Chapter 4

Just as Yang Fan was about to carefully examine it, a young eunuch beside him spoke up, "Everyone, we've been selected to enter the Eternal Spring Palace this time, which is a stroke of great luck!"

He had a sharp gaze, and despite his youthful face, there was a hint of scholarly air about him. If he were to wear a scholar's robe, he might even resemble a scholar-official.

"Oh?"

The others were puzzled.

The young eunuch bowed slightly but did not answer immediately. Instead, he introduced himself first: "My name is Xiaolianzi, from Hebei. How should I address the rest of you?"

"Xiaozhuizi."

"Xiaolingzi."

"Xiaofanzi."

Yang Fan also reported his name.

At the same time, he was observing the others.

Xiaozhuizi had a simple and honest face, with a sturdy build, clearly someone with no ulterior motives. Xiaolingzi, on the other hand, was quite clever, his eyes darting around, giving off a cunning impression.

Xiaolianzi, who spoke first, had a scholarly air and a deep understanding of palace affairs, something not easily attained by ordinary people.

Xiaolianzi nodded and finally spoke about what everyone was concerned about: "Now that we are with Eunuch Li, we are part of the family. I won't hide anything from you all."

"This Eternal Spring Palace is a new establishment. Eunuch Li followed Consort Chen and was promoted to Chief Eunuch, but he has few trusted subordinates. This time, we were selected and given the Foundation Building Technique, which shows that Eunuch Li intends to cultivate us as his trusted subordinates. That's why I say we are very lucky."

"After all, such martial techniques and secret manuals are not easily obtained. We must perform well and strive to advance further!"

Upon hearing this, the others also became excited.

Eunuchs, being physically disabled, had no other aspirations and thus had a special pursuit of wealth and rank. If they could advance further, they would not miss the opportunity.

Their enthusiasm for cultivation grew even more intense.

Yang Fan also began to familiarize himself with the *Mighty Ox Body Building Technique* in his hand, especially the three major postures: Mighty Ox Horn Thrust, Mighty Ox Roll, and Mighty Ox Charge.

According to the annotations, these postures combined body building with strength training.

The three postures corresponded to three states of the mighty ox: horn thrust, roll, and charge, all of which involved stretching the entire body and increasing strength.

Not only could they build a physique as strong as a bull, but they could also be used in combat.

Yang Fan memorized the content of the manual and finally began to practice.

He took a step forward with his right foot, assumed a bow stance, leaned forward with a straight back, and loosely clenched his fists, like the horns of a bull, slowly pushing forward along the direction of his body.

It was like a mighty ox thrusting its horns forward.

Performing this posture, his entire body's tendons and bones were stretched to the limit.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

Yang Fan felt his bones crackling, and the pain spread instantly.

Before he could react, a fine, warm, and dense heat began to seep from the stretched tendons and bones, spreading throughout his body, alleviating the pain.

He felt a warm and comfortable sensation, making him feel extremely content.

The other young eunuchs were no different, all immersed in the excitement of their first martial cultivation.

No thoughts of women!

Cultivation is divine!

Moreover, since they had not yet lost their innocence, their progress was very fast, especially their strong memory, allowing them to quickly master the three major postures.

Strength immediately increased.

For a moment, the courtyard echoed with the sound of tendons and bones stretching like bowstrings.

Xiaolianzi, flipping through the book, saw that the others had already started practicing and couldn't help but sigh. He also got up and began to practice according to the manual.

"Unfortunately, it's not the great secret techniques of the *Great Ming Martial Canon*."

"If we could obtain such teachings, we might one day break free from our current status, enter the Eastern Depot, and ride horses and wield swords, executing orders without hesitation, with the emperor's special permission. What a glorious honor that would be!"

"What is the *Great Ming Martial Canon*?"

Yang Fan stopped after completing the three major postures and looked at Xiaolianzi.

Xiaolianzi smiled smugly.

