Second part,

...

Qin Fang had a simple meal at the martial arts hall. Although it couldn't compare to the restaurants outside, the food was clearly much better than the cafeteria at school, even the bowls used were those wide-rimmed large bowls.

Those who practice martial arts consume a lot of physical strength and have quite a large appetite. This way, they can rapidly replenish the energy they've lost, otherwise, it's not strengthening the body but harming it.

Watching some of the senior martial brothers devouring their food, Qin Fang's appetite also increased. He ate nearly half as much again as he normally would.

After a brief rest to let the food in his stomach digest a bit, Qin Fang continued with his combo points training, which made Luo Shixiong and the others click their tongues in amazement and envy at Qin Fang's cockroach-like abnormal stamina and recovery ability.

"Xiao Qin, what are you doing here?"

While Qin Fang was busy, he heard a voice that sounded somewhat familiar. Turning around, he saw that it was Cai Pingyuan, the master of the Xingyi Martial Arts Hall, the same elder he had met while gambling on stones at the Bizarre Stone Archway.

"Master Cai, hello... I am here to learn from you!"

After a brief moment of surprise, Qin Fang immediately put down the stone lock he was holding and, with a smile, politely addressed Cai Pingyuan.

Cai Pingyuan's appearance did catch Qin Fang off guard for a moment. Although Qin Fang knew he was the master of the Xingyi Martial Arts Hall, Qin Fang had also heard from Ning Yumo that since Cai Qing graduated from college, she had been in charge here, and Cai Pingyuan only came by occasionally to check things out, mainly focusing on training disciples in the backyard.

As for the disciples here, although they were also inner chamber disciples, they were still training in the basics, so they were left to Cai Qing's instruction. It was rare for Cai Pingyuan to come over and watch.

If it weren't for this, Ning Yumo wouldn't have brought Qin Fang here to take a back door. Everyone knew that Master Cai was notoriously strict with requirements; without enough basic skills, he wouldn't allow anyone to take shortcuts.

"I see... By the way, little Luo, where did Qingqing go? Why isn't she here with Xiao Qin?"

Cai Pingyuan nodded and immediately turned to ask Luo Shixiong and the others.

"Master, Sister Qing went out to have a meal with Miss Ning... Junior Martial Brother Qin was brought by Miss Ning, and Sister Qing arranged for him to train together with me!"

Luo Shixiong, facing Cai Pingyuan, dared not hide anything and immediately reported the truth, including the arrangements made by Cai Qing.

"Training with you guys as before? Nonsense..."

Upon hearing this, Cai Pingyuan's face turned dark, and he muttered something angrily under his breath.

"Master Cai, actually it's nothing, I can handle it..."

Although he had some disagreements with Cai Qing, after all, he had entered the martial arts hall through Cai Qing's back door, and he owed her a favor. Now that Master Cai had said such things, if Qin Fang did not speak up for Cai Qing, it would be somewhat improper.

"I'm not talking about that..."

However, to Qin Fang's surprise, Master Cai shook his head and said, "Xiao Qin, have you learned some martial arts before?"

"Uh..."

Qin Fang was slightly stunned; he really hadn't expected Cai Pingyuan to notice that he had been trained, "Somewhat, I learned a bit from a dormitory mate a month ago!"

Qin Fang was quite candid and nodded in acknowledgment.

"What did you learn?"

Master Cai nodded his head, still wearing a smile, without showing any displeasure.

"A breathing technique and a very simple fist technique..."

Qin Fang hesitated for a moment but still spoke up.

"A breathing technique? Have you mastered it?"

But as soon as these words came out, Cai Pingyuan immediately became visibly perturbed, asking anxiously and nervously.

"I've mastered it..."

Qin Fang found it even stranger, unable to understand why Cai Pingyuan would become so urgent upon hearing about the breathing technique, but out of respect, he still affirmed.

"Good, good, that's really wonderful..."

Seeing Qin Fang nod in admission, Cai Pingyuan's face immediately brightened, and he repeatedly exclaimed in approval.

"Xiao Qin, let's not practice this for now, follow me..."

Qin Fang appeared quite perplexed, but Cai Pingyuan didn't give him any chance to ask questions. With a light flick of his wrist, the stone lock in Qin Fang's hand was brushed off and dropped to the ground with a heavy thud, startling Luo Shixiong and the others.

They didn't dare to act rashly at all. If Cai Qing was known for bringing them in line with force, then Master Cai Pingyuan was famed for his strictness.

Thus, Qin Fang was pulled away by Cai Pingyuan. Despite the advantage of "Full Attributes +10," he had no resistance against such an expert. He didn't even have the strength to struggle and was directly dragged away to the backyard.

Compared to the front and middle courtyards, the backyard seemed to be the Cai Family's residence, still retaining the layout of an old estate with east and west wing rooms, exuding the aura of an ancient, large household.

