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"Uh—Master Owen's internal martial arts are truly extraordinary, but I really want to try it myself!" Colonel Hank Han said as he took off his camouflage uniform, revealing a body of dark, well-built muscles. He stepped forward, stood before Master Winston Yuan, took a deep breath, spread his arms, shook his shoulders, sank his hips, and planted his feet firmly, hands shaped like tiger claws. His muscles tightened instantly, and a fierce, intimidating aura flashed in his eyes, like a tiger descending the mountain in search of prey.
"Oh! Haha, so it's the Shaolin Tiger Claw! The signature technique of the Prajna Hall. Colonel Han, looks like you've mastered it pretty well! No wonder you're so confident—" Master Winston Yuan said with a smile, immediately recognizing Han's martial arts style.
Colonel Han was secretly startled. The Shaolin Tiger Claw was one of the seventy-two ultimate Shaolin skills—fierce, ruthless, and powerful like a tiger. He had joined the army as a lay Shaolin disciple, mastering both external and hard-style Shaolin techniques. Combined with his quick reflexes and diligent nature, he'd quickly stood out in the elite special forces, earning the title 'Champion Commando.' The Tiger Claw was his personal specialty, rarely used but incredibly potent. Now, seeing Master Winston Yuan recognize it at a glance, he was truly shocked.
"Haha, Colonel Han, come! Let me see what level your Tiger Claw has reached!" Master Winston Yuan nodded with a smile, spreading his palms and slightly parting his feet, focusing his energy. His presence became unified and deep, making Han even more surprised—he couldn't sense Master Winston Yuan's breathing at all. For a moment, Han felt as if Master Winston Yuan was almost translucent, not even real.
Suddenly, Colonel Han noticed a flaw in Master Winston Yuan's stance—a rare opening in his seamless aura. Seizing the chance, Han roared, leaped forward, and lunged at Master Winston Yuan, his claws flashing toward the throat and waist, swift and vicious like a tiger pouncing on its prey.
But Master Winston Yuan didn't dodge, allowing Colonel Han's claws to clutch his throat and waist. Han was overjoyed, just about to exert force and toss Master Winston Yuan, when he saw the master's faint smile. Han instantly realized something was wrong and tried to pull back, but it was already too late.
Master Winston Yuan stretched out his hands—not quickly, but with a snake-like motion, twisting and flicking along Han's arms. "Thud—thud!" Two muffled sounds rang out. Han felt as if his claws had been struck by lightning, a current surging up his arms, a thunderous force blasting him seven or eight meters away. He tumbled across the ground, his insides churning, his stomach convulsing uncontrollably, and he couldn't help but vomit a mouthful of bile. Yet, through sheer willpower and his tough physique, he managed to stand—though hunched over, clutching his stomach, legs trembling as he gasped in pain.
"Oh! Haha—Colonel Han, your external hard-style martial arts are impressive. To actually stand up after my Tai Chi Silk Lightning—very impressive!" Master Winston Yuan retracted his stance, stroking his beard in surprise as he nodded.
"Oh—Master Owen—was that just now the legendary 'Transforming Force,' one of the three great powers? Incredible!" Colonel Han asked painfully, clutching his stomach.
"Mmm—exactly! Colonel Han, you really deserve your Shaolin background, even recognizing the three levels of force! That's right, what I just used was the third level—Tai Chi 'Transforming Force!'" Master Winston Yuan nodded.
"Oh—I never really believed it before, but today I've finally seen it with my own eyes—the legendary pinnacle of martial power! No complaints here, taking a blow from Master Owen was like being struck by a thunder god! I, Hank Han, am thoroughly convinced!" Colonel Han exclaimed, completely won over.
"Haha, honestly Colonel Han, your skill is impressive—fast and strong. But your boxing is linear. That is, 'line-based boxing.' It's fierce and clear, but also easy to counter!" Master Winston Yuan explained.
"Uh—'line-based boxing'? What does that mean?" Colonel Han asked, puzzled.
"Drawing circles from a central point is the highest realm of boxing! A line is just a component of a circle. My body is the center, spinning out circles at every angle—or arcs, to be precise. Standing in this circle, I control the airspace; any invading force will be struck down!" Master Winston Yuan said, confusing most of the audience.
