"What are you thinking about?"
Zhou An glared at him angrily and said, "Are you really not afraid of accidentally killing someone in a fight?"
"I already told you, winning beautifully is most important. It's all about earning fame, not about determining superiority."
Saying this, he finished gnawing the remaining pig's foot in his hand, and said smugly, "Don't worry, besides me, none of the other old guys have accepted disciples into their ranks this year."
"I've already made arrangements in advance—your matches and opponents are all set up. As long as you keep winning, you'll definitely take the top spot."
"I, Zhou An, still have some influence."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao was momentarily stunned, and then his heart relaxed.
He's long heard rumors about the manipulation in various competitions and prearranged champions. Sometimes, it would make him angry.
But when the manipulation is done by your own people and the predetermined champion is you, naturally, it feels different.
"As they say, 'a flower sedan chair requires people to carry,' Master must be doing this to help me gain fame."
In the world of mortals, it's truly a stage of fame and fortune, and no one can escape from fame and profit.
Once you have a reputation, many things become much more convenient. Zhou An has painstakingly paved the way for him.
Although Zhang Yao doesn't really want fame,
this matter is a well-intentioned effort by Zhou An, and it's not easy for him to refuse. Moreover, there's no danger in this battle, and he can effortlessly win a prize as the top winner.
Thinking thus, he said, "Master, rest assured, I will prepare well."
Zhou An nodded with satisfaction.
After finishing lunch, he kept Zhang Yao around and, while drinking tea, imparted advice: "The martial arts tournament is still half a month away."
"A Yao, remember, when you go on stage, don't finish the fight too quickly. When you are parrying and countering moves back and forth..."
These pieces of advice are practically useless for actual combat, but they are quite useful for putting on a show and earning audience applause.
Zhang Yao carefully absorbed it all before he couldn't help but curiously ask, "Master, among the martial arts halls in the city, who is truly the strongest?"
He had wanted to ask this question for a long time.
In literature, there is no first, in martial arts, there is no second. He does not believe that the masters of the major martial arts halls have never clashed in private.
In these troubled times, the five major martial arts halls in Changping City advance and retreat together, forming a sort of loose alliance. Naturally, there must be a leader, right?
"Hmm..."
Zhou An pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "I had planned to tell you later, but since you asked today, I'll give you a rough idea."
"In this world, the variety of cultivation techniques, martial arts skills, and ultimate skills is virtually limitless. People are different from each other; without actual combat, no one can truly judge who is stronger or weaker."
"If we must categorize broadly, it generally goes by training stages, which are Small Success, Great Success, and Perfection."
"Aside from Hall Master Zhao of Thunder Martial Arts Hall, the rest of us hall masters are all martial artists at the Perfection level. Although there's some difference in strength, the gap isn't that large."
Hearing this, Zhang Yao couldn't help but ask, "Is there no difference between the cultivation levels of Inner Family and Outer Family?"
"Of course there is."
Zhou An's expression became solemn as he replied, "In the world of martial arts, nine-tenths is External Martial Arts, with Inner Family True Inheritance only accounting for one-tenth."
"The difference in strength between the two isn't actually that great. It's not certain that Inner Family will always surpass Outer Family skills."
"The true difference between Inner Family and Outer Family is in longevity and future potential."
"Longevity and future potential?"
Zhang Yao's expression shifted slightly, as if grasping the key point.
"Correct."
Zhou An took a deep breath and continued, "External Martial Arts focuses excessively on refining muscles and bones, which grants immense power but often results in a decline in blood energy and serious illnesses in old age, making their lifespan often even less than ordinary people."
"Inner Family True Inheritance, on the other hand, focuses on breathing techniques that enhance longevity and extension of life, and while the strength isn't weaker than the Outer Family, the lifespan far exceeds it."
"A strong individual with Inner Family Perfection, even at seventy or eighty, is often spirited, with white hair and youthful complexion. While strength may decline, they can still perform at seventy to eighty percent of their prime."
Saying this, he paused and a hint of envy appeared in his eyes: "The most important point—those who achieve Inner Family True Inheritance Perfection have a path forward."
