"So, can Ping'an Middle School accommodate someone as impressive as you?"
Yu Kaidong thought this was too shocking. At the age of 16 in the first year of high school, breaking through the Fourth Gate of Qi and Blood — could this be a student trained by a comprehensive high school?
"Really, if you don't believe me, ask my sister."
With a pleading gaze, Yu Kaidong looked towards his girlfriend, unable to believe it was true.
But Meng Yiyi nodded stiffly in response.
He was silent for a moment and then said:
"Transfer schools, Xiaomeng. I can talk to my teacher to recommend you to attend the preparatory class at Yong'an Martial Arts University."
"Your future is limitless. Ping'an Middle School is shallow water that can't nurture a dragon."
"No need, it's fine. I have my own plans."
The teaching level of Martial Arts School and the preparatory class at the Martial Arts University is indeed much stronger than Ping'an Middle School.
But on one hand, there was a promise to Principal Zong, and on the other, it was inconvenient because of the completely enclosed environment, which made it difficult to leave the campus and train with Master Luo at night.
Master Luo rarely taught him during the day; he also needed to practice and earn money, and couldn't revolve around him all the time.
So quitting school to follow Luo Guanyun for martial arts training was also not feasible.
Seeing that Meng Chuan had his own ideas, Yu Kaidong said no more.
...
Villa A003 in Huayun Prefecture.
In the afternoon, Luo Guanyun called Meng Chuan, asking him to come over if he was free, and Meng Chuan gladly accepted the invitation.
In the Martial Arts Chamber within the villa.
"Not bad, I observe your Qi Blood is nearly overflowing your body, solidly reaching the fourth level."
"Blame me for being too busy lately and forgetting to remind you that when a Martial Artist transitions from the initial stage of the first three Gates of Qi and Blood to the intermediate stage, it requires a lot of nutritional supplementation. The fact that you can perceive this yourself is truly commendable."
This is a manifestation of the Martial Artist's high control over their own body, Luo Guanyun nodded continuously, full of appreciation.
"I'll spare the unnecessary words. From now on, practice well and strive for Northern United University and the Primordial Spirit Thunder Planting Skill!"
"As for the fist technique you will be training next, you need to be mentally prepared."
Hearing Master Luo say this, Meng Chuan became even more curious about the new fist technique.
"The student is ready."
Luo Guanyun said calmly:
"The Xingyi lineage is vast and profound, and the most representative of it are none other than Shaolin and Wudang."
"Shaolin Fist Skill emphasizes striking with fists and feet, known for its strong and powerful, simple yet effective striking skills."
"Wudang Fist Skill follows the principles of the 'I Ching,' aiming to cultivate one's body and mind for self-improvement and vitality, using combat defense as a pretext, emphasizing the combination of reality and emptiness, hardness, and softness."
"As a teacher, I incorporated the advantages of Shaolin's Long Fist, combined with Wudang Tai Chi's alternation of reality and emptiness, and added the short-strike techniques of Moon Mountain Baji Fist, creating a top-tier fist technique among second-tier ones. Since Baji Fist serves as the foundation of this fist technique, I named it 'Luo's Baji Fist.'
'Luo's Baji' practices both long and short forms externally and nourishes the internal organs internally, making it one of the best prerequisite fist techniques for the Primordial Spirit Thunder Planting Skill."
Meng Chuan was shocked in his heart, not expecting Master Luo to be so powerful— integrating three schools into one.
"Luo's Baji, unlike general second-tier fist techniques, even if perfected, can only achieve six Gates of Qi and Blood, unable to break through to the seventh Gate of Qi and Blood to enter the advanced stage."
"In contrast, perfecting Luo's Baji Fist can certainly break through the seventh Gate of Qi and Blood, and there is even a chance to comprehend the power of Transformed Strength, which is known to be mostly exclusive to first-rate martial arts."
"However, similarly, the difficulty of training it has also significantly increased; for comparison's sake, it's at least ten times more than Cannon Fist. Be prepared for repeated practice without grasping the key."
Meng Chuan was unafraid.
"No problem, Master Luo, I can do it!"
Meng Chuan's confidence came from the panel and the eternal proof; as long as he practiced diligently, entering the beginning stage was no problem at all.
"Good, let me first demonstrate it to you."
Luo Guanyun stood still in place, positioned in the starting posture.
"This is the fist technique I created myself, so unlike others, such as the complementary body technique for Cannon Fist and Inch Step, it doesn't have a paired body technique."
"Your Inch Step hasn't reached perfection; you can continue to practice, or after mastering Luo's Baji Fist thoroughly, I will teach you other body technique exercises."
"Though you haven't yet stepped into the intermediate stage of a Martial Artist, you can realize that fist technique must be practiced with body technique, so that relieves me of worries about you. For now, Luo's Baji can continue to be paired with Inch Step practices to ensure steadiness in footwork during practical combat."
"Enough with the idle words, stand face-to-face with me and learn."
Meng Chuan stepped forward.
