Chapter 23: Stacked Wave Blade and Explosive Step

"Are you Xu Wei and Ji Ye?"

Xu Wei was awkwardly scratching the floor with his toe.

A few people in white battle uniforms walked over.

One of them was handsome, holding a glass of red wine.

Xu Wei nodded.

"And you are?"

"I am Feng Ao of the Feng Family, welcome both of you to this banquet."

"Thank you."

Xu Wei nodded again, having no intention of further conversation with Feng Ao.

After the encounter with Feng Jun at the Martial Arts Association and Qian Han's words just now, he no longer had any good feeling toward the Feng Family.

Feng Ao didn't mind and continued speaking.

"You two are the geniuses from Qi Zhong, right?"

"Anything?"

"Nothing much, I just personally enjoy making friends, especially with geniuses!"

"Coincidentally, my Feng Family is currently forming a Genius Martial Artist Group."

"I would like to invite both of you to join my Feng Family."

"Of course, you are both geniuses!"

"Even for junior Martial Artists, the treatment our Feng Family offers won't be inferior!"

"Annual Salary starts at at least 500,000, how about that?"

Feng Ao smiled.

He is not Stupid.

He wouldn't throw money around for a banquet without reason.

The reason he specifically returned from the Giant God Palace was naturally to recruit these geniuses.

You should know that Genius Class students each have Fist Strength exceeding five thousand pounds.

After a month of training at the Giant God Camp, almost everyone can pass the college entrance exam!

A sure promising talent!!

The quality is far better than those recruited at the Martial Arts Association!

Those who eat people have short mouths, those who take from people have short hands.

Moreover, they are all young people.

Inviting them to join the Feng Family at this time makes it hard to refuse; the success rate is very high!

"Sorry, I have already joined the Demon‑Slaying Martial Company."

Xu Wei directly refused.

Five hundred thousand is tempting, but who knows if there are hidden clauses.

"Demon‑Slaying Martial Company?"

Feng Ao was startled, then shook his head and laughed:

"Hehe, classmate, if it were a few years ago, I definitely wouldn't have persuaded you."

"After all, the boss Li Daoming of the Demon‑Slaying Martial Company is also a mid‑level Martial General, considered one of N City's top figures."

"But last year, Li Daoming was injured by a Demon God during a Palace raid, and he only has a few years left to live."

"Once he dies, the Demon‑Slaying Company will become a Second‑Rate Martial Company."

"You really should join our Feng Family."

"Of course, you don't need to worry about your contract with the Demon‑Slaying Company; naturally, our Feng Family will handle it."

It's not strange for Genius Class members to join other Martial Companies.

Feng Ao also doesn't mind.

Their family has mid‑level Martial Generals.

Who would dare refuse when they need people?

"Sorry, I still won't join."

Xu Wei still shook his head.

You don't know what's right!

Feng Ao felt uneasy; after saying so much, Xu Wei still gave him no face.

But there were many people here, so he didn't want to trouble Xu Wei and turned to ask Ji Ye.

However, Ji Ye, having heard Qian Han's words, also had no good impression of the Feng Family.

"Sorry, I have also joined a Martial Company."

"Alright, then I wish you both a happy time."

Feng Ao smiled once and turned away.

As soon as he turned, his expression darkened.

After walking a dozen meters away, he shouted in anger:

"You clueless bastard!"

"I invited him, a trash with Fist Strength under one thousand pounds, and he still dared to refuse!?"

The Feng Family rose from thuggery, so Feng Ao is naturally overbearing.

Xu Wei refused him, and he thought Xu Wei was in the wrong.

"Feng Shao, don't get angry; this Xu Wei's Enlightenment is evident."

"But Enlightenment is far less important than Fist Strength; it's not worth getting angry over this kind of person."

"Right, Feng Shao, his One Thousand Jin Fist Strength, such top‑tier talent, makes him a high‑level Martial Artist."

"Even if he entered a Martial Dao University, it wouldn't help much."

Someone nearby kept offering comfort.

……

"This banquet is boring, Ji Ye, I'm going back to practice."

