrapped in bandages.

Despite the fact that he had killed Wang Li, he was still slightly injured. His recovery was not slow, but the broken bones still ached.

"Alright, let's take this opportunity to focus on practicing our skills."

For the next two days, Liang Cheng stayed indoors.

During the day, he practices the Gale Blade Technique and meditates to circulate his Qi; at night, he hones his Iron Armor Realm hard skills.

When he was hungry, he would go to the dining hall to grab a quick bite, then return home. He rarely went out, and even if a fellow disciple tried to talk to him, he would only nod in response.

By the morning of the third day, the pain under his ribs had subsided considerably, and he could barely feel it.

[Introduction to the First Level of the Broken Wave Technique (47/600)]

[Minor Mastery of Gale Blade Technique (602/800)]

[Stone Armor Technique (Iron Armor) - Minor Mastery (56/1000)]

Progress has been slower than expected.

However, without external assistance, relying solely on diligent practice, it would probably take two months to break through to the first level of minor success.

However, I only have 250 contribution points left.

"Looks like I still need to take on a mission."

After Liang Cheng finished planning, he washed up and pushed open the door to the quiet room.

Just as Li Mu was about to knock on the door, he saw Liang come out and quickly lowered his voice, "Senior Brother Liang, you've finally come out."

"What's up?"

Li Mu looked around and pulled him behind a pillar: "Over there in the underground quarters, someone is asking about Senior Brother Wang Li's whereabouts."

Liang Cheng's expression remained unchanged: "Oh? What does this have to do with me?"

"I heard that Senior Brother Wang Li took on a gathering mission and was supposed to be back the day before yesterday, but there has been no news of him since."

Li Mu's voice lowered even further, "His follower Sun Yan, who was with him, has also disappeared. Some people guess that they encountered a powerful monster, but others say that they were ambushed."

"When carrying out field missions for the Martial Academy, you are responsible for your own life and death," Liang Cheng said calmly. "Let them ask their questions; what does it have to do with us?"

Li Mu breathed a sigh of relief: "Senior brother is right. However, this morning, Deacon Zhao Ming was at the Foreign Affairs Hall investigating who went to Black Wind Forest to carry out missions during this period."

"Besides Senior Brother Wang Li, only you, Senior Brother, took on the Ironback Bear mission."

Li Mu quickly added, "But don't worry, senior brother. You're on a solo mission, and you accepted the mission half a day earlier than senior brother Wang Li, so you two are unlikely to run into each other."

"Yes." Liang Cheng nodded. "Is there anything else?"

"That's all... Oh, right!" Li Mu pulled out a small cloth bag from his pocket. "This was collected by several senior brothers from the Fishing Gang. It's 100 contribution points, and they said it's for Senior Brother Liang to use in an emergency."

They all say that Senior Brother's victory over Liu Meng in the arena has brought honor to us disciples from the coast, and they all want to befriend him.

Liang Cheng glanced at the cloth bag but didn't take it.

"Please thank those senior brothers for me; I appreciate their kindness." He pushed the bag back, "But you don't need the contribution points. I have other things to do, so I'll be leaving now."

Just as Li Mu was about to say something more, a servant disciple suddenly entered.

"Senior Brother Liang, someone is looking for you outside the courtyard."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

After saying that, Liang Cheng nodded to Li Mu and turned to leave.

As Liang Chenggang walked to the gate of the martial arts academy, he saw a blue cloth carriage parked next to the stone lion. The driver saw him and quickly reported it.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Chen Bainian leaned out, his face showing his usual attentiveness, but his eyes also held a genuine sense of amazement.

"Congratulations, Guest Elder Liang!" He cupped his hands and smiled. "In just one month, you defeated Liu Meng, a disciple of the Earthly Abode. Now your name is quite famous in the Martial Academy. In the Autumn Grand Competition, even the Heavenly Abode might not be without a place for you."

He sighed inwardly, realizing that his initial investment had truly been incredibly profitable.

Liang Cheng returned the greeting with clasped hands: "It was just luck. Did Master Chen come here specifically to see me?"

"On the way, on the way." Chen Bainian took out two letters from his pocket. "Your mother and Master Yang asked me to bring these."

He then took out a jade bottle, "And this Qi and Blood Pill, a small token of my appreciation, please don't refuse, Guest Master Liang."

Liang Cheng took the letter and the jade bottle. He uncorked the bottle and smelled it. The aroma of the medicine was rich and mellow. It was at least a third-grade elixir, with a market price of at least five hundred taels.

He is now a guest of Chen Bainian and has received many benefits, so he no longer refuses. This can reassure Chen Bainian and deepen their friendship.

"Thank you," he said, putting away the jade bottle. A thought struck him. "Master Chen, you've been in business for many years. Do you know the market price of Cold Iron Essence and Red Copper Sand?"

Chen Bainian pondered for a moment: "The finest Cold Iron Essence costs about a hundred taels per catty, while Red Copper Sand is cheaper, but still requires about seventy taels. Does Elder Liang need it?"

Liang Cheng mentally calculated the exchange rates at the Martial Academy: Cold Iron Essence cost 50 contribution points per jin, and Red Copper Sand cost 30 points. As expected, the Martial Academy was already offering a discounted price to its disciples.

"I want thirty catties of each," he said directly. "I have three thousand taels of silver notes on hand. I would appreciate it if Master Chen could help me purchase them. The rest can be exchanged for commonly used medicines such as Qi Xue Dan and Jin Chuang Yao."

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Bainian's eyes, but he quickly regained his smile: "It's a small matter, I'll definitely have everything ready within ten days."

"Please deliver it over when the time comes, Master Chen. Of course, the price will be calculated according to the market price. Master Chen, you don't need to be polite about making a profit."

"Guest Liang is indeed straightforward," Chen Bainian cupped his hands in greeting. "Then I will not disturb you any longer. See you in ten days."

Chen Bainian left in a horse-drawn carriage.

Liang Cheng returned to the quiet room and first opened his mother's letter.

The letter was written by Muramasa on his behalf; the handwriting was neat, but the content was rambling and disjointed.

Now in town, the martial arts school takes good care of her, but she can't stay idle. With Yang Wei's help, she opened a noodle shop, and business is doing alright. The day before yesterday, she made his favorite fish balls, but unfortunately, he wasn't there. Don't deprive yourself when you're away from home...

Finally, Ning San Niang added a line herself, albeit in a crooked and messy manner: "Son, Mother is well, don't worry, focus on practicing martial arts."

Liang Cheng slowly read the letter three times and carefully folded it.

Yang Wei and Zhou Hu's letters were combined into one.

Yang Wei wrote only a few words: "The martial arts academy is a dangerous place, so be careful with your words and actions. Everything is fine at home, so don't worry."

Zhou Hu's handwriting was much stronger: "Junior Brother Liang, I have stabilized my Transformation Realm cultivation, and the martial arts school is now enjoying great prestige. Zhao Yuan is also working diligently. If you need any assistance at the martial arts academy, feel free to write to me anytime."

Neither letter mentioned any difficulties; they only reported that everything was alright.

Liang Cheng remained silent for a long time before carefully putting away the three letters.

Only then did he remember that he hadn't yet delivered the message to the Qiao family, which his master had instructed him to do. Now that he had learned the internal cultivation method, he had the time.

This matter should not be delayed any longer.

He looked out the window; the sun was still high in the sky.

"There's no time like the present, let's go there today."

Liang Cheng changed into clean clothes, put Yang Wei's letter in his pocket, and went straight out the door.