Practicing Martial Arts

Time passed quickly. Three months had already flown by since Liu Tian went to Gayn Manor to observe antiques.

Nothing major happened during these three months. However, every time he went out for his morning run, Liu Tian noticed that the friction between the two gangs in the city had become significantly more intense, escalating to the point where they were using things they normally wouldn't.

Swords, guns, even homemade Molotov cocktails and rocket launchers. It was as if everything short of tanks had been brought out.

But for some unknown reason, even though the fierce battles between the two sides had begun to seriously affect public order, there was no reaction from the higher-ups. It was as if as long as they didn't attack ordinary people on a large scale or invade designated areas, they would pretend the warring factions didn't exist.

Of course, the Hundred Flowers Kingdom wasn't doing nothing. It was evident that in some places, police officers who were originally on patrol had been replaced by heavily armed, well-trained soldiers. Furthermore, aristocratic manors, which rarely saw such activity, were now bustling with people coming and going daily, guarded by private noble guards.

Riding this wave, some previously unemployed individuals joined forces to set up mobile stalls, which somewhat boosted the declining employment rate.

Gang warfare, a depressed economy, a surge in the transient population – it was amidst this grim and desolate atmosphere that summer arrived.

Due to climatic reasons, this world has 12 months a year, with each month having 30 days, totaling 360 days annually.

Summer vacation at Rose Academy is quite long, spanning two and a half months from July to mid-September.

During this period, students attending Rose Academy either hosted banquets and balls to develop future connections if their families had the capital, or interned in family businesses to lay the groundwork for managing companies later on. Those without capital would return to their country manors to enjoy a happy summer vacation.

However, a small minority would become engrossed in their studies or even work part-time – specifically, those dedicated to academia or students admitted through special recruitment based on their achievements.

Although his family wasn't lacking money, Liu Tian had previously been somewhat engrossed in martial arts studies, and this was no exception now.

Thanks to Tia Gayn taking care of everything, Liu Tian didn't have to worry about collecting antiques. Because of this, his days had become very routine.

Practicing martial arts, resting, practicing martial arts, resting – a cycle of two activities.

His life revolved around three points: school, his own home, and Heavenly Dao's home, with an occasional visit to Gayn Manor.

During this time, Liu Tian diligently honed his foundation, confirming his aptitude for martial arts.

Damn it, what's the point of practicing martial arts? Let me see what realm my effort can reach!

He found the slow progress of his martial arts unbearable. Despite having a renowned teacher like Heavenly Dao, he couldn't master the "Severed Head Strike," a technique that involved condensing power for an instant breakthrough, in three months. This made Liu Tian realize the extent of his talent.

Thus, late one night, looking at the full 16 points on his status panel, Liu Tian could no longer stand it.

I've worked this hard, and you're still keeping me at level 5? Do you look down on my talent?

Just add it, add it, damn it.

As 5 Origin Points disappeared, Liu Tian suddenly felt as if he had worked incredibly hard, practicing the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao for a full two years without eating, drinking, or sleeping, his energy inexhaustible. He had finally completely mastered the Severed Head Strike, and his physical fitness had surged, reaching the limit for a Fighter.

Next, following Heavenly Dao's teachings, Liu Tian only needed to train systematically, continuously pushing his physical fitness to its limits. Finally, at a crucial moment, he would comprehend his true nature, unite his essence, energy, and spirit, and his spirit would feed back into his body, breaking through inherent limits. Only then would battle patterns appear, and he would reach the realm of a Fighter.

Once Liu Tian broke through to become a Fighter, Heavenly Dao would have taught him all he could regarding the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao. The rest of the path would be his to walk alone.

After all, a Fighter, a "Jia" (家), signifies establishing a family and a career.

Regardless of how they achieved it, Fighters had at least broken through a human limit in one aspect, making them capable of establishing their own schools and teaching disciples.

While there were strong and weak Fighters, due to individual differences in human limits and the number of aspects they broke through, the strongest might defeat the weakest, who only broke through one aspect, in a single move. However, they all belonged to the same tier.

Above them lay the mysterious and profound "King of the Century," whom Liu Tian had only seen in ancient texts, unsure if it was exaggeration or reality.

After Liu Tian informed Heavenly Dao that he had completely mastered the Severed Head Strike, Heavenly Dao no longer required Liu Tian to train with him at fixed times. Heavenly Dao himself became very busy, occupied with unknown matters daily, and would occasionally disappear for periods.

Since Heavenly Dao had limited time, the Heavenly Dao Courtyard, once bustling with numerous children practicing martial arts, was temporarily placed under Liu Tian's charge.

"It won't take much time to teach a group of children basic martial arts. It's a good opportunity for you to reflect on your own foundation by teaching others. If you don't want to teach or have other matters, you can dismiss them," were Heavenly Dao's exact words.

However, Liu Tian, considering that Heavenly Dao had been teaching martial arts to local children in this courtyard for nearly ten years, and with his own vacation ongoing and no other pressing matters, decided against dismissing the children for the time being. Moreover, it was safer here than being alone at home, especially with the recent unrest. Thus, he continued to hold their training sessions on time daily.

Not only that, but he also added a new member to the group, who was older than the children and had joined later than him – Alice Gayn.

And today, it was another day of stable practice.

The children were diligently practicing their basic punches, their formations neat and orderly.

Neither Heavenly Dao nor Liu Tian intended to teach the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao or even a significantly weakened version of the Heavenly Martial Fist to anyone, especially not to a group of young children whose worldviews and values were still forming.

Unlike adults, the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao, which emphasizes Killing Intent and Dominating Thought, could easily warp a child's worldview if practiced from a young age. Even if they eventually broke through to become Fighters, they would be unable to control their Killing Intent and Dominating Thought.

After all, by then, Killing Intent and Dominating Thought would have integrated into their blood, dominating their minds, becoming an inseparable part of their being.

People cannot control what they are not aware of. They would simply feel controlled by their Killing Intent and Dominating Thought, acting and doing as they dictated, believing it was natural to kill anyone or do whatever they pleased.

Of course, perhaps teaching from a young age, combined with exceptional talent, could lead to surpassing even the current Heavenly Dao, much like Bai Cinan.

But for a person with emotions and desires, was rushing headlong down the path of the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao truly a good thing?

Heavenly Dao had no answer, and thus, apart from Bai Cinan and Liu Tian, he did not teach the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao to anyone else.

Liu Tian simply believed it was not a good thing and therefore had no intention of teaching the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao to the children.

"Piglet, your posture is wrong!" Even while his mind was wandering, Liu Tian, now capable of multitasking, could still spot the errors in the children's movements. Being on the verge of becoming a Fighter, he possessed such skill.

"Basic punches, every move must be precise," Liu Tian gently but firmly adjusted Piglet's stance. "My master and I have made minor adjustments based on your individual physiques, making them highly suitable for each of you. If you make a mistake, it can leave hidden problems for the future."

Through this gentle instruction, Liu Tian felt his mind becoming increasingly calm. Even the Killing Intent and Dominating Thought that had been roaring since his breakthrough gradually began to subside under his control. Perhaps this was why Heavenly Dao had asked him to teach the children.

"Bang, thud!" A faint sound of a heavy object hitting the ground came from not too far away. Liu Tian's ears twitched, and he frowned slightly as he walked towards the training grounds – What has Alice dropped this time?