Chapter 294.1: Old Matters
Qi Yuan was baffled. "Do I look like someone who's sick?"
People in this world seemed to have below-average intelligence and were also nearsighted. It should be obvious from his appearance that he was a genius. How could he possibly have a mental illness?
Yang Shan nodded seriously. "Yes and no."
If Qi Yuan really had a mental illness, how could he possess such talent in martial arts? Though Yang Shan had only moved here a week ago, he had watched Qi Yuan improve with his own eyes. Qi Yuan was considered fast even among the martial prodigies he knew.
Yang Shan changed the subject and returned to business. "How's your understanding of innate martial techniques? Any insights?"
He had to admit that he thought quite highly of this young man. Even though Yang Shan was not yet forty, it was as if he saw his younger self in Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan lowered his head in thought, recalling what had just happened.
Yang Shan smiled, remarking with a trace of nostalgia, "When I first encountered innate martial techniques, I was astonished. I thought they were mysterious and could even step into the extraordinary. Well, unfortunately..."
Innate martial techniques appeared mysterious, but under scientific scrutiny, they weren’t actually that complex. Of course, they were still very effective at fooling someone like Qi Yuan, who wasn't even a martial artist yet.
Lifting his head, Qi Yuan stared straight into Yang Shan’s eyes. "The core of innate martial techniques should be bloodline?"
Yang Shan froze in disbelief, his heart jolting. "How do you know?"
Since retiring from the military, this was the first time he had lost composure like this. Qi Yuan's answer had been far too unexpected.
Research into innate martial techniques had never ceased throughout history. Unfortunately, no definitive conclusion had been reached. Instead, various heresies and cults had emerged.
Top-tier martial artists had even joined forces, investing immense resources just to uncover a fraction of the mystery behind innate martial techniques. As a peak martial artist, Yang Shan had also participated in this research. The latest findings suggested that innate martial techniques could be related to blood.
To be honest, when he first heard that conclusion, Yang Shan had been shocked. How could martial arts have anything to do with something as irrelevant as blood?
At the time, the circle of peak martial artists was deeply shaken, though the matter never spread beyond that small group. As an orphan of an ordinary martyr, Qi Yuan should have been the last to know. Yang Shan couldn’t help but wonder where he got the information.
Qi Yuan said casually, "I figured it out."
Yang Shan appeared skeptical, clearly unconvinced. "You figured it out?"
"When you used your innate martial technique, your blood was slightly boiling." Qi Yuan smiled. "My eyesight is very good; I'm not nearsighted."
Yang Shan mulled over his words. "Slightly boiling?"
When he unleashed his Thunderous Flood Palm, his whole being boiled. Why did Qi Yuan single out the blood? Many thoughts raced across his mind.
Was it a coincidence or talent? If it's a coincidence, fine. If it's talent, then that's just terrifying.
After all, it would mean Qi Yuan was exceptionally suited for martial arts. He could probably reach the peak and become one of the strongest in the martial world. Though he still wouldn't compare to those who took advanced gene serums, it was still frightening.
Qi Yuan said firmly, "Innate martial techniques are performed by bringing the blood to a certain boiling frequency. They do indeed touch upon the extraordinary."
Finally, he grasped why martial arts on Arch Star were declining. Their bloodlines were too diluted. For example, when Yang Shan used Thunderous Flood Palm just now, the degree of blood boiling was too low.
Qi Yuan asked, "Do you know how to break the limits of martial arts?"
Yang Shan became interested. "I don't. If I did, I wouldn't be here anymore. Do you know something? You aren’t even a martial artist!"
The way he looked at Qi Yuan had changed. He no longer thought of Qi Yuan as a mere highly talented genius.
"To break the limits of martial arts, you have to acknowledge a father," Qi Yuan explained his theory with utmost seriousness. "Martial arts on Arch Star are better described as bloodline martial arts. If your father breaks the martial limits and reaches a higher realm, then your bloodline will also undergo a leap, improving your martial potential and strength."
Yang Shan pondered, frowning. After a long while, he said, "What you're saying... I kind of understand."
This kind of speculation had also circulated among peak martial artists. Most believed that ancient people were powerful because their bloodlines were rich. Modern people were weaker because their bloodlines had become diluted.
Yang Shan added seriously, "But I can't even break my own limits, let alone my father's. Sure, I'd love to lie flat and let my dad do the hard work, but that's pure fantasy!"
His father's martial talent was even worse than his. Among all the peak martial artists in the world, even those most likely to break the limits wouldn't dare say they were certain to succeed.
Qi Yuan answered, "That's easy. You can acknowledge me as your father. When I break the limits, your bloodline might also leap forward."
Yang Shan lost it. "Get lost!"
Qi Yuan just smiled. "Looks like your determination to break the limits isn't strong enough. Anyway, I've gained some insights. I'm going back to refine my martial technique. Bye."
Just like that, he left.
Watching his back, Yang Shan's expression became extremely complicated. "Could he really be a genius? No, he's definitely just ill! Even if I acknowledged him as my father, what would that change? We don’t even share the same blood!"
The retired soldier felt like Qi Yuan's bizarre logic had led him astray. Acknowledging a father was out of the question. Besides, were martial limits really that easy to break? Throughout history, countless astonishing martial geniuses had appeared, yet none had broken the limit.
Coming up with an idea, he sent a message to an old friend.
