Fortuitous Opportunity

"Congratulations! Congratulations on your successful seclusion and cultivation, Senior Brother Guan! You've finally shed your mediocre status and become a true third-rate master!"

"Impressive! This person possesses profound Internal Cultivation and superb fist techniques; truly worthy of being a third-rate master!"

"Hmph! A mere third-rate expert dares to challenge me, a second-rate expert? He's simply courting death!"

If such a martial arts society truly existed, the people there would surely be incredibly straightforward and naive. To be able to call someone a third-rate person to their face, and for the person being called that to accept it with such pride, is inexplicable except for their honesty and naivety.

A true martial arts master must be adept at navigating social situations. Even if the other party is just the leader of a minor, slightly famous sect, the introduction should be something like, "Old Master Xiao, the leader of the Southern Heng Sect, nicknamed 'Sun -Sun-Crossing Saber,' possesses unparalleled speed and power in his Southern Heng Saber technique. He is a highly respected figure in the Southern Martial World, and Master Xiao is also known for his magnanimity, high moral character, and extraordinary wisdom. He is widely praised throughout the martial arts world."

At first glance, he seems like an extraordinary figure, but in reality, he might not even be able to defeat the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan.

If you can't even do such a simple compliment, then you should just leave the group. The world is a dangerous place, not suitable for someone as kind as you.

After Si Ming figured it out, he stopped getting bogged down in the details and gained some understanding of the martial arts level in the Barbarian Continent. Based on the fact that Zhao Donglai was at the level of a "renowned master" and Si Shuiyun's performance during the day was between a "first-class master" and a "top master", then the so-called Grandmaster was probably similar to the Spirit Transformation experts in the Sea Continent.

Speaking of which, Spirit Transformation cultivators in the Sea Continent are usually called "Spirit Transformation Grandmaster," so it seems there are some similarities between the two continents.

Finally, Si Ming asked the question that mattered most to him, "Do you know anything about the Anomalies?"

Without hesitation, Liang Zhenhuan replied, "I know. One of the responsibilities of our martial arts sects is to deal with the Anomalies occurrences that happen daily, so as to ensure that the people can live and work in peace."

Now it was Si Ming's turn to be surprised. Even a third-rate sect like Origin Return Sect could deal with the Anomalies?

Of all the Anomalies he knew, even the weakest one he encountered at school was fully capable of wiping out the Origin Return Sect, leaving not even a rat alive.

Could it be that Anomalies are restricted in this world, but become powerful and ferocious in the Sea Continent?

That doesn't make sense either. That Purple-Pupiled Spirit King is incredibly strong, and none of his subordinates are weak either. They were all injured but not killed by the True Qi Beam Cannon; they're practically cockroaches! Or is it that all the martial artists in this world know how to counter Anomalies secret techniques?

"Can you really eliminate the Anomalies?" Si Ming asked bluntly, not caring that asking such a common-sense question might expose his true abilities.

Sure enough, Liang Zhenhuan showed a hint of doubt, as if wondering why Si Ming didn't even know this basic common sense. But then he suddenly realized something and said, "Young Master is probably not referring to Anomalies, but to the 'Monster Race.' The 'Monster Race' is a hundred or a thousand times stronger than 'Anomalies.' They are indeed beyond the capabilities of ordinary martial arts sects like ours. Only the Three Great Holy Lands have such power."

"Why?"

"Because the Monster Race are indestructible; even if their heads are cut off, they can regenerate. The Three Great Holy Lands possess secret techniques to eliminate the Monster Race, which is why they became holy lands."

"They really can't be killed? Apart from the Three Great Holy Lands, no one else can deal with the Monster Race?"

Si Ming recalled the Anomalies he encountered at school. It could indeed be resurrected even after being smashed to pieces. However, according to Si Jingyu, as long as the source of the Anomalies creature could be destroyed, it could be killed.

Liang Zhenhuan thought for a moment and added, "I've heard that top experts and Grandmaster also have the ability to kill Monster Race, but whether this news is true or false is unknown."

This answer is enough to confirm Si Ming's guess: it's not that they can't be killed, but that ordinary martial artists are not capable enough to destroy the Monster Race's origin.

A martial artist with various vital points who loses his fighting ability if seriously injured, versus a monster with no vital points who can be resurrected multiple times after being killed—even if the former is stronger than the latter, both will only face certain death.

Si Ming had no further questions, so he said, "Alright, I'm very satisfied with your answer. Now, tell me, what do you need me to give you?"