And Cai Pingyuan brought Qin Fang all the way to a place similar to a memorial hall, where Qin Fang could even see ancestral tablets enshrined inside from the doorway.

"Xiao Qin, would you like to become my disciple?"

Cai Pingyuan asked eagerly, his eyes filled with hope, as though he feared Qin Fang might refuse.

"Master Cai, you... you can't be considering taking me as your apprentice?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang was immediately startled and looked incredulously at the man before him who was clearly in his sixties or seventies, asking in disbelief.

This old man was certainly advanced in years, but his martial skills were remarkably strong. Qin Fang could use "Reconnaissance" at Level 5 to check Cai Qing's data, but he couldn't find out anything about Cai Pingyuan, who was at least a Level 6 expert, undoubtedly a formidable presence.

With some time, Qin Fang could also reach his level of expertise, but for now, the gap of more than 4 levels between them was simply too vast. Even when sparring with his granddaughter Cai Qing, all he could do was be utterly defeated.

Hearing Qin Fang's doubt, Cai Pingyuan nodded and spoke frankly, "Xiao Qin, let me tell you the truth. Despite this martial arts hall seeming to do quite well, with a dozen or more disciples, there isn't a single one who can carry on the mantle of this old man."

"Isn't Sister Qing..."

Upon hearing Cai Pingyuan's words, Qin Fang's first thought was of Cai Qing, who had reached Level 5, and he immediately responded.

Although he didn't know Cai Pingyuan's exact level, Cai Qing was only in her twenties with Level 5 strength already. In a few more years, it seemed unlikely to be difficult for her to catch up with Cai Pingyuan.

"You are wrong... She can't do it either!"

Cai Pingyuan said with a bitter smile and a shake of his head, "Xingyi Fist, like Tai Chi and Bagua Palm, is one of the three major Inner Sect fist techniques. Besides the forms, what's more important is the cultivation of Qi... that is, the 'Breathing Technique' you mentioned."

"Qingqing is the most talented in martial arts among the Cai Family's younger generation over the past decades, but unfortunately..." As he spoke, Cai Pingyuan's voice couldn't help but choke up.

"Qingqing started practicing martial arts as a child and learned any technique very quickly, but she just couldn't grasp the method of cultivating Qi, so she focused mainly on technique. Now she has achieved a little success and may even progress further. But as for greater development, there's hardly any possibility left, unless a miracle happens..."

"Aside from Qingqing, there's no one else in the Cai Family who can achieve what Qingqing has. Moreover, with today's societal climate, many of the Cai Family's descendants have gone into business, abandoning the martial skills passed down from our ancestors..."

As Master Cai spoke of these things, Qin Fang also felt moved and understood Cai Pingyuan's feelings at the moment. After all, this man was a true National Martial Arts Master, and especially as an elder, he was naturally very concerned about the transmission of the family's martial arts.

"In fact, over these years, I've also found some decent martial arts prospects. Among my dozen or so disciples, a few are quite good, and I plan to cultivate them as key disciples, even considering choosing one of them to marry into the Cai Family..."

Hearing this, Qin Fang immediately thought of Cai Qing, that fierce beauty. It was apparent that when Master Cai spoke of marrying in, he was mostly referring to whoever took up his mantle would have to marry that mother tiger, Cai Qing. Given her tough character, ordinary men would be turned into vegetative states by her blows. Then considering Cai Qing's unique sexual orientation, Qin Fang couldn't help but display an extremely odd expression on his face.

"Alas, my thinking was too simplistic! Xiao Qin, you've probably seen that Qingqing has been practicing martial arts with a bunch of boys since she was little. I never thought it would lead to a severe distortion in her personality as she grew up. It got to the point where she dislikes men and instead..."

As Cai Pingyuan spoke, his face showed deep pain, which Qin Fang could understand.

"Master Cai, it doesn't necessarily mean there's no chance of turning things around. Maybe consulting a few psychologists could help with changing Sister Qing's sexual orientation!"

Qin Fang said with a forced smile, not wanting to get involved. He offered the advice solely out of respect for how well Master Cai had treated him.

"Let's not talk about that, we've strayed too far off-topic... Xiao Qin, if you are willing to accept me as your master, I absolutely won't hold any secrets back from you. I will teach you all the essence of Xingyi Fist so that you can carry on my legacy!"

Master Cai wiped away a tear, squeezing out a sincere smile on his face as he spoke earnestly.

"Master Cai, that... You might have misunderstood. I took up martial arts just for the sake of staying fit and healthy, nothing more..." If it were simply about becoming a disciple, Qin Fang would undoubtedly agree without a second thought.

But Master Cai mentioned carrying on his mantle, and that was something Qin Fang couldn't accept. First, it was the Cai Family's hereditary martial art. Secondly, it seemed Cai Pingyuan intended whoever took over his mantle to marry that mother tiger, Cai Qing.

Cai Qing was indeed a stunning beauty, but Qin Fang had no interest in her whatsoever.

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