40: Chapter 40: Everyone on Tieba is a big shot

I thought this kind of video would be easy to find, but after searching all over, I found quite a few, but very few of them featured actual sparring.

Li Changsheng had no choice but to look through some Tieba posts to see if there was any relevant information.

In the end, he found a Tieba called [Fighting Bar], where he saw some videos posted by Traditional Martial Arts enthusiasts, as well as some materials shared by the veteran users.

After looking around, Li Changsheng truly gained a lot.

“These guys seem to know their stuff; they know a lot about various sects and schools.”

After thinking about it, Li Changsheng decided to post a help request in the bar.

[Requesting help with Half-Step Crushing Fist and Crushing Fist fighting videos. I am currently breaking through to Visible Power and lack sparring experience. Seeking guidance.]

After the post was sent, Li Changsheng brewed a cup of tea. He thought he would have to wait a long time, but in the time it took to drink a cup of tea, several people had already left comments.

Dream Is After All A Dream: “Are you new here, buddy? Such a big tone, breaking through to Visible Power?”

Xiao Guang: “Practicing Xingyi Five Elements? How is your Stance Training? What about your force?”

Coiled Dragon: “Not bragging or hating, but I know my stuff. I don't have the videos you want, but I can guide you.”

Looking at these comments, Li Changsheng was somewhat surprised.

“I didn't expect a random Tieba to have so many Traditional Martial Arts big shots?”

After thinking about it, Li Changsheng replied to Coiled Dragon: “Right now, I feel like my Integrated Force isn't quite right. Is there any good way to see results?”

Before long, Coiled Dragon replied.

“Integrated Force is simple. Add me on WeChat and send 50, and I'll send you the Secret Manual!”

Uh... why does he seem like a scammer?

Li Changsheng was suspicious. He clicked on Coiled Dragon's account and looked at his previous posts. Upon closer inspection, he had to admit that the posts this person made seemed very insightful.

He didn't think much of it; it was only 50 anyway. He had been earning quite a bit from his recent livestreams. If it was a scam, he'd take it as a lesson; if it was real, he'd have made a profit.

After the friend request was accepted, he transferred 50 yuan. The other party was efficient once the money was received and quickly sent over a document.

He clicked on the document, which was densely packed with text and illustrations.

—

Meanwhile, in a certain rental room, a refined-looking man wearing glasses pushed them up his nose, a smile appearing on his face.

“I didn't expect someone to actually believe it. Earned a few more meals.”

The man was naturally the Tieba user with the screen name Coiled Dragon. He was the type of veteran who frequented various Tiebas year-round.

He made a living by selling various resources, ranging from literature and adult films to popular science; he even dealt in Traditional Martial Arts combat materials.

These materials were the result of him constantly scouring and organizing content from various bloggers' posts. All the resources combined on his hard drive totaled a full 100 terabytes, making it a virtual online encyclopedia.

—

After reading the materials, Li Changsheng fell into a long period of contemplation.

“One cannot underestimate the people of the world. Tieba really is a place where talents emerge.”

As he finished the document, Li Changsheng truly felt he had gained a lot.

Actually, Li Changsheng had already figured out most of Integrated Force before, but he lacked a systematic understanding, so he always had a partial comprehension.

In fact, the Eight Brocades is a perfect method for training Integrated Force.

The five stages of the Eight Brocades consist of: Movement, Breathing, Will, Thought, and Meridian Guidance.

The first four of these five stages almost complete the unity of thought and will for Integrated Force. Now, what Li Changsheng lacked was only maturity in his Crushing Fist.

“There’s a good saying in the document: ‘Striking someone is like thunder shaking the earth; Integrated Force relies entirely on the push of the back foot.’ The key to Integrated Force lies in how to link the overall power with the earth.”

“Integrating the force transmitted from the earth with bodily strength and striking with a single punch is considered a success in Integrated Force—that is, the level of Visible Power!”

Having understood clearly, Li Changsheng began to practice tentatively. The results were not bad; with the System solidifying his progress, the advancement was obvious.

