Embodying Myriad Traits, I Will Eventually Become Immortal — Part 18

"How long had you been practicing the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art?"

"Since I was four. It's been over twelve years now."

"Roughly how long did you practice each day on average?"

"I'm not sure exactly, but at least eight hours."

Bai Junfeng nodded.

He had been frail as a child and unable to practice martial arts for long periods. Under such circumstances, maintaining an average of over eight hours of training a day was enough to prove the firmness of his will—if he was not lying.

He continued asking.

"How did you break through to perfection?"

"I encountered a Heavenly Demon and attained Sudden Enlightenment at the brink of life and death."

From then on, Bai Junfeng recorded every answer Meng Chuan gave. All of it would serve as favorable evidence in determining whether Meng Chuan could be recognized as a compiler of the new version of the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art.

Half an hour later, Bai Junfeng had finished all his questions. Meng Chuan had answered according to the truth, withholding nothing except the Martial Arts Limit-Breaking Panel.

At last, Bai Junfeng closed his notebook and stood up.

"Come. Attack me with your new version of the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art. Show me everything at full strength. I'll suppress my power and use the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art as well."

"Alright, Uncle Bai."

Meng Chuan had known it would not be enough to prove it with words alone. They had to have a real fight.

He rose to his feet and bowed to the other man. Proper etiquette still had to be observed.

"Please guide me, Uncle Bai."

As soon as the words fell, Meng Chuan's gaze turned incomparably sharp. He clenched both fists and settled into a firm bow stance.

The National Obligatory Basic Fist Art was his pride. He believed no one understood it better than he did, not even a Martial Artist.

"I'm coming, Uncle Bai."

The National Obligatory Basic Fist Art had sixteen forms in total. Meng Chuan began demonstrating from the first, stepping forward with his left foot and throwing a straight punch.

To Bai Junfeng, Meng Chuan's speed was as slow as an ant crawling. His sharp Eagle Eyes analyzed Meng Chuan's movements.

"Power from the waist, fist turned palm-down, left fist drawn back to the waist, left bow stance... Not bad. Very standard."

Bai Junfeng extended his right hand and pushed forward, easily catching Meng Chuan's fist like a spiderweb. The instant the punch struck his palm, it conveyed its sensation to him.

"There's a slicing force in it. Just before impact, the fist accelerates again. In that instant, its speed clearly increases severalfold."

"The method of exerting force differs from the traditional National Obligatory Basic Fist Art. There truly are some ideas that cast off the old and bring forth the new. Let's keep watching."

"Good, very good."

"Yes, the way this force is released is very ingenious. A fine idea."

After demonstrating all sixteen forms one by one, Meng Chuan added the four forms he had newly developed himself. Bai Junfeng's repeated praise made him feel that this was probably in the bag.

After testing him, Bai Junfeng sat back down and took out his little notebook to record something. Meng Chuan waited patiently at the side.

Luo Guanyun called for him to sit first.

"Sit down, Little Meng. Your fist art really is different from what you showed that day. You've improved a lot. If you ask me, there definitely won't be a problem."

By then, Bai Junfeng had finished writing. He began, "Old Luo, your words don't count. Further testing is still necessary."

"However, it does indeed show clear differences and improvements over the traditional National Obligatory Basic Fist Art. Next, Little Meng, you'll need to set aside half an hour every day recently to come to the Martial Arts Association and cooperate with some compatibility training.

"You know, the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art is a national-level fist art. If it's difficult for people to pick up and learn, then it has definitely failed."

Meng Chuan nodded to show that he understood. He had looked up everything Senior Bai mentioned online. The difficulty of an optimized martial art could not exceed the original by too much, unless its power had improved enormously.

Bai Junfeng continued.

"The four additional forms improve its diversity. The new techniques for circulating force and the areas of the body used to exert power optimize the practicality of the art."

"All things considered, I believe it can be placed on the candidate discussion list."

Luo Guanyun applauded in congratulations.

"Good!"

Meng Chuan did not understand what that meant, so Bai Junfeng explained.

"For martial arts and fist arts of this broadly beneficial nature, countless people submit optimization applications every day. They all believe the arts they developed are much stronger than the originals, but in the end, almost all of them fail."

