I achieved mastery of martial arts during the Republic of China era.

Chapter 18 Accelerated Cultivation, Ji Chang Breaks Through

Zhou Tong's spirits lifted, and he sat up straight.

The text on the panel in front of me began to refresh and recombine rapidly, with lines of clear information flowing out:

Based on the host's physical characteristics and the analyzed medicinal material data, the following adaptation and improvement plan is proposed.

【Formula: Eucommia ulmoides powder 3 qian, Achyranthes bidentata powder 2 qian, Dipsacus asper powder 2.5 qian, Drynaria fortunei powder 1 qian, Aconitum carmichaelii powder 3 fen】

[Usage: Take with warm water half an hour before exercising daily.]

[Expected Effects: When used in conjunction with the Golden Jade Ointment, it can significantly enhance the medicinal efficacy and accelerate muscle tempering. Provided the foundation remains solid, the time to break through to the "Stone Muscle" stage is expected to be shortened to 92 days.]

Zhou Tong's pupils contracted slightly.

Ninety-two days!

His heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively clenched his fists.

The previous panel estimate of 177 days has been almost cut in half, shortening the time by nearly half compared to expectations!

Although it is still far behind the two months of prodigies like Liu Qing and Zheng Hao, the gap has narrowed from three months to about one month.

This means that, at least during the muscle-building phase, his rate of progress has already barely reached the edge of genius.

More importantly—

Zhou Tong's gaze swept over the names of the five medicinal herbs.

Eucommia ulmoides, Achyranthes bidentata, Dipsacus asper, Drynaria fortunei, Aconitum carmichaelii.

These medicinal herbs are not expensive, and the Zhou family can afford them now that they have separated from the family.

"I didn't expect it wasn't an improvement on the Golden Jade Paste itself, but rather an internal supplement..."

Zhou Tong murmured to himself.

He originally thought the system would provide a completely new external ointment formula that needed to be re-refined, which would not only be troublesome but also likely attract attention.

After all, it's easy to get medicine from a pharmacy and grind it, but if you ask someone to refine it again, it will inevitably leave traces.

The solution was surprisingly simple: grind it into powder and take it with warm water.

It is both discreet and convenient.

"The principles of pharmacology are indeed profound and extensive, and the human body is full of mysteries."

Zhou Tong let out a soft breath, his heart burning with excitement.

With just a few added ingredients and a slight improvement to the prescription, the cultivation speed increased so much; it's truly miraculous.

Oh, wait a minute!

This involves more than just improving a prescription; it's a customized treatment based on his unique physical characteristics.

The combination of medicinal materials, the dosage ratio, and the timing of administration—every detail precisely corresponds to the characteristics of his body.

Everyone's constitution is different, and those subtle differences can come together to make a world of difference at the microscopic level.

In that case, even if this prescription is given to someone else, they will probably not see much effect.

The human body is like a lock, and the prescription is like a key. If the key is wrong, the door cannot be opened.

Zhou Tong's heart was surging with emotion, and his eyes shone brightly.

Martial arts training, at its core, is a struggle against one's own innate talent.

Innate talent, comprehension, and temperament—each of these determines how far you can go.

Now, the system has given him a key that can unlock his potential more efficiently.

Just then—

"We've broken through!"

A gasp of disbelief erupted from the center of the front yard, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

Zhou Tong subconsciously looked up.

About ten feet away, Ji Chang was standing there.

He maintained his posture, arms hanging at his sides, chest heaving violently, the heat emanating from his body condensing into white mist in the cold air, several times denser than that of the other students around him.

What was most striking was his expression—his eyes, which usually carried a hint of snobbishness, were wide open, his lips were uncontrollably twitching upwards, and his entire face was slightly flushed with excitement.

"Senior Brother Ji has broken through!"

Then someone else shouted.

The sound acted like a signal, and dozens of students in the front yard stopped what they were doing and focused their attention on it.

