Chapter 164

Zhang Xiaohua said gratefully, "Big Sister Qiu Tong, you could've waited until you saw me or had someone send me a message for such a small matter. Why did you have to come here personally?"

Qiu Tong pursed her lips and smiled, "That's what I was thinking. But your straw hut has been quite famous in the villa these days, so I came to take a look. Perhaps I should also build one in the courtyard so that the young miss will notice me."

Zhang Xiaohua was embarrassed and scratched her head, "Big Sister Qiu Tong, you're making fun of me. I built this straw hut just to practice my internal energy. Who knew that it would cause so much trouble and cause so many misunderstandings?"

Qiu Tong nodded, "I've already asked the Young Miss about your intentions. Of course she knows, but others don't. You're so unconventional, so of course you'll attract the attention of others. Especially now that you're doing so well in the villa, those who don't know will pay more attention to you."

Zhang Xiaohua was shocked, "No way, Big Sister Qiu Tong. Building a hut will cause so much trouble. Why don't I just tear it down?"

Qiu Tong waved her hand, "No need. Your straw hut will only be used until the Martial Arts Exhibition starts. It'll only be used for a few days anyway. Why bother?

Moreover, the Young Miss has already told the people in charge of the warehouse to scold the servants. If you tear it down, the Young Miss will lose face. "

Qiu Tong looked around the hut and asked with a smile, "Did you build this hut yourself?"

Speaking of her straw hut, Zhang Xiaohua immediately perked up. She puffed out her chest and said proudly, "Yes, Big Sister Qiu Tong. I built it myself."

Qiu Tong praised, "It's not bad. I didn't know you had such skills."

Zhang Xiaohua was embarrassed when she heard this and said, "It's nothing. When I was at the Guozhuang House, I often helped Father and Brother build it. They're the ones who built it well."

Qiu Tong smiled and asked, "Then how's your internal energy training?

Have you found the Qi? "

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and said, "It's about time. Staying here at night is quite quiet. It's really good for practicing inner strength. I think that when the Martial Arts Exhibition starts, there should be a breakthrough."

Qiu Tong nodded and advised him, "Practicing hard is a good thing. Big sister won't stop you, but you must know when to stop. Don't practice so hard just because you're going to participate in the Martial Arts Exhibition. That's not good."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded seriously and said, "I know, Big Sister Qiu Tong. Actually, you know that I can't practice even if I want to."

Qiu Tong was stunned for a moment before she understood what he meant. She couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

The two of them chatted for a while longer before Qiu Tong took her leave and returned to the inner court.

Zhang Xiaohua watched Qiu Tong leave and went back to work. However, before she could water the ground, she heard someone shouting from outside, "Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Xiaohua, where are you?"

Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled. What day was it today?

Usually, there weren't many people in the medicine field. Recently, there were even fewer people here. However, in just a short while, two people had come looking for him. Who was it this time?

When he straightened up and took a closer look, it turned out to be his cheap master, He Tianshu.

Zhang Xiaohua felt that it was strange. He Tianshu's voice was very familiar to him, but it was clearly unfamiliar just now.

Zhang Xiaohua walked to the edge of the field and said with a smile, "Captain He, were you the one who called for me?"

He Tianshu said in a hoarse voice, "Of course it was me. Is there anyone else nearby?"

Zhang Xiaohua asked, "What happened to your voice?"

He Tianshu frowned and said, "Who knows? It was fine yesterday, but this morning it became like this."

Zhang Xiaohua looked at He Tianshu's two large dark circles and asked, "You didn't sleep last night?"

He Tianshu scratched his head and said, "I did. I fell asleep while looking at it. I don't know when I fell asleep."

Zhang Xiaohua didn't ask why He Tianshu was looking for him. He first took out the two pages of the secret manual and returned it to He Tianshu and said, "Captain He, I'll return this to you first."

He Tianshu seemed to have known this result. He reached out and took it and said, "What?

You want to return it to me in one night? Do you know how difficult it is inside? In the future, don't make any sarcastic remarks.

Practicing martial arts requires a down-to-earth style. There's nothing good about it. "

Zhang Xiaohua opened his mouth and wanted to refute something. However, He Tianshu was right. Of course, it was difficult inside. He didn't have any internal energy, so he couldn't practice it. He wanted to refute, but he didn't know what to say. He might as well be silent.

