Self-Created Movement Technique

"Now, everyone spread out and practice on your own. Lin Feng, Lingling, you two are responsible for correcting their movements," Yuan Shan ordered.

The disciples spread out one after another, imitating Yuan Shan's movements.

For a moment, the sound of footsteps was chaotic; some stepped heavily, some moved stiffly, and others nearly tripped over themselves while turning, making for a rather comical scene.

Sun Ao stood at the front of the crowd. He had good talent and strong comprehension. As he unfolded his footwork, although it was slightly raw, the framework of his movements was already established, and his center of gravity shifted smoothly. He was doing much better than most of the other disciples, drawing glances from many.

"Senior Brother Sun is amazing; he's grasped the knack so quickly."

"It looks like Senior Brother Sun is going to be the top newcomer."

Listening to the surrounding chatter, the corners of Sun Ao's mouth curled into a smug arc, his eyes glancing intentionally or otherwise toward the corner.

In the corner.

Li He did not immediately imitate Yuan Shan's movements. Instead, he first replayed in his mind the light, agile, and unpredictable spirit of the Demon Ape that Yuan Shan had just demonstrated.

"Light, agile, changing," Li He whispered to himself. "Since they are both martial arts from the Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall, is there an inherent connection between this Ape Trace Steps and the Ape Demon Three Styles?"

"The Earth Shaking Style requires stability, but if I incorporate the 'change' of the Ape Trace Steps into the footwork during the moment of explosion, could I seize a favorable position faster?"

"When gathering power for the Heaven Propping Style, if I keep my footwork light and agile, could I deal with interference more calmly?"

"When lunging with the Void Shattering Style, if I add the unpredictable nature of the steps, could it be even more unexpected?"

As his thoughts raced, Li He began to move. His actions were not fast—in fact, they were somewhat slow—but every step he took was exceptionally light, landing without a sound.

Subconsciously, he incorporated the techniques of the Wild Goose Eight Steps.

His center of gravity shifted in a smooth, rounded motion without any hesitation, and the twisting of his waist and hips carried a unique, flexible rhythm characteristic of apes.

[Self-created Movement Technique (Incomplete): Entry Level (0%)]

"What is this?"

Li He was stunned.

He had clearly just been trying to understand the light, agile, and changing spirit of the Ape Trace Steps and thinking about whether it could be combined with the Ape Demon Three Styles; how did the system suddenly come up with a self-created movement technique?

He tried practicing it, but his proficiency did not increase in the slightest.

His acceleration and direction-changing movements were smooth and swift, but they lacked any true spirit. More importantly, he felt two different types of power within his meridians pulling and canceling each other out.

"Incomplete... so that's it!" Li He realized instantly.

This self-created movement technique was an immature product formed when he subconsciously integrated the techniques of the Ape Demon Three Styles and the Wild Goose Eight Steps while trying to understand the spirit of the Ape Trace Steps.

"It's not that the fusion itself is problematic, but that my understanding of both the Ape Demon Three Styles and the Ape Trace Steps is too shallow."

"If that's the case, once I understand them more deeply, couldn't I try to fuse martial arts more often to increase my own vitality?"

Thinking of this, Li He was filled with excitement.

"Back to basics, start by comprehending the Ape Trace Steps!"

Li He stepped onto the stone slab, his pace extremely slow, focusing all his attention on his feet, imitating the lightness and agility of Yuan Shan's demonstration.

[Ape Trace Steps: Entry Level (0%)]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

Li He walked more and more steadily, and faster and faster.

On the stone platform.

Yuan Shan had been keeping an eye on Li He.

"Did he figure out the Ape Demon Leap on his own? No, it doesn't quite feel like it. It still has the foundation of the Ape Trace Steps, with a hint of the Wild Goose Eight Steps... a self-created movement technique?"

Seeing Li He immediately abandon the self-created technique and return to training the Ape Trace Steps, his slightly furrowed brow finally relaxed.

"This Ape Trace Steps is, after all, the spirit of the White Ape, while the ferocity and power of the Demon Ape are two different paths. Forcing a fusion, even if your comprehension is heaven-defying, won't end well. Being able to turn back in time is a good thing."

Yuan Shan shook his head. His gaze swept across the field, watching the disciples practice—some clumsy, some raw, some gradually finding their rhythm. Finally, his gaze landed on Sun Ao, who was in high spirits and moving steadily across the Plum Blossom Stakes.

