Chapter 1 Fainted

  Nanling Provincial Capital - Biancheng.

  In the Tian Ding Sect's residence, Xiao Ran was alone in a courtyard, cultivating. He had been practicing "Ji Xing Quan" for over a month now, and although he hadn't managed to successfully open even one acupoint, Xiao Zhan could clearly feel his body constantly improving, which greatly boosted his enthusiasm for cultivation, making him eager to open an acupoint as soon as possible.

  The 36-style Gathering Star Fist's moves are not complicated, but to exert the power of the fist method, one must open up the acupoints; otherwise, this set of fist methods is just an empty shell, and apart from being able to strengthen the body and build health, it has no other use.

  He repeatedly practiced the 36-style Gathering Star Fist, but still didn't feel any of his body's acupoints opening up, so Xiao Ran knew that today was hopeless. Although he felt a bit disappointed, he didn't stop and continued to practice according to the fist manual.

  "Warrior brother, are you practicing boxing?"

  Xiao Ran was in the midst of intense practice when a soft, tender voice suddenly rang out, causing him to curiously turn his head to look behind him. He saw a delicate, doll-like little girl staring at him with a mixture of fear and curiosity, her gemstone-like eyes sparkling, utterly captivating and adorable.

  Xiao Ran withdrew his fist and stood up, laughing: "Xin'er, why are you running out alone today?"

  Xiang'er's small face showed a happy expression as she said: "I saw Brother Xiao practicing his fist and I came out to take a look out of curiosity."

  Looking at the little girl in front of him, Xiao Ran really enjoyed being with her. It was probably because they shared a common fate. Although the little girl wasn't cursed, she too was born unable to cultivate. The two had only been together for just one day, but they already talked about everything.

  Xiao Ran smiled happily: "Today's Xin Er is much more cheerful, yes, it should be like this."

  Yang Xiner nodded and said, "Mother said that I should be happy, so Uncle Zhong's spirit in heaven can also rest at ease." As she spoke, her beautiful eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she asked, "War Brother, I heard from War Auntie that you couldn't cultivate since childhood, just like me. Then how are you able to cultivate now?"

  Xiao Zhan patted her head and nodded, "Yes, I used to be unable to even take a step without panting. By the way, what illness did Xiang'er contract that she can't cultivate?"

  Xiang'er shook her head and said dejectedly, "I don't know either. I only remember that when I was just born, I contracted a serious illness and almost died. Father tried every means to save my life, but from then on, my meridians became extremely fragile and I couldn't practice martial arts."

  Looking at her dull expression, Xiao Ran suddenly felt a sense of sympathy. The bits and pieces of the past five years flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but gently stroke Xiaoyi's head with an overwhelming sense of pity.

  After some thought, Xiao Ran's heart suddenly moved, and he smiled slightly: "Actually, there is still a way to cultivate."

  Yang Xiner suddenly lifted her head, with a look of confusion on her face.

  Xiao Ran smiled and said: "Do you know what War Brother was just practicing?"

  Yang Xiner tilted her head and thought for a while before shaking her head and saying, "I don't know, isn't it Auntie who taught Erge?"

  Xiao Ran smiled and said, "Not long ago, War Brother was also unable to cultivate like you, but recently he met a very powerful master. The old man said that this set of fist techniques is suitable for people with weak bodies and fragile meridians. At the time, War Brother thought it was just a scam, but out of his desire to cultivate, he agreed to learn from him. Unexpectedly, the effect was amazing! My body has been recovering rapidly, and when I practice the fist technique, I don't feel any fatigue at all."

  Yang Xiner exclaimed in surprise, extremely delighted: "Ah! Really?"

  Xiao Ran smiled slightly and said, "Of course it's true. This set of fist techniques is not cultivated through the meridians, but rather through the mysterious and unpredictable acupoints within the human body. Xiang Er's weak meridians have no impact on her cultivation whatsoever. As long as she cultivates this set of fist techniques, I guarantee that Xiang Er will be able to completely cure her body. Does Xiang Er want to learn it?"

