387: Chapter 387 Qi Refined Like a Blade: The Hope of the Martial Arts World

Looking at the dazzling light screen that only he could see, Fang Cheng's lips curled up slightly.

As expected, he had found the right path!

It was just that the unlocked skill wasn't "Karate" as originally expected.

Nor was it "White Crane Fist," "Baguazhang," or "Eagle Claw Kung Fu," which he had just learned and mastered.

Instead, it was the more broadly defined, comprehensive [Palm Technique].

Regarding this, aside from his delight, Fang Cheng wasn't particularly surprised.

Having explored the rules of unlocking new skills on the status panel for so long, he had already figured out the inner workings roughly.

By repeatedly practicing basic techniques or directly challenging his limits to reach an unprecedented Realm, there was a chance to unlock a new skill slot on the status panel.

The size of this probability was related to the basic skills mastered; the more proficient he was, the higher the probability.

However, there was an upper limit to the number of skill slots itself.

If he didn't synthesize the gradually increasing skills of the same category into new talents later on, he could only truly master twenty-five skills.

Therefore, the answer was obvious.

The System could not possibly encourage him to infinitely unlock skills with similar techniques and identical effects.

Otherwise, under the premise that the basic framework remained unchanged or with only local minor adjustments, simply changing the name to count as a new skill—wouldn't that be child's play?

By extension, when the basic skills of a newly learned martial art overlapped too much with mastered skills,

without a new Breakthrough or an essential improvement, it would be difficult to unlock an independent skill slot again.

Karate, like many traditional martial arts, claimed to have comprehensive techniques, including kicking, striking, throwing, and grappling.

But in reality, through practicing several combat skills, Fang Cheng had already completely mastered techniques like Punching techniques, Kicking Techniques, elbow strikes, wrestling, and grappling.

Some had even reached the Grandmaster level sufficient to establish a School, so there was simply no need to inefficiently repeat learning other similar combat techniques.

All martial arts in the world lead to the same goal through different paths.

Only the Focus and training methods were different, but underneath, they all followed the underlying logic of human kinesiology.

Modern combat styles with distinct characteristics like Boxing, Sanda, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai...

Although lacking the all-encompassing depth of traditional martial arts, they were often more specialized and efficient in a specific Domain, without redundant flashy Moves.

The panel clearly preferred extracting core essences rather than laying out trivial branches.

Fang Cheng chose to learn combat techniques of different Schools to make up for his shortcomings in combat.

And the variations in Palm Techniques were precisely the missing piece in his combat skill puzzle.

It was also a part that modern combat styles had long neglected.

Now, this puzzle piece named "Palm Technique" was finally complete!

Looking at the glowing panel, Fang Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly, understanding clear in his mind.

His body moving through the courtyard paused for only a split second before moving again, not stopping his practice.

If the Moves he demonstrated just now still bore traces of imitation and learning,

then at this moment, Fang Cheng was engaging in a creation born entirely from his own inspiration.

He no longer confined himself to any single School.

Instead, he incorporated the simplicity of Karate, the elegance of White Crane Fist, the solidity of Baguazhang, and the ferocity of Eagle Claw Kung Fu entirely into the unified concept of [Palm Technique].

Four martial arts of completely different styles were thoroughly disassembled, kneaded, and reshaped in his hands, seemingly forming a brand-new combat art.

"Good lord... this doesn't seem to be any of the arts you taught him, does it?"

Zhang Haixiang widened his eyes, peered closely, and asked in surprise.

Ma Jianguo stroked his beard with a smile, looking at the dodging and leaping figure in the yard, and explained:

"He isn't imitating; he is absorbing, turning the essence of every School's art into power that nourishes his bodily instinct."

The old men in the courtyard didn't blink, nodding in approval at times and conversing in low voices at others.

Dong Yunchuan's face was flushed red, filled with undisguisable pride as he pouted towards the people beside him from time to time:

"See, I told you so! This kid is a Prodigy, and even his Comprehension Ability makes him a Genius among Geniuses!"

Professor Wu Dewang pushed up his glasses, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for knowledge.

As if what stood before him was not a young man practicing martial arts, but a subject worthy of deep research.

Fang Cheng was not distracted in the slightest, completely immersed in the world of Palm Technique.

Having finally unlocked a brand-new combat skill as desired, how could one not feel invigorated and full of drive?

It was as if his entire body had completely unblocked the Governing and Conception vessels.

All the palm, finger, and claw Moves he had learned before now poured out like a spring, executed effortlessly at will without a moment's thought.

Every part of his body broke free from inherent shackles, unconstrained, generating power in harmony, with every inch of muscle serving the refinement of his Palm Technique.

At the same time, before his eyes on the panel, notification messages rolled past rapidly like a waterfall.