"The *Great Ming Martial Canon* is a top-secret manual compiled by our Great Ming after overthrowing the Great Zhou, based on the Great Zhou's martial library, gathering the martial arts of all major sects in the world! It is said to not only record methods for blood transformation but also the cultivation methods for the Five Heavenly Gates, making it incredibly powerful!"

"If one could obtain a glimpse of it, one might even achieve the status of a Worldly Martial Saint or a Terrestrial Immortal!"

The practicing Xiaozhuizi and Xiaolingzi were also drawn over by his words.

Martial Saint!

Terrestrial Immortal!

These were legends of martial arts!

Even before entering the palace, they had heard of the feats of these people, who could sever the Heavenly River with one hand, suppress the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths with a single stone, and destroy celestial bodies with a single breath.

It was akin to mythology.

"What a great Great Ming!"

Yang Fan drew a sharp breath.

He never imagined that the Great Ming of this world was so grand and magnificent!

"That's why we are so lucky! Although the Mighty Ox Three Postures are not very strong, they can guide us into the path of martial arts, which is already quite rare."

"As long as we achieve something, we will surely catch the eye of the nobles above and rise to prominence!"

Xiaolianzi's face flushed, clearly very excited.

"I'll have to practice hard!"

Xiaozhuizi, with his honest face, scratched his head.

Xiaolingzi also nodded, moved by Xiaolianzi's words.

As for Yang Fan, he was no exception.

Xiaolianzi's words opened a new door for him. If he could possess such myth-like martial power, why should he worry about being exposed?

My life must be in my own hands!

Yang Fan's gaze became even more determined.

Eunuch Li, who had been observing from the shadows, was satisfied and left.

Although these four did not have strong physiques, they had the ambition to advance.

Even Xiaolianzi, who clearly had secrets, did not concern him much. After decades in the palace, he had seen all kinds of people and experienced all kinds of events. He was long accustomed to it.

As long as they were willing to work hard and serve Consort Chen loyally, that was enough.

Time passed, and it was soon noon.

Yang Fan and the others had practiced for half a day and were already famished.

The saying "poor scholars, rich martial artists" was not false. Practicing the three major postures for the morning had consumed a lot of energy, which could not be replenished by coarse food.

But Eunuch Li had left them here and ignored them. Where were they supposed to eat?

After a brief discussion, they decided to return to the eunuch quarters to scrounge for food and also to pack their belongings and move to the Eternal Spring Palace.

Their return immediately drew the attention of many people.

"Oh, aren't these the four selected by Eunuch Li? Why are you back? Did you do something wrong and get kicked out by Eunuch Li?"

"Look at them; they were probably punished!"

"Right, Eunuch Li has keen eyes. These four must have deceived him in the morning, and now their true colors are revealed!"

There were always people who couldn't stand to see others succeed. Once they saw you in trouble, they would rush to kick you down.

These people were in that mindset.

Of course, some chose to remain aloof and watch from the sidelines.

Yang Fan, having lived a second life, was not provoked by these words. Xiaolianzi, with his deep understanding, was the same. As for Xiaozhuizi, he didn't even understand what the others meant.

It was the lively and active Xiaolingzi who couldn't hold back and retorted.

"Hehe, some people just can't stand it when they can't get what they want and say it's sour! They can't stand to see us favored by Eunuch Li! In the future, if you get assigned to the Eternal Spring Palace, I, Xiaolingzi, will take good care of you!"

Upon hearing this, the faces of those who had mocked them changed.

How could they not hear the threat in Xiaolingzi's words?

"The eunuchs of the Eternal Spring Palace are really domineering!"

"Just a few eunuchs, daring to talk big in the eunuch quarters, how ridiculous!"

At that moment, a voice of undisguised mockery came from outside the door. Everyone turned to see a well-built eunuch walking in with a steady pace.

On his eunuch uniform, a faint "Kun" character was visible.

Kun, representing the Earth Mother and the model of the world.

This person was from the Kunning Palace.

From the Empress's palace!