Waking from her thoughts, Mu Lingsha carefully placed the fire python-tiger cub down and began the lesson.
"The martial arts of this world are divided into nine ranks and three levels: first, second, and third ranks are low-level; fourth, fifth, and sixth are mid-level; and seventh, eighth, and ninth are high-level. Little sister, today I will teach you the first-rank, low-level fist art, Penetrating Fist," Mu Lingsha said.
"Penetrating Fist?" Mu Zi repeated, deep in thought.
In the original story, Lin Dong also started with this art.
"It must be widely practiced," she mused.
As if sensing her thoughts, Mu Lingsha explained: "Penetrating Fist, or 'sticky clothes, explosive power,' requires training with clothing. It has nine movements, also called the 'Nine Resonant Strikes,' because each strike produces a resounding sound, with each subsequent strike more powerful than the last. When all nine strikes are completed, the power is comparable to a second-rank martial art."
"This art is well-structured, not too difficult, and leaves room for growth. It's perfect for beginners to lay a foundation."
Mu Zi nodded and asked, "Sister, how many strikes can you perform?"
"I can perform eight now," Mu Lingsha replied with pride. This result was the best among the Mu Manor's youth, and among Body Tempering stage cultivators in the hundred-mile radius, such people could be counted on one's fingers.
"Oh, I see," Mu Zi nodded calmly, without much enthusiasm.
Mu Lingsha raised an eyebrow, a little hurt, and said, "Hey, little one, are you looking down on your sister?"
Mu Zi froze in confusion but quickly clarified, "No, that's not what I meant!"
Sighing, Mu Lingsha continued, "Don't think that Penetrating Fist is just a first-rank art. It's extremely difficult to master. An average person won't get past seven strikes in their entire life. Don't get ahead of yourself; watch carefully, I'll show you once."
Mu Lingsha let out a soft cry and began to move. Her steps were swift, like a panther, and her hands, swinging, resembled a graceful monkey stretching its shoulders. Distinct claps, as if from clothing sticking to the body, rang out one after another.
Mu Zi focused, her bright eyes closely following her sister's every movement, mirroring her figure.
Having finished the demonstration, Mu Lingsha was about to repeat it when a clear voice rang out: "Sister, I've got it."
Mu Lingsha's face became stern: "Mu Zi, there is no place for recklessness in cultivation. If you continue like this, you'd better give up martial arts right now."
At first, she didn't pay attention to Mu Zi's disregard for her warning, thinking it was just girlish carelessness. She thought that after seeing a real martial art, her sister would understand its seriousness. But even after the demonstration, Mu Zi acted so nonchalantly, and such an attitude did not bode well for success on a warrior's path.
"But I really did get it!" Mu Zi helplessly argued.
She understood why her sister didn't believe her. In her past life, no one would remember all the movements of a gymnastics routine after seeing it just once. And Penetrating Fist was much more complex than gymnastics. Claiming to have memorized it in one go sounded like a fairy tale. After all, at the third level of Body Tempering, Yuan Li had not yet been born, and the body remained ordinary and mortal.
"Then show me how you'll do it," Mu Lingsha said, raising an eyebrow, looking at Mu Zi, whose large, radiant eyes were full of determination.
Nodding, Mu Zi took a stance, clenched her fists, and confidently performed the full cycle of Penetrating Fist, her movements looking surprisingly polished.
Mu Lingsha froze, not believing her eyes.
"Why isn't there a sound?" Mu Zi muttered, frowning.
The corners of Mu Lingsha's lips twitched.
"Did she want to achieve a resonant strike on the first try?" she thought. She herself had spent eight days of hard training to get the first sound.
As if guessing her thoughts, Mu Zi thought for a moment, took her stance again, and repeated the cycle. This time, her movements were even lighter; her hands moved as if a real, live monkey were in front of her. Closer to the end, she caught the right feeling, slightly pulled the fabric of her clothes, and struck with force.
Clap!
"This... this..." Mu Lingsha stood frozen with her mouth agape, her face reflecting complete astonishment, but she couldn't find the words.
At that moment, a knock on the gate rang out from outside:
Knock-knock-knock!
Mu Lingsha, still in a daze, went to the gate and automatically opened it.
"Lady Lingsha, the Head asks you to come to the assembly hall," a guard announced.
Mu Lingsha, still in a daze, mumbled, "Am I dreaming?"
"Huh?" The guard blinked in confusion.
Giving her a strange look, he added, "Lady, you shouldn't make the Head wait. Oh, and he told you to bring that thing."
"Alright, wait for me," Mu Lingsha replied, returning to the courtyard. She picked up the fire python-tiger cub, gave Mu Zi a deep look, and, ignoring the guard's surprised stare, strode out.
Meanwhile, Mu Zi immersed herself in practicing Penetrating Fist. Her small figure darted around the courtyard, performing the movements of the technique over and over again.
With each try, the resonant "clap-clap" sounds grew more frequent.
One strike, two, three... After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Mu Zi was already confidently performing seven resounding strikes.
"Martial arts don't seem that difficult," she murmured.
After only just beginning her training, she had easily reached seven strikes. Others would need months of hard work for this.
"It seems that even without activating the Rebirth Seal, my comprehension ability is very high," the corners of Mu Zi's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
But she didn't allow herself to become conceited. The path of martial arts requires tireless effort. The greatest achievements in cultivation are impossible without daily practice. No matter how great the talent, success comes step by step. Mu Zi's journey had just begun, and she held humility in her heart.
Besides, she was curious to see how far she could go by relying on her comprehension.
Focusing, Mu Zi continued to practice Penetrating Fist. Her small, sweat-covered figure moved tirelessly.
The sun imperceptibly began to set; almost two hours had passed.
Clap-clap-clap-clap... - the sounds of the strikes did not cease.
The figure in the courtyard continued to move, and any spectator, were they nearby, would freeze in astonishment. If one listened closely, one could distinguish all nine resonant strikes.
Penetrating Fist, nine strikes - perfection achieved!
"The eighth and ninth strikes are indeed much more difficult than the first seven," Mu Zi muttered, lost in thought.
Her clothes were soaked with sweat, but her eyes shone with an extraordinary brightness.
From the first attempt to mastering seven strikes, it had only taken her the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. But the last two strikes took a whole hour or more.
This result was astounding. Even in the Great Yan Dynasty, no one would believe it if she told them the truth.
After all, in the original story, even Lin Dong, relying on the guidance of the Ancestral Stone's shadow, spent ten days of tireless training to barely achieve nine strikes.
At the same time, Mu Zi's movements were fluid, like flowing water, full of a lively grace and a special beauty. She had clearly brought Penetrating Fist to the peak of perfection.
But judging by her furrowed brows, she was still dissatisfied with something.
"Simple nine strikes—that's not enough," she said softly.
From the Author: I write striving for plausibility and don't make the heroine grow like a mushroom. Stories with incredible comprehension where the hero soars to the top with the help of a system, initially seem exciting but quickly become stale.