Chen Chuan took his hand off the doorknob and looked at the man.

The man looked to be under thirty. He was quite thin and wore tight-fitting clothes that made him look like a beanpole. He had large eyes, but his most distinctive feature was his nose. It took up the better part of his face, drawing one’s gaze irresistibly.

The man, being scrutinized like this, suddenly said with annoyance, "Hey, had your fill? It’s rude to stare, kid."

Chen Chuan glanced at the open window. "Showing up unannounced in someone’s room... I think you’re the one who’s being rude, don’t you?"

The man affected a nonchalant air, crossing his arms. "If Uncle He hadn’t asked me to pick someone up, I wouldn’t have bothered making the trip. I just wanted to see what his new student was like. Turns out you’re not so special after all."

Chen Chuan guessed the man must have been sent by He Xiaoxing, as he exuded no hostility. Instead, as Chen Chuan turned to face him, the man’s expression was a mix of pride and showing off.

He said, "Do you have to be special to study under Teacher He?"

"Of course you do!" The man grew agitated, sitting up straight for a moment before slumping back down as if remembering something. He grumbled, "Uncle He rarely takes on students."

Chen Chuan asked, "What’s your name?"

The man puffed out his chest proudly. "Chang Ba!"

’Your father definitely didn’t pick that name,’ Chen Chuan thought.

When Chen Chuan didn’t reply, Chang Ba assumed he was stunned by the name. He hmphed a few times and stood up. "Let’s go. Uncle He is waiting for you."

Chen Chuan said, "Let me grab my things."

He hadn’t expected to stay here long anyway. The place was noisy and had too many prying eyes—not suitable for training. As such, he hadn’t really unpacked. He just grabbed his suitcase, slung the Snow Monarch Blade over his back, and followed Chang Ba.

Downstairs, they got into an old SUV. Once the engine started, it turned onto a paved road and headed off. The view was wide open, with blue skies and white clouds above, and the gray silhouette of a mountain range on the horizon.

Chen Chuan asked, "Mr. Chang, do you know Teacher He well?"

Chang Ba boasted, "Of course. My father and Uncle He are old friends. Uncle He lives at my family’s lakeside inn. We’re heading there now. Since you’re going to be learning from him, you’ll probably stay there too." He glanced at Chen Chuan and added, his voice rising, "Uncle He taught me quite a few things, you know."

Chen Chuan ignored the last comment and looked out at the road, where cars passed by occasionally. "Are all these people heading to Luoya Ancient City?"

Chang Ba pursed his lips. "This is just July. The real crowds come in the spring and fall. You can see camel caravans stretching as far as the eye can see. Half of my family’s business depends on them, to be honest."

Chen Chuan asked, "Since you’re a local, Mr. Chang, you must have been to Luoya Ancient City, right?"

"That place..."

Chang Ba shook his head. "Before I came of age, my elders wouldn’t let me go. The place used to be famous for children going missing. After it got a reputation, adults started disappearing there instead. Then I learned Fighting Skill and lost interest in it." He scoffed. "It’s just a bunch of winding tunnels. What’s so great about that? Nothing compared to Fighting Skill, right?"

Chen Chuan said, "I heard there’s treasure. You’re not interested in that either, Mr. Chang?"

"Treasure?" Chang Ba let out a sly laugh. "Other people might want the treasure to be dug up, but not me. Our family makes its money from the *legend* of the treasure."

Chen Chuan smiled. He had a point. Since Chang Ba’s family ran an inn, the legend of the treasure was what drew in so many tourists.

After driving a while longer, Chang Ba finally couldn’t resist turning to him. "Aren’t you going to ask how I got into your room earlier?"

Chen Chuan smiled. He could tell Chang Ba was bursting with pride and had been trying to steer the conversation this way. He’d been deliberately avoiding the topic, and it was clear Chang Ba was finding it hard to hold back. Still, the man had come all this way to pick him up, so Chen Chuan was grateful enough to play along. "What was it?"

Hearing the question at last, Chang Ba was visibly relieved. He chuckled, his expression lighting up. "Let me tell you, it’s a technique Uncle He taught me called the Snake and Sparrow Stance! It lets you move with nimble agility and silent steps. Once you master it, no terrain in the city can hold you back."

’There’s probably more to it than that,’ Chen Chuan thought. ’Judging by how silently he appeared, it must also be a stealth technique. But it seems like only someone with Chang Ba’s build could master it. He Xiaoxing’s physique is different. Was this technique tailor-made for Chang Ba?’

It was possible. Cheng Zitong had said that a good teacher could tailor their instruction to a student’s unique traits, creating a personalized combat system for them. He Xiaoxing must be that kind of teacher. He found himself looking forward to the upcoming intensive training.

Roughly two hours later, the car pulled up beside a large, reddish-tinged lake. The water stretched to the horizon under a clear sky. A large complex of buildings lined the shore, extending all the way to a small mountain on the opposite side.

Chang Ba said, "We’re here."

As the car drove into the small town, Chen Chuan noticed that at least a third of the buildings bore signs for Chang’s Inn. He asked Chang Ba and, sure enough, not only did his family own the buildings in town, but also the very land they stood on and the mountain across the lake. Turns out the guy was a local tycoon.

The car then turned and drove straight up the mountain, stopping a few minutes later in front of a building that looked like a training hall.

