My gorgeous wife Chapter 2044 - 2012: Young Master Liu

"Are you planning to make me your disciple, elder brother?" Ying Xiaoxiao gazed at Li Chen, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Ying Xiaoxiao was still young, perhaps around twenty, while Gong Yufei was about twenty-four or twenty-five, possessing more life experience than Ying Xiaoxiao. Upon hearing Li Chen's words, she couldn't help but voice her doubt, "I've heard that for martial cultivation, the younger one starts, the better, as older bones become rigid. Isn't it too late for Xiaoxiao to begin practicing martial arts now?"

"No," Li Chen replied, shaking his head. "If it were other forms of cultivation, it might have some impact, but martial arts practice is different."

Li Chen spoke the honest truth. For those pursuing immortality, or divine or demonic cultivation, missing the prime age for training often leads to regret. However, martial arts practice operates on different principles.

Martial artists achieve metamorphosis through enduring trials, transforming repeatedly through these challenges.

Indeed, age can present numerous hurdles in training, yet the very obstacles one overcomes forge the path to greater, more remarkable achievements.

Consider Li Chen himself; he joined the ranks of martial artists and reached the Yellow Rank in his twenties. And where is he now?

"Taking on disciples is out of the question," Li Chen stated, casting a glance at Ying Xiaoxiao. "I can offer you some guidance, though. You can call me... teacher."

"Teacher?" Ying Xiaoxiao giggled playfully. "How about 'little teacher'?"

"As you wish," Li Chen responded with indifference. Truthfully, with his current appearance, he did resemble a boy of seventeen or eighteen. The Heaven and Earth Locking Technique had certainly frozen him in time, but he considered this effect to be beneficial.

Li Chen's physical body was not imprisoned, but rather locked by time itself. His peak years were sealed by the Heaven and Earth Locking Technique, preventing any deterioration. Instead, his body was forcibly rewound, restoring him to his current youthful state.

This technique genuinely delves into a supreme understanding of the Dao. Even at Li Chen's current level, fully grasping its intricacies is challenging, allowing him to perceive only the most surface-level manifestations.

"To truly enter the martial artist path, establishing a solid foundation is paramount," Li Chen explained. In the ensuing days, Li Chen remained to instruct Ying Xiaoxiao in her practice. Initially, Gong Yufei had expressed some interest, but upon reviewing the rigorous training regimen Li Chen outlined, a shiver ran down her spine, and she promptly abandoned the daunting notion.

"Only when your physique reaches its absolute limit can you truly cultivate True Qi. Nurturing True Qi marks the initial stride toward becoming a true martial artist," Li Chen remarked lazily, leaning against the bed in Ying Xiaoxiao's room as he observed her diligent training. "Becoming a martial artist presents the greatest difficulty in this initial phase, as it's the hardest for beginners to persevere. Once this bottleneck is shattered and the first step is taken, the subsequent stages become considerably more manageable."

For several days, Li Chen remained largely stationary, staying within Ying Xiaoxiao's quarters to oversee her training. Every exercise was meticulously calibrated to her current capabilities.

Whenever Ying Xiaoxiao felt like quitting, Li Chen would inexplicably produce a whip. A single lash would leave a reddened welt on her skin, compelling her to rise and resume her arduous practice.

It could be said that under Li Chen's watchful eye, Ying Xiaoxiao pushed past her physical limits daily, continuously striving beyond her perceived boundaries.

Onboard the yacht, numerous individuals observed Li Chen's prolonged stay in Ying Xiaoxiao's room. Particularly among the male passengers, envious and lascivious glances were exchanged.

Ying Xiaoxiao, present on the ship, was an object of secret desire for many of the men. However, despite the yacht's extended voyage, none had managed to win her favor. Though young, she possessed significant worldly experience, making her conquest no simple feat.

Let alone seducing her, no man on the ship had even gained entry into Ying Xiaoxiao's private quarters. Yet, this coveted space had unexpectedly been claimed by an unknown young man.

To them, Li Chen's continuous presence in Ying Xiaoxiao's room for days on end clearly suggested only one interpretation.

"This fellow's endurance is quite something, isn't it? He hasn't emerged in days," one individual muttered with undeniable sourness.

"Perhaps he arrived riding a whale; could he be a martial artist?"

"What utter nonsense about martial artists," a young man scoffed darkly. "I suspect he's merely a charlatan."

The surrounding onlookers readily agreed with the youth's pronouncement, nodding in unison.

Everyone was aware of Young Master Liu's affections for a girl named Ying Xiaoxiao. However, from the very beginning, she displayed no interest in him whatsoever. This left Young Master Liu feeling disheartened, causing him to redirect his attention toward another beauty, Gong Yufei. Unexpectedly, an unknown young man appeared and managed to enter Ying Xiaoxiao's room within just two days of boarding the vessel.

Could this situation not incite Young Master Liu's anger?

"Young Master Liu is clearly feeling envious and jealous. But no amount of envy or jealousy will help him now, as she has already become someone else's catch," someone mused, observing Young Master Liu's group from a distance and unable to suppress a chuckle.

"Keep your voice down. Young Master Liu is the heir of Fangyuan Group. It's rumored that Fangyuan Group is exceptionally wealthy, and many cultivators have sought service there," his companion cautioned.

The first speaker quickly lowered his voice but still managed a sneer, "So what if they're wealthy? In the end, she ended up in another man's embrace."

Initially, Young Master Liu had intended to wait for Li Chen to emerge and confront him. Unfortunately, Li Chen remained secluded in Ying Xiaoxiao's room, leaving Young Master Liu without an opportunity. Meanwhile, Young Master Liu could not simply knock on Ying Xiaoxiao's door; he was forced to wait.

Witnessing Young Master Liu's predicament, everyone else on the ship secretly found amusement in it, though they maintained a composed exterior.

The captain and his crew obviously wouldn't involve themselves in such minor squabbles. On the Nether King Group's yacht, occupants were permitted considerable freedom. However, any attempts to cause disruption would result in being unceremoniously tossed into the sea by the Nether King Group.

The yacht continued its journey through this peculiar atmosphere, charting a course toward its final destination, the Xia State.

Another clear day dawned. At their current speed, the yacht was expected to reach the Xia State in approximately two more days. Yet, on this particular day, the yacht's alarm suddenly blared.

"Attention all passengers! Attention all passengers! Pirates have been detected in the vicinity. Please remain in your designated rooms!"

Li Chen naturally heard the announcement. He looked out through the cabin window.

Indeed, several other yachts were already positioned nearby, having stopped close to their own vessel.

"Pirates?" A peculiar smile suddenly spread across Li Chen's face.