Chapter 41: Dynamic and Static Qi, Combat Training with Senior Meng

Xueheng gazed at the word "Contemplate" on the panel, sensing the changes occurring within him.

He felt as if his mind had been a dusty pearl, now shining brightly after being cleansed, illuminating the rivers and mountains with its radiant light.

It was a peculiar sensation; his thoughts and ideas seemed to flow like lightning, unhindered by any distractions.

'Is this... an increase in wisdom? No, it's more like a concentration of my mental faculties, allowing me to exclude irrelevant thoughts and focus solely on what I want to think about.'

As soon as the question arose in his mind, Xueheng immediately analyzed and identified the cause with certainty.

'The ability of ["Contemplate"] should be to strengthen 'cognitive control,' 'emotional control,' and also... 'imagination'?'

Xueheng tried to visualize a dragon in his mind.

In just an instant, he conjured an image of a true dragon with massive wings, four legs, and five claws. Every detail was vivid and lifelike, from the strands of its mane to the golden scales that shimmered with a vibrant radiance.

Then, with a shift in his thoughts, he entered the dragon's body, becoming one with it. He stretched his dragon body, muscles rippling like waves, golden scales glimmering with a dazzling light.

In the training room, Li Qi looked on in astonishment at Xueheng, who stood motionless at the center, emanating an inexplicable aura.

"Could it be that just by contemplating for the first time... you've already cultivated 'dragon qi'?"

Xueheng withdrew from his contemplation, the dragon qi dissipating from his body. He turned to Li Qi, confusion evident in his voice as he asked,

"Master, what exactly is 'dragon qi'?"

Perhaps influenced by his previous embodiment as a dragon in his thoughts, his voice sounded deeper than usual, carrying an unexpected weight and authority.

Li Qi smiled and explained gently, "So-called 'dragon qi' is, in essence, a type of emotion."

"Humans are fascinating creatures, easily influenced by their emotions. For example, a person filled with anger will undoubtedly throw a heavier punch than usual. You've probably also heard stories about grandmothers lifting cars off their grandchildren in moments of panic, right?"

"Kill intent, fighting spirit, confidence, anger, greed, willpower... These invisible and intangible forces of the mind, when combined and arranged in certain ways, can converge into an 'emotion' that positively influences the physical body."

"By assuming the dragon's posture through the Coiled Dragon Technique and visualizing a dragon through contemplation, if you persist in this practice for a long time, you will cultivate a 'dragon qi' that makes you feel like a dragon yourself. When you throw a punch, it will naturally carry the mighty force of a true dragon."

Xueheng's confusion cleared, and he understood.

Li Qi continued his explanation, "We martial artists refer to the arousal of emotions as 'dynamic qi' and the ability to control emotions as 'static qi.'"

"Without dynamic qi, how can one have the spirit to fight during a brawl? Without static qi, one will be at the mercy of their emotions and easily manipulated by others."

"Every qualified martial artist must learn to cultivate static qi, harness dynamic qi, and combine the two. Only then can they achieve invincibility."

Xueheng nodded, his expression serious as he replied, "Disciple understands."

Li Qi looked pleased. "Usually, when a disciple first cultivates dragon qi, their behavior tends to become a bit wild and uninhibited due to identifying themselves as a dragon. This is a sign of insufficient static qi."

"However, you remain unchanged, unaffected by the dragon qi. It seems you also have a natural talent for static qi."

Upon hearing this, Xueheng merely glanced at the "Contemplate" ability on the panel.

Yet another divine skill...

By enhancing his imagination and cognitive control, he could effectively harness the 'dynamic qi.'

And with improved emotional control, his 'static qi' would also increase simultaneously...

After acquiring a plethora of skills related to physical talents, he had finally obtained one that pertained to his mental faculties.

"Let's call it a day with the Coiled Dragon Technique. Your progress has exceeded my expectations, and it's time for you to learn about 'fighting techniques.'"

As Li Qi spoke, he took out his phone, fiddled with it for a while, and then put it away.

"Fighting techniques? How do I practice them?" Xueheng's spirits lifted at the mention of fighting techniques.

Li Qi laughed heartily. "Martial arts cultivation can be summed up in four words: 'nurture, practice, fight, and kill.'"

