129: Chapter 129 The Tai Chi Successor Arrives: "Mr. Chen, do you dare to come to Tai Chi Manor?"

The Visitor in Green Robes: The Arrival of Taiji Qi Energy

The training ground of the Martial Arts Advancement Base was bustling with activity. Lu Feng's security team was organizing a "Qi Energy Defense Drill," while Zhao Lie was leading ordinary Martial Artists in practicing "Baji Energy Safe Force Output." The Flower Girl's inheritance grass was blooming nearby, its eight-colored petals swaying gently with the flow of Qi Energy—suddenly, a wave of gentle, warm Soft Energy spread along the ley line Qi Energy of the training ground, covering everyone like a thin veil. The previously active Hard Energy instantly became steady, and even the flow of the Qi Energy waterfall slowed down.

"What pure Taiji Soft Energy!" Li Xuantong's Five Elements Energy suddenly condensed, forming a small vortex of light-brown Qi Energy in his palm. "This is not ordinary Taiji Power; it is the 'Innate Soft Energy' of Taiji Villa. Only the lineage of the Villa Master can Cultivate it to such purity!" As soon as he finished speaking, a soft sound came from the entrance of the training ground. A young man dressed in green robes walked in slowly. At his waist hung a mutton-fat jade pendant engraved with a Taiji symbol, and in his hand, he held an ancient Taiji Sword. His steps were light yet carried a steady Qi Energy, and every step landed on a node of the ley line Qi Energy, causing the surrounding airflow to automatically make way for him.

The man walked up to Chen Wu, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a gentle yet slightly arrogant voice: "Mr. Chen Wu, I am Yang Zhenting, grandson of the Taiji Villa Master, here to pay a visit." His gaze swept over the training ground's Qi Energy waterfall and landed on the space bag on Chen Wu's wrist. "I have long heard that you created 'Xingji Fist,' blending Hard and Soft Energy into one, and have become globally famous through traditional martial arts merchandise and public benefit promotion. However, Taiji Villa has always believed that 'specialization is key.' traditional martial arts sects value purity; mixing Hard and Soft might be considered falling into a lower tier."

The global live stream's comments section instantly exploded, with viewers shifting from "curious" to "tense": "Taiji Villa! Is that the Taiji sect with a three-hundred-year history?" "Is this a challenge? Teacher Chen just refused a high-risk activity, and now he has to deal with a sect sparring match?" "Don't fight, it's all traditional martial arts; everyone should learn from each other!" Lin Mo's tablet quickly retrieved information on "Taiji Villa": The villa originated in the Qing Dynasty and is famous for its "Pure Soft Energy." Generations of successors have adhered to the philosophy of "Taiji does not mix with external energy." They have participated in traditional martial arts cultural protection many times but have always held a reserved attitude toward "Fusion-style Cultivation Techniques."

Zhang Hao's iron arm quietly condensed Mystic Water Energy, his tone guarded: "What do you mean by that? Are you saying that because Xingji Fist blends Hard and Soft, it is no longer traditional martial arts?" Yang Zhenting did not look at Zhang Hao, his gaze remaining locked on Chen Wu: "I am not denying Xingji Fist; I just want to verify—whether a fused energy technique is truly stronger than a pure, traditional energy technique." He took a gold-stamped invitation from his pocket and placed it in front of Chen Wu. "My villa is hosting a 'traditional martial arts Sect Exchange Conference' next month. I cordially invite Mr. Chen to visit Taiji Villa. We shall meet as Martial Artists and spar over boxing theories. If Mr. Chen's Xingji Fist can defeat my Taiji Innate Soft Energy, my villa is willing to gift you our treasured 'Taiji Fusion Secret Record' to help you perfect Xingji Fist. If Mr. Chen does not dare to come..."

"Do not dare to come?" Before Chen Wu could speak, Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe "thumped" onto the invitation, sparks from the pipe bowl splashing onto the Taiji symbol jade pendant. "You child, why are you speaking so aggressively!" The old man flipped open the "Sect Chapter" of the tombskeeper team records. Tucked into the yellowed pages was a photograph from 1955—Chen Wus Great-grandfather standing side-by-side with the then-Villa Master of Taiji Villa, with the inscription "Hard and Soft together, traditional martial arts share the same origin" written beside them. "Your great-grandfather sparred with my great-grandfather back then; even after losing, he was convinced and respectful, and even said 'Taiji Soft Energy is a treasure of traditional martial arts.' How did it become 'do not dare to come' when it reached you?" A bronze plaque engraved with "Taiji Guardian" suddenly flew out of the camphor wood chest. Its pale golden Qi Energy resonated with Yang Zhenting's Soft Energy, proving that the two families had a long-standing connection.

