Chapter 52: The Choice
Chapter 52: The Choice
Cheng Zitong demonstrated the Primordial Energy Pole Technique right in front of Chen Chuan, starting with the Embrace Breath Style and ending with the Back Mountain Style. It was no different from the display Yu Gang had shown him earlier.
Chen Chuan couldn't discern who was more skilled, but he felt that Yu Gang's aura seemed to resonate better with this set of pole techniques.
Cheng Zitong pressed his abdomen and said, "The source of Primordial Energy lies here. In the old days, there was a saying, 'Qi Sinks to Dantian,' which means that by transforming the Dantian and using it as a catalyst, one can mobilize the power of the entire body."
"Maintaining this position is like having a ballast, keeping the body grounded. But once it's set in motion, a powerful force is unleashed."
Chen Chuan examined each vital energy technique as Cheng Zitong explained them, focusing on the major ones. There weren't many, just over a dozen, with the rest being minor techniques.
According to Cheng Zitong, some major techniques were extremely challenging to cultivate and required a higher level of transmuted organs. Therefore, students often started with minor techniques or even focused on them primarily. Typically, at least two or more techniques were needed to form a viable combat system.
However, this approach resulted in a fragmented combat system. While minor techniques might not be as powerful as major ones, humans were resourceful and could compensate for their shortcomings, especially with the aid of tools. With various assistive devices, the gap between minor and major techniques became less significant.
Nowadays, even those who cultivated major techniques often supplemented them with minor ones, which could prove invaluable in critical situations.
Chen Chuan walked to the rightmost row, where fewer bamboo slips were displayed. In the middle layer, there was a lone bundle. As he approached, Cheng Zitong's gaze followed him intently.
Chen Chuan picked up the central bamboo slip and read the three words written on it: 'Universal Energy Technique.' Inside, he found densely packed diagrams of pole techniques, accompanied by rows of annotations from previous practitioners.
Meanwhile, in the administrative office building, Yue Hong, Bian Feng, and Gao Shi were in the recruitment office. Yue Hong said, "An hour ago, Instructor Cheng took a student to the Hall of Self-Reflection. He's probably about to start formally teaching the power technique."
Bian Feng asked, "Do you think he'll choose that technique?"
Yue Hong, optimistic as ever, replied, "He should. It's the best technique in the academy, and it has annotations from past practitioners. Initially... he also chose that one."
Gao Shi spoke in a low voice, "Best? Not necessarily. The best technique is the one that suits you the most."
Yue Hong argued, "Instructor Gao, students often don't know their true calling. They need guidance from those who've come before them."
Gao Shi said, "Instructor Cheng would call that a typical Rational School argument. We'll see the results soon enough."
At the same time, on the North Peak, opposite South Hill, the recommended candidates were engaging in activities. One of them was using a telescope to observe the other side.
"Lin Mian, what are you looking at?"
Behind him, several candidates were practicing with crossbows, shooting at humanoid targets. One of them noticed his actions, found it strange, and turned to approach him. "What's so interesting over there?"
Lin Mian stepped back, adjusted the lens, and said, "Did you know that I just heard Instructor Cheng took a student to the Hall of Self-Reflection? What does that remind you of?"
The candidate, who had been casual until now, suddenly tensed up, then exclaimed in surprise, "I remember that annoying guy from two years ago was taken there too! What's the school administration up to?" He turned to Jiang Xuelong, a senior student, and asked, "Jiang Xiong, did Instructor Cheng take a student there? What's the school planning?"
Jiang Xuelong slowly nocked an arrow, smiling as he said, "Someone's still unhappy about what happened two years ago, so the school's been looking for someone like that student. They might be pinning their hopes on this new student."
The recommended candidate couldn't contain his anxiety. "Then what? Two years ago, we could handle it, but this time..."
