"We've both been practicing the Twelve Forms Fist for the better part of a month. We already know all its moves and footwork by heart."
Chu Fan said, "When you use the Twelve Forms Fist in front of someone who is better at it than you, acting like that is no different from telling them exactly which move you're going to use next."
"Once I know which move you're going to make, I can naturally strike second but hit first, taking you down in one blow."
"That makes sense!" Zhao Tianxing had a sudden realization.
Though he usually seemed a bit unconventional, his mind was incredibly sharp.
With just those few words from Chu Fan, it dawned on him—he had been too rigid in his adherence to the Twelve Forms Fist, allowing the Fist Technique to bind his hands and feet.
'If I had used a different Fist Technique instead of the Twelve Forms Fist, there's no way I would have been defeated so easily!'
At this thought, delight appeared on Zhao Tianxing's face. "It really pays to spar more often. That was a real wake-up call!"
No sooner had he spoken than he took a deep breath and settled into his Twelve Forms Fist Pile Skills, as steady as an old tree's gnarled roots.
This time, however, he didn't adopt the posture of any single form from the Twelve Forms Fist.
Seeing this, Chu Fan's expression also grew a little more solemn.
'Tianxing's practical combat experience is far beyond that of an ordinary Blood Nourishing Martial Artist. I can't be careless!'
He curled his fingertips slightly, the essences of flowing water and the Tiger Pounce circulating around his body—this was the sign of the Twelve Forms Fist at Great Success, Form and Intent Unity, where every move and gesture aligned with the principles of the fist.
"Watch out!"
Zhao Tianxing let out a sharp cry. "This time, I'll treat you like a wild beast and fight as if this is a battle to the death!"
He had long made his living in the mountains, constantly battling beasts like tigers and bears. The qi and blood roared through his body like rolling thunder.
His shoulders sank slightly. His left arm faintly exuded the ferocity of the Tiger Form, while his right arm carried the sharpness of an eagle's claw. He stood on the balls of his feet, as nimble as a monkey...
These were the three forms he had trained to Small Success: the Tiger, Eagle, and Monkey Forms!
Then, he shot forward, his feet seeming to barely touch the ground!
This time, he ignored the prescribed patterns of the Fist Technique. Driven entirely by his instincts as a Hunter, he went straight for the center, his right hand shaped into a claw that cut through the cold air as he swiped at Chu Fan's face!
The wind stirred by his attack carried the savage ferocity of a wild beast pouncing on its prey!
By abandoning the preparatory stance and leaving fewer traces of formal techniques, his combination of the Monkey and Eagle Forms was somehow even fiercer and more domineering than his previous attack!
'So fast!'
Chu Fan was slightly taken aback.
'With Zhao Tianxing's current level of qi, blood, and physical strength, the speed and might of his three Small Success forms far surpass others at the same level!'
At that critical instant, Chu Fan pivoted lightly, his body suddenly flipping over like a hawk.
SWOOSH!
Zhao Tianxing's claw-hand grazed past Chu Fan's right cheek.
At first glance, Chu Fan's dodge seemed clumsy, as if he'd almost been struck in the face by the "eagle claw"!
Yet, after dodging to the side, he raised his right hand to block Zhao Tianxing's claw, which could have changed form at any moment. Meanwhile, his left fist struck out, heading straight for the lower edge of Zhao Tianxing's right ribcage!
In Chu Fan's previous life, this move was called the "Blast Liver Fist"!
Though the punch didn't look very powerful, it was augmented by Qi Blood Power. If it truly connected, it would end this spar in an instant!
WHOOSH!
Zhao Tianxing reacted with incredible speed. His other clawed hand transformed into a Bear Form Splitting Fist, chopping down to strike Chu Fan squarely on the wrist.
At the same time, his right hand shifted from a claw to the Monkey Form, striking out with a "Monkey Stealing Peaches" straight at Chu Fan's groin.
"..."
Chu Fan never expected that in a simple spar, this guy would resort to such a move.
He only wanted to blast Tianxing's liver.
But Tianxing wanted to steal his peaches!
Left with no choice, Chu Fan had to dodge sideways again.
He followed the momentum, his left arm winding around Zhao Tianxing's right wrist. His fingertips, like a snake flicking its tongue, latched directly onto the latter's pulse—
The Serpent Form's "Silk Binding Force"!
The Serpent Form at Great Success could use Soft Overcomes Hard, allowing it to not only break Hard Skills but also easily neutralize insidious moves like "Monkey Stealing Peaches"!
Zhao Tianxing felt a numbness spread from his wrist and cursed inwardly, 'This is bad!' Yet instead of retreating, he pushed forward!
He swung his left arm across to block as his merely Entry-Level Bear Form "Mountain Lean Force" suddenly erupted. His body shot toward Chu Fan like a great boulder!
Chu Fan felt a ferocious wave of qi and blood wash over him, as if he were about to be crushed by a mountainside. He instantly spun and changed his stance, again using the Hawk Form's Skill of Flipping Over to evade Zhao Tianxing's "Mountain Lean Force."
