The Five Elements

The group chatted for a while longer, mostly asking Chen Feng how he had been lately.

The senior brothers and sisters were all very warm toward him, and Chen Feng enjoyed the relaxed, cheerful atmosphere.

There was no scheming or backstabbing.

Just mutual concern.

"Where are you staying now, Junior Brother?"

"I'm staying in the disciples' quarters at the martial arts school. The place is excellent," Chen Feng replied.

At the same time, he silently added in his heart:

Yesterday, I got carried away adding points and ended up lying on the ground outside all night. I haven't really had a chance to experience the place yet.

"If you run into any trouble, just tell me. I own a few properties in the city, and they're all vacant. If you need a place, feel free to move in."

Lu Jinghong was loaded.

Chen Feng immediately felt that Third Senior Brother's figure had grown especially imposing.

"Thank you for the kind offer, Senior Brother. I used to live in the Slums in the southern part of Pingcheng. My current living conditions are already better than anything I ever dared dream of."

Chen Feng's expression did not change. He felt no shame about it.

That was the road he had traveled to get here.

"As far as I know, that area is under the Black Tiger Gang's control, isn't it? The thugs there do nothing but wicked things."

Zhao Shanyue spoke up.

"That's right, Senior Brother."

"The Black Tiger Gang?"

Yao Xingzhi had never heard of that gang.

"Their Gang Leader is a Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist. He's decent enough, and he's been occupying a few streets and collecting protection fees."

Zhao Shanyue explained.

Lu Jinghong's eyes narrowed. "Junior Brother, now that you're our master's Personal Disciple, you don't need to worry about that gang."

"Find a day to sell your house there. Sell it to the Black Tiger Gang for double the price. They won't dare make things difficult for you—but you can make things difficult for them all you want."

"Heehee, Senior Brother, you're so mean. But I like it." Su Wanqing smiled, her little tiger fangs showing.

"Junior Brother, when the time comes, Senior Sister can help you beat them up."

Half an hour later,

Senior Brother Zhao was the first to take his leave.

He had an assignment this month: teaching the martial arts school's new disciples. It was time for him to head over.

Not all the disciples were like Chen Feng, understanding everything at a glance.

Most needed regular guidance, or they were liable to practice incorrectly.

Although the martial arts school had Jiao Xi and other Formal Disciples, Zhao Shanyue still couldn't quite put his mind at ease.

There had to be someone capable of making decisions on site, ready to handle any unexpected situation.

"Take care, Senior Brother."

Chen Feng bade Zhao Shanyue farewell.

Not long after, Senior Sister Su Wanqing left as well. In the end, only Third Senior Brother Lu Jinghong and Second Senior Brother Yao Xingzhi remained.

Zhou Bingzhong took a sip of tea.

"Chen Feng, you've fully mastered Splitting Fist and entered the Blood Refining Realm. It's time I taught you the next set of fist techniques."

With that, Zhou Bingzhong rose slowly to his feet.

A glint flashed in Chen Feng's eyes.

His face was alight with excitement.

Watching his master perform the fist techniques would make his experience shoot up. At last, the Five Elements Fist could advance further.

The group went out into the courtyard.

"Would you like to watch just the Collapsing Fist Style first, or should I demonstrate all four of the remaining styles?"

Zhou Bingzhong chuckled warmly.

"When I taught Third Senior Brother, he complained that I was going too slowly—that he could learn faster than I could teach."

"I don't understand the world of geniuses like you. Just tell me what you want, and your master will oblige."

Chen Feng knew his master was just being modest.

If they were talking about geniuses, Zhou Bingzhong, who had reached the Opening Acupoints Realm, was the genuine article—a successful genius.

Blood Refining, Bone Forging, Viscera Quenching.

Each step was a hurdle, and the gap between realms was like a chasm.

And that was nothing compared to the Qi Condensing Realm above them.

That was the realm of Martial Masters, whose status was already on par with Juren.

And the Opening Acupoints Realm came after Qi Condensing!

Yao Xingzhi said with a smile, "Don't feel pressured, Junior Brother. Back then, Lu Jinghong was too ambitious, and Master gave him a thorough scolding."

At that moment, Chen Feng wanted to tell Yao Xingzhi: You really don't know how to comfort people.

That would only make someone feel more pressured.

Chen Feng still remembered Senior Brother Yao's assessment of Senior Brother Lu: first-rate fist techniques.