Chen Chuan saw a powerful figure standing on the flat ground in front of the hall. Hair like a lion’s mane cascaded over his shoulders. He seemed to be waiting for them.

As soon as the car stopped, Chang Ba quickly pulled the key from the ignition and jumped out. "Uncle He, I brought him!"

Chen Chuan got out, walked over, and gave He Xiaoxing a cupped fist salute. "Teacher He."

He Xiaoxing glanced at him and walked into the training hall. "Follow me." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Chen Chuan followed him inside. The hall was spacious, filled with various pieces of training equipment. Several soft cushions were laid out in the center. He Xiaoxing went over, sat down cross-legged, and gestured for Chen Chuan to do the same.

Once Chen Chuan had settled on a nearby cushion, He Xiaoxing spoke. "Old Cheng told me about your situation. But what I teach only involves combat. Combat can solve some problems, but to deal with the Mutual Aid Association, you’ll need to consider far more than just fighting. You must understand this."

Chen Chuan said, "I understand, Teacher He."

He Xiaoxing said, "Since you understand, I won’t waste any more words. I’m going to put you through some intensive training. How much you get out of it, and how long you last, will depend on whether you can keep up with my pace."

Chen Chuan nodded. "Understood. So, Teacher He, when do we begin?"

He Xiaoxing asked, "Did you bring enough training supplements?"

Chen Chuan said, "Teacher Cheng had me bring a two-month supply."

’It’s a two-month supply, but I doubt it will even last me one,’ he thought. ’I always use several times the normal dose.’ Fortunately, the effects of the Mountain Ghost hadn’t faded yet, so he probably wouldn’t need any for the next few days.

He Xiaoxing said, "It’s getting late. Go with Xiaochang and find a place to settle in for now. Come find me tomorrow morning at five. Remember to bring your daily essentials; we’re heading out into the wild."

Chen Chuan said, "Alright, Teacher He. I’ll take my leave then." He stood, gave He Xiaoxing another quick fist-cupping gesture, and left the training hall.

Chang Ba, waiting outside, saw him emerge and waved him over. "Come on, I’ll take you to find a place to stay. There are plenty of vacant houses this season. Take your pick."

After getting in the car, he followed Chang Ba down the mountain. They drove around for a bit before settling on a spacious, two-story house. It had a wide-open view with excellent light and ventilation. He could live upstairs, and the ground floor was large enough for him to train.

Since it was the off-season and he was here to study with He Xiaoxing, Chang Ba only charged a token fee. He also gave Chen Chuan a phone number, telling him to call if he needed anything.

After Chang Ba left, Chen Chuan put down his suitcase, unpacked his things, and tidied the room. Even though it was already past four in the afternoon, he wasted no time. Once his things were in order, he went back downstairs to make up for the daily training he had missed.

The small town was bustling with people, yet it possessed a tranquility that felt far removed from the mundane world, making it easy to enter a state of deep focus. This was likely why He Xiaoxing chose to train here.

At six o’clock, a member of the inn staff came by to ask if he wanted to order dinner. They also told him about a bonfire party that evening, which all guests were welcome to attend. They gave him a small gift, explaining that all first-time guests received one.

Chen Chuan took it and saw it was a bracelet made of small, polished, colorful stones strung on a thin cord. After a moment’s thought, he untied the cord, threaded the strand of hair from the Flying Head Monster through the stones, and retied it. Now it wouldn’t look so out of place.

As night fell, a bonfire was indeed lit by the lake. A dozen or so barbecue grills were set up, and about a hundred people were singing and dancing, creating a lively atmosphere.

After finishing his training and showering, he went to the window and watched for a while, enjoying the cool night breeze. He went to bed shortly after nine.

He was up at four the next morning. After washing up and having a quick breakfast, he slung a pack over his back, picked up his Snow Monarch Blade, and made his way up the mountain alone. When he arrived, he found He Xiaoxing already waiting. The man’s towering figure stood atop the summit, as if the entire world lay at his feet.

He reached the summit, set down his pack and blade, and offered a cupped fist salute. "Teacher He, I’m here."

He Xiaoxing nodded. "Old Cheng told me the details. He said he didn’t teach you any special techniques, which is good. You don’t need them. Even if you’ve learned a few things through other channels, I want you to forget them all. Now."

Chen Chuan nodded seriously. "Understood."

He Xiaoxing said in a deep voice, "After reaching the Second Limit, you should know that in the old days, this stage was called ’Guardian of the Heavy Mandate,’ with the emphasis on the word ’Guardian.’

That’s not wrong. This stage is a critical transition, like the middle of a wooden beam—it can be neither too thick nor too thin. That’s why extreme caution is required.

But that key concept of ’guarding’ only applied to the old era. Back then, the medicines needed to stimulate one’s Mutated Organization or to nourish the body were incredibly rare. It would often take a Sect’s elders an entire lifetime to gather a supply, leaving it for the next generation, who would do the same in turn.

Due to the scarcity of these medicines, they had to take the most conservative approach. And in that era, their choice proved to be both effective and reliable.

However, every era has its own way. Beyond personal effort, people are largely constrained by their environment. It takes everyone working together to change that.

Today, supplements are no longer a problem, so there’s no need to be so conservative. The key to this stage is to achieve ’Vital Six Viscera and Five Zang Organs.’ So, our next step is to find a way to make your Mutated organs ’come alive.’"

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