Teaching the Divine Palm

"First form—Dragon Appears in the Field. A move that turns defense into offense; it can break an enemy's grapples and counterattack with a heavy, swift strike."

"Second form—Flying Dragon in the Heavens. Leap into midair and strike down from above. A tremendously powerful move that deals the enemy a crushing blow from on high."

"Third form—Wild Goose Alights on Land. This move lies in its ingenuity—hiding cleverness within clumsiness. It is a technique for driving back enemies; wield the palm to make it difficult for them to close in."

"Fourth form—Hidden Dragon, Do Not Act. The force of this move is gathered inward and condensed without being released. Should an enemy dare test its edge and meet it head-on, they will surely be unable to escape disaster and suffer its consequences."

"Ninth form—Riding Six Dragons in Season. Six dragons emerge together, vast and mighty, blanketing earth and sky. It is the most regal and righteous move of the Dragon-Subduing Divine Palm."

"Tenth form—Dragons Battle in the Wilderness. When danger looms, unleash a desperate strike with all your strength—advance without retreat. Once this move is unleashed, treachery and evil flee in terror."

As Chen Wu demonstrated the Dragon-Subduing Divine Palm, he explained alongside it, doing his utmost to make every move and form as detailed as possible so his sister and Qi Ruyan could learn it quickly.

After finishing the ten forms, Chen Wu withdrew his power and dispersed his force.

Gu Yuyue and Qi Ruyan had long since been watching the scene in stunned bewilderment.

"Is this... my little brother?"

Gu Yuyue's tone was full of doubt.

Because that palm technique just now was not something Chen Wu should have possessed at his current stage.

On the path of martial arts, at the lower ranks, one merely needed to follow the steps and cultivate according to secret manuals.

But upon reaching the middle ranks, only those blessed with exceptional talent could combine what they had learned and create martial arts moves suited to themselves.

Yet Chen Wu had defied this common knowledge. Before even entering the ranks, he had created a palm technique of his own.

Gu Yuyue and Qi Ruyan could see it clearly. Judging solely by the intricacy of those ten forms, the Dragon-Subduing Divine Palm already surpassed every palm technique the two of them had learned. It was at least of mid-grade Mystic rank.

If word of this spread, it would be enough to drive low-rank and even middle-rank martial artists mad, stirring up a storm of blood and carnage.

"Th-this... did you really create it?"

Qi Ruyan asked uncertainly.

"It wasn't entirely created by me alone."

"Hoo..."

Hearing that, Gu Yuyue and Qi Ruyan finally let out breaths of relief, only to hear him continue, "This palm technique owes much to my sister and Sister Ruyan. If not for your guidance in fist and palm techniques over these past days, I couldn't have created it either."

At this point, Chen Wu said rather regretfully, "What a pity. Sister Ruyan is leaving today. I have rough outlines for the remaining eight palm forms, but I haven't created them yet. If you stayed a few more days, I should be able to complete the whole palm technique."

At the same time, he silently added, Of course, the martial artists at the underground boxing arena contributed quite a bit too. Without their selfless contributions—letting me draw lessons from our fights and accumulate experience—the Dragon-Subduing Divine Palm could never have been deduced so quickly.

Qi Ruyan was completely dumbfounded. I practiced fist and palm techniques for so many years. Back then, it took me three months just to get started with my family's martial arts, and my parents even extravagantly praised me for having talent. But Chen Wu...

Chen Wu had spent less than a month creating a martial skill no weaker than mid-grade Mystic rank.

This gap was simply too...

"My little brother has the bearing of a Martial Saint! Good! Good! Good! Wonderful! Mother, did you see this? Little Brother can already create his own martial arts. You can rest in peace with a smile. Hahahahahaha..."

Gu Yuyue forgot all restraint, crying out "good" three times in a row before bursting into laughter.

Startled by the sight of his sister like this for the first time, Chen Wu asked, "Sis, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

Gu Yuyue suppressed the wild joy in her heart. Even so, the delight in her eyes as she looked at Chen Wu remained impossible to conceal. "Little Wu, have you ever displayed this palm technique before anyone else?"

"No, Sis. I've only used it in front of you two."

Although Chen Wu had created the Dragon-Subduing Divine Palm based on his experience fighting the martial artists at the underground boxing arena, because the moves were incomplete, he had never used it in actual combat.

Even the Dragon-Subduing Divine Leg was something he rarely brought out.

Unless he encountered an exceptionally troublesome enemy, under normal circumstances, the Primordial Palm, Eight Extremes Fist, and adapting to the situation were already enough to let him handle martial artists at the ninth rank.

Having received a definite answer, Gu Yuyue felt somewhat reassured. "Little Wu, Sister wants to ask you for something."

Chen Wu asked in confusion, "Sis, we're each other's only family. Whatever it is, just tell me."

"Could you temporarily put the palm technique you demonstrated just now under Sister's name? Then announce it to the world once you become a middle-rank martial artist."

As she said this, Gu Yuyue's face was filled with shame.

She truly was a useless sister. Her little brother's talent was so astonishing, yet she could not protect him.

Once Chen Wu revealed his talent, it would surely cause a massive earthquake in the Republic's martial arts world.

That would not be a good thing for him personally.

In the current world situation, aside from southern America, which was cut off by layers upon layers of rainforest, Sasanian Continent, which served as a buffer zone between the four nations of Red Continent, Arctic, Ancient Shendu Kingdom, and Europa, as well as islands scattered across the ocean, humanity had already gained control over the vast majority of land.

Beneath the seemingly prosperous and flourishing scene, the nations had long since become united in appearance but divided at heart, while undercurrents surged beneath the surface.

Not to mention the Ancient Shendu Kingdom, which already had countless conflicts with the Republic.

Take the United States of America across the ocean. Among the Myriad Evils Cult, which periodically resurfaced within the country, many traces of them could be found.

If Chen Wu's creation of a Mystic-rank technique while still a reserve martial artist were exposed, it would draw Red Continent's attention, but it would also make them wary of him.

This was why every province and city adopted a strategy of concealing its local geniuses.

Low-rank martial artists, from ninth to seventh rank, could still be killed by firearms and other modern thermal weapons.

Only upon reaching the middle ranks, from sixth to fourth rank, could martial artists become immune to the vast majority of modern kinetic weapons.

If they set their sights on him before then, they would not even need to act personally. With the Myriad Evils Cult's help, they could easily snuff Chen Wu out in the cradle.

Although the government would certainly not stand by and do nothing, doing so would undoubtedly push Chen Wu into the eye of the storm.

There were only ever thieves who stole for a thousand days; no one had ever guarded against thieves for a thousand days. Gu Yuyue would not dare place her hopes in others.

Therefore, she chose to protect Chen Wu through concealment.

Before he stepped into the middle ranks, it was best for him not to step into the spotlight.

After all, she was already a sixth-rank martial artist. Back then, she could barely be considered a genius whose name had shaken Jincheng.

The Dragon-Subduing Divine Palm could be explained as something she had gained through sudden enlightenment when breaking through.

A genius who had lain dormant for years creating a Mystic-rank martial art upon entering the sixth rank was far more reassuring and easier to accept than a reserve martial artist who had not yet entered the ranks.

At that thought, Gu Yuyue found her guilt difficult to ease.