Chapter 12: Realms_2
Thus, he had no intention of hiding his abilities to "play the fool."
If the existence of the Huangting Jade Manual allowed him to pass as a genius and gain the hall's favor, that would undoubtedly work to his advantage.
Without hesitation, Chen Yuan shook his head.
"No, Senior Brother. After returning, I was occupied with some family matters. I merely studied the forms on my own and didn't seek anyone's guidance."
Zhao He's eyes lit up, and his demeanor became noticeably more amiable.
Patting Chen Yuan on the shoulder, Zhao He said warmly, "Junior Brother, you managed to master the forms so proficiently after observing me just once. Your aptitude is truly remarkable. I'll take you to meet Master immediately. Perhaps, by the end of today, you and I could become fellow personal disciples."
"Is that what Senior Brother means?" Chen Yuan asked cautiously, probing further.
Zhao He said, "For someone with exceptional talent, it isn't necessary to wait until their foundation is fully established; they can directly apprentice under Master."
"Not only will you receive personal guidance from Master, but you'll also be able to act under his name and enjoy the protection of the martial hall. In the future, there's a chance to learn the truly secret fist techniques. While it might not be an instant rise to greatness, at least here in West City, no one will dare to bully you easily."
Hearing this, Chen Yuan was a little surprised.
He had only heard that the relationship between martial hall disciples and their halls was merely one of teaching and learning.
Even in cases of external disputes, the hall would not intervene.
For example, within the various gangs of West City, there were many former apprentices from martial halls.
Even when they clashed, no martial hall instructors would step in to mediate.
Since leaving home, Chen Yuan, despite maintaining some ties with his uncle and cousin, knew that with Lady Chen meddling in family matters, it would be challenging to rely on his uncle's influence. Surviving in West City would pose certain risks.
Moreover, mastering martial arts was a time-consuming endeavor.
Even with the Huangting Jade Manual, becoming a martial arts expert or reaching the foundational level of "establishing one's martial foundation" would take time.
If he could gain Li Yue's recognition and directly become an official disciple of the martial hall, it would undoubtedly be a significant advantage.
Chen Yuan bowed and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother! If this can be achieved, I will be indebted to you, and in the future, I will do my utmost to repay your kindness."
This was exactly what Zhao He was waiting for.
No matter how talented Chen Yuan might be, whether he became an official disciple sooner or later wouldn't directly benefit Zhao He.
However, if Chen Yuan acknowledged this favor, it would be a different story.
Should Chen Yuan gain Li Yue's approval, he would at least reach the "Strength Refinement" level of martial arts—someone with notable achievements.
Such individuals were highly regarded in West City. Even some of the city's major gangs placed great value on them.
Zhao He's family background was slightly better than Chen Yuan's, as his father was a leader in a West City gang. But they weren't particularly influential.
Establishing good relations with a martial artist who had achieved Strength Refinement could be highly beneficial for his family's growth.
Thinking about martial arts levels, Zhao He realized that Chen Yuan, being new to the hall, might not yet understand these matters. With Chen Yuan's talent now evident, Zhao He saw an opportunity to strengthen their relationship.
Smiling, he said, "No need to be so formal, Junior Brother. If Master acknowledges you, we'll be sworn brothers under his tutelage, and it'll naturally be our duty to look out for one another."
"Let's not rush these matters. Master is currently having his meal in the hall, so it wouldn't be appropriate to disturb him now. Since you've just joined the hall and likely aren't familiar with many aspects of martial cultivation, if you're interested, I can explain them to you."
Chen Yuan had already planned to gather such information to enhance his use of the Jade Manual, so this offer from Zhao He felt like a perfectly timed opportunity. Naturally, he wouldn't refuse.
"If Senior Brother could offer me some guidance, I'd be immensely grateful," Chen Yuan replied.
Waving off the formality, Zhao He began explaining various facets of martial cultivation.
"The martial path, at its core, is an art of self-defense and overcoming opponents."
"How does one defeat an enemy? By surpassing them in strength, technique, defense, speed, and so on."
"Martial techniques are the methods we use to enhance these attributes."
"For instance, the Little Swallow Wing Fist you're currently learning, the Swallow Wing Fist Sutra you might learn later, and the various techniques taught by other martial halls—all of these are means to achieve such improvements."
"These methods may emphasize different aspects of training, but essentially, they're all ways to strengthen the body."
"However, the depth of mastery and duration of practice will naturally lead to varying levels of power. That's why we have specific classifications of martial cultivation."
