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Chapter 28: Self-Awareness
Chapter 28: Self-Awareness
Upon returning home, Chen Chuan's first priority was to use an alarm clock to measure the overlap duration with his second self.
Although he didn't win against Coach Gu in the end, he was still satisfied with his performance, so he expected a significant improvement.
Indeed, the results surprised him, as the overlap duration increased by more than twenty seconds compared to before.
In combat, every second can determine a lot, and the improvement of over twenty seconds made the total overlap duration exceed one minute and thirty seconds, boosting his confidence in passing the re-examination.
He stood up from the edge of the bed and looked out the window. Through the previous battle, he also confirmed the path he should take.
At this stage, deepening his techniques wouldn't be very useful. His current self, in terms of both combat experience and skills, couldn't compare to those who had taken the lead.
He should take advantage of the second self's advantage of being impervious to injuries and use all his strength without reservation during the overlap duration to defeat opponents with a single move if possible. As for his shortcomings, he could find ways to compensate after passing the re-examination.
He looked at his palm and clenched his fist.
With his relentless efforts, the duration he could maintain the breathing technique was getting longer and longer. Under the long-term promotion and maintenance of the breathing technique, he could clearly feel his daily progress.
Currently, since his second self was almost identical to him, the stronger his physical fitness, the more powerful his second self would be. With nearly a month left, he could definitely elevate his strength to the next level.
There was no need to visit other martial arts gyms; strengthening his basic training was the priority.
However, he noticed from the student information provided by Wu Yi Academy that three out of the five students were proficient in grappling. Therefore, he might encounter such opponents during the re-examination.
He was slightly weak in grappling techniques and didn't have the time to manage everything, so it was inevitable that he would have some shortcomings. Thus, he decided to visit another martial arts gym renowned for its grappling skills.
There was one martial arts society that met his requirements—the "Wave Flipping Fist Society," which was even more famous than the Show General Martial Arts Society in Yangzhi City.
The Wave Flipping Fist, on the surface, was a type of martial art primarily focused on grappling. This was the unique feature they promoted.
In reality, after coming into contact with martial arts, he understood that all modern martial arts styles incorporated various techniques. It wasn't possible to rely solely on one style to succeed. Those who practiced grappling also needed to learn striking, and those who specialized in striking would also train in grappling.
For example, in the Show General Martial Arts Society, Coach Gu had incorporated many improved techniques, making the current version of the Show General Fist completely different from its original form.
The Wave Flipping Fist Society had a decent reputation and was willing to accept challenges from others. So, the next day, after his training at the Fist House, he went to this martial arts gym located in the Yangguan District of East City.
The resident coach of the Wave Flipping Fist Society was cautious. After hearing that Chen Chuan wanted to learn about grappling techniques, he didn't spar with him on the ring. Instead, he personally demonstrated numerous Wave Flipping Fist techniques, sharing many practical tips. Unknowingly, Chen Chuan spent the entire afternoon there.
When Chen Chuan was about to leave, the coach gave him a notebook he had written himself. He told Chen Chuan that if needed, he could arrange for his society's students to train with him for a week, also free of charge. After that week, as long as the payment was made, the coach would be available for sparring every day.
Although Chen Chuan didn't get to spar, he still felt that his visit was worthwhile. He sincerely thanked the coach and took his leave. The coach was also very polite and saw him out.
A senior fighter in the gym was puzzled and asked, "Coach Huang, why are you being so nice to this young man?"
Coach Huang replied, "We're running a business, and it's best not to offend anyone if we can help it. This young man is no ordinary fighter. He's mastered the breathing technique at such a young age, and his appearance clearly shows that he has experienced real combat and even seen bloodshed. Who knows how far he'll go in the future? Let's just consider this a favor."
The fighter pouted, thinking, "I've never seen you be so polite to anyone else."
This was understandable. Martial arts societies treated people differently based on their background and strength. If you had neither, who would bother with you? But if someone seemed to have a background and strength, it was best not to offend them.
After returning home, Chen Chuan opened the notebook, which contained Coach Huang's martial arts notes, mostly focused on grappling techniques. It also mentioned how to deal with and counter grappling-type power techniques.
This wasn't a secret; Yu Gang had also talked about it in detail. But from a different perspective, Chen Chuan gained new insights.
From then on, every day, he not only intensified his training but also repeatedly practiced the Great Free Fighting basic moves.
Although this set of basic moves seemed simple, the more he practiced, the more he felt there was room for improvement.
Lately, he always felt that he could do better, but he wasn't sure if it was due to some deficiency. Although his strikes and power output were correct, he always had a sense of disharmony, as if the power couldn't be fully unleashed, and his strength wasn't fully utilized.
