Chapter 140: Chapter 129: Do Not Cultivate the Thunder Technique! (3k)
Meng Chuan had mastered the Human Posture Chapter of the Taiyi Three Talents Posture, and his body structure completely aligned with the Xingyi method.
Therefore, for the moment, he certainly couldn’t practice the Dragon and Tiger Elephant Form.
Forcibly practicing the Elephant Form Dragon and Tiger Celestial Posture required both.
It would not only ruin the shaped foundation of Xingyi in his body but might also cause irreversible consequences like meridian disorders.
"Looking at the Limit Breaking characteristic of the Human Posture [Dawn and Dusk Enlightenment], my idea might be going astray..."
Meng Chuan pondered for a moment.
"Take it step by step, after achieving Perfection in the Human Posture, I’ll try the Dragon and Tiger Celestial Posture slightly..."
Meanwhile, the remaining two from Yanhua bowed their heads silently.
In this mountaintop battle, the two of them, along with Chen Xuewu from the six challenges, were beaten by Xu Qingfeng in a three-on-one match, surely to face criticism upon returning to school.
The most crucial thing was, as geniuses of the Yanhua Preparatory School, getting defeated by the champion was somewhat acceptable, but Xu Qingfeng still couldn’t beat that guy named Meng Chuan in the end.
They thought that, being students of the special Martial Arts University preparatory class and standing out among the geniuses within the school to participate in the competition, they were already halfway to reaching the pinnacle.
Unexpectedly, there was always someone better, and Meng Chuan, from an ordinary high school, taught the two of them a valuable lesson.
"We both once believed that the sky above Yanhua was the entire world;
it wasn’t until we stepped out and witnessed Brother Xu and Brother Meng that we realized how vast the world truly is, acknowledging our previous shortsightedness as frogs at the bottom of a well."
The two of them cupped their hands in admiration, the competition opened their eyes.
Meng Chuan likewise returned the gesture:
"No need to be so polite."
Seeing the harmonious scene before him, he felt that the "geniuses" in the preparatory class had good temperaments.
Of course, Meng Chuan knew all of this was based on his own strength.
If he were a weakling, the geniuses would demonstrate to him what the pride of a genius truly was.
Like Qi Fei at this moment...
Except for Meng Chuan and Chen Xuewu, who acknowledged him out of courtesy, everyone else automatically ignored Qi Fei.
Everyone was eager to exchange contact information with Meng Chuan.
After Zheng Zhenzhen added him, she gave him a note—[Biaozi].
Meng Chuan’s fierce performance left a deep impression on her, even though there were many top-tier hard skills in the Buddhist Sect, few on Yanhua Mountain were willing to endure that kind of hardship.
"Come to Yanhua when you have time, let’s spar again."
"Is it sparring with you or your great-grandmother?"
Xu Qingfeng teased.
Meng Chuan also learned that this Tiger Girl was a second-generation martial artist.
"Xu Qingfeng! Do you believe I’ll break your other hand too?"
"I don’t believe it, your great-grandmother can try, but as for you, I’ll let you have a leg."
Zheng Zhenzhen, infuriated and embarrassed, let out a tiger roar and launched a swift attack on Xu Qingfeng’s injured arm.
Everyone laughed and pulled the two apart, and Meng Chuan found it quite interesting.
He usually practiced martial arts alone, and making some like-minded friends to relax was nice.
Xu Qingfeng peeled Zheng Zhenzhen off his arm and said to Meng Chuan:
"Brother Meng, we must spar again when we have time, I’m not feeling well these days, let’s try when my arm gets better!"
"You’re faking it..."
Meng Jiaolong sneered.
Xu Qingfeng’s action fit Meng Chuan’s intent perfectly.
"Definitely, contact me when your arm heals, Brother Xu."
The opponent’s two-handed Eight Trigrams defense made him a pure human sandbag.
The rewards had already been airlifted by helicopter by the education bureau staff.
Bai Junfeng, full of smiles, interrupted the conversation among everyone.
"You all are the future of Yong’an City, no matter what, don’t be frustrated by temporary failures.
The mountains and roads are long, only those who can go further are true victors."