He Tianshu saw that Zhang Xiaohua's attitude was humble and didn't say anything. He was very happy and said, "You really built a straw shed here. I thought you were joking.

That's right, did you get the Qi Sense from the 《Fierce Bull Strength》? "

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head. He Tianshu's face was filled with sympathy. He patted Zhang Xiaohua's shoulder and said, "Don't be in such a hurry. This Bull Stalking Force is the simplest. I believe that you'll gain something if you try to understand it during the night."

Then, He Tianshu took out another page from his chest and said, "After I worked so hard yesterday, my voice became hoarse. Only then did I learn some footwork. I went to your house to find you, but I didn't know that you had settled down in the medicine field. It seems like you're determined to participate in the Martial Arts Exhibition. Let's go to the forest. I'll teach you what I just learned. I hope that in a month's time, you'll be able to make some progress."

When Zhang Xiaohua heard this, he cursed in his heart, "You worked so hard to learn footwork and you actually lost your voice. You're the first person in the world to do that."

Hearing that He Tianshu wanted to go to the forest, he advised, "Team Leader He, let's go to the medicine field. There's still some distance to the forest."

When He Tianshu heard this, his face turned serious and he said, "Big Sect Leader has repeatedly said that only the two of us can practice the 《Ethereal Steps》. There's also no cover around the medicine field. If someone secretly learns it, we'll be punished by the sect rules. We can't be careless."

Zhang Xiaohua had no choice but to follow him.

In the forest, He Tianshu demonstrated what he had learned the night before and let Zhang Xiaohua learn it. He thought that since Zhang Xiaohua had learned it well last time and learned it without any difficulty, it should be smooth sailing this time as well. But who knew that just as Zhang Xiaohua was halfway through learning, she made a mistake. It was clearly a simple footwork, but Zhang Xiaohua couldn't do it. When she put her feet in place, her body changed and she couldn't continue with the next step.

He Tianshu was depressed. It seemed like his good days were coming to an end.

Hence, He Tianshu controlled his temper and taught her step by step. However, no matter how He Tianshu explained or pointed out, Zhang Xiaohua couldn't follow his instructions and learn the footwork.

He Tianshu was a little anxious as he demonstrated step by step in front of Zhang Xiaohua. He looked into her eyes and asked, "Zhang Xiaohua, do you understand?"

Zhang Xiaohua was also helpless as she said, "I understand, Team Leader He."

"Then why can't you put your feet here?" He Tianshu pointed to his feet and asked.

"I know it's fine to put it there, but I just can't put it down. There's a kind of inertia pushing me. My feet can't follow my heart to place them at the spot you said." Zhang Xiaohua also had an innocent look on her face.

That's right. She clearly knew that she should place her feet at the spot He Tianshu pointed out, but her entire body didn't seem to listen to her commands. It was really strange.

He Tianshu wanted to reprimand Zhang Xiaohua again, but he immediately thought of the situation when Zhang Xiaohua learned the fist technique. He couldn't help but sigh. Zhang Xiaohua's aptitude wasn't good. When he learned the fist technique, he could let Nie Xiao Er and the rest teach him while he dealt with it himself. But this time, he learned the 'Ethereal Steps' because of Zhang Xiaohua's glory. No matter what, he couldn't be perfunctory like when he taught the fist technique.

He Tianshu thought for a moment and waved his hand, saying, "How about this? You practice what you learned in the past first. I'll go back and rest. When I have enough energy tomorrow, I'll teach you seriously."

Towards the end, he seemed to have made up his mind. There was a feeling that he wouldn't give up until he taught Zhang Xiaohua.

Zhang Xiaohua responded. He Tianshu turned and left the forest. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Zhang Xiaohua's timid voice asking softly, "That, Captain He, you should go back and rest. Can you let me see the second level's footwork?"

He Tianshu stopped and thought for a moment. He took out a few pieces of paper and turned to Zhang Xiaohua, saying, "Look carefully. I hope you can discover something. Anyway, I don't plan to look at it today. I'm going to rest first. I hope that when I wake up tomorrow, I can see a brand new Zhang Xiaohua."

