Chapter 472 6: Fist Intent

The Giant Spirit Fist consists of seventeen stances. It's not a small number, but it's certainly not a lot either.

The seventeen movements are not complex, comprising nothing more than enemy-facing methods like straight punches, hooks, and side punches.

The stances are simple, but Cultivation is not easy.

Each stance and movement has a corresponding method for circulating Qi Blood. Only by successfully guiding Qi Blood with every move can one be considered to have reached the Entry Level.

Only with the boost from Qi Blood Power can the Fist Force become incomparably fierce and powerful.

Zhu Ju was originally a peak Golden Core expert. After his Life Soul entered his new body, he was comparable to a Nascent Soul. His control over his Physical Body was at a Micro level, making circulating Qi Blood and integrating it into his stances a trivial matter. He could even use his own Martial Arts knowledge to correct and adjust the Fist Technique.

From the very beginning of his practice, he could skillfully execute the Giant Spirit Fist.

After practicing it a few times, he was already adept. In terms of mastering the Fist Technique, he was no less skilled than Lu Dingkui.

Later,

When the Fist Technique reached the Perfection Realm, a certain understanding surfaced in his mind.

"Fist Intent!"

Zhu Ju shook his shoulders, and a Fist Intent powerful enough to shake mountains and rivers erupted from his body, pressing down on everything around him.

Power!

Power!

Giant Spirit Power!

The formless Fist Intent felt as if it were tangible.

The slightly thin Zhu Ju brandished his fists, appearing like a giant that could devour the world and quell the abyss.

If one were to face his assault head-on, the Fist Force would make them catch their breath and fill their heart with dread before it even reached them.

'Fusing Qi Blood with the Fist Technique can actually let one naturally comprehend Fist Intent, stimulate the Physical Body's potential, and unleash unbelievable power.'

Every inch of skin, every muscle, every bone erupted with formidable Giant Power under the stimulation of his Fist Intent. This power was then controlled by the stances of the Giant Spirit Fist and unleashed through his fists to annihilate his enemies.

"BANG!"

A sudden explosive sound cracked through the air.

The sound was like thunder.

As the saying goes, a sound like that is worth a fortune.

This crack signified that his Strength had coalesced into a single, unified force, and it also meant he now had the ability to contend with those who had reached Grade Entering.

'Stances are the exterior, Qi Blood is the interior, and Fist Intent is the core. Only when all three are united can the Fist Technique reach Great Success.'

Zhu Ju silently contemplated:

'The Giant Spirit Fist at the Great Success Realm is enough to fight across realms, and yet this is merely a Basic Boxing Technique.'

'Truly worthy of the Divine Heaven Sect!'

He had originally planned to pick out one or two Methods from his past studies to increase his combat options.

Now, it seemed, there was no need for that at all.

As long as he cultivated the Giant Spirit Fist properly, fighting above his level would be easy, and it wouldn't attract too much attention.

'Great Success?'

Zhu Ju stretched his Tendon and Bone.

'The Great Success Realm is far from the limit of this Fist Technique. If I'm not mistaken, the grade of this Giant Spirit Fist is far higher than the Dragon Elephant Force.'

'Hmm...'

'Perhaps Lu Dingkui didn't teach me the true Dragon Elephant Force.'

This wasn't because Lu Dingkui was holding back, but because Martial Arts before Grade Entering was often just for laying a foundation.

After Grade Entering was when the real training began.

Cultivating the Dragon Elephant Force now was mainly for strengthening his foundation—to first improve his constitution and then worry about the rest.

For the next few days, Lu Dingkui came every afternoon without fail to guide Zhu Ju's Cultivation and check his progress.

「A few days later.」

Steward Liu came to report.

"Master Lu has some family matters to attend to and will find it difficult to come by for a while. He asked me to tell you, Young Master, to train diligently and not to slack off."

"Oh!" Zhu Ju stood in the center of the Martial Arts Arena, slowly practicing the Fist Technique. His expression was meticulous, but his movements were as slow as an old lady threading a needle, so slow it was frustrating to watch.

'I thought he'd last a few more days. He lost his patience so quickly. And after he took two thousand taels of silver from me as a tuition fee.'

"Young Master."

Steward Liu bowed his head.

"Master Lu said he will come by from time to time to check on your Cultivation progress. He also said he will have one of his disciples come to guide you, so as not to delay your training."

