15: Chapter 15 Metal Fist

Early the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Lin Tian arrived at Master Huang's small courtyard.

The courtyard was not large, but it was very tidy.

The ground was paved with blue bricks, and a few clumps of green bamboo were planted in the corner, their leaves tipped with morning dew, looking lush and verdant.

Master Huang was practicing his fist techniques in the courtyard. His movements were slow, but every Move carried a thick fluctuation of Qi and blood, causing the air to tremble in its wake.

"Master Huang." Lin Tian stood at the entrance of the courtyard and bowed respectfully.

Master Huang finished his practice and exhaled a puff of white Qi, which shot out a zhang away before slowly dissipating. He turned to look at Lin Tian and nodded: "You came quite early. Come in."

Lin Tian followed him into the courtyard. Master Huang sat down on a stone stool and pointed to the one opposite him: "Sit."

After Lin Tian sat down, Master Huang slowly began: "Five Elements Stance is the Foundation, used to temper Qi and blood and solidify one's Foundation. But if you truly want to fight someone, relying solely on stance work is not enough. Today, I will teach you the 'Five Elements Fist'."

He paused, seeing that Lin Tian was listening attentively, and continued: "Five Elements Fist, as the name implies, is divided into five paths of fist techniques: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

The Metal Element Fist is fierce and sharp, like a blade or sword;

The Wood Element Fist is full of enduring vitality, with softness containing hardness;

The Water Element Fist is smooth and harmonious, using softness to overcome hardness;

The Fire Element Fist is explosive and fierce, capable of burning everything across the eight wildernesses;

The Earth Element Fist is steady and heavy, with unparalleled defense."

"These five paths of fist techniques can be practiced individually or executed together.

Practicing them individually means the Metal Element Fist, Wood Element Fist, Water Element Fist, Fire Element Fist, and Earth Element Fist.

When combined, they form the complete Five Elements Fist, which has the greatest power."

Master Huang looked at Lin Tian with a serious tone: "I will teach you all five paths of fist techniques first. As for which path or paths you choose to specialize in, that is up to you.

But I must warn you—most people only choose one or two paths to specialize in, because trying to learn too much leads to poor mastery.

Wanting to Cultivate all five paths simultaneously not only consumes time and energy but also makes it very difficult to reach a high Realm."

He paused, a glimmer of expectation flashing in his eyes: "Of course, if your talent is high enough and your Comprehension Ability is strong enough, cultivating all five paths is not impossible. Because the Five Elements generate each other, when the five paths of fist techniques are combined, their power far exceeds that of a single path."

After explaining the basics, Master Huang stood up and walked to the open space in the courtyard.

"I will teach you the Metal Element Fist first. Watch closely."

He assumed a stance, his body slightly lowered, and slowly raised his right fist. When the fist reached his waist, it suddenly erupted with blinding golden light—not real light, but the Aura of Qi and blood operating to the extreme, forming a Qi and blood blade-light at the fist tip!

"The first Move of the Metal Element Fist, Golden Spears and Iron Horses!"

The punch shot out like lightning, carrying a piercing sound of breaking the air.

Wherever the fist tip passed, the air was torn apart, making a 'chi chi' sound. Lin Tian could even smell the scent of metal friction.

"The second Move, Metal and Stone Shall Open!"

He changed his fist into a palm, the edge of his palm like a blade, slashing down diagonally. The palm wind was biting and cold, actually leaving a shallow scratch on the ground.

"The third Move, Vajra Glare!"

Both fists struck out together, their Aura like a rainbow.

Before the fists arrived, the strong wind had already rushed towards his face, blowing Lin Tian's clothes so they fluttered loudly.

Master Huang practiced all thirty-six Moves of the Metal Element Fist in one go, and then began to explain them in detail, Move by Move.

"The key to the Metal Element Fist lies in being 'fierce and sharp'. The route for Qi and blood circulation starts from the Dantian, travels along the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, passes through Jianjing, Quchi, and Hegu, and finally concentrates at the fist tip. Breathing must coordinate with the fist's momentum; inhale to store power, exhale to release power..."

He explained it in great detail, teaching not just the Moves, but also the breathing techniques, the routes for Qi and blood circulation, and the techniques for exerting force.

Lin Tian listened extremely carefully, not daring to even blink.

But unfortunately, the talent of this body was truly average.

When Master Huang explained it the first time, he could still remember most of it. By the second time, he remembered even less—because there were too many details, and his brain got confused.

When he explained it the third time, he was already feeling a bit dizzy and lightheaded.

By noon, Master Huang had explained it five times. He finished his practice, stood still, and looked at Lin Tian: "How is it? Did you remember it clearly?"

Lin Tian scratched his head awkwardly: "I... I remembered half of it."

Master Huang was stunned. The smile on his face froze there.

Remembered half? How is this possible?

If it were a Disciple with ordinary talent who only remembered half after a morning of learning, he could understand.

But who was Lin Tian? A Genius who had practiced the Five Elements Stance to Minor Achievement in one month!

With such Comprehension Ability, after learning a set of Metal Element Fist five times, he should have it mastered by heart. Could it be... modesty?

Master Huang thought for a moment and nodded: "We will continue in the afternoon."

In the afternoon, he started from the beginning again and explained the thirty-six Moves of the Metal Element Fist three more times.

Every Move was broken down even more finely, and he even corrected Lin Tian's movements hand-in-hand.

When the sun was slanting westward, Master Huang asked again: "How much do you remember now?"

Lin Tian hesitated for a moment and said cautiously: "I remembered about... seven or eight tenths. How about... we go over it for another day tomorrow?"

