"I've just started learning the Three Talents Posture skill; I haven't grasped the knack even after a day of practice."
Meng Yongzhi comforted:
"Pile skill is a grinding process, easy to begin but hard to master. When I started practicing it, I seemed to get the hang of it in about half a month."
"Chuan, your bone structure is stronger than mine. If you apply the effort you put into practicing the Child's Fist to the pile skill, I believe you'll soon get the hang of it."
Meng Yongzhi has been stuck at the Third Gate of Qi and Blood for over ten years. Ever since he joined the police department and started working, he hasn't practiced martial arts much.
The Fourth Gate of Qi and Blood requires mastering the conversion of Fist Strength between light and dark; it's the first minor hurdle in martial arts. Those without superior bone structure must endure hardship and master dark strength to break through.
So martial arts have been a regret for Meng Zhiyong. He often fantasizes about how life would be if he had focused and continued practicing martial arts.
It might be less promising than now. As someone with inferior bone structure, even reaching the Sixth Gate of Qi and Blood wouldn't be as useful as the navy blue uniform hanging on the coat rack.
His younger brother passed away early. Although Meng Chuan is his nephew, Meng Zhiyong raised him from a young age and has long regarded him as his own son.
Earlier, he told his wife Xue Na that Meng Chuan could become part of a Martial Arts Family, but he was just comforting her. If being part of a Martial Arts Family were that easy, it wouldn't be worth much on the street.
He's simply trying to provide more support for Meng Chuan on his martial arts journey, without genuinely expecting him to become part of a Martial Arts Family.
But this is uncertain too; the child is putting in effort, and his bone structure is better than his own. Meng Yongzhi fantasizes that perhaps Meng Chuan can truly fulfill his dream.
"It's not too late in high school; this time let us team up and work hard together." Meng Yongzhi secretly swore.
Meng Chuan returned to his room, glanced at the latest newspaper, and continued practicing the pile skill.
"Warmly celebrating the successful conclusion of the 26th River Gathering, congratulations to Principal Sui Chunqiu from the Northern United Martial Arts University for winning the crown!"
Sui Chunqiu, a Celestial King Level expert at the Sixth Limit.
He is a pillar of Great Chu, and indeed the entire world, and also Meng Chuan's idol.
When practicing boxing got tough as a child, he would either think of himself in a past life or look at his idol, Celestial King Sui, for comfort.
The martial arts path, setting aside talent and bone structure, relies entirely on the word "struggle."
It's merely a high and low distinction; one can carve a path with fists. If you can do it, step up; otherwise, let someone else have the resources.
Tianshan Martial Arts Convention, Yellow River Gathering, and even the World's First Martial Arts Tournament and other events are all about strong warriors battling upward, selecting the best among them.
What kind of hero is lying in a mountain ditch dreaming? If you're capable, come out and compete; let's see who can truly stand under the sky and sun?
Meng Chuan secretly decided that he would eventually participate in these competitions, meet various formidable individuals, and strive for supremacy with the heavens.
Fueled by passion, Meng Chuan grasped every second to begin pile skill practice.
With his mind reaching clarity, using his heart like an arm, the whole structure of Meng Chuan's body was gradually adapting to the Three Talents Posture.
Executing protocol smoothly, with spirit internalized, Meng Chuan gradually captured the feeling, nearly mastering the Three Talents Posture...
Early the next morning, Meng Yongzhi rarely got up early on his day off.
"Uncle, are you working this Sunday? Why up so early?"
Meng Chuan was changing shoes at the entrance, about to head to the dojo for martial arts practice. He needed some small adjustments regarding pile skill, which Teacher Liu Rou could help with.
"No shift today. Let's go together to the dojo; I have some things to discuss with Hall Master Luo."
Meng Yongzhi thought all night and decided he couldn't let Meng Chuan waste more time on Child's Fist. He wants to personally discuss the matter with the master and ensure Meng Chuan gets corrected.
Currently, in Great Chu, wanting to practice martial arts requires attending a Martial Arts University.
Teachers, classmates, martial arts resources, and more within the university are a practitioner's greatest treasures.
To attend a good Martial Arts University, Qi and blood are fundamental.
On Lishan Mountain outside Yong'an, the Northern United Martial Arts University, which secures nine special Martial Arts University spots nationwide, requires a minimum of Fifth Gate of Qi and Blood for applications.
Meng Yongzhi doesn't aspire for any special Martial Arts University; he'd be grateful if Meng Chuan could attend the local Yong'an Martial Arts University.
The Yong'an Martial Arts University also requires beyond the Third Gate of Qi and Blood. Practicing only Child's Fist for a lifetime won't reach the Third Gate of Qi and Blood.
Therefore, the master must carefully instruct and compel Meng Chuan to learn other fist skills. Because merely practicing pile skills isn't enough, the impetus for Qi and blood from fist skills is far greater than pile skills.
To reach the Third Gate of Qi and Blood before the high school martial arts exam, given Meng Chuan's bone structure, he must start practicing other fist skills now.
Time is tight and tasks are heavy; Meng Chuan has already wasted significant time on Child's Fist.
Meng Yongzhi changed his shoes and suddenly thought:
"Chuan, did you measure your Qi and blood yesterday? Did you reach the First Gate of Qi and Blood?"
"I was busy with the pile skill yesterday and forgot. I'll measure it today."
Greenland Plaza, inside Infinite Martial Arts Dojo.
Upon reaching the dojo, the uncle directly went to find the master while Meng Chuan separated from him.
Meng Chuan wandered around but didn't see Wang Yue; even calling him resulted in a shut-down phone.
This kid must be afraid of being disturbed while he sleeps, intentionally shutting off the phone to avoid him.
Can't miss breakfast at the dojo's cafeteria today; immediately, after checking in, he dived into the cafeteria to feast. A thousand bucks a day, it's all his money, use it or lose it.
Several students he met yesterday cheerfully greeted Meng Chuan; his efforts yesterday left some impression on them.
"Hey there, new here?"
Seeing Meng Chuan eating enthusiastically, a well-built teenager walked over with a tray and sat down.
"I'm Le Ping, a senior in martial arts high school, third gate in Qi and blood. Seeing you eat like that, want to introduce yourself?"
"Meng Chuan, yesterday was my first day, freshman at Pingan, Qi and blood probably not started; going to measure later."
Le Ping chatted away while eating:
"From Pingan? Your freshman year has quite a few legendary figures; I heard there's a monstrosity with Third Gate of Qi and Blood, refusing to study at Yong'an Martial Arts University's prep course, insisting on staying at your school.
And something else... some Child's Fist Grandmaster?"
Meng Chuan resignedly:
"..."
Le Ping was naturally sociable:
"Come on, I'll take you to measure later; I reached First Gate of Qi and Blood in junior high. Judging by your eating prowess, you should have the strength of the First Gate."
After eating, the two arrived at the Qi and blood measurement room, with Le Ping helping Meng Chuan attach the Qi and blood sensing device and pressing the main machine button, accompanied by three long "beep beep beep" sounds.
"Okay, just demonstrate the fist skill facing the wall. While you punch, the sensing device will collect and transmit your Qi and blood data into the machine. You can stop after a complete set."
Meng Chuan calmed himself and began demonstrating Child's Fist, with Le Ping closely watching Meng Chuan's data on the machine screen.
The display panel was like a vertically aligned bamboo pole, segmented into long grid blocks. Before Meng Chuan finished his fist movements, Le Ping noticed the bottom block of red filling up.