[Choose the tenth enhancement]
[1: Constitution +0.3]
[2: Root Bone +0.2]
[3: Natural lifespan +60 (days)]
'Root Bone...' Zhang Feng first noticed option 2.
And checked his own information.
[Root Bone: 0.8]
[Spirit Root: 0]
This body's root bone is a bit better than average, with an extra 0.8.
At the same time, Zhang Feng chose [2: Root Bone +0.2] without thinking.
Root bone information changed again, becoming [1]
After choosing.
Zhang Feng didn't feel any difference in his body.
But through many years of practice.
Zhang Feng also understood that root bone helps the body grow faster, rather than providing immediate results.
For example, two people with the same understanding and persistence, start practicing martial arts together.
If one doesn't have root bone, after a year, his constitution will only increase by 1.
Then the one with root bone might increase by 1.1.
This is the effect of having a high root bone.
In the end, the one who gained more strength is definitely called 'fit for martial arts, a martial arts genius.'
As for the speed of learning during that time, that's up to understanding and persistence.
Zhang Feng, having practiced for so long, knows this well.
And persistence, Zhang Feng considers himself to have some.
Understanding, Zhang Feng feels he can use [Fighting Memory] to substitute.
'The choice of enhancement is equivalent to having comprehended everything, paving the way for the future.'
Zhang Feng has a different insight into understanding.
'Then what's left is to practice step by step and have the persistence to reach the end.'
Although enhancement only reached [Intermediate Proficiency], far from the end of understanding.
But with more fighting memory, Zhang Feng also feels some techniques can be mutually converted, attacking jade with the stone from another mountain.
Therefore, this time going to see Hao Hao's master.
First, is to understand the Southern and Northern martial arts.
Second, is to learn more about martial arts lineage through formal channels.
Unconsciously, Zhang Feng has come to love martial arts, or rather to find any useable opportunity to 'enhance himself.'
...
Ring-ring—
The bicycle finally stopped outside a small martial arts school in the suburbs.
Though called a martial arts school, it's really just a three-story self-built building, with front and back courtyards.
In the early 2000s, there were many self-built yards in the suburbs, quite common.
"Whew... I'm exhausted..."
Hao Hao pedaled through most of the city, even in the slightly chilly early spring weather, he was sweating profusely.
"Zhang Feng, follow me."
He was juggling two pounds of pig head meat and a bottle of alcohol, bought along the way.
Zhang Feng followed him into the yard.
The front gate wasn't locked.
The courtyard wasn't very spacious.
At the moment there were a few bicycles parked along with two motorcycles, which made it seem a bit crowded.
"Third Senior Brother has come from the provincial city." Hao Hao glanced at the motorcycles and introduced to Zhang Feng:
"Third Senior Brother is from the provincial city but comes every few days to learn fist skills.
He's persisted for over ten years.
When I was ten and my dad brought me to initiate as a disciple, he was already here.
He even witnessed my apprenticeship ceremony."
As he spoke, he juggled the meat and alcohol in his hand, "Bought too little food."
"Shall I go buy some more?" Zhang Feng looked towards the entrance.
The place to buy food was only half a mile away, not far.
Zhang Feng had some money in his pocket too.
Since he wanted to learn martial arts and understand things.
Showing sincerity over a meal was necessary.
"No worries." Hao Hao said cheerfully, "When it's time for dinner, we can stand by and watch as Master and Third Senior Brother eat."
"..." Zhang Feng was somewhat silent.
Can a person say such things?
Clearly, more food could be bought with a few steps, but instead, they'd just stand there watching?
"Hao Hao arrived?"
While Zhang Feng and Hao Hao were talking.
An elderly man with graying hair emerged from the building.
"Master!" Hao Hao greeted excitedly.
"Xiaohao, be steady." A somewhat stern middle-aged man followed closely behind the elderly.
"Third Senior Brother!" Hao Hao suddenly became serious, no more playful grinning.
"Who is this?" Third Senior Brother looked at Zhang Feng, unsure why his junior brought an outsider here.
But upon closer inspection, Third Senior Brother felt this kid was a bit unusual.
As for what's unusual, he found it hard to pinpoint.
"Oh?" The master's gaze was more piercing, seeing that Zhang Feng, although young, stood upright, with a heroic spirit between his brows.
This was a trait evidently born from rigorous training from a young age.
Common people might not notice it.
But the master was very familiar with this 'heroic spirit.'
Because in the early years, martial arts had many conflicts, with many children like this being trained from an early age to uphold their family's martial prestige.
To speak nicely, it was called being a tradition, receiving the mantle, the closest inner disciple.
To speak harshly, it was cultivating top swordsmen, to command with awe.
"Which old acquaintance's descendant is this little boy?" The master walked closer to Zhang Feng with a smile, thinking Zhang Feng came from a martial arts family that maintained old traditions.
Then unintentionally met his disciple, hence came to visit.
Hearing the old man inquire about himself, Zhang Feng straightforwardly replied: "From Shunlu Road, South Daxing Street, Hardware Market, my father Zhang Youfa."
This is the name of his second father.
Besides, he would soon call 'father' to explain the situation.
The phone was a landline at the shop, call once and they'd know, nothing to hide.
"Zhang Youfa?" The master furrowed his brow, thoughtfully adding: "Youfa, Youfa? Everything has a path? Good name!
No wonder it's still a prominent family that follows the traditions of the older generation in today's society!
The name is truly meaningful~
Only…"
He slightly cupped his hands, "Forgive the old ears, though I'm a minor figure in the northern and southern martial arts world, I've lived long enough to know a few famous people.
But now you have me wondering about your father... Which school taught him?"
