Lost in thought, his Spirit gradually converged, and the threatening aura that had been spreading unrestrainedly began to fade. As an ancient Donghua assassination Skill, the Red Falcon Fist had its own techniques for concealing one's presence, so this wasn't difficult for Zhou Yuanjue to accomplish.
At the same time, his once long, drawn-out breaths rapidly shortened. The intensity and speed of his heartbeat suddenly dropped. The blood flowing through his veins, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, grew calm.
The next moment.
BANG!!
A deep, clear thud echoed through the room. It was the sound of his heart suddenly beating with immense force.
In that instant, his powerful heart pumped a massive volume of qi and blood, delivering a rush of nutrients throughout his entire body and providing a tremendous amount of Energy to support his explosive burst of power.
A heart like gunpowder, ready to ignite at a touch!!
SCREEE!!
A sharp sonic boom, like the shriek of a bird, echoed through the room. The fist's afterimage shot through the air without warning, nearly impossible to trace.
What was even more terrifying was the result of this immense and rapid burst of power. Zhou Yuanjue's hand-blade, now crimson and swollen from the surging qi and blood, created such intense friction with the air that a faintly visible layer of flowing gas, about half an inch wide, formed along its edge, giving it an aura of extreme sharpness.
SCREEE! SCREEE! SCREEE!
Three more piercing sonic booms followed. With each explosive burst, that thin, sharp layer of flowing gas reappeared along the edge of Zhou Yuanjue's palm.
This was a Qi Blade.
Clearly, by using the Profound Heart Fist's method for Power Release, the explosive force of the Red Falcon Fist Technique itself had been taken to a new level.
After four consecutive strikes, Zhou Yuanjue abruptly stopped.
He still had plenty of stamina, but he couldn't continue using the Profound Heart Fist's Power Release.
Forcing his heart to erupt with power like that, pumping blood and Energy, placed a massive strain on his body.
Even though his physical stamina was at the peak of what a normal person could achieve, and his internal organs were trained to be exceptionally strong, he had never practiced the Profound Heart Fist long-term. He wasn't familiar with its continuous Power Release. After just four consecutive strikes, the sudden eruption of powerful qi and blood had already caused numerous capillaries to rupture inside his body. His heart rate became erratic, and he was overcome with a strong sense of discomfort.
If he tried to force another Power Release, he feared there would be severe consequences, such as cardiac arrest and sudden death.
'The explosive power is much stronger than a normal attack. Once I get used to the Power Release method, it shouldn't be hard to reach Gong Shouzhuo's level. I might even be able to surpass him...'
'But I probably can't land more than ten consecutive strikes at once. What a troublesome technique.'
Zhou Yuanjue frowned, lost in thought as he gradually regulated his blood flow and heart rate back to normal.
The Profound Heart Fist's technique for instantaneous power generation could take the body's natural explosive force to a new level, but its limitations were just as significant. Even with his physique, once he mastered the technique, he likely couldn't throw more than ten consecutive punches. His heart and blood vessels wouldn't be able to take the strain.
Without reaching the realm of "Saint Awakening," this body would always have insurmountable limits.
If Gong Shouzhuo ever learned of Zhou Yuanjue's assessment of the Profound Heart Fist, he would probably drop dead from rage. The profound mysteries of the Fist Technique he had spent a lifetime in Cultivation to master had been grasped so easily by Zhou Yuanjue. And now, this upstart was finding fault with the very technique Gong Shouzhuo considered the foundation of his entire life's work...
...
...
A week passed quickly. Zhou Yuanjue's life settled into a very regular and peaceful routine. Every day, he either practiced his fist techniques or went to the university to teach his classes.
He was conserving his energy and building his strength, preparing for the next phase of his plan.
Now, his preparations were essentially complete. A week of recovery had brought his body and Spirit to their absolute peak, ready to face any challenge.
That morning, Zhou Yuanjue arrived at the School of History's administrative building at Wuhai University, holding a folder with the necessary data. He headed for the dean's office on the third floor.