"If, around the age of thirty, when one is in their prime, they can achieve Perfection in Inner Family True Inheritance, they can continue cultivating External Martial Arts while still at their peak, further enhancing their strength."
"This type of person will have organs, blood energy, and physical capabilities ten times that of ordinary people, allowing them to progress rapidly in External Martial Arts, quickly reaching Great Success, or even Perfection."
"Conversely, martial artists who reach External Perfection can't switch to cultivating Inner Family True Inheritance due to the damage inflicted on their bodies and the exhaustion of their potential, which is a natural limitation."
"Those who achieve total perfection in both Inner and Outer Family skills are considered exceptionally strong, effortlessly handling ordinary Inner and Outer Perfection martial artists like an adult playfully dealing with children."
"Above absolute perfection are the legendary Martial Arts Grandmasters, whose strength is unimaginable, reportedly having abilities beyond imagination."
"But whether it be the Realm of Peak or the power of a Grandmaster, they are exclusive to those with Inner Family True Inheritance; those of us who cultivate External skills have no right to covet it."
Zhang Yao listened to him, his thoughts swirling continuously.
Small Success, Great Success, Perfection, Peak, Grandmaster—these are the divisions of martial artist strength in the world.
Currently, his bones and physical abilities are comparable to a Great Success martial artist, but his actual strength still lags behind, with a long way to go ahead.
"Zhang Yao,"
Zhou An looked at Zhang Yao seriously and said, "I'm already old, my blood energy is slowly declining. Although the Golden Furnace Technique reached Perfection long ago, the way forward has long been cut off."
"But you are different, you have a great future. If the opportunity arises, you'll surely go further than me, and even than any ancestor could..."
Zhang Yao's expression shifted slightly with doubt: "But Master, didn't you say that after achieving External Perfection, there's no more path forward?"
He's not worried that after cultivating the Golden Furnace Technique, he won't be able to cultivate Inner Family True Inheritance in the future.
After all, he has the talent for Primordial Energy Spring and Essence Qi Transformation, with his body always in a peak state, void of excessive damage and the accumulation of hidden injuries.
But Zhou An doesn't know about this. Where does his confidence come from?
Facing his questioning gaze, Zhou An smiled mysteriously and said softly, "A Yao, you are different."
"I can tell you that all pillar techniques with longevity-enhancing effects are related to Inner Family True Inheritance, or even simplified versions of them."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao was shocked.
He recalled his days inside Qingping Palace, suddenly realizing a past doubt:
Why, after becoming the Lord Hall Master, can one cultivate the Daoist True Inheritance in Shangqing Pavilion, when their aptitude was not sufficient in their youth, making it too late to cultivate it as they aged?
Now it seems it's never too late, as the Taiyi Pile Skill is indeed a simplified version of Qingping Palace's Secret Profound Skill!
The Daoists of Qingping Palace have been practicing Taiyi Pile Skill since childhood, and by the time they reach high positions, the pillar technique is nearly at Great Success, naturally facilitating the switch to the palace's Secret Profound Skill.
"Do you understand now?"
Zhou An patted his shoulder with a smile and said, "You have a solid foundation in the pillar technique, so you can switch to Qingping Palace's Inner Family True Inheritance anytime."
"Though Qingping Palace no longer exists, the True Inheritance cultivation technique is likely still around. If you can't get your hands on it now, you can find a way in the future."
"With the Inner Family True Inheritance of the same lineage, combined with your astonishing talent, you may not be able to glimpse the Grandmaster Realm, but at least reaching the Peak is not a problem."
Zhang Yao nodded, then hesitated and asked, "But how would one get their hands on Qingping Palace's Secret Profound Skill?"
"Nowadays, Qingping Palace has long been occupied by rebels, renamed Qingping Stockade, tyrannizing the countryside and oppressing the people."
"I have the heart to avenge Lord Guanlu and my fellow disciples, but alas, I lack the strength to do so..."
Zhou An, hearing this, also looked troubled and said helplessly, "Those rebels are hard to deal with; their leader is reportedly quite strong in martial arts."
"I'll think of something..."