Chapter 52: New Martial Arts, Old Realms, Dragon Force Embryonic Form!

The treatment at the training ground was quite generous.For someone like Head Trainer Miao Yang, aside from free food and lodging, the monthly income was typically over 300 Happiness Coins.

But many people, like Uncle Dong, were unwilling to work here.

Serving at the training ground wasn't considered full retirement, only a temporary leave from the legion. If an infected tide struck, head trainers had to step up immediately, either leading a team or joining the assault.

With Uncle Dong's arm injury, his combat ability had plummeted, making going into battle tantamount to suicide.

Thus, only someone like Miao Yang, uninjured but disillusioned after heavy losses to his team, would take up the role of head trainer here.

On ordinary days, it was fairly relaxed: the equipment was comprehensive, the grounds spacious, and one could occasionally spar for fun.

Sometimes, spotting a promising recruit, they might offer a few pointers, hoping to build some goodwill.

It was only during the recruitment season that things got busy. In spring, they handled recruit selection, and in winter, they organized training for new soldiers.

But for someone like Miao Yang to volunteer as a sparring partner, as far as the staff could recall, that was a first.

"Huh, is that convenient?"

Cheng Ye, unaware of the intricacies, only thought that a random sparring partner wouldn't compare to a retired veteran like Miao Yang.

"Of course it's convenient. This training ground usually has more head trainers than trainees. What's there to worry about?"

Miao Yang smiled. "But if Inspector Cheng thinks I'm not up to par, you can pick someone else."

"No way, Head Trainer Miao is a seasoned veteran. I'm just a greenhorn."

Cheng Ye quickly waved his hand, turning to the front desk staff. "I'm not clear on the sparring fee standards. Just charge it to my account at Head Trainer Miao's highest sparring rate."

What was social finesse?

With just one interaction, Cheng Ye vaguely sensed that Miao Yang seemed to care deeply about certain things.

This wasn't surprising; many retired battlefield veterans had similar psychological quirks.

Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, Miao Yang's eyes lit up sharply.

Whoa.

That fleeting spark of intensity felt like it could turn a petrified Diga green in an instant.

"Uh, this?" The staff froze, their gaze instinctively flicking to Miao Yang.

The highest sparring rate in the facility was 15 coins per hour, but that was for outsiders earning extra cash.

For someone of Miao Yang's status, who would ever act as a sparring partner, let alone have a set price?

"Inspector Cheng isn't short on cash. Just go with the highest rate."

Miao Yang chuckled, his tone growing warmer. With a casual remark, he ignored the staff's reaction and led Cheng Ye toward the inner field.

They passed through the corridor connecting the outer and inner areas.

Unexpectedly, they arrived at the same area where Cheng Ye had previously sparred with Big B.

"You've been here before?"

"For the past two months, I came often, but with the inspector who brought me into the trade."

Cheng Ye nodded. "He's my father's brother-in-arms, named Liu Bi. Do you know him, Head Trainer Miao?"

"Liu Bi?"

Miao Yang paused mid-step. "How could I not know him? Inspector Liu is Master Xia Zang's sole successor, one of the few in the buffer zone who reached the Unity of Man and Heaven realm. I'm far from his level."

"Wait, so Cheng Long was your...?"

"My father."

Cheng Ye nodded.

Miao Yang immediately showed clear respect, his tone turning solemn. "My apologies. I didn't realize Inspector Cheng had such a distinguished lineage. No wonder you forged a martial body at such a young age."

"Forged a martial body?"

Cheng Ye's interest was piqued; Liu Bi had never mentioned this.

"It's the realm classification for New Martial Arts, didn't Inspector Liu tell you?"

"No. I never asked, and he never said. He just told me to practice."

Of course not. Before mastering basic power techniques, Cheng Ye was panting just chopping wooden stakes. What realms could he talk about?

"It seems Inspector Liu wanted you to build a solid foundation and not aim too high."

Miao Yang nodded slightly, not playing coy just because Liu Bi hadn't explained.

Everyone had their teaching style. His approach was to show people the higher, farther goals to inspire aspiration and pursuit.

"Ancient martial arts originated in the Old Era, tracing back a thousand years. Back then, humans had no firearms, relying entirely on close combat for survival. Their genes evolved toward enhancing melee abilities, gradually giving rise to countless schools and techniques, forming a corresponding realm system."

"Later, with the advent of firearms, close combat was phased out by the times, and human genes lost some of their fighting traits during evolution. Ancient martial arts declined rapidly; many past martial masters couldn't even handle recruits trained for three months today."

"That was until the S-series viruses forced human genes to shift again. After generations of change, in the New Era, our genes far surpass those of humans from a thousand years ago. Combined with scientific progress and theoretical advancements, both combat power and realm progression are far stronger and faster than ancient martial artists!"

Miao Yang spoke calmly, enunciating clearly, "Martial arts techniques vary by school, but later generations drew from many sources, founding new sects and creating New Martial Arts."

"For example, your father's lineage comes from Master Wu Ji, pursuing the breaking of physical limits. It's said that at its peak, it can slightly increase the chance of human transcendence. Inspector Liu, following Master Xia Zang, focuses on realm elevation, best suited for those with pure minds, progressing rapidly."

At this point, he shifted his gaze to Cheng Ye. "But before I continue, let me ask, what do you think martial arts are for?"

"The purpose of martial arts?"

Cheng Ye answered without hesitation, having pondered this question since he began studying martial arts.

"First, in situations where shooting isn't practical, it ensures I'm not weaker than others, keeping my combat ability intact."

