The Children's Hall of Chan Buddhism Shaolin Temple's Centaur Constellation Fourth Earth Branch

Lying in the gaming pod that outsiders could neither see nor know about, Jiang Jie saw an entirely different scene.

Just like last time, gray mist surrounded him in a haze of chaos. Only a peerless beauty stood before him. An ounce more would have made her plump, an ounce less too thin. Her perfect figure far surpassed even ideal nine-head proportions. It simply could not have belonged to a natural living being. She was God's perfect creation!

No, she was technology's perfect creation, the most perfect form simulated through vast amounts of computational data.

Jiang Jie even wondered whether looking at Xiao Feng every day would make everyone else seem unattractive. Would he still be able to fall in love with another girl? Would he have to spend his entire life with this insubstantial Xiao Feng?

The thought sent a chill through Jiang Jie, right down to his marrow!

He realized his future looked utterly bleak!

The intelligent computer Xiao Feng stood before Jiang Jie, stretched, and yawned. "Mm, that lesser mana potion tasted all right, but the concentration was a bit low. Host, why are you shivering? You aren't thinking about something filthy again, are you? Forget it. Men are all the same! What do you want to train this time? Still the lightness skill Water-Skimming?"

Jiang Jie shook his head. Already immune to Xiao Feng's mockery, he said calmly, "Unless something unexpected happens, someone will try to assassinate me tonight. I need some ability to keep myself alive."

Xiao Feng quickly nodded. "There's an old saying on Earth, the Galactic Federation's home planet: 'A month for the staff, a year for the saber, a lifetime for the spear, and never let your sword leave your side.' None of the eighteen weapons is easy to master. How about learning acupoint sealing instead?"

Acupoint sealing?

Wasn't that a little too wuxia?

One familiar name after another immediately surfaced in Jiang Jie's mind: Sunflower Acupoint-Sealing Hand, Life and Death Talisman, Divine Finger Flick, Linguistic Finger, Mighty Vajra Finger...

But...

Was that scientific?

Xiao Feng explained, "Acupoint sealing has existed since ancient times. Traditional Chinese medicine uses acupoint techniques to treat various illnesses and injuries. Ancient martial arts also had acupoint techniques. By striking different parts of the body, they could cause soreness, numbness, and pain, obstruct internal energy and true qi, and even sever blood vessels, tendons, and meridians! But your internal energy is too weak, Host, so your acupoint sealing won't be very effective. Take that Arthas, for example. He could stand there and let you poke him all day without anything happening!"

Jiang Jie did not care in the slightest about Xiao Feng's mockery.

Arthas!

He was the future Lich King, one of the biggest bosses in all of Azeroth!

Even now, he was a powerful Paladin, the sort second only to the Silver Hand's five great Paladins. His physique had been made seriously badass by the Holy Light. Jiang Jie did not consider being unable to hurt him embarrassing.

Just imagine the ranged acupoint sealing in wuxia novels: a finger thrust from several or even a dozen meters away, and the opponent immediately collapsed or froze in place, just like an immobilization spell. It was simply incredible!

"Ranged acupoint sealing? Host, don't even think about it unless you've cultivated the Black Tortoise Longevity Art to the sixth level." Xiao Feng waved her hand, and their surroundings instantly changed into a temple!

"This is a virtual panorama of Chan Buddhism Shaolin Temple's Centaur Constellation Fourth Earth Branch, a comprehensive live-combat gaming arena. What you need to do now, Host, is fight your way through the temple!" Xiao Feng pointed, and a stream of information entered Jiang Jie's mind.

It was a finger technique called "Pegasus Meteor Finger." Not only could it seal acupoints, but as the practitioner's internal cultivation improved, it could also release invisible sword qi from the fingers. Supposedly, a martial arts grandmaster from the Centaur Galaxy had created this supreme art after thoroughly studying 108 finger techniques. Its power was astonishing.