"Let him be." Zhu Ju's expression was indifferent.

"There's nothing left for me to learn from him anyway."

With the help of his Formless Seal, he could replicate any technique Lu Dingkui had demonstrated.

Over the past few days, under the pretext of seeking guidance, he had watched Lu Dingkui demonstrate several types of Martial Arts. Although it wasn't for long, aside from a few hidden trump cards, Zhu Ju had already squeezed Lu Dingkui dry of most of his knowledge.

Whether he came or not made no difference anymore.

*

*

*

Thick steam billowed.

Zhu Ju leaned over the edge of the tub, letting Shuang'er knead, massage, and work his muscles from behind to invigorate his blood.

The entire process lasted for nearly the time it takes an incense stick to burn. It could not be interrupted, and it required complete concentration.

Fortunately, Shuang'er was very serious and capable.

At first, she would be exhausted and on the verge of collapse after completing one session. Now, she could do two in a row.

"You have a good constitution."

Zhu Ju said.

"And you recover quickly."

"Really?" Shuang'er had already grown accustomed to their current interactions and was no longer shy. Hearing his words, her eyes sparkled as she smiled.

"I also feel like I have a lot more stamina recently. Is it because I'm in the medicinal bath with you, Young Master?"

"Master Lu's Secret Medicine is amazing!"

Zhu Ju smiled but said nothing.

This wasn't some fantasy novel, and his personal maid, Shuang'er, was not some prodigy blessed with extraordinary Talent.

But that was before. Things were different now.

Shuang'er's constitution had improved significantly, which was equivalent to improving her Tendon and Bone. The reason, however, wasn't the Secret Medicine. If Lu Dingkui's Secret Medicine had that kind of power, he wouldn't be a mere low-Eighth Grade Martial Artist.

The real reason was Zhu Ju.

During the medicinal baths, his Venerable Immortal Bone would exude a portion of its Essence through his skin.

This Innate Origin Essence had the effect of transforming one's Tendon and Bone. Since Shuang'er spent so much time in the tub with him, she was inevitably affected.

"Young Master."

A matron's voice came from outside.

"Miss Lu has arrived."

"Miss Lu?" Zhu Ju was taken aback.

'Lu Dingkui's daughter?'

...

Lu Qianqian was sixteen years old and not yet married.

Unlike her tall, burly, and rough-featured father, Lu Qianqian had delicate features and a petite figure.

She took more after her mother.

She didn't cultivate the Dragon Elephant Force or the Giant Spirit Fist. Instead, she had apprenticed herself to an expert to cultivate a Sword Technique.

"Young Master Zhu."

「Martial Arts Arena.」

Lu Qianqian's expression was scrutinizing as she looked at Zhu Ju.

"My father has some matters to attend to recently and cannot come to the Zhu Mansion often. I hope Young Master Zhu won't take offense."

"It's no matter." Zhu Ju waved his hand.

"Master Lu has more disciples than just me. I already feel bad for having taken up so much of his time and effort."

"Besides..."

"I now have Miss Lu to teach me in his stead."

"Correct." Lu Qianqian lifted her head.

"Although I have never cultivated the Dragon Elephant Force, I grew up hearing and seeing it, so I know a fair amount about it."

"If Young Master Zhu has any questions, feel free to ask."

"I don't really have many questions." Zhu Ju asked curiously,

"Has Miss Lu reached Grade Entering?"

"That's right." Lu Qianqian gently stroked the hilt of her sword, a modest yet somewhat proud smile on her face.

"I reached Grade Entering the year before last. My current Cultivation is mid-Ninth Grade."

"Impressive!" Zhu Ju was filled with respect.

"With Miss Lu's Talent, given time, you're certain to reach Eighth Grade. Even Seventh or Sixth Grade might not be impossible."

Lu Dingkui himself was only at mid-Eighth Grade Cultivation.

And in all of Taiyuan Prefecture, there were only a handful of Seventh-Grade Experts.

"I would be content to reach Eighth Grade. Any higher..." Lu Qianqian's smile faded.

"For now, I dare not dream of it."

She didn't dare now, but that didn't mean she wouldn't dare in the future.

At her age, she definitely had a chance of breaking through to the Seventh Grade before she turned forty. By then, she would have surpassed her father and ancestors.