Chapter 12: Vitality Flourishes, Mastery of Fist Techniques

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Zhou Xing, standing to the side, clapped his hands.

"Senior Brother Zhou!" Jiang Ning smiled.

Zhou Xing was also full of smiles: "Junior Brother Jiang has such strong learning ability. You only just started today, yet the Five Animals Fist already looks quite decent."

Jiang Ning smiled slightly: "Senior Brother Zhou is too kind. I just happen to have a strong memory and never forget what I see, so I’m just mimicking the form."

"I see. Otherwise, that would be a bit too discouraging for me!" Zhou Xing nodded with a gentle smile. Jiang Ning’s answer did not surprise him.

To be able to perform such standard fist techniques on the very first day of entry, the key factors were memory and the ability to learn through imitation.

This had absolutely nothing to do with martial arts talent.

No matter how high one's martial arts talent or comprehension was, one still had to first memorize the fist techniques and the essentials of movement and breathing before one could display their natural gifts.

Therefore, in his view, Jiang Ning’s performance today only proved that his memory and learning ability were exceptionally high—far beyond that of an ordinary person—and proved nothing else.

Zhou Xing then added: "However, even so, Junior Brother Jiang’s talent is still very impressive! At the very least, your starting point is much higher than most people's!"

Zhou Xing’s expression suddenly turned a bit wistful: "I still remember that just to memorize the essentials of the Five Animals Fist manual, I spent three whole days and nights reciting it! I truly envy Junior Brother Jiang’s talent."

Jiang Ning smiled.

Zhou Xing continued: "It’s getting late, I must be heading back! Junior Brother Jiang, do not be too hasty in your practice; don't exhaust your body."

Jiang Ning nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Zhou. I understand!"

Before leaving, Zhou Xing mentioned one more thing: "Junior Brother Jiang, are you satisfied with the effect of the wild ginseng?"

"Satisfied!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"As long as you are satisfied!" Zhou Xing smiled and walked out of the martial arts hall.

Outside the hall, a carriage had been waiting at the entrance for some time.

"Young Master, why did you stay at the martial arts hall for so long today?" asked a man dressed in black martial attire with a long saber at his waist.

Zhou Xing wore his habitual smile: "I saw a newly joined disciple with quite a bit of talent, so I stayed a little longer."

"Is the Young Master intending to recruit him?" the man in black asked.

Zhou Xing shook his head: "Although my family business needs good hands, we prefer quality over quantity. Let him become a true disciple of the martial arts hall first. Without becoming a true disciple, it is not so simple for someone of ordinary background to enter the ranks of martial arts!"

"Didn't the Young Master say he was quite talented? Could it be that he won't pass the test?" the man in black asked.

"Hard to say. Looking at how he was practicing just now, he is clearly relying on his superior memory, trying to practice all five fist techniques at once. If he doesn't realize the difficulty soon, there is a ninety-five percent chance he will fail!"

"In that case, why doesn't the Young Master offer him some guidance?"

Zhou Xing shook his head: "Others have their own destinies; there is no need to interfere forcibly! It only leads to unnecessary trouble and resentment."

Inside the martial arts hall.

Jiang Ning imitated the "Deer’s Rest" recorded in the manual, breathing three short breaths and one long one, quietly recovering his strength.

After a moment, as the medicinal effect of the wild ginseng continued to take hold, he felt his energy and stamina becoming abundant once again.

Immediately, he began to practice the fist techniques again.

With the panel, every time he completed a full set of the fist techniques, his experience points would increase by one.

And ten experience points would be enough to bring the Five Animals Fist to the "Entry" level.

With this goal right before his eyes and within reach, Jiang Ning was filled with motivation.

【Five Animals Fist experience +1】

After finishing another set, Jiang Ning rested for half a moment again, letting the remaining medicinal power gradually dissipate through his body.

Once his stamina and energy were restored, he proceeded to the next round of practice.

【Five Animals Fist experience +1】

【Skill】: Five Animals Fist (Not yet entered 6/10)

"Four more times!" Looking at the constantly increasing experience points on the panel, Jiang Ning felt even more invigorated.

Jiang Ning rested for a full half-hour, and by now, the sun was gradually setting.

In the glow of the setting sun, he practiced the complete Five Animals Fist from beginning to end once more.

Based on the memory images in his mind, he constantly corrected himself to match the Five Animals Fist that Wang Jin had demonstrated to him earlier, striving to be as accurate as possible.

