Of the original 20 people who started practicing martial arts, only 13 remained, with Sun Changhe and Liu Xin sparring, and the rest divided into six groups.
"Brother Qin Kun, how about we spar?"
Before Qin Kun could choose a sparring partner, someone proactively approached him.
This was a dark-skinned, somewhat simple and honest-looking, burly young man.
"He is Ma Hong," Qin Kun thought to himself, information about the person appearing in his mind.
Ma Hong was strongly built, and according to Qin Kun, his father had been a slave in the Liu Family for many years, holding an important position in the Liu Manor, and had accumulated some family wealth, so Ma Hong's background was among the top three of all the young house servants, allowing him to afford medicinal baths!
And according to previous observations, Ma Hong's endurance in the Iron Horse Stance ranked third among everyone!
"Then it shall be as Brother Ma Hong says." Qin Kun's heart stirred, and he nodded in agreement, choosing an excellent opponent to spar with was naturally something he eagerly desired.
"This Qin Kun has excellent Aptitude... At first, he was only at a middle-tier level among the group, but in just five days, he improved rapidly, and his Iron Horse Stance duration ranked fifth among everyone! He is the best choice!"
And a glint of light flashed deep in Ma Hong's eyes; while Qin Kun was observing others' Cultivation progress, others were naturally observing him as well.
Among the 13 martial arts practicing youths, there were currently some whose skill was higher than Qin Kun's, but they all had Innate advantages, either from wealthy families who had eaten well since childhood and had a good physical foundation, or who had the aid of medicinal baths, making their Cultivation twice as effective.
According to Ma Hong, Qin Kun did not have these conditions, yet his progress seemed to be getting faster and faster, which indicated that his Aptitude and bone structure were excellent, and this was the fundamental reason why Ma Hong proactively chose to spar with him!
"The combat technique of Iron Stone Fist dictates that blocking is inferior to dodging, and dodging is inferior to attacking! Therefore, punches must be fierce and fast! Knock the enemy down!"
Liu Xin sparred with Sun Changhe, deliberately restraining his strength to demonstrate alongside Sun Changhe.
The others also paired up and sparred.
"My rate of progress... will get faster and faster. In the Cultivation of Iron Stone Fist, within a month, I will most likely rank among the top five, or even... top three, among everyone!"
Qin Kun was full of motivation.
Qin Kun's Qi and blood were growing stronger day by day, which led to a continuous increase in his physical quality, and his practice of Iron Stone Fist became more refined day by day.
Moreover, he had an attribute panel; as long as he Cultivated a skill or martial art to the entry level, making it appear in his attribute panel, then his Cultivation was bound to improve!
Therefore, Qin Kun had considerable confidence that he could stand out among the crowd and join the guard team!
Of course, despite this, Qin Kun did not slack off in his martial arts practice; not only did he practice every afternoon, but he also did extra training every morning and evening.
It was also fortunate that Qin Kun possessed the 'Blood Sea Divine Seed,' which allowed him to evolve by absorbing the blood of livestock he Slaughtered, otherwise, with his standard of living, he couldn't even guarantee eating meat every meal, and his body would surely be the first to break down under such intense Cultivation!
Whether it's exercise or martial arts practice, their essence is to consume enough nutrients and energy to allow the body to grow and even surpass its limits!
Time passed, and with three days left until the one-month deadline, Qin Kun woke up early in the morning to Cultivate Iron Stone Fist.
"Straight punch, horizontal punch, chopping punch, Drill Punch, blasting punch..."
In the dilapidated small courtyard, Qin Kun, shirtless and sweating profusely, threw out punches one after another, either straight or with horizontal chops and vertical slams; each punch was powerful and vigorous, already showing a glimpse of the Dao!
Looking closely, compared to when he first started practicing martial arts, faint muscle outlines had appeared on Qin Kun's body, giving a sense of refined power!
After finishing a set of punches, Qin Kun glanced at the sky, ended his morning practice, picked up a sweat towel to wipe off the sweat, and opened his attribute panel.
