Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Fist Intent... Rising Sun
The Sixth Set of Initial Realm Body Refining Fist was the only Fist Technique a broke-ass like Yang Shen had ever learned.
After all, all Martial Arts Techniques were protected by copyrights and patents. Only the state provided this kind of targeted aid, ensuring every student had something to practice—and something good, at that.
When it came to building a solid foundation, refining one’s moves, and tempering the body, not even the ultimate legacies of the Martial Arts Clans could compare to this free Fist Technique within the three initial realms. It was the "Primary Cultivation Method" for all young people.
Of course, that didn’t mean others wouldn’t compete fiercely. Those with ample resources always wanted it all, like getting a foot massage and eating a fruit platter at the same time.
All the moves Yang Shen used today were from the Sixth Set of Initial Realm Body Refining Fist, but each one seemed... different.
They all focused on the same Fist Technique, but Yang Shen was simply fighting better than Zhao Mengmeng. His movements were more refined.
In comparison, Zhao Mengmeng and Huang Gang looked like video game characters using preset skills. Yang Shen, on the other hand, seemed to have integrated every "skill" with his own understanding.
Unconstrained by convention, unbound by form.
No start-up lag, no recovery frames!
With a sudden gust of movement, Yang Shen felt himself growing smoother and smoother, as if he weren’t in a practical combat test but was instead immersed in the sheer joy of practicing Martial Arts.
He also felt his senses sharpen. This change might not be reflected in his Qi and Blood Value, but it had tangibly enhanced his ability to fight.
’I’ll have to slowly uncover the changes brought by my Cultivation!’
The pressure from Zhao Mengmeng was dwindling, while Yang Shen’s own actions grew increasingly unrestrained. He even had the leisure to admire Zhao Mengmeng’s movements.
’I can be even bolder,’ Yang Shen thought. ’More unrestrained.’
This was how it should be. How it was meant to be.
’Victory will be as unstoppable as the rising sun!’
It wasn’t that his personality had grown more brazen, but rather...
The fists he was throwing compelled him to fight this way! Only by fighting like this could he unleash his true power!
Just then, Zhao Mengmeng threw a sweeping kick. Acting on pure instinct, Yang Shen leaped up, flipped into a handstand, and grabbed her slender ankle.
His form was extraordinary, as tall and straight as a winter pine. This completely unexpected move stunned everyone into silence.
Yang Shen wasn’t thinking; he was moving purely on instinct.
Zhao Mengmeng’s Power was greater than his, but the angular velocity generated by his twisting handstand compensated for the difference. He actually lifted Zhao Mengmeng and began swinging her around.
Zhao Mengmeng’s vision blurred. She had become a club in Yang Shen’s hands. She cried out in alarm.
’Who fights a girl like this? Does he think I’m a sparkler?’
With a loud BANG.
The petite girl was slammed hard onto the ground. She landed on her back, and the impact made her vision go black, completely robbing her of her will to fight.
One of her shoes flew off, and even the clasp on her back came undone!
The moment he struck, Yang Shen felt a pang of regret. He quickly suppressed the urge to keep swinging her left and right. His brain truly couldn’t keep up with his own moves...
Or perhaps, he hadn’t yet realized that he could actually defeat Zhao Mengmeng, much less seriously injure her.
The whistle blew instantly. The female teacher appeared between the two in a flash, pushing Yang Shen away. She moved so fast she was like an afterimage.
"The match is over. Zhao Mengmeng, do you need to go to the infirmary?"
It took Zhao Mengmeng a moment to recover before she sat up. The first thing she did was straighten her clothes, then she ran to retrieve her shoe. She looked utterly disheveled, but she didn’t seem seriously hurt.
After all, she was in the Bone Refining Realm. She might look soft and cute—and the impact might have felt satisfyingly solid—but in reality, her bones were as strong as pig iron.
The kind that would take six hours to cremate.
It was just that the young lady had a complete mental breakdown. After putting on her shoe, she covered her face and dashed into a crowd of girls, finally throwing her arms around Xu Bamboo. It was hard to tell if she was crying or not.
Xu Bamboo shot Yang Shen a glare as she comforted her friend.
Yang Shen could only offer an awkward smile in return.
’You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you... but I didn’t even know I was going to win...’
Soon, Yang Shen was surrounded by a group of rowdy boys.
"Holy shit! Lao Yang, what got into you today?! Did you inject those supplements straight into your brain and unlock your potential or something?"
"Huang Gang? What was that you said you were gonna eat? Where’d Huang Gang go? Did he run off to the bathroom already? It doesn’t count if we don’t have a video!"
"That last move was fucking awesome! Is that from the Body Forging Fist? How come I’ve never seen it?"
"What’s so great about the last move? The first one was the real killer, a direct hit on your opponent’s... thickest armor."
To be honest, this was the first time Yang Shen had ever been surrounded by people praising him in amazement.
It felt damn good.
What underachiever hasn’t dreamed of the tables turning, of their day in the sun?
What slacker could possibly resist this kind of validation?
But amid the chaotic din of the boys’ voices, a particularly magnetic, deep, and gentle voice cut through, dousing Yang Shen’s excitement like a bucket of cold water.
"Yang Shen, very good!"
Liu Yuankui’s massive, door-like frame easily pushed through the crowd, and a palm wider than Yang Shen’s face landed on his shoulder.
