Grinding to the Martial Sage from the White Ape Fist-Chapter 44: Ascending to the Hall

Su Yu followed Xu Feng. The two passed through the Moon Gate and entered the Inner Courtyard.

There weren’t many Senior Brothers training in the Inner Courtyard. Most of them were Martial Artists and had a lot of freedom, so only a few came to the Martial Arts Hall each day.

Xu Feng led Su Yu straight to the main building and knocked gently on the door.

"Enter."

Pushing the door open, the two entered. The room’s furnishings were simple and traditional, and a faint scent of sandalwood permeated the air.

Qin Fangqiong was slumped in the Grandmaster’s Chair, pinching a dried fig in his hand and chewing it nonchalantly. Beside him, Qin Yu was polishing a treasured sword. Seeing Su Yu enter, she raised a delicate eyebrow, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"What is it?" Master Qin didn’t even lift his eyelids.

Xu Feng took a step forward, a smile gracing his features. "Master, it’s good news. Su Yu has broken through to the Martial Artist Realm!"

"Hm?" A sharp glint flashed in Master Qin’s eyes as his gaze snapped to Su Yu.

Su Yu immediately felt a crushing pressure, as if he had been targeted by a ferocious beast that might lunge and tear him to shreds at any moment.

He immediately circulated the Qi and Blood in his body, and the dangerous feeling dissipated slightly.

"HAHAHA! Good! Good! Good!"

Master Qin withdrew his gaze and burst into laughter.

’My luck this year is second to none.’

’First, I took in Chen Fan, a true puyu. Now, this stubborn rock Su Yu has turned to gold, breaking through to the Martial Artist Realm. This year, my White Ape Martial Arts Hall is truly destined to grow stronger!’

Qin Yu was also utterly astonished, her red lips slightly parted. "Su Yu? You... When did you break through? With your Root Bone, how is that possible?"

Su Yu’s expression was calm; he had already prepared his explanation.

"Senior Sister, I was fortunate enough to break through last night. The barrier to the Martial Artist Realm is truly as difficult to cross as a natural chasm. If not for the Blood Boiling Pill Master gave me, I’m afraid I would have failed long ago." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

After speaking, he bowed solemnly to Master Qin. "I will never forget my Master’s profound grace."

"Mm..."

Qin Fangqiong stroked his beard, accepting the bow with evident pleasure. He even gave his daughter a smug wink, as if he had expected this all along.

’But inwardly, he was also extremely shocked. Although he had given Su Yu a Blood Boiling Pill, he hadn’t actually thought he could break through. It was just a long-standing habit of his.’

’To think he actually succeeded!’

He re-evaluated Su Yu.

’A Lower-Grade Root Bone, yet he was able to break through. Could it be that the role of aptitude is really that significant? Is it actually no weaker than one’s Root Bone talent?’

He recalled the words of a great figure he had heard in his youth.

’On the path of Martial Arts, Root Bone, aptitude, temperament, and resources are all indispensable. In the early stages, Root Bone talent is especially important, but in the middle and later stages, aptitude becomes increasingly crucial.’

The thought of taking him on as a Direct Disciple stirred in Qin Fangqiong’s mind.

But in the next instant, he extinguished the thought.

’I already accepted Chen Fan this year. This Su Yu is still a fair bit lacking compared to Chen Fan, and he has no clan backing. If I accept him, I’ll most likely have to provide all of his training resources.’

’But Yu’er is about to attempt her breakthrough to the Flesh Refining Realm, and that will consume even more resources. Ai, I can’t afford it, I can’t afford it. Better to just observe him for now.’

After a moment of silence, Qin Fangqiong’s smile faded, and his tone returned to its usual indifference and authority.

"Su Yu, now that you have entered the Martial Artist Realm, you are a core disciple of the Martial Arts Hall. Starting today, you will move into the Inner Courtyard and train with your Senior Brothers."

"Xu Feng, you will continue to guide him."

Xu Feng’s heart sank, and he sighed inwardly. ’From the sound of it, Master Qin doesn’t intend to accept Su Yu as a Direct Disciple.’

’I was hoping he could become my junior brother, but it seems his Root Bone talent held him back after all.’

He looked at Su Yu, his eyes full of regret.

’Master Qin currently has six Direct Disciples. Aside from the newly accepted Junior Brother Chen, the other five have all been Martial Artists for many years.’

’Most have clan backing, maintain close relationships with Master Qin, and provide a great deal of help to the junior brothers who join.’

’Take me, for example. I’m ranked third, and my family’s Xu’s Escort Agency has considerable influence in the Outer City.’

