Doubts

Several days later.

In the martial arts arena of Glazed Temple, Si Ming was practicing the "Shennong's Three Fists". He raised his hands high above his head, his feet on the ground, his body like a lever, his muscles shaking in a peculiar rhythm, his upper body suddenly leaning forward, and his arms swinging down in the same direction.

Hao Shuai, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but chuckle, "This move is basically an old farmer swinging a hoe, no wonder it's called 'Farmer's Three Fists,' truly living up to its name."

After practicing this movement, Si Ming walked with great speed, his waist and shoulders rising and falling at a peculiar frequency, which looked quite Anomalies, as if he were carrying a heavy object.

"It's missing a carrying pole." Hao Shuai once again gave a sharp and insightful assessment.

Si Ming paid no attention, completely absorbed in practicing his boxing techniques, just as if he had become an ordinary old farmer in the fields, hoeing, sowing, carrying loads, cutting, and picking fruit. All his moves were ordinary and unremarkable, as if any third-rate boxer could do them.

Ke Chajing impatiently scolded, "If you don't understand, shut up! Saying these things is just exposing your ignorance. You don't feel ashamed, but I do! Si Ming's set of fist techniques seems simple, but it actually contains profound mysteries. Only martial artists who have grasped the Fist Intent can glimpse even a fraction of its secrets. Two months ago, I could only watch the show."

"You make it sound so convincing, is it really as amazing as you say?" Hao Shuai asked suspiciously.

"The brilliance of Si Ming's boxing style lies in its harmony with nature, its profound skill appearing effortless, its seemingly unremarkable yet extraordinary nature. Every punch and every movement is perfectly integrated with the natural world, forever maintaining a state of unity Unity of Heaven and Man. What appears to be a boxing style without any technique actually elucidates the most fundamental essence of boxing, reaching a level beyond mere simplicity. There are no fixed routines; every punch is thrown spontaneously. Even something as simple as hoeing the ground or carrying a load possesses immense power. For example, the way he lifts his shoulder is like a blade of grass breaking through the soil, overturning a large rock, brimming with vitality."

Seeing that Hao Shuai still looked completely bewildered, Ke Chajing could only sigh that one cannot explain ice to a summer insect, and too lazy to explain further, she said, "The ignorant are often unaware of their own ignorance; you can tell by looking at the expressions of the others."

Hao Shuai turned his head and saw that all the high monks of Glazed Temple were staring at Si Ming with solemn expressions, not even blinking, as if they were afraid that if they blinked, they would miss a crucial action. Some of them even imitated Si Ming's poses and occasionally showed expressions of sudden realization.

Hao Shuai was taken aback. Just as he was wondering if it was because his cultivation level wasn't high enough, he suddenly caught sight of Ying Zhou also wearing a thoughtful expression. So he curled his lip and said, "You guys are acting way too realistically. There are wine touts for drinking, food touts for eating, are you guys martial arts touts? According to you, only by comprehending the Fist Intent can one understand Si Ming's fist techniques. So what's with Si Ming's arrogant underling? Is he just pretending to know what he's doing, or is he acting along with you guys?"

Ke Chajing slapped him on the head and scolded, "Idiot, you're like a frog in a well, you don't even understand the saying 'There are always people better than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding.' Don't underestimate Si Ming's little brother, he's been receiving guidance from the great monk and his strength is improving by leaps and bounds, showing significant progress every day. Go and fight him, I bet you won't last ten rounds."

"No way, is this arrogant kid really that good?"

"Martial arts cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. You've been adventuring with us in the martial world for a while now, and your strength has improved. You've become complacent and neglected your training, haven't you? Don't think I don't know; you've been out gallivanting these past few days."

Hao Shuai protested, "Calling it 'hanging around' is too harsh. I call it a balance between work and rest. Besides, I finally got a cross-continental trip. How could I not enjoy the scenery and make up for the risks I took? A bowstring stretched too tight will break. Only by balancing tension and relaxation can one achieve true balance."

"Zhang Chi, you idiot! Everyone who sees Junior Brother Si Ming's talent admits they can't even compare. He's the most gifted genius I've ever seen. But do you know what? Ever since he got this boxing style, he's been practicing day and night. When he gets tired, he sits down to meditate and circulate his internal energy. When he recovers, he continues practicing. He's been practicing on this stage for seven days and seven nights straight. If you had even half his diligence, you wouldn't be at the bottom of the martial arts club, unable to beat anyone."

Hao Shuai was so shocked that his mouth dropped open. "Seven days and seven nights? That's too exaggerated! Didn't he drink any water at all?"

"Are you really an idiot? At Si Ming's level, going seven days and seven nights without food or water is nothing, half a month is no problem. If you just sit still, slow down your metabolism, and absorb spiritual energy to replenish your energy, you can even Grain Avoidance."

Hao Shuai looked at Si Ming on the stage, sweating profusely and seemingly oblivious to everything else, and said dejectedly, "When I first met him, I was actually a little jealous. He's skilled in martial arts, good at studying, handsome, and always surrounded by beautiful women. He's practically a winner in life. But I don't know when it started, I don't even feel jealous of him anymore. Thinking about it now, I feel pretty pathetic."

Ke Chajing began with difficulty, "It's normal. Sometimes I feel quite hopeless too. There are some people you just can't catch up with no matter how hard you try. It's not a matter of Qi Ingestion or Qi Ingestion, but rather..."