Xu Wei stared blankly for a while, didn't eat anything, felt very bored, and prepared to leave.

"Hmm, I also find it boring; I'm going to challenge the Avatar as well."

Ji Ye nodded; she is a bit socially anxious and doesn't like being in crowded places.

The two prepared to leave.

But at that moment, someone brushed past.

Then an excited voice reached their ears.

"Brothers! We won! I won!!"

"I beat the Beitang General Avatar!"

"Good fellows! You don't know—aside from the details the Huangpu Instructor talked about, that's why the Beitang General Avatar is so formidable."

"The Beitang General Avatar can also use Martial Skill!"

Xu Wei twitched his ears, and his steps halted.

Ji Ye's steps also stopped.

"Martial Skill? The Avatar actually can use Martial Skill?"

"I've fought the Beitang General Avatar many times and never saw him use Martial Skill."

Ji Ye blinked.

"To make the Beitang General Avatar use Martial Skill, you must first clear the detail checkpoint."

"And even if you pass, you could never guess which Martial Skill the Beitang General Avatar uses, or how he uses it!"

The person continued:

"He uses Explosive Step! And he applies it to his hands!!"

As soon as those words were spoken.

The person's friends were all shocked!

"Isn't Explosive Step a body‑movement Martial Skill?"

"Did you get it wrong?"

"Yeah, Explosive Step is a body‑movement Martial Skill; how could it be used on the hands?"

Xu Wei was also a bit stunned.

"Explosive Step applied to the hands?"

He felt a spark of inspiration burst.

"Your Explosive Step Baby heard super useful information, and the inspiration exploded!"

"She wants you to quickly observe the Beitang General Avatar."

"Quickly! Quickly!!"

"Ah— Ah— Ah—!"

In his mind came the urging of the Explosive Step Baby.

Xu Wei and Ji Ye hurried back to the Training Ground.

Starlight twinkled.

At this moment, the Training Ground had even fewer people than before.

Only five or six boys and two or three girls were battling the Beitang General Avatar.

"According to that person, to make the Beitang General Avatar use Martial Skill, the details must first be in place, then he'll use the Martial Skill."

"This sounds a bit like a net‑game boss fight, boss Second Phase transformation?"

Xu Wei observed carefully.

Finally, he stood behind a girl.

She had shoulder‑length hair, a delicate beauty, and looked stunning under the Moonlight.

However, Xu Wei had no time to look at her; his attention was on her opponent, the Beitang General Avatar.

At that moment, the Beitang General Avatar slashed a knife toward the girl.

But the girl retained enough momentum to retract her step.

Her battle sword drew a white flash in the night and struck the Beitang General Avatar fiercely.

If it were a normal situation, like a game's post‑attack shake, the Avatar's slash would certainly be too late to dodge.

But at that instant, the Beitang General Avatar's blade, as it swung out, suddenly changed direction and slashed toward the girl!

Even faster!

Even more!!

"Lost again! The speed always inexplicably spikes."

The girl was kicked out of the Training Ground, and she crawled up with a frustrated expression.

"Indeed, it is applying Explosive Step to the hands."

Xu Wei muttered in a daze.

Cultivating Martial Skill is like literary creation.

Observing others' works is the best way to spark inspiration.

This moment.

Xu Wei attained Enlightenment!

"Explosive Step, Explosive Step, Explosive Step!"

"Hahaha, I am limited by the step, by the movement Martial Skill mindset."

"No! Not just me!"

"Other geniuses, other teachers may also be limited by the step, movement Martial Skill mindset."

Xu Wei couldn't help but laugh loudly.

What is Explosive Step?

A movement burst Martial Skill.

It uses Qi and blood to stimulate the foot soles, Calf, and Thigh Acupoints to achieve the burst purpose.

But essentially it is merely the interaction between Qi and blood and the meridians.

It doesn't have to be confined to steps; it can be applied to the arms, letting the arms also use Explosive Step!

"It's like the Stacked Wave Blade; although its name contains 'blade', it can be executed with a fist, only the power is slightly less."

"The use of Martial Skill is actually very flexible; previously I was stuck in a fixed mindset."

