Chapter 7

Luyao's apprenticeship was not like those at the martial arts school, where disciples paid 100 copper coins annually.

Instead, he was truly joining the "Liao Family Fist" sect, becoming a disciple in the inner chamber, closely tied to the sect.

This was no small matter! Even though the Liao Family Fist had few members, with only two sisters left, they still arranged a brief but formal ceremony.

In the quiet room of the martial arts school, the three stood solemnly.

Liao Ya bowed three times to a memorial tablet and lit a stick of incense:

"Father, today Liao Ya is taking on a disciple on your behalf! May our sect continue and pass on in an orderly manner. I pray that your spirit in heaven will protect us."

The memorial tablet read, "The spirit of the late Liao Qigong, our revered father."

Luyao thought, "This Liao Qigong is the father of the two sisters, who died young for some unknown reason."

He also bowed three times to the memorial tablet and said loudly, "I am Luyao, and I wish to join the Liao Family Fist. I will practice diligently and heed your teachings!"

Then, Liao Ya raised her head and chest and said in a clear voice, "From today on, you are a disciple of the Liao Family Fist! Our sect has no strict rules to bind you, only one ancient maxim:

'When your spirit is not strong, you see through all things in the world; when your heart is not greedy, you distinguish right from wrong; when your talent is not revealed, you fear neither slander nor praise; when your desires are not fulfilled, you are not bound by sounds and colors.

These are the 'Four Nos.' I hope you will take them to heart.'"

Luyao bowed and said solemnly, "I will heed your teachings!"

Thus, the ceremony was complete, and Luyao officially became the younger brother of the two sisters. The two women looked at him with more affection.

Liao Qi pulled Luyao's arm and said happily, "Ha, I have a younger brother now! Call me Big Sister~"

Luyao smiled and bowed, "Greetings, Big Sister~"

Liao Qi was overjoyed.

"Um um!" Liao Ya cleared her throat and said seriously, "Younger Brother, since you have joined the sect, there are some things I must tell you in advance!"

Luyao sat up straight and listened to the teachings of the head disciple.

Liao Ya said, "The Liao Family Fist has a long tradition, with techniques that lead directly to the innate. My late father was a great martial artist at the Blood Change stage, just one step away from becoming a 'Supreme Master.'"

Luyao nodded, about to ask why this great master died young, but Liao Ya continued:

"My father... followed Lord Lin in the destruction of opium at Humen and died under the guns of the foreigners. So, I must say this beforehand—never involve the sect with opium, or I will cleanse the sect. Do you understand?"

He is a descendant of a hero! Luyao was deeply moved and nodded vigorously, "I understand! I also detest such filth!"