Along the way, history students, both male and female, greeted Zhou Yuanjue. Thanks to his looks, age, and overall bearing, he was a rather well-known figure in the department.
Responding with a smile to the students and faculty he passed, Zhou Yuanjue soon arrived before the dean's office and knocked lightly on the closed door.
"Come in!"
A deep, resonant voice called from within the dean's office.
Upon hearing the voice, Zhou Yuanjue turned the knob and entered the office.
The office was tastefully decorated, filled with an air of antiquity. Ancient paintings hung on the walls, and a number of quaint old artifacts were placed on the desk and in a nearby cabinet. The most eye-catching feature, however, was the massive bookshelf that occupied an entire wall, crammed with a dense and varied collection of books.
"Yuan Jue, you're here? Please, have a seat."
The voice was deep yet kindly.
Behind the desk, a middle-aged man in a crisp white shirt smiled and gestured for Zhou Yuanjue to approach.
The man wore black-rimmed glasses, and his hair was combed neatly back, showing hints of gray at the temples. He had a meticulously trimmed beard and exuded the refined air of a scholar.
This was Liu Chengzhi, Dean of the School of History at Wuhai University and a nationally renowned scholar. He had made significant contributions to the fields of history and archaeology. He appeared to be only in his forties, but this was due to his excellent self-care; in reality, he was nearly sixty.
He had been Zhou Yuanjue's mentor and had always held him in high regard. It was largely thanks to Dean Liu's support that Zhou Yuanjue had become a lecturer in the history department at such a young age. Most importantly, Dean Liu seemed to have a vague understanding of Zhou Yuanjue's other activities.
"Mentor, I have the data ready."
Zhou Yuanjue walked to the desk, sat down, and handed the folder to Liu Chengzhi.
Liu Chengzhi took out the documents inside and glanced over them briefly before asking Zhou Yuanjue, "Have you thought this through?"
"Yes. I's sorry for all the trouble I've caused you recently, Mentor."
"I won't try to talk you out of it. I have some idea of your situation, but I won't pry. Everyone has their own path to walk, their own choices to make. Often, what matters isn't being right or wrong, but living without regrets. You are my student, and I respect your choice."
Liu Chengzhi said with a smile, picking up a fountain pen and signing his name on the documents with a few swift strokes.
He placed the signed documents back in the folder and handed it to Zhou Yuanjue. "No matter where you go or what becomes of you, I'll always be your mentor," he continued. "If you ever run into trouble, you can always come to me."
"I will."
Zhou Yuanjue nodded and took the folder.
With their official business concluded, the two began to chat. Zhou Yuanjue held Liu Chengzhi in high esteem. The scholar's knowledge was as vast as the ocean. On the path of the Martial Dao, Zhou Yuanjue might be a giant, but on the path of scholarship, he felt like an ignorant child before Liu Chengzhi.
Their conversation drifted from the latest cutting-edge historical research to unverified prehistoric myths and ancient customs; there was seemingly nothing they couldn't discuss.
Zhou Yuanjue had a genuine and deep interest in mythology and history. If it weren't for the Martial Dao, he might have completely immersed himself in such studies. But for him now, the Martial Dao was a higher calling, and some things had to be sacrificed for its sake.
They enjoyed the conversation immensely, but time, unfortunately, flew by.
"Mentor, I'll have to come and listen to your teachings again when I have the chance."
Zhou Yuanjue ended their chat, straightened the folder in his hands, and spoke to Liu Chengzhi.
"I wish you all the best."
Liu Chengzhi said with a smile.
"Thank you."
Zhou Yuanjue stood up, gave Liu Chengzhi a nod, and turned to walk out of the office.
As he watched Zhou Yuanjue leave and the office door clicked shut, the smile on Liu Chengzhi's face slowly vanished, replaced by a look of disappointment. He muttered to himself in a voice so low it was almost inaudible:
"Such a powerful life force... His will, character, and abilities are all of the highest caliber. What a shame... he's not a 'Descendant'."