This feeling became even more pronounced after mastering the Shocking Fist.
Chen Chuan had been struggling with a particular issue in his training, so one afternoon, he sought advice from Yu Gang.
After listening to Chen Chuan's concerns, Yu Gang paused for a moment and said, "The reason you're facing this problem is that your progress has been too rapid. The body needs time to adapt, and while your mind has adjusted to and become familiar with executing techniques, your physical attributes have improved, making you feel uncoordinated the next day. This sensation is especially amplified when practicing the breathing technique."
Chen Chuan was taken aback. "Is that so...?"
Yu Gang continued, "It's quite normal. As I mentioned before, when you consistently practice the breathing technique for an extended period, you'll reach a stage where you'll experience a prolonged period of improvement. You're clearly in that stage now."
"During this period, you'll have this feeling. You can either wait for this peak to pass, or you can intensify your training and use your talent to adapt to these changes."
"This is actually a good thing. My suggestion is that during this phase, when you practice, don't focus on explosive power and speed. Instead, adopt a more relaxed rhythm between techniques, take your time with each move, and pay attention to how every part of your body is involved."
"Remember, during this process, you must maintain the breathing technique at all times. Don't slack off, because without it, it's just a fitness routine with minimal benefits."
Hearing these words, Chen Chuan finally understood how to address his problem. He thanked Yu Gang and, following his advice, slowed down his pace while maintaining the breathing technique.
After training in this manner for a few days, Chen Chuan felt the sense of disharmony gradually fading. By the time it was two days before the re-examination, he felt like he had regained complete control over his body once more.
However, this didn't mean his progress had halted; on the contrary, he had made even greater strides than before.
That day, after leaving the Fist House, Chen Chuan went for a run. Soon, he arrived at the scene of the previous attack, where remnants of the fight were still visible. Glancing at it, he quickly ran past, only to hear a voice calling from above: "Hey, young man!"
Chen Chuan looked up and saw a spiky-haired teenager standing on the balcony railing of a residential building, waving at him. "I was planning to come down that day. I said..." The teenager clenched his fist and eagerly added, "Come up, let's have a match!"
Chen Chuan paused and smiled. "Sure."
The teenager's eyes lit up.
Following the teenager's directions, Chen Chuan climbed over a wall where he could get a foothold and soon reached the balcony. The teenager enthusiastically extended his fist and introduced himself, "I'm Wei Dong. What's your name?"
Chen Chuan bumped fists with him and replied, "Chen Chuan."
Wei Dong couldn't contain his excitement. "Let's go to the rooftop. It's more spacious there, and no one will disturb us. We can fight there." He waved and led the way.
Chen Chuan followed him out of the room and climbed an external steel staircase to the rooftop. Before he could even take in the surroundings, Wei Dong charged at him with enthusiasm.
Seeing Wei Dong's approach, Chen Chuan swiftly kicked him away.
Two minutes later, Wei Dong lay on the ground, his face bruised and swollen, questioning his life choices as he stared at the sky.
Chen Chuan sat down nearby, looked around, and said, "You have quite a collection of training equipment here."
Wei Dong sat up, rubbing his face, and boasted, "It's quite a collection, isn't it? A grandpa left it all to me."
Chen Chuan noticed an inscription on an incline bench that read, "Made by Jianzhi 60 years ago," dating back over thirty years. They were indeed old, but well-maintained.
"Did you learn your martial arts from him?" Chen Chuan asked.
"Yes," Wei Dong replied. "I practiced every day following his methods, and when he left, he gave all this to me. Now that I think about it, he always told me I resembled his grandson, but when I saw his grandson's photo, we don't look alike at all."
At that moment, Chen Chuan noticed something. He stood up and walked to a half-old table, picking up a reddish-brown student ID card and flipping through it. He felt it was a coincidence, yet somehow expected, and said, "So, you're also taking the Wu Yi University entrance exam this year?"
"Yeah, didn't I tell you?" Wei Dong scratched his head. "The first day I went for the admission test, I saw you passing through the alley below. I've seen you every day since."
Chen Chuan placed the student ID back on the table. "The re-examination is in a couple of days. Looks like you'll be there too."
"Of course!" Wei Dong punched the air twice. "Grandpa said his greatest hope was for his grandson to get into Wu University. I may not be his grandson, but I can get in, and I'll be even better than him."
Chen Chuan looked at Wei Dong, nodded, and placed the student ID back on the table. He waved goodbye, "Then, Wei, we'll see each other at Wu University."
"Sure, Chen, see you at Wu University!"
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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