Seemingly unable to find the right words, she remained silent for a while before continuing, "Genius isn't scary; what's scary is when a genius works even harder than you."

"So all we can do is look up to them?"

"Fool, there's no need to compare yourself to others. Just focus on doing your best. Everyone has their own standard of success. Unless your goal is to be the best in the world, what do other people's achievements have to do with you? Just because a flower blooms beautifully doesn't mean the green leaves are worthless. Set a goal for yourself, and then achieve it step by step. Don't rush, and don't be lazy. This is much more meaningful than looking up to others."

Ke Chajing rotated her arms, quickly recovering from her earlier disappointment, and laughed loudly, "Seeing him try so hard, I couldn't help myself. Even knowing I can't catch up, I'm going to keep running, and run faster and farther."

After saying that, he turned and left, no longer watching Si Ming practice his boxing. Other people's paths are ultimately their own, and no matter how smoothly they run, they may not be suitable for you. There is no need to envy them.

Others gradually left, either because they had gained inspiration and wanted to verify it, or because they were inspired to fight and wanted to give it their all.

Si Ming continued practicing his boxing as if no one else was around. He didn't know how much time had passed, but when he came to his senses, the moon was already high in the sky.

"These Shennong's Three Fists are quite something! My physical strength has doubled, and my power has increased by 30%, and this is only the result of seven days of training."

Si Ming clenched his fist, feeling the increased power. Thirty percent might not seem like much, but it was based on his physical attributes. Thirty percent was already a terrifying number. In fact, Si Ming had always believed that his physical attributes could not be improved any further unless he advanced to the Nascent Spirit Transformation or reached the third level of the "Supreme Plain Decay True Scripture".

The true brilliance of Shennong's Three Fists lies not in combat, but in the exploration of one's own potential. It has the effect of cleansing the marrow and refining the bones, helping people improve their aptitude. Unfortunately, it is not very meaningful for Si Ming now. If it were him before he Jade-Clad Dharma Body, it would definitely have a transformative effect.

"I wonder how Si Huaruo's cultivation is going."

It seems the progress won't be fast. Si Ming is able to master cultivation techniques in the shortest time because he has the talent for sudden enlightenment. Others would probably still be figuring it out.

Just as Si Ming was thinking of asking someone, Abbot Fahong arrived with a joyful expression. Upon meeting him, he said, "The Evil-Slaying Sword School just sent someone with good news: the Beast King Anye has been slain."

Chapter 598 Doubts

"Impossible!"

Wan Ziling said with absolute certainty, "The Beast King Anye must still be alive, otherwise I wouldn't still be standing here."

Si Ming and Fahong exchanged glances. The latter recalled, "The news from the Evil-Slaying Sword School said that a disciple discovered the whereabouts of the Beast King Anye and confirmed that its injuries had not healed. So, under the leadership of Sect Leader Wan, they took advantage of the situation and killed the Beast King with a sword formation. There were many witnesses at the scene, including several heroes from the Eastern Martial World who came to help. They all witnessed the whole process."

Si Ming pondered, "Could it be that because your wish is to completely kill the Beast King Anye, and the Evil-Slaying Sword School's actions are merely a repetition of countless past killings, causing the Beast King to be resurrected in the future, thus rendering your wish incomplete?"

A flicker of anxiety crossed his mind. If the Beast King Anye was indeed briefly killed by Wan Yebai, wouldn't that mean Wan Ziling's wish would be impossible to fulfill for the next few years? Could her remnant soul endure that long? If her wish wasn't fulfilled and her remnant soul naturally perished, wouldn't that pose a threat to Liu Qingqing, the host?

At this moment, Si Ming realized that he had miscalculated greatly. He was only thinking about how to completely eliminate the Beast King Anye, without considering that if the beast were killed in an ordinary way, the mission would still fail. From this perspective, he should have stood up to protect the Beast King Anye.

"No, although there is no evidence, I am certain that the Beast King Anye is still alive and well in the world," Wan Ziling said with unwavering conviction.

Si Ming scratched his head and asked, "Speaking of which, what is the mechanism for fulfilling your wish? How is it determined that your wish has been fulfilled? What are the specific rules for determining this?"

"Destiny."

After saying it, Wan Ziling shook her head, glanced at Fahong, and changed her words, saying, "No, it's quite different from fate. It's just that with my level of understanding, I can't accurately describe this feeling. If I had to find the closest concept, it would be cause and effect."

There is some kind of causal connection between me and the Beast King Anye. I can sense his death, even if it's only temporary. It can dissipate some of the resentment within me, especially after my experience of becoming a vengeful ghost a few days ago, which makes me even more sensitive to the resentment within me.

If it weren't for that terrible experience, Wan Ziling's senses might not have been so sharp. Even if the resentment dissipated, she wouldn't have been able to perceive the subtle differences. But now that she has experienced it firsthand, her control over resentment is almost instinctive, and she can make judgments with great certainty.

From this perspective, her becoming a vengeful ghost could be considered a blessing in disguise.

"I see. I was originally thinking of trying to make a false alarm through repeated rumors, or using illusion magic to let you 'witness' the Beast King's death. Now it seems that trickery won't work."

Si Ming felt quite regretful. He thought that judging whether a wish was fulfilled depended on Wan Ziling's subjective perception. In that case, as long as Wan Ziling believed that "the Beast King was completely dead" was the truth, it would be fine. He did not expect that it was actually an objective judgment mechanism.