My Martial Arts Can Train Themselves

Chapter 4: Keep Your Chin Up

Thump, thump, thump!

The sound of the wooden stake being hit resounded throughout the silent courtyard.

Yang Yi focused on his cultivation. He was using pain to cultivate his skin and flesh while he trained his body.

He needed to familiarize himself with the changes brought about by the breakthrough as soon as possible.

No matter how talented his Crimson Afterglow Technique was, he would still be the one fighting against the enemy in the end.

"Yang Yi?"

Zhou Yan entered through the courtyard door.

"It's me."

Yang Yi withdrew his fist and calmed his breathing.

In the past, he would panting heavily from exhaustion after 15 minutes of training.

However, he was still breathing easily even after training for an hour.

This was the benefit of breaking through to the Blood Refining stage!

"You don't seem to be in your best condition lately, and you often leave early after lessons. Instead of practicing here alone, why don't you spar with us?"

Zhou Yan had only just returned from sparring with a few general disciples. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Yang Yi silently hitting the wooden stake. He paused for a moment, then immediately understood. "You're not agitated because I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, are you?"

"No, I..."

Yang Yi was just about to explain when Zhou Yan stepped forward and patted his shoulder.

"You have to keep your chin up. It doesn't really matter which one of us is ahead of the other."

Zhou Yan sincerely consoled him and said, "Just think of this of me going ahead to familiarize myself with the outer sect. You'll be breaking through soon when I finally get a grasp of the outer sect. When that time comes, we'll be able to reunite in the outer sect."

He patted his chest and acted like a big brother. He seemed very reliable.

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Yang Yi could not help but laugh. He did not intend to hide his current condition.

"Actually, I've broken through."

"..."

The smile on Zhou Yan's face gradually froze.

He stepped back and asked curiously, "You've broken through to the Blood Refining stage?"

"Yes, I've just broken through. After cultivating for a year, I've finally gotten a result."

Yang Yi exhaled.

"Take this!"

Zhou Yan did not allow Yang Yi to explain further. He struck a stance and hurled his fist at Yang Yi.

In the past, Zhou Yan always had the upper hand when they sparred.

However, this time, after just one exchange, Zhou Yan knew that Yang Yi was telling the truth.

That powerful and heavy fist shook his arm until it went numb. He tried to launch counterattacks many times, but Yang Yi's attacks were like raindrops. They came one after another, not giving him a chance to catch his breath.

"That's enough, that's enough!"

Zhou Yan had a bitter smile. When he was backed into a corner, he said, "You're at the Blood Refining stage alright."

He hid his trembling arm behind his back and did not show any fear. If he continued to fight, he would not be able to hide it anymore.

"Congratulations. I told you that you can do it," he said excitedly. "Since you've already achieved a breakthrough, you should tell Coach Zhao tomorrow. You'll be promoted to an outer disciple."

Yang Yi was also in a good mood. After being for an entire year, he had finally made a breakthrough.

With more time to cultivate, perhaps his cultivation would improve by leaps and bounds with his own hard work!

Yang Yi got up early the next day.

As usual, he took two pancakes from the kitchen and left one for Zhou Yan.

He explained the purpose of his visit to Zhao Xugang before the lesson started.

"Oh? You've broken through?"

Zhao Xugang was pleasantly surprised.

Lin Yan had broken through yesterday and Yang Yi had broken through today. He had reached the target for this month.

He felt Yang Yi's arm and said with satisfaction, "You're indeed at the Blood Refining stage. Moreover, your foundation is solid. Not bad."

"What should I do next, Coach?" Yang Yi asked.

"I will find someone to help you with your homework today. Pack your things and report to the outer sect manager directly." Zhao Xu Gang handed him a wooden token and said, "Once you enter the outer sect, you must train hard and not waste your time."

"Yes! I will remember your instructions." Yang Yi left excitedly after saying his farewells.

Zhao Xugang stroked his beard and was in a good mood. He watched Yang Yi leave and said thoughtfully, "I'm impressed by myslef. It seems that my approach yesterday was right. I should be stricter with the disciples."

