Stances and Fighting Techniques

Old Liang sat beneath the shade of a tree, drinking from a bottle with his head tilted back as he explained the precautions for the Rank-Placement Exam to the students.

"There are only two parts. First, they test your Life Force Development to see whether you have reached the required point value. That's one.

"The second is, naturally, ring combat."

Qin Shi listened especially attentively. He had specifically looked into it and even consulted a teacher who taught the Hongzhi Class.

He learned that the Amateur Rank-Placement Exam was not particularly difficult.

From the lowest Ninth Rank to Seventh Rank, the Martial Arts Association had not set overly harsh requirements.

Most people could reach the passing standard after three to five years of diligent training.

The reason Qin Shi and his best friend Zhou Ning were not confident about passing was that high school coursework was rather demanding.

The physical conditioning and combat classes that raised Life Force would not begin until their second year of high school, only once or twice each week.

The rest were general education classes like history and language.

It was difficult to improve much through classes alone.

"At New No. 1 Middle School's Hongzhi Class, fewer than five students pass the Rank-Placement Exam."

Qin Shi silently sighed. Only Elite Class students from well-off families could get a head start from the starting line.

They began laying their foundations in elementary and middle school, then received private tutoring after entering high school.

By their third year, when they began planning for university, those top Elite Class students would charge straight to Amateur Eighth Rank, or even Seventh Rank.

They would become academic stars the Hongzhi Class could only look up to!

"The Metropolitan Area calls that an investment in education..."

Qin Shi gathered his wandering thoughts and refocused on Old Liang.

"Ring combat tests your practical fighting ability. In top-tier administrative rising stars, they may use bionic robots to precisely record the force of your punches and the points you strike, then make a comprehensive assessment.

"We don't get that treatment in Hengzhou. Usually, they select an appropriately aged Amateur Ninth Rank martial artist from the local Martial Arts Association branch and have you engage in physical confrontation within the allotted time..."

Xie Yucheng raised his hand to ask:

"If someone is very rich, could they bribe the examiners to go easy on them and pass the exam without trouble?"

Old Liang lowered his head and chuckled.

"That possibility cannot be ruled out. Although the examination venue is a closed environment not open to the public, with electronic surveillance recording everything in real time, and one examiner, one referee, and one clerk assigned to supervise jointly.

"Rules always have loopholes. What this world never lacks are 'smart people' who know how to exploit them.

"Back when Martial Artists had just begun to rise, citizens from metropolitan areas like Haizhou and Yuezhou would spend huge sums to buy tickets for interstellar travel and bring their children all the way to Hengzhou for the Rank-Placement Exam..."

What kind of Great Universe Era college entrance exam migration was that?

The cost was ridiculous!

The corner of Qin Shi's mouth twitched.

A single economy-class ticket for long-distance interstellar travel started at around 150,000.

That was equivalent to a brand-new Sharp Warrior off-road vehicle in the Tai'an Metropolitan Area, or three years' rent for a high-end apartment in a prime location.

As for Longxiang Ji Nutritional Paste, it was enough for him to eat one box and throw away another.

Spend as wildly as he wanted!

"However, after the Martial Arts Association reforms, this kind of thing was severely cracked down on.

"Top institutions like the Four Great National Universities now conduct a second review of applicants' Life Force ranks.

"Besides, that level of expense is for competing for Amateur Second Rank or First Rank, trying to touch the threshold of the Professional Level and earn the title of Martial Artist.

"It has little to do with you."

Old Liang poured cold water on them.

Among the many Cadre Schools on Old Factory Street, they had not seen an outstanding student reach even Amateur Fifth Rank for years, much less Amateur First Rank.

"You've rested long enough. Over these past few days of sparring practice, Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng have performed the best.

"At the very least, they know how to punch, how to dodge, and how to skillfully apply the stances and techniques I taught them."

Old Liang stood up. Like a tiger inspecting its territory, his gaze swept over the Ninth High School students.

"Li Yuan, Xie Yucheng, step out. Later, you'll learn fighting techniques from me. The rest of you, stay in your original groups and spar in pairs."

Li Yuan sat in the front row, his face lighting up with delight.

"Finally, I can learn fighting techniques! If I raise my Life Force and improve my combat strength, Brother Ze will definitely take notice of me!"

That was why he had asked his family for money to enroll in Old Liang's tutoring class!

If he could not get into the Metropolitan Area or afford a good university, then to establish himself on Old Factory Street—

He either had to work himself to the bone or risk his life!

Yet without a good job, even if he worked himself to the bone and risked his life, he still could not escape the miserable fate of being treated like a beast of burden!