[Palm Technique EXP +1]

[Palm Technique EXP +1]

[Palm Technique EXP +1]

...

The experience points shot up rapidly, seemingly unstoppable.

The panel had extracted the essence of his mastered skills to fill in the shortboards in his combat System.

Striking while the iron was hot to practice repeatedly now was undoubtedly the most efficient way to enhance himself.

But this was still not enough!

A thought flashed through his mind, as Fang Cheng remembered Professor Wu Dewang's earlier words.

If Palm Technique could not be combined with True Qi to unleash its power,

then in actual combat, its effect would still be far less direct and effective than a heavy punch.

Thinking of this, Fang Cheng's gaze instantly became extremely sharp.

In the next instant, guided by him, the azure True Qi inside his Dantian rushed through the Meridians of his arms like an awakening slender snake, charging straight into his palm.

Twisting his body around, facing the old locust tree in the yard, he brought the five fingers of his right hand together, transforming them into a sharp Knife-hand, and sliced down gently forward.

This was not mere muscular force, but pouring all of that internal Qi onto the edge of his palm in a split second.

"Chii!"

A clearly audible, sharp sound abruptly echoed in the quiet courtyard, as if cloth were being violently torn apart.

Where his palm blade pointed, the air seemed to be sliced open by an invisible sharp blade.

A withered yellow locust leaf happened to float down, passing right through the path in front of his palm edge.

The leaf paused slightly before being sliced cleanly in two.

Only then did it float lightly to the ground, as if blown by the wind.

The entire courtyard fell dead silent.

The five Sect Heads, who had spent their entire lives immersed in martial arts, now stood frozen on the spot like statues.

The expressions on their faces shifted from shock to horror, finally freezing into a fanatical look near to witnessing a miracle.

"True Qi leaving the body by several inches..."

Chen Zizhen's voice was dry and raspy, as if his throat were stuffed with sand.

"No, it's not simply True Qi leaving the body."

Wu Dewang held onto his glasses, which had almost slipped, his eyes behind the lenses filled with disbelief:

"That is condensing Qi into a blade edge, truly realizing 'tempering Qi like a blade'..."

"This is the first time I've had the honor of seeing it. Even Old Dong has never achieved this level!"

Dong Yunchuan, who was mentioned, had his mouth half-open, watching with complete absorption, having no intention of denying it.

Ma Jianguo's usually serene face was also flushed red with excitement, his hands unconsciously balling into fists at his sides.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, striving to maintain his sage-like demeanor.

Locking his eyes on Fang Cheng's figure, he murmured to himself:

"Our Martial Arts Research Association has finally waited for a true... successor!"

Fang Cheng drew back his stance and stood firm, his breath as steady as usual.

As if that shocking strike just now was merely a casual wave of his hand.

On the panel before him, a few brand-new messages clearly emerged.

[Palm Technique EXP +50]

[Palm Technique Lv0 (50/100)]

[You have initially comprehended a method of applying Qigong in actual combat. Skill EXP +30]

[Qigong Lv2 (189/500)]

Fang Cheng's gaze swept across it quickly.

Immediately after, he frowned, remaining standing on the spot, falling into deep thought.

Seeing this, the others did not step forward to disturb him.

As experienced seniors, they knew Fang Cheng was currently in a wondrous state of Epiphany.

Any interference could disrupt this precious experience.

A moment later, Fang Cheng suddenly raised his head, his eyes falling on Dong Yunchuan, who was closest to him.

"Junior Martial Uncle Dong."

Fang Cheng's tone carried a hint of doubt and inquiry:

"I still feel like the power output isn't quite right."

"The True Qi seems to circulate only on the surface of the muscle, unable to truly penetrate out along with the force. Once it leaves the body by a short distance, most of the Qi is squandered."

Hearing this, Dong Yunchuan seemed to wake from a dream.

His old face flushed red, and he hurriedly stepped forward, feeling a bit embarrassed by his composure loss just now.

"Yes, yes, your feeling is right!"

Composing himself, he immediately stepped into his role as a mentor:

"The key to using True Qi lies in 'Intent'. When delivering a palm strike, your intent cannot stay only at the palm; you must visualize how it penetrates the target, leaving residual force even after reaching it."

"This is called 'Qi follows Intent, where Intent goes, Qi arrives'!"

Dong Yunchuan's words sounded somewhat profound and abstract.

Professor Wu Dewang beside him smiled and supplemented in a more modern tone:

"A-Cheng, you can understand it like this: your body is the gun, the martial arts you practice are the bullet, and 'Qi' is the gunpowder."

"How to channel the gunpowder to fire the bullet in different ways—whether it travels in a spiral or bursts and scatters—that is the core essence of Palm Technique at the Internal Skill level."

"The 'Intent' Senior Brother Dong mentioned is the trigger, and at the same time, the scope."

