In the early stage, copper skin and iron bones; in the middle stage, golden muscles and jade tendons; in the later stage, mercury blood and silver marrow.

After achieving great perfection, the physical body becomes as pure and flawless as white jade, known as the Water and Fire Immortal Garment, possessing the power to fear neither ordinary water nor fire.

But do you know that ninety-nine percent of martial artists will never reach the perfection of shedding the mortal and achieving the Water and Fire Immortal Garment in their lifetime?

Postnatal and prenatal—just the very first step into martial arts is already so difficult, as hard as ascending to the heavens!”

As his words fell, James Thompson swung his arm and smashed it fiercely against the stone pillar beside him.

Like a white ape raising its arms, a fierce wind howled and exploded.

With a loud bang, the stone pillar was not merely broken, but shattered into pieces, as if ground into powder!

“This punch is the result of thirty years of martial arts cultivation!”

James Thompson glanced at the many disciples who were already stunned, and said in a deep voice, “Today I will teach you your first martial art, 'Vajra Fist.'

Three days from now, the grand examination will begin. Those who open fifty acupoints, one meridian, and achieve entry-level mastery of 'Vajra Fist' will be considered qualified!”

Chapter Two: Sacrifice

As the head of the martial arts school, James Thompson was indeed quite competent.

Although he was strict, his strictness was justified.

The three-day Vajra Fist entry test was a test of comprehension.

If you can’t even grasp the basics of a martial art in three days, your comprehension is simply too poor.

Opening fifty acupoints and one meridian was a test of talent and perseverance.

If you can’t even reach this level in half a year, then either your talent is too poor, or your perseverance is lacking—you’re just slacking off.

The path of martial arts only gets harder with each step; if even the first step is so difficult, you might as well not practice at all.

Without giving everyone much time to think, James Thompson began to demonstrate the 'Vajra Fist' to the group.

“'Vajra Fist' is the foundational martial art taught to lay disciples by the great Buddhist sect, Vajra Prajna Temple, in Qingzhou.

In my early years, I once trained at Vajra Prajna Temple. After returning to secular life, I was permitted to teach Vajra Fist.

The intent of this fist is to subdue demons like a vajra; the moves are open and forceful, and the power erupts fiercely.

Pay attention: when exerting force, you must mobilize the power of your acupoints and meridians. Only by letting the power burst forth suddenly can you unleash its greatest might.”

In the training ground, James Thompson demonstrated each move slowly.

But when the fist landed, the force exploded out of nowhere, resounding with a bang—its power was astonishing.

Adam Harper watched intently, not blinking, carefully studying.

Whether in his previous life or after transmigrating, Adam Harper deeply understood the importance of strength.

In such chaotic times, what protects you is not the law, nor those high and mighty officials, but your own fists and the blade in your hand.

Moreover, in his current situation, Adam Harper absolutely could not afford to be eliminated from the martial arts school.

He was now penniless; after morning lessons at the school, at least he could get lunch. Without the school, he wouldn’t even have a place to eat.

“Did everyone see clearly?”

James Thompson withdrew his stance and exhaled a breath of white air.

The breath was long and even carried a faint whistling sound.

“We saw clearly!”

“Since you’ve seen clearly, now begin practicing each move!”

James Thompson walked up to a high platform in the training ground, watching as the disciples below began awkwardly practicing the Vajra Fist.

He was indeed a very responsible head instructor.

If anyone’s moves were incorrect or their force was wrong, he would go over and give guidance.

Before transmigrating, Adam Harper had trained diligently, and his martial arts foundation was solid.

Now, as he practiced each move of the Vajra Fist, he could feel the power within his acupoints—a truly wondrous sensation.

Threads of power gathered in the acupoints; he could sense them, but could not yet mobilize them.

Only when throwing a punch would a trace of power passively leak from the acupoints, but not much.

In the Postnatal Meridian-Opening Realm, the most important thing is not opening the acupoints, but opening the meridians.

There are 365 acupoints distributed throughout the body, and twelve meridians running through it.

Each time a meridian is opened, it can draw upon the power of the acupoints along its path, allowing true control over the inner strength within the acupoints.

Half a day passed quickly, and Adam Harper was drenched in sweat from exhaustion.

The servants working at the martial arts school had already brought over more than a dozen large basins, and everyone lined up to get their meal.

Each person received five black wheat buns, a bowl of vegetable soup with an oily sheen, and the only meat was two boiled eggs.

Though simple, this was already considered quite good fare.

In the past half year, prices in Blackstone County had soared; previously, a pound of rice cost ten coins, but now it was fifty.

The Southern Mountain Circuit produced little grain, and the neighboring Huainan Circuit was rich and fertile, making it the main source of grain for the Southern Mountain Circuit.

But half a year ago, the Wenxiang Sect caused chaos in Huainan Circuit, the people were destitute, grain production fell, and prices in the Southern Mountain Circuit skyrocketed as well.

Adam Harper felt the black wheat buns scratch his throat, but still forced them down.

After all, they filled the belly.

At this moment, a slightly chubby, round-faced young man squatted beside Adam Harper, chewing on a bun, his face full of worry.

“The grand exam is in three days—this is way too soon.

The head instructor only said that entry-level mastery of 'Vajra Fist' counts as passing, but what exactly does entry-level mean?”

This slightly chubby young man was named Samuel Thompson, a friend of Adam Harper.

His father was the jailer at the county yamen and knew Adam Harper’s father as well. The two had known each other since childhood, though they weren’t very close.

After joining the martial arts school, they happened to discover this connection and often hung out together, becoming friends.