Ideological Clash: The Debate Between Purity and Fusion

Inside the traditional martial arts lecture hall, Chen Wu and Yang Zhenting sat facing each other, with the invitation and the tombskeeper team records on the table. A holographic projection was playing historical footage of Taiji Villa—from Qing Dynasty Taiji Push Hands teaching to modern traditional martial arts protection activities. The Taiji successors in the footage were all calm and composed, their Soft Energy flowing in a way that displayed the demeanor of masters. Watching the footage, Yang Zhenting's tone softened slightly: "Mr. Chen, I did not mean to provoke you on purpose. It is just that in recent years, there have been more and more Fusion-style Cultivation Techniques. Some people, in order to attract attention, mechanically copy and paste Moves from different sects, making them look ridiculous and out of place." He pointed to a video of "inferior Fusion fist" in the projection. "I am worried that your Xingji Fist has also fallen into this vulgarity."

"Brother Yang's misunderstanding of 'Fusion' is perhaps too deep." Chen Wu brought up the Qi Energy diagram of Xingji Fist. Pale golden Hard Energy and light-brown Soft Energy intertwined in the diagram, forming a rotating Taiji symbol. "The Fusion of Xingji Fist is not 'mechanical copying'; it is 'taking the essence.' The Hard Energy of Baji Fist is used for 'breaking defense,' the Soft Energy of Xingyi Fist is used for 'deflecting force,' and Yijin Energy is used for 'harmonizing.' The three are not simply added together; it is like the Taiji symbol—there is Soft within Hard, and Hard within Soft." He held Yang Zhenting's wrist and injected a trace of Xingji Fist Qi Energy. "Feel this. This energy contains both the hardness of Baji and the softness of Xingyi, yet it is integrated into one, without the slightest stiffness."

Yang Zhenting's fingertips trembled slightly; he could clearly feel that Qi Energy flowing in his palm. When the Hard Energy touched, it was like a rock; when the Soft Energy deflected force, it was like flowing water. The two qualities were perfectly fused, completely different from the "jumble" he had perceived. However, he still had concerns: "Even if your Fusion, Mr. Chen, is genuine, the Foundation of traditional martial arts sects lies in 'specialization.' Taiji Villa has practiced Soft Energy for three hundred years, and only then did we touch the threshold of Innate Soft Energy. If one blindly pursues Fusion, I fear that the essence of each sect cannot be fully learned, ultimately resulting in something that resembles nothing."

Su Qing timely handed over the proof of the "traditional martial arts Public Benefit Story Collection," flipping to the chapter on "Migrant Workers Practicing Fist." "Mr. Yang, look at these ordinary people practicing Xingji Fist." She pointed to the scene in the illustration where Old Zhao and his fellow workers were practicing. "Most of them have never been exposed to traditional martial arts. The Fusion Energy Technique of Xingji Fist allows them to quickly master 'integrated offense and defense.' They do not need to spend ten years honing Soft Energy like practicing Taiji, nor do they need to worry about joint injuries like practicing Baji. traditional martial arts popularization requires both pure sect inheritance and Fusion-style Cultivation Techniques suitable for ordinary people; the two do not conflict."

The Flower Girl's inheritance grass bloomed between the two. Half of the eight-colored petals faced Chen Wu, and half faced Yang Zhenting. Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the Qi Energy trajectories of the two—Chen Wu's Xingji Fist Qi Energy was a dual-colored light of "intertwined Hard and Soft," while Yang Zhenting's Taiji Power was a monochromatic light of "purely flowing Soft." The two lights met on the petals without conflict; instead, they nourished each other, making the petals' colors more vibrant. "Elder Zhou says, 'traditional martial arts are like water flow; purity is a stream, Fusion is a river, and both eventually return to the ocean,'" the little girl's fingertips lightly tapped the petals. "Taiji's Soft Energy is good, and Xingji's Hard-Soft Energy is also good. Just like stream water and river water, they are all water; they just take different paths."

