Since gaining an astounding opportunity at the Ancestral Land, Lin Xuan's standing in the Houtu Tribe had become extraordinary. It was not only the pure trace of Pangu's aura he bore that had earned him the genuine respect of the Wu Clan, from top to bottom. In the days that followed, his unique insights into "strength" and the "body" had also completely won over the strength-worshipping Wu Clan—especially the Great Witch Houyi.
One day, a crowd had gathered in the open space at the center of the tribe, though no bonfire had been lit. Houyi, Kuafu, and several Wu warriors who were especially devoted to body refinement sat in a circle, with Lin Xuan in the middle. This was not a formal sermon, but more of an impromptu exchange. It had begun when Kuafu, while practicing throwing heavy stones, had some questions about how to apply his strength and asked Lin Xuan for advice.
Lin Xuan did not answer directly. Instead, he asked Kuafu to demonstrate again. Kuafu focused and steadied his breath, his muscles bulging as his Qi and Blood surged like mercury. He hurled a massive, thousand-pound boulder with tremendous force. It tore through the air with a sharp whistle.
"Brother Kuafu, your strength is peerless in its sheer ferocity. I'm impressed." Lin Xuan first offered sincere praise, then changed tack. "However, from what I can see, you rely mainly on your shoulders, arms, waist, and back to generate force. It's like a powerful bow or crossbow: undoubtedly fierce, but..." He paused, searching for the right words. "But it places an enormous strain on your bones and sinews, and it doesn't draw on all your strength. You haven't yet brought the power of your whole body together as one and reached its peak."
At this, Houyi raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued. He was an expert in this field and naturally understood that Lin Xuan spoke the truth. The Wu Clan refined their bodies mostly through talent and instinct, and they truly had little expertise in the precise application of strength. "Oh? Xuanyuanzi, from what you're saying, you seem to have some insights. Does that Human Race Qi Refining method of yours pay attention to such things?"
Lin Xuan smiled faintly, knowing the crucial moment had come. He needed to explain the concepts of modern biomechanics and kinesiology in a way the Wu Clan could understand, subtly weaving them into his interpretation of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique. That would demonstrate his value and win the genuine respect of these powerful warriors.
He rose and walked to the center of the clearing. Without circulating much magical power, he simply relied on the robust physique he had tempered through the First Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique and took a simple stance for throwing a punch.
"Brother Houyi, Brother Kuafu, everyone." Lin Xuan's voice was calm. "The cultivation method I practice focuses on uncovering the treasure that is the body itself. In my view, the human body is a world unto itself, containing boundless strength. Generating force is more than simply flexing your muscles; it is a discipline."
First, he pointed to his lower legs and ankles. "The root of strength lies in the earth. Grip the ground with your feet, and let strength rise from the soles, like the branches of a great tree. The deeper its roots, the steadier it stands, and the more powerfully it can exert its strength. This is 'Strength Rises from the Ground.'" This aligned with the Wu Clan's reverence for the earth, and several of them nodded.
Next, he demonstrated slowly. His movements were gentle, but he clearly showed the quiver of his muscles and the rotation of his joints. "Strength rises from the soles and passes through the ankles, knees, and hips, each link flowing into the next like waves, each crest higher than the last. The waist is the pivot, connecting the upper and lower body. It gathers the strength of the legs and channels it into the spine."
As he spoke, he traced the path of the force with his hand. "The spine is like a dragon, undulating one segment at a time to transmit the force through the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, until it reaches the fingertips. This is a complete 'Kinetic Chain.' If even one link breaks or fails to transfer force smoothly, that force will weaken and disperse."
To help the Wu Clan understand more intuitively, he offered several apt comparisons:
"Have you ever wondered why an arrow flies farther when a bowstring is drawn tighter? Because the force has been fully stored and then fully released. Our muscles and sinews are the body's 'bowstring.' They need to be stretched to a suitable degree first—to warm up—before they can unleash their greatest force. Keep them tense all the time, and you'll only injure yourself."
"Consider throwing a stone. It's not a matter of having bigger arms and throwing farther. The key is finding the best point of leverage, and controlling the instant the stone leaves your hand—the acceleration. That's the 'timing of force' and the 'efficiency of force transfer.'"
He even introduced a more microscopic concept, though naturally he expressed it in terms suited to the Primordial World. "Our bodies contain countless 'Qi and Blood Units,' fine as dust. Every exertion of strength is the result of these units working together. Body refinement is not just about tempering the larger muscles and bones; it is also about awakening and coordinating these billions of units, so they respond as readily as an extension of our limbs. Only then can we bring the body's strength to its fullest and reduce needless loss. That is 'Micro-control of Strength.'"
Finally, he spoke of fatigue and recovery, directly addressing the Wu Clan's weakness: their overreliance on innate talent, which often left them with hidden injuries. "Continually unleashing fierce power is like keeping a mighty bowstring drawn to its limit. Sooner or later, it will snap. After exerting force, you need to relax and guide your Qi and Blood to nourish your muscles and sinews, repairing minute injuries. That is the way to endure. The hard cannot last; the soft can overcome the hard. Tensing and relaxing in turn—that is the way of both war and scholarship."
Lin Xuan had broken down the exertion of force into a series of steps: "root, chain, link, point, control, and recovery." He had used familiar things like bowstrings, levers, and waves to explain them, combining a broad perspective with clear, accessible examples. He had opened an entirely new world to the Wu Clan! Born with immense strength, they fought by instinct and experience. How could they ever have considered "strength" itself so carefully and theoretically?
Houyi listened, his eyes growing brighter by the moment. As a Great Witch, he had immeasurable combat experience, and every word Lin Xuan spoke seemed to be a key unlocking questions he had sensed during battle but never been able to articulate. Why did certain postures make it easier to shoot down the suns, while also giving his shots greater force? Why did certain parts of his body sometimes ache faintly after a full-strength attack?
"Chain of Strength... point of leverage... Qi and Blood Units working together..." Houyi murmured to himself. Then he sprang to his feet and moved to one side. Without using his Qi and Blood power, he simply imitated the principles Lin Xuan had described and lightly punched the air.
Whoosh!
The wind from his fist was fierce. The blow was more focused than his usual casual punches, and its whistle through the air was short and powerful!
Astonishing light burst from Houyi's eyes. He turned sharply toward Lin Xuan, his face full of shock and incredulous admiration. "Xuanyuanzi! You... This isn't a Qi Refining method! This is the Dao that points straight to the source of strength!"
He strode forward and gripped Lin Xuan's shoulders, his hands pressing down hard as he spoke with excitement. "Our Wu Clan has refined our bodies for countless ages, relying on Father God's legacy and our powerful innate talents. Yet when it comes to the subtleties of how strength flows, we know what happens but not why! What you've said is like... like the clouds parting to reveal the sun!"
Kuafu and the other Wu warriors tried it for themselves. Though they couldn't get the hang of it, they still felt they had gained a great deal. They looked at Lin Xuan with burning admiration and respect. To explain "strength" so thoroughly was no mere sign of "some ability"—it was proof of great wisdom!
During an impromptu discussion of the Dao, Lin Xuan had used modern knowledge to offer the Wu Clan an overwhelming reinterpretation of Primordial body-refinement techniques, completely winning over the warriors of the Houtu Tribe, led by the Great Witch Houyi. The name "Xuanyuanzi" no longer belonged merely to an outsider. He was a "wise man" worthy of earnest questions and an equal discussion of the Dao.
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