Falcon Fist

Lu Ren did not mind. Though he knew there was a high chance the other man would never teach him anything particularly good, it was still a breakthrough, far better than standing in stances and perhaps spending millions upon millions on the Dragon Elephant Bedrock Style.

Still, Lu Ren solemnly gave a slight bow in the manner of a disciple. "Thank you, Master Li!"

Lu Ren's politeness softened Li Ziqing's expression considerably. He nodded slightly and said through the thick glass, "What do you know now?"

Lu Ren said, "Basic fists and feet, and basic swordsmanship."

Li Ziqing gave no reaction, merely saying, "Demonstrate them for me. Start with fists and feet."

Lu Ren nodded, then assumed a stance, sinking his waist and planting his feet as he began a set of the most basic hand-to-hand combat techniques.

Three minutes later, Lu Ren stopped and looked at Li Ziqing.

Li Ziqing seemed rather uninterested and said instead, "Now, basic swordsmanship."

Lu Ren looked around, took the handle off a nearby broom, and began his demonstration.

The moment Lu Ren performed the first sword form, Li Ziqing immediately snapped to attention. He unconsciously straightened up and stared without blinking.

Once the set was complete, Lu Ren saluted. Li Ziqing commented, "Your fist techniques are awful. You've mixed in a lot of loose-hand techniques—modern fighting methods. Still, compared to ordinary people, you're decent. At least you've put in three years of hard work. Your swordsmanship is good. You've already crossed the threshold and found the right feel for it."

He said regretfully, "If you had previously sought out an expert who specialized in weapon arts and swordsmanship, you might have benefited greatly."

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Is swordsmanship your main discipline?"

Lu Ren said, "Yes."

"But I only know fist techniques. I'm not particularly proficient in swordsmanship."

Li Ziqing rarely bothered to explain. "After all, these times are no longer like the past. Fist techniques are more practical for getting around, so few people cultivate the sword path nowadays."

Lu Ren smiled. "That's fine. Any kung fu will do. Besides, weapons are an extension of fists and feet."

What a joke. Fist techniques were the foundation. They strengthened the body and condensed the spirit; their benefits could also drive the improvement of Basic Swordsmanship.

"Good!" Li Ziqing rarely praised Lu Ren, then turned serious. "The fist art I practice was comprehended by predecessors after observing the exotic beast Azure Luan. It was called Phoenix Wing Fist. It has been passed down since the Yuan and Ming dynasties, and after several transformations, it became the first-rate fist art it is today, now called Falcon Fist. If you insist on tracing its roots, it can be considered a branch of Daoist martial arts."

As he spoke, Li Ziqing took off his shirt, revealing an incredibly muscular upper body. Every movement made his muscles bulge with explosive power.

"The essence of Falcon Fist lies in mobilizing the shoulder, neck, and back muscles. Bend the legs and sink the waist, relax the shoulders and raise the elbows. Power hangs in the air and rises from the ground."

As he spoke, Li Ziqing turned his back to Lu Ren and slowly raised both arms. The unusually broad muscles of his back slowly writhed as his arms spread open. He truly resembled a massive bird gradually spreading its wings, his arms swaying like wings. Lu Ren was utterly shaken.

He had never imagined someone could achieve such a degree of control. The movement of Li Ziqing's muscles alone gave him an immense visual impact.

It was like Li Xiaolong's wing muscles, except Li Ziqing was even more outrageously exaggerated.

"One step further, and you become like a falcon—gathering martial will, uniting form and spirit. That is the great completion of fist technique."

Li Ziqing's gaze sharpened. His right hand formed a fist like a beak and suddenly shot forward!

Whoosh!

A sharp, clearly audible tearing sound rang out, like the peck of a giant bird. Its penetrating force and lethality were astonishing.

If that punch landed on a human body, it would definitely peck out a bloody hole!

Then Li Ziqing gave a soft shout.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!

A dense barrage of tearing sounds erupted in succession. Li Ziqing's arms became blurs, as though they had turned into a pair of giant wings attacking without cease. As they tore through the air, Lu Ren could vaguely see the air being rubbed at high speed into streams of white vapor flowing around his arms.

When Li Ziqing lowered his hands, rising white vapor curled around his arms. It was steam formed from his sweat under the high heat caused by the intense friction.

Terrifying!

Lu Ren was deeply shaken. The other man's strength was at least several levels above his own.

Li Ziqing let out a long breath before straightening up and looking at Lu Ren. "This is the fist art I cultivate. Falcon Fist. Do you want to learn it?"

Lu Ren, shamelessly flattering himself, nodded heavily. "Of course I do!"

Over the following days, Lu Ren learned remarkably quickly. His Spirit, as high as ten points, allowed him to rapidly grasp the essence of Falcon Fist.

As his study of the fist art grew deeper by the day, Lu Ren finally understood the true difference between genuine Fist Law Schools and real-world fighting.

Even if Li Ziqing threw the manual to Lu Ren and had him practice according to it, he would not achieve anything substantial. At most, it would strengthen his body.

The true essence lay in the attention and analysis that masters of old had devoted to fist techniques. Those were the most important things: methods of exerting force, training methods, breathing techniques, and the paths through which force flowed were the true teachings.

One sentence of true transmission outweighed ten thousand volumes of books.

Lu Ren understood quickly and even became immersed in it, losing track of day and night. Until two and a half months later, Li Ziqing looked at Lu Ren through the glass with deep emotion.

"You're very talented. Though you may be a little old, as long as you persevere and remain steadfast, you'll definitely make something of yourself. I've taught you everything that should be taught. Do you have any other questions for me?"

Though they were separated by a pane of glass, Lu Ren had come to understand through their time together that Li Ziqing was the typical cold-faced, warm-hearted sort. And perhaps because Lu Ren seemed suited to Falcon Fist, Li Ziqing had developed considerable fondness for him.

Lu Ren clasped his hands and saluted before asking, "Master Li, is the Breathing Technique the most important essence of fist arts?"

Li Ziqing answered, "The Breathing Technique adjusts a person's core. Persisting in it can increase endurance and stamina, improve physical fitness, and even stimulate the body's potential by adjusting one's breathing method, granting short bursts of explosive power. But it is not the essence of fist arts."

"It isn't? I heard that the Breathing Technique is the key to breaking the Shackles of the human body's limits." Lu Ren froze. Yan Zhenghua had told him that the Breathing Technique was key to breaking through the limits of the human body.

Li Ziqing fell briefly silent, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Ahem, of course not. Although breathing methods are among the utmost priorities of a Fist Law School and one of its indispensable factors, what truly matters is the spirit within the fist art."

"Spirit?"

Li Ziqing explained, "Once your fist technique reaches great completion and enters the realm of perfection, only an elevation of the spirit can transform your body."

After a pause, Li Ziqing frowned. "You've only just touched the threshold of entry into fist techniques. Don't think about things so distant yet."

"I understand, Master Li!"