Meng Chuan applauded, thinking to himself:
"Uncle Bai is indeed an official, his eloquent words are definitely better than Master Luo’s..."
He looked at Meng Chuan and said:
"Xiaomeng performed well, bringing honor to your master.
This time you’re first place, and Yong’an Education Bureau has gone all out.
Besides bonus points for the martial arts examination and a 1 million yuan reward, there’s also a set of five Platinum [Enlightenment] supplement gift boxes produced by Hanhai Laboratory, totaling 1.2 million yuan in value.
The 9.6 million martial arts funds allocated to Ping’an Middle School will be coordinated later by the education bureau staff and your principal."
The first-place winner was also supposed to receive a wooden pillow made from Anshen Flowers, but the market price of Anshen Flowers and other spirit-nourishing materials had soared beyond the education bureau’s budget...
"Second place, Xu Qingfeng, receives..."
After the award ceremony, Meng Chuan cupped his hands in thanks, responding to everyone’s congratulations one by one.
Qi Fei sneaked up and whispered:
"Brother Chuan, I’ll transfer my prize money to you once it arrives."
The seventh place also received a 200,000 yuan reward, which was considerable for Qi Fei, but he still felt guilty accepting it.
Meng Chuan waved his hand in refusal.
"No worries, you deserve it."
Recalling Qi Fei’s silhouette bravely defending the beacon against the Tiger Girl Zheng Zhenzhen.
Qi Fei wanted to say more, but Meng Chuan interrupted directly.
"Just take it, it’s not like I lack money."
Then he walked over to Bai Junfeng and asked:
"Uncle Bai, could the 1.2 million yuan gift box be cashed out?"
Meng Chuan, following Luo Guanyun, belonged to the traditional martial arts family, worried that the supplement might contain impurities that wouldn’t be completely metabolized by his body.
He thought converting it into cash to buy the medicinal foods he loved most would be better...
Zheng Zhenzhen, hearing Meng Chuan speak, immediately interjected:
"Give it to me, I’ll transfer 1.5 million yuan to you."
[Hanhai] is one of the most renowned pharmaceutical labs recently in Great Chu, with their Enlightenment supplements series.
Once launched, they were in short supply, requiring a premium to purchase them at retail.
Meng Chuan agreed, as he didn’t aim to overcharge; earning an extra 300,000 yuan was very satisfying.
His funds had now reached a massive 2.6 million yuan.
But he still felt it wasn’t enough, not because he was used to being poor, but because Body Refinement was truly costly!
The medicinal paste for promoting the recovery of [Rainbow Light Transformation] was just a minor expense.
The external martial arts ointment he was currently using was decreasing in effectiveness.
After breaking through the proficiency in [Qi Nourishing Armor Technique], he would have to use the more effective Bone Tempering Blood Formation Ointment.
Based on his usage, just buying the Body Refining Ointment and Esoteric Oil every month might not even be enough with a hundred thousand.
Moreover, once his Hard Skills reach a certain level, he will still have to spend money to hire the Iron Immortal for training.
According to Chen Tie, each session costs around five to six thousand...
This couple of million is really not much, and the one million prize from the Martial Arts Association hasn’t even arrived yet. Meng Chuan is worried again...
As a special guest outstanding youth martial artist, Luo Meng also stood up from the judges’ table and gave a commentary on everyone’s performance.
After finishing, everyone prepared to descend the mountain together.
"Brother Meng, you’ve made a killing this time. Treat us when we go down the mountain, let’s have a good meal together."
Meng Chuan agreed, saying a meal wouldn’t cost much.
Just as he was about to leave, Bai Junfeng called him.
"Meng Chuan, come over to the judges’ table for a moment."
Meng Chuan apologized to everyone, promising to treat them next time.
He wondered to himself.
"Could it be Luo Meng looking for me to talk about Master Luo, or about Venerable Yin?"
He had always been curious about the relationship between the father and daughter, but since his master didn’t speak of it, there wasn’t much he could do.
...
At the judges’ table.
"Xiaomeng, this is Principal Yin of Yong’an Martial Arts University."