"Brand new?" Zhang Xiaohua didn't understand and asked, "My clothes are old and my body is dirty?"

He Tianshu laughed loudly and said, "It's a Zhang Xiaohua who is no longer stupid."

Finished speaking, he laughed hoarsely and walked out of the forest as if he had encountered something very interesting.

Zhang Xiaohua heard his cheap master's laughter and pouted, saying softly, "I didn't say I wasn't stupid. Look at your laughter. It's like a broken gong. What's there to be proud of?"

When He Tianshu walked out of sight, Zhang Xiaohua carefully looked at the secret manual in his hand. These thin pages contained all the second level's footwork, including some that Zhang Xiaohua had already learned.

Zhang Xiaohua picked out the part that he had just practiced and carefully looked at it. After he finished reading, he didn't find anything strange. It was all comprehended by He Tianshu without any difference.

What was the reason for this?

Zhang Xiaohua couldn't help but scratch his head.

After thinking for a while, Zhang Xiaohua thought of an idea. He read the page that he had just learned and the page that he had just learned together and linked the footwork together to comprehend it.

Looking at the notes and footwork on the secret manual, a figure that was using the Ethereal Steps slowly appeared in Zhang Xiaohua's mind. That figure was walking step by step according to the Ethereal Steps secret manual. When it came to Zhang Xiaohua's difficult point today, that figure didn't follow Professor He Tianshu's understanding and walked in another place. When Zhang Xiaohua thought of this, his eyes lit up. Wasn't this the next step after the difficult point?!

Could it be that there was an extra step here?

Filled with doubts, Zhang Xiaohua continued to ponder. When the figure in his mind was executed according to Zhang Xiaohua's understanding, it first neglected this step and directly took another step. And the next step didn't follow the secret manual's records but returned to the place that Zhang Xiaohua was unable to step out of.

Zhang Xiaohua suddenly understood. Could it be that the two footwork records were reversed?

He hurriedly looked at the small words at the side. Indeed, the records of the two footwork were very simple and didn't go into detail. Even if it was reversed, the notes were still acceptable.

Zhang Xiaohua's lips curled into a smile as he executed the footwork in the open space in the forest. The result was exactly as Zhang Xiaohua had guessed. If the two steps were reversed, he would be able to execute it smoothly.

In an instant, Zhang Xiaohua had reversed the two footwork records in his heart.

The reversal of the footwork was easier said than done. If He Tianshu was here, he would definitely not do so.

It couldn't be said that Zhang Xiaohua was intelligent, or that He Tianshu's thinking was inflexible and inflexible.

It was just that the two of them had received different education. Ever since Zhang Xiaohua started practicing martial arts, he had always pondered and made his own decisions. The only set of Fist of the North Star was also pieced together by him. From the beginning, he had a habit of doubting everything and breaking everything. Whatever moves were suitable for him, he would use them accordingly. He even dared to change the fist techniques that others had practiced for many years, what more this footwork?

As for He Tianshu, he had received formal martial arts education in the Misty School since young and was used to the textbook way of thinking. The fame of the Misty School's Three Great Divine Techniques had long been branded in his mind as a legend. When he saw this Ethereal Steps, he could only use a devout heart to learn and imitate it. He had never dared to doubt or question the authority of this footwork. Even if it was wrong, he would only conscientiously follow the wrong path and learn and accept it.

This couldn't help but be said to be a tragedy of education.

Since he had this discovery, Zhang Xiaohua no longer held back. Earlier on, he had learned a few parts that were different from what He Tianshu had taught him. This time, he changed them all. Moreover, seeing that it was still early, Zhang Xiaohua didn't return to the herb farm. He wanted to comprehend the remaining second level of the Ethereal Steps in one go in the forest.

Of course, he didn't dare to have extravagant hopes that he would be able to comprehend the Ethereal Steps that He Tianshu had been unable to comprehend for many days in just half a day.

But the results were out of Zhang Xiaohua's expectations. Because he already had the experience of comprehending many different fist techniques, as well as comprehending some footwork at the beginning of the second level of the Ethereal Steps, although there were many footwork at the back, but with the help of Zhang Xiaohua's powerful memory and the figure in his mind, he was able to integrate the remaining footwork into his little basket in an entire afternoon. The entire second level of the footwork had a smooth outline in his mind. But after all, there was a gap between theory and practice. Although he had comprehended it and knew how to practice, it was still difficult for Zhang Xiaohua to execute it step by step.