"No school, no sect," Zhang Feng felt he might have misunderstood, "My dad is just a small tool merchant selling screwdrivers."
"..." The master was silent.
Third Senior Brother and Brother Hao exchanged surprised glances, and when they understood the conversation, they couldn't help but laugh.
The master indeed misunderstood.
"Master..." Brother Hao chuckled and then hurriedly explained to the master how they met.
He focused on the experience where 'Zhang Feng's mere glance' made him afraid.
Of course, Brother Hao felt a bit embarrassed mentioning these things.
"So, you met Zhang Feng in an arcade?"
The master listened in surprise and then looked at Zhang Feng,
"You're self-taught in martial arts? No one taught you?"
"Yes," Zhang Feng casually found a reason, "We have a TV at home. I learned from people on TV."
"Learning from TV?" The master was more astonished, "I've seen those on TV; they're all gimmicks. What real skills can be learned from there?"
The master spoke but still liked Zhang Feng's heroic presence, believing it wasn't fake.
So, he was very curious about what level Zhang Feng had reached and wanted to gauge Zhang Feng's foundation,
"Do you mind if I check how well you've self-taught?"
"Alright." Zhang Feng suddenly shook his hand down, instantly relaxing his limbs.
'Vibrating force?'
When a professional makes a move, you can tell if they have it or not.
The master saw Zhang Feng's vibrating force and his eyes lit up, knowing there's true skill in him!
He was even more hopeful.
"Master?" Third Senior Brother stepped forward to look at the master, "Shall I try against young brother Zhang Feng?"
Zhang Feng and the master have nearly a fifty-year age difference.
Even during a spar, surely the 'martial arts master' wouldn't personally thrash the 'school-aged kid'.
As for Brother Hao, he's somewhat closer in age to Zhang Feng.
But when Third Senior Brother glanced at Brother Hao, all he did was shake his head inwardly.
This junior brother is beyond saving.
With just Zhang Feng's one skill of vibrating force, he could beat the junior brother blocks away.
Looking at the junior brother's skinny figure,
The young brother could completely use technique to crush the junior brother's strength.
"Young brother Zhang Feng."
Third Senior Brother had no choice but to step in himself, slightly extending his robust arm and cupping his fist, "Shall we try our skills?"
"Please guide me," Zhang Feng imitated his gesture, also cupping his fist.
"Watch closely, the move is coming!" Third Senior Brother took the lead, reaching forward with his left hand for a downward swing, beginning with the hungry eagle chasing the rabbit from Baji Fist.
With his over 1.8-meter height, attacking from high to low, his momentum was even stronger.
It was like a hungry tiger pouncing on a small lamb.
He withheld much of his strength.
But it still wasn't a move a child could resist.
Getting hit like that surely would leave a bruise, painful for half a day.
Yet Zhang Feng did not dodge aside, instead, as it swung down, his legs bent, his body squatted down, seeming to suddenly get shorter.
Zhang Feng blended various fist skills after years of practice.
Plus, a child's bones are inherently flexible, which enlightened Zhang Feng to the 'small and large as desired' maneuver in this body technique.
'Go!'
Attacking high from low has the advantage.
Attacking low from high can also have sinister kill moves.
As Third Senior Brother's move missed.
Zhang Feng leaned forward, returned to normal height, and his left hand naturally extended, thrusting toward Third Senior Brother's lower abdomen.
It was a variant of the 'Single Yang Strike' from Baji Fist.
'This kid!' Third Senior Brother hurriedly protected his lower body with his left hand, quickly changed his right hand's move, aiming for Zhang Feng's face to push him into defense.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Feng was just feinting.
His hand reaching for the lower body suddenly flipped upward, using the one-handed Overlord Lifts the Cauldron, hitting Third Senior Brother's wrist of the attacking hand.
Bang—
A deep muffled sound of flesh.
Zhang Feng forcibly dismissed his strength.
At the same time, Zhang Feng's left hand formed into Golden Rooster Pecking Grain, his body suddenly leaped up, fingertip pointing at his throat but stopped half an inch away.
"Brother, you conceded."
Zhang Feng withdrew his move and landed, stepping back two paces to stand properly.
Because the master over there was making a move.
Zhang Feng knew, the master was going to intervene.
After all, it's just a spar.
'He probably fears I'm too young, my hands wouldn't know limits, with two heavy-handed move variations beating this brother down.'
Zhang Feng understood.
"Did I lose?" Third Senior Brother was bewildered, touching his throat with fear in his heart.
Through the previous strikes in the exchange.
He knew this kid had much strength. If he was really hit in the throat, today could end right here.
Looking towards his crotch.
If the previous hit landed, it might as well be the end.
'This... This young lad is a prodigy...' The master saw the third disciple was alright, but seeing talent made him happy, even his eyes nearly gleamed,
'At such a young age, he can practice move variations to this extent?
Moreover, he's strength is significant, he can fend off a martial artist's sweeping strike, his constitution must be superb!'
The master was excited inside.
Though he knew for sure his third disciple held back, that deep sound was indeed 'forceful'.
At least in his years of martial arts, witnessed so many people and incidents, but truly never seen someone like Zhang Feng.
'He's simply born to practice martial arts! A genius! A prodigy!'
The master grew increasingly excited, fearing a sudden offer to take on a disciple may upset Zhang Feng.
Several seconds passed.
After completely calming his emotions, he tentatively spoke, "Zhang Feng, if you genuinely like martial arts, why not learn from me for a while?"
'That's exactly what I wanted.' Zhang Feng aimed for this result.
But before agreeing, Zhang Feng saw the survival rate changed.
[Stepping into Northern and Southern Martial Arts main storyline, current survival rate: 15%]