Chapter 54: The Aspiration Club

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Since Chen Chuan knew Major Sanshou, he only needed three days to become familiar with all of Principal Sanshou’s techniques. He then moved on to the next stage of his training.

“You already know that if you don’t have enough mutated fascia, you won’t be able to use the complete version of refined force. But while mutated fascia provides support to refined force, it’s scattered all over the body. It’s dispersed, disorderly, and doesn’t function as a unified whole.

“Because of that, when you move, you tug at all the mutated fascia. This allows you to generate more power, but it’s scattered, because your mutated fascia isn’t working together as one whole.

“So, the first step is to use certain stances to combine the mutated fascia and unify them into a single unit.”

As he spoke, he showed Chen Chuan a few fixed stances. “Fixed stances have their uses. They’re based on the experiences of our predecessors and carry some value. I don’t intend to ignore them. Instead, I want to use them together with fluid stances.

“You should prioritize fluid stances and use fixed stances as a complementary part of your training. Once you’re familiar with them, you can create your own unique fluid stances based on the condition of your mutated tissue. After all, few people spend any time mastering this refined force, so you’ll have to rely on yourself in the future.”

Chen Chuan nodded. He picked up the manual and took a look. The fixed stances were divided into two types: the standing stances and prone stances. Standing stances were similar to Major Sanshou’s stances, just like Cheng Zitong mentioned.

Cheng Zitong then said, “You need to shout while performing these stances. Each shout and use of the stance will stimulate the corresponding parts that need to generate power. This will make the mutated tissue in those parts stronger.

“This part is quite hard. If you are unable to make the right sounds in the beginning, use ‘Xu, He, Hu, Si, Chui, and Xi.’ These are the six sounds practitioners of an old martial art were required to make. You can use them as a substitute. Once you start getting used to it, use the shouts and breathing methods listed in the manual.

“Some of the old-timers didn’t understand the true meaning behind the actions and just stubbornly upheld the wrong practices their predecessors made after long periods of observations. Hence, only a handful of uniquely talented people, who were suited to become martial artists, were able to excel with them.

“They were also mocked for using their talent to compensate for their lack of knowledge. Once these people stepped into the new era, they looked down on new martial arts due to their experiences. So, all of them had one thing in common: they looked for talented, outstanding students. Otherwise, they were unable to produce excellent students.”

Chen Chuan could sense anger bubbling in Cheng Zitong’s voice.

Looks like Mr. Cheng was part of the untalented group, he thought.

Cheng Zitong brought over a few packets of medicine and started mixing them with medicinal wine. Since the practicing of stances involved stimulating mutated tissue as well as using shouts and breath control, the use of medication was essential to complement the process.

But benefits always came with negative consequences, so Cheng Zitong told Chen Chuan to not overtrain just because he had a good body. No matter what, there was a limit to how much a person’s body could tolerate. Even if Chen Chuan could not feel it, that did not mean that problems would not crop up later, so he needed to exercise moderation.

Chen Chuan promised Cheng Zitong that he wouldn’t, but he was not worried about this at all since he had his second self.

When Cheng Zitong saw that Chen Chuan had become familiar with the All-Encompassing Force training method, he left worry-free after reminding him one more time to not overdo it.

While Chen Chuan did not continue practicing the stances, he maintained the training of his breathing technique.

Now, he could maintain it for more than one hour nonstop.

Yu Gang said that experts could maintain it for more than three hours a day, so Chen Chuan believed that he was still far from being good. His goal was to be able to maintain the basic breathing technique for more than twenty-four hours in one go.

It was just the basic breathing technique. If he could not use it well, how could he use something more advanced?

After he learned the Respiration Node Breathing Technique, he could clearly sense the growth and spread of his mutated tissue, which made him stronger every day. This feeling was addicting, and he wanted to feel it constantly.

***

More than ten days passed while Chen Chuan focused on training. Unbeknownst to him, someone intentionally spread the word that he had given up on learning the Arcane Phase Force.

There were plenty of student organizations in Martial Valor University. Aside from the Mutual Aid Group, the other huge student organization was the Aspiration Club. Commoners had built it due to the immense pressure from the Mutual Aid Group. Most of them were second-class students, but the ones who called the shots were the first-class students.

