He increasingly felt that his past visions were a bit naive.
The integration of Xingyi and Elephant Form is so difficult, akin to the creation of heaven and earth.
If one can achieve this, becoming a renowned figure in history is merely fundamental.
The highest honor of Great Chu, the Supreme Pillar of the Country Medal, would be within easy reach...
...
The following afternoon.
Meng Chuan didn't attend Lu Zhuxiao's weapons class.
The lessons on sidelong weapons were already finished, and he had grasped almost all the routines, so there was no need to attend.
During his breathing adjustment, he looked at the Martial Arts Limit Breaking panel.
[Doma Iron Body: Beginner (2%) Waiting to break the limit]
[Limit Breaking Feature: Rock Body (Intermediate)]
After breaking the limit of Iron Legs, he had Brother Gang strike him with Iron Body in the early morning and had successfully reached the beginner stage.
"Indeed, as the only second-tier hard skill in this series, Doma Iron Body should have an intermediate limit breaking feature.
Coupled with the proficiency in digesting Esoteric Oil, the daily increase in proficiency can reach about 4%, similar to the cultivation speed of Iron Cloth Shirt."
At the same time, the proficiency of Iron Cloth Shirt had already surpassed Armor Skill, getting closer to perfection.
Meng Chuan was quite satisfied with this cultivation speed.
After all, practicing four disciplines at once, his efficiency was indeed maximized.
Brother Gang had mentioned before, that without a certain talent for external training, wanting to reach his level might be impossible even after more than ten years.
Compared to Fist Skill, hard skills are more reliant on physical talent.
Without superior physique, it's impossible to achieve great success or perfection even after a lifetime in first or second-tier hard skills.
In the stake area of the Martial Arts Dojo.
A rapid, frequent, and fierce fist strength gathered the sound of the wind, explosively hitting the silicon gold stake with a series of thunderous impacts.
The silicon gold stake was suffering from inhumane abuse.
An hour later, Meng Chuan stopped to adjust his breath; he muttered to the silicon gold stake:
"Need to ask the teacher to adjust the parameters again."
After his Qi and Blood increased, his physical condition was also improving simultaneously.
The silicon gold stake, which was adjusted only a month ago, now felt a bit inadequate.
"Hit a bit longer and then practice standing skills, getting to 100% sooner to see what's next."
In Meng Chuan's mind, the proficiency of [Scattered Thunder Hand] was rapidly increasing with the practice of his fist skills.
The sun gradually set in the west.
Seeing the time, Meng Chuan exerted himself secretly. His muscles and bones accompanied by a faint buzzing, steaming a light mist that evaporated surface sweat.
Finally.
[Scattered Thunder Hand: Proficient (24%) → Proficient (28%)]
Not every day leads to epiphanies; under normal practice, increasing proficiency by 4% in one afternoon is already a martial arts genius's performance.
Thanks to the effect of thorough energy channels, Meng Chuan was getting better.
As his perception ability improved.
Meng Chuan could perceive that the 4% increase in proficiency also brought him some progress in Qi and Blood.
Although Scattered Thunder Hand's effect on Qi and Blood promotion is far less than Five Elements Fist.
But, as a first-class fist skill, its effectiveness isn't bad either.
Meng Chuan looked at his watch, and unknowingly it was already six-thirty in the afternoon.
He accidentally practiced longer; he originally wanted to leave some time for standing skills, but the world of fist skills is more enticing.
"Let's eat first and then return to practice standing skills."
Luo Guanyun has been busy with the reopening of the martial arts hall recently, coming home late every night.
Master Luo told him that for the next two weeks, he wouldn't have time to teach him and told him to practice on his own, while also transferring a million to Meng Chuan.
"Buy the Five Elements Soup with this; the master knows the medicine is expensive, buy a three-month supply first.
You're not far from becoming a Martial Arts Family. Recently, the master has been saving some money for you, to buy a [True Martial] grade glove later as your progress gift. Train well, keep it up!"
Although the rewards in the final stage of the Supernova tournament might be able to secure a True Martial from the national treasury.
Luo Guanyun wasn't very confident about it as many ninth-gate martial artists with adequate Qi and Blood Value were waiting to fleece the nation at this moment.
It's worth noting that commonly used true martial swords and knives are much more expensive than gloves.
Even a first-grade item can cost tens of millions.
If one could win a piece from the Supernova tournament, there would be no worries after reaching the Martial Arts Family level, and the strength would significantly increase.
Most martial arts families use [Demon-Suppressing Weapons]; True Martial isn't a standard everyone can afford.
Meng Chuan's resources still fell far short compared to these ninth-gate seniors.
In such a context, Meng Jiaolong truly seemed like a wealthy lady...
Her mother was a seasoned grandmaster; she must have better True Martial weapons.
Coming back to his senses, Meng Chuan was about to go to the canteen for a meal.
At this moment, the phone suddenly rang.
From the other end came Zheng Zhenzhen's apologetic voice.
[Meng Chuan, I'm sorry. My brother stays on the mountain every day and isn't quite normal. Don't mind him.]
[It's okay.]
Meng Chuan indeed didn't take it to heart.
[Are you having dinner right now? I'd like to invite you to a meal today to apologize on my brother's behalf. Don't get mad.]
Meng Chuan was speechless; there's nothing to get mad about...
[I am not mad, and there's no need for a meal; I haven't finished my standing skills yet today.]
Practicing martial arts is more satisfying than eating.
On the other side of the call, Zheng Zhenzhen was frowning with her brow furrowed like two small caterpillars, speaking softly:
[My brother is also participating in the Martial Arts Supernova in Yong'an City; don't you want to know his information?]