Zhou Tong also stood up and looked at Ji Chang across the crowd.

The aura emanating from him was completely different from before.

If Ji Chang was like a piece of hardwood that had been hammered and was solid, then at this moment, the "density" of this hardwood seems to have suddenly increased to a higher level.

Just standing there, it gives people a more profound and solid feeling.

That's the unique aura of a Bone Forging Realm martial artist—after the muscles are tempered to a certain degree, the flow of qi and blood becomes more vigorous, the vitality becomes more abundant, and even the entire person's life magnetic field will change.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Ji, on breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm!"

"Senior Brother Ji is amazing!"

A cacophony of congratulations, exclamations of surprise, and chatter filled the air, instantly creating a cacophony in the front yard.

Zhou Tong stood still, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

He saw that even those students who didn't usually have much of a relationship with Ji Chang were now forcing smiles and coming over to congratulate him;

Seeing several disciples in the Meat Refining Realm from ordinary families like Ji Chang, their faces flushed with excitement, as if it were they themselves who had broken through;

I also saw several students from prominent families. Although they had smiles on their faces, a complex look flashed in their eyes.

Martial artists at the Flesh Refining Realm, depending on their cultivation level, can work as guards in wealthy households or as bodyguards in shops, earning anywhere from ten to twenty silver dollars a month—a respectable profession.

But the Bone Forging Realm is completely different.

A martial artist at this level is already considered quite skilled.

If someone sets up their own business, ordinary small gangs and factions would never dare to provoke them easily.

If one chooses to attach oneself to others, one becomes a sought-after figure by various chambers of commerce, families, and gangs, not only receiving generous salaries but also rising in status.

Zhou Tong noticed that even Liu Qing and Zheng Hao, who had been standing under the locust tree and rarely interacted with ordinary students, were slightly taken aback. They then exchanged a glance and walked side by side toward Ji Chang.

Liu Qing was still wearing her white training clothes, her posture as upright as bamboo, and a rare hint of surprise appeared on her usually cool face.

Zheng Hao, dressed in a blue short-sleeved shirt, walked with a steady gait and wore his usual reserved smile.

Wherever the two passed, the crowd automatically parted to make way.

Zhou Tong did not immediately approach.

He sat back down on the bench, picked up the kettle and took another sip, quietly watching Ji Chang, who was surrounded by layers of people in the distance.

Ji Chang was clearly not yet fully recovered from the excitement of the breakthrough.

While responding to the congratulations from those around him, he couldn't help but look down at his hands, clenching and unclenching them as if to confirm that this was not an illusion.

Zhou Tong looked at Ji Chang with a smile; he could understand that feeling.

Martial arts training is like climbing a cliff with every step.

From building muscle to forging bones, it seems like there's only a thin layer of paper separating them, yet many people spend their entire lives trying to break through it.

Ji Changka has been at the peak of his body-building skills for some time now. In addition to his daily maintenance training, he spends most of his time "moving around" in the city in order to raise resources and find an opportunity to break through.

Now that we have achieved success, how can we not be overjoyed?

Just then, a figure flashed by at the moon gate in the front yard.

Senior Brother Chen Zong stepped out.

He was still wearing that dark blue cotton robe, his steps were steady, and his face was expressionless.

But when his gaze fell on Ji Chang, who was surrounded by the crowd, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Senior Brother!"

"The eldest brother is here!"

The crowd immediately quieted down and made way for a wider passage.

Chen Zong stopped three steps in front of Ji Chang, looked him up and down, and then asked, "You've broken through?"

His voice was steady, revealing no emotion.

Ji Chang quickly composed himself, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed respectfully, saying, "Reporting to Senior Brother, I suddenly had an enlightenment while practicing, and my qi and blood rushed through the barrier, allowing me to break through by sheer luck."

"Luck?" Chen Zong said calmly, "There's no such thing as luck in martial arts cultivation. You've accumulated it."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Let me show you."

