55: Kid, come with me!

Li Qing was somewhat speechless.

What kind of talk was this?

Each would address the other as they pleased.

Seeing Xiao Chen so resolute,

Li Qing nodded, tacitly accepting this strange relationship.

"You have cultivated the Iron Body Art for many years, so why is your Qi and blood deficient, and your bones and muscles not firm?"

Li Qing changed the subject.

He had noticed yesterday that there was something wrong with Xiao Chen's body.

Xiao Chen gave a bitter smile.

"Two years ago, to save the martial arts school, I competed with someone and suffered an internal injury."

"In these years, I lacked medicine and treatment. The old injury has never healed, dragging down my cultivation."

Li Qing understood.

Xiao Chen's Aptitude wasn't top-tier, but his perseverance was good.

If the old injury could be resolved, it wouldn't be difficult for him to break through to the high stage or even the Peak of Body Refining.

"Tonight, I will brew some medicinal soup for you all."

Night fell.

Li Qing's main body meditated inside the house, but his mind sank into the Earth Spirit Turtle Clone at the bottom of the river.

The bottom of the Qiu River was rich in resources.

The Clone issued a task.

The Black Python swam along the riverbed and soon found some exotic herbs growing in the crevices of the underwater rocks.

Although these herbs couldn't be considered Heaven And Earth Treasures, they had absorbed the Spiritual Qi from the riverbed, and their medicinal effects far exceeded ordinary herbs.

They were excellent for improving the Physique and treating old injuries.

Li Qing brought these herbs back to the martial arts school and wrapped them in cloth to mask their unique fishy smell.

He personally lit the fire to brew the medicine.

Before long, a strange medicinal fragrance wafted out.

Xiao Chen and the children felt their spirits lift when they smelled the fragrance.

"Big Brother Li, what medicine is this? It smells so good."

Xiao Chen asked curiously.

"Just some folk recipes from my hometown for strengthening the body."

Li Qing gave a casual excuse.

The medicinal soup was finished, its color rich and thick.

Li Qing served a bowl to everyone.

Xiao Chen picked up the bowl and drank it in one gulp.

As the soup entered his stomach, a warm current instantly spread to his four limbs and hundred bones.

He felt a tingling sensation in the blocked areas of his old injuries.

The speed of his Qi and blood circulation was several times faster than usual.

"This... this medicinal effect!"

Xiao Chen was beyond shocked.

He had taken many healing medicines, but none had ever shown such immediate results.

After the children finished the soup, their little faces were flushed, and they ran around the courtyard with exuberant energy.

Li Qing watched them, his heart at peace.

One must have a conscience.

Xiao Chen before him possessed a pure heart.

The children behind him also had grateful hearts.

Li Qing felt that such people were worth helping.

In the following days, Li Qing practiced his Stance Work during the day and lurked at the bottom of the river at night.

With the feedings from his subordinates, his evolution points grew steadily.

Xiao Chen's progress during these few days was rapid.

His talent wasn't bad to begin with; it was only the hidden injuries from two years ago that had hindered him.

That was why his progress had been slow.

Under the nourishment of the medicinal power, the old injuries in his body healed quickly, and his Qi and blood became fuller day by day.

In just three days, he actually showed signs of breaking through to the Late Stage of Body Refining.

All of this was observed by spies secretly monitoring from outside the martial arts school.

Jingtao Martial Arts School.

Duan Tianba listened to his subordinate's report.

"Sect Master, that Li Qing has been keeping a low profile these days. Aside from going to the Iron Bone Martial Arts School to practice, he just returns to his courtyard to rest."

"He occasionally goes out to buy daily necessities."

"There's nothing particularly special about him."

"However, Xiao Chen's complexion is getting better every day. It looks like his strength has recovered quite a bit."

Duan Tianba sat in his grand armchair, his fingers tapping on the armrest.

Would someone who could defeat Wang Meng in a second peacefully stay in a dilapidated martial arts school teaching children?

When things are abnormal, there must be something fishy.

Moreover, Xiao Chen's recovery speed was too fast.

Xiao Chen's injury had been deliberately arranged by him.

Having seized the Secret Manual of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School, he couldn't allow a potential threat to remain.

So he had someone use some small tricks to ensure Xiao Chen suffered hidden injuries.

