Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Grapple Hand
The Qi Blood Pill’s medicinal effects began to work inside his body, spreading a pleasant warmth through his organs.
A potent medicinal energy seeped into his flesh and blood, and his face instantly flushed red.
At that moment, it felt as if an endless reserve of energy was surging through him.
’I can’t waste the pill’s effects.’
Fang Xing immediately walked out of his room and into the courtyard.
A scorching heat radiated from his entire body.
Once in the courtyard, Fang Xing began to practice the Martial Arts he remembered.
Grapple Hand!
This was a form of Basic Martial Arts; all Constables learned this particular technique.
Although it was just a basic art, the Grapple Hand was a complete Martial Arts discipline.
In addition to its grappling and attack techniques, it also included a Posture Method for condensing Qi Blood.
Taking a step forward, Fang Xing assumed a basic Posture Stance Skill!
The Posture Method regulated Qi Blood, circulating it throughout the body to condense it over and over, thereby strengthening oneself.
It looked simple, but it was actually very physically demanding.
Grappling requires a stable body!
Power comes from the ground up!
While holding the Posture Stance, the movements of his hands didn’t stop.
His ten fingers curved as he executed the first form of the Grapple Hand!
Sky-Breaking Technique!
His two fingers shot out like an eagle’s talons!
His Power permeated the air, causing it to vibrate slightly!
Although his predecessor’s Martial Arts were rudimentary at best, he had practiced the Grapple Hand until it was very familiar.
When he practiced, it carried a certain imposing air.
However, this was only from the perspective of an ordinary person.
In the eyes of a Martial Artist, it was all for show.
Next, he continued to practice the subsequent moves: grappling, reversals...
The Nine Grappling Techniques!
Every move was a powerful offensive technique.
Fang Xing immersed himself in his practice, each move becoming more and more proficient.
With his enhanced Comprehension, all the minor issues with the Grapple Hand from his previous Cultivation were now being corrected under his heaven-sent talent.
With different levels of Comprehension, one perceives Cultivating Martial Arts from different angles.
The cultivation moves from his predecessor’s memory had seemed perfect, but now he could see numerous flaws.
As he gradually corrected each move, Fang Xing threw his whole being into his Cultivation.
Afterimages gradually began to appear in the air.
Amidst his constant practice, wisps of steam began to rise from the top of his head.
This was the effect of absorbing the Qi Blood Pill.
By using the Grapple Hand for Cultivation, he was absorbing the medicinal energy of the Qi Blood Pill, fusing it with his body, and strengthening his Qi Blood.
When his Qi Blood reached a certain threshold, he could attempt to break through the gate and advance to become a Martial Artist!
However, not everyone who reached the Qi Blood Extreme could successfully break through!
Failures were commonplace.
Mild cases resulted in a loss of Qi Blood, while severe cases could lead to damaged meridians or even Qi deviation.
Normally, with each subsequent attempt to break through, the chance of failure increased.
If the first attempt failed, it was basically impossible to succeed again, unless one had considerable wealth to afford medicinal meals and nourishing foods to aid in recovery.
Breaking through!
Also known as leaping the Dragon Gate!
Stepping into the realm of a Martial Artist was considered leaping the Dragon Gate.
Even a newly advanced Martial Artist could fight ten men at once, taking down ten grown men without a problem.
Of course, that was bare-handed. If weapons were involved, the situation would be different.
...
The sun rose high, and four hours passed in a flash.
In the courtyard, Fang Xing had been cultivating for a full four hours before he stopped.
The medicinal energy of a single Qi Blood Pill was potent. It was his first time consuming something so good, and it took him four hours of effort to slowly absorb it.
"HUFF! HUFF! HUFF!"
His movements ceased. Fang Xing was panting like an ox, his face flushed red and his body drenched in sweat.
’The power of an Elixir is truly ferocious... If this body were any weaker, it wouldn’t have been able to withstand it.’
Fang Xing wiped the sweat from his forehead. His heart was pounding.
After four hours of practice, he still hadn’t completely absorbed the Qi Blood Pill’s medicinal energy.
A portion still remained inside his body.
However, his body had reached its limit, forcing him to stop.
If he continued to practice, he would be overloading himself.
The Qi Blood Pill’s energy could support his practice, but it wasn’t an Immortal Pill.
If his body exceeded its limits, he might end up with hidden injuries.
