Chapter 53 - 52: Beginning to Practice Guiding Technique! Promo Released! (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Chapter 53: Chapter 52: Beginning to Practice Guiding Technique! Promo Released! (Seeking Follow-up Reads)The absence of a cultivation threshold means that on Xuanxing, in Xia Country, I’ll be perceived as a martial arts genius! I can definitely obtain more martial arts resources through ’Talent’ and then contribute back to the martial arts of the Da Jing Dynasty. From Skin Grinding, to Bone Forging, and then to Viscera Training! Jiang Shu took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart. On the screen, Xie Feichen’s movements were peculiar. He executed each one slowly; clearly, this was the Primordial Guiding Skill one could begin to learn after achieving Perfection in the Horse Stance. "The Guiding Skill I am imparting to you now is called the ’Primordial Guiding Skill,’ totaling one hundred and eight forms." "Back then, I had merely comprehended the first thirty-six forms and had already reached the Bright Energy stage. So, what you need to do now is memorize these first thirty-six forms." As he spoke, Xie Feichen had already completed the thirty-six forms. "Completing these thirty-six forms does not guarantee you will reach the Bright Energy stage. Our Xia Country’s martial arts emphasize comprehension and Talent. This is because reaching the Bright Energy stage requires you to gain insight from these thirty-six forms." "The first step to comprehension is practice, practice, and more practice." "Pay attention to my breathing and to every single one of my movements. Do not make any mistakes." He began the first form again. This time, Xie Feichen said nothing, focusing solely on his movements and breathing. Each exhalation was like an arrow of white vapor. Jiang Shu followed the rhythm, practicing the first thirty-six forms step by step. After managing to keep up with the first nine forms, the subsequent twenty-seven left Jiang Shu’s movements increasingly stiff and his breathing somewhat erratic. It was clear that even with the grand circulation of Qi and blood throughout his body, he was merely at the minimum level required to practice these thirty-six forms. Jiang Shu gritted his teeth and persevered. By the time he finished one set of the forms, his T-shirt was soaked through with sweat, though he hadn’t noticed when it happened. He felt as if he barely had the strength to lift a finger. Jiang Shu took two deep breaths and, unable to stop himself, plopped down on the ground. He felt as if he had returned to his first time practicing the Horse Stance. On the panel, the Primordial Guiding Skill had not updated. Clearly, I must... reach entry-level. Having anticipated this outcome, Jiang Shu wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. He supported himself with one hand on the ground and slowly got up. Since even with the grand circulation of Qi and blood, practicing the first thirty-six forms of this Primordial Guiding Skill is still difficult, and since mere mastery isn’t enough—I also need true understanding—then I’ll just wait. I’ll wait until I’ve achieved Perfection in all three methods and successfully entered the Skin Grinding Realm. I’ll practice these thirty-six forms again then. At that point, with my downward compatibility, my starting point will be entry-level, completely bypassing what is, for me, the most difficult initial stage. And any skill, once I reach entry-level... is bound for Perfection! The power of the panel is truly terrifying. The video on the computer screen stopped. Jiang Shu shut down his computer, still unaware that the martial arts promotional film he had shot with Ye Zhenzhen was now officially airing. Ji City TV, which previously aired commercials during drama series, had replaced them all with the martial arts promotional film. Ji City’s Fifth High School’s official website even featured the film prominently on its homepage. In the school’s dedicated online forum, discussion threads about it exploded, sending its popularity soaring! "’Damn, guaranteed admission to Jiangnan Academy and he’s shooting a martial arts promotional film with Ye Zhenzhen?! No way! That guy, Jiang Shu, is he really from Ji City’s Fifth High, not First High?’" "’I’m shook! Saw the school banner about the guaranteed admission this morning, and this afternoon I see Goddess Ye Zhenzhen practicing martial arts with Jiang Shu.’" "’Leaping out and walking on water! How can Jiang Shu be so cool! I’m claiming him! *Whimper*.’" "’Stop dreaming! Didn’t you see? Even with Ye Zhenzhen right beside him, Jiang Shu doesn’t even glance her way. If a whiny fangirl like you approached him, you’d probably get punched. I think you’d be better off giving me your contact info. The college entrance exams are almost over; we could chat.’" "’Damn it! Why didn’t anyone say so earlier? If I’d known that achieving Perfection in the Horse Stance and the grand circulation of Qi and blood meant I could shoot a film with Ye Zhenzhen, I would’ve busted my ass for it too!’" "’Film? What film? Where? What’s the code?’" "’The film you’re talking about, @OP, is it SFW?’" "’???’" 「...」 After buying groceries from the nearby market, Xu Lizhi walked with a lighter step. Ever since her son told her she could count on him, she had truly started to relax. After all, everyone said that high school children desperately needed companionship. Her son had called earlier that day to tell her he’d been guaranteed admission to Jiangnan Academy. Her heart finally settled completely. She no longer needed to worry excessively about her son’s future. From now on, she could take things easier and spend more time with her daughter, Jiang Yanyue. This would also lighten her husband’s burden, so he wouldn’t have to rush home every day to cook. As usual, Xu Lizhi entered the Qingjiang Garden residential area. However, just as she was approaching her apartment building, Cai Yu, the Women’s Federation Director who was around her age, suddenly hurried over with a fawning smile. "Sister Xu!" Qingjiang Garden was a resettlement housing complex. It still retained some vestiges of the old village system, including a village head and a Women’s Federation Director. Xu Lizhi stopped, puzzled. Usually, Cai Yu only approached people like this when it was time to collect medical insurance payments, reminding them so no one forgot. But it clearly wasn’t that time of year. Could there be some village-organized activity? Besides, even if there were, there’d be no need to call me ’Sister Xu.’ In the past, didn’t she always just call me Lizhi? "Director Cai, is something the matter?" Xu Lizhi replied with a smile, not putting down the groceries in her hand. Regardless, she’d never had any issues with Cai Yu, and since the other woman approached smiling, how could she not respond in kind? "Oh, I was just wondering, is your Little Shu home yet?" "Little Shu? I’m not sure. He’s been rather elusive lately. As his mother, all I can do is cook for him. Kids these days, once they’re grown, you can’t really manage them." Xu Lizhi gestured with the groceries in her hand, giving a vague reply. Until she knew Cai Yu’s intentions, she wouldn’t say much more. "Hehe, it’s nothing major. You know how kids are these days, always chasing celebrities. My daughter is a big fan of Ye Zhenzhen. Didn’t your Little Shu film a promotional video with Ye Zhenzhen? I was hoping to ask him for an autograph to give my daughter a surprise." "Promotional video? Ye Zhenzhen?" Xu Lizhi was stunned. What on earth is Cai Yu talking about? I understand each word individually, but put together, it’s like listening to a foreign language. Isn’t my son always practicing martial arts? Since when did he film a promotional video with a celebrity? "You don’t know? Oh my, that boy Little Shu, he really should have told you about something this big!" Seeing Xu Lizhi’s expression, Cai Yu guessed she was unaware. As she spoke, she took out her phone, deftly cued up a video, and showed it to Xu Lizhi. A moment later, Xu Lizhi saw her son in the video. He was by a lake, holding a solid Horse Stance. And right beside him was indeed the famous celebrity Cai Yu had mentioned, Ye Zhenzhen! Watching the familiar figure in the video, Xu Lizhi’s breath hitched. No one could imagine the impact this video had on her. Just a short while ago, she and Jiang Shu had been at the cinema watching a movie starring this very Ye Zhenzhen. She even remembered commenting afterward how pretty the girl was. And now, so little time had passed, and that big-screen celebrity had filmed a promotional video with her son?!!!