Meng Chuan's expression turned solemn, and he seriously replied:
[Eternal Blessing Banquet.]
That pretentious king may love showing off, but his strength is undeniable.
Note that the Supernova event permits the use of weapons.
If he could secure intel from Zheng Zhenzhen about the opponent, he could prepare for countermeasures in advance.
As he gathered his belongings, Meng Chuan was thinking as he walked.
"Isn't Yanhua a Buddhist university? How come this guy isn't bald..."
One can only say, Lord Meng, times have changed!
Buddhist martial arts schools don't equal Buddhism, and practicing Buddhist fist skills doesn't mean joining Buddhism.
Religious freedom, it's essential to distinguish this point.
...
8 PM.
Recently, Eternal Blessing Banquet's business has been booming, and Meng Chuan and Zheng Zhenzhen waited for over an hour before it was their turn.
"Do I look good today?"
Zheng Zhenzhen stood up from her chair, wearing a sweet-style makeup and a Lolita dress specially for today.
The knee-length skirt was beautifully embroidered with bright little flowers, fluttering like small butterflies as she twirled.
"You look good."
Meng Chuan said without thinking, still pondering how to break the limit with Pile Skill.
"You didn't even look properly, speak properly!"
Zheng Zhenzhen puffed her cheeks and pouted, staring intently into Meng Chuan's eyes.
Only then did Meng Chuan pull himself out of his vast martial arts theories, scrutinized her carefully and said:
"Landmine System?"
"Damn it..."
Zheng Zhenzhen couldn't help but curse.
Landmine System is a new trend from Japan that Meng Chuan isn't oblivious to.
Zheng Zhenzhen threatened:
"Just wait until my brother beats you to death!"
Meng Chuan was just joking around. A few comforting words and the fierce girl stopped showing her fangs.
Zheng Zhenzhen, wearing gloves, tackled the plate of crawfish, saying:
"Lin Yue has come to our Yanhua, did you know?"
"Oh?"
"He's so mad at you, using his anger as motivation. His progress has been fast, you better watch out."
This is the first time Zheng Zhenzhen learned about the trait of [Wugen Sheng].
Indeed... impressive!
Meng Chuan nodded.
His previous thoughts were correct; if you want to cut weeds, you must remove the roots.
In his mind, he thought:
"Still need to find a chance to finish this kid off..."
But he heard Zheng Zhenzhen say again:
"I'll tell you a secret, Meng Chuan, you might be done for.
My brother Zheng Chengcheng was born with the [Cloud from the Dragon] trait, an exceptional aptitude. He has cultivated another part of the Buddhist Zen and Dragon God Arts, [Buddha's Will to Cross the Dragon], a top-notch Dragon Form boxing skill, and now has probably reached a grand achievement.
Meng Chuan paused his attack on the delicacy and listened intently to Zheng Zhenzhen.
After she finished, he said:
"You are Zen Heart, and your brother is Buddha's Will to Cross the Dragon?"
"Yes."
"From what I see, these cultivation techniques sound fierce, but they're actually not that impressive."
Zheng Zhenzhen angrily said:
"You are not allowed to insult my grandmother's sacred skill! My brother is my brother. Didn't you meet him? Although he's a bit foolish, his talent far exceeds mine.
Two months ago, he passed the ninth gate, while you were still at the seventh gate, Meng Chuan..."
Meng Chuan nodded, that was the truth.
Zheng Zhenzhen continued to reveal:
"Since my brother started martial arts, no one of the same tier has been his match. Among the countless talented and outstanding individuals on Yanhua Mountain, none can withstand one move from him."
"That's because they're letting him win, who dares to touch second-generation martial artists?"
Meng Chuan continued to provoke.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Zheng Zhenzhen took the bait.
She secretly chuckled:
"My brother also holds one of Yanhua's nine major sword techniques, [Lingxi Nine-Section Sword].
With unparalleled swordsmanship, he can fend off two or three at the ninth gate without letting them get close. You're in big trouble, buddy."
"Impressive, a swordsman."
Meng Chuan felt some worry. When they matched palms, he saw this person's Qi blood was strong.
If added to sword Qi, his own hard skills might not withstand it.
"While there's still time, I need to further hone my proficiency in hard skills."
With the Supernova Contest approaching, he's still fifty Qi and Blood Value points short of the ninth gate, and definitely won't make it in time.
But Iron Cloth Shirt has a chance to reach Perfection, and it would take about twenty days.
Even if the Supernova Contest starts, as long as he avoids encountering Zheng Chengcheng before then, it's fine.
Even if they meet early, it doesn't matter; he's just barely at the ninth gate.
If they haven't fought before, who can say for certain who will win?
Upon figuring it out, Meng Chuan said as he ate:
"Your brother is so fierce, help me apologize to him then."
Zheng Zhenzhen glanced sidelong at Meng Chuan, her mind racing:
"Now you're scared? My brother is stubborn, he insists on teaching you a lesson at the Supernova Contest, my words don't work.
But if you're willing to join Yanhua, we'd be on the same side, and then it's easy to talk."
Meng Chuan waved his hand, that's impossible.
Northern United University, loyalty!
"Then let me confirm one last thing."
"Sure, go ahead."
Meng Chuan probed:
"If I beat up your brother, will Celestial King Zheng give me trouble?"
"What are you thinking? Would my grandmother do that?"
"Oh, then I'm relieved."
Only then did Zheng Zhenzhen realize something, she asked suspiciously:
"Wait, I told you so clearly, and you still think you can beat my brother?"
"Guaranteed to win."
...
Outside Yong'an City, at the [Demon Nest].
Currently, inside the Demon Nest, it's a whole different world compared to before.