Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Standing in front of the wooden stake.

Jiang Ning gripped the chopping blade with his right hand and swung it forcefully at the log in front of him.

Crack—

The sound of the wood splitting echoed.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but release the blade, shaking his numb right hand.

"Little one, you all right?" Aunt Sun poked her head out of the kitchen window.

"Sister Sun, I'm fine!!" Jiang Ning smiled at her.

He rubbed his palm, and as the blood circulation returned, the numbness quickly subsided.

He then gripped the blade again, placing one foot on the log. As Qi and blood circulated, he exerted force with his right hand and swiftly pulled the blade out of the log.

The next moment.

Jiang Ning, holding the blade, let the Qi and blood circulate to his right arm again, then unleashed his strength on the half-split log.

One chop.

Crack—

The log split in two instantly.

"Not bad!!" A calm voice sounded from behind.

Jiang Ning turned to see, then immediately placed the blade down and bowed in greeting.

"Master!!"

"Don't mind me! Keep chopping the wood, it's also a form of practice! The 'Cang Lang' name signifies a saber technique!!" Wang Jin spoke slowly.

When Jiang Ning heard this, his eyes lit up, and he instantly understood why Wang Jin had given him the task of chopping wood.

*"It seems my performance this morning caught Wang Jin's eye!"* Jiang Ning instantly grasped the situation.

He was even more motivated.

Now that he had caught Wang Jin's attention, he no longer needed to worry about his safety for the time being.

Especially since he could now stay at the Martial Arts Hall, there was nothing to worry about.

Then.

Jiang Ning picked up another thick log, circulating Qi and blood into his right arm.

One chop.

Crack—

The log split in two instantly.

*"The power of Qi and blood is indeed profound!"* Jiang Ning marveled at the result of that chop.

The first chop earlier, without the burst of Qi and blood, could only split the log halfway.

Now, with the burst of Qi and blood, he could cleanly chop the log in two.

It clearly showed the profound power of Qi and blood.

Wang Jin watched for a moment, nodded in satisfaction, and then headed toward the kitchen where Aunt Sun was.

...

Arriving in the kitchen.

Wang Jin slightly sniffed the air.

"You're treating the boy well, putting earth ginseng in tonight's broth."

"Master Wang!!" Aunt Sun spoke nervously, then hesitantly added, "Seeing that little fellow reminds me of my child. If nothing had happened, they'd be his age now!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Jin fell silent.

The kitchen breathed quietly, accompanied only by the "crackling" sound of burning wood.

Then, Wang Jin spoke, breaking the silence.

"It's okay, just add more meat! I also see potential in this boy!"

Aunt Sun's eyes suddenly brightened: "Master Wang means that this little one has a chance to inherit your teachings?"

Wang Jin shook his head, "It's too early to say that! Whether he can seize this opportunity depends on his comprehension! If he's not perceptive enough, my teachings won't take him far! But for now, he's worth cultivating!"

"Understood!!" Aunt Sun's expression revealed faint joy, "This little fellow is well-mannered, I quite like him!"

Hearing this, Wang Jin seemed to recall something, his expression softening as he smiled, "Indeed, he is polite!!"

Meanwhile.

While the two conversed.

Jiang Ning stood before the chopping block, his eyes wide with shock.

[Skill]: Chopping Wood Blade Skill (Novice 1/100)

*"Chopping wood actually led to gaining a blade technique?"* Jiang Ning was filled with amazement.

Soon, a hint of joy appeared on his face.

"Try again!"

With this thought, he placed another log under the block.

Once Qi and blood erupted.

Crack—

The log split in two.

[Chopping Wood Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Skill]: Chopping Wood Blade Skill (Novice 2/100)

"Effective after all!"

His heart leaped with joy, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

Then, he placed another log on the stake.

Crack—

As the blade fell, the log split in two once again.

[Chopping Wood Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Skill]: Chopping Wood Blade Skill (Novice 3/100)

"Not bad! Really not bad!"

Seeing the progress on the panel, he felt quite satisfied.

