Old Ape Stretches Arms

Li He knew this grandpa.

Grandpa Zhang lived right behind his home. All his children worked out of province, but the old man was unwilling to leave his hometown and lived here alone.

Grandpa Zhang's movements were unhurried as he performed a fist technique completely different from the Federation Body Forging Fist. Its movements were ancient and simple.

Li He keenly noticed it.

The old man's breathing was exceptionally long and steady. Every shift in his center of gravity was smooth and unobstructed, carrying a distinctive sense of relaxation and heaviness.

Li He's heart stirred. The Federation Body Forging Fist pursued condensed power and explosive bursts, requiring large amounts of qi and blood to circulate through the body, which was why it placed such high demands on one's physique.

But Grandpa Zhang's fist technique seemed to place greater emphasis on overall coordination and inner intent.

As he watched intently, several blurred words appeared beside the Federation Body Forging Fist proficiency panel in his vision. They seemed to be analyzing something, but there was too little information for them to take shape.

Li He immediately understood.

Grandpa Zhang's fist technique could be recognized and recorded by the system.

His Federation Body Forging Fist progressed at a snail's pace, and his Vitality rose just as slowly.

Then, if he cultivated a new martial art and rapidly farmed proficiency, could he swiftly raise his Vitality and use his abundant qi and blood in turn to aid his Federation Body Forging Fist cultivation?

This idea might have seemed absurd to ordinary people.

Different fist techniques had entirely different qi and blood circulation paths, methods of exerting force, and even focuses in tempering the tendons, bones, and muscles. Rashly cultivating several at once could lead to conflicting qi and blood and internal injuries at best; at worst, one's cultivation could stagnate or even go berserk. This was common knowledge in martial arts.

But he was different!

He possessed the Martial Arts Proficiency System, which could turn every bit of effort into a visible progress bar. Once verified, it remained verified, forever advancing without ever stagnating due to conflict.

Wasn't this seemingly simple fist technique, which carried such a relaxed, heavy quality, the perfect test subject?

Li He patiently waited nearby. Only after the old man finished the set and sat down to rest did he approach and respectfully say, "Grandpa Zhang, sorry to disturb you."

Grandpa Zhang looked up at the sound. Seeing Li He, he smiled kindly. "Oh, it's Little He. Finished practicing? You train every day. You're really hardworking."

Li He smiled. "Grandpa, the fist technique you were practicing just now seemed rather special. May I ask what it's called?"

"It's an old-fashioned routine called Old Ape Stretches Arms. It's nothing impressive, just something to loosen up the muscles and bones and feel comfortable."

He patted his leg.

"I'm old now. I can't handle those fierce, forceful fist techniques. This one is slow and effortless, and after practicing it, my whole body feels great."

Li He understood. "Grandpa, I'm a little interested in this old fist technique. It feels like it would help with bodily coordination and relaxation. Could you teach me the basic stances? I just want to learn the form and get a feel for it."

Seeing Li He's serious attitude, Grandpa Zhang readily agreed. "Sure. What's so difficult about that? Come, come, watch. The opening stance goes like this..."

He put down his cup, stood up, and began slowly demonstrating beside the stone bench.

"This is Old Ape Climbs Branch."

"This is Old Ape Stretches Body."

"This is Old Ape Picks Peach..." When he reached this move, Grandpa Zhang chuckled. "Young man, don't use this move lightly."

After saying that, Grandpa Zhang continued explaining the movement paths and key points of shifting one's center of gravity. "Look, don't tense your arms so much. Like this, relax naturally. Loosen your waist; don't keep it stiff. Your feet need to be stable, but don't nail them dead to the ground. There should be substance within emptiness. As for breathing, follow the movements. Draw in your movements when you inhale, and extend them when you exhale."

Grandpa Zhang explained patiently, and his demonstrations were clear and easy to understand.

Following Grandpa Zhang's example, Li He assumed the opening stance of Old Ape Climbs Branch. He deliberately relaxed his shoulders and arms, trying to experience that sense of relaxed heaviness.

The instant his posture fell into place and he tried coordinating his breathing with it—

[Old Ape Stretches Arms: Beginner (1%)]

A line of pale blue text appeared in the lower-right corner of his vision.

It worked!