"Brother Yuan, go easy on me while we practice. My fists aren't as heavy as yours. A few hits and I'll be flat on the ground!"

Xie Yucheng was equally excited. He knew he was not a Talent Bro like Qin Shi, someone born with ability.

No matter how much effort he put into cultivation, his achievements would be limited.

Even if he crazily pushed himself until his physical abilities declined in his thirties or forties, he might still never break through the twenty-point Life Force barrier!

So learning fighting techniques was more practical and immediately useful!

"You two should remember to prepare Safflower Oil and medicine for bruises. Fighting techniques carry a high risk of injury. If you want to learn how to hit people, first learn how to take a hit."

After reminding them, Old Liang prepared to take Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng to the training room.

Then he glanced at Qin Shi from the corner of his eye.

"Shi, come along too. For Old Martial Arts, cultivation methods are the roots, while fighting techniques are the trunk.

"If the roots are strong but the trunk is weak, growth is slow. Conversely, if the trunk is strong but the roots are poor, you will not go far.

"A single gust of wind will knock you over. You won't withstand hardship. It's best to advance both together!"

Qin Shi nodded and quickly followed.

Nearly a week of high-intensity training had made his Life Force increasingly abundant, giving him a full, overflowing sense of energy that felt ready to burst out.

During that time, he had watched the other tutoring class students spar with great enthusiasm.

He had also been Eager to Try, but he had never been allowed to join.

"It wasn't easy. Old Liang finally relented. I have to cultivate and train fighting techniques with Both Hands, making both equally strong!

"Once school starts, my results will make a qualitative leap!"

Qin Shi was full of fighting spirit and confidence.

A few minutes later, the group arrived at the training room.

It was spacious, nearly a hundred square meters, with black Punching Bags of various weights hanging all around.

Several large baskets were piled in one corner, filled with disposable protective gear, wooden staffs, and bamboo swords.

"You two practice as usual."

After giving that instruction, Old Liang looked at Qin Shi.

"Shi, watch their stances carefully. Li Yuan has long legs, a lean build, fast speed, and crisp movements, so he uses the 'Eight-Arm Stance.'

"His hands are raised higher, emphasizing protection for the upper body. His center of gravity is moderate, making it easier to dodge and counterattack."

Qin Shi listened carefully, staring straight at Li Yuan after he put on his protective gear, trying to firmly memorize the stance.

"The Eight-Arm Stance mainly attacks with fists, elbows, and knees. Once you are drawn into his rhythm, you will have to endure blows like a raging storm.

"At the same time, its weakness is obvious. It cannot deal with close-range throws and is only suitable for mid- to long-range fighting.

"If you encounter this situation, you must find a way to withstand the offensive and close in for a breakthrough."

Old Liang truly deserved to be a combat expert who had participated in the Stellar Cup. His eye was sharp, and his analysis was incisive.

After discussing Li Yuan, he pointed at Xie Yucheng.

"A'cheng uses the 'Military Stance.' His rear fist is held beneath his jaw, his front arm is bent at ninety degrees, both elbows lowered, and both legs pressed down.

"This stance balances offense and defense. Long-range kicks, close-range strikes, clinch throws—it has almost no weaknesses.

"But it requires the fighter to master kicking techniques and throwing methods..."

As Qin Shi absorbed the knowledge, he compared it against Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng's sparring practice.

He unconsciously imitated their stances, considering how to defend and how to attack.

"When you exert force, twist your Tendon and Bone into a single rope! Try to maintain the rhythm of Grasping Qi Sensation, making your breathing and movements work together..."

Old Liang was quite strict. Even though Qin Shi had never encountered basic stances or fighting techniques before, he did not lower his standards.

This was a good teacher's expectation and trust in a promising student.

"Every offensive move and defensive move can be broken down into seven or eight variations.

"You must not only memorize them firmly, but also become familiar with executing them, seize the right moment, and judge whether to attack or defend..."

Only after truly getting started did Qin Shi understand that fighting techniques were no easier than cultivation methods.

They involved too much, and too many complicated elements. To turn them into bodily instinct required enormous effort.

"Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng took half a month to make it look convincing. I wonder how long I'll need."

Qin Shi steadied his mindset and did not deliberately chase speed. He began with the most basic footwork, punches, and methods of exerting force.

Alone in a corner, he repeatedly practiced advancing and retreating movements. Once he became proficient, he upgraded to lunging steps and backward steps.

Fortunately, he had strengthened his physical condition through the Old Martial Arts Cultivation Method.

His stamina far surpassed that of the tutoring class students, fully supporting this level of exertion.

[Completed one set of Exhaustion Training]

[Growth Value +50...]