Chapter 11: Mastery of the Tiger-Form Fist (Seeking Continued Reading)
After Guo Heng left, Jiang Tao gathered the remaining bottles of energy drinks on the table and shared half with Lin Qi.
"Each bottle costs 20 yuan. They quickly replenish lost trace elements and restore energy."
"I can't bear to buy them myself. It turns out, having a thicker skin really prevents losses."
"That’s a lesson I learned from you, Qi."
Jiang Tao chuckled, the bruise on his face unable to dampen his happiness.
"True as that may be, very few can really live by those words," Lin Qi said as the two of them left the martial arts room, heading outside the Red Sky Martial Arts Hall.
At the entrance, a sleek, all-black luxury car pulled up before them.
The rear window slid down, revealing Guo Heng’s indifferent face.
"Forgot to add me on WeChat," he said.
A few minutes later, watching the luxury car drive away, Lin Qi and Jiang Tao sat at the entrance of the Red Sky Martial Arts Hall, sighing.
"This is the Starry Sky Model 9, worth over a million Xia National currency."
"Not something people like us from poor families can even imagine."
"I looked into Guo Heng—he studies at No.1 High School, ranks in the top ten of his grade, and comes from a wealthy family. Truly a favored son of heaven."
"Plus, I heard he has an older sister who awakened a special ability. Their whole family are geniuses."
Jiang Tao rubbed his sore arm, envious.
"Awakened special abilities? Those are the geniuses you only see on TV!"
Lin Qi put down his energy drink, his mind stirring.
Otherworldly invasions, the appearance of disaster beasts, the rise of martial arts, the release of primal energy, and the unlocking of genetic shackles.
A very small number of humans with extraordinary talent can awaken special abilities, much like the supernatural powers in urban fantasy novels of the previous world.
However, these special abilities are unlike the countless types of supernatural powers; there are only a few dozen, all related to natural elements.
"For example: metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, ice, light, and psychic masters..."
"According to news reports, those who awaken special abilities undergo a secondary physical development, unlocking their body's treasures, greatly enhancing their physical talents and accelerating their cultivation speed to a terrifying degree."
"Even the martial arts controlling their bodies differ. We practice Five Animal Boxing; they practice Five Element Fist."
"Martial arts talent improves, combined with the ability to harness natural forces—this is a dual cultivation of body and Dao, a fusion of magic and martial arts. Ordinary people can’t compare."
"Such a person not only cultivates quickly but is invincible in battle, capable of both close combat and ranged attacks. It’s terrifyingly powerful."
Lin Qi sighed. Those who awaken special abilities are the most elite geniuses on Blue Star.
They are the seeds destined to become title-bearing warriors of the Ninth Realm.
"Such geniuses are far beyond our reach. In Cang Province, fewer than five people awaken special abilities each year."
"Let’s focus on the present; first, we should get checked and buy some medicine."
"The advanced elite class can wait," Jiang Tao shook his head.
Lin Qi nodded, still feeling aches and pains.
...
At 10:30 p.m., Lin Qi opened the door and immediately saw his mother, Fang Huiyi, sitting in the living room, pale-faced and taking medicine. The stifling heat made her forehead glisten with sweat.
"Xiao Qi, you're back?"
"Your face..." Fang Huiyi noticed the bruises on Lin Qi’s face, her expression full of concern.
"I'm fine. I was just doing some part-time work," Lin Qi smiled and explained.
"My part-time job pays well—2,000 yuan a shift. You don’t have to worry about me..."
After a brief conversation, Lin Qi returned to his room.
He slipped off his shoes, revealing toes poking through his socks.
"Looks like it’s time for new socks again," he muttered, tossing the old pair into the trash.
Minutes later, after washing up, Lin Qi returned to his bedroom, feeling the cool breeze from the fan.
He opened his backpack and pulled out a bottle of ointment.
"Ugh—"
Suppressing the pain, he applied the ointment to the bruised areas, rubbing vigorously until the skin warmed.
"Luckily, no serious injuries. It won’t affect my martial arts training, just a bit uncomfortable."
After finishing, Lin Qi lay on his bed, recalling and summarizing the evening’s sparring session.
...
In the master bedroom, in the dark, Fang Huiyi suddenly spoke softly:
"It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, Xiao Qi wouldn’t have to work part-time to earn money."
"Seeing the bruises on his face really breaks my heart."
