Chapter 44: Rapid Progress?

  He was delighted to have obtained the Mian Zhang's leaves, as summoning this set of skills represented that he finally had a decent palm technique that could be used against his enemies.

  Although it's not the swordsmanship I want right now, one can't be too greedy when it comes to being a good person, right?

  After flipping through the not-so-thick book, I roughly browsed it and had a general understanding of this set of palm techniques. What can be confirmed is that this set of Mian Zhang (cotton palms) originated from the Wudang Sect's Mian Zhang in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber", rather than other schools'.

  Mian Zhang's kung fu refers to a set of routines, similar to Changquan, with many schools and traditions, although they are generally similar, the specific details are not identical.

  The palm in Ye Wen's hand is actually the originator of this set of palm techniques in the original work, so the name of the palm technique only uses the name "cotton palm", and does not need to be crowned with "golden top" or "frosty ice" like other similar martial arts in the same work.

  As for this set of palm techniques, Ye Wen naturally had no idea that this set of palm techniques has some commonalities with Tai Chi boxing to a certain extent. When using this technique against an enemy, it appears soft and gentle but actually contains powerful energy inside, making it even more continuous and relentless, often leaving the opponent struggling to defend themselves from left to right.

  Mian Zhang inherited the Wudang school's martial arts philosophy of combining hardness and softness, with both hard and soft elements in its palm techniques. Its power is not ordinary, and even a casual practitioner who has not reached a high level may suffer severe internal injuries from just one or two palms. However, this also means that practitioners require a certain level of strength or inner energy (in fact, practicing any martial art has requirements, it's just a matter of degree). In the original work, Song Qingxue started training in Mian Zhang at a young age, but initially only learned the stances and couldn't use the techniques to defend himself. He was able to generate power only after he grew older and his internal skills had reached a certain level.

  Although Ye Wen's physical strength is not great, his internal power has already made some progress. Using this set of palm techniques is no problem at all. The only trouble is that he needs to memorize so many moves in a short period of time, as well as the intended state and the skill of exerting force at will.

  The movements are smooth and natural, with a sense of rhythm and timing. Ye Wen has a foundation in Tai Chi, which is somewhat helpful, although he only learned the basics. However, these basics can serve as a good foundation for him to understand the intricacies of the palm technique. In terms of memorization, Ye Wen can quickly grasp the moves, but he will likely need to practice diligently over the next two days to increase his familiarity with this set of palm techniques.

  In this way, the only trouble is still that soft and hard changing force technique, especially when coordinating with one's own internal energy circulation, the troublesome place can be detected even if one has only looked at the secret recipe without formally practicing it.

  One side held the secret book to memorize its contents, while the other massaged his injured toes to quickly recover his mobility, thinking about how to turn this martial art into combat power as soon as possible.

  After about half a time, Ye Wen had almost memorized the moves and some key chants were roughly remembered, just without actual practice.

  Moved his feet a bit and felt no more pain, thinking that he was already able to move freely, so he put on his shoes and went downstairs, putting the secret recipe close to him before leaving the room.

  He was preparing to find a place to practice well, and as for the secret book being carried with him, it was also because it was convenient to flip through. In case he practiced halfway and didn't understand something or suddenly forgot, he could take it out and contemplate again.

  As soon as he stepped out of the house, he thought that the entire Shu Shan Sect was almost becoming a construction site. Although most people were concentrated near the main hall, there were only a few people coming and going in front of his residence, but he couldn't take out the secret book to look at it under the watchful eyes of everyone.

  What's even more deadly is that his own junior sister is practicing sword here, and he hasn't prepared to tell his junior sister the secret of being able to summon a secret recipe.

  However, seeing that set of Jade Maiden Swordsmanship being wielded by her as if a heavenly maiden had descended to earth and was dancing with abandon, he knew that this little girl hadn't spared any effort in her practice during this period. What made Ye Wen even more astonished was the faint sound of breaking through the air coming from the sword tip, showing that Ning Ruxue's swordsmanship wasn't only practiced to perfection but also her internal energy hadn't fallen behind much either, although it still couldn't compare to his own, fearing that there wasn't much difference between them now.

  He glanced at her sideways and thought to himself, "Just going out for a month has caused me not to work hard on my skills, and now I'm about to be surpassed by this cheap junior sister. If I don't improve my strength soon, I'm afraid it won't take long before she beats me up until my nose is blue and swollen, forcing me to hand over the position of sect leader to her!"

  Thinking of how fiercely she stomped her own foot that morning, it's likely that if they were to really fight, she wouldn't hold back. If I were to be defeated by my junior sister, this face of mine would have no place to hide.

  He touched the spot on his chest where the book was hidden and felt a little comforted: "Luckily, luckily! Fortunately, fortunately!"

  Looking left and right, Ye Wen finally decided to find a secluded place to practice again. The area on top of the Book Mountain was not small, and Ye Wen even circled a large area, so he didn't need to leave the Shu Shan Sect's mountain gate to find a quiet and deserted place, he just needed to walk a few more steps.

  Seeing Ye Wen turn around and leave, after watching the progress of the craftsmen's work, Xu Xian, who had nothing to do but stand aside and watch his master sister practice swordsmanship, asked: "Master brother, where is he going?"

