Embodying Myriad Traits, I Will Ultimately Become Immortal — Part 48

At that moment, Liu Ru and Meng Chuan were slowly walking over from afar.

At the sight of the martial arts academy's legendary figure arriving, both new and old students immediately erupted in excitement.

"Senior Brother!"

"Brother Meng feels even stronger!"

Someone murmured:

"Now this is the real thing, absolutely the real thing! Is this the aura of a powerhouse? I can barely breathe!"

Meng Chuan smiled and returned everyone's greetings.

"Everyone, long time no see."

Because of the tournament these past few days, Liu Ru had also benefited from Meng Chuan's favor and followed him to Luo Guanyun's home for several days of special training.

Over the course of that training, Liu Ru had been completely won over by Meng Chuan.

He improved with every passing second, like some tireless punching machine.

Once, inspiration struck while he was practicing, and Meng Chuan kept punching until one in the morning.

Only after finishing did he remember that he had not done his stance training. He stubbornly stayed awake and held his stance until after five in the morning, then got up after six hours of sleep and continued practicing punches.

When tired, he ate Medicated Diet Paste to replenish his strength. When sleepy, he took a half-hour nap.

During the final days of the special training, even Luo Guanyun could not help but force him to rest.

"I wasn't even this ruthless when I was young. This kid is damn solid—truly something else."

Yesterday, Meng Chuan had finally gotten a good night's sleep, because today was the day of the draw.

The results of his training during this period had been exceedingly gratifying. Looking back on it now, even he did not know how he had managed to persevere.

I have to be worthy of this extraordinary panel. If I'm not smart enough, then I'll trade hard work for it!

In high spirits, Liu Ru stepped forward and said to everyone with a smile:

"Does anyone want to watch the competition tomorrow? Those who do, come register your names with me. I'll count the numbers and charter a vehicle."

Aside from a few whose families had matters to attend to, practically every student present raised a hand.

Liu Ru patiently recorded them on her phone. At the same time, she @-mentioned everyone in the martial arts academy chat group and counted those who had not come to the academy today but wanted to watch the competition tomorrow.

"Excluding those who have things to do and those taking their own transportation, chartering two more vehicles should be enough."

Since he was already here, Meng Chuan, as the academy's senior brother, could not just carry the title and do nothing.

"Yes, raise your fist a little higher. Carefully feel how Bright Force travels through your body, like this."

Meng Chuan taught the students punching techniques.

He stood sideways to make it easier for them to observe. Then he flicked his sleeve and threw a sideways punch into the air. The sound of his fist exploded like thunder, making the students in front of him hurriedly cover their ears.

Cannon Fist: Mastery (66%) — Awaiting Limit Break

Limit-Break Trait: Heavy Blow (Beginner)

Meng Chuan had gradually figured out how Cannon Fist could break its limit: his fist had to generate Manifest Force, fusing the bright and hidden forces together.

Among the Xingyi School's third-rate boxing arts, Cannon Fist was the fiercest and most forceful.

To break its limit, he naturally could not simply keep going hard all the way. After all, a Martial Artist's Cannon Fist would certainly be far more forceful than his own.

So he thought of Manifest Force.

Manifest Force was characterized by being hidden without being released, obscure without being apparent. Once unleashed, it would pierce through sinews and shake the bones, acting directly upon the enemy's body.

Bright Force was condensed power released through powerful muscular control; Manifest Force was penetrating power driven through the sinews, bones, and vital blood.

By fusing the two forces together, the surface would erupt with explosive power while the interior carried penetrating force.

In other words, when a rifled cannon shell became an armor-piercing round, Cannon Fist would inevitably break its limit!

His current level still remained at the stage of penetration. He could not yet combine Bright Force and Manifest Force to unleash Cannon Fist.

But the way forward for his training was already clear. The fact that his proficiency was rising so quickly was the best proof that his direction was correct.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Meng Chuan thought to himself:

Don't be impatient. Just practice according to the plan. My second trait, Heavy Blow, is about to be born!