He just didn't know what this so-called "first-rate" amounted to.

As Second Senior Brother, what kind of talent did Yao Xingzhi have?

Chen Feng was quite curious about all of it.

He fell silent for a moment, then said, "Master, please demonstrate all of them."

"Haha! Certainly!" Zhou Bingzhong laughed.

"The Five Elements Fist Technique embodies the Five Elements. Chen Feng, watch closely."

Zhou Bingzhong's voice was deep and resonant. The moment he finished speaking, he moved.

"Metal governs killing. Splitting Fist Style, like an ax or a blade, with its meaning in 'sharpness'..."

Zhou Bingzhong's punches fell like blades, seemingly capable of cleaving metal and cutting iron. His flesh was soft as cotton, his sinews and bones hard as steel.

Even from several yards away, Chen Feng could feel the sharpness in the air.

"Surging Fist is like water, flowing ceaselessly, its meaning in 'softness'..."

Chen Feng watched without blinking. He saw his master arch slightly, pivot on his left foot, and draw his right foot back. The air of slaughter instantly vanished.

After gathering his strength, Zhou Bingzhong threw a punch. It was clearly slow, yet seemed to raise towering waves, ready to sweep away and tear apart everything in its path!

"Water Generates Wood. Horizontal Fist is like a branch, its meaning in 'resilience'..."

Zhou Bingzhong drew back his fist, his breathing perfectly steady. His Horizontal Fist was solid and steady, suited to both offense and defense; its movements flowed back and forth like willow branches budding in spring.

It carried the tenacious vitality of new growth.

Suddenly, Zhou Bingzhong's aura surged. A flash of crimson flickered in his eyes, and he shot forward like an arrow loosed from its string, covering several yards in an instant!

He raised his right arm high and swung it down with a fierce punch!

His fist wind, wrapped in scorching air, crashed toward the ground!

Boom!

The flagstones shattered in an instant.

They crumbled into tiny pieces like blocks of tofu.

"Blazing Fire. Cannon Fist is like fire, its meaning in 'fierceness'..."

Chen Feng felt his chest surge with excitement, and a glint flashed in his eyes. This was the most violent fist technique he had ever seen.

Explosion! Power! Sheer force!

That was Cannon Fist.

A true Martial Artist ought to be like this.

"Finally... the Collapsing Fist Style, its meaning in 'Mount Tai.'"

Zhou Bingzhong's ferocious aura settled completely. He stood like a steady mountain, utterly without weakness.

As though the earth embraced the four directions.

As though mountains bore the weight of all things.

As though he had merged with the ground beneath his feet, unmoved by even howling winds and torrential rain.

Just as Chen Feng thought this style focused on defense, Zhou Bingzhong moved.

He threw a punch.

Like a mountain collapsing.

The sky dimmed and the earth went dark!

Though the punch wasn't aimed at him, Chen Feng felt its heavy aura press down on him until he could barely breathe. It was like... facing Mount Tai.

How insignificant he was.

[...Experience +4000]

[You have fully comprehended the Five Elements Fist]

Only when the system's notification sounded in his ear

did Chen Feng recover.

[Five Elements Fist]: Minor Success (0/1000)

"What are your thoughts?"

Zhou Bingzhong looked at Chen Feng kindly. After performing the entire Five Elements Fist, the Opening Acupoints Realm Great Martial Master wasn't even breathing hard.

"Reporting to you, Master. I've reached Minor Success."

As he answered, Chen Feng called up the system and raised the fist technique to the level of mastery.

He was still quite modest.

A look of surprise flashed across Lu Jinghong's eyes. He could hardly believe it.

He'd reached Minor Success just from watching once?

Yao Xingzhi, on the other hand, was unsurprised. When he had first met Chen Feng, he'd thought the kid was putting on an act.

"Good! Good! Minor Success is good!"

Zhou Bingzhong naturally believed Chen Feng and praised him without reservation.

Besides, as a Great Martial Master, he had already sensed the faint fluctuation in Chen Feng's aura. The boy had undoubtedly gained some insight.

Lu Jinghong looked at his master.

Then he looked at Yao Xingzhi.

Seeing that neither of them seemed inclined to have Chen Feng perform the whole set on the spot,

Lu Jinghong felt an itch in his heart.

Could his Junior Brother really be this freakishly talented?