The Hunyuan Stance required shoulders relaxed and curled inward, achieving a state of internal support with external warding—internal roundness paired with external squareness, embracing Yin while holding Yang. This was the essence of Taiji.
The practice emphasized intention driving Qi, and Qi in turn moving the body. With consistent practice, it cultivated a profound lightness within. The movement and gathering of Qi originated from the heart, with central energy circulating endlessly in perpetual motion.
Scientifically speaking, this constituted a form of aerobic static endurance exercise that enhanced metabolism, promoted blood circulation, and benefited the central nervous system.
Standing meditation incorporated mental techniques—intentional visualization, internal observation, and mental amplification. Together, they formed a comprehensive method for cultivating essence, Qi, and spirit. Though Hong Fei had never manifested anything like a 'Primordial Spirit' through this practice.
With artificial intelligence's assistance and extensive experimentation, this remained his fastest method for increasing Dragon Power fusion.
Pale golden energy suffused his body like swirling mist. Within the dimensional space housing Dragon Power, his illusory soul floated immersed in boundless golden energy.
Fusion rate: 7.89%.
The number ticked upward—7.90%. Hong Fei stood rooted like an ancient tree, undisturbed by wind, clouds, or the passage of time.
Jessica, Yelena, and Antonia couldn't maintain such marathon sessions. They'd inevitably retreat drenched in sweat, muscles trembling. But Hong Fei? He could stand motionless for an entire day.
As he concluded today's session and returned to wash up, Arthur's voice interrupted.
"Sir, visitors at the gate."
Hong Fei glanced up at the projected images—an old man and youth clad in black martial arts attire.
"Who are they?"
"Claim to be from K'un-Lun," Arthur replied.
Hong Fei's eyes gleamed. He descended to the castle gates where security personnel eyed the outsiders warily through the bars.
The elder wore a stern expression while the younger man smirked, eyeing the guards' firearms with barely restrained challenge. Hong Fei's brow furrowed slightly as he motioned the guards aside. The gates swung open.
"You wanted something?" His voice carried winter's edge.
The old man remained impassive. "I am Lei Kung."
"Mm?"
When Hong Fei offered nothing further, the elder continued, "I come from K'un-Lun. Perhaps you're unaware—"
"I know K'un-Lun." Hong Fei cut him off. "Get to the point."
Behind Lei Kung, the youth's gaze turned viper-sharp, but Hong Fei ignored him completely.
Lei Kung's frown deepened. "Danny is my disciple." He paused, expecting acknowledgment that never came. The silence stretched until he continued, "You defeated my student, but stealing his power through dark methods crosses the line. That power belongs to K'un-Lun."
Hong Fei barked a laugh. "Dark methods? Who fed you that nonsense?"
"That's irrelevant."
"Tch." Hong Fei's gaze slid past them. "Just the two of you then?"
The younger man finally stepped forward, eyes blazing. "We're more than enough!"
Hong Fei's lips curled. "Bulletproof, are you?"
"Test us." The challenge hung between them like drawn steel.
"Davos, be quiet." Lei Kung raised his hand abruptly, and the young man stepped back with visible reluctance. "I'm not here to cause trouble," Lei Kung continued, his voice firm. "I only want to reclaim what belongs to K'un-Lun."
Hong Fei smiled faintly, his curiosity piqued. "If I remember correctly, the Iron Fist is supposed to be the Guardian of K'un-Lun—the face of your realm to the outside world. Why, then, did you choose Danny for that role?"
"You seem to know a lot about K'un-Lun," Lei Kung remarked flatly.
"I know enough," Hong Fei replied.
Lei Kung's tone was matter-of-fact. "Danny defeated every challenger. That's why he became the Iron Fist." He didn't notice Davos standing behind him, his eyes burning with resentment.
Hong Fei shook his head slowly, a hint of skepticism in his expression. "Sorry, but I find that hard to believe." He pointed directly at Davos. "I think he's far stronger than Danny. Why wasn't it him?"
Davos froze for a moment, his eyes flickering with something unreadable before he schooled his expression into a frown. Lei Kung glanced back briefly, then shook his head. "He lost."
Davos's face tightened with barely concealed frustration.
"With K'un-Lun's ancient heritage," Hong Fei continued, his tone laced with mockery, "why would you choose a loser as your Iron Fist? Isn't that embarrassing?"
"Presumptuous!" Lei Kung roared, his anger flaring.
Hong Fei's smile vanished instantly, replaced by cold intensity. "Do you want to die?"
"Arrogant!" Lei Kung shot back.
Before Lei Kung could act, Davos surged forward, his palm striking out with sharp, rushing force. A thick, visible Qi palm materialized in the air, closing the two-meter distance in an instant. Hong Fei stood motionless, letting the attack hit him.
The Qi palm struck Hong Fei's chest with a dull thud, shattering into nothingness on impact. Hong Fei didn't so much as flinch, but his subordinates reacted swiftly. A dozen guns were raised in unison, red laser dots painting Lei Kung and Davos.
