Soon, the news of Zhao Ya and Luo Feng both making breakthroughs and achieving Great Success in Bone Refining spread throughout the Escort Agency.
For a while, all the escort assistants were in an uproar.
"Hiss, I really didn't expect Luo Feng to make a breakthrough in such a short time."
"Nonsense, don't you know who Luo Feng's second uncle is? He's a master with Great Success in Muscle Strengthening, so what's so strange about his breakthrough?"
"I remember this Zhao Ya hasn't been in the Escort Agency for long, right? Usually, he doesn't stand out at all, yet he managed to break through. I really didn't expect that."
"What's funniest to me is Zhou Hua. Haven't you seen how arrogant that guy usually is, acting like he's going to become an Escort Master sooner or later, and now look, he's the only one left out of the four."
"Shh, quick, stop talking!" Someone stopped the conversation and quietly pointed into the distance.
Everyone turned their heads to see Zhou Hua standing far away, his face ashen, not saying a word.
"Tch, so what if he heard it? I'm not afraid of him."
The escort assistant who spoke spat awkwardly, then quickly left.
The remaining assistants scattered as well.
Zhou Hua didn't move; he just stood there quietly, his eyes gradually becoming deep.
After a long while, he slowly turned around and left by himself.
Lunch that day was more sumptuous than usual and even included a rare jar of wine.
With a radiant expression, Meng Lei raised his glass first.
"Come, this cup is my toast to the two of you."
Sitting below, Luo Feng and Zhao Ya quickly stood up and raised their glasses in response.
After downing the cup of wine, Zhao Ya felt a warm current rising in his stomach, causing his whole body's Qi blood to boil, which surprised him.
This wine actually had the effect of enhancing Qi blood.
Not only him, but Luo Feng also showed a surprised expression.
"Hahaha, this wine is a unique brew from the Inner City's Taifeng Restaurant, containing precious herbs that can nourish Qi blood, strengthen muscles, and invigorate bones, greatly benefiting us martial artists. But it's very expensive, and ordinary people can't afford it."
Meng Lei explained and then said, "I especially brought out a jar this time to celebrate your breakthroughs."
"Thank you, Chief of the Escort!" The two thanked him in unison.
"It's just a jar of wine, no need to thank me. On the contrary, you two gave me a huge surprise."
Meng Lei put down his glass and looked at Zhao Ya and Luo Feng with great appreciation.
Luo Feng was expected; with his uncle Luo Qiang around, breaking through Bone Refining wasn't too difficult.
What Meng Lei didn't expect was that Zhao Ya could also make a breakthrough so quickly.
It's worth noting that he had only joined the Escort Agency six months ago.
This pace of progress, although not quite like Wei Yu's, was still very commendable.
Luo Feng chuckled merrily.
At this moment, he didn't know what to say.
Zhao Ya, however, felt a movement in his heart and cupped his hands, saying, "I owe this all to the Chief of the Escort and the Escort Agency's nurturing. Without them, I could never have made a breakthrough so quickly on my own."
"Hahaha, well said." Clearly in high spirits, Meng Lei drank another full glass of wine before continuing.
"Since you both have now broken through, there's no question about it, starting today, you two are promoted to Porters with a monthly salary of fifty taels."
"Additionally, your lunches will move up a notch. Besides the Great Nourishing Soup, you'll get a special portion of blood meat."
Even though he knew his treatment would improve after the breakthrough, Zhao Ya couldn't help but feel a bit excited when he actually heard it.
Without other reasons.
It's just that Zhao Ya really needed something to replenish his Qi blood now.
"Thank you, Chief of the Escort!"
This time, Zhao Ya's gratitude was entirely genuine, with no pretense.
Because he knew that this treatment wasn't even given to some Escort Masters.
Meng Lei chuckled and continued, "Also, now that you're both Porters, considered mid-level in the Escort Agency, besides perfecting the Five Tiger Fist, you should also start learning weaponry."
"Starting this afternoon, you'll begin practicing the Gale Saber Technique."
"Yes!" The two responded in unison.
Afternoon.
The backyard of Changlong Escort Agency, small martial stage.
Meng Lei held a long saber and said in a deep voice, "The Gale Saber Technique, as the name implies, is a saber technique that is fast-paced, aggressive, and intense, attacking like a gale."
"The key is strong wrist strength, a flexible waist, and light, agile footwork."
"Strong wrist strength ensures stable saber handling, but don't grip it too tightly. The wrist must be steady yet relaxed to wield it as if it's part of your body."
"A flexible waist allows for swift dodges, making the saber technique continuous and attacking where the opponent is unprepared. Light, agile footwork is even more critical, as advancing and retreating in the saber technique rely on the legs' speed."
"Remember these three key points, now let me demonstrate to you."
After finishing the sentence, Meng Lei held the long saber horizontally and began demonstrating.
In an instant, the small courtyard was filled with flashing saber lights, shadows overlapping.
Zhao Ya watched intently, feeling that Meng Lei's saber was no longer a saber but had turned into a gale, fiercely charging forward.
Wherever it passed, the saber wind howled, chilling to the bone.
Not just Zhao Ya, Luo Feng was also dumbfounded.
Finally, after finishing a set of saber techniques, Meng Lei suddenly stopped and smiled at Zhao Ya and Luo Feng.
"How was it?"
"Truly an extraordinarily powerful saber technique!" Luo Feng immediately said.
"Haha, it's not extraordinarily powerful, but if you can practice to my level, you can definitely make a name for yourself in the Jianghu." Meng Lei said proudly.
For the rest of the afternoon, Zhao Ya and Luo Feng were immersed in the sea of saber techniques.
Starting with the most basic saber moves, slashing, pushing, pulling, chopping, upward slicing, thrusting, and sweeping.
With the foundation of the Five Tiger Fist and their Great Success in Bone Refining, both made rapid progress.
By dusk, both had made quite a bit of progress.
Meng Lei was also quite satisfied, giving them a few words of praise.
Luo Feng was overjoyed, feeling he was a one-in-a-million martial arts genius.
But that thought was quickly shattered.
Because Wei Yu also came at dusk and performed the Gale Saber Technique.
Watching Wei Yu execute the saber technique with mastery and grasping several key elements, Luo Feng, who was brimming with confidence moments ago, fell silent.
Zhao Ya, however, didn't mind it much.
He focused on practicing the most basic saber techniques, showing no sign of slackness even when the moves were repetitive and dull.
Finally.
When it was time to head home, Zhao Ya saw a line of notifications.
[Gale Saber Technique Proficiency +1]
Opening the attribute panel again, sure enough, there was an additional line under skills.
[Gale Saber Technique (Novice Practice 1/100)]
Only then did Zhao Ya let out a sigh of relief.
As long as he could see the skill showing up, it proved his practice was on the right track.