Early morning, before dawn.
Back courtyard of the Deng Mansion.
Deng Ziyang was practicing his stance. With each inhalation and exhalation, it felt as if a powerful force was surging within him, expanding and contracting.
Gradually, everything returned to calmness.
He slowly opened his eyes, a glimmer of light flashed in them.
"Almost there!"
He tightened his fist, thinking, "The Pile Skill taught to me by the old man really has some secrets."
It seems like it's time to leave the Huo Mansion.
Although Huo Chengkun, that old fox, never accepted him as a disciple, his time at the Huo Mansion wasn't unfruitful.
After Deng Ziyang made up his mind, he felt more relaxed and went inside to change clothes.
"Young Master."
Outside, a close aide reported to him, "After you went to bed last night, Third Master Qi and Second Master Peng had a fight."
"What was the reason this time?"
Deng Ziyang's tone was indifferent. Conflicts among his men were normal, and as the leader, he often had to settle disputes for his subordinates.
"Second Master Peng mocked Third Master Qi for losing twice to a nobody. Third Master Qi couldn't take it and fought with him."
"Was Qi Jun injured?"
"No... Young Master, this time Second Master Peng lost to Third Master Qi by one move."
"?"
Deng Ziyang paused his face-washing, "Is this true?"
"Absolutely true."
Deng Ziyang tossed the towel aside and hurriedly went out to find Qi Jun and Peng Ruizhao.
These two were the strongest among his subordinates. Their rankings were originally based on strength.
Peng Ruizhao had always been more skilled than Qi Jun. Every time they fought, Qi Jun suffered.
This time Qi Jun actually won a move?
Deng Ziyang found the still-sleepy Peng Ruizhao and asked. Peng Ruizhao's face flushed, and he loudly said, "I drank too much last night and was careless..."
"So, you really lost a move?"
"..."
Deng Ziyang didn't ask again but said, "In a moment, you two should spar again."
"Alright." This was just what Peng Ruizhao wanted.
So, Deng Ziyang sent someone to bring Qi Jun over and had them spar once more.
The two exchanged dozens of moves, and ultimately, Peng Ruizhao was still a notch above, snorting, "I told you, last night I was careless..."
Deng Ziyang asked Qi Jun, "Why did you suddenly seem to have an epiphany? You were able to hold your own against the second brother."
In the past, he would be defeated at most after a dozen moves.
Qi Jun, having lost to Peng Ruizhao again, was somewhat discontented and said, "It must be because he's been drinking too much recently and slacking off."
Deng Ziyang thoughtfully said, "Chen Ming, this sparring partner, really is interesting."
Qi Jun remained silent.
In truth, he knew it was probably because of the two losses to Chen Ming but was unwilling to admit it.
Deng Ziyang suggested, "I want to invite him as a sparring partner for you two. What do you think?"
Peng and Qi didn't object.
...
"Invite me as a sparring partner?"
At noon, Chen Ming finished today's sparring and, upon leaving the Huo Mansion, ran into Deng Ziyang. Hearing the invitation, he felt as if a pie had fallen on his head.
Is there really such a good thing?
Seeing him stunned, Deng Ziyang laughed, "Of course, I won't let a brother work for nothing. I'm not like Huo Chengkun, that stingy old man. Cultivating isn't easy; you definitely need Qi Blood Pills. I'll give you three each month, and you just need to spar three times a day."
Not only is there sparring delivered to your doorstep but also Qi Blood Pills.
This really is a great person.
Chen Ming felt grateful and shook his hand, "No need to say anything. I will definitely do my best."
Deng Ziyang was happy to see him agree so readily, "It's a deal."
This is a true win-win.
Then, he once again got into Deng Ziyang's carriage and headed to the Deng Mansion.
That afternoon, Chen Ming stayed at the Deng Mansion until dusk before leaving, carrying 50 experience points, fully satisfied, from Deng Ziyang's horse carriage.
...
In the following days, Chen Ming went to the Huo Mansion in the morning and the Deng Family in the afternoon, gaining experience points until his hands were sore.
Soon, he discovered a hidden mechanism.
As long as he sparred with someone higher level than him, no matter how many times he won, he could gain at least 10 experience points.
Truly, fighting above one's level is the right solution.
At the Deng Family, Deng Ziyang's eight core brothers were all of a higher level than him. He mainly served as their sparring partner.
So, every day at the Deng Mansion, he could earn 30 experience points. Adding the morning's 15 points, it totals 45 points per day.
Calculating this, in a little over a month, he could accumulate enough experience points to upgrade the Iron Horse Stance to the fifth tier.
Five days flew by.
This morning, as Chen Ming entered the Huo Mansion, he was stopped by Huo Qianqian's maid, "My lady wishes to see you."
The little maid glared at him angrily, clearly having opinions about him.
"Please show the way."
Chen Ming was curious about how Huo Qianqian intended to deal with him.
It was still the same secluded courtyard as before.
Huo Qianqian had changed into a lake-green outfit, with a stern face, and seeing him, she shouted, "Today, I will avenge my previous defeat. Take this!"
She didn't give him a chance to speak, immediately launching her attack.
So she hadn't made any moves these days because she was waiting for her recovery to take revenge herself?
Chen Ming's impression of the domineering maiden changed a bit.
It's quite rare for someone who has suffered losses not to rely on family to vent their anger.
And indeed, Huo Qianqian's techniques have become much smoother, and her strength noticeably increased from before.
However, he wasn't the same person as before. Dealing with her attacks was even more effortless.
After thirty moves, he finally found an opening and flicked a finger at her forehead.
"Ouch!"
Huo Qianqian winced, covering her forehead, glaring at him viciously. Yet she did not continue fighting, storming off angrily.
[You defeated an LV8 enemy again, gaining 30 experience points.]
So, she's conceding?
"Hmm, why is it still 30 points?"
Chen Ming was quite surprised.
He remembered defeating Huo Qianqian last time was also 30 points.
"Is it because her level was much higher than mine?"
He had been saving his experience points without applying them to the Iron Horse Stance, keeping him at level 5 for now.
Which means, the system encourages me to challenge above my grade.
...
Afterwards, every morning, Huo Qianqian sent her maid to stop Chen Ming, taking him over to spar with her.
As time passed, her techniques became more refined, and Chen Ming struggled more. By the sixth match, he nearly lost by a move.
With no choice, that night, he upgraded the Iron Horse Stance to the fourth tier.
[Level: 7]
[Current Points: 145]
[Cultivation Technique: Iron Horse Stance (Fourth Tier 1/1000+)]
[Martial Skill: Three Talents Fist (Mastery 10/500+), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Beginner 12/100+)]
As a result, the experience points yield from Deng Ziyang naturally decreased.
There was nothing to be done about it.
Fortunately, these days he served as a sparring partner for a group of young beginners, with great results. Even Huo Chengkun noticed and praised him once.
Seizing the opportunity, he proposed sparring sessions for intermediate class students, which Huo Chengkun accepted.