Chapter Thirteen: Movement Technique (Please Vote)

“However, we shouldn’t blindly pursue speed; it’s best to develop both aspects,” Zhao Shaojie mused after a moment.

“You’re right, senior brother. How do the second and third levels perform in actual combat? And if someone practices the Heavenly Pivot Palm for decades, how many levels could they reach?”

“Let me explain it this way: right now, my strength is at the second level. I’ve devoted ten years to cultivating the Heavenly Pivot Palm. Let me show you its power.” As he spoke, Zhao Shaojie struck a wooden post with his palm.

There, a clear palm print appeared, at least one centimeter deep.

Qin Yi compared this strength in his mind—this was nearly between the intermediate and advanced stages of the Five Qi Returning Fist. His own Five Qi Returning Fist, at the advanced stage, could leave a punch mark one and a half centimeters deep in a tree.

“Senior brother, you’re amazing!”

“Actually, ordinary practitioners at the second level can’t reach this strength. I was born a bit stronger than most people. My current strength is almost at the third level,” Zhao Shaojie said with a satisfied smile.

“So that’s how it is!” Qin Yi looked astonished. Judging by this, at the advanced stage of his Five Qi Returning Fist, his strength must already be at the fourth level. Now, with the technique perfected, his power surely reached the fifth level. He had tested it—without using any secret techniques, a punch to a tree could leave a two-centimeter deep mark.

If I use that secret skill…

“So, if your talent isn’t lacking, practicing the Heavenly Pivot Palm for twenty or thirty years should reach a profound level. Master once said that the highest mastery of the Heavenly Pivot Palm can reach the fifth level.”

“Only up to the fifth level? Do the other six martial arts also only reach the fifth level?” Qin Yi was stunned. Senior brother said the Heavenly Pivot Palm could only be trained up to the fifth level, clearly excluding any secret skills.

“Yes, roughly so.”

“But strength and speed are just the foundation to judge the level of power. In actual combat between equals, if I make better use of attack techniques, and also practice movement arts, along with environmental factors, terrain, initiative, and so on, I could have an overwhelming advantage!” Zhao Shaojie added.

“I understand! If everyone is at the fifth level, but I’ve spent decades honing my movement technique, then I’ll have a huge speed advantage—maybe even suppress or defeat my opponent,” Qin Yi said.

“Exactly. Though the martial arts of Qingwei Dao Palace reach only the fifth level, our previous abbot had extraordinary talent. He mastered the Heavenly Pivot Palm, the Celestial Axis Finger, the Heavenly Authority Claw, and the Yaoguang Movement Technique to the highest level, and his overall strength was rated at the seventh level. Even in Jiangning County, he was considered a top expert!”

“But human energy is limited. We don’t have the exceptional talent of the previous abbot. A person’s life is usually spent mastering one or two main techniques. If you attempt too many arts, none will reach true mastery,” Zhao Shaojie cautioned.

Hearing this, Qin Yi was slightly shocked.

He knew well how hard martial practice was—it was a slow grind. Ordinary people needed twenty or thirty years to reach the highest level in one martial art. To achieve such mastery in four arts would be impossible without extraordinary talent; diligence alone would never suffice.

After listening to senior brother, Qin Yi had a bold idea.

“You’re right, senior brother.” Qin Yi thought for a moment and said, “Could you teach me a movement technique?”

“You haven’t fully mastered the Heavenly Pivot Palm yet, and you want to learn other martial arts? Do you have that much energy?” Zhao Shaojie looked exasperated. He’d just explained that human energy is limited, and now Qin Yi seemed to have forgotten.

“Senior brother, you just said that speed is very important in combat. I intend to focus on the Heavenly Pivot Palm and a movement technique in this lifetime, so why not start learning both?” Qin Yi replied earnestly.

This left Zhao Shaojie unable to refute.

“All right, our Qingwei Dao Palace has two movement techniques: the Tianxuan Step and the Yaoguang Movement Technique.”

“The Tianxuan Step is characterized by swift acceleration in an instant, while the Yaoguang Movement Technique excels at agile dodging and flexible maneuvers. I practice the Yaoguang Movement Technique myself, so I can only teach you that one,” Zhao Shaojie said.

“Thank you, senior brother!” Qin Yi was instantly delighted.

“Come, I’ll start you off with the Plum Blossom Posts!”

…

In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.

Qin Yi, bare-chested, practiced his steps atop the Plum Blossom Posts in the backyard, sweat pouring down like rain.

Suddenly, flattery echoed from nearby.

Qin Yi paused, seeing a dozen fellow disciples gathered around Zhang Big Blade.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhang, on successfully nourishing your blood and strengthening your sinews! If you go to the authorities for martial artist evaluation, you’ll surely be rated at the first level!” someone called out.

“What are you doing? It’s Zhang Junior Brother who broke through, not you. Why all the fuss? Get back to training!” Zhao Shaojie snapped.

“Yes, Senior Brother Zhao,” the crowd replied, scattering.

“Zhang Big Blade broke through too?” Qin Yi glanced at the proud Zhang Big Blade in the distance.

Zhang Big Blade had only trained for a little over a month and already achieved blood nourishment and sinew strengthening—a feat that took others three years of hard work. His talent was truly remarkable.

Senior brother once said that for people of average talent, reaching this stage takes at least three years, even with the aid of secret medicines.

But Zhang Big Blade had a strong constitution, good background, decent talent, and access to secret medicines. Achieving this in a month wasn’t surprising.

Lin Fan was even more impressive—he reached this stage in just a month, outperforming Zhang Big Blade. When he broke through, their master, Wang Qingxuan, was even astonished and declared that if Lin Fan reached the second level within two years, he’d become the sixth personal disciple.

Qin Yi shook his head—it had nothing to do with him, so he focused on practicing the Yaoguang Movement Technique.

…

That afternoon, as the sun set in the west, Qin Yi, drenched in sweat, returned to his room.

“System!”

Qin Yi:

Five Qi Returning Fist: Perfected (Fivefold Force)
Heavenly Pivot Palm: Proficient+
Yaoguang Movement Technique: Beginner+
Energy: 7

“Let’s upgrade the Yaoguang Movement Technique today.” He had already reached the beginner stage yesterday.

Its agility and complexity made it even harder to master than the Heavenly Pivot Palm—it had taken him half a month just to get started.

“Upgrade!”

One energy point disappeared.

Five minutes passed.

Qin Yi now felt he could use the Yaoguang Movement Technique with absolute confidence and skill.

He glanced at his remaining six energy points.

“Upgrade again!”

Suddenly, a warm flow surged through his legs—his muscles now felt tougher and stronger than ever before.

Ten minutes passed in a flash.

Qin Yi:

Five Qi Returning Fist: Perfected (Fivefold Force)
Heavenly Pivot Palm: Proficient+
Yaoguang Movement Technique: Intermediate
Energy: 4