Chapter 72 - 71: The Energy Release is in the Fingers!

Who am I? Where am I? What was I about to say just now? Looking at Jiang Shu, who nodded slightly, Shou Junming felt the world spinning. No, dude. You’ve made it onto the newcomer ranking, so why sit in the back corner with me! Don’t you know this is the throne for slackers? Shou Junming looked aggrieved. At that moment, a student in the front row stood up and asked, "Teacher Xie, those on the newcomer ranking are not necessarily strong now, right? They’ve just entered Manifested Jin earlier. Perhaps some have been neglecting Martial Arts due to playing and enjoyment over the summer." "That’s natural," Xie Feichen replied. "Otherwise, why would Xia Country even hold competitions? Everyone could just follow the ranking order on the newcomer list. We Martial Artists are in the first Realm. But within the same Realm, combat power is what really matters." "Also in Manifested Jin, a punch that makes the air explode is Manifested Jin. The ability to focus that force onto a fingertip and shatter both wood and stone with a flick is also Manifested Jin!" Xie Feichen took a step forward, brought his index and middle fingers together, slightly bent them, and suddenly flicked. His fingers struck an unoccupied desk. There was a "SNAP" sound. The entire desk did not move. But on the edge of the desk, a notch the size of a finger had clearly appeared. Xie Feichen lifted the desk, showing it to everyone. Suddenly, the whole room fell silent. The ability to project force with a finger—such a skill was truly frightening! The students still in the stage of major circulation of Qi and Blood had no idea what it meant. The students in the front rows who had already entered Manifested Jin—their pupils all dilated in shock. They had entered Manifested Jin, and they knew their own capabilities. The so-called explosive sound was actually achieved after long preparation: aligning shoulders and hips, elbows and knees, hands and feet, and then exploding with a punch to make a crisp sound. This sound represented total concentration, the power of the whole body. And there on the podium was Xie Feichen. He remained still. He flicked his finger to release the force. Though it was still Manifested Jin he displayed, the difference... was like heaven and earth! "Just now, Yang Kai’s thoughts were overly simplistic," Xie Feichen continued. "The first half was correct, but the latter half was not. At this stage, how many of those who become Martial Artists are not sincere in their Martial Arts training? Playing and enjoyment? Perhaps there’s a slight possibility for those who just train in martial arts." "But for Manifested Jin Martial Artists, especially those who have trained the first thirty-six forms of the Innate Guiding Skill to a certain level, their every move, even in daily activities, is influenced by the Guiding Skill. How could they possibly slack off in Martial Arts?" "Jiang Shu." Upon hearing Xie Feichen call his name, Jiang Shu stood up helplessly. He was indeed somewhat interested in this university Martial Arts competition. Firstly, the top-ranked talents on the list made him appreciate the abundance of outstanding individuals emerging in the Xia Country. Especially Shang Jibei, ranked first, who had entered Manifested Jin back in April. Back then, Jiang Shu himself, even with his panel, was only at the stage of Qi Blood Transport. This showed Shang Jibei’s incredible talent. Interacting with them and verifying his own strength would let him know where he stood among the Martial Arts talents of Xuanxing. Secondly, and most importantly, if Xia Country was hosting such a grand event, there would definitely be significant rewards. Besides the prizes from the competition, if he could rank well, the academy would definitely award him many academic credits. However he looked at it, it was a venture with everything to gain and nothing to lose. "In our Jiangnan Academy, only three students are on the newcomer list," Xie Feichen announced. "Jiang Shu is ranked nineteenth. The other two students are Zhao Su from Class 2, ranked twenty-seventh, and Xia Ke’er from Class 3, ranked thirty-fifth." "Unlike Zhao Su and Xia Ke’er, Jiang Shu did not come to the academy at all during the entire summer break. If any of you are interested, you can go to the adjacent vacant training room to spar with Jiang Shu." "Teacher Xie, let me try." As soon as Xie Feichen finished speaking, Yang Kai was eager to try. He had been the first to ask a question and had just entered Manifested Jin a few days ago; his Martial Artist certification was still pending. Having never sparred with a peer in the same Realm, seeing someone from the newcomer list naturally stirred his excitement. "Alright." Xie Feichen walked towards the adjacent vacant training room, and the students followed. In the spacious classroom, Yang Kai paid no attention to the crowd’s gazes. In the center, he began performing the thirty-six forms of the Innate Guiding Skill, his body alternating between relaxation and tension, occasionally producing a snapping force in the air. Meanwhile, Jiang Shu gave Yang Kai enough space, simply standing stably in the corner without any superfluous movements. "Jiang Shu, are you sure?" Seeing that the two had not started fighting yet, Shou Junming, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but speak up. He had arrived at the academy much earlier than Jiang Shu and could say he had fought with everyone in the class.NovelFire) Yang Kai, though he has comprehended Manifested Jin, wasn’t the first in class to do so. But when it came to the major circulation of Qi and Blood, he always managed to suppress everyone. Even I, despite my larger build, suffered subtle losses when fighting him. I don’t know where Yang Kai learned his combat skills from; he always manages to win despite being weaker. Clearly, at that time, my own strength was greater than his. He couldn’t help but sigh deeply. In his view, Jiang Shu might not necessarily be a match for Yang Kai. After all, Yang Kai’s combat power was evident. Jiang Shu is new to the academy and even vied with me for the slacker’s throne. Perhaps he really has neglected his Martial Arts. "Let’s give it a try," Jiang Shu replied casually. Just as I thought, Shou Junming mused. He patted Jiang Shu on the shoulder, leaned in, and whispered in his ear, "Yang Kai is as troublesome as a monkey. Pay extra attention when he uses his arms to strike. Once you’re hit, it will hurt a lot. And he dodges very quickly. You can’t use all your strength in one punch; if you can’t pull back, your whole body will lean forward, and he will spot your weakness." "I haven’t sparred with him since he entered Manifested Jin, but he must be more formidable now. I think you could try to feign an attack; pretend to use all your strength in a punch, but actually, twist your body so you can still generate force." Shou Junming wanted to say more, but at that moment, Yang Kai had already taken two deep breaths. His entire body was in an extremely relaxed state; he was clearly ready. "Come on," he said, jumping twice on the spot and settling into a posture completely different from the Horse Stance. "I heard someone say this seems to be some kind of Three-Body Stance; I don’t really understand it, just thought I’d mention it to you," Shou Junming said, finishing his advice to Jiang Shu before retreating several steps. Indeed. In the Xia Country, there must be other Martial Arts traditions being passed down. The Horse Stance is merely what the Xia Country taught to commoners, ordinary students for Martial Arts training. Some Martial Arts families naturally have their own stances. Perhaps Shang Jibei is also like this. Taking a step forward, Jiang Shu’s expression was calm and untroubled. "Student Jiang Shu, watch out!" Yang Kai shouted, and as soon as the words left his mouth, he made the first move. This is different from my past fights with classmates, where I could rely on my rich combat experience to easily react and overcome them. But now, facing Jiang Shu, who entered Manifested Jin two months before I did... how could I dare to hold back? I have to strike first! Catch him off guard! His limbs and great spine tensed like a fully drawn bow. Yang Kai threw a punch, Manifested Jin exploding! But at that moment, Jiang Shu’s mind was recalling the scene Xie Feichen had demonstrated during class. It was as if he wanted to reenact that very scenario. His fingers curved. With a gentle flick. A slight, crisp sound as the air was displaced. SNAP! Before Yang Kai’s astonished eyes, Jiang Shu’s fingers fiercely collided with his fist.