"We’ve spent all our savings treating my illness. Your physical form lacks enough primal energy to sustain itself, regressing from the Third Realm to the Second."
"We also owe our eldest brother's family 1 million yuan and have a 500,000 yuan bank loan."
"Linlin will enter her senior year next year, which will require more money. I feel so sorry for their family."
"Ah Zhen, you work so hard every day. Besides repaying loans, buying my medicine, and maintaining the household, there’s very little left for Xiao Qi’s living expenses."
"Sorry, Xiao Qi, for having a mother like me."
"But it’s okay. In about a year, we’ll be free from this burden."
Her eyes reddened as tears streamed down.
"Don’t talk like that," Lin Zhen suddenly spoke from the darkness, his eyes sharp and radiant as if glowing. He looked at Fang Huiyi seriously.
"Though life is hard, at least our family is still alive—very fortunate."
"You don’t know how many envy us."
"With disaster beasts descending and families broken, at least we still have each other."
"Eldest brother has only you as his biological sister, growing up together. If he doesn’t help you, who will?"
"Take it day by day. Your health will improve."
"Don’t say such discouraging things again."
After a moment of silence, Fang Huiyi replied, "Okay."
"When should I tell Xiao Qi about my illness?" she asked.
Lin Zhen exhaled, stood, and opened the curtains to look at the bright moon outside.
"Xiao Qi has been smart since childhood, far more mature inside than he appears. Over the years, he’s probably already guessed."
"He’s been a genius since he was young, even if his martial arts no longer seem extraordinary."
"I believe he’ll one day make a stunning breakthrough."
"I’ll be honest with him when the time is right."
"Mm."
...
Time passed swiftly, and the entire senior year was enveloped in a strong martial arts atmosphere.
Many in the class noticed Wu Kang suddenly began frequently instructing students on stance exercises and Five Animal Boxing.
Then someone realized that those receiving instruction were exactly the ones who had submitted application forms.
When this conclusion spread, many regretted not submitting their forms.
"If I had submitted one, I’d get guidance too. Feels like I missed out on a fortune."
...
Meanwhile, with ample resources and strong martial arts talent, Lin Qi was advancing rapidly.
One day, in the martial arts classroom—
"Huff—"
"Phut—"
Lin Qi’s breathing grew heavy, his body burning hot as large beads of sweat flew off with the intense exercise.
The air crackled with the rhythm of his movements, rich blood surging as blue veins bulged.
His tiger-clawed hands swept with fierce force, embodying a raging tiger. Every move was like a tiger pouncing on prey.
"Not enough, still a bit short."
Lin Qi kept punching, feeling that the Tiger Form Fist was just one step away from completion but still elusive.
White Tiger Emerges from the Cave!
Hungry Tiger Pounces!
White Tiger Offers Its Claws!
...
He practiced the form repeatedly.
The key points of the Tiger Form Fist kept surfacing in his mind.
He recalled what the Red Emperor had said: “Punch a million times, and the meaning will reveal itself.”
As long as he persisted, he would eventually grasp the true essence.
Lin Qi’s mind sharpened.
To cultivate courage in the bones—courage stems from the bones. Without strong bones, courage cannot arise.
Fierce glare, both palms lunging forward, head protected, advancing securely through the Five Elements. The waist dominates, the dantian exerts power.
[Due to your diligent training, Template Fusion +1%]
[Name: Lin Qi (17)]
[Template: Erlang Shen Yang Jian]
[Fusion: 1% → 2%]
...
Suddenly, Lin Qi trembled all over. The key points of the Tiger Form Fist appeared clearly, and his fist techniques began to transform.
Leaping forward with a crouch, energy flowing to the fingertips!
His body relaxed as powerful force burst forth between his tiger-claws.
"Roar—"
Energy surged into his abdomen, and a tiger’s roar escaped uncontrollably.
[You have gained new insight into Tiger Form Fist. Martial arts breakthrough achieved. Martial arts +2%]
[Martial arts breakthrough strengthened your body. Vitality +0.15]
[Name: Lin Qi (17)]
[Vitality: 5.82 → 5.97]
[Martial arts: Realm 1 89% → 91%]
...
"Huff—"
Lin Qi ended his stance, glanced at his stats, and a faint smile appeared.
"The Tiger Form Fist has finally reached breakthrough!"
...