Chapter 38: Feeling a Sense of Loss

In Wang Liang's eyes, the difficulty of practicing Taiji Fist could be called extremely high.

Even in the martial arts circles of the past, for someone with talent to reach Entry in Taiji Fist, it would take at least three years; if they wanted to reach Entering the Hall, it would take another five years.

As for going a step further to reach the Great Success Realm, without ten years of hard work, it was simply unrealistic. By this calculation, eighteen years would quietly slip away.

In reality, this was already considered a case of rapid progress; someone who could train a Fist Technique to Great Success in twenty or thirty years was already quite remarkable.

The realm after Great Success is Peak Perfection. Ten years ago, only a handful of martial arts masters could reach this level.

Although they were already white-haired, their Spirit was vigorous and their voices were like booming bells; this was precisely the effect of long-term Taiji Fist practice.

As for the Consummation Realm, which is higher than Peak Perfection, it perhaps only exists in legends.

Precisely because of this, many people, after reaching the Great Success Realm in one Fist Technique and finding their progress slowing down, would try to seek another path and practice a second Fist Technique, such as Xingyi Fist, Eight Trigrams Palm, and so on.

On one hand, different Fist Techniques can merge and interpenetrate, and perhaps, inadvertently, a breakthrough in the Fist Technique could be achieved; on the other hand, those who can persist in practicing a Fist Technique for decades must surely harbor a sincere love for martial arts in their hearts.

Practicing other martial arts, feeling the differences between various Fist Techniques, and appreciating their unique charms is also a pleasant thing.

Of course, now that the world has undergone strange changes, whether past martial arts experience is still applicable to the present remains a question.

Yet Lu Yu, who hadn't even achieved Entry, was already thinking about learning a second Fist Technique; he was truly thinking of things too simply.

Wang Liang shook his head gently, walked in front of Li Yang and the others, and began to instruct them in spear techniques.

Lu Yu, meanwhile, stared at the Skill bar and, thinking to himself, added one point of Experience Value. In an instant, the proficiency of his Taiji Fist increased directly by 5%.

At the same time, his comprehension of Taiji Fist in his mind became more profound; the movements he previously thought were standard now appeared to be full of flaws.

"Adding points really is faster, as expected," Lu Yu couldn't help but sigh, though he felt a bit of heartache.

This Taiji Fist consumes too much Experience Value, doesn't it? Could it be that Entry requires 20 points of Experience Value? Back then, Taiji Style Entry only consumed 4 points.

"I'm afraid this is just the beginning; after Entry, the required Experience Value will only increase." Thinking of this, Lu Yu was both excited and worried.

Sigh, I can only take it slowly; after all, there is a road before the cart reaches the mountain, and a boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge. Although Entry is so difficult, the improvement it brings must be immense.

His heart was full of anticipation, but cultivation must always have a gradual process, even if this process is as rapid as a rocket launching.

Lu Yu took a deep breath, relaxed his body, and began practicing Taiji Fist again.

After finishing this time, the increase in proficiency reached three ten-thousandths.

"It seems it doesn't necessarily take three years to reach Entry; the more proficient the movements, the more the proficiency increases. However, I still prefer adding points." Lu Yu added another point of Experience Value, and the Taiji Fist proficiency soared by another 5%.

Just like that, time quietly slipped away.

"Hiss..."

Wang Liang, who had come to check, couldn't help but gasp.

He had already watched Lu Yu practice Taiji Fist several times; at first, he hadn't paid much attention, but later, the more he watched, the more he felt something was wrong.

This kid was practicing more standardly each time, more accurately each time; to describe it as "rapid progress" would not be an exaggeration at all! At this rate, if he did it another dozen times, he might reach Entry on the spot!

But how could this be? This was absolutely impossible! Reaching Entry in Taiji Fist in one day—no, a few hours? It was simply unheard of!

Could it be—Wang Liang's heart jolted, his pupils suddenly dilated—that he had really encountered a legendary martial arts prodigy? The kind of genius who learns as soon as they are taught?

Seeing this, Lu Yu was secretly pleased. That's right, this was exactly the effect he wanted.

If it were just to improve Taiji Fist, he wouldn't need to practice repeatedly here; he could just go back and add points.

But his goal went far beyond that; he planned to learn other Fist Techniques in the future, and this had to pass Wang Liang's inspection.

If he suddenly ran over to tell Wang Liang that his Taiji Fist had reached Great Success, no one would be able to accept it.

Therefore, he could only show his progress in front of Wang Liang; although his progress was heaven-defying, his cultivation speed was naturally this astonishing.

Thinking this, he looked at Wang Liang with a puzzled expression and asked, "Uncle Wang, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something wrong with how I'm practicing?"

Wang Liang coughed violently twice and said, "No, you continue, continue." After saying this, he turned and left, but still looked over here every now and then.

Once, twice, three times... Wang Liang's heart gradually rose to his throat.

That's right, this kid was still improving; could he really reach Entry in one day?

Just then, Lu Yu finished his stance and slowly paced on the open ground.

"Phew..." Wang Liang felt relieved. Thank goodness, thank goodness, it wasn't Entry in one day.

However, looking at his posture, Entry was just a matter of these next two or three days; what difference did that make from one day?

In an instant, Wang Liang was stunned. Yes, it seemed there really was no difference.

This kid, he should, probably, likely, possibly be a martial arts prodigy, right? I should be happy; the stronger he is, the safer the Zhai will be.

But why do I feel a sense of loss in my heart?

Wang Liang looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, and tears seemed to streak across the corners of his eyes.

"It seems Uncle Wang is somewhat mentally prepared now." Lu Yu breathed a sigh of relief and quietly withdrew his gaze.

As for the improvement of Taiji Fist, Lu Yu didn't intend to stop there.

He was leaving the Zhai tomorrow, so naturally, the stronger his strength, the better. With a thought, he added more than ten points of Experience Value.

"Boom!"

His heart seemed to tremble violently, and the surroundings instantly became quiet.

Immediately after, a massive hot current surged out from within, several times stronger than when the Taiji Style leveled up, constantly washing over his limbs and bones.

His entire body's bones cracked and popped, and even his feet felt much lighter.

At the same time, a segment of memory appeared in his mind, as if he had practiced Taiji Fist hundreds or thousands of times, already deeply branded into his bones.

This process lasted for a full five seconds. When the hot current disappeared, Lu Yu was still immersed in the wonderful feeling from just a moment ago.

After a few more seconds, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. The feedback from his body told him that this improvement was definitely not simple.

【Taiji Fist: First Glimpse of the Path, Traits: Prolonging Life Level 1, Vigorous Strength Level 1, Light and Agile Level 1】

"Three traits!" Lu Yu exclaimed aloud. No wonder it consumed so much Experience Value, and they were all brand-new traits.

He checked them one by one.

【Prolonging Life: Each level increased, Constitution attribute increases by 5 points】

【Vigorous Strength: Each level gained increases Strength attribute by 3 points】

【Light Agility: Each level gained increases Agility attribute by 3 points】

"5 points of Constitution, 3 points of Strength, 3 points of Agility; does this mean that every time my proficiency increases, it gives me 11 points of attribute value?" Lu Yu's lips trembled slightly. Compared to the Taiji Style, this was simply a world of difference; there was no comparison at all!