"Second, when facing danger, it allows me to create distance to buy space for drawing my gun and counterattacking."

"Third, stronger physical fitness and muscle memory help execute tactical maneuvers, ensuring I stay in a safe shooting position."

"Well said!"

Miao Yang nodded in strong agreement. "I've trained many recruits and asked this question to plenty, but some are so stubborn, insisting on close combat with infected entities, completely betraying the painstaking efforts of the pioneers who created New Martial Arts."

"So, the realms of New Martial Arts were established to enhance these practical applications?"

"Exactly."

Miao Yang had no intention of being cryptic or withholding information, explaining directly, "The New Martial Arts realm system is entirely different from the old, divided into five stages:



Forging the Martial Body: Tempering the body like forging a sword, solidifying the foundation of bones and blood.



Mastering Dragon, Tiger, Snake, and Eagle Forces: Infusing the body with supreme strength, ferocity, subtlety, and swiftness.



Burning the Tendon Gate: Refining the twelve major tendons, transcending the mortal frame.



Embracing the Dao Embryo: Achieving divine six senses, harmonizing with natural principles, greatly enhancing bodily control to evade water, fire, and weapon calamities.



And finally, Unity of Man and Heaven: When exerting force, energy flows like a rainbow; when retracting, it stands steady as a mountain. The body's strength becomes unified, wielded freely."



Only five stages in the New Martial Arts realms?

Cheng Ye pondered quietly, then asked, "Head Trainer Miao, what stage am I at now?"

"If you don't mind, I can check."

Miao Yang stepped forward.

His fingers lightly pressed and kneaded Cheng Ye's chest, arms, lower back, and thighs.

A strange sensation followed; each press made Cheng Ye instinctively tense to resist.

After several repetitions, Miao Yang withdrew his hand, smiling. "Your martial body has a solid foundation. It hasn't yet reached the depth of an old tree's roots anchoring into the earth, but you've already glimpsed the threshold of New Martial Arts."

"And Inspector Liu taught you force exertion early?"

"You mean...?"

Cheng Ye stepped back half a pace, throwing a punch. "Is this the right way to exert force?"

"That's the supreme strength of Dragon Force, cultivating the kingly path. You've mastered its basics. Next is refining, storing, and channeling it into your tendons."

As Miao Yang finished, Cheng Ye's expression shifted slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just remembered... Big B mentioned something similar."

He replied vaguely, but his heart was stirring.

The moment Miao Yang explained Dragon Force, the panel suddenly popped up, text flashing across it.

[Detected recordable civilization information. Information degree increased by '1.5'.]

[Collector has recorded this civilization information. Updating data...]

[Information updated successfully. 'Basic Power' has been updated to 'Dragon Force Embryonic Form'!]

Three lines flashed, and the panel vanished.

The description of Basic Power had changed?

Cheng Ye had a sudden realization: recordable information didn't refer to knowledge-based skills or historical records.

It meant information that had persisted for a thousand years, enduring multiple eras, remaining a strong presence in human civilization.

"1.5?"

"I gained 3.2 from three skill searches, and this single piece of information added nearly half that?"

Realizing this, Cheng Ye marveled inwardly, growing excited.

If this method worked, wouldn't it mean his rank-up progress could accelerate far beyond his expectations?

"Head Trainer Miao, keep going."

"The four forces vary in difficulty. Tiger Force is the easiest to grasp; as long as you awaken your killing intent and abandon reason, you can form its embryonic shape in two to three weeks. Dragon Force is the hardest, requiring not only relentless courage but also unwavering resolve in adversity. Any slack, and the realm regresses instead of advancing."

"Realms can regress?"

"Of course. In the Old Era, it was the opposite: Dragon Force was the easiest, and Tiger Force the hardest. In stable environments, sustaining killing intent was difficult, and without it, Tiger Force lacked ferocity."

"Tiger Force was the hardest back then?"

Cheng Ye couldn't help but shake his head. Wasn't that describing him?

For wastelanders, abandoning reason was easy, but as a modern person, he couldn't do it.

Only when equipped with Beast Instinct could he attack on instinct, but he was still far from abandoning reason and becoming a mad dog.

"What about Snake Force and Eagle Force?"

"Snake Force emphasizes subtlety, requiring brainpower. You can't just brute-force it. Only by adapting flexibly in combat, unbound by fixed routines, can you grasp its essence."

"Eagle Force focuses on swiftness, requiring diligent practice. Only when moves become instinctive muscle memory do you knock on its door."

At this point, Miao Yang gave a solemn warning, "The four forces are the true entry to New Martial Arts. Before that, don't probe too deeply, or you'll damage your force-nurturing resolve, making it hard to channel into your tendons."

"When all four forces are mastered, you'll naturally understand why you need to burn the Tendon Gate and embrace the Dao Embryo."

If information degree could still rise, Cheng Ye didn't care about resolve.

After all, he could rely on Search. As long as he had enough energy, he could eventually collect all four forces.

However, it seemed that without matching skills, the information degree wouldn't increase further.

It looked like he needed to search for the four forces to keep progressing.

"You're here to spar to test your Dragon Force, right?"

"Yeah."

Cheng Ye nodded, not mentioning that he actually wanted to test the Iron Body's enhancements.

He wanted to feel how much benefit came from reduced pain perception and greatly improved bodily control.

"Come, you attack, I defend."

"Don't worry. Though I haven't reached Unity of Man and Heaven, I embraced the Dao Embryo long ago."

Miao Yang's words carried a hint of confident pride.

"You can't hurt me. Just go all out!"