Tianhai No. 2 Middle School

Lin Qi entered the campus. It was almost six o’clock, and the sky was just beginning to lighten.

With the opening ceremony over, there were few people at school this early.

Lin Qi arrived at the Martial Arts Classroom, entered the code to open the iron door, and found the lights on inside. Accompanied by a series of sounds, he saw several people were already training.

’It’s only the second day of school, and the grind is already on?’

When the few of them noticed Lin Qi’s arrival, they seemed to feel a sense of pressure and began training even more diligently.

In the locker room, Lin Qi looked at his reflection in the mirror. His chest and muscles rose and fell with each breath, as if brewing something powerful.

’My body has been transformed. My proportions look much better.’

’When the Fusion Degree gets higher, the changes to my physique will be even more obvious.’

Lin Qi clenched his fists. He realized he’d gotten stronger and felt that getting into the Elite class might not be impossible after all.

He changed into his Martial Arts Uniform and began his Pile Skill training.

Hands forming a circle, shoulders relaxed and elbows horizontal, armpits hollow, elbows bent in an embrace...

The moment Lin Qi assumed the stance, he felt a difference. A warmth spread from his stomach as currents of heat flowed from his spine to all parts of his body, clearing his blood vessels without the slightest obstruction, darting about as fast as little snakes.

The speed was much faster than before.

The key points of the Hunyuan Posture surfaced in Lin Qi’s mind, and many new ideas were born.

’Be reverent, lest the spirit scatter. Be cautious, as if at an abyss’s edge. Borrow from infinite intent, fill the body with primal essence. Seek the real from the void, let go of balance and harmony...’

He had always found it profound and obscure, but now he was beginning to understand its meaning.

In just a few moments, his face was flushed, his body burned with heat, and sweat poured down like rain.

[You have gained a new understanding of the Hunyuan Posture. Your tempering efficiency has greatly increased. Qi and Blood Value +0.2!]

[Qi and Blood Value: 5.4 → 5.6]

...

Seeing the increase in his Qi and Blood Value on the panel, Lin Qi’s spirits soared.

’My Talent really has improved. This is amazing.’

’How long has it been? My Qi and Blood Value has already gone up by 0.2.’

’In just one day, my Qi and Blood Value has gone from 5.2 to 5.6. That’s insane! Before, this would have been impossible without several months of work.’

Lin Qi clenched his fists and looked at the 1% Fusion Degree on his template.

If the Fusion Degree increased further, his Martial Arts Talent would become even stronger, and the improvement effects would only grow more powerful.

...

As time passed, while Lin Qi was performing his Pile Skill, other students began to arrive at the Martial Arts Classroom.

"Brother Qi, you’re as early as ever!"

Not long after, Jiangtao also entered the Martial Arts Room.

Lin Qi nodded in acknowledgment.

’As expected of Brother Qi, one of the hardest grinders in class.’

Jiangtao walked to the side, put down his backpack, and after changing into his Martial Arts Uniform, he sighed inwardly.

As he watched, his expression changed slightly, a question forming in his mind:

’Strange, it seems like Brother Qi’s Qi Blood has broken through again. How did he do it?’

A curious look appeared on Jiangtao’s face.

"Have you guys noticed? Lin Qi’s aura doesn’t seem weak. It feels like he’s had a breakthrough," someone nearby asked curiously.

This confirmed Jiangtao’s thoughts. He guessed, ’Could it be that he went for one of those therapy packages yesterday?’

It was said that the first session was quite effective, capable of relaxing the meridians and invigorating the Qi Blood, but was it really *this* good?

...

An hour later, the students had all arrived, and the spacious Martial Arts Classroom was filled with various sounds.

Lin Qi finished his Pile Skill training and wiped the sweat from his body. He could feel the hot energy surging within him, an endless power replenishing what he had expended, leaving him not the least bit tired.

"BRRRING!"

The class bell rang, and Wu Kang’s figure appeared in the doorway right on time.

"The Hunyuan Posture was developed to temper the body, sense Qi Blood, and control Qi Blood. However, the human body has its limits. Two or three hours of this a day is the maximum."

Wu Kang strode through the crowd with the gait of a dragon and the step of a tiger, starting the lesson immediately.

"Thus, Fist Technique emerged. It not only aids in tempering the body and controlling the power of its muscles, but it also allows one to defend against enemies."

"Pile Skill combined with Fist Technique is used to temper the flesh and sense Qi Blood. Only when the muscles and organs have continuously transformed and adapted to the tyrannical Source Energy can you learn a Cultivation Technique to actively absorb it."

"To this end, our Xia Country has derived the Five Elements Fist Technique from ancient fist techniques—five fundamental Fist Techniques."

"The Five Elements of the Five Elements Fist are: Dragon, Tiger, Crane, Ape, and Snake."