Yang Yi returned to the general courtyard.

Zhou Yan laid himself on the bed. He looked weak, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

The pancake on the table was left untouched.

"Zhou Yan, I'm going to the outer sect."

Yang Yi packed his belongings. Before he left, he asked, "Don't you have any homework today?"

Homework referred to the chores that the general disciples had to complete every day.

"I stayed up late, and now my limbs are weak. I'm planning to report sick for the whole day. Take care of yourself."

Zhou Yan waved his hand and forced a smile. "I'm fine."

Nobody wanted another person to see their weak side.

Yang Yi's lips moved and he said, "You need to get yourself together as soon as possible."

"..."

Zhou Yan felt even worse.

Yang Yi left the courtyard and rushed to the outer sect to register himself.

The Qixia sect was built among a stretch of verdant mountains.

The surroundings were bright and beautiful. The rosy clouds in the east were still lingering around. The ancient pavilions and kiosks were arranged in an orderly fashion, partially hidden among the mountains and forests. Some only revealed their eaves. When a breeze blew, the delicate bells on the eaves would make clear ringing sounds.

A row of white birds were startled.

Spiritual energy was dense around the sect. It looked like a haven for immortals.

However, the mountains were full of hiding demonic beasts. According to legend, there were even great demons of the Sati Transformation realm.

The Qixia sect did not have many disciples. There were only 1,000 outer disciples. Each of them stayed in their own wooden hut. The treatment they received was much better than that of the general disciples. Moreover, they were allowed to use some of the sect's facilities, such as the Mission Hall, the Spiritual Spring Mountain, the Pill Hall, and the Martial Storage Pavilion, as long as one had enough contribution points to spend.

Yang Yi fumbled his way to the outer disciples' registration area.

Once he entered the room, he saw an old man in his 60s dozing off.

He explained his purpose for coming and handed over the wooden token.

The old man gave him a sidelong glance and said casually, "Come with me. Let's get you your uniform and pass."

He got up and brought Yang Yi to the backyard. Along the way, he spoke in a casual manner, "Since your wooden hut hasn't been allocated yet, you can tell me your needs. For example, a quiet environment, a spot with the densest Afterglow Qi, or a hut close to an Inner Court. If there's a vacancy, I can arrange it for you."

"But..." he rubbed his fingers.

Yang Yi immediately understood. After asking for more information in an undertone, he handed over a bag of money.

The old man shook the bag. He was very satisfied with the weight. "You're quite perceptive, kid. You're not like the person from yesterday. He didn't give me any money, and he went around shouting 'injustice' and whatnot. It made me laugh my head off."

"I'll be in your care from now on, Old Man Mu."

During their small talk, Yang Yi learned that the old man's name was Mu Hengshan. He was the manager of the outer disciples' affairs.

After taking Yang Yi to get his disciple uniform and pass, Mu Hengshan was in a good mood, which was rare, so he continued to lead Yang Yi to the wooden hut.

"After becoming an outer disciple, there are four lessons every month. You can have the rest of your time to yourself."

Having received the money, he began telling Yang Yi about many things. "However, the sect won't be keeping idle disciples. The moment you become an outer disciple, you'll have to pay the corresponding contribution points every month. If you go more than three months without paying, you'll be kicked off the mountain."

Yang Yi heard about this before.

Just like how the general disciples had to contribute their labor every day, outer and inner disciples had to contribute to the construction and maintenance of the sect. The outer and inner disciples contributed by paying contribution points.

Outer disciples had to pay 100 contribution points every month. They could earn points by doing missions, or hand in rare items and natural treasures. They could also donate money.

1 contribution point was equivalent to 1 tael of silver, which was nothing for a rich person.

However, not everyone was rich. Many outer disciples had to grit their teeth and pay with credit for the first two months. They would need at least three months to slowly get used to the life of an outer disciple.

However, Yang Yi happened to come from a rich family. Hence, there was no need for him to worry about this matter.