From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

"This martial art..."

After having breakfast in the early morning, Chen Shi went to the courtyard, sat down at the stone table, and took out the martial arts manual that Gu Tingshu had given him.

After quickly skimming through it, I couldn't help but frown.

Martial arts are divided into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. The Heaven and Earth ranks are unclear and will not be discussed for now. The Profound rank corresponds to the fourth, fifth, and sixth ranks of martial artists, while the Yellow rank corresponds to the seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks.

Over the past two years, Chen Xi has practiced some Xuan-level and Huang-level martial arts.

Compared to Yellow-rank martial arts, Black-rank martial arts are not only at a higher level, but also have a significant difference: they basically have no specific moves.

The Xuan-level martial arts of the Divine Power Realm mainly expand the abilities of the divine body. Later, the Asura Realm and even the Incarnation Realm also focus on the shaping and abilities of the Dharma Body.

Chen Shi reasoned that the lack of specific techniques was largely irrelevant at this level.

Just like Feng Lin's Netherworld Thousand Hands, thousands of ghostly hands attack all at once, so there's no need to care about your moves.

Therefore, in Chen Shi's view, although Xuan-level martial arts are called martial arts, it is more appropriate to call them techniques.

But the martial arts manual that Gu Tingshu gave him was different.

It still contains techniques.

How can mere techniques be rated as Xuan-level?

But Gu Tingshu made it clear that this was a Xuan-level martial art, and Gu Tingshu shouldn't have made a mistake. Moreover, given Gu Tingshu's status, there was no need for him to lie to him.

What exactly happened? Could there be something more mysterious about it?

Chen Shi hesitated for a moment, then read it carefully again from beginning to end.

"The dragon has nine resemblances and nine postures; one should take these nine postures and adapt them to one's own use. One does not win by force, but by spirit. Spirit is the enemy's intention. Before hostility arises, the spirit is already stirring; before the enemy makes a move, the flaw has already appeared. The skillful one can determine victory or defeat before the enemy even makes a move..."

After carefully reading and pondering the text three times, Chen Shi closed the manual again and nodded in approval.

It consists of nine moves and is a claw technique imitating a dragon. According to the manual, although it only has nine moves, it can break through all other moves in the world!

The claim that nine techniques can defeat ten thousand moves is a bit of an overstatement.

But after careful consideration, Chen Shi realized that it might not simply be an exaggeration.

Nine moves are all there is to it. No matter how exquisite they are, they cannot possibly break through all the moves in the world. The reason they can achieve this effect is that the true essence of this martial art lies not in the moves themselves, but in the internal energy (qi).

As the manual states, "Qi is the enemy's intention." No matter what move you make, there will be a flow of Qi when you make a move. "Before the hostility moves, the Qi will stir first."

This is easy to understand. Explosive Qi martial arts are essentially bursts of blood energy, and solidifying martial arts also require the condensation of blood energy into a physical form. Even the most basic blood-nourishing martial arts actually possess a restrained aura.

Each move is imbued with and guided energy. According to the manual, as long as one can perceive the enemy's energy, one can fundamentally break through these moves.

The saying "One method can defeat ten thousand methods, and nine techniques can defeat ten thousand moves" is not an exaggeration.

"I see, no wonder it's a Xuan-rank martial art."

After fully understanding it, Chen Shi couldn't help but show a look of joy.

Just as he had previously understood, Xuan-level martial arts were not simply techniques, but rather a kind of cultivation method or ability.

The same applies to the Dragon Claw Hand; it may seem like a technique, but it is actually an ability to counter all techniques in the world.

This is a dragon-shaped martial art, and also a claw technique, so Chen Shi simply called it the Dragon Claw Hand.

"That's perfect."

At least before reaching the fifth-grade Asura realm, one still needs to rely on specific techniques to defeat enemies. Although Chen Shi is already at the sixth grade, it will take him at least another ten years to reach the fifth grade step by step.

This martial art is actually extremely practical!

If combined with his divine strength, he would be invincible and unstoppable.

That makes sense; how could the martial arts techniques Gu Tingshu gave him be ordinary?

To be honest, the grade of this martial art is difficult to determine at the moment. There doesn't seem to be a corresponding cultivation level, and it's hard to define the upper, middle, and lower grades either.

It's a pity Zhe Liu isn't here; if she were, she might know.

Although Zhe Liu was just an ordinary member of the Fufeng Society, he had a very deep background in martial arts.