"Hold your fire," Hong Fei said calmly. He turned to Davos, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Courtesy demands reciprocity. It's my turn."
Before the words fully left his mouth, Hong Fei reached out with clawed fingers. A stream of golden Qi surged forth, wrapping around Davos and yanking him forward. Lei Kung's expression darkened as he unleashed his own Qi, grabbing Davos's shoulder to pull him back. But Hong Fei's grip was unyielding.
With a sharp tug, Lei Kung lost his hold, and Davos flew helplessly toward Hong Fei.
A dragon's roar echoed through the air. In an instant, Hong Fei seized Davos by the throat.
Lei Kung stared in stunned disbelief. "You... is this the Iron Fist?"
"Me? The Iron Fist?" Hong Fei scoffed. "Call it whatever you want. I prefer Dragon-Capturing Hand."
It was a technique he'd developed by blending martial arts from his memories with his Dragon Power—a method for seizing targets from a distance or striking across vast spaces, as practical as it was devastating.
Hong Fei lifted Davos effortlessly by the neck. "Don't mention that loser to me again."
Lei Kung's voice was tight with fury. "Put him down."
"Sure," Hong Fei said casually. He flipped his wrist and hurled Davos to the ground. The impact was brutal, Davos's body slamming into the concrete with enough force to drain the color from his face.
Lei Kung's eyelids twitched. Finally, he lowered the hands he'd kept clasped behind his back, fists clenched as visible Qi began to rise around him. He bent his legs slightly, then launched himself at Hong Fei like an arrow from a bow.
In the blink of an eye, a fist rapidly enlarged before Hong Fei's vision. Bang! The sound of impact echoed as Hong Fei caught Lei Kung's fist with astonishing speed—moving second but arriving first.
Lei Kung's eyes widened in shock as Hong Fei twisted his arm, sending a surge of brutal, domineering Qi crashing into Lei Kung's body. The gathered Qi shattered instantly, leaving Lei Kung stunned and powerless.
Lei Kung's expression twisted as he launched a kick. Hong Fei anticipated the move—his own leg snapped up to intercept, striking Lei Kung's knee with bone-jarring force. The older man's body shuddered, nearly buckling, but Hong Fei refused to let an elder kneel before him.
With fluid control, he rotated his palm, drawing back before driving it forward into Lei Kung's chest. The impact sent the warrior airborne.
Lei Kung hit the ground hard. He spat a glob of crimson onto the stones, then reached with clawed fingers. Hong Fei didn't wait—with a flick of his wrist, he sent Davos crashing beside his father.
"No need for haste," he said flatly. "I'll come to K'un-Lun eventually. But if others seek me first?" His gaze turned arctic. "They die."
The castle gates groaned shut behind Hong Fei's retreating back. Lei Kung, tougher than his son, staggered upright and helped Davos rise. One last look at the glowing fortress, then they vanished into the night.
Inside the main hall, Dr. Helen Cho nearly collided with him, her white coat fluttering. "Are you hurt?" she demanded, scanning him for injuries.
Hong Fei shook his head with a faint smile. "Minor scuffle. Arthur told you?"
"I heard there was conflict, so I—"
"Nothing to worry about." He tilted his head. "Still working?"
She nodded. "The cellular regeneration trials—"
"Then I'll wait in our room."
Helen's cheeks flushed pink. "Lower your voice!"
Hong Fei chuckled. "Why? This is our home."
"Damn right it is."
They turned to find Frank framed by the window, a book in his hands, eyes still glued to the page.
Hong Fei rolled his shoulders. "Ignore him. Go finish your work."
After Helen hurried away, Hong Fei dropped into the chair opposite Frank. "You've gone ghost lately. What happened to the Punisher?"
Frank turned a page. "Who says I'm not punishing?"
"Are you?"
"Notice half your security team's missing?"
Hong Fei blinked. "Honestly? No."
Frank set the book down. "Thought you'd kill them."
"Those two? You misunderstand my hospitality."
A dry chuckle. "Right."
"Fine—truth is, I wanted messengers. Stir the pot on purpose."
"Your circus." Frank shrugged. "Your monkeys."
Hong Fei leaned forward. "How's the Black Hawk treating you?" The materialized UH-60 had been a gift—more mobile than a tank, adaptable to urban ops.
Frank's lips quirked. "Like a dream. First armor, now air support." He tapped the book's spine. "If you ever materialize fighters? Build a real runway in Blackwater Town. Sky Base's strip's too short."
Hong Fei arched a brow. "The quinjet not good enough?"
"Ivan's reverse-engineering the blueprints with Arthur now."
"Should've asked for two." The S.H.I.E.L.D. quinjet they'd acquired was standard—twin rear jets, wing turbines for VTOL, optical camouflage. More transport than dogfighter, its only armament a belly-mounted minigun. But it sufficed. General Ross still breathed; an F-series skill card might drop eventually.
"I should check on Ivan."
Frank nodded. "Do that. He's been... intense."
"Oh?"
"Took your last conversation to heart."
Recognition dawned. Hong Fei laughed.