Liang Zhenhuan really wanted to talk about Internal Cultivation techniques, but he knew his own limitations. Tonight, he had only answered some common-sense questions, which anyone else could have done. Just because the other party was willing to give the Cultivation Method to Zhao Xiaohui for free did not mean that he was entitled to the same treatment.

After a moment's consideration, Liang Zhenhuan cautiously said, "I hope you can give me some pointers on my martial arts."

Chapter 337 fortuitous opportunity

Liang Zhenhuan was unaware that his cautiousness had caused him to miss a golden opportunity to acquire an Internal Cultivation martial arts manual. This was not accidental, but rather an inevitable consequence of the difference in their values.

For Si Ming, memorizing an Internal Cultivation Mnemonic was much easier than being taught martial arts techniques, but since the other party had made such a request, he didn't intend to refuse. He casually found a place to sit down and said, "Then demonstrate your best martial art here."

If it were anyone else, Liang Zhenhuan would inevitably worry that the other party would take the opportunity to steal the martial arts of his sect, but this "Sick Young Master" can even give away precious Internal Cultivation methods at will, so a mere set of fist techniques that cannot be ranked in the martial arts world is probably not even worth his attention.

Liang Zhenhuan's specialty was the Five Elements Lost Track Fist, and he demonstrated it properly in front of Si Ming, even slowing down his pace so that Si Ming could see it clearly.

After finishing the first round, Si Ming yawned and said, "Do it again at a normal speed, don't worry about me."

Liang Zhenhuan had no objection and Fazhao. Just as he finished performing the Rising Flame Fist and, according to the Five Elements theory, fire generates earth, transforming into Earth Harmony Fist, Si Ming picked up a pebble and struck his elbow.

"Your hand is in the wrong position. Move it up three inches."

Liang Zhenhuan was stunned for a moment. He remembered clearly that the manual said the hand should be level with the chest, not the shoulder. He was very confident in his memory. Perhaps he couldn't be said to have a photographic memory, but it was far better than that of ordinary people.

As if sensing Liang Zhenhuan's hesitation, Si Ming, "Practice as I say."

No one would die from practicing it once, so Liang Zhenhuan decided to give it a try. Following Si Ming's instructions, he modified the movements: after Earth, it was Metal Crack; after Metal Crack, it was Moistening Downward; after Moistening Downward, it was Wood Melody; and finally, it returned to Flame Rise.

Throughout the process, Si Ming would occasionally shoot out pebbles to tell him how to adjust the details of a certain movement, sometimes even modifying the way muscles exert force.

After completing the set of movements, Liang Zhenhuan found it extremely strenuous. Sweat poured from his forehead, and his pores were wide open, constantly releasing steam.

You should know that he had practiced this set of boxing techniques thousands of times, and he knew it by heart. His body was also extremely familiar with it. Even if he practiced it three times, he would not be red in the face or out of breath, only slightly warm. Now, after practicing it once according to Si Ming's requirements, he felt extremely tired.

But a realization dawned on him: perhaps the "Sick Young Master" had taught him the correct method of training. He had experienced the smooth and unhindered use of his spirit and energy, and the feeling of his body moving as light as a feather. After this round, although his muscles were very tired, his body felt exceptionally relaxed, as if his energy had been unblocked.

"Strange, I did practice according to the manual and received guidance from my master. I believe I followed the standards in every move and made no mistakes. Why are there so many places that need to be modified?"

Liang Zhenhuan asked, not believing that his master Zhao Donglai would maliciously alter the moves to deceive his disciple on whom he had placed high hopes.

"Everyone's body structure is different, so there's no standard. What suits you best is the best. This is why the same boxing style contains immense power in the hands of the founder, but later generations can never reach the same level. It's because that boxing style was created by the founder according to his own physical condition, and unless later generations have the same body, they can't train the boxing style to its best effect."

It is precisely based on this point that the martial arts community of the Sea Continent created the Soul Intent Diagram, allowing those with comprehension and a foundation to explore the cultivation method most suitable for themselves. Of course, those without comprehension and a foundation should obediently follow the routines.

Si Ming stood up unsteadily, adopting a relaxed stance, and said, "Watch the next move carefully. I'll only demonstrate it once; learn as much as you can."

"Yes."

Liang Zhenhuan dared not be negligent and watched intently.

When Si Ming moved his hands, his previously weak and vulnerable demeanor vanished, replaced by a still and unyielding presence, as if his body and spirit had disappeared.