Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Five Animals Fist
Stepping through the side door of the Martial Arts Hall, he arrived at the courtyard.
Jiang Ning saw about ten shirtless men on the open ground, some of whom were practicing boxing while others were lifting rocks to train their strength.
After sensing a newcomer had arrived at the Martial Arts Hall, they merely glanced at Jiang Ning briefly and then ignored him, continuing with their activities.
That is!!!
Jiang Ning's gaze sharpened, instantly drawn by a scene in the front corner of the yard.
In one corner of the front yard, there was a giant iron cage, and inside it, a splendidly patterned large tiger was slinking down to sleep.
This splendidly patterned tiger was easily four meters long, exuding an immense aura of oppression.
Its bulky limbs clearly showcased its terrifying explosive power.
"Stop looking and keep following me!" the burly man said.
Jiang Ning nodded and continued to follow behind him.
Passing through the front yard, the two quickly arrived at the Martial Arts Hall's backyard.
Under the shade of a tree, a bearded elder leaned back in a wicker chair, fanning himself leisurely with a palm-leaf fan.
This elder appeared to be over fifty years old, but his figure was far from the emaciation common in the elderly; instead, his limbs were much larger than average, his body covered in muscle.
Next to him stood a tall, slender woman in a blue training outfit.
The woman had her hair tied in a high ponytail, her brow filled with a spirited air, and her long swan neck was as white as snow, clearly indicating her extraordinary background.
This is because usually, those who practice martial arts tend to have dark skin, unlike this woman's snow-white complexion.
"Are you Jiang Ning?" The elder opened his eyes and spoke to Jiang Ning.
"Yes!" Jiang Ning bowed respectfully, "I've met Mr. Wang."
"You seem to have manners, not bad!" The elder nodded slightly, looking at Jiang Ning with some satisfaction.
"Come here!" the elder ordered.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning approached the elder, who then stood up.
A palm landed on Jiang Ning's shoulder and vibrated slightly; instantly, Jiang Ning felt as if he had been struck by lightning, with the sensation spreading throughout his body.
At that moment, his bones felt as if they had come apart.
The elder's hand quickly swept over his limbs, arms, chest, and back.
In just a few breaths, the examination was over, and the elder sat back down in his wicker chair.
"Your physique is somewhat weak; your talent is neither good nor bad, but training in the initial stages should be fine!" said the elder.
Hearing this evaluation, Jiang Ning was not surprised.
What kind of person is suitable for practicing martial arts?
One with large arms and a round waist, possessed of Innate Divine Strength.
Or born with hard bones and a towering figure.
And he didn't match any of these descriptions.
Yet he was not disappointed, for his reliance was not on Martial Arts talent but on that miraculous panel.
Watching Jiang Ning maintain a serene expression, the elder nodded slightly, "A calm temperament, not shaken by praise or insult!"
Then he asked, "Can you read?"
Jiang Ning nodded, "I can read!"
"Do you understand secret manuals?" the elder asked again.
Jiang Ning nodded again, "I understand!"
"Good, it's rare to have someone who can understand secret manuals! In the practice of Martial Arts, if you can't even understand the manuals and hardly know a few big characters, then what's the point of all the practice!" The elder's expression revealed some satisfaction, "Go study the manuals for a while, try to memorize the essentials of the boxing manual, and then come back to me!"
"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Ning bowed respectfully.
The elder waved his hand, "Calling me 'Master' is premature; wait until you pass the assessment. Having just joined the Martial Arts Hall, at most, you're an in-name Disciple. If you can't pass the assessment in half a year, you'll have to pack up and leave!"
"By instructing and resolving doubts, leading me to the entrance of Martial Arts, you are my teacher in my heart! Moreover, an in-name Disciple is still a Disciple, and since I'm a Disciple, I should call you Master!" Jiang Ning spoke with great sincerity.
"As you wish!" the elder said, waving his hand, and then turned to the woman in the tight-fitting blue training outfit beside him, "Li Qing, take him to my study and show him the 'Five Animals Fist'."
"Yes!" The woman nodded, her gaze falling on Jiang Ning, "Follow me!"
...
"My name is Li Qing, you can call me Senior Sister Li from now on!"
As they left the backyard, the woman in the blue outfit said to Jiang Ning.
"Nice to meet you, Senior Sister Li!" Jiang Ning smiled, "Senior Sister Li, my name is Jiang Ning!"
Seeing this, the woman also slightly curled the corners of her mouth and smiled at Jiang Ning.
With that smile, the two seemed to become more acquainted with one another.
As she led the way, the woman said, "Brother Jiang, you came to Canglang Martial Arts Hall to pass Master Wang's assessment and become a true Disciple of the Martial Arts Hall, right?"
"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded repeatedly, showing a friendly smile.
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"Do you know how to become a true disciple of the Martial Arts Hall?" the woman asked, speaking as she walked.
Jiang Ning followed, shaking his head slightly, "I don't know, please enlighten me, Senior Sister Li!"