’Eldest Senior Brother, Qi Linfeng, possesses a Top-Grade Root Bone and is the strongest person in the courtyard besides Master Qin himself.’

’Second Senior Sister, Lin Wanzhu, is second in strength only to Eldest Senior Brother and is the heiress of the Lin Clan Chamber of Commerce.’

’Fifth Junior Brother, Jiang Liuchuan, is mediocre in his training, but the Jiang Clan controls multiple trade routes. Their wealth and power surpass even the Lin Clan Chamber of Commerce, making them a first-rate power in the Outer City.’

’Fourth Junior Brother, Qian Jijun, joined the Black Stone Army in his early years and now holds a position in the State Mansion.’

’It’s a pity for Su Yu. By not becoming a Direct Disciple, he has missed a major opportunity.’

’The resources consumed for cultivation after becoming a Martial Artist are far more terrifying than during the apprentice stage. If Junior Brother Su relies only on himself, the gap between him and Junior Brother Chen will only grow wider in the future.’

...

Just as they walked out of the main building, they came face to face with several senior brothers who had just finished their training.

"Yo, Old Xu, what was Master Qin laughing about? We could hear it through the walls."

Xu Feng composed himself and introduced with a smile, "This is Junior Brother Su Yu. He just broke through to the Martial Artist Realm last night! From now on, he’s an official disciple of our Martial Arts Hall!"

"Whoa! Another one?"

"Our Martial Arts Hall has really had a great harvest this year. Congratulations, Junior Brother Su!"

"Junior Brother Su really managed to break through just before the year’s end. Congratulations, congratulations."

Although the crowd was a bit surprised, they all knew how to handle the occasion, cupping their fists and offering congratulations. Su Yu smiled and returned the pleasantries one by one.

In the crowd, only one person’s smile froze on his face.

Chen Fan stared at Su Yu, his mind reeling in disbelief. ’How is this possible? Su Yu actually broke through to the Martial Artist Realm?’

’Doesn’t he have a Lower-Grade Root Bone? How could he possibly break through?!’

But the fact of Su Yu’s breakthrough was right before his eyes, undeniable. His expression immediately turned ugly.

He was supposed to be the only genius to break through to the Martial Artist Realm this year, showered with everyone’s praise.

Wang Hu’s earlier failure had only served to highlight his own genius. He never expected another one, Su Yu, to suddenly appear.

’No, no, that’s a small matter. The key is whether Master Qin values Su Yu and has also accepted him as a Direct Disciple.’

’If so, the attention I receive will definitely diminish!’

’During this time, I’ve been using the best medicinal pills for my training, and Master Qin has even been teaching me the White Ape Fist personally. The senior brothers and sisters have also been investing in me to build good relationships. My future is boundless!’

’If Su Yu becomes a Direct Disciple, will he take away my resources?’

’No! I absolutely cannot let anyone obstruct my path in Martial Arts!’

He quickly adjusted his expression, suppressing the gloom in his eyes and putting on a warm smile as he approached. "Congratulations, Junior Brother Su! To think we joined the hall at almost the same time, and now we get to train together again!"

He seemed to be reminiscing, but then he smoothly changed the subject, asking casually:

"By the way, Senior Brother Xu, does our esteemed Master... plan to personally teach Junior Brother Su the White Ape Fist? If he teaches you both together, I could sit in and listen again."

Xu Feng shook his head. "Master is busy with his affairs. I will be teaching Junior Brother Su his Fist Technique on the Master’s behalf."

’On the Master’s behalf.’

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan was instantly overjoyed. ’So, Su Yu is just an ordinary disciple after all!’

’So what if he became a Martial Artist? For an ordinary person, that might be enough to change their fate, but for a genius with a Top-Grade Root Bone like me, it’s merely the starting point!’

’Su Yu, the gap between us won’t shrink from now on; it will only grow wider and wider!’

The smile on his lips became a little more genuine as he clapped Su Yu on the shoulder. "That’s great! Senior Brother Xu’s realm is profound; you must learn well, Junior Brother Su. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be on my way."

After speaking, he strode away with his head held high, his steps much lighter than before.

Xu Feng watched Chen Fan’s retreating back and sighed inwardly again. He patted Su Yu’s shoulder. "Junior Brother Su, go back and rest for today. Move your things into the Inner Courtyard. Tomorrow, I’ll start teaching you the White Ape Fist."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Su Yu was also overjoyed. ’Compared to the so-called congratulations from others, what he cared about most was Martial Arts!’

’The White Ape Fist! He had heard that this was the core Martial Arts Cultivation Technique of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall!’

’As long as I have this Martial Arts technique, I can keep grinding, step by step, and grow continuously stronger!’