Combat

Seeing Feng Xiu's confusion, Uncle Zheng explained from the side.

"This inner cultivation method emphasizes fighting with both hands, a technique of left and right striking together. Its might is extremely formidable." His tone carried a trace of regret.

It hadn't been easy to find. This martial art alone had cost the full sum of ten thousand taels!

As he spoke, Uncle Zheng glanced again at Feng Xiu's hands, unsurprised by the strange shape of his fingers.

Feng Xiu was somewhat tempted. He then sat down in a chair, lowered his head, and opened the booklet.

"Big Brother, take your time reading. I'll pour you a cup of tea." Seeing this, Feng Shouzhuo immediately trotted over to serve tea and water, his face brimming with ingratiation.

"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me~" Feng Shouzhuo rubbed his hands together again and chuckled.

Feng Xiu ignored him, his gaze sweeping over the contents.

The Dragon Snake Martial Seal was divided into two sets: thirteen forms of the Green Snake Seal and fourteen forms of the Flood Dragon Seal.

Green Snake Spits Tongue, Green Snake Coils Around Pillar, Snake Shadow Leaves No Trace, Snake Entwines Withered Wood.

Dragon Lurks in Abyss, Dragon Horn Pierces Heaven, Dragon Pearl Protects Heart, Twin Dragons Play with Pearl.

Each Green Snake form and Flood Dragon Seal could be combined into a Dragon Snake Combined Seal, multiplying its power.

Feng Xiu became absorbed in reading.

Every seal within the Dragon Snake Martial Seal had its own specific posture and meridian circulation route.

Half an hour later, Feng Xiu closed the booklet.

The Dragon Snake Martial Seal was a force-based martial art. He was still at Body Refining and could only use the power of his own blood and vitality. He had yet to cultivate the force of the Blood-Burning Realm.

He could only practice it after breaking through.

Feng Shouzhuo stood at the side and said with a flattering smile, "Big Brother, there's something I can't figure out."

Feng Xiu looked at him.

Feng Shouzhuo scratched his head, his face full of frustration. "I'm at Blood Burning now, while you're at Body Refining. Logically speaking, I'm a whole realm above you. So when I ambushed you just now, why did you subdue me in one move instead?"

Feng Xiu smiled.

Feng Shouzhuo was indeed at Blood Burning, but in terms of mentality, he was still far too lacking.

Uncle Zheng replied from the side, "Second Young Master, actual combat experience cannot be measured by realm. You've only just broken through, and your force hasn't even been properly sorted out yet.

"Your moves are unfamiliar too. Although the Eldest Young Master is still at Body Refining, he has sparred with people every day for the past month. You can't compare to him."

Feng Shouzhuo paused.

Uncle Zheng continued, "And besides, that foundation of blood and vitality in your body, when all is said and done... belonged to someone else." Uncle Zheng paused, then shifted back to the subject.

He had originally wanted to say that it had been left behind by someone else for him, but he took one look at Feng Shouzhuo's bewildered eyes.

Then swallowed the words back down.

It was better to let him be a genius.

Uncle Zheng then said, "Now that you've broken through to Blood Burning, that foundation of blood and vitality has more or less been used up. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself to train."

Feng Shouzhuo scratched his head, not quite understanding.

What was a genius? A genius was someone who broke through to Blood Burning within six days.

He also understood his current state: five currents of inner force endlessly renewing themselves, his blood and vitality forming their own cycle through the heavens.

How could a foundation of blood and vitality possibly be used up?

Uncle Zheng's words seemed to carry another layer of meaning. Feng Shouzhuo's expression turned thoughtful.

"Alright, Uncle Zheng. I'll train hard from now on."

Still, he did not argue. After suppressing his thoughts, he nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with excitement.

Seeing how obedient he was, Feng Xiu felt somewhat moved.

Martial arts truly possessed a power that could remake one from the marrow out. Every trace of Feng Shouzhuo's former temperament had been thoroughly killed away.

His essence, vitality, and spirit were utterly different from before.

But this was good too. It would save Feng Xiu from having to worry about him in the future.

"Shou Zhuo." After thinking it over, Feng Xiu spoke.

Feng Shouzhuo raised his head to look at him.

There was scrutiny in Feng Xiu's gaze. In the past, Feng Shouzhuo would have avoided that look long ago.

But this time, not only did he not dodge it, he met Feng Xiu's eyes head-on. The eagerness hidden within his gaze was replaced by a tranquil calm.

Feng Xiu looked at him for a long while, then suddenly smiled.