Name: Qin Kun
Martial Arts: Iron Stone Fist (Entry 3%)
Skills: Slaughter (Perfection)
Divine Seed: Blood Sea (Qi and Blood Full 47%)
In Qin Kun's attribute column, information about Iron Stone Fist had already appeared, having reached entry level a long time ago!
As for the Blood Sea Divine Seed, the progress bar had also increased by nearly half.
"My current Iron Stone Fist level, among all the martial arts practicing house slaves, should rank around fourth or even third... Unfortunately, the time is still too short. If I had a year or a year and a half, I might not be unable to contend for first place! But as long as I can join the guard team, that will already be a great success!"
Looking at the attribute panel, Qin Kun sighed.
Qin Kun's speed of Cultivating Iron Stone Fist was getting faster and faster; from his original middle-to-lower level, later on, as his Qi and blood became stronger and his physical quality increased, his Iron Stone Fist progress accelerated.
According to Qin Kun's observations, only Sun Changhe, Ma Hong, and a few other two or three people had a higher level in Iron Stone Fist than him!
Whether he could actually join the guard team would have to wait until the results were announced three days later.
"A Kun, you're growing now, you need to eat more meat."
In the evening, Steward Zhang from the Slaughterhouse smiled as he carried a large piece of beef wrapped in lotus leaves and handed it to Qin Kun.
"Steward Zhang... isn't this inappropriate?"
Qin Kun hesitated slightly.
Steward Zhang's expression darkened, and he patted his chest: "This is from me to you! Just call me Uncle Zhang, an elder's gift must not be refused!"
"Then thank you, Uncle Zhang."
Qin Kun had no choice but to accept it.
Qin Kun knew in his heart that although Steward Zhang treated him very well because of his high skill in working at the Slaughterhouse, it wasn't to the extent of such good relations.
The reason for this was entirely because Steward Zhang also knew that Qin Kun might join the guard team, and by then his status would be different, so he was building good relations with him in advance.
"I hope to successfully join the guard team!"
Qin Kun naturally also looked forward to joining the guard team, gaining more resources for Cultivation, and becoming a true Innate Martial Artist!
The short three-day period felt quite long.
Three days later, in the afternoon, in the backyard of the Liu Manor, more than a dozen youths waited anxiously.
"He's here!"
The crowd stirred slightly as a man in black tight-fitting attire strode from afar; it was Liu Xin!
Liu Xin wasted no words; he scanned the group and said, "I believe you have been waiting for a long time. These five spots in the guard team will be confirmed by me today! Now, each of you will demonstrate what you've learned in turn! Use your full strength! Sun Changhe, you first!"
"Yes!"
Sun Changhe responded, showing no fear, and stepped forward to perform the 'Iron Stone Fist'.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
Sun Changhe's footwork was agile, his fists carrying fierce power, striking out in quick succession; each punch left a faint afterimage, fast and strong, like a raging storm!
Sun Changhe's father was a member of the guard team, so he had laid a good foundation since childhood, already winning at the starting line; his Iron Stone Fist level was indeed far superior to others.
"Next, Ma Hong."
After Sun Changhe finished his set of punches, he bowed slightly and retreated, while Liu Xin then called the next person to demonstrate Iron Stone Fist.
Before long, it was soon Qin Kun's turn.
"Brother Qin, good luck!"
Ma Hong also cheered Qin Kun on; over the past month, he had often sparred with Qin Kun and knew that Qin Kun's Iron Stone Fist had improved rapidly, not much worse than his own!
Qin Kun took a deep breath, stepped forward, his legs slightly bent; he looked completely relaxed, but in reality, he was accumulating strength with the starting stance of 'Iron Horse Stance'!
Straight punch!
When the strength accumulated to its Peak, power rose from the ground, transmitted through his legs, waist, and spine to his arm; Qin Kun's right fist muscles exerted force, and a fast, fierce straight punch was thrown, creating a whistling wind sound!