At that moment, many of the members were talking about Chen Chuan giving up on learning the Arcane Phase Force in the club’s hall.

“It must be the Mutual Aid Group’s doing! They’re worried about another person like him showing up, which was why they put pressure on Chen Chuan and forced him to give up!”

“It has to be it!”

“Where did all of his spirit go from when he just joined Martial Valor University? Where’s the vigor from when he defeated Zhong Wu? How could he give up so easily?”

“Chen Chuan is too weak! He wouldn’t have backed down!”

“We can’t ask Chen Chuan to be like him. Everyone takes things one step at a time.”

“While you can pick up martial arts through practice, you’re born with your personality. He lost to him in that regard.”

Shu Han was a member of the Aspiration Club, and he was listening by the side. Just then, he stood up and said, “Everyone, I was in charge of helping him settle in. Let me talk to him. At the very least, I should figure out why he gave up.”

An upperclassman walked over and patted his shoulder. “We’re counting on you, Shu Han. Tell him that we’re supporting him and that he shouldn’t be scared of the Mutual Aid Group. He can pick that refined force.”

Shu Han nodded and walked out. Shen Shao ran after him and asked, “Hey, is there really a need for you to get involved?”

Shu Han stopped and retorted, “If he were around, he wouldn’t let such a thing happen. He would step forward and help the weaker student.”

“I admit that he helped us before, but what if things aren’t as everyone thinks they are? What I’m trying to say is: what if it was his own choice?” Shen Shao said.

“Then, I have to ask him why he would make such a choice. He’s practically treating his studies and future as a joke.” Shu Han refused to change his mind.

Shen Shao felt resigned and followed him to the dormitory.

They headed straight to the seventh floor, where Chen Chuan’s room was. After knocking on the door, they waited for a while before Chen Chuan opened it.

“Shu Han, Shen Shao? What brought you here today? Please, come in.”

He then turned aside so that the two of them could enter.

Shen Shao gave Shu Han’s arm a tug, but Shu Han broke free of his grip. Without even bothering with any pleasantries, he went straight to the reason behind his visit. “Chen Chuan, if you’re caving under the pressure from the Mutual Aid Group, don’t be scared. We’ll support you and help you bear the pressure!”

“What pressure?” Chen Chuan asked in surprise.

Shu Han sucked in a deep breath and looked into his eyes. “We heard that you gave up on learning the Arcane Phase Force. Is that true?”

Chen Chuan was quite taken aback by that. Then, a contemplative expression appeared on his face. “Oh? You know what I picked? Yes. I did not choose the Arcane Phase Force.”

Shu Han took two steps forward and said earnestly, “We do know about it. If someone is threatening you, you can tell me. The Mutual Aid Group isn’t in control of the university. There are people who can help you shoulder your burden.”

“I wasn’t threatened by anyone, and I wasn’t pressured into giving up on it. I made the choice myself,” Chen Chuan said with a shake of his head.

Shu Han was shocked but quickly grew agitated. “You made the choice? But why would you do that? Why would you not pick it?”

“Why can’t I?”

Shu Han sucked in a deep breath. He looked straight into Chen Chuan’s eyes and started unbuttoning his coat. With a serious expression, he said, “Let’s spar, Chen Chuan. I know what you’re thinking. You believe that you can learn any random refined force you want because you’re talented, but I will show that you’re wrong. You’re trying to miss out on an incredible opportunity!”

“Sorry, but I’ve got training today and have no interest in fighting you, Shu Han. I hope that you won’t bother me. Please leave,” Chen Chuan said and took a step to the side.

“Sorry to trouble you,” Shen Shao hurriedly said and grabbed Shu Han to drag him away, but Shu Han refused to budge.

He continued staring at Chen Chuan. “If you win, I won’t bother you again. I hope you didn’t think that I used all of my strength against you that day.”

Chen Chuan met his gaze square on. If Shu Han refused to leave, he would have no choice but to fight him. Besides, even if he left today, he might come again. If that were the case, it would be better to solve this problem straight away. “Alright. Let’s spar. But if you lose, I hope that you won’t bother my training again.”

“Deal!” Shu Han said and turned to leave. “Let’s fight outside.”

Chen Chuan looked at him. “No need. Let’s fight here. It won’t take long.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep