The King of Black Fog

"Shoulder strength exploding, this is simple, right?"

"Mmm-mmm, but before it was all subconscious, now I finally get it."

"How about this, do you feel it, your back muscles powering up?"

"I feel... I think I do."

"Abs bulging, stretching?"

"Hahaha, stop touching my belly, ah, ticklish!"

Li Changzhou one by one, instructing Li Qianxia on how to deepen control over her body, to grasp that inner strength.

Zhu Xiongjie's direct disciples probably didn't receive this kind of treatment.

It's not about whether it's troublesome or not.

This in itself is a kind of selection, those who can grasp that inner strength on their own, and those who can't.

Between siblings, of course, there is no such selection.

Yang Qinglan was not there, studying the "Divine Fire Map."

The reason for studying separately was for testing.

Chun Emperor, no, Turquoise Pool said that each person has different compatibilities with Visualization Maps, and they wanted to experiment with learning speed first.

"Once you've mastered the body, you can unleash relentless attacks, constantly maintain the body's center of gravity, every muscle and sinew can exert force, every joint can deliver a killing blow, things like Inch Power, Finger Claw, Beng Fist, Elbow Strike, you don't even have to learn, they'll naturally follow."

"Mm—, bro, have you ever thought, maybe one should first learn things like Inch Power, Finger Claw, Beng Fist, Elbow Strike, step by step, and then try to grasp that inner strength?"

"No!" Li Changzhou was quite confident, "If I can learn it directly, why can't you?"

"I—, mhm!"

"What's the matter?" Li Changzhou asked the seemingly flustered Li Qianxia.

Li Qianxia appeared to be checking her Identity Card.

"Bro!" she called out, "'Jade Leaf' has been triggered again, it shows my Intelligence +2 when learning 'Whole Force'!"

"Does 'Jade Leaf' also have this function? Because of me?" Li Changzhou contemplated, "Why was there no prompt when learning the 'Thunder Map' before?"

Li Qianxia also thought about it, then suddenly clapped her right fist against her left palm:

"I've got it! Surely it's because you didn't think 'I want to share everything I have with my cutest, most beautiful sister' at the time!"

"'Cutest' and 'most beautiful' can be omitted." Li Changzhou drew several circles in the air with his finger, making a gesture for deleting unnecessary words.

"Stop talking nonsense! Quick quick quick, teach me!"

"Alright! Remember, the essence of 'Whole Force'—"

"Mhm!"

The two faced each other with serious expressions, refusing to give in.

"Four words—never stray from it! When facing an enemy, target their inner strength too, thousands of moves, if you can't affect their inner strength, you've got nothing!"

"You're not teaching me seriously! Such an important concept and you wait until I ask to tell me!"

Li Changzhou acted as if he didn't hear: "During a fight, continually use this inner strength to drive your body's movements. Ordinary people are strongest in their legs, but the strength of a single leg is limited; for us, we need to integrate the strength of the entire body and project it outwards, and that's 'Whole Force'."

Li Qianxia became serious: "How exactly do I do that?"

"I thought of a way while sparring with you just now." Li Changzhou said.

"Mhm."

"Stand properly, relax your hips, let your body soften, then use the strength of your entire body to push off the ground, concentrating the ground's reaction force where you need to exert power."

It was difficult, but Li Qianxia got the hang of it after two tries.

"Do you feel it?" Li Changzhou said, "Once you don't need to rely on pushing off the ground to concentrate your body's strength, being able to focus it wherever you want, 'Whole Force' will be achieved."

"I'll keep trying!"

With constant improvement every moment, Li Qianxia became fascinated, in a way, a different kind of 'Concentration.'

In fact, when anyone enters a state of concentration, their intelligence is somewhat enhanced, but as a skill, 'Concentration' is simpler to enter and the effects are more pronounced.

Immersed in learning, time flew by, and by the time Li Qianxia could control 'Whole Force' anytime by pushing off the ground, the whole morning had passed.

"Bro, I have a serious question for you."

"Shoot."

"I," Li Qianxia looked up at the drifting clouds, green leaves, and blue sky, "am I a one-in-a-million martial arts prodigy?"

"...Yes."

Li Changzhou didn't mention that he had learned it in a moment.

But he wasn't overly proud, feeling that he was just particularly talented in this area, just like a math prodigy, esports genius, or Olympic athlete, rare but not uncommon.

The two prepared lunch, and just at that moment, Yang Qinglan emerged from the "Forest Path"—a tranquil, secluded tree trunk.

A gentle breeze wafted by, dappled light flickering over her as she walked with the "Divine Fire Map" in hand, her expression thoughtful, like the Gu She Fairy descending from Gu She Mountain.

"Qing Lan, how did it go?" Li Qianxia asked.

"I might not be quite suitable," Yang Qinglan put away her contemplative gaze.

"Didn't learn it?" Li Changzhou was curious.

"I learned it," Yang Qinglan said, "but the experience of flames consuming me doesn't stimulate my potential as much as the 'Thunder Map.'"

"I get it, I get it, Qing Lan, you're the type who wouldn't hurry even if your house is on fire, perhaps even stand outside and pick a good spot to watch the blaze," Li Qianxia said.

After saying this, as if suddenly remembering, she added, "Unless it's a bookstore on fire."

"Even if it's a bookstore on fire, she'd stand inside, calmly be burned to death along with the books," Li Changzhou elaborated further.

Though it was two of them teasing her, Yang Qinglan only glared at Li Changzhou.

"The 'Thunder Map' for those unafraid of thunder, the 'Divine Fire Map' requires fear of fire and vitality," she pondered, "I'm more suited for the 'Thunder Map.'"

"Needs vitality?" Li Qianxia's eyes lit up, "My spunky little princess persona is finally becoming mainstream!"