After catching his breath for a few moments, Fang Xing felt much better.
His body gradually recovered, and a feeling of fullness spread throughout him.
The boost from the Qi Blood Pill was significant; at the very least, it had strengthened his Qi Blood considerably.
He felt more powerful.
And these four hours of practice had also given him a clearer understanding of the Grapple Hand.
Although it was Basic Martial Arts, with his Comprehension, the power of his Grapple Hand was now several times greater than before.
’Although I don’t have a top-tier Root Bone, my powerful Comprehension can make up for it.’
’At least becoming a Martial Artist won’t be a problem. With the help of the Qi Blood Pills, it shouldn’t take too long.’
The thought flashed through Fang Xing’s mind.
With his heaven-sent Comprehension, supplemented by the Qi Blood Pills, he was very confident about becoming a Martial Artist.
’Enhancement Points are important, but they’re a bit slow. I only get one per day. The next time I can enhance a Qi Blood Pill will probably be in ten days.’
Looking up at the blazing sun, Fang Xing sighed.
Currently, the growth of Enhancement Points was just one per day.
As for whether that would change in the future, he didn’t know. At least, this was how it was for now.
’No rush. I’ll use the Qi Blood Pills to push myself to the Qi Blood Extreme first.’
Calming down, Fang Xing temporarily pushed the thought aside.
With this bottle of Qi Blood Pills, he had enough for his Cultivation for the time being.
’Right, I wonder how many Enhancement Points it takes to enhance the Grapple Hand Martial Arts.’
Fang Xing glanced into the room. For the Grapple Hand Martial Arts issued by the Government Office, every Constable had a handwritten manual.
’If Elixirs can be enhanced, would enhancing Martial Arts make them even more powerful?!’
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!
Just as Fang Xing was about to go inside and try it out, a knock suddenly came from the door.
"Fang Xing, it’s me! Are you home?"
A young voice called from outside the door. Hearing it, Fang Xing quickly knew who it was.
Xu Le!
Suppressing the thought for now, Fang Xing hurried to the courtyard gate and opened it. Xu Le was standing at the entrance, holding a piece of pork belly that weighed about five jin.
"Huh? What have you been up to, kid? How come you’re covered in sweat?" Xu Le looked astonished as he saw the sweat on Fang Xing’s face.
Fang Xing replied, "Nothing much, just practiced some Martial Arts for a bit."
"Heh, you’re getting diligent, kid. Good to see you’re working hard," Xu Le teased upon hearing this.
"Brother Le, come on in and have a seat," Fang Xing said with a smile.
Xu Le shook his head. "I’ve still got some things to take care of, so I can’t stay. You shouldn’t push yourself too hard, kid. You just got injured, so focus on recovery."
With that, he handed the pork belly to Fang Xing. "This is for you. I’m heading out."
After saying his piece, Xu Le left without a backward glance.
"Take care, Brother Le!"
Fang Xing called out to his retreating back. Xu Le waved over his shoulder without turning and soon disappeared from sight.
After watching Xu Le leave, Fang Xing closed the courtyard gate, his gaze falling upon the pork belly in his hands.
[A piece of fresh pork belly. Enhancement requires one Enhancement Point.]
As the text materialized before his eyes, Fang Xing’s gaze brightened at the enhancement prompt.
’One point... I wonder what this pork belly will become if I enhance it?’
Curious, Fang Xing looked at the pork belly and activated the thought in his mind.
The next instant, a crimson light flashed. The pork belly in his hands shrank, becoming a one-jin piece of fresh meat that was much denser. At the same time, another line of text appeared.
[Fresh pork belly enhancement successful. You have obtained one jin of fresh Fierce Beast Flesh!]
’Fierce Beast Flesh... what kind of meat is this stuff?’
Fang Xing stared at the piece of meat in his hands, lost in thought.
’Fierce Beast Flesh... It’s got to be better than pork belly, at least.’
Fang Xing didn’t dwell on the question. As long as it was edible, it was fine.
The meat of a fierce beast and that of a pig were on completely different levels.
Fierce Beast Flesh was a superior type of meat, highly nourishing!
’Perfect. I’ll cook this Fierce Beast Flesh up and nourish my body.’ Coming back to his senses, Fang Xing immediately carried the piece of Fierce Beast Flesh into his small kitchen.