Of course, with Jiang Jie's current internal cultivation, he could only practice its most basic elements.

With the gaming pod's assistance, the internal energy circulation pattern of Pegasus Meteor Finger automatically formed within Jiang Jie's body. All he needed to do now was familiarize himself with the technique through actual combat.

"Throughout the temple, the Monks in places like the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Arhat Hall, Bodhidharma Hall, and Vajra Cave are extremely powerful. Places like the Abbot's Courtyard, Thousand Buddha Hall, and Scripture Pavilion are even more terrifying. If you can cultivate Pegasus Meteor Finger to its highest realm,

"Although clearing the whole place would be impossible, getting through a hall or two wouldn't be much of a problem. Based on your current internal cultivation, Host... the only suitable place is the Children's Hall in Shaolin's subsidiary compound." Xiao Feng waved again, and they arrived halfway up the mountain, before a spacious courtyard.

The doors were shut tight. From inside came cries of "Hah! Hyah!" The voices were incredibly young. They were actually...

Little monks?

So this so-called Children's Hall in Shaolin's subsidiary compound was a place for training little monks?

So I was supposed to bully little monks?

Jiang Jie immediately felt he could not bring himself to do it.

Especially when he reached the courtyard entrance and two little monks, only five or six years old, stopped him and demanded to know whether he intended to challenge the courtyard. Their babyish voices left him at a loss for how to say it.

"Hmph! Shifty-eyed and not saying a word. You must be a bad guy here to challenge our courtyard! If you want to get in, you'll have to get past me first!" The two little monks spoke in clear, piping voices, took their stances, and actually charged at Jiang Jie.

What the hell!

So I didn't want to hurt you, but you just had to ask for a beating?

Circulating his energy, Jiang Jie aimed his fingers at the little monks, one hand for each, and thrust both fingers toward their bodies!

He thought, What could be so hard about fighting two little monks? This would be a piece of cake!

But his rosy fantasies met a harsh reality.

The next instant, the two little monks slipped past Jiang Jie's attacks like loaches, then each threw a punch, striking his...

Knees!

That hurt!

Jiang Jie nearly fell over. Humiliation turned to anger. No matter what, he could not let two little monks bully him!

He was just about to attack again when two more punches struck his knees!

Jiang Jie was utterly furious!

Why did you keep picking on my knees? Couldn't you grow a little taller?

Unfortunately, he was not a Warrior, so getting angry did not generate rage points.

Three minutes later, a battered, swollen-faced Jiang Jie turned into a streak of light and respawned beside Xiao Feng.

"Is this really Shaolin Temple's children's compound?" Jiang Jie could hardly believe it. Even two five- or six-year-old monks could kill him? Are you sure you haven't turned on hell difficulty? Multiplied their stats tenfold? Even Orcs aren't this badass, are they?

"Pfft! Host, in the thirty-fifth century, Shaolin Temple is one of the Galactic Federation's ten great sects. Every little monk admitted is an elite chosen from countless temples across countless planets. Calling them one in ten thousand would be no exaggeration! They may only be five or six, but they could have been practicing martial arts for two or three years already. It's... perfectly normal that you can't beat them."

Xiao Feng gave Jiang Jie a sympathetic look, then spread her hands. In an instant, she appeared more than ten meters away, seated on a stone stool beneath a large tree with a bag of sunflower seeds in her hand. Looking every bit the spectator settling in for a good show, she watched wide-eyed with anticipation.

Jiang Jie: "..."

To stay alive, he had no choice but to work hard.

The second time, he was already being careful enough, but one little monk suddenly extended a finger and struck his numbing acupoint!

"Host, I regret to inform you that even the weakest of these little monks has learned one or two basic martial arts. So it's perfectly normal for them to know acupoint sealing." Apparently thirsty, Xiao Feng reached out, and a glass of iced orange juice appeared in her hand. Downing a glass in this simulated summer heat was especially refreshing.

Jiang Jie ground his teeth in frustration!