"The Coiled Dragon Technique nurtures dragon qi, the Shaking Armor Technique practices dragon power, and killing moves are still too advanced for you. As for fighting techniques, you'll have to figure them out on your own."

Chapter: Sparring Session

Xueheng asked, "Self-enlightenment?"

Li Qi explained, "Fighting techniques encompass your personal habits, strategies, and instincts during combat. It's an entire battle system that you must gradually build for yourself."

"And the only way to practice fighting techniques is to fight, of course!"

"Fight fiercely and relentlessly, and your unique fighting style will naturally take shape." Li Qi said with a smile.

As if on cue, the training room door opened as he finished speaking.

A short-haired woman with a cold demeanor entered. She had a curvaceous figure that stretched the fabric of her black training uniform taut, giving the impression that it might rip at any moment. In her hand was a handheld pie that she was munching on, and with each step, her ample chest seemed ready to spill out, creating a breathtaking sight.

Xueheng was stunned. "Senior Sister Meng..."

Meng Qingjiao, the fourth personal disciple of the Canglong Dojo. Daughter of the eldest senior brother, Meng Boshang.

The woman with the most impressive figure Xueheng had ever seen in his two lifetimes.

"...”

Meng Qingjiao didn't say a word, merely nodding coldly. She walked up to Xueheng and reached out with her free hand, the one not holding the pie, to ruffle his hair gently.

It seemed like a gesture of affection, and though Xueheng was unsure how to react, he didn't resist.

"Qingjiao has the best control over her strength among all the disciples, even better than her father, Boshang," Li Qi said casually.

"She'll be your sparring partner as you practice your fighting techniques."

Xueheng hesitated as he glanced at Meng Qingjiao's impressive bust, far surpassing Wu Youqing's 'European Cup' and Zhushan Ying's 'Asian Cup'. Wouldn't this be a bit inconvenient?

However, he quickly pushed those thoughts aside, took a deep breath, and bowed respectfully to Meng Qingjiao. "Please go easy on me, Senior Sister."

Since she hadn't said anything, he couldn't very well be squeamish about it.

"...”

Meng Qingjiao remained silent, her expression cold as she nodded. She quickly finished her pie, chewing with puffed-out cheeks like a squirrel, and then swallowed it down.

With one hand behind her back and the other extended in an inviting gesture, she still had a few crumbs of the pie on the corner of her mouth.

Her tall and slender figure stood proud like a pine tree, exuding an air of a master. However, her voluptuous curves made it hard to ignore the allure of her figure, no matter how stoic she seemed.

Fortunately, Xueheng had activated the ['Contemplate'] ability, enhancing his cognitive control and quickly dispelling any distracting thoughts. He shook his head to clear his mind and focused intently on the task at hand.

"Be careful, Senior Sister," he said, his voice steady.

With that, Xueheng stepped forward, his body shooting toward Meng Qingjiao like an arrow loosed from its bow.

"Bang!"

Xueheng felt a soft force hit his chest, sending him flying back to crash onto the solid wood floor.

"Your intent was too obvious," Li Qi commented from the sidelines.

"Don't hold back because Qingjiao is a woman. In a real fight, you won't have the luxury of such concerns. Do whatever it takes to win, no matter how underhanded or vicious it may seem. In martial arts, the one standing is the winner, and the one lying down is the loser. It doesn't matter how you get there."

"Use your brain. Employ any method you can think of to win, without hesitation or concern!"

Xueheng nodded, got up with a flip, and readied himself to face Meng Qingjiao again.

This time, he didn't hold back, striking at any opening he saw, regardless of its sensitivity. However, after only two exchanges, he was sent flying once more.

Without a word, he got up and prepared to continue.

And so it went, with Xueheng repeatedly challenging and being defeated.

Each time he was thrown back, Li Qi would point out his flaws, and Xueheng would absorb the martial arts knowledge like a sponge, gradually improving.

It took him an hour to progress from being knocked down at first contact to lasting two exchanges, and then to holding his own for ten moves.

It took three more hours for him to manage twenty exchanges.

As dusk fell and the moon hung high in the sky, Xueheng could no longer keep going. After taking just two steps, his legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end