He rose to his feet and reached out to pat Feng Shouzhuo on the shoulder.

"Not bad."

Feng Shouzhuo froze, then an overwhelmed expression appeared on his face.

"Big Brother, you—"

"Come, spar with me." Feng Xiu cut him off, taking two steps back. "You make the first move."

Feng Shouzhuo's eyes lit up.

His sneak attack had failed just now, but if they fought openly and fairly now, he could surely win back a round, right?

Battle intent surged in his eyes as he assumed a stance and threw a punch.

His violent fist force came with a howl like ghosts weeping and wolves wailing, but Feng Xiu merely shifted to the side and easily avoided it.

"Your footwork is too slow, and your lower stance is slightly loose," he said flatly.

Feng Shouzhuo gritted his teeth, refusing to believe it, and threw another punch.

Feng Xiu evaded again, reaching out to lightly flick the tip of his elbow. Feng Shouzhuo's fist force immediately veered off course.

Feng Shouzhuo possessed the realm of Blood Burning but not its actual strength. His ability to face an enemy was nearly nonexistent.

"Your exertion is too stiff. You don't know how to borrow force. Remember, watch their eyes."

Unconvinced, Feng Shouzhuo changed his fist into a palm and swept it horizontally toward him.

Feng Xiu's feet shifted slightly, and his entire body seemed to drift away, narrowly evading the edge of the palm.

"You change moves too slowly. You think too much in your head."

The more Feng Shouzhuo fought, the more frantic he became, and his moves grew increasingly chaotic. Feng Xiu, however, remained unhurried, dodging while offering guidance.

Feng Shouzhuo had force protecting his body, so Feng Xiu gradually began putting more strength into his own attacks.

Feng Xiu had wanted to find someone to sharpen his feel against in the first place. Ordinary Body Refining cultivators could hardly withstand more than a few of his moves.

Though Feng Shouzhuo's punches were reckless, he was thick-skinned and tough-fleshed, with force spilling in all directions. Even Feng Xiu did not dare take him head-on.

Exchanging moves with him could also temper Feng Xiu's claw techniques.

"Draw in your breath, sink your waist."

"Grip the ground with the soles of your feet. Don't float."

"Hold back thirty percent of your strength midway through a punch, so you can change moves."

Feng Shouzhuo gradually immersed himself in it, considering Feng Xiu's pointers as his gaze began focusing on every move and stance.

Before he knew it, half an hour had passed.

Uncle Zheng stood to the side, watching the scene with countless emotions stirring in his heart.

The Feng father and sons—three martial artists under one roof.

Clan Head Feng Ao, at the peak of the Divine Qi Realm.

Eldest Young Master Feng Xiu, Body Refining perfected, decisive in killing.

Second Young Master Feng Shouzhuo, having broken through to Blood Burning, with limitless prospects ahead.

Who knew how delighted the clan head would be when he returned.

Then he quietly withdrew. When he reached the doorway, Feng Xiu's voice came from behind him.

"Uncle Zheng, find a set of formal clothes in my room. I'll need them tomorrow."

Uncle Zheng turned back, looked at the two whose moves were dazzling to the eye, and asked, "Eldest Young Master, are you going out?"

"I'm attending a banquet tomorrow." As Feng Xiu blocked and dismantled Feng Shouzhuo's attacks, his wrist turned, and he was just about to seize his shoulder when Feng Shouzhuo unexpectedly grabbed back at him.

"You've even learned my grappling techniques?"

Feng Xiu was somewhat surprised. He did not dare be careless and continued by tearing out a claw strike.

At the doorway, Uncle Zheng gave an acknowledging response.

He had originally wanted to mention that Han Che had gone to deal with the troublemaking at the restaurant, but seeing Feng Xiu busy giving pointers, he said no more and turned to leave.

But after taking only a few steps, a roar suddenly rang out from the training room.

"Big Brother, I can't endure it anymore! Take my Dragon Snake Combined Seal!"

Feng Xiu's expression changed drastically. He saw Feng Shouzhuo form a fist seal with each hand, left and right, as surging, overwhelming wild force gathered over his knuckles and transformed into two awe-inspiring phantom images of dragon and snake.

Though his arms trembled somewhat, Feng Shouzhuo still radiated excitement.

Damn!

Feng Xiu's pupils contracted slightly, yet his feet did not retreat even half a step.

He also wanted to see whether he could truly withstand the full-force strike of a Blood-Burning Realm cultivator.

Then, instead of retreating, he advanced. His hands formed claws as he charged straight toward it!