  "Ah, I see!" Yang Xiang'er nodded her small head quickly, but in an instant, her little face darkened and she said timidly: "Father had said before, don't secretly learn the martial arts of other schools."

  Xiao Ran smiled and said: "It's okay, War brother will take Master's place to accept Xiang Er as a disciple, then Xiang Er can learn at that time."

  Yang Xiner happily said: "Is this okay? Will War Brother's master get angry?"

  Xiao Ran gave her a reassuring smile, then patted his chest and said: "Don't worry, being able to accept such a beautiful and lovely apprentice like Xiang'er, the old man is overjoyed, how could he be angry?" Hum! If he gets angry, that would be even better, Young Master was just about to ask him for the ring's opening spell.

  Xiao Ran smiled slightly and said, "Xiang Er, I'm the only disciple of Shifu, if you also take him as your master, then we'll be siblings in the future. Hehehe! Xiang Er, call me 'Shixiong' first, let me enjoy being an older brother for a bit."

  "Big Brother!" Yang Xiner exclaimed happily at once.

  Xiao Ran smiled and said: "Xiang Er Shi Mei!"

  "Hehehe, Brother! Brother!"

  Seeing Yang Xiner's smiling face, Xiao Ran took out the boxing manual from his bosom and handed it to her. Taking over the manual, Yang Xiner's gem-like eyes sparkled with excitement as she flipped through it eagerly.

  Watching Yang Xiner's excitement, Xiao Zhan continued to cultivate on the side.

  The sun slowly set, and the two sat in the small courtyard discussing the essentials of boxing, accompanied by joyful laughter.

  The happy appearance of the two naturally fell into the eyes of their mothers, who were not far away. Seeing Yang Xiner, who had been guided by Xiao Ran and was now punching with a certain style, the young woman was both surprised and delighted. She was surprised that she didn't know if such training would hurt her daughter, and she was happy that her daughter could finally practice.

  Seeing the young woman's hesitant expression, Zhan Wan'er smiled and said: "Sister can rest assured, this set of fist techniques is extremely unusual. The cultivation is not through meridians, but rather the mysterious and unpredictable independent acupoints within the human body. My son's situation was exactly the same as your daughter's in the past. After practicing this set of fist techniques, his condition has improved significantly. Unlike before, he no longer gets short of breath and sweats all over just from walking."

  The young woman exclaimed in surprise: "Is this set of fist techniques really so magical?"

  Zhan Wan'er nodded and said, "At the beginning, the high-ranking person who passed on the War Son's fist said that this set of boxing techniques can strengthen one's physique if practiced regularly, and even strengthen the meridians. As long as Xiang'er practices continuously without interruption, her illness will be cured naturally."

  The young woman was overjoyed, but suddenly she worriedly said: "Such a profound fist method can't be casually passed on to outsiders. What if that master blames us and implicates Warson?"

  Zhan Wan'er smiled and said: "There's no need to worry about this little sister, that high-ranking person is very easy-going and won't bother with such a small matter."

  The young woman immediately smiled and said: "That little sister will thank her sister first."

  "You should thank my brother Zhan Er, not me."

  The young woman nodded and said, "It's because you should thank Zhan Er properly. However, sister is leaving tomorrow, so why not stay a few more days? Little sister has already sent someone to inform the public about the encounter, and it's likely that people will come back soon. At that time, we will definitely thank sister properly."

  Zhan Wan'er shook her head and said, "No need to thank me, it's just a matter of lifting one's hand."

  The young woman wanted to say something, but was stopped by Zhan Wan'er. Under the circumstances, she could only shake her head and sigh softly, looking at the two children in the courtyard again. Seeing how well they got along, she smiled happily: "They really get along well, this is the first time I've seen Xiang Er so happy."

  "Yes, maybe this is what they call fate."

  Zhan Wan'er let out a soft sigh.