“Not bad! At this rate, I might be able to fully grasp Integrated Force within ten days. Next will be sparring at the level of Visible Power.”

The next day, after finishing his morning run, Li Changsheng went directly to the Hongyi Wing Chun Hall.

Coming by himself this time, Li Changsheng was somewhat constrained. Fortunately, after giving his name to the young lady at the front desk, he was led to the manager's office.

Meeting the enthusiastic Guangdong Province native Manager Nie once again, the two of them greeted each other with smiles.

In the office, besides Manager Nie, there was also a slightly short middle-aged man wearing a gray Tang suit.

“Brother Li, the Elder told me all about your situation. Don't worry, you can use the facilities and equipment here as you please. Also, Master Luo is one of our gym's coaches. If there's anything you don't understand or if you want a sparring partner, you can talk to him.”

Hearing this, Li Changsheng couldn't help but look at the middle-aged man in the Tang suit on the side.

“Hello, Master Luo. Please give me your guidance in the future.”

“You must be the young man Elder Zhang thinks highly of. A young talent indeed.”

Master Luo looked quite serious on the surface, but when he spoke, his tone had a somewhat comical feel to it.

The group chatted in the office for a while longer before Master Luo finally led Li Changsheng to the training room.

“Xiao Li, how many years have you been studying martial arts?”

As they walked, Master Luo was also thinking of testing the waters first. After all, when an outsider came to their gym to train, it was always a bit unsettling not to know their background.

“Uh, it's been about ten years.” Li Changsheng said, subconsciously rubbing his nose.

Hearing this, a subtle flash of surprise crossed Master Luo's eyes, and he then said with a smile, “Ten years, huh? Then you have quite a foundation. It's always been Traditional Martial Arts, right? Never touched Chinese Kickboxing or anything similar? Have you done any real sparring?”

“I've always practiced Internal Martial Arts, Xingyi Five Elements Crushing Fist. I haven't touched Chinese Kickboxing, nor have I done any real sparring,” Li Changsheng replied truthfully.

Hearing this, a look of 'as expected' appeared on Master Luo's face, and his previously slightly tense body relaxed considerably.

“Haha, Xiao Li, don't be nervous. You can take a look first, or see which one is suitable and pick one to practice with.”

“Mm!” Li Changsheng didn't doubt him, thinking that Master Luo was quite enthusiastic.

Arriving at the training room, as always, it was bustling with training.

However, today several rings were already occupied by people fighting; not a single one was empty.

Most people were doing Chinese Kickboxing, but there was also a pair practicing Wing Chun.

It was actually normal for a Wing Chun hall to have more Chinese Kickboxing than Wing Chun. After all, people here were preparing for competitions. Nowadays, some famous Traditional Martial Arts halls also have Chinese Kickboxing programs, and those with broader operations even have Judo, wrestling, and so on.

Just then, a gong sounded nearby. Looking over, it turned out that a match on one of the rings had finished.

This was a match between a Chinese kickboxer and a foreigner. Looking at the swelling and bruising on the Chinese kickboxer's face, one could tell he had lost.

The Chinese kickboxer was helped down from the ring, while the foreign boxer was babbling something to someone below the ring.

After a while, the person below the ring looked around, saw Master Luo, and hurriedly ran over with a smile.

—

“What? This foreigner still wants a sparring partner?”

After hearing the description from this translator-cum-manager, Master Luo's brow immediately furrowed, and he said with some displeasure:

“The fighter Tom has already injured six sparring partners this week. He hits too hard. Tell him we no longer accept his business!”

Master Luo was a bit annoyed. This Tom was a middleweight boxer from the US who had come to Hong Kong to participate in an intercontinental Boxing tournament.

Participating in a tournament naturally required arriving early for some training, so Tom had sought out the Hongyi Hall, but he had no sense of restraint when he fought.

“Master Luo, we signed a contract. The contract clearly states that if you breach it, the compensation is ten times!”

“You...!”