Panshi Fist Academy.
Zheng Shan slowly assumed his opening stance and began demonstrating the framework of the Panshi Fist.
The movements appeared ancient and simple, and were not particularly fast.
Yet every form carried a distinct charm.
As his arms stretched and unfolded, faint, deep sounds of wind and thunder accompanied them. That was the sound of Vital Blood rushing through his body and grinding against his muscles and bones.
His feet were like the roots of an old tree, firmly nailed to the Blue Stone slabs. His body stood as steady as Mount Tai, as though even a raging storm could not shake him in the slightest.
Wang Yuan held his breath and watched with rapt attention.
With the extraordinary perception granted by Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, he could not only see Zheng Shan's every minute movement.
He could even faintly trace the path of the other man's Vital Blood through certain meridians, as well as that vast Force Power gathered but not released, contained but not revealed.
This was a true martial artist.
This was the martial path!
A full set of Fist Technique had been demonstrated.
Zheng Shan withdrew his stance and stood still, his breathing calm as he looked at Wang Yuan.
"How much did you remember?"
Wang Yuan closed his eyes and carefully replayed the scene in his mind. Those moves, that artistic conception—they were as clear as brands seared into his memory.
He opened his eyes and answered honestly and humbly, "I remembered seventy to eighty percent of the moves. But as for the 'intent' within them, this disciple is dull-witted and can only sense a little of the surface."
The surprise in Zheng Shan's eyes deepened. Though he had slowed this set of punches down.
The circulation of Force Power and changes in the Vital Blood contained within were extremely complex.
An ordinary disciple would already be considered decent if he could remember thirty to forty percent of the moves after watching it once.
Yet Wang Yuan had remembered seventy to eighty percent?
This comprehension...
"It does not matter. The moves are the shell; the artistic conception is the soul. Take your time to understand it."
Zheng Shan suppressed his surprise.
He began breaking down and explaining each move, every detail meticulous and thorough.
He taught Wang Yuan without reservation the techniques for exerting force in every movement, the coordination of Vital Blood, and the key to mobilizing the muscles and bones throughout the body to exert force together.
Wang Yuan listened as though intoxicated. Combined with the traits of his own Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, many things became clear with just a single hint.
He could even draw inferences from one instance to another, raising questions that made even Zheng Shan's eyes light up.
Zheng Shan carefully explained and demonstrated the moves, key points, and Vital Blood circulation method of the Panshi Fist several times. Seeing that Wang Yuan could quickly memorize the moves.
But that the circulation of Vital Blood was clearly not something that could be mastered in a single day, he finally set his mind at ease.
He was getting on in years, and such detailed instruction consumed quite a bit of mental energy. He waved his hand, went to rest in a reclining chair beneath the shade of a tree, and took a sip of tea from the purple clay teapot beside him.
"I have taught you every move. What remains is slow grinding work—carefully comprehend it, try guiding your own Vital Blood, and nurture the first strand of Vital Blood that belongs to the Panshi Fist."
"This step is from nothing to something, the threshold where an ordinary person enters the martial path. It is the most difficult step, and it cannot be rushed."
Zheng Shan closed his eyes to rest, a hint of weariness in his voice.
"Practice on your own for now and feel the charm within it."
Seeing this, Zheng Ying brought over a plate of exquisite pastries and fruit and placed it on the small table beside her father.
She brought Wang Yuan a portion as well, then went to stand with Senior Disciple Brother Shi Long some distance away, where they began speaking in low voices.
Shi Long watched Wang Yuan, who had already begun earnestly practicing each move in the middle of the training ground.
Though his movements were still somewhat raw, his stance was remarkably correct.
Shi Long could not help scratching his head. Lowering his voice, he asked Zheng Ying.
"Second Junior Sister, with Little Junior Brother's talent, how long do you think it will take him to nurture Vital Blood and enter the Entry Stage of the Fist Technique?"
Zheng Ying's cool eyes watched Wang Yuan's movements. After pondering for a moment, she said softly.
"Little Junior Brother has a High Grade Bone Structure. His Vital Blood is naturally abundant, his muscles and bones are strong, and he seems to comprehend the artistic conception of Fist Techniques exceptionally quickly..."
