Chapter 172: Secret Techniques
Chapter 172: Secret Techniques
Due to Chen Chuan's decision, the trio did not linger any longer at the experimental site. They boarded their vehicle and departed, returning to the outer perimeter of the barbed wire fence.
Chen Chuan alighted from the vehicle and decided to commence his intensified training right there.
To increase the challenge, he deliberately chose unfamiliar areas instead of his previous route, adding a layer of difficulty.
He specifically inquired from He Xiaoxing about regions with relatively higher danger levels. However, even these areas couldn't compare to the extreme danger of the underwater zone beneath the experimental site.
After preparing himself, Chen Chuan entered the water but didn't immediately start swimming. Instead, he sat at the bottom of the pit for two hours.
To be honest, if it were just about maintaining composure and overcoming the psychological pressure of confinement, and if his altered tissue could endure, he believed he could persist for half a day without issues.
So, this wasn't merely sitting; it was a training session to release and then subdue his emotions. He chose this location to further challenge himself and enhance his control.
After this, he began his underwater journey.
He no longer fixated on a one-hour limit but extended the duration until he felt he was approaching his limit. Only then did he surface.
After a brief meal and a ten-minute rest on the shore, he plunged back into the water.
Chang Ba, who was reading a comic book nearby, seemed to not have realized what was happening.
Chen Chuan repeated this underwater journey throughout the day, stimulating his altered tissue with this method, and he continued this routine every day.
With reduced rest time and a full day of training, the intensity was entirely different from before. During the initial days, he felt more fatigued. After returning each day, he would wash up briefly, fall into bed, and sleep. Then, in the early hours of the next day, he would resume his training.
Perhaps driven by a goal, his altered tissue understood his urgent needs and actively responded, cooperating with him. Within just five or six days, he gradually adapted to this new rhythm.
By mid-July, he felt that the dematerialization signs from the mountain spirit slaying had completely vanished, indicating that he would need to use the medicine he had brought.
This time, Chen Chuan didn't plan to return the medicine he had brought. He intended to use it all before going back. A rough calculation showed that, with his current level, he could sustain himself for over half a month without issues.
After ten consecutive days of training, he clearly felt his progress and expressed to He Xiaoxing his intention to attempt the trial again. Thus, he returned to the experimental site for the second time.
Chang Ba eagerly watched, curious to see if Chen Chuan would succeed this time.
Chen Chuan focused on a pit not far ahead, and as usual, he chose a different entrance. He didn't know what he would encounter inside.
However, none of this mattered; he knew he would exert himself to pursue the goals he had set. If he didn't pass, he would intensify his training and try again.
He stretched his body and then leaped into the water, his posture graceful and natural. Even to the untrained eye, it was evident that he exuded more confidence and strength than before.
Chang Ba propped his elbows on his knees, leaning forward to peer into the pit. Since most markers were likely to be bitten off, making it impossible to determine contact with the target by shaking the rope, he could only wait for Chen Chuan to surface and report the names of the markers he had touched. Only then would he know how many markers Chen Chuan had reached.
Suddenly, Chang Ba recalled that Chen Chuan hadn't eaten roasted fish before entering the water this time, meaning he couldn't use poison to deter the fish. The challenge was undoubtedly greater.
After waiting for a while, Chang Ba picked up a comic book to pass the time. Soon after, he noticed He Xiaoxing moving swiftly around the pit, periodically tossing a marker into it.
This sight invigorated Chang Ba's spirit. If Chen Chuan couldn't touch the markers, He Xiaoxing wouldn't need to throw them down one by one.
The goal was to retrieve twelve markers within an hour, which averaged to one marker every five minutes. However, the complex terrain and harsh environment below limited Chen Chuan's performance, and he couldn't precisely time his ascent, needing to leave a buffer and surface early. This meant even less time to complete the task.
Was it truly achievable? As the minutes and seconds ticked by, Chang Ba checked the time; fifty-six minutes had passed. If Chen Chuan didn't surface soon, even with the required number of markers, he would exceed the time limit and fail.
Two more minutes slipped by, and just as the hour was about to end, a splash erupted from one of the pits, and several large fish flew out, landing on the ground and flopping about. Chen Chuan emerged from the water, his hand barely supporting him as he pulled himself out.
Chang Ba stood up and hurried over, asking, "Brother Chen, how was it?"
Chen Chuan regulated his breathing and recited the numbers of the markers he had touched during his ascent. In total, he had exactly twelve markers, no more, no less.
Chang Ba's eyes widened, and he turned to look at He Xiaoxing.
He Xiaoxing, gazing at Chen Chuan, said slowly, "If your goal was twelve markers, then you have passed."
Chang Ba turned back to Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "I aimed high and fell short. My initial goal was fifteen markers, and I didn't quite reach it."
In this instance, he was able to respond swiftly to various aquatic creatures, employing diverse techniques that saved him a significant amount of travel time.
For instance, with the hardhead carp, once he grasped their movement patterns, he could swiftly evade them. Then there was the water grass, which he pushed aside using the water flow or his own strength as soon as he detected it.
And the mussels lurking in the corner, which were the most difficult to guard against. But now that he knew about them, they were easier to deal with. Whenever he spotted one, he would take advantage of the moment before it fully closed, pushing against one side, and then, in an instant, unleashing all his strength to smash the other side.
As long as he wasn't facing hundreds or thousands of fish, these were all manageable situations.
Now, exactly twelve markers, a result he wasn't entirely satisfied with, as he felt he could do better and had room for improvement.
Chang Ba, at this moment, couldn't contain his excitement. "Twelve markers! Chen Xiao, do you know what this means? No fighter at your level has ever achieved this before. This is incredible!" He slapped his chest, making it echo, "I, Chang Ba, keep my word. From now on, Chang Family Inn will be free of charge for you!"
Chen Chuan smiled, "In that case, I won't hold back."
He Xiaoxing spoke in a low voice, "Chen Chuan, come with me." He walked in a certain direction.
Chen Chuan's expression shifted slightly, indicating that He Xiaoxing had something to say to him. After a brief exchange with Chang Ba, he followed He Xiaoxing.
The two walked for more than a mile, reaching a higher ground. Here, they were alone, with only the strong desert winds blowing and the distant horizon showcasing a long mountain silhouette. Behind them, stars twinkled like scattered blood beads on Dan Lake.
He Xiaoxing stood there for a while, then turned to Chen Chuan, who had followed him, and said, "As I told you before, at this stage, don't focus too much on combat techniques. Strength and speed are the priorities."
"Yes, Teacher," Chen Chuan replied, "I believe so too."
(End of Chapter)
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