Sensing the footsteps from behind, Liam paused and turned around. An elderly man dressed in traditional oriental attire with white hair and a beard slowly made his way to the platform at the mountaintop, his spirit undiminished by age.The old man did not see Liam practicing the Eight Extremities Fist. He only noticed Liam's finishing stance. Liam greeted him with a smile, seemingly eager to exchange pleasantries."Old man—""Here we go again…"However, the old man frowned with disdain as he looked at Liam.Liam froze. The old man paid no attention to Liam and instead walked straight to the other side of the platform. Once there, he took a deep breath, filtering out any external disturbances, and assumed a starting position."Tai Chi?" Liam was taken aback as soon as the old man took his stance. He clearly recognized the form. Liam had not expected the old man to also come to the mountaintop to practice martial arts.It was typical for elderly people to practice martial arts
The true Tai Chi used for combat had immense killing power.However, for certain reasons, it gradually faded from people's views. Tai Chi gradually became synonymous with self-cultivation.The old man did not expect the young man before him to recognize his fist technique. "I didn't expect you to have some insight, kid."However, the old man was annoyed after remembering Liam's words. "Don't think that just because you recognize this set of Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist, you can dictate terms in front of me. If you think you can cozy up to me this way, you've got the wrong idea!"Liam frowned. He did not understand the old man's words, but out of concern, he still spoke up. "Cozy up? Sir, the problem is that you're not doing this form correctly—"However, before he could finish speaking, the old man interrupted him."Ridiculous! I began my martial arts training at fifteen, and by seventeen, I had mastered the Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist. With this very technique, I killed nea
The art of Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist was renowned as the foremost martial technique in Tai Chi for combat. Few knew of its existence, and even fewer had truly mastered it.For the old man, martial arts became his pursuit at the tender age of fifteen, and by seventeen, he had attained proficiency in the Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist. That very art carved his path to fame and established his existing stature.Six decades of dedication etched the essence of Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist into the old man's very being.However, he never imagined that a young man would dare to boldly claim that his practice was not genuine Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist.It was ludicrous.Whether his audacity was an attempt to ingratiate himself or employ some other strategy, the old man found his actions intolerable."Someone get this man out..."The old man turned his head angrily to the other side as if he wanted to say something, but Liam calmly spoke up again."The lineage of the Lesser N
Upon hearing that, the elder's face flashed with disdain as he replied furiously, "Teach me? Your tricks are getting more sophisticated! It seems I was too lenient with people like you who come to challenge me. Each one more outrageous than the last, daring to tamper with my martial arts!"Liam, unperturbed by the elder's fury, spoke calmly. "I will only demonstrate once. For the third sequence, 'Embracing the Sparrow's Tail', adjust your hand three inches to the side, using the waist as the pivot...""Such pretense."The elder scoffed, folding his hands behind his back. His cold gaze locked onto Liam, showing no intention of following the instructions.However, Liam paid the old man no mind. As he had said, he would only teach him once. Whether the elder listened or not was his own choice."For the nineteenth sequence, 'High Pat on Horse', reverse wrap with your left hand, bringing it to your chest. Wrap forward with your right hand, closing in front of your abdomen and merging t
"Quake!"At the serene peak of the Hush Purple Gardens, Liam's calm voice echoed, striking like a decree set in stone.The old man's body quivered uncontrollably the moment he heard Liam. As if sensing something, his left elbow lifted and trembled slightly in the next moment.That subtle change unleashed a tremendous force, surging from the base of his spine like a tidal wave, completely overshadowing the elder's initial sense of weakness. In that moment, his body seemed to transform into a unified entity without a hint of stiffness or hesitation.The elder shifted sideways, his left elbow flashing like lightning again, striking directly at a nearby jujube tree.Crack!A crisp sound reverberated as the jujube tree swayed, leaves fluttering down, and a crack appeared on the trunk the size of a bowl.The elder's elbow had cracked the trunk!The old man's mind reeled as he heard the sound. Suddenly, he was wide awake. His gaze trembled as he looked at the jujube tree in front of
Howser frowned, glancing at Preston. "You're concerned about my safety? What trouble do you think I could cause? Why did you bring so many people just to surround my young friend? What exactly do you intend to do?"It was not Preston's arrival with a group of people that irritated Howser. What truly irked him was that Preston, upon arrival, indiscriminately surrounded Liam without any clarification. It made him, already burdened with guilt, feel even more embarrassed.Preston hastily tried to smooth things over, smiling apologetically. "Isn't it because quite a few people have been coming to you for favors lately?" Preston waved his hand, prompting over a dozen black-clad men behind him to step back once again.Howser snorted coldly, no longer paying attention to Preston. He looked at Liam instead, his face once again showing a hint of apology."Young friend, I sincerely apologize for involving you again.""It's fine."Liam played with a leaf in his hand, shaking his head light
"Young friend..."Mister Ulrick paused momentarily, then revealed a wry smile again.After that, he faced Liam, clasped his hands in respect, and bowed deeply with utmost seriousness. "I, Howser Ulrick, am profoundly grateful for the instruction you have imparted to me!"Howser understood better than anyone the immense importance of lineage in martial arts, especially considering that the technique Liam shared was the nearly lost art of the Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist. As Liam had mentioned, Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist was traditionally passed down through a single lineage.However, just moments ago, Liam had effortlessly taught him the true form of the Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist.Had it been a mere transaction, Howser might not have been so serious. After all, exchanging the genuine Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist for his assistance would have been perfectly normal. It would simply be a matter of what he needed to offer in return.However, it was not about any compensat
Upon hearing Howser's words, Liam squinted slightly. "Really? Is there such a saying among martial artists?"Old Master Dante had taught him many things in prison. However, he was completely unaware of the customs that Howser just mentioned.Howser nodded, looking at Liam in confusion. "Of course there is! Young friend, you can clearly discern the flaws in my Lesser Nine Skies Tai Chi Fist, but you're unaware of these things?""Indeed, I'm not very familiar with them," Liam replied calmly.Though somewhat perplexed, Howser began to explain to Liam patiently."Let me explain it to you, then. As I mentioned earlier, external training involves strengthening muscles, bones, and skin, while internal training involves cultivating a breath of energy. Through refining their bodies, martial artists can reach a certain level where they generate inner energy!"This is called internal power. Internal power is not a myth created by charlatans. It truly exists. And once one has cultivated inte