Chapter Seventeen: Arduous Cultivation

Lin Mo, Su Qingyang, and Wang Mian gathered together, their faces filled with pride and satisfaction. The three of them shared similar backgrounds and were all prodigies, naturally gravitating toward one another.

Feng Cong looked at the group, pondering aloud, “To be honest, your performance exceeded my expectations. I thought if two or three of you had the talent to cultivate the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm, it would already be quite impressive. However, don’t become too arrogant. The progress you’ve made this past half month, apart from Chen Fan, was largely due to your families’ support. Achieving the standard in this short period is far from enough; you’ll need to maintain this pace for the next three months, or even years. If you fail, don’t waste your time waiting for a second assessment—choose another discipline instead.”

The White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm was notoriously difficult to master. At this moment, the Black Cloud Class seemed to have four or five candidates with potential, but in Feng Cong’s eyes, aside from He Hongshan, none of the others were certain to succeed. Perhaps two months from now, the others might lose momentum and have to give up entirely.

He Hongshan’s expression remained unchanged, while the other three youths couldn’t help but glance at Chen Fan. Outshining a mere commoner like Chen Fan hardly seemed a source of glory.

Time passed.

The White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm proved extraordinary. As Chen Fan’s progress increased and he combined it with medicinal decoctions, his body—which had previously plateaued—began to rapidly strengthen again. His appetite surged once more.

Now, his food consumption was astonishing, so much so that he had to hide it from his sister-in-law and niece. He would eat in town before returning home for another meal, and even sneak late-night snacks.

White Cloud Dojo.

During free training hours, Chen Fan drank the medicinal decoction and gazed at the space before him, where only he could see special characters. A smile unconsciously spread across his face.

The decoctions provided by White Cloud Dojo had an added effect—they could boost the idle training efficiency for the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm, much like a temporary buff, though with a time limit. After drinking, efficiency increased approximately fourfold, but it lasted only four hours, effectively adding a day’s worth of progress for each bowl.

“Normally, it would take me just over five months to complete cultivation. The dojo provides one bowl per month for free, but if I pay, I can buy up to three more bowls monthly. If I consume all four, I can finish nearly half a month ahead of schedule!”

The decoction not only enhanced his progress, but also improved his physique—an opportunity Chen Fan wouldn’t miss. Since even members of the He family came to practice the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm, Chen Fan was eager to master it quickly.

“Buying three extra bowls monthly costs three taels. With my current appetite, eating enough for a whole family and needing meat at every meal, the remaining silver won’t last long.”

Chen Fan calculated silently, once again acutely aware of the many hardships faced by commoners training in martial arts.

As a dojo student, he could freely peruse and practice the dojo’s martial arts and manuals—thirty-three basic skills available for borrowing and cultivation. Those who abandoned the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm each borrowed their preferred manuals to begin anew.

That noon, after a simple lunch nearby, Chen Fan borrowed two manuals and quietly entered the Black Cloud Class’s dedicated training room. Martial cultivation emphasized gradual progress and balanced respite, especially during strength training; relentless exertion could damage one’s foundation, so rest was essential.

With afternoon practice ahead, most students were napping or resting at midday. The training room was empty. Chen Fan’s progress in his other two manuals was already complete, so he borrowed two more.

White Cloud Dojo possessed thirty-three strength-training manuals; most Chen Fan had practiced were among them, but their quality was generally mediocre. Even the best, Fierce Tiger Fist, was only second-rate. The others were all third-rate. Of course, after Chen Fan broke through the sixth form, the quality of his mastery over Fierce Tiger Fist had soared.

This time, he borrowed two second-rate, superior manuals—both better than Fierce Tiger Fist. With his improved physique and increased efficiency, he anticipated finishing both within two months, despite their higher quality.

This contrast made Chen Fan even more aware of the gulf between the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm and other manuals.

As he practiced, the training room door suddenly opened. The girl named He Hongshan entered.

This training room was reserved for Black Cloud Class students. Chen Fan was slightly surprised to see her, but merely nodded in greeting and resumed his practice of the second martial art.

On the other side, He Hongshan continued her practice of the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm. Watching Chen Fan with two manuals in hand, she couldn’t help but frown.

She remembered him as one of the few in the Black Cloud Class not immediately advised to give up on the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm. Yet now he seemed distracted by other martial arts.

Had he already abandoned the White Cloud Pine-Crane Palm? Or was he squandering his talent with divided focus?

He Hongshan merely shook her head, saying nothing. The only reason they shared the same roof was that Chen Fan could afford the dojo’s registration fee. Their innate differences in status meant little chance of future acquaintance. Despite her youth, He Hongshan disliked meddling in others’ affairs.

Chen Fan, oblivious to her thoughts, completed his practice, confirmed he’d mastered the basics, nodded again to her, and left with the manuals.

Despite sharing a room as classmates, the two did not exchange a single word.

As Chen Fan reached the doorway, he saw a bear-like figure hurrying toward the training room.

“Hongshan, little sister!”

This man strode with vigor, bumping into Chen Fan. Upon seeing only Chen Fan and He Hongshan in the training room, his expression shifted slightly. He scrutinized Chen Fan’s increasingly robust physique, sensing something different about him, and asked, “You are…?”

He was tall, in his twenties, wearing the White Cloud Dojo’s robe, not the vest of outer students—a full-fledged disciple. His broad frame and fleshy face exuded an imposing presence. Judging by his address to He Hongshan, he was clearly no ordinary figure.

Chen Fan felt the pressure this man naturally exerted but remained composed. “I’m a student of the Black Cloud Class. This is our training room, and I was here to practice.”

He recalled how a certain young master from the He family had ridden recklessly through the streets, indifferent to human life. Chen Fan knew well the temperament of these wealthy youths and was determined to avoid trouble, explaining the situation succinctly.

The burly man gave Chen Fan another look. “Oh, I see.”

Chen Fan nodded and took his leave.

The bear-like youth watched Chen Fan go, then turned to the training room, calling out, “Hongshan, little sister! Your brother is here again!”

He Hongshan turned, scowling at him in irritation. “Get out!”