In the global live stream's comments, the viewers' attitudes gradually shifted from tense to rational: "Mr. Yang's concerns are understandable, but Teacher Chen's Fusion also makes sense!" "Why not spar and see whose boxing theory is more correct!" "Taiji Soft Energy vs. Xingji Hard-Soft Energy, just thinking about it is exciting!" The Technical Department's "Qi Energy Compatibility Analysis" showed that although the two's Qi Energy had different characteristics, there was "complementarity"—Taiji Soft Energy could enhance the force-deflection effect of Xingji Fist, and Xingji Hard Energy could compensate for Taiji's lack of defense-breaking. This laid the groundwork for "positive interaction" in the subsequent sparring.

A Small Demonstration: Sparring Between Soft Energy and Hard-Soft Energy

"Since we have spoken our minds, why don't we have a small demonstration? There is no need to determine a winner or loser; we will only discuss boxing theory." Chen Wu stood up and walked to the center of the training ground. The Qi Energy of Xingji Fist condensed in his palm, with Hard and Soft Energy intertwining into a miniature Taiji symbol. "Let us stop at the point of contact, how about that?" Yang Zhenting's eyes lit up, his green robes moved slightly, and Taiji Power unfolded around his body like a layer of transparent water curtain: "That is exactly what I intended!"

The two stood facing each other, and the global live stream camera focused on them. 75 billion viewers held their breath—Yang Zhenting took the initiative, slowly pushing out the "Grasp the Bird's Tail" of Taiji Push Hands. The Soft Energy surged toward Chen Wu's chest like flowing water; it looked slow, yet it sealed off all angles for evasion. Chen Wu did not dodge or avoid; the Soft Energy of Xingji Fist unfolded along his arms, gently making contact with the Taiji Power. Like two streams of water meeting, there was no violent collision, only a gentle flow.

"What a 'following the energy to deflect force'!" Yang Zhenting's tone carried surprise. He did not expect Chen Wu's Soft Energy to be able to follow the trajectory of Taiji Power so precisely. He increased the force, using the "Parting the Wild Horse's Mane" Move. The Soft Energy split into two strands, attempting to circle behind Chen Wu. Chen Wu's Xingji Fist suddenly changed Moves; Hard Energy erupted from the Soft Energy, and the "Xingji Lean" Move was executed. The Hard Energy blocked the Soft Energy like a rock, but instead of resisting it head-on, it borrowed the flow of the Taiji Power and gently guided it toward the ground. The Qi Energy landed on the grass, only bending a few blades of grass without causing any damage.

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"My turn!" Chen Wu's Xingji Fist unfolded. The hard energy of "Xingji Collapse" condensed in his palm, but he didn't attack directly. Instead, he controlled the hard energy within a "non-injurious" range and pushed it toward Yang Zhenting's arm. Yang Zhenting's Taiji Power immediately defended, its soft energy wrapping around the hard energy like cotton wool, attempting to neutralize it—just as the hard energy was about to be redirected, Chen Wu suddenly injected soft energy. The hard energy instantly changed direction, passing through the gaps in the Taiji Power and lightly tapping Yang Zhenting's shoulder before retracting the Qi Energy: "Thank you for the lesson."

Yang Zhenting stood frozen in place. He looked down at his shoulder; there was no pain at all, only a gentle Qi Energy circulating. Not only was he unhurt, but it had actually made his Taiji Power flow more smoothly. "This... this is?" He suddenly looked up, the arrogance in his eyes replaced by admiration. "Soft energy hidden within your hard energy, able to break defenses without harming people—this is the true meaning of 'Harmony of Hard and Soft'! I previously mistook 'Fusion' for a 'hodgepodge.' I was narrow-minded!"

Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe made a light, dull thud nearby. The old man flipped through the "Exchange Chapter" of the "tombskeeper team records," pointing to a recorded passage: "In 1955, your great-grandfather and my great-grandfather sparred, and it was also a matter of stopping just in time. In the end, the two worked together to create 'Taiji-Xingyi Combined Energy,' but unfortunately, it was later lost." The pipe pointed at Chen Wu and Yang Zhenting. "Today's spar was even more brilliant than back then; this is the kind of exchange traditional martial arts sects should have!" The "Taiji Guardian" bronze medallion in the camphorwood chest and Chen Wu's "Xingji" bronze medallion lit up simultaneously. Pale golden Qi Energy intertwined, forming a "Harmony of Hard and Soft" totem in the center of the training field.