"Gaining experience this fast is much quicker than the Five Animals Fist! Maybe accumulating experience for this skill is even easier than reading and writing!"

Having completed his test, Jiang Ning was now even more motivated.

"Logs kept splitting one after another under his hands!"

[Chopping Wood Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Chopping Wood Saber Technique Experience +1]

[...]

As Wang Jin walked out of the kitchen, his gaze immediately fell on Jiang Ning.

*"Is this boy crazy?"* Wang Jin watched Jiang Ning with his mouth slightly open.

At that moment, Jiang Ning noticed Wang Jin out of the corner of his eye, immediately laying down the chopping blade and panting slightly as he greeted Wang Jin.

"Master!!"

Wang Jin waved his hand, "Why are you so diligent in chopping wood?"

Jiang Ning replied seriously, "Master, you allow me to stay at the Martial Arts Hall, protecting my safety! I can't repay you, so my only way to show gratitude is by working hard."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jin looked at Jiang Ning with a helpless expression, "There's no need for that, work must be done in moderation! Exhausting your strength, how will you practice your fists?"

Jiang Ning shook his head, "Master, don't worry, I still have wild ginseng given by Brother Zhou to sustain me."

"Using wild ginseng to restore your strength for chopping wood, you're putting the cart before the horse!" Wang Jin looked at Jiang Ning, half-amused and half-annoyed.

"Master has a grace in teaching and protecting me! My gratitude is beyond words, this is the way I can express it! If I accept it calmly, I won't be at peace!" Jiang Ning spoke earnestly.

Wang Jin shook his head with resignation, "Fine then, suit yourself! Chopping wood can help you practice your strength and familiarize you with the blade feel. Eye coordination is the basic skill of saber techniques! If you reach the standards of comprehension, becoming my true disciple, this fundamental skill in saber techniques is essential!"

"Understood!" Jiang Ning's face lit with excitement.

Seeing this, Wang Jin couldn't help but smile secretly.

*"Young people are straightforward, what they think shows on their face! Unlike an old man like me, mature and steady!"*

Wang Jin then silently watched Jiang Ning for a tea break.

*"This boy is loyal and righteous!"* Wang Jin nodded slightly, looking at Jiang Ning with softened eyes.

*"Now, I hope the boy can meet the comprehension standards! Judging by his character, he can take care of me in my old age, avoiding any disgrace or betrayal! Thinking of it this way, he's indeed a promising talent! However, ultimately, it's up to him to strive! Without striving in martial arts, one's lifetime achievements are limited."*

...

[Chopping Wood Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Skill]: Chopping Wood Blade Skill (Novice 99/100)

*"Just a little more experience to break through!"*

Looking at his panel, Jiang Ning's tired body straightened, magically drawing some energy.

He set the log upright and swung the blade.

Crack—

A clear sound echoed as the log split in two.

[Chopping Wood Saber Technique Experience +1]

[Skill]: Chopping Wood Blade Skill (Master 0/200)

In an instant, the small gain in experience triggered a qualitative change, breaking the chopping wood blade skill from novice to master.

Jiang Ning, holding the blade, suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

He instinctively knew how to exert strength for greater chopping force and how to do so with maximum efficiency to conserve energy.

His arm muscles became more taut as experience grew, and now with the breakthrough, his arm muscles warmed slightly, becoming even more taut.

Jiang Ning put down the blade, clenched his fist, and felt the change in arm strength, nodding in satisfaction.

*"Breaking through in the chopping wood blade skill is indeed cost-effective!"*

*"A breakthrough to master has had an initial effect, and the later breakthroughs to small success, great success, and perfection will be even more profound!"*

*"And, there's breaking the limit!!!"* His eyes flashed with expectation as he thought of the changes after breaking the limit, *"Reading and writing's first break gave me the unforgettable trait, I wonder what trait the chopping wood blade skill's first break would give?"*

*"With my current pace, achieving the break limit in chopping wood blade skill shouldn't take many days!"*