"Your punches need to be decisive. Before striking, you can think about how you want to throw that punch.

But once you make your move, you can't let your mind wander. You must hold firm to your conviction. A wavering mind when throwing a punch is a great taboo!"

The student nodded, seeming to understand but not fully.

"This is the fist intent you asked about. It's actually simple, not that complicated."

Seeing Meng Chuan unusually eager to teach, Liu Ru waited at the side with a beaming smile. When the time was about right, she reminded him:

"Little Meng, let's go. It's about time to head out for the draw."

Only then did Meng Chuan stop reluctantly. He was used to being lectured by Teacher Luo, and lecturing others now truly felt rather good.

The two left the martial arts academy and hailed a taxi.

"Driver, City Competition Center Stadium."

"Sure thing."

"Are you contestants heading for the draw? Hahaha, I managed to snag two tickets. I'm taking my son to watch tomorrow."

As Yong'an City's first competition of the new year, the Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament had drawn the attention of quite a few people.

Those with children who wanted to learn martial arts were especially interested in this showdown between Yong'an City's martial arts academies.

Liu Ru said with a smile:

"That's right, sir. We're the defending champions!"

"You're from Infinite Martial Arts Academy, right? I know you. Your reputation's too big to miss, but your fees are too expensive. I've driven taxis my whole life, and it's still not enough to let my boy train for two years."

The prices had been set by the academy master, so neither of them knew how to respond.

Seeing the two remain silent, the driver opened his mouth and joked:

"Ah, it's fine. I personally support your academy very much!"

"Especially your academy master. That whole lightning-and-fire-spark look of his is explosively handsome!"

The driver's words also stirred Liu Ru's thoughts.

Academy Master Luo saw my hard work with his own eyes these past few days. If I perform well tomorrow, maybe it'll happen!

Liu Ru could not help praying silently, hoping she would draw a good lot shortly.

A red banner hung over the stadium's main entrance.

Venue of Yong'an City's 46th Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament.

The small, semi-circular arena could accommodate three thousand spectators.

The seats were still empty at the moment. But imagining the venue packed to capacity tomorrow, with three thousand spectators watching him compete, Meng Chuan felt as though an electric current were running through his entire body.

Three enormous aerial competition screens surrounded the arena, allowing even spectators seated far away to clearly see the competitors' movements.

"Relax, Little Meng. Once you get to university, any random competition on campus will have more people than this. Just treat it as a rehearsal."

"It's fine, Sister Ru. I'm not nervous, just a little excited."

Liu Ru smiled.

"Excitement is a good thing. Only by keeping up that drive can you perform at a higher level."

Meng Chuan nodded.

The ring in the center of the venue had already been set up. It measured twenty meters by twenty meters, more than enough to meet the footwork needs of competitors below the Martial Artist level.

The floor was wrapped in hard pleated wood bark, preventing damage from competitors below the Martial Artist level.

The surroundings used the same structure as the martial arts academy: load-bearing posts wrapped in soft rubber, along with elastic boundary ropes.

Martial Artist-level matches would be held at a separate venue. The City Competition Center Stadium had limited space, so on-site spectators could only watch them through the giant screens.

The draw site was right beside the ring, and it was already crowded with people.

A cameraman carrying a camera stood to one side, livestreaming the entire draw.

Martial arts competitions were supreme in this day and age, and no form of cheating, inside or outside the venue, was permitted.

Once discovered, it would be treated as a violation of the law, and those responsible would inevitably face prison sentences.

Other than the academy master-level participants, all the competitors had arrived.

Only one academy master-level participant had come: Yuan Huan, the master of Ape God Martial Arts Academy.

Meng Chuan felt that this man had the bearing of a true master. His white robe and long beard gave him an immortal, otherworldly air.

It was just that his competing disciple looked somewhat dull and foolish.

Whenever someone familiar greeted him, his reaction was always half a beat too slow.