"What you will learn shortly is the Five Animals Fist. To gain Elder Wang's approval, you must within six months comprehend the finesse of any one animal form—tiger, bear, ape, crane, or deer—to the state of Great Success. Only then do you qualify to become a true disciple of the Martial Arts Hall!" the woman explained.
"Senior Sister, is achieving Great Success difficult?" asked Jiang Ning.
"Very difficult! Even for wealthy families or great clan scions, reaching Great Success within six months is very hard!" she continued, "The Five Animals Fist is a lower-level martial arts of graded quality. Breaking through to Great Success requires extremely high insight! It took me nearly five months to comprehend the deer form's subtlety and achieved Great Success with it, and that was with my extraordinary relationship with Elder Wang and his frequent guidance. Without Elder Wang's guidance, it will be several times harder for you."
"Senior Sister is truly incredible!!" Jiang Ning praised without reservation.
Hearing this, the woman couldn't help but reveal a slight smile at the corners of her mouth, slightly proud.
Even in the Inner City, becoming a disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall was a matter worth mentioning.
Ever since she became a true disciple of Master Wang, she felt a significant elevation in her status within her circle.
After all, Master Wang's strength was among the top in Luoshui County, not to mention the deeper identity he represented behind the scenes.
But most people couldn't even dream of joining Master Wang's Martial Arts Hall. All this was due solely to factions; Master Wang's background made him a representative of the Neutral Faction.
She then spoke up, "Since you have called me Senior Sister, I will do my best to guide you for the next six months. As for how much you comprehend, that will depend on your own insight!"
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Jiang Ning thanked her earnestly.
Of course, he wouldn't decline a connection with Senior Sister Li.
From the way Senior Sister Li was following Master Wang earlier, it was clear she was a core member of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
To his understanding, any core disciple who passed the test of the hall's master wouldn't take long to become a recognized Martial Artist.
That is to say, this seemingly youthful and attractive girl could soon become a recognized Martial Artist and might already be one.
Moreover, her appearance and demeanor showed she was not from an ordinary background, the close relationship with Master Wang also indicative of her extraordinary origins.
Jiang Ning had even less reason to refuse.
Seeing Jiang Ning's expression, the woman nodded in satisfaction, and she advised, "Once you learn the Five Animals Fist, Brother Jiang, you must seriously ponder its true meaning. If you become a true disciple of the Martial Arts Hall like me, then you will be qualified to receive Elder Wang's true teachings and understand why our Martial Arts Hall is named Canglang!"
Jiang Ning immediately nodded his understanding in a solemn manner, "I understand, Senior Sister!"
"Good," the woman nodded, pleased.
...
In a little while, the two arrived at a secluded corner of the Martial Arts Hall and stopped in front of the study.
"Wait for me outside!" the woman instructed.
Jiang Ning nodded.
The next moment.
She pushed open the large doors to the study and stepped inside.
Jiang Ning waited patiently outside, his heart filled with anticipation.
The Martial Arts Skill was within reach!
And it was a lower-level cultivation technique of graded quality, which, to his knowledge, not even his elder brother had mastered, showing just how precious such techniques were.
At this moment, he understood why his elder brother insisted on him joining the Martial Arts Hall; the difference was too great.
A lower-level cultivation technique of graded quality was merely a test of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall, and if one could pass the test, according to what his Senior Sister said, only then could one truly access the legacy of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
The very name "Canglang" undoubtedly represented the true tradition of the Martial Arts Hall.
Jiang Ning aspired even more for it.
In just over ten breaths' time.
Creak—
The door was pushed open again, and the woman reappeared before Jiang Ning.
"This is the Five Animals Fist boxing manual!" The woman handed a slightly yellowed book to Jiang Ning, "Remember everything in this manual thoroughly over the next few days. If there's anything you don't understand, come find me. Once you have more or less memorized it, then find Elder Wang; he will personally demonstrate it for you!"
After speaking, she emphasized again, "Remember, this boxing manual cannot be taken out of the Martial Arts Hall. Every day before you leave, you must return the manual to me."
Jiang Ning took the boxing manual and felt reassured—it wasn't very thick.
He then shook his head slightly, "Remembering the manual won't take that long, just give me enough time to drink a cup of tea."
"Enough time for a cup of tea?" The woman frowned slightly, full of disbelief as she looked at Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning smiled and then pointed to his temple, "Senior Sister Li, I have the natural ability of an unforgettable memory."
"Alright then, I will wait here for you! If you truly succeed, I'll take you to meet Elder Wang later, and you can start learning the fist today," she declared, crossing her arms and standing aside. With each breath she took, she exuded a serene and tranquil presence, like a deer resting in the woods.
Jiang Ning wasted no further time. He opened the Five Animals Fist boxing manual and started reading it carefully from the first page.
[Literacy and Judgement Experience +1]
...
[Literacy and Judgement Experience +1]
...
Time passed slowly, and the small courtyard was enveloped in tranquility, broken only by the rustling noise of the wind blowing through the treetops.
The woman stood beside Jiang Ning, her appearance serene and tranquil, emanating a natural and peaceful aura.
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