Xu Wei thought, Qi and blood surged into the arm meridian.

When learning Explosive Step, the Explosive Step Baby had already transferred all Acupoint-related knowledge to him.

Therefore, he is very familiar with the arm Acupoints.

In an instant.

A scorching, expanding sensation came from the arm.

A fierce fist was thrown.

Whoosh—

A cloud of dust rose more than ten meters away.

"My Fist Strength was originally only over two thousand Jin, but now a single punch actually reaches nearly Four Thousand Jin!"

"It has doubled exactly!"

"That's because my arms aren't strong enough!"

"If they were strong enough, double, triple wouldn't be a problem!!"

Xu Wei was thrilled!

His Explosive Step speed can reach the level of a senior Martial Artist.

But that's because the legs have to support the whole body's movement!

The muscles are far more developed than the arms, and can endure more Qi and blood!

"Applying Explosive Step to the arms is merely the use of Qi and Acupoints."

"If I also stack Wood Birth Technique, even with only two thousand Jin Fist Strength I could amplify it to eight thousand Jin!"

"Sss!"

Xu Wei's mind was racing quickly.

He immediately thought of combining Explosive Step with Wood Birth Technique.

Wood Birth Technique differs from Explosive Step.

Explosive Step is only a localized reinforcement, raising output, but it does not improve defense.

If the output exceeds one's own defense, one will injure oneself while hitting others.

After all, if your Fist Strength hasn't reached that level, it proves your muscle tissue hasn't attained the corresponding Hardness.

A punch thrown will of course injure oneself.

Therefore, even if Xu Wei applies Explosive Step to his arms, he will certainly use a Weapon.

Let the Weapon bear this portion of pressure!

But burst Martial Skill is different; it enhances all aspects!

Whether attack, defense, or speed!

Thus, in theory, the two can be fully stacked together.

"However, whether it truly works this way still requires reaching the Entry Level of Wood Birth Technique."

Xu Wei was thinking.

"Hello, are you laughing at me?"

The girl who was kicked off the Training Arena walked over.

She was kicked away by an avatar with a single kick, and then Xu Wei laughed,

naturally feeling that Xu Wei was mocking her.

"No, I just thought of something."

Xu Wei shook his head.

"It's about Martial Skill, right?"

The girl asked again, and Xu Wei was a bit surprised:

"How did you know?"

"Since you're called Xu Wei, your Enlightenment is astonishing, as the Huangpu Instructor said."

"Just now you saw me fighting the avatar, then you laughed."

"It's not mocking me; it must be that they've comprehended something."

The girl smiled.

Her smile was beautiful.

"Right, just now I saw the Beitang General Avatar use Explosive Step, and I've also gained some comprehension of Explosive Step."

"The Beitang General Avatar used Explosive Step?"

The girl was a bit surprised.

"Hmm, the reason his final attack was so fast is because he applied Explosive Step to his hands!"

Xu Wei nodded, extended both hands, and his qi and blood surged.

In an instant, his arm muscles became even bulkier!

"Explosive Step applied to the hands? Can it be used that way?"

"Of course! When we use Martial Skill we must not fall into a fixed mindset."

"Theoretically, it's not just the legs or hands; other limbs work too."

"I've also studied Explosive Step; could you explain it to me in detail?"

……

"Xu Wei, your comprehension is indeed high!"

"With your guidance, I think I can defeat the Beitang General Avatar!"

A few tens of minutes later, Su Yu, pleased, gave Xu Wei a thumbs‑up.

Martial Skill is a very personal thing, but Xu Wei didn't keep it to himself, which gave her a bit of affection for him.

"Go for it!"

Xu Wei smiled and watched Su Yu challenge again.

This time.

Su Yu knew the Beitang General Avatar would use Explosive Step, so she became very cautious.

The two exchanged moves for over a dozen rounds without a loss; their progress was great.

"First the combat details, then the use of Martial Skill."

"The Beitang General is deliberately training the Genius Class's practical combat ability."

Xu Wei couldn't help but sigh.

Combat Power equals Fist Strength plus Martial Skill plus combat awareness.

