Chapter 76: Chapter 52: What USB Drive?

In the Quiet Chamber, Zhao Rui continued to perform the cultivation movements of the Mimicry Fist, circulating his True Qi to feel for the Hidden Meridian.

With each circulation, his sense of the Hidden Meridian grew clearer. It was still just a hazy awareness, but it was enough for Zhao Rui to confirm that the Hidden Meridian was real.

Unfortunately, this Cultivation Technique had its limits. Further circulation only heightened the sensation; it couldn’t help him truly perceive the Hidden Meridian’s location.

Four hours later, Zhao Rui let out a long, turbid breath and slowly opened his eyes.

The Cultivation Technique was a success.

Now, as long as he learned the techniques of any Martial Art, he could execute them with ease even without a Luck Technique.

He wouldn’t have to worry about his Meridians reversing or the techniques failing to connect.

But the techniques he performed would be all form and no substance, possessing little power—barely better than flowery, useless posturing.

As for the Hidden Meridian, it remained as intangible as the moon’s reflection in water or a flower seen through mist. He couldn’t “see” it clearly, as it was hidden deep within his body.

’I can’t get ahead of myself. I haven’t even figured out the Twelve Main Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians yet. Why am I thinking so far ahead?’

Zhao Rui pushed open the door to the Quiet Chamber. After a short break to relax, he began to study the Five Ancestors Fist.

This style of fist fighting was fierce and swift, with stable footwork and explosive force. Legend had it that a great master created it over a hundred years ago by fusing five different fist styles, including the Grand Ancestor Fist and Arhat Fist.

It was even rumored to have ties to the Southern Shaolin Temple, which had long since vanished into the annals of history.

There was also a popular folk tale, however, that claimed the style was created by the Five Zen Patriarchs.

All these legends and stories proved that this Martial Art was something special.

Zhao Rui delved into his research, pondering and experimenting with each technique one by one.

’If I shift this technique back three inches, will it generate more force and compensate for my lack of Inner Strength? But it seems to be missing the support of the Three Yang Meridians of the Foot. The follow-up technique can’t flow smoothly…’

As Zhao Rui studied the Five Ancestors Fist, he also tried to use the faint presence of his Hidden Meridian to resolve the issue of his insubstantial Inner Strength, a side effect of the Mimicry Fist.

When does a person most easily lose track of time?

When they are completely absorbed. For instance, when falling in love, with the girl you adore leaning on your shoulder. Or when wrestling with a difficult problem, like a tough math question during an exam.

Zhao Rui was experiencing that exact feeling, so engrossed in learning and deconstructing the techniques that he completely lost track of time.

It seemed that exploring the Hidden Meridian lessened his physical fatigue, allowing him to remain immersed in his cultivation for long periods without realizing it.

Just like the day before, when Zhao Rui emerged from the Quiet Chamber, the outside was already deserted.

’Time truly flies when you’re cultivating!’

’I’ve more or less gotten the gist of it. For a few of the techniques, I can even properly channel the Inner Strength from my Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.’

’The gains were good, but time passed way too quickly.’

Zhao Rui made a mental note to set an alarm on his phone the next time he researched the Hidden Meridian.

After quickly tidying up, he left and headed out of Mingcan Temple.

The air outside was crisp and cool under the moon. As he passed the dense wood in front of Mingcan Courtyard, Zhao Rui paused, shaking his head with a soft sigh.

’What a waste of a master’s image…’

“Got a problem with that, kid?”

Just as he lifted his foot to walk away, that familiar, eerie voice from the previous night drifted from behind him.

Zhao Rui fought the urge to turn around and curse him. ’Best to avoid trouble,’ he thought. Pretending not to have heard, he quickened his pace and hurried toward the academy exit.

“Kid!”

Zhao Rui turned a deaf ear, his pace only quickening.

“Hah!”

Just then, Zhao Rui felt a sharp pain in his Huantiao Acupoint. He stumbled and fell to the ground.

“Senior, I don’t know anything!”

Zhao Rui “told the truth.”

“You brat, why run when you see me! I gave you the wrong USB drive last night.”

“Senior, what USB drive? I’m afraid I don’t follow.”

“Bah!”

The figure slowly approached, gradually emerging from the darkness. It was a short old man with a baby-smooth face and rosy cheeks, crowned with a shock of white hair.

He looked just like Ding Chunqiu from the TV series *Eight Heavenly Dragons*.

Except he was far more handsome than the version of Ding Chunqiu from Huang Rihua’s adaptation.

“Hypocrite! Do you think I’m the kind of person who cares about that?”

The old man’s lips curled into a sneer as he squinted at Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui thought for a moment before replying, “Senior, I’m not one to care about so-called ’fortunate encounters’ either. Let’s just pretend we never met!”

“My heart is set on the Martial Dao. Out of respect for Elder Ge, let’s part ways here!”

“Oh-ho! Playing the Ge Changsheng card, are we?”

The old man chuckled slyly. With a flick of his finger through the air, he released the pressure on Zhao Rui’s legs.

“Thank you, Senior! It was my great fortune to have unintentionally witnessed your divine power. I have an early class tomorrow, so I won’t disturb your rest any longer.”

After speaking, Zhao Rui straightened his clothes and strode off into the distance.

The old man seemed taken aback for a moment but didn’t try to stop him. Instead, his laughter echoed from a distance, “Kid, you’ll regret this when you find out what you missed out on!”

“I won’t regret it!”

Zhao Rui shouted back, his pace quickening until, in no time at all, he was beyond the bounds of the Martial Arts Academy.

’Opportunity and crisis always go hand in hand. Who knows where that old geezer came from.’

’I have my system panel. What opportunity from him could be better than that?’

’Besides, after watching the ’film’ he gave me last night, it’s definitely better to feign ignorance.’

「The night passed peacefully.」

Early the next morning, Zhao Rui attended one of his major-specific classes.

Afterward, he rushed over to the Martial Arts Team.

The students and teachers of Mingcan Courtyard were gathered at the Martial Arts Arena for special training before the friendly match.

The training was focused primarily on the official members of the team.

“Zhao Rui, go find Gongye Lingchen and follow his instructions.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep