In Zhang Ren's perspective, learning Tai Chi was a challenging endeavor. Even for those with exceptional talent, it took a minimum of three years to get started, another five years to enter the school, and an additional five years to reach the next level, the realm of Dacheng.
Expecting to achieve true mastery in under a decade was unrealistic. By this calculation, eighteen years would pass before one could be considered relatively skilled.
Yet, even that pace could be considered quite fast. Some martial artists spent twenty or thirty years honing their skills. The realm beyond Dacheng represented the pinnacle, and only a few masters had ever reached it a decade ago. They might have been gray-haired, but they possessed boundless energy and voices like bells, the result of lifelong dedication to their art.
Beyond Dacheng lay the realm of consummation, which might well exist only in legend. Consequently, many practitioners sought to learn a second martial art, such as Xingyiquan or Baguazhang, to supplement their skills. This pursuit both contributed to their martial arts mastery and allowed them to appreciate the distinct qualities of different martial styles.
Of course, the situation might have changed in the present, and whether past martial arts experiences would apply today remained uncertain. Chen Fan had yet to begin his journey in Tai Chi, and considering learning a second martial art at this stage was overly ambitious. Shaking his head, he approached Wang Ping and the others to offer guidance on their marksmanship.
Chen Fan glanced at the skill bar and decided to allocate some experience points to it. This action increased his Tai Chi proficiency by 5%. He also found that his knowledge of Tai Chi deepened, revealing imperfections in his previously seemingly flawless movements.
"It appears I should invest more points," Chen Fan sighed, feeling slightly concerned about the substantial experience points required for Tai Chi. Was it reasonable to need 20 experience points just to get started? In comparison, the introduction to Tai Chi only consumed 4 points.
"I fear it will only require more experience points as I progress," Chen Fan mused, realizing that he would need to dedicate even more points to improve.
Taking a deep breath, he relaxed his body and resumed practicing Tai Chi. After this session, his proficiency increased by three ten-thousandths. "It seems that it doesn't take three years to get started; as the movements become more proficient, proficiency increases more rapidly. Nevertheless, I'll stick to adding points."
Chen Fan allocated more experience points, causing his Tai Chi proficiency to soar once again by 5%. He continued this pattern, and time passed with each passing minute.
Zhang Ren, who had come to observe, couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. He initially didn't pay much attention, but something felt off as he watched Chen Fan practice Tai Chi several times. Chen Fan seemed to master the movements quickly, progressing at a remarkable rate. At this rate, he could get started in just a few dozen rounds of practice. However, it seemed impossible – could someone truly master Tai Chi in a matter of hours?
Yet Chen Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. This was precisely the result he wanted. His goal extended beyond Taijiquan alone, and to achieve it, he needed Zhang Ren's guidance. If he suddenly declared that he had mastered Tai Chi, it would be hard for Zhang Ren to accept. Thus, he had to demonstrate his progress gradually and convincingly. Although his advancement was extraordinary, could he truly master Tai Chi this quickly?
Seeing Zhang Ren's puzzled expression, Chen Fan couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Zhang, why are you looking at me like that? Did I perform poorly?"
Zhang Ren coughed twice, regaining his composure. "No, you're doing fine. Keep going."
With that, Zhang Ren left but continued to cast glances in Chen Fan's direction.
Chen Fan kept practicing, and with each round, his proficiency continued to increase.
"Hoo..."
Zhang Ren breathed a sigh of relief. It might not be a one-day entry, but judging by Chen Fan's progress, he could potentially get started in just two or three days. Was there even a distinction between this and a one-day entry?
Suddenly, it dawned on him. Was there any real difference?
Could it be that this young man before him was a martial arts prodigy? Zhang Ren should have been thrilled about it. After all, the stronger Chen Fan became, the safer the village would be. Yet, an inexplicable sense of loss gripped him.
Zhang Ren gazed up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, his eyes seemingly filled with tears.
"It seems Uncle Zhang is somewhat prepared," Chen Fan thought to himself, quietly averting his gaze.
He hadn't intended to stop at improving Taijiquan. Tomorrow, he would leave the village, and naturally, the stronger he was, the better. With a mere thought, he allocated over ten experience points to it.
"Boom!"
His heart seemed to tremble suddenly, and everything fell silent. Subsequently, an intense surge of heat gushed forth, several times more powerful than when he had upgraded Tai Chi. It coursed through his entire body, causing his bones to creak and even making his feet feel lighter.
Simultaneously, a new set of memories flooded his mind, as if he had practiced Taijiquan hundreds of times, etching it into his very bones.
This process lasted for about five seconds, and when the heat flow subsided, Chen Fan was still absorbed in the previous sensation. After another few seconds, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The sensations coursing through his body indicated that this upgrade had not come easily.
[Taijiquan: First Glimpse at the Door (1.2%), Characteristics: Longevity and Longevity Level 1, Strength Level 1, Lightness Level 1]
"Three characteristics!" Chen Fan exclaimed. It made sense that it required so many experience points; these were all new features. He examined each of them.
[Prolonging Life and Longevity: Each level-up increases physical attributes by 5 points]
[Strength: Each level-up increases the strength attribute by 3 points]
[Lightness: Each level-up increases the agility attribute by 3 points]
"5 points to constitution, 3 points to strength, and 3 points to agility. In other words, every proficiency increase grants me 11 points in attribute values?" Chen Fan's lips trembled. This Taijiquan style was truly incomparable.