And at that moment,
at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena,
Gu Tong, Wang Yanfeng, Chen Lü, and the surrounding Body Sect disciples all fell silent.
Their gazes were no longer as casual as before. Instead, they had become scrutinizing and solemn.
They had all seen Ning Feng's move just now, clear as day.
It hadn't relied on any special effect from a Soul Ring. It had been pure physical strength, combined with precise control over how he applied it.
So Gu Tong suddenly asked, "Could that have been a Self-Created Soul Skill?"
A wave of astonishment spread through the crowd.
Ning Feng didn't say much. He simply nodded calmly. "That's right. I came up with it myself. It is indeed a Self-Created Soul Skill."
Someone in the crowd couldn't help asking, "Junior Brother, is this Self-Created Soul Skill... really any different from our sect's combat techniques?"
Ning Feng looked at the person who had asked. He didn't hold anything back and answered directly, "In my opinion, there's no fundamental difference."
"Combat techniques are methods of applying force and attacking that our Body Sect's predecessors developed through countless battles."
"What I just used was also something I came up with through repeated experimentation in actual combat."
"The names are different, but both are ultimately about developing your Martial Soul and adding to your repertoire of combat methods."
His words were very straightforward.
After hearing him, the disciples around them showed no doubt. Instead, their faces lit up with understanding.
In the Body Sect, the purpose of cultivation was simply to become stronger.
As long as something could make them stronger, they were open to skills from any source.
They didn't have the kind of prejudice common among academic factions, nor would they feel jealous just because a newcomer displayed exceptional talent.
On the contrary, at that moment, the respect in their eyes as they looked at Ning Feng had grown.
A junior brother with such insight and ability truly deserved their respect.
So at that moment...
Wang Yanfeng laughed and clapped his hands.
"Good! Well said, Junior Brother!"
"Combat technique or Self-Created Soul Skill, it doesn't matter. If it can defeat your opponent, it's a good technique!"
"How about this? The other senior brothers and I won't hold back either. We'll show you some of our other techniques."
Over the next half-hour, the Martial Arts Arena became Ning Feng's own showcase.
Wang Yanfeng demonstrated the "Chain Punch" of his two-fist Martial Soul.
As he threw his punches, the muscles in his arms contracted in turn, generating an explosive force like a whip snapping through the air.
Another senior brother, whose Martial Soul was his arms, demonstrated "Bone-Crushing Force."
The moment his arms struck their target, rapid vibrations carried the force straight into the target's bones, shattering them from within.
Ning Feng watched and nodded along.
He committed each technique to memory, trying to combine them with the various fist techniques he had already mastered.
He didn't need to copy them exactly. He only needed to absorb the essence of how they applied force and use it to refine his own attacks.
About an hour later,
Vina had watched from the side for a while. When she felt they had done enough, she walked over to Ning Feng.
"Ning Feng, let's stop here," Vina said.
Ning Feng was caught up in the moment, but he knew that if Vina had interrupted him, there must be something more important to do.
"Learning combat techniques is certainly important, but there's something even more crucial for you right now."
Vina looked at him, her tone growing more serious.
"You've only just joined the sect. You can gradually build up your knowledge of combat techniques, but you must learn the sect's Innate Secret Technique as soon as possible."
"The Innate Secret Technique?" Ning Feng repeated.
At those words, the relaxed expressions on Wang Yanfeng, Chen Lü, and the others immediately turned serious, with a hint of teasing in their eyes.
Looking at Ning Feng, they smiled. "You definitely have to learn that one. And not just learn it—you have to train hard, too."
"But... Junior Brother, practicing this secret technique is, well... pretty painful."
"Definitely. You have no idea—I nearly lost half my life when I trained in it back then."
"Junior Brother Ning Feng, you'll get to enjoy it soon enough. After all, it's an essential rite of passage once you join the Body Sect..."
Their voices carried their usual hearty humor, but Ning Feng could still hear the warning in their words.
It seemed this secret technique wasn't simply a matter of cultivation; the process was likely to put the body under tremendous strain.
Ning Feng didn't show any fear. Instead, he said calmly, "Painful? What kind of cultivation isn't?"
His answer left the senior brothers momentarily stunned. Then they burst into hearty laughter.
"That's the spirit! I like that attitude, Junior Brother!" Wang Yanfeng patted Ning Feng on the back. "In that case, hurry along with Junior Sister Vina. The sooner you train in this secret technique, the firmer your foundation will be."
Ning Feng bade farewell to the senior brothers.
He followed Vina deeper into the sect.
The Body Sect's Scripture Pavilion was nestled in a natural hollow in the mountainside.
It was much quieter here than in the buildings outside.
The air carried the heavy scent of books, mingled with the faint smell of metal and medicinal herbs.
There were few guards here. The only one present was an old man sitting cross-legged on a stone platform.
Vina walked up to him and bowed respectfully. "Elder, I've brought a new disciple to learn the Innate Secret Technique."
The old man slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was cloudy, yet profound.
He glanced at Ning Feng. With just that one look, Ning Feng felt as though two beams of light had swept over him, seeing right through his body.
"Go ahead. The third stone rack on the left. Take that black stone slab." The old man pointed the way, then closed his eyes and said nothing more.
Vina led Ning Feng over.
The shelves were lined with all kinds of beast bones and engraved tablets that recorded combat techniques.
But Vina didn't stop to look. She led Ning Feng straight to a corner.
She took a heavy black stone slab from the rack and handed it to Ning Feng.
"Don't worry about learning combat techniques for now," Vina told him solemnly. "The first thing you need to learn is the foundation on which our Body Sect was built—the Innate Secret Technique."
She glanced around, lowered her voice, and spoke with utmost seriousness.
"It's a required course for every disciple of the Body Sect."
"Its main purpose is to awaken the innate qi hidden deep within the human body and use that power to connect with heaven and earth. This completely reshapes the body, allowing it to surpass the limits of ordinary humans."
Ning Feng took the stone slab. The instant his fingertips touched it, he felt a faint warmth.
He lowered his head to read the characters on the slab, his gaze gradually growing more intent.
This was the foundation of the Body Sect.
It was also why he had come here.
So he began to examine it closely.
Before you continue