But in the process, he was forced to withdraw the hand that had been locked on Zhao Tianxing's pulse.
"Hahahahaha!"
Zhao Tianxing let out a great laugh, his right palm again shaping into a claw as he swiped at Chu Fan's chest!
Though his Eagle Form was only at Small Success, it was blended with the techniques of a Hunter used to climbing mountains and gripping rocks.
Furthermore, his knuckles were as thick and hard as iron from years of drawing a bow. This claw strike actually produced a sharp sound, as if tearing the air itself!
Chu Fan, however, was not flustered. His left hand formed an upward-punching fist, striking Zhao Tianxing's right wrist with the Tiger Form's Beng Jin.
A ferocious force traveled up his arm. Zhao Tianxing felt as if his wrist had been struck by a great hammer. Amid the unbearable pain, his arm flew upward uncontrollably!
"How is that possible! Chu Fan's Qi Blood Power is hardly any weaker than mine!"
A look of horror appeared on Zhao Tianxing's face, and he retreated three steps.
"It's over."
Seeing Zhao Tianxing falter, Chu Fan lowered his shoulder and slammed forward with the Bear Form's "Mountain Lean Force"!
His series of moves seemed simple and slow, but they actually concealed the ability to "perceive minute things" that came with Twelve Forms Great Success, along with his precise control over force!
THUD!
Before Zhao Tianxing could react, he let out a muffled grunt. It felt as if he'd been hit by a giant bear; his feet left the ground, and he was sent flying backward!
Although Chu Fan's physique wasn't as tough as Zhao Tianxing's, he had now condensed his own wisp of Qi Blood Power.
In such a direct, forceful clash, a single Bear Form "Mountain Lean Force" was enough to send Zhao Tianxing's qi and blood into turmoil, leaving him in agony!
THUD! THUD! THUD!
After his feet hit the ground, Zhao Tianxing stumbled back again and again, his soles stamping deep footprints into the earth!
Fortunately, Chu Fan did not give chase.
Otherwise, had Chu Fan attacked again while his qi and blood were in turmoil, he would have been completely unable to block!
HUFF! HUFF!
Zhao Tianxing gasped for breath, exclaiming in amazement, "Unbelievable! It's like your Twelve Forms Small Success has completely fused together!"
"My three forms at Small Success are nothing compared to your Twelve Forms Small Success! The difference is night and day!"
"Can Twelve Forms Small Success really be this powerful?!"
He didn't know, however, that this wasn't the difference between having three forms at Small Success and twelve forms at Small Success.
It was the gap between three forms at Small Success and all twelve forms at Great Success!
Chu Fan just smiled and didn't explain.
'My practical combat experience is indeed still somewhat lacking.'
'I can handle Martial Artists in the Blood Nourishing Realm, but if an opponent doesn't use the Twelve Forms Fist, it requires more effort.'
'The only reason I defeated Zhao Tianxing so easily was, ultimately, because he was also using the Twelve Forms Fist.'
'Even though Zhao Tianxing had stopped using preparatory stances and tried his best to erase the tells before his attacks, in the eyes of someone like me with the Twelve Forms at Great Success, his every move was still easy to see through.'
"So incredible..."
Zhao Tianxing sighed again. "So Twelve Forms Small Success is this powerful! It looks like I have to work twice as hard to get the remaining nine forms to Small Success as soon as possible!"
"..." Chu Fan opened his mouth, but in the end, he decided to stay silent.
"Again!"
Zhao Tianxing knocked his fists together with a loud CRACK.
He had a stubborn streak in his bones and hated to lose more than anything.
He wasn't jealous of Chu Fan's talent and strength. Instead, he had the kind of drive that made him fight harder and with more courage the longer a battle went on.
"Bring it!"
Chu Fan beckoned with his hand.
With their qi and blood roiling, the two clashed violently in the cold wind.
As two people who had both condensed a wisp of Qi Blood Power, the sound of their fists alone colliding was like the beating of war drums!
...
「Nightfall.」
Blood-red moonlight spilled in through the window, illuminating the Sword Manual on the desk.
[Literacy Experience Points +1]
Chu Fan turned to the last page of the "Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber," then gently closed the Sword Manual and shut his eyes.
[This book-reading session increased total Literacy Experience Points by 26]
The morning's exchange with Zhao Tianxing and the afternoon's lesson on the "Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber" from Master Cao flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
Although he'd practiced the Twelve Forms Fist a few times less than usual today, his gains had been enormous.
The spar with Zhao Tianxing had made him aware of the shortcomings in his offense, defense, and Step Technique;
and Master Cao's personal instruction on the "Ninefold Thunder Shock Saber," even if it was just the crude, pre-Entry-Level Sword Techniques, had benefited him immensely.
Chu Fan reviewed the day's gains in his mind, then slowly rose to his feet.
'Tonight, I must try to condense a second wisp of Qi Blood Power...'