2: Chapter 2 Yuqi Realm

In the days that followed, Jiang Hanzhou settled into a routine of fishing by day and practicing his Cultivation by night.

For five or six days straight, no one succeeded in harnessing their blood and Qi.

But this was not surprising.

Clever people who had inquired about the Martial Dao said that it was originally a skill for the upper class and children of wealthy families; they ate delicacies from land and sea every meal, their blood and Qi were abundant, they didn't have to work, and they could Cultivate every day.

Even a snail could slowly crawl its way onto the path of the Martial Dao under such conditions.

As for them, they were constantly falling behind.

But in this world, there are also geniuses; even if they fall into a mud pit, they will still shine.

“Boss Hong... I think I've harnessed my blood and Qi!”

Everyone practicing martial arts on the square was stunned upon hearing this, and they saw someone raise their hand.

“Oh? So fast? Come here and let me see.”

Boss Hong was sitting in a chair drinking tea; he showed an interested expression upon hearing the news and beckoned the person over.

The man walked over excitedly, and as soon as Boss Hong checked him, he broke into a smile.

“Not bad, not bad. Harnessing blood and Qi after only six days of Cultivation—it seems you were born for martial arts.”

As he spoke, he tossed a wooden token from his robe to the man.

“Alright, you don't have to go fishing anymore. Take this token to the River Patrol Squad. From now on, focus on eating meat and practicing martial arts; just protect the safety of our Canglang Water Dock.”

The man was overjoyed; he bowed deeply to Boss Hong and walked out of the square with a light step.

The crowd watching the scene was stirred by this outcome.

“Isn't that Shi Dunzi? This kid usually seems so quiet and reserved, who would have thought his talent was so good!”

“What does talent have to do with being quiet? *Sigh*, Aptitude is determined by the heavens. No matter how hard we work, we won't be able to catch up.”

“From now on, when we see Shi Dunzi, we'll have to call him Guard Shi.”

Hearing their words, Jiang Hanzhou remained as calm as still water.

【host: Jiang Hanzhou】

【fate: Late Bloomer (Rank One)】

【Cultivation Technique: Tidal Breathing Technique (Uninitiated)】

【Martial Arts: Net Casting Fist (Major Achievement), Fishing Eagle Plunging into Water Hand (Minor Achievement)】

His Tidal Breathing Technique had not even reached the entry level yet; he had observed the tides but had not gained any insights.

Fortunately, although he was poor at learning the Cultivation Technique, he was quite good at learning Martial Skills.

Recently, Boss Hong had taught two Martial Skills. One was the Net Casting Fist, which adapted the movements of casting and retrieving a net into boxing; the movements were wide and expansive, used to train the muscles and bones.

The other was the Fishing Eagle Plunging into Water Hand, which imitated the posture of a fishing eagle rapidly diving into the water to catch fish; its strikes were swift, precise, and ruthless.

These two Martial Skills could be used not only against enemies but also for fishing, so his fishing skills had greatly increased recently.

It was only then that Jiang Hanzhou discovered his speed in learning these kinds of techniques that didn't require a breathing method was quite fast.

But unfortunately, in the eyes of a Martial Artist, these ordinary Martial Skills could never compare to a Cultivation Technique.

Once a Cultivation Technique reached the entry level, even ordinary fist techniques in the hands of a commoner would undergo a qualitative change, becoming completely incomparable.

Therefore, most people only gave a perfunctory effort toward these two Martial Skills and focused their energy on learning the Tidal Breathing Technique.

This was certainly the right thing to do.

However, Jiang Hanzhou intended to first practice his Martial Skills to the point where no further progress could be made.

This was because when he practiced the Net Casting Fist to Major Achievement, a line flashed within the Late Bloomer fate in his mind:

【You have practiced Net Casting Fist for five years...】

Five years?

He had only been practicing for five days.

This discovery made Jiang Hanzhou very curious, and what made him even more curious was what would happen if he practiced a Martial Skill to its limit?

Five years?

Or ten years?

Did this Late Bloomer fate mean that he needed to polish a single thing with a "time" far exceeding that of ordinary people before he could welcome a true qualitative change?

In the following period, Jiang Hanzhou focused on practicing his Martial Skills.

Others laughed at him for being distracted by Martial Skills and neglecting his proper duties, but he silently treated every net cast and every fist retracted as a question posed to fate.

Another ten days passed. On the square, two more people were confirmed to have harnessed their blood and Qi, leaving with their heads held high under the envious gazes of the crowd.

The atmosphere became increasingly tense; the eyes of those remaining turned red with strain as they practiced, as if using one more ounce of strength would allow them to push open that door a moment sooner.

Jiang Hanzhou, however, continued at his own pace.

During the day, he steered his small boat out of the dock, integrating the power of the Net Casting Fist into his fishing labor.

With one cast of the net, the arc was perfect, the force penetrating the water without startling the fish.

When retrieving the net, his waist and horse stance were united, his arms like winding cables; no matter how much a large fish struggled, it was steadily hauled onto the boat.

When practicing the Tidal Breathing Technique at night, he was no longer in a hurry to "gain insights." Instead, he calmed his mind like an old fisherman waiting for the fish run, silently feeling his own breath and the faint sound of the river tides coming from outside the dock.

Days passed one by one, and in the blink of an eye, another seven or eight days had gone by.

There were a few fewer youths on the square, most of whom were originally of sturdy build or from slightly better family backgrounds.

On the faces of those who remained, anxiety was gradually replaced by a sort of resigned numbness.

Only Jiang Hanzhou's gaze became increasingly serene with each passing day.

His Net Casting Fist was also quietly approaching Perfection through the day-after-day movements of casting the net.

On the twenty-eighth day, the mist was heavy.

Jiang Hanzhou was practicing on his boat.

He did not deliberately try to visualize the tides, but naturally assumed the opening stance of the Net Casting Fist and began to move slowly.

The fist momentum was like the undercurrents of a river, and his breathing rose and fell long and deep along with it.

Then, his form changed, shifting into the piercing posture of the Fishing Eagle Plunging into Water Hand; his breath instantly became short and sharp.

During the transition between the Fishing Eagle Plunging into Water Hand and the Net Casting Fist, Jiang Hanzhou suddenly snapped his eyes open.

【You have practiced Net Casting Fist for twenty-eight years and have finally reached the level of Perfection... The Late Bloomer fate has advanced to Rank Two. The next rank requires an accumulation of 200 years of 'Martial Insights.' Current progress: 0/200 years】

【host: Jiang Hanzhou】

【fate: Late Bloomer (Rank Two)】

【Cultivation Technique: Tidal Breathing Technique (Entry Level)】

【Martial Arts: Net Casting Fist (Perfection), Fishing Eagle Plunging into Water Hand (Major Achievement)】

In an instant, Jiang Hanzhou felt as if his mind had been touched by an Immortal's hand, and everything suddenly became clear.

He looked toward the tides; the surging waves in the water and every sound of the tide struck heavily upon the key points of his breathing rhythm.

The next moment.

A faint but incredibly clear warm current was born from the Dantian in his lower abdomen; following his naturally rising and falling breath, it surged through his entire body as if by appointment.

Qi Nurturing Realm, achieved naturally.