Master Huang stared at Lin Tian for a long while, seeing that his expression was serious and he didn't seem to be lying, he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

What is going on with this kid? Why is his progress in learning martial arts so slow?

Could it be... his memory is not good?

But that's not right. If his memory wasn't good, how could he have practiced the Five Elements Stance to Minor Achievement in one month?

Although the Five Elements Stance is not complex, its breathing techniques and Qi and blood circulation routes are no less than the Metal Element Fist.

Master Huang could not figure it out. He had already made an exception by taking a whole day to teach Lin Tian individually.

If he had to teach all five paths of fist techniques this way, wouldn't it take seven or eight days? How could he have so much time to waste on one Disciple?

Thinking of this, Master Huang sighed, waved his hand, and said: "Forget it, forget it. How about this—"

He turned and walked into the house, and not long after, he came out holding a yellowed booklet.

The booklet was very thin, the cover bound with hemp thread, the paper yellowed, and the edges worn, clearly having been flipped through many times.

"This is the 'Five Elements Fist Manual'." Master Huang handed the booklet to Lin Tian, "It contains all the Moves, breathing techniques, and Qi and blood circulation routes for the five paths of fist techniques, and it is very detailed.

Even without my explanation, you can learn it by following the manual."

Lin Tian took the manual, his eyes lighting up.

Good stuff!

With this manual, he could practice by himself. If he couldn't remember it in one time, he would practice ten times; if he couldn't remember it in ten times, he would practice a hundred times. Anyway, with the System, as long as he practiced, he could increase his proficiency!

"Thank you, Master Huang!" Lin Tian cupped his hands, his tone sincere, "I will definitely Cultivate hard!"

Master Huang nodded, then his expression became serious: "Right, there is one thing I must remind you of."

He stared at Lin Tian, enunciating each word: "This manual is the unique martial art of our Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall and is strictly forbidden from being spread externally.

Not only can you not pass it to people outside the martial arts hall, but even to other Disciples within the hall, without my permission, you cannot let them see it."

"The rules are very strict. If you violate them, the light punishment is severe, and your Cultivation will be crippled; the heavy punishment... you will be beaten to death directly and thrown to the back mountain to feed the wolves."

Master Huang's eyes were cold, without the slightest emotion: "Do you understand?"

Lin Tian felt a shiver in his heart and nodded heavily: "This Disciple understands!"

He carefully tucked the manual into his bosom and kept it close to his body.

Seeing this, Master Huang's expression softened slightly, and he took out a wooden token from his bosom.

The wooden token was the size of a palm, with the words 'Qingfeng' carved on the front and 'Lin Tian' on the back.

"This is your identification token. Go to the martial arts hall's registration office to register; from today on, you are an official Disciple of the martial arts hall."

He paused and added: "As an official Disciple, you can receive a bowl of 'body strengthening soup' every day. This is a secret medicinal soup from the martial arts hall, which can accelerate Cultivation and enhance Qi and blood. Use it well and don't waste it."

"body strengthening soup?" Lin Tian's eyes lit up even more.

He was just worrying about having no medicinal materials to assist his Cultivation!

Previously at Lin Family Village, he could only receive one portion of basic medicinal materials per month.

Now, the martial arts hall actually issued a bowl of medicinal soup every day! This treatment was a world of difference!

"Thank you, Master Huang!" Lin Tian bowed again, this time with genuine gratitude.

Master Huang waved his hand: "Go. Cultivate hard and do not let down the Hall Master's expectations."

Leaving Master Huang's small courtyard, Lin Tian walked with a light step.

He first went to the registration office to complete the procedures and received his identification token.

Then he went to the pharmacy and used the token to receive today's body strengthening soup.

The soup was in an earthen bowl, dark red in color, steaming hot, and had a rich medicinal fragrance.

Lin Tian found a quiet corner and drank it all in one gulp.

The soup entered his abdomen and immediately turned into a warm current, surging towards his limbs and bones.

The medicinal power was gentle but enduring, nourishing his muscles and bones, alleviating the fatigue from days of hard training.

Good stuff!

Lin Tian licked his lips, still wanting more.

With this body strengthening soup, plus the System, his Cultivation speed would increase again!

Returning to his residence, he impatiently took out the 'Five Elements Fist Manual'.

Opening the first page, it was the general outline: "The Five Elements are Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. They generate and overcome each other, circulating endlessly. The Dao of fist techniques is the same..."

Starting from the second page, it was the detailed record of the Metal Element Fist.

Each Move had illustrations, with small characters in the margins noting the breathing techniques, Qi and blood circulation routes, and techniques for exerting force.

With both pictures and text, it was indeed more intuitive than Master Huang's oral explanation.

Lin Tian sat cross-legged on the bed, flipping through it page by page.

Thirty-six Moves for the Metal Element Fist, thirty-two for the Wood Element Fist, twenty-eight for the Water Element Fist, thirty for the Fire Element Fist, and thirty-four for the Earth Element Fist.

The five paths of fist techniques totaled one hundred and sixty Moves.

Each Move required coordination with a unique breathing technique and Qi and blood circulation.

Complex, extremely complex.

But for Lin Tian, complexity was not a problem.

As long as he practiced according to it, if one time wasn't enough, he would do ten; if ten times weren't enough, he would do a hundred.

With the System, he would always be able to learn it.

He took a deep breath and closed the manual.

Starting tomorrow, he would first practice the Metal Element Fist.

Once the Metal Element Fist was mastered, he would practice the next path.

He would learn all five paths of fist techniques, and then... combine the five paths into one, to master the complete Five Elements Fist!

Outside the window, the night deepened.

Lin Tian blew out the oil lamp and lay on the bed, recalling the Moves in the manual over and over in his mind.

Tomorrow, the new Cultivation would begin.