The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the quiet courtyard.
A faint breeze drifted through the bamboo fences surrounding the area, causing the leaves overhead to rustle softly. The smell of dry earth and medicinal herbs lingered in the air.
At the center of the courtyard, two figures stood facing each other.
One old. One young.
Old Liang sat lazily upon a wooden sedan chair, one hand supporting his chin while the other tapped lightly against the armrest. His gray hair swayed slightly with the wind, his loose robe wrinkled and plain like that of an ordinary old man.
Yet anyone who looked carefully would notice something strange.
Even while sitting casually, his posture contained no openings. It was as though the old man before him was not a human, but a mountain.
Stable. Immovable.
Across from him stood Lin Sheng.
Sweat already covered his forehead. His breathing was calm, but his eyes were sharp and focused.
Five days of continuous sparring had taught him one thing. His master was terrifying.
"Come," Old Liang said lazily.
Lin Sheng narrowed his eyes.
The next moment, he moved.
Bang.
Dust exploded beneath his feet as the Eight Step Cicada Movement Technique erupted into motion.
His body blurred forward.
Step. Shift. Twist.
The movement technique caused his figure to appear light and erratic, like a cicada leaping between branches.
At the same time, his right fist drew backward.
Muscles tightened. Shoulders aligned.
The Vajra Fist surged forward.
BOOM.
The air trembled faintly.
Old Liang raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
He leaned slightly sideways.
The punch brushed past his sleeve harmlessly.
But before Lin Sheng could continue, a translucent interface flickered before his eyes.
[Ding. Redirect second form by 55 degrees.]
Without hesitation, Lin Sheng twisted his waist.
His fist changed direction instantly.
A second punch erupted forward from below.
Old Liang's eyes flickered slightly.
This time, he raised his hand.
Bang.
Their arms collided.
Lin Sheng felt a powerful force travel through his forearm like crashing waves.
His expression changed slightly.
But the chip reacted instantly.
[Activate first form defensive posture.]
Lin Sheng adjusted his stance immediately.
The shock force dispersed through his shoulders and legs.
Old Liang's calm expression finally shifted slightly.
"Interesting."
Lin Sheng didn't stop.
The Eight Step Cicada continued flowing beneath his feet as he launched another series of attacks.
Punches. Elbows. Palm redirects.
Every movement flowed into the next seamlessly.
The Vajra Fist was originally a straightforward and domineering martial technique, yet under the assistance of the chip, its transitions became incredibly precise.
Old Liang dodged continuously.
Step after step. Casual. Relaxed.
But gradually, the smile on his face faded slightly.
Bang.
Lin Sheng's fist suddenly appeared near his ribs.
Old Liang's eyes narrowed.
This time, he actually used his hand to block.
PA.
The collision echoed loudly.
Lin Sheng's eyes widened slightly.
He blocked it.
No. That wasn't important.
The important thing was he had to block.
Old Liang's gaze sharpened for a brief moment.
Before Lin Sheng could react, the old man grabbed his forearm lightly.
Then, with a simple motion, Lin Sheng felt the world spin.
Whoosh.
His body was tossed several meters away before landing heavily on the ground.
"Ugh."
He rolled twice before stopping.
Sweat poured down his face. His chest rose and fell violently.
Even with the chip's assistance mode active, he had only barely managed to force Old Liang to defend once. And this was while the old man clearly held back enormously.
"Monster," Lin Sheng muttered inwardly.
Old Liang chuckled.
"You've improved quickly."
Lin Sheng climbed back to his feet while breathing heavily.
The chip interface continued flickering.
[Muscle fatigue: 37 percent]
[Forearm strain detected]
[Recommend temporary recovery]
Lin Sheng ignored the notifications.
Old Liang casually grabbed a teacup from beside the sedan chair and took a sip.
Then he asked calmly,
"Tell me, brat. What happens if a martial artist charges directly at an immortal cultivator?"
Lin Sheng paused.
Old Liang continued lazily.
"Suppose the cultivator uses a fire ignition technique. Or wood vines. Or ice arrows. What then?"
Lin Sheng thought briefly before replying honestly.
"If the martial artist is hit directly, he would either die or suffer severe injuries."
Old Liang nodded.
"Correct."
He placed the cup down gently.
"Then tell me, if martial artists truly possess stronger killing power than immortal cultivators, why am I still teaching you fists and movement techniques?"
Lin Sheng remained silent.
Old Liang slowly stood up from the sedan chair.
The relaxed laziness around him gradually faded.
"There is a saying in the martial world."
"Nurturing. Training. Fighting. Killing."
"All four are indispensable."
"Nurturing and training are your foundation."
"But only through fighting and killing can a martial artist truly evolve."
Old Liang looked directly at Lin Sheng.
"Only then can one form their own Concept."
Lin Sheng frowned slightly.
"Concept?"
Old Liang smiled faintly.
The next moment, he moved.
Boom.
A deep vibration spread outward from his body.
Lin Sheng's pupils contracted instantly.
Old Liang was clearly using the Vajra Fist, yet it felt completely different.
Every muscle. Every tendon. Every bone moved in harmony.
Not only that, an invisible force seemed to surround him.
