"Everyone, spread out and practice on your own. Lin Feng, Lingling, you're in charge of correcting their movements," Yuan Shan ordered.
The disciples took up their stances and began imitating Yuan Shan's movements.
The sound of footsteps soon filled the area. Some people stomped heavily, others moved stiffly, and a few nearly tripped over themselves while turning. The scene was rather comical.
Sun Ao stood near the front of the group. He was talented and quick to understand. His steps were still a little awkward, but he had already gotten the basic movements down, shifting his center of gravity smoothly. He was much better than most of the other disciples, drawing plenty of sidelong glances.
"Senior Brother Sun is amazing. He's already getting the hang of it."
"Looks like Senior Brother Sun is going to be the top freshman."
Hearing the comments around him, Sun Ao's lips curved into a smug smile. His gaze drifted toward the corner.
In the corner.
Li He didn't immediately imitate Yuan Shan's movements. Instead, he repeatedly replayed in his mind the grace Yuan Shan had demonstrated: the lightness, agility, and unpredictability of a nimble ape.
"Light, agile, unpredictable." Li He silently repeated the words. "They're both martial arts from the Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall. Could Ape Trace Steps have an intrinsic connection to the Ape Demon Three Styles?"
"Earth Shaking Style requires stability, but could I seize a favorable position faster by working Ape Trace Steps' unpredictability into my footwork during the instant I unleash it?"
"When building power for Heaven Propping Style, could keeping my steps light and agile help me handle interference more calmly?"
"When rushing in with Void Shattering Style, could unpredictable footwork make my approach more surprising?"
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Li He stepped forward. He moved slowly, even cautiously, but every step was exceptionally light, landing without a sound.
Without thinking, he incorporated techniques from Wild Goose Eight Steps.
His center of gravity shifted smoothly and fluidly, without the slightest hitch. As he twisted his waist and hips, his movements took on the supple rhythm unique to apes.
[Self-Created Movement Technique (Incomplete): Beginner (0%)]
"What's this?"
Li He froze.
He'd only been trying to understand the lightness, agility, and unpredictability of Ape Trace Steps, while considering whether he could combine it with the Ape Demon Three Styles. Why had the system suddenly displayed a self-created movement technique?
He tried practicing it, but his proficiency didn't increase at all.
His acceleration and changes of direction were smooth and quick, but lacked any灵性. More importantly, he felt two different kinds of power tugging against each other in his meridians, canceling each other out.
"Incomplete... I see!" Li He understood at once.
This self-created movement technique was an immature result of his unconsciously combining the Ape Demon Three Styles and Wild Goose Eight Steps while trying to understand the essence of Ape Trace Steps.
"The combination itself isn't the problem. It's that my understanding of both the Ape Demon Three Styles and Ape Trace Steps is too shallow."
"Then, once I understand them better, can I keep trying to combine martial arts and improve my vitality?"
The thought filled Li He with excitement.
"Back to basics. I'll start by comprehending Ape Trace Steps!"
Li He stepped onto the stone path and slowed his footwork to a crawl, focusing all his attention on his steps as he imitated the lightness and agility Yuan Shan had demonstrated.
[Ape Trace Steps: Beginner (0%)]
[Proficiency +1]
[Proficiency +1]
[Proficiency +1]
[Proficiency +1]
Li He's steps grew steadier and faster.
On the stone platform.
Yuan Shan had been keeping an eye on Li He.
"Did he figure out Ape Demon Leap on his own? No, that doesn't feel quite right. It seems to have the foundation of Ape Trace Steps, but there's a hint of Wild Goose Eight Steps too. A self-created movement technique?"
When he saw Li He immediately abandon the self-created movement technique and return to training Ape Trace Steps, Yuan Shan's furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
"Ape Trace Steps embodies the spirit of the White Ape, while the Demon Ape's ferocity and power follow a different path. Force them together, and even someone with peerless comprehension won't benefit. It's a good thing he turned back in time."
Yuan Shan shook his head. He looked over the disciples practicing around him, some clumsy, some awkward, and some gradually finding their rhythm. At last, his gaze settled on Sun Ao, who was confidently making his way across the Plum Blossom Stakes.
"Stop!"
All the disciples immediately halted and stood at attention.