Li He's heart settled.

The system had successfully recognized and recorded this fist technique.

It was only at the Beginner level, but with this starting point, he could steadily improve through practice.

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Li He gave Grandpa Zhang a solemn bow.

"Haha, no need to thank me! Just practice casually and have fun with it!" Grandpa Zhang said with a laugh, waving his hand before sitting back down on the stone bench to drink water.

Li He did not disturb him further. He walked to an open area farther down the alley and began practicing Old Ape Stretches Arms again and again.

Each time he completed the full set, a notification popped up in his vision right on cue.

[Proficiency +1]

[Old Ape Stretches Arms: Beginner (1%) → (2%)]

His progress was incredibly fast, far beyond what the Federation Body Forging Fist could match.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Old Ape Stretches Arms: Beginner (2%) → (7%)]

Li He immersed himself in practice. With every movement, he gained the loose, natural stretch of an ape.

His taut muscles relaxed, his breathing became longer and steadier, and even the flow of qi and blood within him became slightly smoother.

Who knew how much time passed.

The orange glow of the setting sun completely faded. Night engulfed the alley, the streetlights came on, and their halos cast swaying patches of light across the square.

Li He did not stop for even a moment.

He trained again and again.

[Proficiency +1]

[Old Ape Stretches Arms: Beginner (7%) → (8%)]

[Proficiency +1]

[Old Ape Stretches Arms: Beginner (8%) → (9%)]

[Proficiency +1]

[Old Ape Stretches Arms: Beginner (49%) → (50%)]

[Proficiency +1]

[Old Ape Stretches Arms: Beginner (99%) → Proficient (0%)]

[Breakthrough successful. Vitality increasing.]

[Vitality: 6.4 → 6.9]

It worked!

Li He abruptly opened his eyes.

Under the dim yellow streetlight, his eyes shone with startling brightness. A surging vitality rushed through his body.

He could clearly feel as though his body had been cleansed. His qi and blood were fuller and more vigorous, his tendons and bones more flexible and strong, and his control over his body had risen to a new level.

6.9 Vitality!

He was only 0.1 away from becoming an Apprentice Realm Martial Artist. Once he broke through to 10, he would become a First Realm Martial Artist, no weaker than any Martial Arts University student and considered a talent even in a martial arts school.

Using entirely new martial arts to raise his Vitality was completely feasible.

"Whew..." He exhaled a breath of stale air in satisfaction, his breath long and steady.

Grrr!

His stomach growled. He was hungry!

"Son!" a voice called from the edge of the square.

Li He turned toward the sound.

His mother, Zhang Xiujuan, stood beneath a streetlamp at the alley entrance, waving at him.

"You child, why aren't you home at this hour? The food's getting cold. Hurry home and eat." Zhang Xiujuan stood beneath the streetlamp at the alley entrance, worry visible on her face.

Yet when her gaze fell on her approaching son, that worry was instantly replaced by delight.

"Son, your Vitality... Have you become an apprentice Martial Artist?" She had practiced martial arts herself, so she could easily see the solid aura radiating from Li He's body.

The Federation had promoted a standardized Vitality evaluation system for half a century. Through instruments or a Martial Artist's perception, an individual's qi and blood strength could be accurately measured.

Five points of Vitality was the threshold for a healthy adult. Six meant one was strong and fit, while seven was the threshold of a prospective Martial Artist, known as the Apprentice Realm.

Reaching this standard meant officially stepping through the gate of martial arts and gaining the qualifications to apply for martial arts school assessments.

"That's right." Li He did not hide his breakthrough.

"Good, good! Wonderful! Our He He is a real Martial Artist now! If Old Li knew..." Thinking of her husband still working in a distant mine, her heart ached again, but she felt even more comforted and thrilled to hold her head high.

"Come on, hurry home and eat. The food's still warm!" Zhang Xiujuan grabbed her son's arm, her face blooming into a smile. "That Exotic Beast Meat really wasn't bought for nothing. Our ancestors truly blessed us. Mom will get you more tomorrow!"

Li He laughed helplessly. "Didn't you say the aunt next door gave it to us? How did it become something you bought again?"

"Go on, you brat."

Zhang Xiujuan laughingly scolded him, and the two figures gradually disappeared into the alley.