Liu Ru's Thoughts

When Meng Chuan came out of the blood-and-qi testing room, he finally saw Instructor Liu Ru arrive late.

He'd heard the other students talking. Instructor Liu Ru had been showing up later and later recently, and during lessons she always seemed distracted.

But the male students understood, and one after another they excused her:

"Sister Ru might be on her period. We should be considerate."

After changing into her training clothes, Liu Ru came to the training ground. A few male students had been performing their movements quite well, but the moment they saw her, their punches immediately went wild.

"Aw, this punch is so hard. Sister Ru, could you come help me?"

Liu Ru had been feeling anxious lately about taking on a disciple, but she was still highly professional. As soon as she heard him, she went over and guided him through the movements, hand over hand.

Meng Chuan practiced Pao Fist against the wooden dummy. He wanted to reach the proficient level as soon as possible.

Sparring with a person would raise his proficiency faster, but everyone said Sister Ru wasn't feeling well. It didn't seem right to ask her to spar just now. He'd wait until she was feeling better.

After correcting the postures of several students, Liu Ru found herself walking over to Meng Chuan.

Meng Chuan was exceptionally focused as he practiced. His mind was entirely on the fist technique. Whenever he let his attention wander, all he thought about was proficiency +1 +1 +1. He didn't notice the person behind him.

Liu Ru was an expert in Xingyi, too. Watching him hammer the wooden dummy punch after punch, his progress plainly visible, only made her feelings more complicated.

"I'm afraid I've lost my chance. If Master Luo won't even take Xiao Meng, I have even less hope."

"Pull yourself together. Teach well and let Master Luo see how hard I'm trying. Maybe he'll give me a little more guidance."

Liu Ru had never considered giving up the Martial Dao. With Xiao Meng around, if she couldn't become Master Luo's personal disciple, she would find another way and come up with a new plan.

She believed all martial arts shared the same origin and, though they followed different roads, ultimately led to the same destination. As long as she didn't give up, the day would come when she became a martial artist.

"Keep it up, Liu Ru. You're the best!"

Liu Ru gave herself a pep talk, and her spirits visibly improved.

Meng Chuan finally noticed someone watching him practice. When he turned around, he saw that it was Sister Ru.

Seeing that she seemed in good spirits, Meng Chuan immediately invited her:

"Sister Ru, come spar with me for a couple of rounds and help me practice Pao Fist."

"Sure!"

Liu Ru smiled cheerfully.

Pao Fist: Beginner (82%) → (97%)

"Great! Sparring really does raise proficiency faster."

Liu Ru was far stronger than him. When sparring with her, Meng Chuan could attack without holding back, throwing his punches freely without worrying that he might hurt her.

Sparring with Liu Ru for a little over an hour raised his proficiency by 15%. He was only a tiny bit away from breaking through to proficient.

Meng Chuan had wanted to practice a little longer and break through in one go, but several students were staring at him with resentment.

He understood what they meant, so he couldn't keep monopolizing Liu Ru.

"That's enough for today, Sister Ru. Thanks!"

Meng Chuan bowed to thank her.

"No problem. Teaching you is part of my job."

Liu Ru waved her hand to show there was no need to thank her, then turned to teach the other students.

Luo Guanyun hadn't come in all day. Meng Chuan had planned to demonstrate his Guoyi Fist after breaking its limits, but it looked like he would have to come back and see him tomorrow.

"Back to the wooden dummy. With [One Proof Eternal Proof], there's no such thing as a breakthrough bottleneck for me. I'll grind out that last 3% no matter what!"

Five in the afternoon.

Meng Chuan wiped the sweat from his forehead as a notification appeared on his Martial Dao panel.

[Pao Fist: Beginner (100%) → Proficient (1%)]

"Done."

It was just as he'd expected. As long as he kept punching, he would make progress.

Even if each gain in proficiency got smaller and smaller, it would never stop completely. As long as he kept at it, breaking through that 100% was inevitable.

Normally, when a martial art advanced to the next stage, there would be a bottleneck. Depending on a person's natural aptitude and comprehension, the bottleneck could last longer or shorter.

Although it was only a third-rate fist technique, unless someone had exceptional natural aptitude, they would have to endure a period of hardship. Only when inspiration struck could they seize the opportunity and break through.

He needed to get home early today. Breaking his limits after encountering the Heavenly Demon last time had come at a price, and the danger of it was still vivid in his mind.

Seeing that no one was in the blood-and-qi testing room, Meng Chuan went in to test himself again.

With his Pao Fist now proficient, he had successfully broken through the second limit.

[Blood-and-Qi Value: 2.11]

"Excellent. Keep it up!"

Every drop of sweat had paid off, giving him boundless motivation.

Meng Chuan decided to practice Pao Fist for another two hours after he got home, then finish the day with a stance.

As soon as he got home, his uncle, Meng Yongzhi, handed him the phone.

"Master Luo has something to discuss with you. Come quickly."

Meng Chuan took off his shoes and socks, then stepped forward to take the phone.

"Hello, Master."

"Mm, Xiao Meng. Come to my training room at ten tomorrow morning. I've asked someone from the Martial Arts Association to come over. Don't be late."

After Meng Chuan agreed, the call ended. Master Luo had probably found an expert from the Martial Arts Association to evaluate his Guoyi Fist.

He opened his computer, logged on to the Martial Arts Association's official website, and found the latest announcement about reward policies for improving martial arts.

After reading it carefully, his spirits soared.

In this era, everyone practiced martial arts. The country wouldn't shortchange talented people capable of improving martial arts.

For a widely practiced fist technique like Guoyi Fist, the starting reward was in the millions. There was also a special honorary certificate, which would be very useful for earning extra points on the martial arts entrance exam.

Meng Chuan couldn't help looking forward to it. The panel couldn't be wrong. He really had broken through the limits of Guoyi Fist. As long as he demonstrated it step by step, he was sure to earn Master Luo and the Martial Arts Association's recognition.

"I'll stop practicing Pao Fist for now and work on Guoyi Fist instead. I'll make sure to put on a good show tomorrow!"

Early the next morning, Meng Chuan waited anxiously at the martial arts hall.

It was ten o'clock. After composing himself, Meng Chuan entered the master's private training room.

He noticed a tall, thin man sitting beside Master Luo.

The man was gaunt and lacked the solid build of someone who practiced martial arts like Master Luo. Only the joints in his hands were unusually large, like a pair of eagle claws. The teacup in his grasp looked especially tiny.

When Meng Chuan walked in, the thin, tall man glanced at him. It was only a casual look, but Meng Chuan felt as if a predator in the sky had fixed its gaze on him.

"What a powerful presence."

Judging by his presence alone, the man was no weaker than Master Luo. Still, Meng Chuan thought Master Luo looked stronger when he summoned thunder and lightning.

Luo Guanyun beckoned to him.

"Meng Chuan, come over and sit down first."

Meng Chuan sat directly across from the thin, tall man. In an instant, he felt as though the person opposite him were a giant eagle soaring through the heavens.

The tall, thin man wasn't deliberately releasing pressure. It was simply the aura that came naturally with being a limit-breaking powerhouse, enough to make ordinary people instinctively see things that weren't there.