In the comments of the global livestream, messages instantly flooded in: "So brilliant!" "This is what a traditional martial arts spar should be!" "No melodramatic fighting, just an exchange of boxing principles, love it!" "Taiji's soft energy is amazing, but Xingji's hard-soft energy is even better!" "Can't wait for them to compete again at Taiji Villa!" Yang Zhenting looked at the comments and suddenly bowed deeply to Chen Wu: "Mr. Chen, I was rude before. I sincerely invite you to Taiji Villa, not just for an exchange, but because our villa's 'Secret Records of Taiji Fusion' records methods of 'fusing Taiji with other sects.' Perhaps it can help you perfect Xingji Fist and also help our villa's Taiji Power overcome its weakness in breaking defenses."

Section 4: The Secrets and Invitation of Taiji Villa

Yang Zhenting took out a sandalwood box. When opened, an ancient yellowed book lay inside—it was the Incomplete Manual of the "Secret Records of Taiji Fusion." The text on the pages recorded the Fusion attempts of Taiji Villa with the Xingyi Sect and Baji Sect during the Qing Dynasty. Among them, the record of "Taiji Soft Energy + Xingyi Hard Energy = Hard-Soft Protective Energy" coincided perfectly with Chen Wu's Xingji Fist philosophy. "This is our villa's greatest treasure," Yang Zhenting's fingers lightly brushed the ancient book. "Unfortunately, it's only an Incomplete Manual. The latter half, recording the 'Fusion of Taiji and Yijin Energy,' has been lost. Our villa has searched for decades without finding it." He looked at Chen Wu's peace lock. "Sir's Xingji Fist incorporates Yijin Energy; perhaps you can help us complete the manual, and the manual can help you solve the problem of 'insufficient endurance of Xingji Fist's soft energy'."

Lin Mo's tablet quickly scanned the ancient book. The Technical Department's "Ancient Book Restoration System" showed that the text of the Incomplete Manual had a "Qi Energy Resonance" with the "Addendum to Energy Techniques" left by Chen Wu's great-grandfather. The "Yijin Energy Harmony Method" in the "Addendum to Energy Techniques" could perfectly interface with the "Taiji Fusion Method" in the manual. Combining the two would not only complete the "Secret Records of Taiji Fusion" but also increase the endurance of Xingji Fist's soft energy by 40%. "This is a match made in heaven!" Lin Mo's voice was full of excitement. "Brother Wu, the completed secret records will make your Xingji Fist more perfect and promote cooperation between Taiji and other sects!"

Su Qing considered things more comprehensively. She pulled up the "Exchange Conference Schedule" for Taiji Villa: "The conference includes not only sect sparring but also a 'traditional martial arts Resource Sharing' segment. Taiji Villa possesses a 'Taiji Earth Vein' with a purity 10% higher than our base's earth vein energy, making it suitable for cultivating soft energy. They also have a collection of over 300 ancient traditional martial arts weapons, including a 'Taiji Sword' that can enhance the defense-breaking effect of soft energy." Her fingertip slid across the schedule. "These resources will also help our Traditional Martial Arts Universal Benefit Plan. Taiji Villa has promised that after the exchange, they will open earth vein cultivation access to global traditional martial arts teaching points and donate 1,000 replicas of ancient weapons for teaching."

Lu Feng's security team engaged in a "security collaboration" discussion with the guards of Taiji Villa. Taiji Villa's "Qi Energy Defense Array" and Lu Feng's team's "modern security system" could complement each other. During the exchange, both parties would be jointly responsible for security to prevent overseas imitation organizations from taking the opportunity to cause trouble. "Our villa's guards have practiced 'Taiji Warning Energy' and can sense abnormal Qi Energy 10 minutes in advance," the Taiji guard captain said. "Combined with your Qi Energy Monitors, we can achieve 'dual warning' to ensure the exchange goes off without a hitch."

The Flower Girl's inheritance grass suddenly unfolded toward the sandalwood box. Its eight-colored petals glowed with pale gold light, and dew rolled on the leaves, reflecting the Qi Energy docking trajectory between the Incomplete Manual and the "Addendum to Energy Techniques." The Qi Energy of the two ancient books intertwined on the petals, forming a complete "Fusion Map," proving they were indeed complementary. "Elder Zhou said, 'Destiny in traditional martial arts is heaven-sent'," the little girl's fingertip lightly touched a petal. "The combination of this manual and the 'Addendum to Energy Techniques' is the best kind of destiny. Teacher Chen should go to Taiji Villa!"

