Chapter 285: Fist Art
"Alright. For these seven days, you can temporarily stay in my cultivation residence. We can also exchange insights on martial arts doubts, which should help us both improve." Luo Shuihan said.
"That might not be appropriate." Zhang Ruochen said.
After all, Luo Shuihan's "Earth List" test results had already spread. Now, she was publicly recognized as the number one expert and number one genius of the younger generation. Coupled with her illustrious family background and peerless beauty, she could even be called the number one beauty.
With so many halos gathered upon her, she naturally became the focus of everyone's attention.
Moreover, many people had seen Zhang Ruochen come to her cultivation residence, which was already enough to astonish countless people.
If Zhang Ruochen were to stay in her cultivation residence for seven consecutive days, one could imagine the uproar it would cause.
Luo Shuihan was extremely intelligent. In just an instant, she understood the concerns in Zhang Ruochen's heart. She smiled lightly and said, "Since Junior Brother has concerns, then come again tomorrow. The doors of my cultivation residence will always be open for you."
Hearing Luo Shuihan's words made Zhang Ruochen feel that he was being overly sensitive.
Since she didn't care about those rumors and gossip, why should he?
In the end, Zhang Ruochen still didn't stay. He stood up and left.
Returning to his cultivation secret mansion, Zhang Ruochen explained some doubts about the cultivation of "Ten Meridians Sword Wave" to Kong Xuan, then began cultivating alone to consolidate his newly broken-through realm.
Four days ago, Kong Xuan had reached the initial stage of the sword following the heart and had already begun cultivating the "Ten Meridians Sword Wave."
The next day, Zhang Ruochen went to Luo Shuihan's cultivation residence again to continue comprehending the martial arts within the Half-Saint Sacred Intent Diagram.
Five consecutive days passed, and Zhang Ruochen had gained nothing, though his spiritual power had improved somewhat.
Although there was no clue about the martial arts in the Half-Saint Sacred Intent Diagram, Luo Shuihan remained very calm. She simply said, "For the past five days, has Junior Brother been deliberately trying to comprehend the martial arts?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "I also feel that the method is problematic. Sometimes, deliberately pursuing something makes it impossible to succeed. Tomorrow, I'll try a different approach."
On the sixth day, after entering the Half-Saint Sacred Intent Diagram, Zhang Ruochen no longer deliberately tried to comprehend the martial arts. Instead, he emptied his mind and began to observe the scenery within the Sacred Intent Diagram, feeling the water's flow cleansing his body.
The more he did this, the calmer his heart became.
Just then, another shadowy figure appeared on the water's surface.
That shadowy figure was very similar to Luo Xu's portrait. Standing on the water as if on flat ground, it executed one mysterious fist art after another.
It finally appeared!
Zhang Ruochen's heart was delighted. He looked carefully and soon recognized the set of fist arts—it was Luo Xu's signature technique: the Luo Water Fist Art.
The thirty-six moves of the Luo Water Fist Art had shaken the Demon Ridge, and warriors still talked about it with relish.
However, the Luo Water Fist Art performed by that shadowy figure was completely different from the one Zhang Ruochen had seen before.
Because, although the shadowy figure seemed to execute many moves, from start to finish, it only performed one move. There were no thirty-six moves at all.
Zhang Ruochen continued to observe and discovered new subtleties.
That single move performed by the shadowy figure contained all the essence of the thirty-six moves of the Luo Water Fist Art, and even had a transcendent quality.
"What a formidable fist art."
Zhang Ruochen imitated the shadowy figure and began to practice.
After completing one round, Zhang Ruochen found that he hadn't even fully learned the "form" of that single move.
If he couldn't even learn the "form," how could he learn the "intent"?
Zhang Ruochen began to practice over and over again, constantly pondering that one move, continuously rehearsing, modifying, and comprehending.
Ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times, two thousand times...
He didn't know how many thousands of times he had practiced, but Zhang Ruochen finally grasped a trace of mystery. It was as if a door had suddenly opened, allowing him to enter the hall of martial arts.
He had finally entered the gateway of the fist art.
Zhang Ruochen performed the fist art once more. His legs hooked like anchors as he moved his steps, and with a single punch, the entire scroll world seemed to resonate with the sound of wind and thunder.
It appeared to be one punch, yet it seemed to contain the power of thirty-six punches.
In Luo Shuihan's residence, a golden foil scroll hung in midair.
Huang Yanchen, Duanmu Xingling, and Luo Shuihan sat beneath the scroll. Each was a beauty of the highest order, yet their temperaments were distinct.
In front of the three of them were three crystal-clear jade cups filled with Half-Saint True Liquid.
The dense sacred qi of the Half-Saint True Liquid had turned into white dragon-like mists, dancing among the three of them.
Today, Huang Yanchen and Duanmu Xingling had deliberately come to visit Luo Shuihan. After all, they had once been the proud daughters of the Western Courtyard, and their friendship was still deep.
With a cup of Half-Saint True Liquid placed before her, Huang Yanchen showed no interest. She got straight to the point and asked, "Senior Sister Luo, I heard that Zhang Ruochen has been staying in your residence for nine days?"
Luo Shuihan said, "So, Sister Chen's visit is a pretext. Finding Zhang Ruochen is the real purpose."
Luo Shuihan was younger than Huang Yanchen, but her cultivation was higher.