"Stop!"

All the disciples immediately stopped their movements and stood at attention to listen.

Yuan Shan spoke slowly: "The Ape Trace Steps is one of the core movement techniques of our Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall and is not a skill learned in a day. Today I have taught you the basics; you must practice diligently and carefully contemplate the true meaning of the three words: light, agile, and changing."

He paused: "However, working behind closed doors makes it hard to achieve greatness. The path of martial arts requires tempering through actual combat."

"Two months from now!"

"In the golden autumn of October, the five major cities in this region will join together to hold a regional martial arts hall newcomer competition. This competition is limited to new disciples under the age of 20 who have been in their respective halls for less than a year. Freshmen from the Martial Arts University will also participate in the competition, gathering together to fight for glory."

"The newcomer competition is finally here!"

"This is a grand event for young martial artists in the entire region!"

"Wait, are freshmen from Martial Arts University participating in this year's tournament? Wouldn't that be unfair? Isn't October supposed to belong only to us Martial Arts Hall freshmen?"

The crowd erupted in an uproar; some were worried, while others were excited.

The Federation hosts 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, the University Freshman League in December... the list goes on and on.

These are just the major competitions; small-scale tournaments happen almost every week.

Yuan Shan raised his hand to suppress the noise.

"This year's grand competition is of a higher caliber than in the past. It concerns not only the status and reputation of our Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall but also the allocation of resources the hall will receive for the next few years. Therefore, before the October grand competition, the hall will hold a preliminary exam, scheduled for seven days from now."

"A preliminary exam!"

The disciples' hearts tightened, and they all held their breath in concentration.

"The content of the preliminary exam is simple: comprehensive combat drills! The location will be right here on these grounds: the Plum Blossom Stakes, the Quicksand Pit, the Bluestone Rain Path, and the Boulder Beach."

"You will engage in one-on-one battles within these complex environments! Victory will be judged not only by the power of your attacks but also by your footwork, environmental adaptation, and on-the-spot reaction."

"There are three objectives."

"First, to test your recent training results, including your mastery of the Ape Standing Stake, the Old Ape Stretches Arms, and the Ape Trace Steps."

"Second, after the preliminary exam, I will teach the top three the Ape Arm Mountain Crushing Fist and provide the resources needed to cultivate this technique!"

"Third, and most importantly, to select five elite disciples to represent our Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall in the city-wide grand competition!"

Li He was slightly startled.

There are only nine new disciples in the Yellow Mountain Martial Arts Hall in total. With five spots available, it means more than half of them have a chance to step onto the stage of the grand competition.

Sure enough.

As soon as Yuan Shan finished speaking, the classmates beside him began to discuss excitedly.

"Choosing five out of nine—the chances are high!"

"I'm going all out! I have to make it into the top five!"

However, just at this moment.

A crisp, pleasant voice with a playful smile rang out from behind the side of the stone platform:

"Everyone, don't get too relaxed."

The crowd looked toward the source of the voice. It was Yuan Lingling. Her smile was as bright as a flower, her eyes curved into crescent moons as her gaze swept over all the new disciples.

"Don't look at me like that just because I'm the senior sister. Actually... I count as a freshman too, so I will also be participating in this preliminary exam."

"Senior Sister Yuan, you aren't joking, are you?" Shi Lei couldn't help but ask.

Yuan Lingling blinked: "Of course I'm not joking. I'm only 18 this year and just graduated from high school. I registered as a martial arts hall disciple only three days earlier than you all. Grandfather, you tell them, right?"

Yuan Shan nodded: "What Lingling says is true. Her enrollment time meets the regulations, so she naturally has the qualifications to participate in the preliminary exam and compete for a spot to represent the hall."

Yuan Lingling grew up in the martial arts hall, influenced by it from a young age, and possessed a deep foundation. She had already broken through to become a First-Rank Martial Artist, and she had already displayed impressive strength while teaching everyone to practice.

Several junior brothers whispered among themselves, all believing that Yuan Lingling would undoubtedly take first place in the preliminary exam.

Li He held a different opinion.

He looked Yuan Lingling up and down. He had never competed against a martial artist of the same rank before, and a desire to challenge her stirred in his heart. He had the system, and his eight martial arts techniques were all at the minor success stage. As long as the gap in vitality wasn't too large, why should he be weaker than a peer?

Vulture and Jackal didn't count; those two were killed by him with a gun.