At this, Shawn Young asked, "Master Winston, this talk of lines and circles sounds like physics theory! I... I don't really get it."
Master Winston Yuan smiled, "Actually, it's similar to the principle of cultivating the internal elixir furnace in Daoism. You absorb all kinds of energies from heaven and earth, transform them into true essence, and store them. My Transforming Force uses spinning arcs to break down or rebound incoming power. Does that make sense, Shawn?"
"Oh! That makes some sense—" Shawn Young thought of his own 'Twin Spirit Rite,' which also absorbs Maiden's Pure Yin from a woman's Yin Furnace and fuses it with his own Celestial Essence Yang Furnace. The union of yin and yang creates miraculous true energy, stored in his spiritual sea and eight extraordinary meridians, activated by special incantations and talismans to unleash different powers! What Master Winston Yuan described was very close to the principle of internal elixir cultivation.
Master Winston Yuan continued, "In martial arts cultivation, there are three aspects—force, technique, and body. 'Force' has three levels: Obvious Force, Hidden Force, and Transforming Force. Obvious Force is the peak of physical power; Hidden Force is the peak of refined energy; and the hardest to reach is the peak of spiritual power. Throughout history, 'force' has always been the hardest thing for martial artists to master. Most practitioners only reach Obvious Force, some experts linger at Hidden Force, but those who master Transforming Force are extremely rare. It requires years of dedicated training and a moment of enlightenment—a great stroke of fortune—to even glimpse the highest realm of martial arts!
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As for 'technique,' that's just boxing skills—there are no secrets, only long-term practice and repetition. As the saying goes, 'A thousand rounds of boxing, and the moves reveal themselves.' Only through constant training can you master the art to perfection, reaching the instinctive realm of 'winning without a move.'
'Body' refers to the human body itself, which is nature's most miraculous gift, full of untapped potential. In martial arts, 'body' has five levels: tendons, bones, skin, hair, and energy! Ordinary practitioners and athletes only train tendons and bones, but to achieve a body as tough as diamond or reach the internal boxing realm of 'unobstructed incoming force,' you must train skin, hair, and energy! Methods for tendons and bones are well known, but those for skin, hair, and energy are rare!
"Oh! I've never heard of such advanced martial arts theory!" Shawn Young exclaimed in surprise.
"Haha—of course! Martial arts is like rowing upstream; you must keep practicing to master its secrets. But Shawn, you're gifted and already have Daoist internal elixir skills. At your level, just focus on 'finding force' and practicing technique, and you'll progress twice as fast! Your eight extraordinary meridians and Ren-Du channels are open, your spiritual sea is activated—even I can't compare to your body! So, you only need about a week to grasp 'finding force.' As for technique, just keep practicing—there are no shortcuts!" Master Winston Yuan said with a smile.
"Oh—Uncle Owen, are you saying that if you teach Shawn for just a week, he'll become a top martial arts expert!?" Jade Swann suddenly interjected.
"Uh—yes, that's right. His talent really is that extraordinary—he just lacked proper guidance. So, when I see such a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy, I have to help him!" Master Winston Yuan replied with a smile.
"Hey—then I want to learn martial arts from you too! This guy already beats me at Daoist magic. If his fists get tougher than mine, I won't even have the confidence to talk back!" Jade Swann grew anxious, glaring at Shawn Young, her cheeks puffed out—she just loves competing with him.
"Uh—little lady, you've got talent too. If you want to learn martial arts from me, that's fine, but it's tough and exhausting. Think it through! Otherwise, you'll go complaining to your master, Sunny, saying I abused you! Then I'd have no way to defend myself!" Master Winston Yuan joked.
"Not scared! As long as I can beat this guy, I don't care how hard it is! I refuse to believe I can't top him!" Jade Swann put her hands on her hips, thrusting out her proud chest at Shawn Young, clearly determined to outdo him.
"Heh heh—this little spitfire, one day I'll pin you down and use the Twin Spirit Rite to drain your Maiden's Pure Yin, make you so satisfied you'll beg for more! Then we'll see who's on top!" Shawn Young thought wickedly, eyes glued to Jade Swann's chest, a mischievous grin curling at his lips.