Thus, Huang Yanchen called her "Senior Sister," while Luo Shuihan called Huang Yanchen "Sister Chen."
"That's right. I'm here to find him."
Huang Yanchen didn't hide it and said it with complete justification.
Why shouldn't she be justified?
A fiancée coming to find her fiancé was only natural.
Now, many rumors had spread within the Martial Market Academy, so Huang Yanchen had brought Duanmu Xingling along to visit Luo Shuihan, wanting to find out if Zhang Ruochen and Luo Shuihan were really together as the rumors claimed.
Luo Shuihan smiled faintly. "Xingling, what are you here for?"
Duanmu Xingling sat to the side, having already finished her cup of Half-Saint True Liquid. She laughed and said, "Of course, I'm here to watch the excitement. I just want to know what method Zhang Ruochen used to become a regular guest at Senior Sister Luo's residence. Right now, countless people outside are filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred."
Luo Shuihan glanced at the Half-Saint Sacred Intent Diagram and showed a hint of joy. "He's about to wake up. When he does, you can ask him yourselves."
Suddenly, a faint white light appeared on the scroll. One of the white specks of light flew out and landed on Zhang Ruochen's head.
Zhang Ruochen, who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground, suddenly opened his eyes and asked, "How many days have I been cultivating in the Half-Saint Sacred Intent Diagram?"
"Nine days."
Luo Shuihan immediately walked over. "Cultivating for nine days straight—you must have gained quite a bit, right?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "I have comprehended that martial art. Now, I'll pass it on to you. As long as you can reach the gateway and grasp the mystery of that martial art, entering the Half-Saint Sacred Intent Diagram will allow you to resonate with it and receive its inheritance. After all, that martial art's inheritance was left for you by Senior Luo Xu."
Luo Shuihan smiled. "No rush. Sister Chen and Xingling are visiting my residence. Would you like to join us for a cup of Half-Saint True Liquid?"
Only then did Zhang Ruochen notice Huang Yanchen and Duanmu Xingling in the distance. A bitter smile appeared on his face.
Having cultivated in Luo Shuihan's residence for nine consecutive days, it would be strange if Huang Yanchen could still sit still.
After teaching Luo Shuihan the single fist art move, Zhang Ruochen left with Huang Yanchen and Duanmu Xingling, walking out of Luo Shuihan's cultivation residence.
Duanmu Xingling still looked unconvinced. "Zhang Ruochen, were you really just helping Senior Sister Luo comprehend martial arts?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "I just passed on the martial art I comprehended to Senior Sister Luo, and you were both right there. Why don't you believe it?"
"Tch, I didn't see you pass on any martial art to Senior Sister Luo with my own eyes." Duanmu Xingling rolled her eyes.
Zhang Ruochen said, "That was a martial art left by Senior Luo Xu, a secret of the Luo Clan. How could I let you see it?"
"Anyway, I don't believe it. It's not just me—if this gets out, I doubt anyone in the entire Demon Ridge would believe it." Duanmu Xingling said. "Now, everyone knows that Senior Sister Luo is the number one expert of the younger generation. She doesn't need your help."
"Believe it or not, it's up to you." Zhang Ruochen said.
Duanmu Xingling looked at Huang Yanchen. "Sister Chen, do you believe him?"
Huang Yanchen said, "I believe him."
"You actually believe him?"
Duanmu Xingling's eyes widened, and she shook her head vigorously. "Hopeless, hopeless. There's no saving you."
Zhang Ruochen was also a bit surprised. He glanced at Huang Yanchen, and his impression of her improved somewhat.
It seemed that Senior Sister Huang wasn't a completely impulsive woman. At least she could judge right from wrong. That was quite commendable.
But Huang Yanchen's next sentence plunged Zhang Ruochen back into the abyss.
She said, "I believe Senior Sister Luo. With her character, she would never deceive us. As for Zhang Ruochen's words... believe half of them!"
Zhang Ruochen was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He shook his head, realizing he had overestimated Huang Yanchen.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious. "Senior Sister Huang, do you still remember that dragon horn?"
Huang Yanchen abruptly stopped in her tracks. She glanced at Duanmu Xingling with a cautious expression. "Are you ready to go?"
"What dragon horn? What are you two talking about? Where are you going?"
Duanmu Xingling was like a curious child, looking back and forth between Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen.
Zhang Ruochen said, "With just the two of us, we can't take all the treasures of the Four-Winged Earth Dragon. We need at least six people. I think we can bring Senior Sister Duanmu along."
"Yes, yes! Bring me along! What are you two hiding from me? Tell me quickly—you're driving me crazy!" Duanmu Xingling said.
Huang Yanchen's expression relaxed a bit. "Even if we need to find six people, they must be the six most trustworthy ones. There can't be any uncertain factors."
Duanmu Xingling quickly patted her chest. "Obviously, I am someone you can trust."
Zhang Ruochen nodded to Huang Yanchen.
"Alright. Then tell her."
Huang Yanchen looked at Duanmu Xingling. "Xingling, do you still remember the training in the Chi Kong Secret Mansion last time?"
"Of course, I remember."
Huang Yanchen said, "It was in the Chi Kong Secret Mansion that we found a dragon horn. We suspect that dragon horn is the key to opening the dragon palace at the bottom of the Tongming River."