Jiang Xuelong smiled and said, "Let's wait and see." He raised his crossbow, aimed at the target, narrowed his eyes, and gently pulled the trigger. The crossbow bolt hit the red center of the distant target with a 'thud.'
In the Hall of Self-Reflection, Chen Chuan was flipping through the bundle of bamboo slips he held, the longest he'd spent observing them. Cheng Zitong sat silently, not uttering a word.
Chen Chuan could tell from its location that this manual was no ordinary one. The description on it confirmed his suspicions. The manual only mentioned the cultivation method and key points, but it didn't describe which parts of the body the anomaly organ would grow on.
The only clue was a human body diagram, which showed that the cultivator's chest and back would develop tattoo-like patterns. The deeper the cultivation, the clearer and more intricate the patterns became, eventually forming what looked like an angry face.
After reading it all, Chen Chuan said, "Teacher, this power technique is quite unique."
Cheng Zitong said, "Mystic Form Technique is one of the most profound power techniques in the academy. I haven't practiced it, and I've had little exposure to it, so I can't say how the anomaly organ grows. I only know that this technique has high entry requirements, and those who choose it usually achieve great things. About three years ago, a student before you also chose this technique..."
He seemed to intentionally bring up this topic, but Chen Chuan didn't ask any questions. Instead, he put the power technique back and walked over to the soft mat, sitting down and asking, "Teacher, are there any other power techniques?"
"Why?" Cheng Zitong asked, surprised. "You don't want to learn the Mystic Form Technique?"
Chen Chuan calmly replied, "I don't think it suits me."
Cheng Zitong's expression became complicated. He seemed regretful, yet also relieved. After a moment, he said, "If it doesn't suit you, then forget it. But after looking through so many power techniques, you haven't found one you like?"
Chen Chuan glanced at the bookshelf and asked, "Are all the academy's power techniques here?"
Cheng Zitong shook his head. "Not all of them. There are some that aren't unique or special, so they're not kept here. Why don't you tell me what kind of power technique you're looking for, and I'll help you find it."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and asked, "Is there a power technique that covers all aspects?"
"A power technique that covers all aspects?" Cheng Zitong was taken aback, his expression becoming subtle. "Is that what you want?"
Chen Chuan nodded.
Cheng Zitong thought for a moment, then hesitantly said, "There is one, called the Universal Energy Technique, which seems to meet your requirements. But you should know that while this power technique covers all aspects, it also means it's mediocre in every way."
His expression turned serious, "Past experiences tell us that a good martial artist should specialize in one area and continuously strengthen it. People can use tools to compensate for weaknesses, and even with the anomaly organ, one can only focus on strengthening a specific aspect. Choosing to be a jack-of-all-trades will only lead to mediocrity and a lack of focus."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said, "Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance. Can I take a look at this power technique?"
Cheng Zitong sighed and said, "Alright, I knew you had your own ideas. Wait a moment." He stood up, went through the side door, and soon returned with a printed manual that looked old and yellowed. He handed it to Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan took it and flipped through it, finding that, as Cheng Zitong had said, this power technique covered all aspects, with its strength being its comprehensiveness. The anomaly organ didn't specialize but formed tiny parts that attached to every corner of the body.
In theory, any power technique could be imitated if one understood the various techniques, but the results would be vastly different. After all, every major power technique relied on the anomaly organ, and trying to cover all aspects might not even support minor techniques. It was indeed as Cheng Zitong had said—pursuing comprehensiveness would only lead to mediocrity.
However, Chen Chuan understood one thing: all techniques ultimately depended on one's physical qualities, and even the anomaly organ could be considered part of one's physical qualities.
If a person's physical qualities far exceeded normal limits, then anything was possible. With the Second Self within him, he believed that continuously strengthening his foundation would surpass all others.
He could feel that his Second Self was still growing, and there was even greater potential to be unlocked in the future.
With this in mind, Chen Chuan looked up and said seriously, "Teacher, this power technique is exactly what I'm looking for."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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