Not far away, Old Man Grant squinted his eyes for a look and nodded slightly. His gaze kept sweeping over the disciples in the courtyard who were toughening their skin, so he naturally noticed the change in Henry Webb at a glance.

Although the fists had just finished training and were all bright red, Old Man Grant's experience was extraordinary, far beyond that of ordinary disciples, so he could immediately tell that Henry Webb had succeeded.

“He made it!?”

The senior brother who had just been quietly discussing Henry Webb with Samuel Hayes was slightly stunned. He glanced at Henry Webb, surprised.

“He really managed to succeed in the last few days.” He couldn't help but sigh.

Samuel Hayes gently clapped his hands, but only made the gesture of clapping, without any sound.

Henry Webb looked toward his second sister; Emily Webb was covering her mouth, a joyful smile on her face.

He let out a heavy sigh of relief, feeling the pressure in his chest suddenly dissipate.

Looking again at his third senior brother Samuel Hayes, seeing his silent clapping gesture, Henry Webb couldn't help but wave his fist at him.

Having passed this hurdle, he was now truly a Huishan Fist disciple; before, he was just an ordinary paying disciple.

Such disciples were completely beneath Old Man Grant's notice—there were as many as needed, with plenty coming and going every month.

But a true Huishan Fist disciple was different.

Henry Webb stepped out of the wooden basin, his fists still bright red, drawing envious glances from the men around him who had not yet succeeded, as well as from some who were still toughening their skin.

“How does it feel? Did your vital energy and blood rise to a new level? Does everything feel different now?” Samuel Hayes came over and patted him on the shoulder.

“Yeah. I didn't expect the difference between success and failure to be so great.” Henry Webb said in a low voice.

“That's how it is. Don't be fooled by the plain names of our Huishan Fist levels—each stage, what really determines your level isn't the hardness of your fists. That's just the surface.”

Samuel Hayes explained.

“The fists are just a special effect that naturally comes from training the body and vital energy. The real strength lies in the powerful vital energy that corresponds to each level.”

“I understand.” Henry Webb nodded.

“Want to go try out the results?” Samuel Hayes invited. “Come to my house, I have a dedicated martial arts training ground.”

“Is that okay?” Henry Webb hesitated.

“Of course it is! We're brothers, no need to be so formal!” Samuel Hayes gave him a hearty slap on the back. “When we’re dismissed, don’t run off—come home with me, just treat it as a friendly visit!”

“…Alright.” Henry Webb knew that being invited to someone’s home was, in itself, a form of recognition.

After all, although Samuel Hayes had always gotten along well with him, he had never invited him to his house before.

But this time, as soon as he broke through, he was invited over. It was clear how big the difference was between breaking through and not.

After chatting with Samuel Hayes for a while, Henry Webb went over to his second sister.

“You’ve worked hard, Xiao He.” Emily Webb looked at him with a smile, her eyes full of happiness.

With their eldest sister absent and their parents missing, her only support was this younger brother.

Now that her brother was making her proud, she felt an even greater sense of security.

In these chaotic times, what could bring more peace of mind than strength?

“It wasn’t hard.” Henry Webb shook his head. He was telling the truth—he liked this feeling, this sense of gradually growing stronger.

Actually, he knew in his heart that he hadn’t reached the level of vital energy needed to break through. If it weren’t for the Boundary-Breaking Pearl, he might have ended up like the other disciples who hadn’t broken through, leaving quietly, not knowing where to scrounge for a living, living day to day.

Chapter 10: Breaking Through (Part 2)

“How about we celebrate when we get home?” Emily Webb stepped forward to tidy his hair and suggested.

“Let’s do it tomorrow. In a bit, Third Senior Brother invited me to his house.” Henry Webb replied.

“Alright then. Remember to bring a gift for the visit.”

“Okay. Sis, when you rest, don’t stay up too late.”

“I know, I know. Go on, I’ll take good care of myself.” Emily Webb said with a smile, her face full of joy.

Looking at her, Henry Webb suddenly felt deeply that every move he made, every little change, affected those around him in some way.

If he hadn’t succeeded, Second Sister Emily Webb would have had to leave this safe place and return to their previous environment.

But now that he had become an official disciple, Second Sister could naturally stay with him, living a stable, if tiring, but peaceful life.

Everything about him directly affected his sister’s fate.

With mixed feelings, Henry Webb returned to his corner and began to practice the basic routines of Huishan Fist bit by bit.

He took a moment to secretly glance at the pattern of the Boundary-Breaking Pearl on his chest. The black color on it had completely faded, returning to its original flesh-colored pattern.

“It’ll take who knows how long to save up again… what a pity…”

Henry Webb sighed inwardly. To recharge the Boundary-Breaking Pearl this time, he had spent more than half a year accumulating resources.

“If only I could find something to replace the expensive insect meat and speed up the accumulation.”

That was what he thought, but Henry Webb also knew that even if such a thing existed, it wasn’t something he could afford right now.

By afternoon, the courtyard began to be tidied up, a few men started ushering people out, and then everyone went to pay their respects and say goodbye to Old Man Grant.

After these routine steps, Samuel Hayes pulled Henry Webb along, and they got on the carriage to head home.