"In my opinion, perhaps... he may reach the Entry Stage within seven days."
"Seven days?"
Shi Long's bull-like eyes widened. He sucked in a breath of cold air, forgetting to keep his voice down.
"That fast? Back then, I gnawed through Monster Beast Meat for a whole month and soaked in who knows how many medicinal baths before I barely touched the threshold."
"Second Junior Sister, your bone structure was even a little better than mine, but it still took you more than twenty days, didn't it?"
Zheng Ying nodded slightly, a trace of emotion in her eyes as well.
"A High Grade Bone Structure truly is extraordinary."
They both thought this was already an extremely optimistic, even bold, estimate.
After all, nurturing Vital Blood and knocking on the gate of the martial path was a heavenly chasm that trapped countless people for their entire lives.
Yet they did not know what astonishing changes were taking place within the youth in the training ground, who appeared to be earnestly refining his moves.
Wang Yuan's mind was tranquil, completely immersed in the practice of the Panshi Fist.
What Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone brought him was not merely a powerful physique, but also extraordinary control over and perception of his own Vital Blood, muscles, and bones.
The Vital Blood circulation method Zheng Shan had taught seemed to him like clouds parting to reveal the sun. Many crucial points became clear the moment they were mentioned.
Following the method, he used his thoughts to guide the immense Vital Blood already surging through his body like rivers, slowly circulating it along specific meridian paths.
At first, it was somewhat sluggish.
But soon, supported by the resilience and channeling ability of Dragon Tendon, far beyond that of ordinary people, and by the endless supply of powerful Vital Blood from Tiger Bone.
That rushing Vital Blood became like a tamed wild horse, obediently flowing along the path required by the Fist Technique.
Once, twice, three times...
He practiced tirelessly, his movements becoming smoother and smoother.
That distinctive fist intent also began to take shape upon him.
It was as though roots had truly grown beneath his feet, faintly connecting him to the earth.
Then, at a certain moment, when his intent perfectly aligned with his stance and his Vital Blood circulated to a certain point.
"Buzz!"
An almost inaudible hum came from within his body.
A scorching, heavy, unique current of air suddenly sprang forth from his dantian, like a seed breaking through the soil. Though tiny, it brimmed with vigorous life and a sense of power.
This strand of air naturally merged into the great river of Vital Blood surging through him.
Its nature seemed to undergo a subtle change, becoming denser and heavier.
The Panshi Fist's first exclusive strand of Vital Blood had formed!
Wang Yuan did not stop moving, but his mind was crystal clear. He had succeeded.
With the heaven-defying aptitude of Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, this first step—which ordinary people needed months or even years of arduous training to take—had taken him only one afternoon.
But he did not announce it. He continued practicing with meticulous seriousness, familiarizing himself with this newly born Vital Blood and consolidating his realm in the Fist Technique.
The sun sank in the west, dyeing the horizon orange-red.
Zheng Shan had rested enough. Opening his eyes, he saw that Wang Yuan was still practicing tirelessly.
Sweat had already soaked through his training clothes, and Zheng Shan secretly nodded.
This child possessed a tenacious temperament. He truly was a promising talent.
Moreover, Zheng Shan had investigated Wang Yuan's background. His origins were clean; he was merely an ordinary commoner from the slums.
Born into poverty, he had risen to prominence in a single day, yet he was neither arrogant nor impetuous. He was still willing to endure hardship and practice martial arts, proving that his character was exceptional.
Zheng Shan rose to his feet, walked into the training ground, and clapped his hands. "All right, Little Yuan. Let us stop here for today."
"On the path of cultivation, one must know when to tighten and when to relax."
"Nurturing Vital Blood is not the work of a single day. It requires medicinal meals and Monster Beast Meat for nourishment, accumulating little by little until the water flows and the channel forms."
"Do not be impatient. With your talent, together with the aid of great medicines and Monster Beast Meat, in this master's view, you will certainly be able to... within seven days..."
Before he could finish, Wang Yuan happened to slowly withdraw his stance and turn around, beads of sweat hanging from the corner of his forehead.
Yet a calm, confident smile rested on his face as he interrupted him.
"Master, I have already nurtured Vital Blood."
"The Panshi Fist should count as having entered the Entry Stage."
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