Chapter 12: Provocation (Part 1)

That morning, Jiang Yuan arrived early at the Xiao residence, entering Xiao Bei's courtyard to urge him to get up and start practicing.

After all, in a month, there would be two major events that required strength to gain benefits. One was the opportunity to enter the Xiao family's Annotated Classics Library, accessible only to those who had reached the Fifth Rank of the Later Heaven Warrior realm, to select a classic. The other was the family trial.

These matters were closely related to Xiao Bei and her marriage, so Jiang Yuan couldn't help but be anxious.

To her surprise, when Jiang Yuan entered the courtyard, she found that Xiao Bei was already practicing his boxing routine.

Jiang Yuan watched Xiao Bei closely. The boxing routine he was performing was the Celestial Body Fist, the seventy-seventh form out of eighty-one. Knowing that Jiang Yuan had entered, Xiao Bei did not stop his routine but continued from the seventy-seventh form.

Sure enough, as Xiao Bei had expected, Jiang Yuan was momentarily stunned by his boxing routine.

When Xiao Bei finally stopped and smiled at her for a long time, Jiang Yuan finally came to her senses.

At sixteen, Jiang Yuan, a Seventh Rank Later Heaven Warrior, was indeed talented.

Xiao Bei's Celestial Body Fist looked both hard and soft, precise and powerful. It had overshadowed the popular Tai Chi on Earth, naturally possessing an infinite appeal.

"Are you interested in the boxing routine I just performed?" Xiao Bei asked, looking at Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan nodded, "Brother Xiao Bei, where did you learn this boxing routine? I see endless variations in each form, and... I feel like I'm dancing alone in the void, as if the vast starry sky surrounds me."

Xiao Bei nodded inwardly, acknowledging Jiang Yuan's intelligence.

"This boxing routine was taught to me by the old man with the white beard I told you about last night. It's called the Celestial Body Fist. If you want to learn it, I can teach you, but the old man said it shouldn't be passed on to outsiders."

"Then I won't learn it, Brother Xiao Bei." Jiang Yuan stuck out her cute tongue.

"Outsiders refer to those outside our family, not to my Yuan." Xiao Bei smiled at Jiang Yuan.

"Brother Xiao Bei." Jiang Yuan rolled her eyes at him.

The old Xiao Bei, who had not smiled at her for a long time after discovering he was a waste, had finally started smiling again from yesterday. This made Jiang Yuan very happy, but she soon noticed that her Brother Xiao Bei liked to tease her, which made her both playful and extremely happy.

"What are you holding?" Xiao Bei had noticed the wooden box in Jiang Yuan's hand but hadn't asked until now. He felt his personality had become more relaxed, much more so than on Earth. He wasn't sure if it was because of the release of the frustration from the years when the old Xiao Bei couldn't practice martial arts, or because of Jiang Yuan's attractive demeanor. However, Xiao Bei didn't mind; he believed in going with the flow, as restraint was not the solution.

Just like in martial arts, appropriate guidance and a balance of tension and relaxation were the right path.

"Purple Mustache Fruit, I used all my savings to buy it." Jiang Yuan said excitedly, then opened the box and continued, "When the Purple Mustard Fruit is combined with Magnolia Grass and some other herbs, the medicinal effects are better. Although Brother Xiao Bei can now practice, to achieve good results in the family trial, it's essential to enhance your strength. I believe these herbs will be much more effective than the pills the family provides."

"Thank you, Yuan." Xiao Bei's mood became even more pleasant as he looked at Jiang Yuan. As for whether he had fallen into someone's trap yesterday, Xiao Bei felt that regardless, going to Xiao Feng to question the marriage was a choice he did not regret.

...

Xiao Bei's status had changed. The servants who had bullied him in the past, like that fierce woman, were now quite nervous when they saw him, fearing he might seek revenge.

Under Jiang Yuan's urging, Xiao Bei finished breakfast and went to the martial arts hall with her. Along the way, he didn't even glance at the people who were being overly cautious.

Today, there were many people at the martial arts hall, and Xiao Bei clearly felt that Xiao Yun and Xiao Bing, as well as others who had once bullied him, were looking at him with even more hostility.

However, after yesterday's events, these people, intimidated by his strength, did not dare to approach him. They didn't want to be the first to challenge him, especially since Jiang Yuan had returned. As a Seventh Rank Later Heaven Warrior, she always protected Xiao Bei, so no one dared to challenge her authority.

"I can practice in peace under your protection."

While Jiang Yuan was explaining the basics of the Xiao family's martial arts to him, Xiao Bei touched his nose and said to her.

Jiang Yuan giggled, then put on a serious face and urged Xiao Bei to start practicing.

Originally, Xiao Bei was unwilling to come to the family martial arts hall, but Jiang Yuan said she had some questions to ask the teacher today. After getting the answers, she could fully focus on guiding Xiao Bei.

However, during this process, Xiao Bei noticed that there were even Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warriors in the martial arts hall.

The Xiao family's martial arts hall had two restrictions: one was that Xiao family members below the Third Rank of the Later Heaven Warrior realm were not allowed to enter, and the other was that the age of the students must not exceed twenty-five.

After the age of twenty-five, one was no longer considered young and was required by the Xiao family's rules to serve the family, either by joining the imperial army or the family's guard, or by participating in the family's businesses throughout the Wu Kingdom, contributing to the family's economy.

Of course, there were exceptions: if you were already a Pre-Heaven realm warrior!

Such a strong person could choose freely!

For example, Xiao Feng could choose to serve in the army or stay in the mountains behind the residence to practice daily, without being criticized. After all, a Pre-Heaven realm martial artist was already a formidable expert. In the Wu Kingdom, with a population of over a hundred million, there were only about a hundred Pre-Heaven realm experts.

"These Eighth Rank Later Heaven Warriors are likely the Xiao family's key cultivation targets. They are probably here to prepare for the family trial in a month, asking the teacher about difficulties they encountered in their practice. They usually practice hard in the mountains behind the residence, hoping to reach a higher rank before the age of twenty-five... With Eighth Rank Later Heaven experts participating in the family trial, Xiao Feng set a high bar for me, a Fourth Rank Later Heaven Warrior, requiring me to win first place. Xiao Feng, my nominal father, is quite good at motivating people."

A cold smile appeared on his lips as he watched Jiang Yuan discussing problems with the teacher, Mr. Xiao. Xiao Bei knew he had to improve quickly.

"Since you don't want me to win, I will make sure to win!"

...

"Are you Xiao Bei?" Suddenly, a cold and arrogant voice came from behind Xiao Bei.

Xiao Bei could sense that the person was a Seventh Rank Later Heaven Warrior.