The air itself vibrated faintly.
Heavy. Domineering. Unshakable.
Old Liang stepped forward casually, then punched.
BOOM.
Lin Sheng's hair exploded backward from the pressure alone.
The fist stopped inches before his face.
But a deafening explosion suddenly erupted behind him.
Lin Sheng's expression changed.
He turned immediately.
The stone wall behind him had shattered. Cracks spread across the entire surface. Dust rained downward.
Yet the punch never touched him.
Lin Sheng's breathing became uneven.
Old Liang lowered his fist calmly.
"That is Concept."
Silence filled the courtyard.
Lin Sheng stared at the destroyed wall. His mind shook slightly.
The power behind that strike was absurd.
And even stranger, he could vaguely feel something hidden within it.
Not merely force. Not merely skill. But intent.
Old Liang slowly spoke.
"Concept has three stages."
"Momentum. Intent. And Will."
"Momentum uses form to guide Qi."
"Intent uses Qi to guide Intent."
"And Will uses Intent to guide the spirit itself."
Lin Sheng's heart shook slightly.
Spirit?
He thought martial arts mainly focused on the body. But now it seemed martial cultivation involved far more than flesh and blood.
Lin Sheng hesitated briefly before asking,
"Then the Vajra Concept, is it the core philosophy behind the Vajra Fist Technique? The martial understanding the creator wished to pass down?"
Old Liang froze slightly.
Then slowly raised an eyebrow.
For the first time, a look of genuine satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
"Exactly."
He nodded lightly.
"In martial cultivation, the deeper your understanding of a martial art, the purer your technique becomes. And the stronger it grows."
He pointed toward the shattered wall.
"A martial technique without Concept is merely imitation. But once Concept is born, it becomes your martial art."
Lin Sheng fell silent.
His thoughts moved rapidly.
Then Old Liang continued.
"The stronger your Concept, the stronger your spirit becomes."
Lin Sheng's pupils shrank slightly.
Spirit again.
Old Liang noticed his reaction and smiled faintly.
"You thought only immortal cultivation could strengthen the spirit?"
Lin Sheng didn't deny it.
Old Liang shook his head.
"Martial arts is also a path toward transcendence."
"Momentum alone can allow an Innate martial artist to suppress ordinary Qi Refining cultivators."
"And Intent can assist one in crossing the Mysterious Pass."
Lin Sheng's heart shook.
Mysterious Pass again.
Old Liang had only mentioned it briefly before, but each mention implied danger. Extreme danger.
Old Liang looked toward him calmly.
"I mention this so you understand. The martial path is not as simple as you think."
Lin Sheng took a deep breath.
Then suddenly asked,
"Master, can you demonstrate the Vajra Concept again?"
Old Liang raised an eyebrow.
"Again?"
Lin Sheng nodded seriously.
Old Liang stared at him for several seconds.
Then he laughed softly.
"Fine."
Boom.
The terrifying vibration returned instantly.
This time, Lin Sheng focused entirely.
Not merely with his eyes, but with the chip.
Inside his vision, new notifications appeared rapidly.
[Recording mode activated]
[Capturing muscular movement patterns]
[Capturing force transmission rhythm]
[Capturing breathing synchronization]
Lin Sheng's pupils narrowed.
Every detail entered the chip's storage.
Old Liang punched again.
The same domineering aura erupted outward, like a mountain collapsing. Like an indestructible force crushing forward endlessly.
Lin Sheng stared without blinking.
He felt something. Vague. Abstract. Yet undeniably present.
A feeling. A will. A force that ignored fear.
Old Liang slowly withdrew his fist.
Then looked toward Lin Sheng.
"Did you understand anything?"
Lin Sheng nodded honestly.
"Yes."
Though what exactly he understood, even he wasn't sure yet.
Old Liang smiled faintly.
"That's enough."
"The sun is setting. You should return."
Lin Sheng cupped his fists respectfully.
"This disciple obeys."
Then he turned and left the courtyard.
His figure gradually disappeared beyond the bamboo path.
Silence returned.
For several moments, Old Liang remained standing there quietly.
Then he sighed.
"Still hiding?"
A shadow flickered silently behind a nearby tree.
A figure dressed completely in black appeared soundlessly. The person's face remained obscured, but judging from the figure, it was a woman.
She spoke calmly.
"I am merely following my master's orders."
Old Liang snorted lightly.
"You people love hiding in the dark."
The woman ignored the comment.
Instead she asked,
"Why did you accept him as a disciple? The agreement was only to guide him temporarily."
Old Liang shrugged lazily.
"Maybe because the brat is talented."
The shadow remained silent briefly.
Then spoke again.
"My master sends her regards. And her thanks."
Old Liang waved his hand dismissively.
"Tell her I heard it."
The woman nodded slightly.
Then her figure blurred, vanishing completely.
Old Liang watched the empty shadows quietly.
After several moments, he returned to the sedan chair slowly.
Then sat down once more.
The familiar lazy expression returned to his face.
"Interesting little brat."
Meanwhile, far away from the courtyard, Lin Sheng walked calmly toward his residence, completely unaware of the conversation that had just taken place behind him.