Chapter 4: Family Martial Arts Academy (Part 1)

"Huh?" Xiao Zhan lightly exclaimed.

He had just unleashed a powerful martial aura to test Xiao Bei, but he promptly reined it in when he realized that Xiao Bei was merely a Third Rank Later Heaven martial artist. Despite this, Xiao Zhan did not take his eyes off Xiao Bei.

"Speak. Why did you start practicing martial arts? I remember you shouldn't be able to practice. But just now, when I probed your body, it seemed to have improved. Your blocked meridians are mostly clear, and you have even mastered the basic techniques of the family lineage, reaching the Third Rank Later Heaven martial artist level."

His eyes were sharp, as if piercing through Xiao Bei's heart.

"That's right. I was originally just a good-for-nothing, but I have a good fate. Once, while chopping wood on the mountain, I met an old man with a white beard. He gave me a pill and told me to take it, saying it could regulate my meridians. He also showed me his formidable strength to make me believe..."

To match the story, Xiao Bei feigned a look of recollection and a bit of fear. "That old man with the white beard could float in the air. With just one palm, he conjured a monstrous tiger that crashed into a tree, shattering it into pieces."

"After taking the pill, I fell into a daze and fell asleep. When I woke up, I was covered in a layer of stinky sweat. Then I discovered that I could practice the basic techniques of the family lineage."

After finishing, Xiao Bei's expression slowly returned to its usual calm.

He believed that his lie would definitely make Xiao Zhan believe it. The story of an Imperial Rank martial artist giving Xiao Bei a heaven-defying pill to reshape his meridians was highly plausible.

Sure enough, after hearing Xiao Bei's story, Xiao Zhan's face turned serious.

After a moment, Xiao Zhan sat back in his chair and said to Xiao Bei, "On this continent, martial arts are revered, and families form groups. The imperial court provides the land's protection, and there are beasts everywhere. Therefore, personal strength determines whether you can survive. A man is born to protect his home! And you, as a man of the Xiao family, must take on the responsibility of serving the Xiao family!"

"Since you are now a Third Rank Later Heaven martial artist, you have the qualifications to practice at the family martial arts academy. Tomorrow, go to the family martial arts academy to practice. After some time, when you reach the Fifth Rank Later Heaven martial artist level, you will be eligible to enter the family library and study an annotated manual from a predecessor. If you reach the Ninth Rank Later Heaven martial artist level after some time, you will be eligible to enter the inner chamber of the family library and obtain a cultivation technique for the Innate Realm. I hope you can break through the Later Heaven realm and become a true powerhouse of the Xiao family!"

"As for you and your mother... from now on, you don't need to work anymore. You will receive the family's stipend. Also, your courtyard will be changed, and two servants will be assigned to you. This will be arranged by the family steward. The Xiao family is not stingy with those who have the talent for cultivation."

After saying this, Xiao Zhan waved his hand, signaling Xiao Bei to leave.

Xiao Bei did not say much more, bowed, and took his leave.

Throughout the entire conversation, Xiao Bei never called Xiao Zhan "grandfather."

...

After Xiao Bei left, Xiao Zhan's expression changed repeatedly.

Soon, the family steward who had brought Xiao Bei to the room entered and stood respectfully beside Xiao Zhan.

"Master, do you have any instructions?"

Xiao Zhan glanced at the steward. "The old man with the white beard, according to Xiao Bei's description, is likely an Imperial Rank martial artist. Giving Xiao Bei a heaven-defying pill was probably just a whim. After all, wandering martial artists are often eccentric and act based on their whims. This can be considered Xiao Bei's good fortune."

"However, these are troubled times, and our plans cannot afford any mistakes. The Zhou family of the imperial court likely has some idea of our affairs. Send people to carefully search the family for any suspicious individuals. Keep a close eye on the targets we are monitoring. Remember, do not make too much noise. Be cautious in everything."

After making these arrangements, Xiao Zhan seemed to relax.

"Xiao Feng, I wonder if your indifference towards Xiao Bei was right. But now, no matter what, Xiao Bei is already involved. Sigh, it's the will of heaven. Not being able to practice was the will of heaven, and being able to practice is also the will of heaven..."

...

Xiao Bei returned to the residence he shared with his mother and recounted everything to Zhang Lan.

When Zhang Lan heard that Xiao Bei could enter the family martial arts academy and that she and her son would no longer have to work, she was overjoyed to the point of tears.

Seeing Zhang Lan's smile, Xiao Bei felt happy and determined to go through the motions at the martial arts academy.

Originally, Xiao Bei had no interest in the family martial arts academy.

As a genius from Earth and the founder of the Star Fist, Xiao Bei did not believe there could be any better manuals to replace the mysterious and powerful family manual, the *Star Canon*, which had similarities to the cultivation techniques of Earth's legends. He thought the martial arts manuals of the Xiao family's academy were laughable.

However, after some thought, Xiao Bei decided that reaching the Fifth Rank Later Heaven martial artist level and then entering the family library to study the annotated manuals of predecessors would not be a bad idea. After all, the path of martial arts is endless, and one must be open to all sources, constantly comparing and creating the best and most suitable cultivation methods for oneself.

"Alright, let's see. I want to see if there are any martial arts manuals in this world that can rival the *Star Canon*. I, Xiao Bei, will be a true powerhouse wherever I am. On Earth, I was, and here, I will be! My path of martial arts is one of constant transcendence!"

That day, Xiao Bei continued to use the Star Palace in his mind as the foundation, letting the Central Star exert its power to continuously refine his body. Under his mother Zhang Lan's worried gaze, Xiao Bei took six cold showers in a row, each time forcing out and removing the toxins from his body.

At the same time, Xiao Bei studied the basic techniques of the Xiao family's lineage that he had.

He found that the basic techniques, according to his deductions, only went up to the Fifth Rank Later Heaven martial artist level and had no further continuation.

"No wonder one needs to go to the family library to find an annotated manual after reaching the Fifth Rank Later Heaven martial artist level." Shaking his head, Xiao Bei crumpled the paper of the basic techniques in his hand, turning it into fragments.

In the evening, Zhang Lan returned with a smile. Behind her was a young maid, about fifteen or sixteen years old.

The young maid was quite attractive, with a well-developed figure. Her face radiated youth, especially with her large, clear eyes, making her look very refined.

She held a wooden tray with two bowls of rice and three small dishes.

"Good evening, young master. I am Xiao Man. From now on, I will be your and the lady's maid."

Startled by Xiao Bei's gaze from the bed, Xiao Man lowered her head and spoke softly.

Xiao Bei, however, was thinking that the room was so small, only about ten square meters. He and his mother living together was fine, but adding a young maid... Why hasn't that family steward given me a new courtyard yet?