"Fu Hua, is there something you need?"
Facing the Phoenix who had guarded Shenzhou for ten thousand years, Takatsuki still showed great respect, both in the game and in reality.
Even Otto respected Fu Hua for this, because she had guarded Shenzhou for so long just for a promise; after being betrayed and unable to protect it herself, she would rather accept a deal from someone she disliked than abandon her promise.
"I'd like to ask about Hamon."
"No problem, it's a teacher's duty to answer students' questions, but I see, Fu Hua, you seem quite proficient already."
Takatsuki pointed to the mask on Fu Hua's face; after all, she was an immortal who had lived for tens of thousands of years, so she didn't care about a little bit of aesthetics.
"I've mastered the breathing rhythm, but there are still some things about Hamon that I don't understand. Could we go to the training ground for a demonstration?"
"Oh, in that case, please wait a moment. I'll say goodbye to the others."
Takatsuki looked at Mei and the others, who had already packed their things and were walking over: "I need to go to the training ground with Fu Hua. You all can head back first."
"If you're going to the training ground, I wants to go too! It's been ages since I've been there."
Kiana immediately said.
"Kiana only went on the first day of class; she hasn't been there a single day since."
Bronya retorted without hesitation from the side.
"That… that's because… Bronya, you haven't been there either!"
Kiana suddenly remembered that the three of them had been together all last week, so if she hadn't gone, Mei and Bronya naturally hadn't either!
"Idiot Kiana, Bronya relies on Project Bunny 19C for combat; she doesn't need the training ground."
Watching Kiana and Bronya bickering back and forth, Kiana walked past them and approached Fu Hua: "Just like Kiana said, Class Monitor, can we go together?"
"No need for that, Raiden Mei, all students can go to the training ground, and I support anyone willing to train."
Fu Hua naturally wouldn't refuse Mei's request.
"Then let's go."
"Aren't we waiting for them?"
Fu Hua asked, looking at Kiana and Bronya bickering back and forth.
"It's fine, they'll catch up."
The three stopped waiting for the bickering duo and headed towards the training ground.
Just as Mei said, the two immediately followed after the three left, no longer bickering.
Upon arriving at the training ground, Fu Hua first demonstrated her training results from just a few hours. As expected of the Scarlet Phoenix Immortal who had guarded Shenzhou for tens of thousands of years, even in a state of severe injury and amnesia, she easily mastered Hamon.
"During class, Teacher, you mentioned Hamon originated from Shenzhou, but I have never heard of this during my time in Shenzhou."
Fu Hua said seemingly casually, but there was a hint of testing in her words.
"The world is so big, Class Monitor, it's normal that you haven't seen it, especially since this is the Far East."
Listening to Kiana's words, Takatsuki almost broke out in a cold sweat. Oh Kiana, do you know who this is in front of you? This is the Scarlet Phoenix Immortal who has guarded Shenzhou for ten thousand years!
Although Takatsuki often skipped the plot when playing games, he would still look at the background stories of his favorite characters when bored. Takatsuki didn't know much about Fu Hua's background, only a general outline, but that was enough. After all, compared to fifty thousand years, what he knew was indeed too little.
"Ahem, Fu Hua, since you are also from Shenzhou, you naturally understand what an immortal is. Many people in Shenzhou consider long-lived individuals to be immortals, and terms like 'sage-like demeanor, youthful appearance with white hair' were created for this purpose. One of the effects of Hamon is to prolong life; ordinary people who cultivate it can live for hundreds of years, and their appearance ages slowly, so it is naturally called such."
Then Takatsuki shook his head: "But Hamon is merely the energy of life; it cannot resist Honkai. In the face of Honkai, years of arduous training are no match for innate adaptability. Furthermore, Hamon does not possess powerful combat capabilities, which is why it is not well-known, merely existing in a secluded corner. Coupled with the fact that most Hamon users are ascetic practitioners who focus on self-cultivation rather than showing off in public, it's normal that Fu Hua hasn't heard of it."
Fu Hua nodded, seemingly accepting Takatsuki's explanation: "During my training, I felt that Hamon seems to have a very strong healing effect, not just eliminating pain as you said."
"And."
Fu Hua struck a pose: "I found that when combined with the martial arts I've learned, Hamon seems to have peculiar changes. Teacher, do you know why?"
Martial arts? Why didn't I notice anything?
Takatsuki thought about the martial arts Fu Hua knew, but after thinking for a long time, he could only think of one: One Inch Punch!
Speaking of which, there's also the unique skill called Edge of Taixuan. Takatsuki remembered that this was considered the only way in the Honkai world to surpass a Herrscher through cultivation.
Other methods relied on technology or mutation.
"If we're talking about martial arts, I know a little, but I haven't noticed the situation you mentioned, Fu Hua."
Takatsuki knew a hammer about martial arts! Everything he knew came from character cards. The only skills that could be considered techniques were the Marine Six Styles and the Snake from Kuzuki Souichirou.
The former was more of a body-tempering technique than martial arts, while the latter was a pure killing technique. Both deviated from the original intention of strengthening the body and cultivating the mind.
"Regarding your situation, Fu Hua, perhaps I need to witness it myself to understand. Would you like to spar?"
Fu Hua also nodded: "Actually, I had the same intention. Language cannot convey it well."
"That's good. Then Fu Hua, be careful. I only learned one type of martial art, but rather than martial arts, I prefer to call it a killing technique."
Takatsuki assumed the starting stance of the Snake. Kuzuki Souichirou's physical qualities and abilities were rather average, but this Snake boxing technique had many commendable aspects, so Takatsuki often switched to it for practice when he had nothing to do. Now, even without switching to Kuzuki Souichirou's character card, he could skillfully use the Snake.
Looking at Takatsuki, who had taken his stance, Fu Hua immediately felt that she was not facing a person, but a venomous snake poised to strike. This feeling flashed by, but she also recognized the threat of the boxing technique before her.
"One Inch Punch · Mountain Collapse!"
Fu Hua made the first move, using her family's traditional technique. This was also a probing strike from her; if Takatsuki couldn't even handle this one, she would naturally hold back.
However, Takatsuki, who had been standing still, suddenly accelerated in her eyes, approaching with a strange footwork. This didn't worry her, as this distance was also within her attack range, and at this rate, Takatsuki would only be hit by her. But what startled her was that his fist and body, like a venomous snake, pierced into the gaps of her attack, dodging her fist with a peculiar movement, and then smashing a punch towards her neck.
Bang!
"Takatsuki!"
Amidst Mei's cry of alarm, Takatsuki was sent flying, crashing against the wall.
"Class Monitor! How could you! Takatsuki clearly held back!"
Kiana watched Raiden Mei quickly run towards Takatsuki, then angrily questioned Fu Hua.
Fu Hua, who had always been expressionless like an ancient well, uncharacteristically showed a hint of embarrassment: "I'm sorry, I didn't hold back enough."
Actually, she hadn't expected Takatsuki to be so weak.
The Snake was not considered a top-tier technique, but compared to ordinary jabs or punches, its assassination and surprise elements gave it a first-strike kill capability comparable to top-tier martial arts.
As soon as the opponent knew the special nature of this technique, its value decreased significantly, but in a first-strike situation, it posed a great threat. So, when Takatsuki broke through her defense and almost hit her neck, Fu Hua even felt the threat of death.
Although Takatsuki ultimately held back, she instinctively unleashed her power in response to the stimulation, sending him flying.