"The first level of martial cultivation is called the Nurturing Body stage…"
While waiting outside the hall for Li Yue to finish his meal, Zhao He patiently explained the various stages of martial cultivation to Chen Yuan.
Chen Yuan gradually gained a clearer understanding of the martial system in this world.
According to the information Zhao He provided, martial cultivation could be broadly divided into three stages: Nurturing Body, Strength Refinement, and Blood Solidification.
Nurturing Body Stage:
As the name implies, this stage involves nurturing and refining the body to build strength.
At this stage, martial artists focus primarily on physical conditioning.
They use basic exercises to temper their bodies, supplemented with ample nutrition, to develop robust physiques and unlock the potential within their natural bodies.
Once the body has been sufficiently strengthened, techniques such as guided fist forms begin to play a more crucial role.
For example, the Little Swallow Wing Fist.
At the foundational level of body nurturing, this technique primarily helps to improve blood circulation, preventing stiffness and rigidity in the muscles and bones caused by strenuous training.
However, as a martial artist's understanding and mastery of the technique deepens, it can be used to coordinate the body's full power.
Through such mastery, every punch and movement can deliver explosive force and speed, far surpassing ordinary humans.
When a martial artist can use their techniques to harness 30% of their body's total strength, they step into the Strength Refinement stage, known as the Entry to Strength Refinement.
At this level, their abilities already far surpass those of ordinary people. Even a teenage martial artist at the entry stage of Strength Refinement can gather their power into a single punch strong enough to kill a grown man.
Upon entering this stage, martial artists use techniques and mental practices to further develop their ability to integrate and channel their strength.
Levels of Strength Refinement:
Initial Stage:
The martial artist begins by consolidating 20–30% of their total strength.
Small Completion:
As their ability to integrate strength improves, they can harness up to 50% of their total strength.
Great Completion:
At this peak level, martial artists can channel 80–90%, or even 100%, of their strength into a single move.
When martial artists reach the Great Completion stage, they are ready to learn more advanced martial techniques and attempt to break through to the next stage: the Blood Solidification stage.
The Blood Solidification Stage:
This stage is far more profound than Strength Refinement. After achieving Great Completion in Strength Refinement, martial artists begin to refine their blood through the integration of their strength.
This process enhances their physical capabilities beyond normal human limits, allowing them to access power that surpasses natural thresholds. This transformation represents the essence of the Blood Solidification stage: breaking through human physical limitations.
However, Zhao He's understanding of this stage is limited, as he himself has only reached the Great Completion of Strength Refinement and has not yet stepped into the realm of Blood Solidification.
Chen Yuan took in the detailed explanation, noting Zhao He's hesitancy when discussing the stages beyond Blood Solidification. It seemed likely that there were even greater stages beyond this.
"So this world's martial system is far more advanced than I initially thought."
Chen Yuan's mind drifted back to the chaos he had witnessed during the marketplace pursuit the previous day.
He remembered clearly the escaping Sun Talisman Sect cultist and the pursuing officers. Their inhuman speed and the ease with which they split their opponents with a single strike painted a vivid picture of the power wielded by martial experts.
"If such strength exists even at the Strength Refinement stage, I can't imagine what the Blood Solidification level would look like."
This realization made Chen Yuan even more cautious.
The power of martial artists in this world was evidently far beyond his initial expectations.
And here he was, living in a town dominated by martial halls, where such powerful figures seemed to be everywhere.
Zhao He immediately turned around upon hearing the voice, his expression respectful as he cupped his hands and said, "Master, I was guiding the junior brothers in their training when I noticed that Junior Brother Chen Yuan has extraordinary aptitude. He has achieved an impressive level of proficiency in the techniques despite being a beginner, so I came over to speak with him."
Li Yue approached with steady steps, his demeanor as unshakable as a mountain, and his face carrying a trace of authority. He glanced at Chen Yuan briefly and nodded slightly, his tone calm but tinged with a hint of approval. "Extraordinary aptitude? That is rather intriguing."
Chen Yuan quickly clasped his hands in salute and bowed. "Chen Yuan greets Master."
Li Yue's gaze lingered on him for a moment, as though assessing him. He then addressed Zhao He, "You may return to guide the others in their training. I will handle this matter personally."
Zhao He dared not argue and respectfully replied, "Yes, Master." Before leaving, he turned to give Chen Yuan a wink, as if silently cheering him on.