Chapter 647 - 216: A Contest of Aptitude, An All-Out Clash (Part 2)

His aptitude was already remarkably high, and with his solid foundation, he had a profound understanding of basic fist techniques. Now, as he closed his eyes in deep thought, it was clear he was rapidly absorbing the true essence of the Cyan Mountain Fist. His progress was not the least bit slow.

Yang Jing mentally reviewed the technique for a moment. Having reached a certain level of understanding, he immediately opened his eyes. With a slight sway, he stood up and began to practice the Cyan Mountain Fist right where he was.

His movements were a bit clumsy at first, but as he progressed through the stances, they gradually grew more fluid.

He deliberately imitated Ouyang Jingxuan’s steadiness with every punch. As his arms swung, they gradually took on a weighty feel. His footwork was stable, and his breathing synchronized perfectly with his movements. Though he couldn’t match Ouyang Jingxuan’s state of effortless mastery, there was a striking resemblance in spirit.

Ouyang Jingxuan stood to the side, his gaze fixed on Yang Jing. He raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, before he slowly nodded.

He was somewhat surprised. ’To think that Yang Jing could practice the Cyan Mountain Fist to such a degree after only a moment of contemplation... His stances are structured, and the spiritual essence is beginning to take shape. He’s already grasped a good third of this fist art’s core principles. Such aptitude is truly unexpected.’

A moment later, on the other side of the square, Chu Yunhai also slowly rose to his feet. After adjusting the aura around him, he raised his hands, took a step, and began to practice the Cyan Mountain Fist.

Ouyang Jingxuan’s gaze immediately shifted to Chu Yunhai’s movements. His previously calm eyes suddenly brightened, flashing with clear approval.

’Yang Jing’s practice of the Cyan Mountain Fist just now showed he’d grasped a third of its essence, a clear testament to his high aptitude.’

’But Chu Yunhai’s fist art is a cut above. Not only are his stances flawless, but he has replicated the vast majority of the profound, mountain-like intent behind my own fists.’

’Every punch lands with the stability of a mountain. Though the force of his fists is light, it carries a natural, effortless grace, as if he were born knowing this technique.’

Ouyang Jingxuan nodded to himself. ’Chu Yunhai is truly worthy of his title as the top prodigy who has long dominated the Hidden Dragon List. His Root Bone is already the best of his generation, and his aptitude has reached the highest level. Such talent places him among the very best of Jintai Prefecture’s younger generation.’

Time slipped by, minute by minute. The sunlight crept slowly across the bluestone slabs, and the half-hour time limit for contemplation arrived in a flash.

Ouyang Jingxuan looked up at the two disciples still engrossed in their practice and called out, his voice ringing clearly across the square, "Half an hour is up. Both of you, come here."

Hearing his voice, Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai immediately snapped out of their deep contemplation of the Cyan Mountain Fist. They retracted their fists, stood at attention, and calmed the Inner Qi circulating through their bodies.

Yang Jing took a shallow breath, suppressing the faint nervousness in his heart, and walked toward Ouyang Jingxuan in the center of the square.

At the same time, Chu Yunhai also strode forward with composure. One after the other, they came to a stop before Ouyang Jingxuan, their expressions solemn.

Ouyang Jingxuan looked at the two disciples before him and said in a deep voice, "Each of you, take your positions. Perform the Cyan Mountain Fist one time, simultaneously. Let me see the final results of your contemplation."

Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai nodded in unison. "Yes, Elder."

As soon as he finished speaking, they each took two steps back and took their positions on opposite sides of the square, separated by a fair distance so as not to interfere with one another.

Once their breathing was steady, they raised their hands to assume the opening stance almost in perfect unison and began to perform the Cyan Mountain Fist.

Yang Jing didn’t spare a single glance toward Chu Yunhai’s performance, pouring all his focus into his own fist technique.

Every single movement—the exertion of force, the turn of his waist, the shift of his feet, the concluding stance—strictly followed Ouyang Jingxuan’s demonstration. He was meticulous.

In the past half hour, he had repeatedly contemplated the art, practiced it, and continuously corrected the deviations in his stances.

His Cyan Mountain Fist had long since shed its initial clumsiness. The transitions between stances were fluid and natural, and the momentum of his punches was steady. He had now firmly grasped a good portion of the art’s essence, and every punch carried a hint of a mountain’s weight.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Ouyang Jingxuan’s gaze shifted between Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai. He carefully observed their every movement, every minute detail of how they applied force, continuously judging them in his mind.

He had to admit that both disciples possessed aptitude far beyond the ordinary. ’To be able to grasp the core principles so quickly after watching the complete fist art only once, and to practice this basic technique to such a level... They are truly the prodigies of the Xuanzhen Sect. Even among the five great sects, they would not be outshone.’

’But objectively speaking, while Yang Jing’s performance is already stunning, Chu Yunhai is still a cut above.’

’I watched Yang Jing’s entire solo practice earlier. His rate of improvement was extremely fast, progressing from initial unfamiliarity with the stances to gradual mastery, and then to repeatedly correcting his own deviations.’

’To practice the fist art so proficiently in just half an hour, mastering a third of its essence—for someone with a Lower-Grade Root Bone, this is already an astonishing performance.’

’But Yang Jing still needed to go through that polishing process from unfamiliarity to proficiency. Chu Yunhai, in contrast, grasped the essential core of the Cyan Mountain Fist from the very first stance he performed.’

’There was no trial and error, no corrections. His movements were as smooth as flowing water from start to finish. By the end of the half hour, his fists already emanated the clear true intent of the Cyan Mountain, the intent and stances perfectly fused.’

’This true intent is no simple feat. Even though the Cyan Mountain Fist is an entry-level, basic martial art, an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple would need to practice diligently for over a month to bring forth such intent.’

’Yet Chu Yunhai achieved it in a mere half hour. The strength of his aptitude has reached an almost unheard-of level.’

Soon, Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai executed the final stance in unison. They withdrew their fists and settled their qi, the auras around them receding to a calm state. Together, they turned to Ouyang Jingxuan, awaiting the Elder’s judgment.