"After building a solid Martial Arts Foundation in junior high, all students must learn these five Fist Techniques, then carefully choose the one form most suited to them for in-depth practice."

"In this class, we will cover one of the Five Elements Fist—the Tiger Form Fist!"

Many people’s eyes lit up, and they quickly gathered closer to watch. Lin Qi was no exception.

Because he practiced the Tiger Form Fist, opportunities to observe the teacher demonstrating it up close were rare.

After speaking, Wu Kang stood in the center of the crowd and unleashed his aura, stirring up a wave of energy.

He spread his five fingers and curved them into a claw!

Staring straight ahead, he seemed to transform into a ferocious tiger in an instant.

"The Tiger Form Fist emphasizes using the form as the fist, the intent as the spirit, and qi to drive power. When angered, one’s gaze is fierce and neck stiff, glaring covetously like a tiger watching its prey, possessing the momentum of a furious tiger leaving the forest and claws that can uproot mountains."

Wu Kang’s movements were nimble, like a fierce tiger pouncing on its prey, his aura ferocious.

"ROAR—"

He let out a great roar, like a tiger’s cry, and as his Tiger Claw struck out, it stirred up a fierce wind.

"Fierce Tiger Exits the Cave!"

"Black Tiger Heart Stealing!"

"Hungry Tiger Pounces on Prey!"

"Furious Tiger Penetrating the Forest!"

As he executed move after move, he seemed to have truly transformed into a fierce tiger. When his Tiger Claw struck, the air vibrated as if from an air cannon.

Lin Qi watched with glittering eyes, completely captivated.

Watching from up close, he could even see Wu Kang’s lean, powerful muscles bulge, veins coiling around his arms like steel cables, and feel waves of heat wash over him.

"As expected of a Third Realm Martial Artist. He’s so fast. Against Teacher Wu, we wouldn’t be able to block a single move," someone exclaimed in amazement.

"Whew—"

After running through the form once, Wu Kang retracted his aura and returned to a state of calm.

"Everyone, begin practicing the fist!"

A tiger’s roar seemed to echo in everyone’s ears as they dispersed to find their own space to practice.

Lin Qi recalled every one of Wu Kang’s movements in his mind and began to practice the Tiger Form Fist.

He bent his five fingers into a claw and struck out. The key points Wu Kang had mentioned flashed through his mind, and even the entire process of his demonstration reappeared in his memory.

’Use form as the fist, intent as the spirit, joints to issue force, qi to drive power—the fist’s momentum must be ferocious!’

’The tiger is the king of all beasts. With a single roar, all beasts submit. When a fierce tiger passes through the forest, the winds shift and the mountains tremble.’

"BANG! BANG! BANG!!"

He didn’t know how many times he had practiced the form. Lin Qi was already very familiar with it. Although he felt tired and his muscles ached, he paid it no mind.

The more he practiced, the more energized he became. His eyes seemed to transform into a tiger’s, shooting out brilliant light.

Wu Kang walked among the students. His pace wasn’t fast, yet no one could touch him.

He was observing everyone’s practice.

He didn’t single anyone out for correction. Instead, he would focus on the common problems and address them all in the next class.

There were over 50 people in the class, and he had a rough idea of everyone’s skill level. Very few could reach Great Success; most were at the Minor Achievement level.

Before he knew it, he had reached a corner, where one person’s Fist Technique made his eyes light up.

’It’s Lin Qi!’

The class’s Master of Basic Skills, the student with the best foundation—his favorite student.

Yesterday, he had reminded him to take care of his body.

But seeing Lin Qi practice his fist with vigor and power, his Qi Blood flowing smoothly, there was clearly no sign of any impediment.

At that moment, Lin Qi was completely immersed in his Fist Technique.

His Qi Blood surged, power extending to his fingertips, as he lunged forward like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.

"ROAR—"

His momentum reached its peak, and he let out a great roar like a tiger’s cry.

[By observing Wu Kang’s demonstration, you have gained a new insight into the Tiger Form Fist. Fist Technique +2.5%]

[Through practicing the Tiger Form Fist, you have gained new insight. Fist Technique +2.5%]

[Fist Technique: Tier One 80% → 85%]

...

Lin Qi withdrew his stance and looked at his panel.

’Is this what it feels like to be a genius?’

’It’s too powerful.’

It had directly raised his Fist Technique Realm by a large margin. He was now only 5% away from Great Success.

The Fist Technique Realm is divided into four stages: 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100%.

These correspond to the Beginner, Minor Achievement, Great Success, and Perfection levels of the Fist Technique.

Meanwhile, Wu Kang, who was watching, also showed a look of surprise. ’Lin Qi’s Tiger Form Fist has improved so much?’

...