With regards to this result, Zhang Xiaohua was already extremely satisfied. What was the Ethereal Steps? It was one of the Misty School's Three Great Divine Techniques. Although the first three levels were the foundation of the footwork, it was still incomparably profound. Even with He Tianshu's standard, it was still difficult for him to comprehend it. But he was able to comprehend it in just half a day. What else could he say?

Now that the footwork was already in his mind, he would be able to slowly master it.

Just as Zhang Xiaohua was about to practice again, there was a sudden sound of thunder from afar. A gust of cold wind blew and droplets of rain fell from the sky. Instantly, there were pitter-patter sounds in the forest.

It was raining.

Zhang Xiaohua extinguished the thought of striking while the iron was hot and quickly ran towards the small courtyard. Halfway there, he thought of the books in the straw hut and had no choice but to run towards the straw hut in the herbal field.

By the time he reached the straw hut, the rain was already heavy. Zhang Xiaohua did a quick check and luckily, the quality of his straw hut was still alright. It wasn't a shoddy construction and the rainwater didn't leak in at all.

Standing in the straw hut and looking at the pouring rain outside, Zhang Xiaohua gave up on the idea of returning to the hut. He lit up an oil lamp and began to read his book in peace.

The raindrops hit the roof of the straw hut and the pitter-patter sounds were incessant. The distant sound of thunder was also incessant and flashes of light could be seen from time to time. With such a night light and the rain hitting the straw hut, Zhang Xiaohua was reading at night. Even if he didn't have a female companion, it still had a unique flavor.

At the very least, when the cold wind blew in, it wasn't a chill that an ordinary person could endure.

It was getting deeper and deeper, but the rain didn't show any signs of stopping. The sound of the straw hut became denser and there were signs of it getting louder. The distant sound of thunder was also louder and seemed to be getting closer.

Zhang Xiaohua closed the book and carefully put it in his arms. He then blew out the oil lamp and sat down cross-legged. It was his daily practice of drawing qi into his body.

When Zhang Xiaohua entered a meditative state, he carefully perceived the Qi of Heaven and Earth outside. He was pleased to find that the Qi of Heaven and Earth on this rainy day was actually a bit more than usual and every trace of Qi was lively and seemed to have a little more vitality. Zhang Xiaohua had a feeling and a thought emerged in his mind. The Qi of Heaven and Earth was very fresh.

But it was this fresh and lively Qi of Heaven and Earth that caused a little difficulty for Zhang Xiaohua to draw qi.

The Qi of Heaven and Earth didn't flow from top to bottom like usual. Instead, it flowed around like fish. Zhang Xiaohua's perception couldn't draw them into his body as easily as usual. Therefore, Zhang Xiaohua had to increase the strength of his perception and spread it out like a fishing net.

It was true that hard work paid off.

Zhang Xiaohua patiently guided the Qi of Heaven and Earth for a period of time and successfully drew a new trace of Qi into his body. This trace of Qi of Heaven and Earth was indeed a little different from before. Although Zhang Xiaohua couldn't completely perceive its appearance in his body, he could faintly feel its liveliness and knew that it was in that part of his body.

Successfully drawing in the first trace of Qi of Heaven and Earth seemed to have built a bridge between Zhang Xiaohua's body and the outside world. More and more fresh Qi of Heaven and Earth rushed into Zhang Xiaohua's body like moths to a flame and was drawn in endlessly.

Just as Zhang Xiaohua happily drew the Qi of Heaven and Earth into his body, the liveliness spread throughout his body. At this time, Zhang Xiaohua's Qi of Heaven and Earth became even easier. He silently recited the Heart Sutra's cultivation method and this liveliness flowed along the meridians of his previous Qi of Heaven and Earth. Very quickly, it went through a cycle and more Qi of Heaven and Earth was drawn in and added to this invisible stream.

At this time, an accident happened. There was a loud sound. "Kacha", a thunderous sound smashed right above Zhang Xiaohua's sturdy straw hut.

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