That night, David hosted a lavish banquet in honor of his newly hired martial arts instructors, Piaomiao Mu and Lei Shen. Adorned in a brocade robe and a jade crown, his slight frame exuded an elegance that subtly captivated Piaomiao Mu. She took a delicate sip of her drink, a surprised smile gracing her lips.

"Exquisite wine," she murmured.

Lei Shen's eyes widened in recognition. "Could this be Baili Winery's 'Autumn Dew White'? I heard they only produce eighteen jahs a year, each meticulously aged for three years before release. A hundred taels a jah, if I'm not mistaken..."

"It certainly is." David admitted. "I love the good things in life: fine wine, delectable cuisine, beautiful women, exquisite art, grand estates, captivating curiosities, and the thrill of mastering new skills..." With a sigh, David poured himself a glass, a hint of wistfulness in his eyes. "My homeland has a credo: when a man is alive, he should climb the highest mountain, drink the most exquisite wine, use the sharpest sword, ride the fastest horse, and play with the most beautiful girl, fight the hardest battle..."

In the world of magic, uttering such things would have been unthinkable. But here, in the rough and tumble of the Three Kingdoms, these pronouncements might just make for a passable bucket list.

"Hahaha..." Lei Shen let out a hearty laugh, "it's good to be young." He took another sip of the Autumn Dew White, and suddenly felt like a young man again.

David's last remark, "play with the most beautiful girl," brought a rosy flush on Piaomiao Mu's cheeks. She subconsciously adjusted her neckline, a secret thrill coursing through her. Tales of older female martial artists forced into poverty and prostitution were all too familiar. Here was Mr. Dragonheart, young, handsome, wealthy, and gentle - an unexpected haven.

Shifting the conversation, Lei Shen commented, "Despite the scorching summah, this room is refreshingly cool. One of your 'strange and obscene techniques,' I presume, Mastah Dragonheart?"

David grinned. "Indeed. A rudimentary air conditioner, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer. A mere parlor trick."

The magical air conditioner held the potential to be a marvel coveted across the Three Kingdoms. Yet, David, with a life of leisure, had no interest in mass production. It was all about personal comfort. To him, the concept of a businessman in a world of supernatural powers was truly unimaginable.

The next day, on the training ground, Piaomiao Mu was absent. Lei Shen stood alone. Martial arts schools accepted anyone who could pay, but they still valued privacy to some extent.

Lei Shen's expression turned serious. "The Red Snake Legs, the core style of our Red Snake Martial Arts School, emphasize kicking techniques. We start with footwork drills. You'll practice driving piles, kicking wooden stakes... Later, we'll incorporate weighted training. Let me demonstrate first."

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Several rows of thick, rounded wooden stakes stood on the training field. Lei Shen leaped effortlessly onto a stake, his movements swift and light. "Imagine youh body as a sturdy pine tree, youh legs like a coiling snake," he instructed. "While youh body moves, maintain stillness of mind."

After practicing for a while, Lei Shen stepped off the stake and smiled. "Martial arts training requires a dedicated diet. Initially, a healer can prescribe tonics to nourish your body and replenish blood. Once you understand the concept of 'qi and blood,' you might consider the special medicine our school offers."

"Secret medicine?" David thought, recalling his other purpose. He decided to take things slowly and step by step obtaining the martial school's secret medicine.

"In Red Snake," Lei Shen explained, "we categorize warriors by their inner power and vitality, what we call 'qi and blood.' New students begin their journey with the 'Eight Snake Movements.' Mastahing these movements strengthens their core and channels their energy, leading to a remarkable physical transformation. After this first transformation, breaking a wooden stake with one kick becomes a breeze. The second transformation produces formidable fighters within the school, respected for their combat prowess. As for the third transformation..." Lei Shen trailed off, a glint of anticipation in his eyes, "that's a path reserved for the most exceptional students, a path that leads to becoming the protégé of the school mastah."

David nodded in understanding. He mounted a stake and started practicing the "Eight Snake Walks." Though not physically gifted, his keen senses, honed by his mage training, allowed him to memorize the movements quickly. Lei Shen watched in surprise. Despite David's average physique, he grasped the technique instantly.

While his movement was slow, he completed the steps without error on the first attempt, and by the third time, his movements were flawless. "Yuanhe Mountain," Lei Shen thought, "they might have made a mistake this time."

"Master Shen," David asked, "how long do you think it'll take for me to master the concept of qi and blood and achieve the first transformation?"

Sweat beaded on David's forehead after several rounds of walking the stakes. A nearby maid, ever-attentive, rushed to offer him a towel. He sighed as he wiped his brow.

"Typically," Lei Shen began, "it takes ordinary disciples three months to sense their qi and blood..."

It's just the introductory stage, after all. Lei Shen smiled encouragingly. "Young mastah, you have clear talent. Perhaps it'll be shorter for you."

David acknowledged his words with another nod and continued practicing his steps on the stakes.

In the afternoon, Piaomiao Mu took over instruction. Dressed in white, she announced, "Our school teaches the White Cloud Palm technique, which has three levels: White Cloud, Dark Cloud, and Black Cloud."

Piaomiao Mu pressed her palm lightly against a wooden stake. With a resounding smack, a deep palm print appeared, the edges marred by a faint, black residue. David's keen sense of smell caught a fishy odor, prompting him to furrow his brow. "Poison?"

"Indeed, you have a sharp nose," Piaomiao Mu replied, her smile held a hint of something dangerous. "White Cloud Palm has always been a poison technique," she explained. "At its peak, the poison becomes integrated with the palm strike, rendering it lethal to any human or beast. Of course, for beginnehs, the poison is unnecessary. Initially, you'll focus on building palm strength by striking wooden stakes. Here, let me demonstrate again."

The introductory practice emphasized striking David's palms daily, ideally with a special medicinal sandbag from the White Cloud Martial Arts School. David, never stingy, purchased ten high-quality sandbags and dove back into training.

With each strike against the sandbag, David felt a subtle change. His skin toughened, and a growing strength pulsed within his palms. Time blurred as he continued his relentless practice.