After Fang Zheng finished practicing the boxing techniques, he looked back and asked,
"Master Guo, does our Xingyi Fist have any powerful techniques? Like the killer moves or secret skills often mentioned in books? Something that could turn the tide against a strong enemy."
"No." Guo Ziran shook his head, looking annoyed.
"What kind of trash are you reading?"
"I see…" Fang Zheng looked disappointed.
"That's a shame."
If there was, he thought he must learn it, so the next time he encountered an opponent like the Sky-Flipping Kite, he could dazzle them.
Let the people of the Otherworld see the power of Huaxia traditional Martial Arts.
He could also promote Martial Arts.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, Guo Ziran snorted softly, stepped into the field, and shook his sleeves, saying,
"Not just Xingyi Fist, other boxing techniques don't have killer moves either. Xingyi Half-Step Collapse, Tai Chi Bird Non-Flying… they merely involve different force techniques. As long as you practice diligently, anyone can perform them; there's no secret to it."
"Besides, the Five Elements Fist is enough to deal with people!"
He beckoned to Fang Zheng.
"Come here!"
"Hmm?" Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow.
"Master Guo, are you going to spar with me?"
"What do you think!" Guo Ziran snorted again.
"I have to show you how formidable the Xingyi Fist is, or you'll think I'm just living off my reputation. Go ahead, give it your all."
"Alright then." Fang Zheng shrugged.
"Be careful, sir."
Though he had been learning boxing techniques under him for over a month, they had never truly sparred, and Guo Ziran indeed was old, with white hair and diminished strength.
Bullying an elder, it's not appropriate.
The proverb about fearing young fighters isn't just talk; in modern society, without a Dharma Gate to increase Qi and Blood, one's strength declines sharply with age.
"Here I come!"
With a reminder, Fang Zheng straightened up and moved forward.
Collapse Fist!
The Three-Body Form integrates the whole body's strength. Since the Five Elements Fist evolves from the Three-Body Form, it means that with mastery, every punch can carry Whole Strength.
Of course,
achieving this is not easy and requires extensive practice.
The so-called Half-Step Collapse means integrating power within a half-step range, which Fang Zheng naturally couldn't accomplish, but two strides forward, and the Fist Force could still make one shiver.
His entire being shot forward like a cannonball.
Though he was holding back, thanks to his robust physique, the momentum was not weak.
In the next instant,
Guo Ziran lowered his body and lunged forward, a Drilling Fist striking Fang Zheng's wrist seamlessly like water, followed by a Splitting Fist smashing down.
"Bang!"
Fang Zheng grunted, retreating continuously, and before he could gather strength, Guo Ziran's series of strikes sent him flying.
"Slap!"
He hit the ground, momentarily stunned.
"Again!"
Being young, he recovered quickly. Fang Zheng slapped the ground and got up, grit his teeth, and not admitting defeat, swung his fist to rush forward again.
"How many times have I told you, to strike someone while lunging, not swinging your fists. Xingyi Fist doesn't have a technique for swinging to generate force. Once your stance is disordered, your strength decreases by half."
Guo Ziran's expression remained unchanged as he dodged amidst the shadow of fists, once again knocking down Fang Zheng with a Horizontal Fist and a Collapse Fist.
"Again!"
"Bang!"
"I don't believe it!"
"Bang!"
"Ah…"
"Bang!"
After a long while.
Fang Zheng lay sprawled on his back, eyes listlessly staring at the sky, the soreness in his muscles reminding him it was not a dream.
Just now, he was indeed beaten by an old man!
And completely powerless to fight back!
"When you strike, do it decisively and straightforwardly. The more complex and showy the technique, before you finish your move, the opponent has already landed a punch, like in television."
Guo Ziran paced around with his hands behind his back,
"So no matter what boxing style you choose, when it comes to the actual fight, you use the basic techniques, just like boxers on the platform, they have only a few moves."
"Only the Refining Technique needs to train all muscles and Qi and Blood, which requires complex moves to achieve full body training."