Gradually, Jiang Ning’s movements became faster and faster. His swinging fists caused his sleeves to snap, making a sharp, whistling sound in the air.

His fist techniques became smoother and smoother.

Until he finished the set.

*Haa—*

He let out a refreshing, crisp shout.

In an instant.

His body, which had reached its limit, felt a surge of blood and energy erupting from his chest. What was about to be total exhaustion was suddenly like being nourished by sweet rain, and he instantly regained some strength.

【Five Animals Fist experience +4】

Four experience points?

Jiang Ning was secretly startled.

Then, his attention was drawn to the changes within his body. At this moment, he felt a warm current, as if it were there and yet not, emerging from his blood.

"This is!!"

He widened his eyes.

Bathed in the last rays of the setting sun, Jiang Ning’s eyes were bright. He could clearly feel this warm current traveling through his body on its own. Wherever it passed, it felt like bathing in a hot spring—extremely comfortable.

"Is this the power of blood and energy recorded in the manual?" he asked himself.

"According to the manual, producing the first strand of blood and energy means one has touched the foundation of martial arts. Strengthening the blood and energy so that it can bolster the entire body is a prerequisite for entering the ranks of martial arts."

He closed his eyes and quietly felt this warm current flowing through his whole body, bringing strength wherever it passed.

"This feeling! This feeling is amazing!"

He couldn't help but feel a bit obsessed.

At this moment, he understood why so many people in his previous life were addicted to fitness; the pleasure of physical enhancement was truly intoxicating.

This was the first time he had truly felt the pleasure of practicing martial arts. This pleasure of physical enhancement was far more obvious than any fitness training from his previous life.

【Skill】: Five Animals Fist (Entry 0/100)

Looking at his panel, Jiang Ning wanted nothing more than to practice the fist techniques again to vent the exhilaration in his heart, but he understood that his current body could not support further practice.

In martial arts, too much is as bad as too little!

His body had already reached its limit; if not for that surge of blood from his chest, he would be facing total collapse right now.

Jiang Ning took the brocade box from his chest and opened it to take a look.

"Must use it sparingly!"

He closed the box again and tucked it back into his waist.

"Literary arts require poverty, martial arts require wealth!!"

At this moment, Jiang Ning deeply understood this saying.

He had been able to practice the Five Animals Fist seven times in one afternoon, and it was all thanks to that wild ginseng.

He knew that if he ate another slice of the wild ginseng, his stamina and energy would be restored to their peak, supporting him to practice the final set of the Five Animals Fist and bringing it to the "Entry" level.

But he couldn't bear to.

With the consumption he had today, a whole wild ginseng wouldn't last a few days.

After recovering a bit of strength, Jiang Ning thought for a moment, then set his stance again.

This time, he prepared to conduct an experiment.

He wanted to see if "slacking off" while practicing could also increase his Five Animals Fist experience.

The next moment.

He threw out his moves casually, and his breathing was as ordinary as usual, without employing the breathing techniques required for the Five Animals Fist.

After a while.

A figure in blue martial attire walked out from the backyard.

She spoke softly, and her voice clearly reached everyone in the front yard.

"The medicinal decoction is ready; you may go to the backyard to collect it!!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone stopped their training.

"Let's go, let's go!! Time to get the decoction from the kitchen!!" someone said excitedly.

After saying this, Li Qing looked at Jiang Ning, who was still practicing.

Seeing Jiang Ning’s loose, sloppy stance and his chaotic breathing rhythm, she couldn't help but frown.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you should also go to the kitchen to collect your decoction."

"No rush, let me finish this set of fist techniques!" Jiang Ning said while continuing to practice.

As he spoke, Jiang Ning’s speed increased, and his breathing became even more hurried.

Seeing this, Li Qing’s frown deepened.

His movements were weak, and his breathing had no rhythm; in her eyes, it was no different from children playing house.

After watching for a little longer, she shook her head slightly and turned to leave.

Jiang Ning also sped up to finish the set.

He stood still and waited for a few breaths, but no notification for experience points appeared.

"It really doesn't work!"

Having confirmed his hypothesis.

The next moment, Jiang Ning rushed toward the kitchen of the martial arts hall at high speed.

After eating the wild ginseng given to him by Zhou Xing and witnessing its powerful effects, he placed even more importance on the decoction Wang Jin had mentioned earlier.