Yuan Shan spoke slowly. "Ape Trace Steps is one of the core movement techniques of the Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall. It cannot be mastered in a day. Today, I've taught you the basics. You must practice diligently and carefully grasp the true meaning of those three words: light, agile, unpredictable."
He paused. "But no one can become great by training in isolation. The path of martial arts requires the tempering of real combat."
"Two months from now!"
"In October, the five cities in this region will join together to hold an intercity martial arts hall newcomers' tournament. Only new disciples under twenty who have been enrolled at their martial arts hall for less than a year may enter. Freshmen from Martial Arts University will also compete. Everyone will gather to vie for glory."
"The newcomers' tournament is finally here!"
"It's a grand event for young martial artists throughout the region!"
"Wait, Martial Arts University freshmen are competing this year too? Isn't that unfair? I thought the October tournament was only for martial arts hall freshmen."
The crowd erupted. Some were worried, others excited.
The Federation held many competitions every year.
The Peak Martial Arts Championship in February, the All-Martial Arts Spring Championship in April, the Summer Tournament in June, the Youth Martial Arts League in July, the Martial Arts Hall Freshman League in October, and the University Freshman League in December... There were too many to count.
Those were just the larger competitions. Smaller ones were held almost every week.
Yuan Shan raised his hand, quieting the crowd.
"This tournament is on a grander scale than in previous years. It will affect not only the standing and reputation of the Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall, but also how many resources the hall receives in the coming years. So, before the October Grand Competition, our hall will hold a preliminary test. It will take place seven days from now."
"A preliminary test!"
The disciples tensed and held their breath.
"The test is simple: a comprehensive combat exercise. It'll take place right here, across the Plum Blossom Stakes, Quicksand Pit, Bluestone Rain Path, and Boulder Beach."
"You'll fight in pairs in these challenging environments! Victory won't depend only on the power of your attacks, but also on how well you use your movement techniques, adapt to your surroundings, and react in the moment."
"There are three goals."
"First, to evaluate the results of your recent training, including your progress in Ape Standing Stake, Old Ape Stretches Arms, and Ape Trace Steps."
"Second, after the test, I'll teach Ape Arm Mountain Crushing Fist to the top three and provide the resources needed to practice it!"
"Third, and most importantly, to select five elite disciples to represent the Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall in the citywide competition!"
Li He was slightly surprised.
The Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall had only nine new disciples in total. Selecting the top five meant that more than half of them would get the chance to compete.
Sure enough.
As soon as Yuan Shan finished speaking, Li He's classmates began discussing the news excitedly.
"Five out of nine? We've got a good chance!"
"I'm giving it everything I've got. I have to make the top five!"
Just then.
A clear, pleasant voice rang out from behind the side of the stone platform, carrying a playful smile.
"Don't get too comfortable, everyone."
The group turned toward the voice. It was Yuan Lingling. She smiled brightly, her eyes curving like crescent moons as she looked over all the new disciples.
"Don't let the fact that I'm the senior sister fool you. I'm technically a freshman too, so I'll be taking part in the preliminary test."
"Senior Sister Yuan, you're not joking, are you?" Shi Lei couldn't help asking.
Yuan Lingling blinked. "Of course I'm not joking. I'm only eighteen, and I just graduated from high school. I registered as a disciple at the martial arts hall only three days before you did. Isn't that right, Grandpa?"
Yuan Shan nodded. "What Lingling said is true. She meets the enrollment requirements, so she's eligible to take the preliminary test and compete for a spot representing the hall."
Yuan Lingling had grown up at the martial arts hall. She'd been steeped in its teachings since childhood and had a solid foundation. She had already broken through to become a First-Rank Martial Artist, and her strength had been clear whenever she taught the others how to train.
A few of the junior disciples discussed it among themselves, all convinced that Yuan Lingling would take first place in the preliminary test.
Li He disagreed.
He sized up Yuan Lingling. He'd never fought anyone at his own level before, and he felt a competitive urge stirring in him. With the system at his disposal and eight martial arts techniques at the Minor Achievement level, why should he be weaker than someone at the same level, as long as the gap in vitality wasn't too large?
Vulture and Jackal didn't count. He'd shot those two dead.
Before you continue