The renowned teacher of Jinshui District, Liu Yuankui, gave a warm smile. "I knew you hadn’t given up! Senior year is the time to fight for your future. Every year, there are inspiring stories of underachievers turning things around. Anything is possible!"
He spoke loudly, intending to inspire the other students as well.
The female teacher mused, "Could he have taken some new kind of drug? Or maybe purchased the rights to an advanced combat-oriented Cultivation Technique?"
Martial Arts training emphasizes steady, incremental progress. A sudden leap forward like this...
It usually meant someone had paid to win.
She didn’t know about Yang Shen’s family situation, only that he used to be at the bottom of the class. An improvement of this magnitude wasn’t something a small amount of money could buy.
’Don’t tell me he maxed out his credit on every online loan platform?’
But Liu Yuankui shook his head. "No... I believe Yang Shen did this on his own."
He didn’t explain further. It was too chaotic, so he simply dismissed everyone, keeping only Yang Shen behind.
Previously, this kind of special attention was reserved for Xu Bamboo.
When only the two of them remained, Liu Yuankui glanced at Yang Shen’s "Di Di Boy" watch.
A Qi and Blood Value of 75.3.
Yang Shen had been worried about his Cultivation being exposed, but he was overthinking it. To Liu Yuankui, such a minor fluctuation was insignificant. He knew Xu Bamboo had been providing Yang Shen with top-tier Supplements.
And Xu Bamboo’s wealth could explain away most questions.
Besides, a Qi and Blood Value of 75.3 was still only Mid-stage Skin Refining—late stage didn’t begin until 80. And yet today, Yang Shen had defeated Zhao Mengmeng, an early-stage Bone Training practitioner with a Qi and Blood Value of around 140.
Liu Yuankui might have his own issues, but his eyes were sharp. He understood what was going on even better than Yang Shen himself.
"Yang Shen, to have such a breakthrough in just a few days is astonishing. Do you know why it happened?"
Yang Shen was wary of Liu Yuankui, but he still shook his head honestly. So far, all his Cultivation had given him was free "Source" and "no need for sleep." Nothing else was worth mentioning.
"You are very fortunate. To comprehend your own Fist Intent at your age and realm... you’re truly very fortunate."
A shadow flickered in Liu Yuankui’s eyes, even a fleeting flash of envy and resentment...
But he was so tall that when Yang Shen looked up, all he could see was the man’s beast-like jawline.
Honestly, even after knowing him for three years, Yang Shen couldn’t tell if Liu Yuankui was bald; the top of his head was completely in Yang Shen’s blind spot.
"Fist Intent, Sword Intent... For now, all you need to know is that most Martial Artists go their entire lives without this opportunity. Even the lucky few who achieve something similar usually only do so after reaching the Innate Realm, or an even High Realm."
"The most classic example... think of the fist print on the blackboard at the back of your classroom."
It dawned on Yang Shen. ’That’s right!’
’The Dean of Instruction’s Fist Intent! The big fist mark that constantly made people uncomfortable and unable to sleep!’
Liu Yuankui reverted to his usual gentle, elderly persona and smiled. "I haven’t comprehended a Fist Intent either. If you want specific advice, you’ll probably have to ask the Dean of Instruction."
"Although your foundation is poor and you’re only at the Skin Refining realm, comprehending a Fist Intent means you can apply for special bonus points on the college entrance exam. Some universities might even consider you for targeted admission, but that’s assuming your other subjects aren’t a complete disaster."
Although it’s rare for someone to awaken a Fist Intent in high school, a university would still face public pressure for admitting a slacker who’s only at Mid-stage Skin Refining.
The online keyboard warriors would be all over it in an instant, and that’s a headache the university would rather avoid.
So getting a targeted admission offer based on "Fist Intent" alone would be a long shot.
But an extra 10 points on the college entrance exam was practically guaranteed.
Don’t scoff at the number. Bonus points from any policy are extremely rare; ten points is already a "huge" boost.
Yang Shen clenched his fists in excitement.
A moment ago, he’d suspected Liu Yuankui was mistaken. He hadn’t felt any Fist Intent himself.
’But now there are bonus points involved?’
’In that case, I have one!’
’I definitely have one! If anyone asks, I have one!’
Liu Yuankui patted Yang Shen’s shoulder again and led him toward the academic building.
Ignoring that glimpse of the Life Chart, Liu Yuankui had always projected the image of an excellent teacher:
"A Fist Intent is a fusion of ’will and Martial Arts,’ something that will benefit you for your entire life. To better understand its nature, people usually give their Intent a name. It helps clarify your path and allows you to continuously internalize the concept."
"You should think carefully about when you had this recent epiphany and give it a name based on how you felt at that moment. Don’t overthink it. It’s not like you can patent it under Martial Arts law. It’s just a tool to help you continue your comprehension. You don’t even have to tell me what it is."
Yang Shen thought back... His recent "great leap forward," as he saw it, was of course due to him starting his Cultivation.
But calling it "Cultivation Fist Intent" was obviously inappropriate. Besides, his current half-assed Cultivation really had nothing to do with his practical combat skills...
A moment later, something came to mind...
It was the Rising Sun he had seen from the Celestial Platform.
Yang Shen had a moment of inspiration but didn’t say anything, perhaps out of embarrassment.
He thought to himself:
’I’ll call it... Rising Sun Fist Intent.’
Warm, powerful, unshakeably... rising!
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