Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Ambush (Part 1) "How is it?" Instructor Lin chuckled. "Very impressive. It can turn the tide at a critical moment," Lou Yi said with delight. But the next moment, he felt a sudden blackout in front of his eyes, his body swayed on the spot, and his mouth and tongue turned terribly dry, leaving him quite thirsty. "It’s a pity that the Dragon-piercing Technique has significant drawbacks. Each use burdens the body considerably," Instructor Lin sighed. "That’s the price." Unleashing potential inevitably depletes potential and harms the body, which is quite reasonable. "But during combat, no one will help you stimulate the Candle Dragon Acupoint," Lou Yi asked. He knew Instructor Lin surely had a solution in mind, otherwise, the method would be useless. "Initially, you can use a silver needle. Once proficient, use your fingers: left hand points to the chest, right hand punches," Instructor Lin explained, "However, in duels between experts, you may not have such an opportunity." He opened his shirt, revealing a well-defined bronze muscular outline, with not a trace suggesting it was the body of an old man. He flexed his abdomen, twisting it into a vertical line that smoothly ascended like a swimming dragon toward his chest. "To utilize it in actual combat, you must learn to activate acupoints with the force of the abdominal cavity." "Back when I learned this move, it took me a full five years! But later, as my Breathing Technique improved, I found out my earlier efforts were futile..." Instructor Lin paused mid-sentence, which left Lou Yi feeling eager to know more. "What you must do now is to remember the location of the Candle Dragon Acupoint. Successfully stimulating it with a silver needle means success," Lou Yi heard Instructor Lin say. Looking at the Attribute Panel, Lou Yi noticed a new entry in his skill list: [Name: Lou Yi] [Age: 19/55] [Realm: None] [Skills: Lou’s Axe Skill (Proficient 0/30), Stone Throwing (Mastery 0/30), Basic Boxing Technique (Beginner 0/3), Basic Spear Technique (Beginner 0/6), Secret Skill: Dragon Piercing Technique - Fragment (Not Mastered 0/20)] [Energy: 0] ... With Instructor Lin’s help, Lou Yi managed to operate the Dragon-piercing Technique twice, saving him considerable learning efforts. Since it was already on the Attribute Panel, he could advance it further using energy. Lou Yi felt relieved. At the same time, he felt a great anticipation for this secret technique. "The Dragon-piercing Technique I have is a fragmented version, indicating only the rough position of the Candle Dragon Acupoint." Instructor Lin’s eyes showed regret, "There are further acupoints like Panlong and Hidden Dragon later on, but unfortunately, the fragmented version lacks details. If you have opportunities in the future, pay attention to collecting them." "If I manage to collect them, I will personally bring them to you for review," Lou Yi promised. "Haha, I’ll be waiting!" Instructor Lin laughed heartily, "Remember, every use of the Dragon-piercing Technique is a considerable burden on the body, so use it cautiously." "I’ve repaid my old debt. Tell Jia Rong that we’ll meet again if it’s meant to be!" After saying that, Instructor Lin disappeared like a whirlwind, leaving Lou Yi unable to see his movements, hence he was taken aback. ’Is this the power of a Martial Artist?’ Lou Yi couldn’t help but feel exhilarated, confident that, with his Attribute Panel, he would eventually reach that level! Jia Family Manor, Landlord’s Study. Lou Yi gave Landlord Jia a detailed account of his interaction with Instructor Lin. Landlord Jia had already dismissed everyone except Housekeeper Wu, who was dressed in black. "The instructor comes and goes without a trace. After this farewell, who knows when we’ll meet him next?" Even with Landlord Jia’s experience, he felt some wistfulness hearing Instructor Lin’s parting words. But he only sighed for a moment before he intensely fixed his gaze on Lou Yi: "I know the value of that secret technique, and I’m willing to pay a hundred gold for it." "Oh, it was due to the Jia Family’s favor to Instructor Lin and the Cyan Plum Wine that I could obtain this secret technique," Lou Yi said straightforwardly, excited by the offer equivalent to a thousand silver taels but sticking to his principles. "Please bring me paper and pen!" "Ah Yi, truly a righteous man!" Landlord Jia exclaimed joyfully. Meanwhile, Housekeeper Wu silently exited the room. Landlord Jia fetched a white silk scroll from an inner chamber, and with a brush, Lou Yi transcribed the technique of the Dragon-piercing Technique onto it. Despite his poor handwriting, Landlord Jia carefully held it and examined it closely. After a while, he sighed, "Indeed, this technique is as hard as scaling the heavens. Since the Jia Family mostly produces mediocre talents, no wonder Instructor Lin wouldn’t give it to me." Though not a practitioner himself, Landlord Jia was well acquainted with the intricacies. "Ah Yi, from today, your monthly payment will match that of Wang En and Cui Yuan." Landlord Jia still offered some benefits, sketching a grand vision, "Serve Jia Family Manor well, and I’ll cultivate you to the best of my abilities; sending you to Tai City to learn martial arts isn’t out of the question." Landlord Jia hinted at some connections: "In the main city, with the Eagle Claw Sect and Lin Gang, there are those I know." "Thank you, sir!" Lou Yi expressed timely joy on the surface. Inside, he marveled at Landlord Jia’s deep connections and his ties to major forces in the main city. Leaving the Landlord’s Study, Lou Yi stopped a short walk away, frowning. A pockmarked, ugly man greeted him ahead, smiling, "Ah Yi, are you free lately? Brother will take you to Bai Xiang Tower for a meal?" Who if not Wang En. Bai Xiang Tower, the largest inn in Xinxiang, was quite expensive, typically only visited by well-off families. Seeing the anticipation in Wang En’s eyes, Lou Yi internally sneered, understanding his ulterior motives. "No time." Lou Yi didn’t bother with pretenses, leaving with just two words. This left Wang En standing there, his face turning pale. ... In the following days, Lou Yi’s life became more structured. During the day, he practiced boxing and pile skills at Jia Family Manor, while at night he went to the cemetery to dig up new graves. Thugs like Wu Biao and Yang Er occasionally brought him news of the dead, assisting Lou Yi in collecting energy. During this period, he encountered a leopard on the road, killed with a blow from the slingshot. No ordinary beasts or birds could stand against the now-skilled Lou Yi. One day, two miles from Jia Family Manor, he was about to enter his usual small grove route. Passing through a few hundred meters of forest led to the nearest village. Suddenly, he tilted his ears and halted. The familiar small grove entrance now seemed somewhat strange, like a monster’s open mouth, dark and treacherous. Lou Yi decisively turned back, choosing to take a detour. Soon after. A frustrated voice echoed from the forest: "Why is that guy so alert?" "Damn, is he part dog? It’s happened several times now!" Five or six burly men emerged from the grove, each wearing a conical hat, sleeveless tops, and carrying a wooden bow on their back, expressions looking menacing. They were unaware that, hidden nearby in a patch of grass, Lou Yi lay prone, his gaze cold and dangerous. ’Hunters from Hu Family Village...’ ...