Later that day, Tang Xiu strolled through the streets of his neighborhood, his mind racing. The incident with Zhang Wei had been a small victory, but it also highlighted his current limitations.
"This body is weak," he muttered to himself. "If I were in my prime, that boy wouldn't have even dared to look me in the eye. But now…"
He paused as he passed a small park. Children played on swings, and elderly men practiced tai chi in the corner. Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed as he observed their movements.
"It's crude, but there's a trace of qi in their actions," he noted.
Curious, he approached one of the elderly men. "Excuse me, sir," he said politely. "May I ask what you're practicing?"
The man looked up, surprised. "This is an ancient martial art," he said. "Passed down through generations. But you young people don't care about such things these days."
Tang Xiu smiled faintly. "On the contrary, I find it fascinating. Would you mind teaching me?"
The man studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Let's see what you're capable of."
As the man demonstrated the first set of moves, Tang Xiu mimicked them with ease. To the man's astonishment, Tang Xiu's movements were flawless, even surpassing his own.
"You… you've done this before?" the man stammered.
Tang Xiu shook his head. "No, but I have a knack for learning."
As he walked away from the park, Tang Xiu's mind was clear. The martial arts of Earth, though primitive, held potential.
"With my knowledge, I can refine these techniques and create a new path," he thought. "Earth may lack spiritual energy, but I will find a way to cultivate again"