Martial Arts Hall Ranking Tournament

Luo Guanyun stood on one leg atop a wooden stake, arms crossed over his chest as he said smugly:

"Do you understand that all is fair in war? A real life-or-death fight isn't just about who has higher blood-qi or who throws a better punch.

It's filled with all sorts of variables, both inside and outside the ring. I said I'd only use my fists just to trick you, and you actually believed me, hahahahaha."

"Get back up here. This time, I'll only use my feet."

Meng Chuan leaped onto the stake and assumed his stance:

"Please, Master Luo. This time, I will only dodge and will not counter with Pao Fist."

"You little brat, you've even learned to draw inferences about other cases! Asking for a beating!"

11:00 PM.

Today's training session concluded. Throughout the night, Meng Chuan had been like a coiled spring; no matter how much pressure Luo Guanyun applied, he was able to tap into his potential and strike back.

"Phew, I'm exhausted."

Meng Chuan focused his mind and opened his panel to check his status.

[Martial Arts]
[Pao Fist: Great Success (8%) Awaiting Limit-Break]
[Limit-Break Trait: Heavy Strike (Primary)]
[Movement Technique]
[Cun Step: Proficient (2%) Awaiting Limit-Break]
[Limit-Break Trait: Light Body (Primary)]

"After Master Luo's personal instruction all night, my Cun Step has broken through from Skilled to Proficient, just as I expected."

"It's just that even though I practiced Pao Fist all night, the proficiency only increased by a single digit. It seems that after reaching Great Success in a martial art, the difficulty of cultivation truly rises significantly."

With the Martial Dao Limit-Breaking Panel, Meng Chuan could intuitively see the progress of his martial arts growth.

Luo Guanyun walked over holding a bowl of hot soup.

"Come here, Chuan'er, drink this."

Before the bowl even reached him, Meng Chuan caught a whiff of a pungent herbal scent.

"This is a medicinal powder ground from Dragon Tendon Bone-Strengthening Grass. Swallow it after brewing; depending on the individual, it can slightly improve bone toughness. It's best to drink it right after training while your fascia is taut and your bone gates haven't closed yet."

Although he didn't understand the specifics of bone toughness, he knew it had to be beneficial. Master Luo wouldn't harm him, so Meng Chuan took it and downed it in one gulp.

The taste was bitter and hard to swallow, but the aftertaste carried a hint of coolness mixed with a faint bitterness.

Seeing Meng Chuan finish it in one go without caring about the taste, Luo Guanyun smiled with satisfaction.

"This medicine is bitter and cold in nature, but it has a certain effect on improving one's foundation. Try practicing your punches tomorrow morning."

Hearing what Luo Guanyun said, Meng Chuan was shocked.

He had once seen medicine capable of improving one's foundation on the Martial Artist Association's shopping website. It had flashed on the screen for only a split second before being snatched up, and it had remained in "restocking" status ever since.

He hadn't even clearly seen the price, as there was an 8 followed by a string of zeros he hadn't even finished counting.

Luo Guanyun seemed to have expected Meng Chuan's surprise and said with a smile:

"It's just a worldly possession, don't worry about it."

"Master Luo, this item is too precious. I am unworthy of such a gift."

"No matter how good an item is, isn't it meant to be used? You are my only disciple, so just set your mind at ease and say no more."

Meng Chuan didn't know exactly how much this Dragon Tendon Bone-Strengthening Grass cost, but it was certainly a price he couldn't afford.

"Master Luo, what is the value of this item? I cannot afford it now, but I will definitely repay you in the future."

Luo Guanyun said:

"No need. Wait until you have achieved something in your studies before talking about that. Just don't forget to carry forward the Yuanshen Thunder Seed Method."

Meng Chuan felt deeply moved; Luo Guanyun's intent was no different from giving it to him as a gift.

"Master Luo's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. I, Meng Chuan, will never forget it!"

Luo Guanyun waved his hand:

"You're a good kid in every way, except you're too serious. If I give it to you, it's yours. Don't have too much of a psychological burden. I simply value your talent and want to pass down my Luo Family True Technique."

Although Master Luo appeared indifferent on the surface, Meng Chuan kept this debt of gratitude deeply hidden in his heart.

"By the way, don't tell anyone that you took a precious medicine to improve your foundation, so as to avoid trouble."

"Meng Chuan understands."

"It's been a long time since you've been to the martial arts gym, right? Go to the gym tomorrow morning and test your blood-qi."

"Yes, Master Luo. I was planning on doing that anyway."

Luo Guanyun nodded and continued:

"The Yong'an Martial Arts Hall Ranking Tournament next spring will be held in the Beilin District. I intend for you to compete in the minor division, so train hard during this time and win some glory for me."

The Martial Arts Hall Ranking Tournament is held every spring, partly to facilitate exchange and progress between the various halls, but most importantly to determine the allocation of resources among the halls for the coming year.

The top-ranked martial arts halls not only gain popularity, which helps with new student enrollment for the new year.

They also receive various resource allocations from the Martial Arts Association. For instance, Infinite Martial Arts Hall was first last year, and not only did their student numbers skyrocket, but the rent for their entire building was even paid for by the Martial Arts Association.

"Meng Chuan will certainly not let you down."

"However, don't put too much pressure on yourself. The minor division results only account for 20% of the total score; the final ranking mainly depends on the strength of the hall masters.

To be honest, all the other hall masters combined aren't enough to take me on."

Luo Guanyun's words were filled with arrogance.

"Understood, Master Luo. I will let go of my inhibitions and do my best."

"Hmm, but don't be too relaxed either. After all, you haven't been at the hall for long. If your Qi-Blood hasn't reached the third pass during tomorrow's test, I'm afraid you won't be able to convince the others."

"Rest assured, Master Luo, I will definitely have broken through the third pass. Who else but me could represent the hall in battle?"

Meng Chuan was quite confident about this. He could feel his Qi-Blood surging when his Pao Fist reached great success previously, and he was already on the verge of breaking through the third pass.

With his Cun Step having broken through again today, he must have already entered the third Qi-Blood pass!

"Very good. After all, it is a competition representing the martial arts hall, and the winners even get prize money. I'm afraid there would be rumors in the hall if I just appointed you directly."

"When the time comes, use your strength to prove it to them."

Meng Chuan nodded and said:

"Yes, Master Luo."

The next day, just as the sky was beginning to brighten.

On the rooftop terrace, Meng Chuan finished his breathing exercises and prepared to practice Pao Fist one last time before heading downstairs.

He needed to get to the martial arts hall early today, so he finished his rooftop practice a bit sooner.

In an instant, Meng Chuan stood up abruptly to throw his punches, coordinating his movements with the Cun Step footwork. His punches followed his body, and the entire process became increasingly fluid and natural.

After finishing his practice, Meng Chuan checked his Martial Arts Panel while heading downstairs.

[Pao Fist: Great Success (8%) → (10%) Pending Limit Break]

Not bad. Practicing on the rooftop really had miraculous effects. He had gained two percent proficiency in just two hours. Although it wasn't as fast as the growth at Master Luo's house last night, it was still quite good.

Meng Chuan suspected this also had something to do with the medicinal decoction from last night. His innate talent was already on the higher end of the lower grade, and it might now be considered middle grade.

After all, he did feel that his limbs and movements were more coordinated while practicing today.

"Improving my innate talent is at most just icing on the cake for me. Acquiring more Traits is what I truly need to do."

Meng Chuan felt that even someone with top-grade innate talent wouldn't be progressing as fast as he was right now, and this was only a partial function of One Proof Eternal Proof.