"Let's begin, Teacher."
"I'll perform it slowly; observe carefully."
Only to see Luo Guanyun stand straight, make a fist with his left hand, place his right hand at the tiger's mouth of his left hand, and his body slowly began to gain momentum.
"Luo's Baji, the opening move already needs to gather momentum, intimidating others with force, taking the initiative!"
Then Luo Guanyun began to officially perform:
"Remember, the bow stance learned from Cannon Fist should not be forgotten. When pounding from side to side, don't just focus on hand movements; remember to coordinate the bow stance with body rotation."
"These are the six major openings of Baji: top, embrace, single, lift, hold, and wrap, while also integrating Wudang Fist's concept of alternating between hardness and softness, reality and emptiness, and combining Long Fist techniques of Arhat's separating, pressing, rushing, and pointing strikes."
"I'll practice it once more, and you try to follow along with the movements. Don't worry about making mistakes; I'll point them out in time."
...
In the Martial Arts Chamber.
Meng Chuan was very clumsy when he first started practicing.
Luo Guanyun tirelessly corrected Meng Chuan's movements over and over again.
After an hour, thanks to the continuity of practice, Meng Chuan's Luo's Baji gradually began to take shape.
As expected of a top-tier second-tier fist skill, Meng Chuan hadn't felt this drenched in sweat for a long time.
He looked at the Martial Arts Limit Breaking panel when he had a moment, and no new fist skill bar appeared; it seemed like this new fist skill was indeed challenging.
But he wasn't discouraged, instead, he was even more eager.
Luo Guanyun hadn't taught this self-created fist skill to anyone else, and now he was also interested:
"Are you tired? If not, let's continue."
Meng Chuan wiped the sweat off his forehead with his hand:
"Not tired, let's go, Master Luo!"
"Good! Then let's keep going, let's aim to grasp the basics in one go today!"
Meng Chuan also held a determination within him, he didn't believe that he wouldn't grasp the basics today.
Luo Guanyun, being a Martial Arts Master of the third great barrier, seemed to have endless energy.
While demonstrating for Meng Chuan, he kept correcting Meng Chuan's movements, occasionally explaining the essentials of Luo's Baji's movements.
"Yes! I always emphasize core contraction for power! Every punch thrown should be driven by the core strength of your waist, guided by your combat instincts, to unleash unstoppable fist strength!"
"You haven't understood Dark Strength yet, because Cannon Fist and similar fiercer styles make it hard to grasp Dark Strength."
"But Luo's Baji is different. Carefully perceive the penetrating force within; every punch should penetrate to the bone, like this."
"Watch closely! Footwork is also crucial; this fist skill not only includes the short strikes of Baji but also incorporates Shaolin's Long Fist. In actual combat, you must adapt to the situation and change your moves accordingly,
when the enemy advances, create distance with Inch Step and strike with a Long Fist; when the enemy retreats, use Wudang's twisting strength to draw him in, and deploy Baji's short strikes rapidly!"
Meng Chuan gradually began to execute with some method, and after one more round of guidance, Luo Guanyun suddenly slammed his elbow into a wooden stake.
"Watch closely."
The wooden stake was instantly sent flying, and suddenly exploded into pieces in mid-air!
Luo Guanyun's momentum was very fierce:
"Did you see that? This is the force of Luo's Baji!"
Meng Chuan nodded, having caught some understanding.
The external explosive force was strong while still maintaining internal destructive power; this Luo's Baji was indeed powerful!
"Continue! As you punch, thoroughly understand how to use your strength to match mine."
The master and disciple continued practicing like this, seemingly forgetting time.
6 PM.
"How is it, Chuan'er, have you grasped the basics?"
"Almost there!"
Meng Chuan felt that he was on the verge of grasping the basics.
"Then push a little harder! Keep up with my movements!"
Sometimes Master Luo stood in place as Luo's Baji faced off enemies from all directions, other times he leapt onto wooden stakes with Meng Chuan, his steps aggressive, each step launching a punch, causing the air to hum!
By 8 PM, Meng Chuan's stamina started to drain, his punches becoming somewhat soft.
Luo Guanyun looked at his nearly exhausted disciple and smiled in satisfaction:
"Solid progress, nearly grasped the basics."
Meng Chuan bowed gratefully to Master Luo:
"Thank you, Master Luo."
Luo Guanyun waved his hand and said:
"No problem, take some rest and deeply understand the key points I mentioned today."
"I have some matters, I'll leave first."
As Luo Guanyun reached the door, he suddenly remembered something:
"Remember to lock the door when you leave, don't leave it unlocked like last time!"
Luo Guanyun had matters to attend to in the evening and left first.
Meng Chuan sat cross-legged in the Martial Arts Chamber to regulate his breath, secretly thinking:
"Master Luo is really good to me."
After finishing his meditation, he focused intently on the panel.
[Luo's Baji: Entry Level (6%) Waiting for Limit Breaking]
[Limit Breaking Trait: Chaotic Heaven (Intermediate)]