One punch to break stone!

  It was a real stone lion - two meters tall, finely crafted, majestic.

  Just like that, its head shattered.

  Gravel exploded outward!

  But what came next was even more shocking. After destroying the lion's head with one punch, seeing his opponent retreat, the man simply grabbed the entire stone lion and hurled it.

  He didn't even have a hulk-like physique! Though burly, he showed no strain performing this incredible feat.

  "What power!"

  Xun Xie's breath caught. This was beyond extraordinary - even a 20-year 'gymbro' or pro wrestler couldn't compare. Perhaps some freaks of nature or sumo wrestlers might match it, but they'd be pushing the upper limit! Mass and weight were key, yet this man wasn't particularly bulky or heavy.

  Moreover, lifting something briefly and throwing it a considerable distance were entirely different feats.

  Putt!

  The stone lion crashed violently into the ground, carving a deep furrow as it rolled forward.

  Unfortunately, one unlucky soul hadn't escaped in time. More accurately, he'd tried to run but was too slow!

  Poof!

  Xun Xie watched helplessly as a living person was crushed, flesh flying. The residual force from just lifting the lion had been devastating!

  However, Xun Xie had no time to sympathize - he was still standing exposed on the street.

  Witnessing the bloody scene, he shuddered, hastily dragged his donkey into a narrow alley to hide. No more spectating for him.

  The fight seemed to last over ten minutes.

  Only when he saw people returning to the street did he dare emerge.

  Looking around, two adjacent shops had collapsed. The thick courtyard wall across the street bore several fist-sized holes - apparently punched straight through. Only now did he notice mismatched bricks and repair signs on other buildings.

  Clearly, this wasn't rare.

  A blood-covered man lay in the street.

  One arm was fractured, bone protruding through skin - a horrifically penetrating sight.

  This was obviously the loser, unconscious.

  The victor hadn't stayed, simply walking away after winning.

  More people filled the street now, keeping their distance from the injured man while muttering amongst themselves.

  Xun Xie joined the crowd, eavesdropping.

  Two phrases dominated the chatter: "Teacher Lin's apprentice lost" "Teacher Fang's apprentice won"

  Soon, two strong young men in short jackets arrived, carrying the injured man away.

  The excitement over, everyone returned to their business as if nothing had happened.

  As for the tragically killed bystander...

  A woman with a big ass came running with a snotty child, collapsing at the bloody scene, wailing loudly.

  Then a white-haired grandmother arrived. Looking at the crushed corpse - features completely unrecognizable - she cried in despair, cursing heaven and earth.

  At this scene.

  Most onlookers looked uncomfortable, shaking their heads and sighing. A few stepped forward with comfort, but others gathered in groups, discussing the fight as if no tragedy had occurred nearby.

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  Xun Xie observed carefully, noting that almost half an hour had passed since the fighting began, yet no government officials had appeared.

  He'd always wondered about this world's structure - was it like ancient times? Was there a dynasty or empire? Who was emperor? How vast was the territory, and where exactly was he...?

  A series of questions.

  However, compared to these questions, another miracle captured Xun Xie's attention—

  The powerful "martial arts" deeply attracted him!

  "One day, I might meet a man-eating Bodhisattva again," Xun Xie thought to himself. "If I mastered peerless martial arts, I should at least manage to escape or... hang up and beat it? Probably not, the land god was so afraid and he used to be a martial artist..."

  His thoughts mixed.

  Xun Xie grew increasingly eager to meet Hu Piao.

  He walked to a food stall where a couple sold bean curd and beef honey skewers.

  Tying his donkey aside, he sat at an empty table.

  The male owner looked at him, first asking if he had money, barely holding back his disdain. He only smiled when Xun Xie produced a few coins.

  A large bowl of bean curd brain, two beef honey skewers.

  Xun Xie took a mouthful of curd brain - smooth and refreshing, with a strong aroma.

  This was probably the real taste of non-GMO, pesticide-free, natural organic crops. Though it was likely just this world's particularity. Propaganda may or may not have blown the 'artificial' out of proportion when it came to 'natural' crops. Anyway, none of that mattered now.

  "Uncle, I want to ask you something."

