Chapter 8: Assistance

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 16】

【Occupation: Martial Artist】

【First Stage: Skin and Muscle (Skin Strengthening: 33/100)】

【Military Boxing Twelve Forms: 75/100 (Beginner)】

【Great Dragon Stance: 80/100 (Beginner)】

【Gate of All Heavens: 39/100 (Calibrating)】

……

“My Military Boxing Twelve Forms is still at Beginner level…”

When Fang Xing focused his attention on the Military Boxing section, a miraculous sight occurred.

The symbol representing Military Boxing Twelve Forms unfolded, revealing twelve sub-sections:

【Bow Stance Cannon Fist: 1/100 (Proficient)】

【Half-Step Crashing Fist: 77/100 (Beginner)】

【Blocking Horizontal Fist: 81/100 (Beginner)】

……

【Ax Kick: 55/100 (Beginner)】

【Dual Snake Kick: 67/100 (Beginner)】

……

Twelve sub-sections in total, each corresponding exactly to one of the twelve forms of Military Boxing.

“Over these days, I’ve focused intensely on a few techniques—and the results are clear… Especially Bow Stance Cannon Fist, which has surpassed ‘Beginner’ and reached ‘Proficient’? That’s the ‘Cannon Fist that costs ten thousand gold to hear once’ Master Xia Long spoke of—Cannon Fist achieved?”

“But the other techniques remain at Beginner level, so the overall rating is still Beginner?”

Fang Xing felt he was beginning to grasp the pattern of the attribute panel.

“Excellent. The ‘Cannon Fist that costs ten thousand gold to hear once’—in ancient times, your Bow Stance Cannon Fist would already be considered truly accomplished.”

At that moment, a tall figure entered the classroom—it was Xia Long!

He scanned the room, then fixed his gaze on Fang Xing: “Fang Xing, come to my office.”

“Yes, Master!”

Fang Xing’s heart stirred, and he followed Xia Long to the office.

Inside, the door opened to a vast space; on a rosewood desk sat a set of celadon tea ware.

A teapot hissed gently on a small brazier.

“Sit. Would you like tea?”

Xia Long sat down with effortless authority, yet his hands moved like flowing water as he prepared the tea.

⊙C〇

Fang Xing stared, eyes wide.

“What? Seems odd to you?”

Xia Long held the teacup, smiling: “Scientific research shows that to grasp even a trace of Meaning, the most important thing is spontaneity… Brewing tea, to me, is an ancient ritual of heart cultivation—it brings me calm.”

“Heart cultivation…”

Fang Xing nodded, feigning deep awe despite partial confusion.

“Meaning can be wind, rain, thunder, lightning, heaven and earth… or flowers, birds, fish, insects, the myriad faces of life… In short, it is the power of the heart! But such things are profoundly mysterious—each person must find their own path by chance… True geniuses, even while standing the Great Dragon Stance to the very end, can still attain the ‘Dragon Meaning.’”

Xia Long waved his hand: “These are too distant for you now—just give you a goal… Fang Xing, I’ve been observing you for some time. You’re excellent—every day you improve… Today, you gave me a pleasant surprise.”

“It’s all thanks to your guidance, Master,” Fang Xing replied with humble smile.

“And your post-class efforts, too…” Xia Long thought this might be a diligent genius, but he wouldn’t say it aloud—afraid of inflating his ego.

He nodded: “I called you here simply to give you something. Take it.”

As he spoke, he opened a drawer, pulled out a box, and handed it over.

Fang Xing took it, opened it, and saw a row of test tubes neatly arranged inside.

Inside each test tube was a thick, azure liquid, faintly sparkling with specks of starlight.

“D3-grade Nutrient Solution?”

A flicker of excitement crossed his face, though internally he gasped: ‘This entire box must cost tens of thousands… No wonder Master Xia Long is so wealthy—his private tutoring income is just a few extra hours a week…’

Recalling how long his previous self had to save just for a single dose, Fang Xing nearly wept: “Master… this is too valuable.”

“To me, it’s less than a single hair from a cow’s tail.”

Xia Long shook his head: “As a teacher, I want to produce good students. The better your results, the higher my performance bonus—this is mutual benefit. No need to feel uneasy.”

“Then… thank you, Master.”

Fang Xing bowed deeply in gratitude.

“Good. Keep working hard… I hope to see you perform well in the final exam.”

Xia Long smiled: “Compared to natural-born students, you still need to work harder… Their resources and conditions—you know, nutrient solution is just the beginning.”

“Yes.”

Fang Xing stepped out of the office, feeling the box in his hand slightly heavy.

‘To many, this might mean nothing—but to me, it’s a gift in the snow.’

‘I’ll have to repay this kindness someday.’

……

Happiness Home Community.

Back home, Fang Xing suppressed his eagerness, finished dinner, rested a while, then went to the training room.

“D3-grade Nutrient Solution: concentrated with numerous alien nutrients, precisely formulated by the Omniscient Brain… Confirmed optimal for low-rank martial artists. Oral dose: 20 milliliters…”

He opened the box, read the instructions and warnings on the label.