"To conserve expert resources, only after being placed on the candidate discussion list will a corresponding national martial arts evaluation team fly over on a private plane to conduct a comprehensive assessment."

Bai Junfeng took a sip of tea and continued.

"If more than half of the evaluation team recognizes your new version of the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art as an effective optimization, then congratulations. A million-yuan reward will be nothing. That will merely be an appetizer.

"Most importantly, your name will go down in history!

"From then on, every four-year-old child in Great Chu, when first coming into contact with the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art, will know this.

"The compiler's name in the lower-right corner is Meng Chuan. Every introductory teacher will immediately switch to practicing your new fist art before teaching it!"

After hearing that, even with Meng Chuan's mature state of mind, his blood could not help but surge.

For martial artists, aside from surpassing their own limits and challenging higher peaks, it ultimately came down to fame and profit. Only by turning fame and profit into provisions that fed back into martial arts could one travel farther down the martial path.

This era was no longer one where the fragrance of wine could not be hidden in a deep alley. If one had ability, one had to display it. Only then could one gain more resources to aid one's cultivation.

"I understand, Uncle Bai. If there's anything else you need me to do, I'll definitely cooperate with all my strength!"

Seeing that Meng Chuan was somewhat excited, Bai Junfeng smiled and told him to calm down.

"Little Meng, there's no need to be too nervous. When the time comes, it's best to come for testing in the morning.

"At that time, your body's functions are at their peak for the day, so the test results will be the most accurate."

"I still have other matters to handle out of town, so I won't be able to receive you then.

"Just go directly to the Martial Arts Association, find the front desk, and contact the martial arts testing room.

"I'll make arrangements in advance. You'll probably only need to come a few times, and it won't take up too much of your time."

Bai Junfeng paused, then continued.

"You're still in school. Speak with the school about taking leave beforehand. This kind of thing is beneficial to your school as well, so they won't refuse."

"Alright, Uncle Bai. I'll definitely go on time."

Meng Chuan indicated that he understood. He planned to speak with the principal about it when he went to school tomorrow.

With the serious business settled, Bai Junfeng and Luo Guanyun had not seen each other for a long time, so the two sat down to chat while Meng Chuan served tea and poured water at the side.

After sipping tea for a while, Bai Junfeng looked at Meng Chuan, his face full of praise.

"Old Luo, this student of yours is a fine seedling. At such a young age, he already has such profound understanding of fist arts. You must teach him well."

"Definitely."

Luo Guanyun smiled and nodded, then waved his hand without saying more, signaling for Meng Chuan to leave first.

"Bai Junfeng, that old fellow, practices Eagle Form. His eyes are sharp as can be.

"If Meng Chuan stays any longer and Bai Junfeng discovers that he really has awakened a trait like the Dragonling Physique, then gets lured away by him, I'll suffer a huge loss."

Once Meng Chuan left the training room, he immediately felt refreshed from head to toe. The first thing he did was tell his uncle the good news.

His heart was brimming with high spirits, and he could not resist sharing the news.

"Uncle, my National Obligatory Basic Fist Art has been placed on the candidate discussion list!"

Meng Yongzhi did not understand.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that once the discussion approves it, everyone across the country learning the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art will be learning the completely new version I revised!"

Meng Yongzhi had never expected Meng Chuan to practice the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art until he became a Grandmaster of it. The news was shocking enough that he took quite a while to respond.

"Good, good child! I knew you could do it. Keep working hard!"

"If you need anything for martial arts practice, tell me right away. Your uncle will support you with all his strength!"

Meng Yongzhi did not know what else to say. He could only speak words that came straight from his heart.

After Bai Junfeng left, Luo Guanyun called Meng Chuan back in.

"Little one, come sit."

"After that night, did you feel any changes in your body?"

"Especially when practicing martial arts—did anything change?"

Hearing Luo Guanyun's question, Meng Chuan thought it over and answered truthfully. He needed to show himself well.

"When I practice martial arts, it feels a little like I've suddenly opened up. Not only does my fist art flow more and more smoothly, but I can hold stances for longer too."

"And I think my Cannon Fist is no longer merely at the beginner level. I should already be proficient."