"yes!"

Ji Chang took a deep breath, took a half step back, and assumed a fighting stance.

Everyone around held their breath, their eyes fixed on the object.

Ji Chang slowly lowered his stance, his right fist retracting to his waist, his muscles visibly taut and bulging. The next moment, he twisted his waist and hips, throwing a punch forward!

"boom--!"

Wherever the fist passed, the air seemed to be compressed violently, emitting a low, booming sound.

What's even more remarkable is that at the moment he throws a punch, the friction between his internal bones produces a series of crisp, clear "clucking" sounds, like the gentle tapping of jade chimes!

Muscles and bones resonate in unison!

This is the most significant sign of the Bone Forging Realm—when the bones and muscles have been tempered to a certain degree, they will naturally resonate when they unleash their full power. The clearer and more continuous the sound, the more thoroughly they have been tempered.

As the fist force was fully unleashed, a deep tiger roar faintly echoed in the air!

Although it was very faint, almost inaudible, everyone present was a martial artist with keen hearing, and they all heard it clearly.

"A fist roars like a tiger..."

Someone murmured, their face filled with shock.

A hint of approval finally flashed in Chen Zong's eyes, and he nodded: "Not bad. The muscles and bones resonate, and the fist roars like a tiger. It has indeed entered the bone forging stage, and the foundation is solid."

He looked around and raised his voice a few decibels: "From today onwards, Ji Chang will be another elite disciple of my Dragon Tiger Martial Arts School. I hope you all will practice diligently and break through as soon as possible."

Congratulations, Senior Brother Ji!

Congratulations, Senior Brother Ji!

Congratulations rang out again, even more enthusiastically than before.

Chen Zong then gave Ji Chang a few more instructions on stabilizing his realm and adapting to his newfound power, before saying, "Come with me to see Master."

"yes!"

Ji Changqiang suppressed his excitement and quickly responded.

The two passed through the moon gate one after the other and disappeared into the direction of the backyard.

The front yard immediately erupted into noise again.

The group chatted in small groups, all discussing Ji Chang's breakthrough.

Zhou Tong saw that Liu Qing and Zheng Hao were standing in the same spot, not leaving immediately.

Zheng Hao crossed his arms, looking thoughtful.

Liu Qing turned her head slightly and whispered something to Zheng Hao. Zheng Hao smiled slightly and nodded.

About fifteen minutes later, Ji Chang returned to the front yard.

Liu Qing and Zheng Hao immediately went to meet them.

"Junior Brother Ji, congratulations." Zheng Hao spoke first, his smile more sincere than usual.

Ji Chang quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior Brother Zheng, you flatter me. It was just a lucky break."

"There is no room for luck in martial arts."

Liu Qing no longer had her usual aloofness, and said with a smile, "Being able to break through is a skill in itself."

After a pause, she got straight to the point: "My family owns a warehouse in the west of the city, and we're currently short of a martial arts master to manage it. If Junior Brother Ji is interested, I can make an introduction."

As for your monthly salary, it will not be less than sixty-five silver dollars. The warehouse will also take care of the food and supplements you need for your daily cultivation. In addition, at the end of the year, depending on the warehouse's profits, you will receive a bonus of no less than eighty silver dollars.

The students around who heard these words secretly gasped.

A monthly salary of sixty-five silver dollars was already considered upper-middle class income in the city, not to mention the food allowance and bonuses.

More importantly, the warehouse manager position is not only highly paid, but also a position with real power. They can manage dozens of people and their words carry weight in the western part of the city.

Zheng Hao smiled and continued, "Junior Sister Liu is truly generous. But coincidentally, my second uncle's Zhenwei Escort Agency is also recruiting skilled individuals recently."

If Junior Brother Ji is willing to come, he can not only be a head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), earning a monthly salary of eighty-five silver dollars, but also receive an extra bonus after each escort mission. Last year, the five head镖师 of the镖局 (escort agency) earned at least twelve hundred silver dollars in a year.