"Mastering the Five Elements Fist is enough to face any opponent. What you call the Xingyi Twelve Forms are just variations of five types of punches. I have ingrained the Five Elements Fist into my bones and even at my age, I can still knock you down."
"You're right, Master Guo," said Fang Zheng, grinning as he propped himself up,
"I have learned much!"
As he spoke, he gave a sheepish smile.
Even after being harshly taught, he was not dismayed but invigorated.
Guo Ziran, at his age, could easily overpower him, proving what Elder Lu had said was true—the person before him indeed possessed real skills.
A fitting title for a military martial arts instructor!
In his confrontation with the Sky-Flipping Kite, Fang Zheng could still exchange a few moves.
But facing Guo Ziran…
He could only take the hits.
This suggests that, in terms of Martial Arts realm, the Sky-Flipping Kite is inferior to the person in front of him.
If at that time he had Elder Guo's skills, even though not a Qi Blood Martial Artist, he could easily take down the Sky-Flipping Kite, which is true ability.
"Hmm!"
Seeing Fang Zheng get up, Guo Ziran snorted softly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Just now he didn't hold back, despite declining strength with age; Fang Zheng should be down for a few days at least.
Recovering so quickly…
What kind of constitution does this guy have?
"Master Guo,"
Fang Zheng rubbed his hands together, saying,
"Can we learn the Twelve Forms today?"
"Hmm."
Guo Ziran examined him up and down several times before asking,
"Fang Zheng, you shouldn't be short of money, why do you practice Martial Arts?"
Before waiting for an answer, he continued,
"Practicing martial arts is hard, especially learning from me. It's even harder, but you've been coming almost every day for more than a month, while others might have given up already."
"And in this modern society, practicing martial arts almost has no future, you don't lack money, so why put yourself through this?"
"Well…" Fang Zheng smiled awkwardly. He couldn't say he was afraid to die, so he said,
"I don't know either, maybe because I like it."
"Like it?"
Guo Ziran stopped in his tracks, looking puzzled.
He raised his head, squinting at the burning sun, his wrinkled cheeks twitching as a gleam flashed in his eyes.
"Just because you like it…"
After a long pause,
Guo Ziran turned around, his face solemn as he looked at Fang Zheng,
"Kid, are you willing to take me as your master?"
"Never mind!"
"This kind of formality isn't popular anymore, follow me!"
Gifted, with an extraordinary physique, and respectful toward elders, the rarest quality is a genuine love for Martial Arts. After many years, Guo Ziran was once again moved to take on a disciple.
*
*
*
"The Xingyi Twelve Forms is merely a collective term; some have only five forms, others have seven, but no matter which lineage, one form is indispensable."
In the main hall, Guo Ziran sat upright in a rattan chair, holding up a finger,
"Can you guess which form it is?"
"I don't know."
"Dragon Form!"
"Dragon Form?" Fang Zheng asked,
"Is this form very important?"
"Very important," Guo Ziran nodded solemnly,
"The Three-Body Form is the foundation of Xingyi Fist, but the Dragon Form is where the heritage of Xingyi Fist lies. Where do you think on your body resembles a dragon?"
Fang Zheng knew this one.
"The spine."
In Martial Arts, the spine is also referred to as the 'great dragon.'
"That's right."
Guo Ziran nodded,
"Xingyi Fist has a technique to strengthen the body, known as the Heaven-Reaching Sect, which is based on the Dragon Form within the Xingyi Twelve Forms."
"Stand up!"
"First, assume the Three-Body Form."
Seeing Fang Zheng set the Three-Body Form, Guo Ziran approached and slightly adjusted his posture before reaching for his spinal back.
"The vertebrae are like a dragon, segment by segment, ancient Martial Scripture records that this area connects the Three Souls above and the Seven Spirits below, transporting marrow and moving the spirit."
"When Qi breaks through the Heaven Gate, the Martial Dao is achieved!"
"Crack!"
"Snap!"
With Guo Ziran's guidance, Fang Zheng felt his spine suddenly tremor, segment by segment connecting through, with a surge of heat rushing from the tailbone straight to the back of his head.
His body exploded, and every hair on him clenched tightly.
Heaven-Reaching Sect!