Bai Junfeng introduced Meng Chuan.
"Hello, elder."
Yin Tianshou nodded in response.
"This is Teacher Luo from Northern United University, who is also your master’s daughter."
"Hello, teacher."
After shaking hands, Luo Meng spoke:
"Nice to meet you. Shall we chat a bit when going down the mountain later?"
Meng Chuan nodded in agreement.
Yin Tianshou was quite curious; their relationship shouldn’t be this distant...
Yin Tianshou was clad in a dark crimson dragon-patterned robe, with muscle lines faintly visible underneath, his sunglasses paired with a chiseled face, giving him a very aloof demeanor.
Meng Chuan didn’t expect that when he spoke, he was quite down-to-earth.
Yin Tianshou smiled and said:
"I know you don’t think much of Yong’an Martial Arts University, so I won’t say elsewise. If you have time, come visit our school for an exchange; we’ll cover transport and meals."
"Sure."
Meng Chuan understood that ever since the Immaculate Divine Monk broke through to Celestial King, Principal Yin was undeniably the top ranked in the Great Chu’s summit battles; he had to give respect to such a figure.
Yin Tianshou continued:
"How long have you been practicing Hard Skills?"
Meng Chuan thought for a moment.
"The earliest one, I’ve been practicing for about half a year."
Below Yin Tianshou’s sunglasses, a hint of surprise appeared.
"Hard Skills are difficult to cultivate, your progress is indeed quite fast. You’re a good seedling for Hard Skills, with some talent on you.
I suggest you continue down this path, practicing both internally and externally, as it will greatly assist you after breaking through to Grandmaster. Don’t waste your special traits."
Indeed, a man standing at the peak easily speaks of martial arts secrets.
Meng Chuan smiled and said:
"The junior will continue practicing Hard Skills steadfastly."
Yin Tianshou nodded.
"When you come to Yong’an Martial Arts University, if I’m around, feel free to find me for guidance."
"Thank you, Principal Yin."
Meng Chuan felt that although Yin Tianshou seemed aloof, he was indeed quite nice to him.
"Alright, I’ll be leaving first, see you later."
With that, in his eyes, Yin Tianshou instantly vanished from the spot.
Meng Chuan cupped his hands in a martial salute:
"Farewell, Venerable Yin."
At this moment, Yin Tianshou transformed into a streak of fire, his mood shifting in the sky.
"This kid is definitely stubborn, surely he can’t be pried away.
But it’s fine, with more exchanges, if he participates in more Demon Nest missions with Yong’an Martial Arts University, the relationship will naturally grow closer."
"Almost forgot, there are those three rascals waiting to be skinned by me. The old man is coming..."
...
On the mountain path.
Meng Chuan and Luo Meng walked down the mountain side by side.
Both harboring their own thoughts.
Meng Chuan had some suspicions about why the father and daughter’s relationship was so tense.
Luo Meng’s flamboyant red hair indicated her self-centered nature, and she didn’t seem to consider others’ feelings all that much.
Adding to that, her calm gaze and decisive posture at any time suggested she wasn’t an unreasonable person.
And Master Luo wasn’t a madman ignoring all relations either.
The key difference was that one practiced Xingyi, while the other practiced Elephant Form.
The disagreement certainly stemmed from this, getting more specific.
The Primordial Spirit Thunder Planting Skill!
As Meng Chuan was pondering this, Luo Meng broke the silence first.
"Your Baji was pretty good. I practiced it while standing in the Three Talents Posture too."
"So how did you decide to switch to the Dragon and Tiger Posture afterwards?"
Meng Chuan playfully asked, expressing the doubt in his heart.
"Simple, just abolish the pile skill and start over."
Meng Chuan was speechless; abandoning the Three Talents Posture to practice Elephant Form Fist was definitely out of the question...
"How has your master been lately?"
"Quite well."
Luo Meng nodded and continued:
"I heard you’re interested in Northern United University, so I’ll be blunt.
I’m not here to make amends or catch up; I want you not to waste your talents.
Before you’ve concentrated the Thunder Seed, don’t practice Old Luo’s Primordial Spirit Thunder Planting Skill!"