Section 5: Ready to Set Off: A New Journey for traditional martial arts Exchange

Chen Wu took the sandalwood box. His fingertips brushed the Incomplete Manual of the "Secret Records of Taiji Fusion," and the Qi Energy Core at his Dantian resonated with the book, making his Xingji Fist's hard-soft energy flow more smoothly. He knew that going to Taiji Villa was not just for sparring and completing the ancient book, but also to promote the "Great Fusion" of traditional martial arts sects, so that purity and Fusion would no longer be opposed, and traditional Martial Artists of different sects could advance together. "I agree to go to Taiji Villa," Chen Wu's gaze was firm. "But on one condition—the exchange must be livestreamed globally so all traditional Martial Artists can see the healthy interaction of sect exchange, letting everyone understand that traditional martial arts is not 'working behind closed doors,' but 'open sharing'."

Yang Zhenting immediately nodded: "No problem! We will also invite representatives from 100 traditional martial arts sects worldwide to attend, making the conference a 'traditional martial arts Unity Assembly'!" He also invited Li Xuantong and Zhao Lie on the spot to serve as "Exchange Conference Judges," invited Su Qing to handle the "Public Welfare Cooperation" segment, and invited Lu Feng to manage "Security Coordination." Everyone in the team found their role, turning the exchange from "Chen Wu's personal spar" into a "team's collective traditional martial arts event."

In the global livestream comments, fans were already looking forward to it: "Taiji Earth Vein! Ancient weapons! So excited!" "Teacher Chen must complete the secret records and perfect Xingji Fist!" "I hope all sects can exchange well and stop questioning each other!" "Watcher of Huangtu Slope" Old Zhao left a message: "I'm going to watch the livestream with my fellow workers and learn the Fusion boxing principles of Taiji and Xingji!" In London, Nurse Emily organized patients at the hospital to prepare a "traditional martial arts Exchange Blessing Video," hoping it could be played at the conference.

The team began intensive preparations. Su Qing organized the "traditional martial arts Universal Benefit Cooperation Plan," planning to sign a "Global Teaching Point Earth Vein Sharing Agreement" with Taiji Villa at the exchange. Lu Feng's security team worked with the Taiji guards to develop a "dual warning" plan and prepared "Qi Energy First Aid Kits" to prevent accidents during sparring. Lin Mo optimized the global livestream's "Multi-language Synchronization System" to ensure representatives from 100 sects could understand the exchange content. Grandpa Wang packed the "tombskeeper team records" and the "Taiji Guardian" bronze medallion into a spatial bag, saying with a smile: "I'm going to take these old items to Taiji Villa and let them see how deep the connection between our two families is!"

The Flower Girl's inheritance grass was placed in a special pot, its eight-colored petals unfolding toward Taiji Villa. Dew rolled on the leaves, reflecting the countdown to the exchange—30 days left until a "grand event" in the traditional martial arts world would begin. The little girl packed "Resonance Dew" and "Vitality Dew" into her bag: "Elder Zhou said the inheritance grass can sense the goodwill of traditional martial arts. When we get to Taiji Villa, it will surely bloom the most beautiful flowers!"

The final frame of the global livestream stopped on a group photo of Chen Wu's team and Yang Zhenting. Chen Wu shook hands with Yang Zhenting, holding the Incomplete Manual of the "Secret Records of Taiji Fusion." Su Qing, Lu Feng, Lin Mo, and others stood on both sides. Behind them were the Qi Energy Pyramid and Hard-Soft Tower of the Martial Arts Advancement Base. In the distant training area, ordinary Martial Artists were still practicing the basic Moves of Taiji Pushing Hands and Xingji Fist. A neat line of text finally appeared in the comments: "Taiji and Xingji first meet, the Harmony of Hard and Soft is the heart of traditional martial arts; the Villa assembly starts a new journey, sects fuse to advance together!"

This comment was liked by 78 billion viewers simultaneously, like a river of light crossing sect boundaries, illuminating the road to Taiji Villa. Chen Wu looked at the smiling faces of his team members and the expectations of global fans. The Qi Energy Core at his Dantian glowed with a hopeful light. He knew that the exchange at Taiji Villa would be a new starting point for the Legacy of traditional martial arts. Here, purity and Fusion would find a balance, and different sects would advance together. The light of traditional martial arts, under the philosophy of "openness, exchange, and sharing," would illuminate a broader future. And this was just the beginning of the traditional martial arts Great Fusion.