Liao Ya's expression relaxed, and she was very satisfied with her younger brother.

~~~~~~~~~

Luyao officially joined the sect, and it was time to teach him martial arts.

Liao Ya said seriously, "I will first demonstrate the Liao Family Fist. Watch carefully."

She then went to the center of the training area, stood like a pine tree, with her fists at her waist, her spirit and intent like a pine tree growing on a cliff.

In the next second, the girl moved like thunder, performing a set of martial arts that combined hardness and softness!

A gentle breeze rose, and her movements followed, her punches and kicks appearing light and slow but actually powerful and heavy.

Even without using full strength, the force of her punches easily shattered the air, creating a series of explosions! The air currents she generated were like a strong wind, making it hard to open one's eyes.

Moreover, the girl's movements were incredibly fast, almost like teleportation, leaving Luyao dazzled and his heart pounding with admiration.

After a few moments, the entire set of martial arts was completed. Liao Ya sank her qi to her dantian, adjusted her breathing, and said:

"There are countless cultivation methods in the world, but to truly enter the realm of mastery, one must have a complete set of methods for practice, cultivation, and nourishment.

What I just demonstrated was the practice method. Next, I will teach you the 'nourishment method' of the Liao Family Fist!

As the name suggests, this is a method to nourish the body and soul, the most important part of the martial arts. Without it, one cannot heal the hidden injuries from training and combat!"

Then, she thought of something and said to her sister, "Go practice your own martial arts."

Liao Qi grumbled and slowly walked away.

Luyao was a bit confused, but he soon understood.

Liao Ya blushed slightly and lay down on her side! She said seriously, "I will first teach you the 'sleeping technique.' Watch my movements carefully."

She extended her right hand, placing her tiger's mouth below her earlobe; her other hand formed a specific gesture and was placed on her hip, while her legs were stretched out straight.

In the side-lying position, gravity made her clothes cling to her body, revealing a beautiful and alluring curve.

Luyao noticed that Liao Ya's hips were wider than her shoulders, a rare and perfect figure! Unfortunately, he had no worldly desires at the moment, so it was wasted.

The girl instructed, "This is the sleeping technique. Next, I will teach you 'cultivating the spirit.' Both must be used together to form the complete 'nourishment method.' Lie down next to me and assume the same position."

Luyao immediately lay down behind the girl.

Liao Ya scolded, "Why are you lying behind me? Come to the front!"

Luyao quickly changed his position and lay face-to-face with the girl, even able to feel her sweet breath.

Liao Ya's face turned even redder, "Don't get so close, move further away!"

"..." Luyao awkwardly moved back a bit.

Liao Ya then said:

"Cultivating the spirit is a method to train the mind and spirit, with various incredible effects. The first three stages are—focusing the mind, entering a meditative state, and forgetting the self. The first stage is 'focusing the mind,' which means calming the mind and eliminating all distractions!"

Luyao nodded repeatedly, feeling it was quite strange to lie down and chat with the girl like this.

Liao Ya had no such frivolous thoughts and continued, "When performing the sleeping technique, if you can simultaneously focus your mind, you will have entered the realm of the nourishment method!"

It took a lot of effort to teach the beginner nourishment method.

The face-to-face lying position was quite awkward, and Liao Ya left with the words, "Practice well on your own," her face red.

~~~~~~~~~

The sleeping technique was not difficult, with simple movements that Luyao easily learned. The challenge was "focusing the mind"! Even at the initial stage, one needed to completely relax the mind and achieve a state of focused sleep.

But Luyao had many worries and a life-threatening crisis looming, making it impossible to completely relax his mind.

He was very concerned; martial arts were his only hope, and if he failed, he would not live long. The more he thought about it, the more he could not focus his mind.

Luyao maintained the side-lying position and tried for a long time without success. Unconsciously, night had fallen.

His mind was in turmoil, and he took a deep breath, instantly filled with the girl's fragrance.

This quiet room was always used by Liao Ya, filled with her scent.

The girl had a particularly pleasant smell, natural and pure, making him feel at ease and temporarily forget his troubles.

Luyao stared blankly, for the first time lying down with a beautiful girl... the alluring figure seemed to be right in front of him.

"Living... is really good." At this moment, he suddenly felt an unprecedented desire to live.

"I don't want to die, not just because of revenge or dissatisfaction, but because... living is really too good."

"There are so many beautiful things in life waiting for me to experience. How can I just die like this!"

"I will completely cure my cancer and marry Big Sister! To marry such a physically and mentally excellent wife, this life would not be in vain!"

Luyao suddenly saw things clearly and made a grand vow! His heart felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted, and his agitated mind gradually calmed down.

His thoughts were gathered, and his mind was completely still, successfully achieving "focusing the mind"!

He maintained the side-lying position of the sleeping technique and slowly fell asleep. Without any distractions, he entered a "deep sleep."

Deep sleep is called golden sleep, and its benefits to the brain are unmatched by anything else.

At the same time, the "sleeping technique" made Luyao's blood flow extremely smoothly, and combined with the effects of the Ten-Ingredient Great Tonic Soup, his body and organs were greatly nourished.

That night, Luyao had the most peaceful sleep since he fell ill, and his entire body received the best rest.

In the past, he would wake up in pain after only two or three hours of sleep. Even with large amounts of painkillers and morphine injections, it was far inferior to the combination of the sleeping technique and focusing the mind!

And this was just the beginner level of the nourishment method!