  Ye Wen casually replied, "Nothing, just wandering around! Don't bother calling me for lunch!" It was actually because Ning Ruxue's martial arts progress was quite rapid, which stimulated Ye Wen. This time, he decided to practice his skills seriously. As the leader of the sect, especially with a junior sister who wanted to overthrow him, he had to ensure that his strength remained at the top level in the sect. Ye Wen made up his mind (for one meal?) and was determined to master this set of Mian Zhang first.

  It takes a day's work to practice a set of kung fu that you've never touched before into a stance, if you were to take it out onto the streets, I'm afraid many people would criticize you as 'arrogant!' Because practicing martial arts isn't something else, many people who learn and practice martial arts, especially a set they've never touched before, often don't dare say they've entered the door until after several months of practice. If you really want to say that you can take a new set of learned kung fu to a certain level where you can use it against others, then the time spent must be calculated in years - geniuses or those with exceptionally high skills are exceptions.

  Ye Wen didn't think he was a genius, it's just that the situation he faced now was quite pressing. In a few days' time, he would probably have to use this set of skills to fight against others at the ceremony, so he had no choice but to absorb and digest this set of martial arts in the shortest possible time and apply them in actual combat.

  Of course, Ye Wen also understands those principles. Fortunately, most people on the Book Mountain have a martial arts status that doesn't even require him to use this set of palm techniques to defeat the vast majority of people. Basically, in dealing with these people, he only needs to rely on his advantage in internal strength, and using Tai Zu Long Fist against the enemy is enough.

  Only a small number of people have the confidence to win, and Zhang Gui can be counted as one. However, he also doesn't lack the confidence to win, Ye Wen believes that with his own cunning... "Ah! It's wit!" degree, he can absolutely guarantee that he won't lose. It's just that if he can't defeat his opponent decisively, then the purpose of establishing prestige for the sect while everyone is gathered at Mount Shu Sect cannot be achieved.

  "Not only must we win, but also win decisively, so that others have nothing to say!" That's why Ye Wenchao was so anxious to practice a more brilliant kung fu to use against his enemies.

  As for how to learn a new set of skills in a short period of time... Fortunately, Ye Wen's world was not lacking in information and data, which were worthless in large quantities. Ye Wen had been deeply influenced by many "literary classics" and had unknowingly stored countless theoretical knowledge in his mind, including some profound principles of martial arts.

  There are forms without form, no forms without form, no winning with form, defeating the enemy with intention is countless, now Ye Wen plans to learn Zhang Wuji's Wudang Mountain defeat of the enemy that time, first understand the key points and essence of Mian Zhang, as for the specific moves and routines he only learns a rough outline, the specific moves will be discussed later.

  Although the Mian Zhang's moves are also exquisite, but the time spent on practicing and understanding each move to use against the enemy is too long. Zhang Wuji also learned Tai Chi Fist slowly after defeating a strong enemy. Although Mian Zhang and Tai Chi Fist are not at the same level of martial arts, Ye Wen is not Zhang Wuji, is he?

  So, Ye Wen was confident that with his current internal skill foundation, combined with some theoretical knowledge of Mian Zhang and a few techniques, he could easily defeat those guys on Shu Shan who had never seen any truly exquisite martial arts.

  "Moreover, I still have the Three Immortal Swords! To strike halfway and suddenly draw swords will surely scare her to death!"

  With a sly smile, Ye Wen Hu walked randomly and finally found a secluded place. However, upon closer inspection, wasn't this the same mountain cliff where Xu Xian had brought him before?

  "How did I end up here?" He glanced at the small, isolated mound of earth, and it was likely that no one would have thought that a predecessor of the martial arts world was buried here. Ye Wen went forward to pay his respects with a bow, and quietly said: "Forget it, the scenery is beautiful, people rarely pass by, it's indeed a good place to practice martial arts!"

  Now set up the stage and get ready to practice the cotton palm!

  He doesn't care about the specific moves, he just wants to understand how this set of soft palm techniques can be used to revolve around the enemy with a soft and gentle palm force, and how those strong and fierce forces are emitted from seemingly soft movements. In addition, he needs to adapt to using this set of palm techniques, exploring how to make his own inner energy work in harmony with the soft palm.

  He practiced like this, forgetting the time, until the sun set in the west. Standing beside the cliff, Ye Wen continuously swung his palms, back and forth, as smooth as clouds flowing with water. Ye Wen initially grasped the meaning of the soft palm's continuous flow, and although the force was a bit awkward when inhaling and exhaling, he found a key point. He believed that if given more time to think about it, he would be able to thoroughly understand the operating principles of this palm technique.

  With a casual wave of his hand, he slapped out another palm. At first, it seemed soft and powerless, but just as the force was about to dissipate, the palm suddenly shook violently, and in the midst of the surging energy, a small clump of earth that had been stirred up by Ye Wen's previous movements happened to be struck squarely by this palm, and was immediately smashed into mud that scattered in all directions.

  Ye Wen clapped his hands in satisfaction, then looked up to see Xuan standing not far away with a strange expression - it was as if he had been interrupted while yawning and had suddenly stopped.