That medicinal soup Li Qing brewed was likely no ordinary item.

He couldn't wait any longer.

It seemed that kid had a secret.

Duan Tianba stood up abruptly.

"Prepare the sedan!"

His voice was filled with decisiveness.

"Tomorrow morning, I will personally go meet this Li Qing."

He wanted to see just what kind of extraordinary abilities this kid had.

The prestige of the Jingtao Martial Arts School was not to be challenged.

This time, he would crush both the man and the school together.

The next morning.

In the courtyard of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School, the mist hadn't completely dissipated.

Li Qing stood in the center of the courtyard, slowly practicing the Iron Body Art.

To practice martial arts, one must have resilience!

Only by enduring the bitterest of hardships can one become a superior person!

His movements were very slow, but every breath caused the surrounding air to vibrate slightly.

In these few days, he had already reached the Early Stage of Body Refining, making rapid progress.

Watching this, Xiao Chen's Dao Heart was shattered.

Although he knew that those with Innate Divine Strength progressed quickly in the Body Refining Realm, the first Realm of martial arts,

it shouldn't be that he became a Body Refining Realm cultivator in just a few days!

Xiao Chen watched from the side, his face full of admiration.

After a few days of medicinal soup treatment, his old injuries were seventy to eighty percent healed.

His complexion was ruddy, and he was full of energy.

He felt that he was only one step away from the Late Stage of Body Refining.

All of this was brought by Li Qing.

"Good morning, Big Brother Li," Xiao Chen greeted respectfully.

Li Qing nodded and finished his stance.

"Your injuries are almost healed. Starting today, you can increase your training."

"Yes!" Xiao Chen responded loudly, full of drive.

It was a must.

Even with such talent, Li Qing worked so hard.

Oftentimes, it wasn't talent that was scary, but that those with talent worked even harder than you!

Just then, the newly repaired gate of the martial arts school was once again rudely pushed open.

This time, the gate didn't shatter.

But the Aura of the newcomer was more than ten times stronger than Wang Meng's from last time.

Seven or eight sturdy men wearing the uniforms of the Jingtao Martial Arts School filed in, lining up on both sides.

Every one of them had a steady breath, clearly being elite Disciples of the school.

The last to walk in was a middle-aged man.

He was tall with a square face, radiating an air of authority without needing to be angry.

He wore a dark blue brocade robe with a jade belt tied around his waist.

He walked with his hands behind his back, his steps steady.

The Sect Master of Jingtao Martial Arts School, Duan Tianba.

Xiao Chen's face instantly changed.

He recognized this man.

Three years ago, it was Duan Tianba who had seized the school's Secret Manual.

"Duan Tianba!"

Xiao Chen gritted his teeth, his fists clenched until they creaked.

Duan Tianba didn't even spare a glance at Xiao Chen.

In his eyes, a waste like Xiao Chen wasn't worth his attention.

His gaze fell directly on Li Qing in the center of the courtyard.

He sized Li Qing up, feeling a bit surprised.

This youth looked ordinary, without a trace of Internal Energy fluctuations on him.

Could he really have crippled Wang Meng in one move?

"You are Li Qing?"

Duan Tianba spoke, his voice deep and carrying the pressure of a leader.

Li Qing looked at him calmly.

"Something the matter?"

Duan Tianba gave a small smile.

"Kid, you've got guts."

"To be so calm after injuring someone from my Jingtao Martial Arts School."

He paused, his tone softening.

"I've heard about you. Innate Divine Strength—you're a good prospect."

"That waste Wang Meng was blind to have offended you; he got what he deserved."

As soon as these words came out, the Disciples behind him were stunned.

What did the Sect Master mean?

He didn't intend to avenge the First Senior Brother?

Xiao Chen was also stunned.

Duan Tianba continued.

"The Iron Bone Martial Arts School is finished. A waste like Xiao Chen can't teach you anything."

"Staying here will only delay your future."

He extended a hand toward Li Qing, a recruiting smile on his face.

"Kid, come follow me."

"Join my Jingtao Martial Arts School, and I will take you as my Personal Disciple."

"Cultivation Techniques, medicinal herbs, money—I'll give you whatever you want."

"With your talent and my guidance, breaking through to the Meridian Opening Realm or even higher won't be a problem in the future."