"Can one's body become like willow catkins, and cross a river with a single reed, or run on grass?"
"No." Zhang Kui's face fell. "Don't bring up those things from martial arts novels. To reach such a realm with martial arts, one must be almost extraordinary and transcendent."
"Can you cultivate True Qi?"
"There is no such thing as True Qi. The so-called breathing exercises aren't meant to cultivate Inner Power True Qi. They're intended to optimize the gas exchange in your organs to a highly efficient level, and once you reach a certain stage, it will gradually enhance your physique, thereby pushing your physique to the extreme."
Lu Ren couldn't help but show disappointment on his face: "Then, what can you do?"
Zhang Kui struggled to remain composed, resisting the urge to plant his fist on Lu Ren's face, while somewhat sadly flexing his muscles: "I can make those idiots calmly stand in front of you and talk."
In the past, it was hard for most people to find a pathway to learn martial arts. Nowadays, even when you stick yourself out, people dislike you.
The world is becoming degenerate, traditional martial arts are dying out!!!
Everyone knows Master Ma, but they don't know that true traditional martial arts possess shockingly powerful force.
Unfortunately... those with even a bit of True Skill hide it and let the internet spread false claims that traditional martial arts are fake.
"Learned it!"
Zhang Kui smiled: "The entry-level fee is thirty thousand."
"Goodbye!"
Lu Ren turned around and left without looking back.
"Wait!"
Zhang Kui said helplessly: "Okay, I'll cut you a deal, fifteen thousand. You're not working right now, I can give you an apprentice fee. Three thousand a month, plus meals!"
Lu Ren grew increasingly suspicious and vigilant. Ever since the Silent Forest instance appeared, everything became sensitive for him. It was rare for anyone to offer him such warmth.
"Isn't this a bit too good?"
Seeing Lu Ren's full expression of caution, as if no pie would fall from the sky, Zhang Kui sighed and looked up at the ceiling at a forty-five-degree angle, his face melancholic.
"It's the best of times, yet the worst of times. Material abundance has enriched our living environment. Most of the world's safe and peaceful conditions have led humanity into complacency. The advent of firearms has further accelerated the decline of Martial Path. These days, who would spend decades tirelessly training their bodies and refining themselves? If there's no change in promotion, perhaps in a few decades, Martial Path will completely vanish."
While not explicitly stated, Lu Ren understood clearly that Zhang Kui was indicating that traditional martial arts have become emptiness, and few are willing to tirelessly practice martial arts day and night.
Real or not?
Lu Ren hesitated, looked at his system's character panel, and just that evening as a sparring partner made him feel he had improved significantly.
"I'll think about it."
"I'll wait for your news! Remember to come and spar tomorrow!"
Zhang Kui shouted, and Lu Ren nodded to bid farewell, leaving the Power Burning Club.
Walking down the street, Lu Ren somewhat dazedly looked ahead, deep in thought.
From Zhang Kui's approach earlier, he seemed very eager. Lu Ren, who never believed in things falling from the sky, wasn't moved.
Perhaps the martial arts Zhang Kui practiced were genuinely strong, but for Lu Ren, they meant little, even with the Skill Proficiency System allowing rapid improvement, the motives were impure.
Lu Ren disliked it, as if Wang Gang, Luo Zixuan, and others invited him to hang out.
Maybe Wang Gang and others just wanted to show off, but Zhang Kui's true intentions for approaching him are hard to gauge.
Thus, he expressed himself indifferently earlier.
After taking the bus, it took about forty minutes to reach the bus stop near his neighborhood. Lu Ren got off and planned to take a shortcut.
Cutting through an alley ahead would save three minutes reaching the residential area where he lived.
As he walked, Lu Ren suddenly heard muffled 'woo-woo' noises from the darkness ahead.
System: "Ding, you've encountered an ambush, three people want to play intense bondage with you."
Complete nonsense!!
It's a stick!
Lu Ren instinctively raised his arm to shield his forehead.
Bang!
Pain shot through his arm, and with the adrenaline rush, Lu Ren's arm felt numb, the pain quickly suppressed by a warm sensation.
"Ding, due to being attacked, your Constitution Skill Level passively +1"
Attacked!
Though shocked, Lu Ren didn't panic, immediately retreated several steps to distance himself, and observed the figures ambushing him in the dark corner.
Three people!
Each wearing a mask and cap, dressed in black jackets, gloved hands rushing towards him.
A premeditated assault, and quite professional.
Seeing one of them draw a gleaming dagger from behind his waist, Lu Ren's internal alarm bells rang loudly.
His face remained calm, swiftly retreating while drawing a telescopic baton from behind his waist, with a flick of his wrist, the baton snapped out with two segments, the alloy baton firmly locked.
This alloy steel-made baton was what he purchased online after what he couldn't prosecute due to lack of evidence from Chen Wen at the hospital.
Since gaining insight on using sticks in the Silent Kills instance world, deploying the baton smoothly, especially since the baton is also a stick.
Wang Gang, Zhang Qingya, and Luo Zixuan weren't just them, but their families behind them.
It was a cruel farce from the start, strictly speaking, no one was truly in the wrong. After all, Luo Zixuan's group fell for it upon entering, the true bodies dead, only imposters left.
From this perspective, Lu Ren was indeed a victim.
While the three who were killed remained in the Silent Forest instance world, only Lu Ren returned.
Seeing Lu Ren's stance, the trio showed slight surprise, seemingly not expecting Lu Ren to be so prepared, but they didn't stop their advance, the leader raised a steel pipe aiming at Lu Ren's head.
To fight, one must have a calm mind, even if furious, not letting anger cloud judgment. Losing one's wits leads only to failure.
And a reckless fight might result in death.
Just like now.
Lu Ren slightly tilted his figure, his head swerved, allowing the opponent's steel pipe to hit his shoulder-neck area.
Simultaneously, hearing the prompt in his mind, Lu Ren showed no sign of retreat, swinging the baton with a 'woo-woo' wind noise heavily at the opponent's head.
Thud!
Two dull collision noises rang out heavily, Lu Ren felt his left shoulder go numb, half his body unable to exert force, the pain surged like electric shocks.
The leader holding the steel pipe didn't utter a sound, collapsed backward on the spot, a gash on his head rapidly bleeding.