A low murmur rippled through the crowd.

One thousand two hundred silver dollars! That averages out to one hundred silver dollars a month, which is higher than the price Liu Qing offered.

Not to mention, thanks to the Zheng family's background in the Industry and Commerce Bureau, Zhenwei Escort Agency is a well-known name in Cangzhou and even the surrounding areas. Joining it would mean a bright future.

The moment the two opened their mouths, they took completely different paths.

One path offers stable and comprehensive protection, while the other carries higher risks but also higher returns.

Everyone looked at Ji Chang, waiting for his choice.

Zhou Tong watched quietly as well.

He quickly calculated in his mind that the Golden Jade Cream that his senior brother had sold him cost ten silver dollars a box and could last for half a month. That meant that the Golden Jade Cream alone would cost twenty silver dollars a month, not including the cost of dietary supplements and massage.

Even if ordinary cultivators in the Body Refining Realm go out to work, it's difficult to support their cultivation expenses, and they still need family subsidies. This is why people often say that scholars are poor while martial artists are rich.

Many cultivators outside the Body Refining Realm don't have enough medicine to support their daily cultivation; they're lucky if they can cultivate for half the month.

Reaching the Bone Forging Realm requires even more effort in cultivation. Just the Bone Forging Pills, which are essential for cultivation, cost sixty silver dollars for a box that lasts a month.

The salary offered by Liu Qing and Zheng Hao was truly generous, not only enough to support Ji Chang's cultivation at full speed, but also with a surplus. The price they offered was definitely higher than what Ji Chang would receive if he found a job outside.

These two people usually appear aloof and proud, but they are willing to spend money to win over people of value.

Ji Chang, standing in the center of the crowd, still had a smile on his face, but his eyes were clear and bright.

He first bowed to Liu Qing and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister Liu. The responsibility of the warehouse manager is heavy. I am new to Bone Forging and I am afraid I lack the experience to shoulder such a great responsibility."

Liu Qing's expression remained unchanged; she still smiled, nodded slightly, and said nothing more.

Ji Chang then turned to Zheng Hao, his smile becoming even more sincere:

"I appreciate Brother Zheng's kindness. However, my escort agency travels all over the country, and I have an elderly mother at home who needs care, so it is really inconvenient for me to travel far. Please forgive me, Brother Zheng."

Zheng Hao raised an eyebrow, then smiled and said, "I understand. Junior Brother Ji's filial piety is commendable. There's no rush. If you change your mind later, you can come to me anytime."

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior Brother Zheng."

Ji Chang bowed deeply, adopting a very humble posture, but his refusal was unequivocal.

Many of the students around looked surprised.

The conditions offered by Liu Qing and Zheng Hao were undeniably generous, yet Ji Chang rejected them without even considering them. Did he have a better place to go?

Liu Qing chatted casually with Ji Chang for a couple more minutes before turning and leaving.

Zheng Hao patted Ji Chang on the shoulder, smiled, and left.

After the two left, the other students gathered around to offer their congratulations, and after this lively scene, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Ji Chang stood there and exhaled a long breath.

He turned his head, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard, and quickly locked onto Zhou Tong in the corner.

Zhou Tong stood up and went to greet him.

The two met under the locust tree.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Ji," Zhou Tong said with a genuine smile.

Ji Chang grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, and patted Zhou Tong's shoulder hard:

"Lucky, damn lucky! Last night I felt like that thin layer of paper was as thick as a city wall, but today, while practicing, it suddenly clicked!"

He rubbed his hands together, then couldn't help but look at his fists: "That feels good! That fucking feels good!"

Zhou Tong sensed the barely suppressed excitement in his words and laughed, "After hardship comes happiness."

"Yes! After hardship comes happiness!"

Ji Chang nodded vigorously, smiled at him, and said, "Let's go! Let's find a place and celebrate properly!"