"Let's begin."

Let's not think about these things for now; let's just practice until we get the hang of it.

Chen Shi took a deep breath, unfolded the manual and placed it on the stone table, and began to practice according to the instructions.

According to Gu Tingshu, he needed to master the Dragon Claw Hand technique before heading to the Zhechong Academy.

With undivided attention and focused solely on practicing, several hours passed in the blink of an eye.

At noon, Cui Nong prepared the meal, Chen Shi quickly washed up, ate lunch, chatted with Cui Nong for a few minutes, rested briefly, and then continued practicing his martial arts.

Before we knew it, it was already sunset.

"It's definitely not easy."

After practicing for a day, this first move is still only similar in form but lacks the spirit.

Nine moves can defeat ten thousand moves. This kind of martial art is indeed extremely mysterious and profound, and difficult to master.

If it's hard to practice, then practice more.

Chen Shi's gaze remained firm. After a short rest, he continued practicing until late at night.

Back in the bedroom, Cui Nong was already asleep. As usual, Chen Shi sat cross-legged next to Cui Nong, trying to enter a meditative state instead of sleeping.

With Chen Shi's current spiritual cultivation, he could sustain himself for several days and nights without sleep, but if not necessary, he still needed to maintain his energy to do things better.

Moreover, entering a meditative state allows for further enhancement of the soul. In addition to being nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, Chen Shi also absorbed a small amount of popular support.

Chen Shi didn't care that his popularity was too low and his spiritual growth was slow.

Nothing was said that night. When dawn broke the next day, Chen Shi was still engrossed in his training as he had the day before.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

He has basically mastered these nine forms, but he has only mastered the form and has not yet understood the meaning.

To truly master the Dragon Claw Hand technique, one needs extensive practical experience to achieve both physical and spiritual perfection.

Therefore, Chen Shi specifically invited Du Yueming and the others to come.

"Brother, with our meager strength, how could we possibly spar with you?"

After hearing Chen Shi's suggestion, the three looked at each other, their faces showing reluctance.

Chen Shi was already at the sixth-grade Divine Power Realm. Following Chen Shi's advice, although they were trying their best to break through to the Condensation Realm, they were still only at the eighth-grade Explosion Realm.

With such a vast difference in cultivation level, how could they possibly be a match for him? Moreover, when Chen Shi first entered the ninth rank, he was able to completely defeat them with his immense strength.

"Don't worry, I'll hold back. Today, I'll just spar with you."

Chen Shi said calmly that he was already prepared.

"Just exchanging techniques, that's fine!"

Since Chen Shi has said so, what else can they say?

Of the three, Du Yueming was the most skilled in martial arts and stepped forward first.

"Please enlighten me, elder brother!"

"Come."

Chen Shi nodded, his hands forming dragon claws.

"Claw Technique"

Seeing Chen Shi take a stance, Du Yueming smiled. He also practiced claw techniques and was naturally very familiar with them.

It was a rare opportunity for Du Yueming to finally get his revenge, given Chen Shi's offer. With a loud shout, Du Yueming charged forward.

Chen Shi remained calm and composed, and met the attack with his Dragon Claw Hand.

Next, in the courtyard, the two went back and forth, neither gaining the upper hand for a time.

They fought like this for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before finally stopping.

"My turn! My turn!"

Just as Du Yueming stepped down, Zhang Xiaotian, beaming with excitement, quickly took his place.

Chen Shi was really holding back; such opportunities to bully his elder brother were rare.

"Come."

Chen Shi smiled and continued fighting Zhang Xiaotian.

The rest of the day, Chen Shi sparred with the three of them.

"I'm not coming, I'm not coming."

As evening approached, seeing Chen Shi still full of energy, the three swallowed hard and waved their hands repeatedly.

The three of them were exhausted from the back-and-forth battle, but Chen Shi hadn't even broken a sweat! It's true that Chen Shi was holding back, but his physical strength was simply monstrous.

Most importantly, Chen Shi's skills have improved rapidly in just one day!

At first, they were able to hold their own against Chen Shi, but now, Chen Shi can take them down within ten moves!

"Brother, what kind of martial arts are you practicing?"

The three of them gradually began to appreciate the difference; the more they sparred, the more Chen Shi's moves seemed to counter them.

"I don't know either."

Looking at his hands, Chen Shi couldn't help but smile.

Nine techniques can overcome ten thousand moves—there's a way!