Five Forms Fist

"Martial Skills are the abilities of a Warrior; they differ from general combat techniques and are considered finishing moves."

"For instance, the Whirlwind Leg from the Chu Family, one of the Seven Great Noble Families; the Blazing Palm from the Sacred Family, one of the Three Peak Families; the Heavenly Frost Fist from the Wind Snow Family, the foremost of the Three Peak Families, and so on."

"They possess immense power. They may not strike often, but when they do, they are sure to inflict severe injuries."

"Although Martial Skills are powerful, they are also extremely difficult to cultivate."

"Releasing a Martial Skill consumes Soul Force, and a Warrior's Soul Force is generally not very strong."

"This is because Warriors with strong Soul Force have already switched careers to become Spirit Masters."

"An ordinary Warrior has only one Martial Skill. Possessing two is already a sign of genius. The scarcity of Soul Force makes Martial Skills difficult to cultivate and even harder to unleash."

"Spirit Masters, however, are different. They can freely use the Martial Skills of the Demonic Spirits they have fused with."

Xian Wu took notes while thinking. Warriors were like the fighters in Honor of Kings, and Spirit Masters were like the mages.

If a fighter didn't buy magic resistance gear, they'd probably get stomped by a mage.

Of course, if a fighter played well, they could easily handle a mage even without magic resistance gear, like Han Xin or Zhao Yun.

Ultimately, it came down to individual cultivation; each class had its own characteristics.

There were no strongest classes in the world, only the strongest individuals.

However, Spirit Masters had greater potential. A Warrior's skills were too limited, while a Spirit Master could change their skills by switching Demonic Spirits, acquiring more powerful ones.

Practical class.

After practicing horse stance for half an hour and the Six Character Mantra for another half hour, Instructor Tie Kuang began teaching them something "new."

"I must commend the class representative today. Not only is his horse stance steady, but he's also practiced the Six Character Mantra with great proficiency. He must have been training hard after class," Instructor Tie Kuang praised.

"Although it's too early to teach you this, I'll make an exception and teach it to you in advance as a reward for the class representative."

With that, Instructor Tie Kuang performed a set of fist techniques on the spot.

Clap clap clap...

The students spontaneously started applauding. Instructor Tie Kuang's movements were incredibly cool; the air seemed to crackle with power with every punch.

Finishing his stance, Instructor Tie Kuang put his hands behind his back and began to introduce, "This set of fist techniques is called the Five Forms Fist, named after imitating five types of animals. Can you tell which five animals they are?"

"Eagle!" Lu Piao raised his hand.

Du Ze, not to be outdone, said, "Tiger."

"Snake," Xiao Ning'er said softly.

"A... a bird!" Nie Li said, his face flushed red, as if he'd read an erotic novel.

Tie Kuang twitched his eyebrows. "What else? Don't worry if you're right or wrong. You've named four forms, but there's still one more?"

One more form?

The students looked at each other, murmuring amongst themselves. No one knew what the remaining form was.

"It's a leopard!" Xian Wu raised his hand.

Why did he know?

Because he had watched an animated series called Shaolin Legend in his childhood, and the protagonist in it practiced the Five Forms Fist.

Instructor Tie Kuang was surprised. His class representative was truly extraordinary; he could distinguish between a tiger and a leopard.

"Well said!" Instructor Tie Kuang applauded and announced the answer, "The five forms of the Five Forms Fist are Dragon Form, Tiger Form, Leopard Form, Crane Form, and Snake Form."

"Dragon Fist cultivates form, Tiger Fist cultivates bone, Leopard Fist cultivates strength, Crane Fist cultivates spirit, and Snake Fist cultivates energy."

"We will start learning with the Dragon Form Fist. Everyone, spread out into a gymnastic formation and follow me!"

The Dragon Form Fist was wide and powerful, striking from a distance. The dragon claws were particularly potent; a graze would injure, a brush would kill.

However, the students' dragon claws were still too immature to grasp anything effectively.

To prove he wasn't boasting, Instructor Tie Kuang picked up a rock and crushed it with his dragon claws, eliciting cheers from everyone.

Xian Wu sneered dismissively. His Demon Left Hand could do the same thing.

"Class representative, for tomorrow's practical class, go to the equipment room and borrow thirty-six iron pots. We'll practice dragon claws tomorrow!" Instructor Tie Kuang said, walking up to Xian Wu with his arms crossed.

Then, he turned to the students and said, "We will learn the next set of fist techniques only when you have mastered the dragon claws."

Xian Wu did not reveal his demonic dragon claws.

A tall tree catches the wind; a mound by the river is washed away.

He didn't want to expose his Demon Left Hand yet. It wasn't related to cultivation talent and could easily attract envy.

The school bell rang. Before Xian Wu could bolt, Instructor Tie Kuang grabbed him and held him in place.

"Have some dignity, will you? You're my class representative! If you have no shame, I still do!" Instructor Tie Kuang said, his forehead covered in dark lines.

Why did he always run so fast after school? Was he a glutton?

Tie Kuang slung an arm around Xian Wu's neck, his slightly pungent armpit making Xian Wu roll his eyes.

"Let's go, Instructor's taking you out for a good meal!" With that, Tie Kuang slung Xian Wu over his shoulder and walked out of the academy.

Xian Wu hadn't intended to go, but he couldn't openly reject Tie Kuang's offer.

Du Ze and Zhang Ming watched Xian Wu with envy. They were all commoner disciples; why did he get such preferential treatment?

"Let's go, Nie Li, Brother Piao will take you for a good meal too." Lu Piao mimicked the gesture, slinging an arm around Nie Li's neck as he followed behind.

"Instructor Tie Kuang."

"Instructor Lu Ye."

On the way, Xian Wu encountered many instructors heading out of the academy. Tie Kuang nodded and greeted them all, acting extremely solicitous.

"Who is this kid, a relative of yours?" the instructor named Lu Ye asked curiously.

Tie Kuang ruffled Xian Wu's hair and replied proudly, "This is my class representative, a young man with good martial arts talent."

"Oh? Then what noble family does he belong to?" Instructor Lu Ye sized Xian Wu up, noticing the Wang Mazi brand trousers.

Although Wang Mazi Tailor Shop often introduced strange new styles, it was indeed a specialty store for noble attire.

While the child's top was a bit old, anyone who could afford Wang Mazi brand pants was likely the scion of some noble family.

"Noble family? Can't you tell from the kid's clothes?" Tie Kuang was confused. Was this old geezer Lu Ye going blind?

Lu Ye was taken aback. A commoner? This commoner's family was quite wealthy, wearing noble pants. Could he have stolen them from a noble classmate?

With such prejudice, Lu Ye found Xian Wu increasingly displeasing to the eye.

"I advise you to find a noble to be your class representative instead. Commoners aren't suitable," Lu Ye said, flicking his wide sleeve before turning into an alley.

Xian Wu narrowed his eyes. Although he didn't know what he had done to offend this instructor, the way he spoke was truly looking down on people with contempt.

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Don't bully a young man for being poor! he thought.

Without money or influence, he was indeed looked down upon everywhere. If Vice Principal Ye Sheng were his godfather, that old geezer would probably put on a fawning face.

Leaving the academy street, Tie Kuang led Xian Wu to a luxurious grand restaurant.