The Beitang General Avatar is focusing on training the latter two.

It's like playing an online game and fighting a boss.

First Phase is combat awareness.

Second Phase is Martial Skill.

If both pass, real combat will have no problem.

Even if one doesn't get a good Ranking in Giant God Camp, there's a high chance of passing the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam!

"Unfortunately, the Beitang General uses Explosive Step; if we applied Die Lang Dao, with my current accumulation and Die Lang Dao Baobao's genius, we could quickly reach Entry Level."

Xu Wei sighed.

On the stage, the Beitang General Avatar originally tried to dodge Su Yu's battle‑sword slash, but after Xu Wei spoke, his movement froze, and his battle sword's horizontal guard blocked Su Yu's battle sword.

Immediately, he drew his sword and struck Su Yu hard.

Ding—ding—ding…

Su Yu was cut and sent flying.

"One strike, ten sounds, Micro Level Die Lang Dao!"

Xu Wei's eyes widened.

"Your Die Lang Dao Baobao saw something impressive and seemed to have comprehended something."

Countless comprehensions flooded his mind.

Xu Wei unconsciously began to practice.

Die Lang Dao.

The key point is not speed.

But stacking and waves.

Like rolling waves, layer upon layer, continuous.

But how to make an attack like rolling waves?

Xu Wei was puzzled.

At this moment.

Under Su Yu's astonished gaze.

The Beitang General Avatar, which should have remained still with no challenger, suddenly slashed at Xu Wei.

So that's it…

……

The next morning.

The geniuses began their efforts for the second day.

Many people went to the Training Ground to continue challenging the Beitang General Avatar.

"Why are these three people still here?"

"It seems they were at it all night yesterday."

"Did you go all night?"

"Although we Martial Artists are indeed energetic, isn't pulling an all‑night session a bit excessive?"

"What crap is on your mind? I'm talking about them training for a whole night!"

Many Genius Class students noticed Xu Wei, Ji Ye, and Su Yu.

Xu Wei entered drill mode Yesterday; no matter how Ji Ye and Su Yu called him, they couldn't wake him. Worried he might have an accident, they just trained for a whole night. After all, Martial Artists have great physical condition; they can go days without sleep and stay vigorous.

"That guy is Xu Wei, right? This fellow's Fist Strength is barely One Thousand Jin, yet he's so diligent—compared to him I feel truly ashamed."

Someone recognized Xu Wei and couldn't help shaking their head.

"Indeed, if I had his diligence, my Fist Strength would have already broken ten thousand."

"Enough talk, keep training, and aim to defeat the Beitang General Avatar early."

Qian Han and Wei Yun also walked over.

"Wei Yun, you're not kidding, are you?"

"There was never a time when the Genius Class joined other school teams!"

Qian Han's complexion looked a bit off.

Early this morning, Wei Yun said she wanted to leave her squad and join a team from another school.

Other schools also have lone wolves like Jiang Nian.

Naturally, there are also four‑person teams like theirs.

"I'm not joking!"

"This Year the Genius Class is unlike before; the rewards are frighteningly generous!"

"I can't waste time in a squad that has a Drag‑Along."

"Besides, I asked the Instructor; as long as another team agrees, switching teams is no problem."

"Only basic points can be transferred; you can't inherit other points."

"As far as I know, this Year there are seven or eight lone wolves."

"That means there are seven or eight four‑person teams; I advise you to quickly find a team to join."

Wei Yun walked over and saw Xu Wei practicing Martial Skills:

"Practice, practice, practice—what good is being so diligent?"

She pursed her lips, preparing to rendezvous with the team she just joined.

At that moment.

Xu Wei moved.

"What is he going to do? He can't be planning to challenge the Beitang General Avatar, can he?"

"Don't joke—the Beitang General Avatar has a Fist Strength of Five Thousand Jin; a wave of the hand can blast him away."

"Indeed."

Xu Wei stepped toward the Beitang General Avatar.

Under the stunned gazes of the Genius Class, Wei Yun, Ji Ye, Su Yu, and Qian Han, he swung his blade at the Beitang General Avatar…