Then he picked up one test tube and slowly uncapped it.

The blue, viscous liquid emitted a strange odor—neither pleasant nor unpleasant, but utterly peculiar.

“Deep feeling, down the hatch!”

Fang Xing poured exactly 20 milliliters into a measuring cup and swallowed it in one gulp.

Glug glug glug!

A chilling sensation slid down his throat straight into his stomach.

The nutrient solution took effect quickly!

Within five or six minutes, Fang Xing felt a powerful sense of fullness.

‘Mistake—I shouldn’t have eaten dinner. Now I’ve wasted a meal…’

A thought crossed his mind, then warmth surged through every limb and bone, his skeleton tingling pleasantly, as if receiving a premium massage.

“Open the liver!”

Confirming the nutrient solution was active, Fang Xing immediately assumed the Great Dragon Stance and began training intensely.

Inhale… Exhale…

With slow, deep breaths, his spine trembled slightly, like a great dragon stirring, driving his limbs like dragon claws.

Fang Xing emptied his mind, sinking deeper into training, losing all sense of time.

One hour… two hours… three hours…

“I…”

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and collapsed onto the floor.

He glanced at the clock beside him, stunned: “Ten twenty at night? I’ve been standing the stance… three hours? This…”

He checked his body—aside from slight exhaustion, it felt no different than after an hour of training.

“Is this the effect of D3-grade Nutrient Solution? Extends training time without damaging the body?”

“For me, that’s a threefold boost.”

His eyes gleamed as he checked his attribute panel:

【Great Dragon Stance: 81/100 (Beginner)】

“One session increased it by one point. If this pace continues…”

A faint smile appeared on Fang Xing’s face.

……

The next day.

Yucai High School.

Martial Arts Class.

“Everything is different.”

Fang Xing assumed his fist stance, feeling as if he had been reborn—especially when practicing Bow Stance Cannon Fist.

The flow of blood and qi, the coordination of limbs—all felt beautifully smooth, like an old machine freshly oiled.

‘Silky… exquisite…’

‘Is this what Proficient level feels like?’

‘What if I break through all twelve forms of Military Boxing—and even Great Dragon Stance? What then?’

A quiet anticipation stirred in his heart.

"Warm-up done! Today’s lesson continues with sparring!"

At this moment, Xia Long strode forward, glanced at Fang Xing, a hint of satisfaction flickering across his face before vanishing, then barked: "Form groups..."

"Teacher!"

At this moment, a tall white student raised his hand—it was Cole!

"What is it?" Xia Long frowned.

"The thing is, sparring with other students doesn’t help me much. I’d like to challenge Fang Xing!"

Cole stared at Fang Xing, his face filled with unhidden hostility.

Only recently, he had been the teacher’s most favored student!

His cannon fist was nearly perfected!

How had this once-invisible classmate suddenly surpassed him?

'Still just a boy... too impulsive.'

Fang Xing’s face remained expressionless; he waved his hand, signaling Liu Wei not to worry.

"Specifying an opponent?"

Xia Long stroked his chin and grinned, clearly enjoying the spectacle: "That does sound interesting. Fang Xing, what do you say?"

"I leave it to the teacher’s discretion!"

Fang Xing replied indifferently.

"Then clear the arena—you two go first."

Xia Long nodded, instructing the students to step back and make space.

Seeing this, Liu Wei couldn’t help but glance anxiously at Fang Xing.

"Ah Wei..."

Bai Lianyi walked up beside Liu Wei: "Are you worried about Fang Xing?"

"Yeah... Ah Xing has improved quickly lately, but Cole... Cole... sigh..."

Liu Wei watched the arena: "Still, Ah Xing’s endured plenty of beatings—he should be fine, right?"

Bai Lianyi gazed at the arena, her clear eyes holding a trace of curiosity.

Ouyang Qianqian, however, subtly glanced their way.

As a perceptive girl, she had long known Liu Wei harbored feelings for her but dared not speak them.

Who would’ve thought, only a few days later? Her own puppy had run off with someone else!

Though she didn’t like Liu Wei, for some reason, she was furious.

Then...

She quickly turned her gaze to Fang Xing.

The last time he had voluntarily surrendered, they’d had no further chance to fight.

In truth, she too wanted another bout with Fang Xing.

"Begin!"

Xia Long looked at the two and spoke directly.

"Kid, I’m going to make you understand..."

Cole’s face twisted into a cruel grin; his body darted forward like a nimble bear, closing the distance in an instant.

Fang Xing felt the rush of wind before him and calmly raised his right hand.

Whoosh!

His blood qi surged like gunpowder, igniting violently!

His five fingers clenched together, shooting out like a cannonball!

Bow stance, Cannon Fist!

A single punch worth ten thousand gold!

BOOM!

Like a cannonball firing, a thunderous crack echoed through the air, causing nearby students to clutch their ears, faces contorted in pain.

"Huh?"

Liu Wei stared in shock as Cole flew backward faster than he had charged, his expression stunned...