This analogy was simple and easy to understand, and Fang Cheng immediately grasped the key concept.

He nodded thoughtfully, suddenly eager to give it a try.

Subconsciously looking around, his gaze swept over the rockery, stone tables, thick tree trunks in the courtyard, and even passed over several seniors.

That look was like a wild beast searching for prey to test the sharpness of its fangs and claws.

Swept over by his gaze, the old men felt an inexplicable chill at the back of their necks.

"Whew—"

Fang Cheng exhaled softly, suppressing the urge in his heart, not continuing to test the power of combining Palm Technique with True Qi.

His previous sequence of performances was already shocking enough to everyone.

If he really used the rockery and stone tables for target practice and gave these old men heart attacks, it would be hard to wrap up.

"Come, come, come, everyone sit, sit."

Ma Jianguo was the first to react, smiling as he greeted everyone to sit down by the stone table again.

Then he personally picked up the teapot and refilled hot tea into everyone's cups.

A gentle breeze blew, the locust leaves rustled softly, casting mottled and swaying light and shadow on the stone table.

The aroma of tea curled up, blending with the scent of soil and jasmine flowers in the courtyard.

The atmosphere gradually calmed down from the shock just now, turning into a lively and harmonious discussion.

At this moment, the way the old men looked at Fang Cheng had completely changed.

If before it was appreciation and respect,

then now, they wished they could impart all their bottom-of-the-chest experience and insights without holding anything back.

In everyone's eyes, there was a heavy expectation.

Looking at Fang Cheng was like seeing the future hope of the entire traditional martial arts world.

In their eyes, Fang Cheng was a second Li Guizhen, a ray of dawn seen by these old-School Martial Artists who had fumbled in the dark for a lifetime.

"A-Cheng, you've just started learning Palm Technique, so it's normal that your Qi energy isn't fully connected yet."

Ma Jianguo took a sip of tea and spoke slowly in a gentle tone:

"The main reason for this is that you're used to using punches."

"Fists represent bravery, while palms represent skill. Fists Focus on driving force into a single point for a one-hit kill, with a direct and fierce power output."

"While variations in Palm Techniques are much richer—slapping, pressing, piercing, chopping, slashing, supporting—each corresponds to different power techniques and Qi energy effects."

He set down his teacup and continued to explain in depth:

"Unleashing the power of True Qi with Palm Technique isn't as simple as channeling Qi to the palm; that efficiency is too low, and True Qi easily dissipates."

"I'll teach you a method. Before channeling Qi, you can first learn how to channel energy. Once you master channeling energy, True Qi will naturally connect to the extremities along with the energy force, making it easier to release."

"There are many types of energy force in our Tai Chi, including Silk-Reeling Energy, Spiral Energy, Elastic Shaking Energy, and so on. In summary, the subtlety of channeling force lies in 'flow' and 'penetration'."

"'Flow' means smoothness, like an unobstructed river; 'penetration' means reaching far, like the sun and moon illuminating deep shadows."

"You have a deep Foundation and a relaxed, supple body, having already obtained the essence of 'flow'. What you need to practice now is 'penetrative' energy force."

"A-Cheng, remember a line from the Tai Chi manual: 'Reach extreme softness, and only then can you reach extreme hardness'."

Ma Jianguo taught earnestly:

"Only by letting your body completely relax and your consciousness become extremely focused can your Qi energy penetrate outward without hindrance, truly achieving mastery of output and infinite power."

Fang Cheng listened quietly, nodding continuously, firmly keeping these golden words in mind.

"Haha."

Speaking up to here, Ma Jianguo himself laughed:

"These were actually told to me by my father back in the day; I only understand a smattering of it myself."

"The real secrets will still require you to figure them out slowly in real combat. But with your Comprehension Ability, I believe you will master it completely very soon."

"Ah, stop talking!"

Dong Yunchuan looked up at the sun that had already risen to overhead:

"It's almost noon! Today, let everyone taste my cooking. A-Cheng, you're in for a treat this time."

Just as he finished speaking, he enthusiastically rolled up his sleeves and walked with long strides toward the kitchen.

The atmosphere of the gathering instantly shifted from serious martial arts discussion to a lively family meal.

"Old Dong is going to show off again."

Wu Dewang smiled and shook his head, saying to everyone: "Let's not sit idle either, go lend a hand."

Zhang Haixiang brought a large rooster from the car outside the courtyard, shouting loudly:

"I'll slaughter the chicken!"

Chen Zizhen rolled up his sleeves, carrying a bucket as he walked to the sink on the other side:

"Then I'll handle these fish."

Seeing this, Fang Cheng also smiled and stood up, his eyes falling on the busy figures in the courtyard.

It was as if he saw the scene when he first joined the Martial Arts Research Association. (End of chapter)