  Xun Xie looked at the vendor. "There's a man in town named Hu Piao. His martial arts are very high - have you heard of him?"

  "Hu Piao? You mean Teacher Hu?" The vendor laughed. "Teacher Hu is very famous - who hasn't heard of him?"

  "Are there many teachers in town?" Xun Xie asked, puzzled.

  The vendor smiled. "Teachers? Not many - just four in total: Fang, Feng, Hu, and Lin. Everyone calls them the four teachers. Only they're qualified to accept apprentices and teach martial arts. Why ask about Teacher Hu? Want to worship him as your master and learn martial arts?"

  "You guessed it." Xun Xie smiled. "Who's the most powerful among these four?"

  "Hard to say - all warriors who become teachers are masters." The vendor remained vague. He wasn't a martial artist; how could he judge accurately? Even if he could, what if disciples heard him? He liked his head right where it was.

  Xun Xie understood and asked, "Where's Teacher Hu's home?"

  The vendor pointed south. "Go to 'Broken Wind Square' and ask anyone for the 'Hu Mansion.' Everyone knows it."

  Xun Xie thanked him but had one more question. "Is there a Temple of the Earth in this town?"

  The vendor pondered. "Used to be, but someone burned it down a few years ago."

  Xun Xie grew thoughtful. Yin God, huh...

  He'd only met one - what was the broader situation for these deities?

  After eating, he continued exploring the street.

  'I forgot to tell that young man apprenticeship costs money,' the vendor thought. 'When my useless son learned, it gouged out months of savings. Oh well, it's common sense. He can just go home and return, or maybe his parents will refuse after hearing Coach Hu's price was...'

  "Boss, two skewers!" A customer's call quickly made him forget about Xun Xie.

  Walking and observing, Xun Xie noticed the town's districts were divided into "squares": Treasure Rock Square, SummerCob Square, Greysack Square, Loveless Square, and more.

  "Blue Grain Town is far larger than I imagined - tens of thousands of people maybe. Quite amazing for this period, no, astonishing for not even an emperor's city."

  This world truly began to look remarkable.

  He'd been right to leave the temple - meat in his belly and food for his eyes.

  Something called 'adventure' fluttered in his chest.

  Around town, flat fertile land stretched into farmland. This was definitely a food-producing area.

  Xun Xie couldn't help but think about sealing land in the town.

  After stopping and asking several passers-by, Xun Xie finally found Broken Wind Square.

  He didn't need directions to Hu's residence - the sounds of "Hey, hey, ha, ha" led the way.

  Following the noise, he stopped before a blue and white lacquered gate studded with pearls. White tiger heads adorned each door, bronze rings in their maws.

  "Hu Mansion!"

  Sure enough, this was Hu Piao's home.

  Behind the closed doors came roars.

  Several children lay before the entrance, peeking through the crack.

  Xun Xie joined them.

  Through the gap, he saw a spacious yard where men and women practiced exercises, each move precise. Young and old alike dripped with sweat, including children his age.

  Several practitioners were burly giants, standing 1.8 or 1.9 meters tall. Their muscles looked carved from stone, skin pale as snow, yet they emanated a wild beast's aura under the sun - vital and majestic.

  So many practicing in one space created an atmosphere thick with power and ruthlessness.

  Xun Xie's heart burned at the sight. How magnificent!

  They practiced continuously for over an hour before stopping to repeat certain moves five or six times.

  He watched everything with sparkling eyes.

  After training, someone opened the door.

  The other children scattered quickly.

  A thick-browed young man emerged. Seeing Xun Xie hadn't fled, he frowned. "What are you doing, trying to steal martial arts secrets?"

  "I'm here to apprentice," Xun Xie said.

  He studied the youth, casually standing yet so intimidating. Those muscles and that height!

  After observing so long, everything looked genuine. He was determined to learn.

  Especially those claw-like swipes combined with fists that made the air hiss!

  The thick-browed youth examined Xun Xie carefully. "Apprenticeship costs money. Do you have any?"

  Xun Xie's heart froze - of course it cost money. He felt stupid asking, "How much?"

  Thick Brows replied: "To start, do you have two taels of silver per month?"