stjorthotic Chapter 17 Competition
Chapter 17 Competition
There weren't many congratulatory messages.
However, during dinner, Meng Chen noticed something different. Whenever he made eye contact with someone, the other person would politely nod.
After dinner, Meng Chen followed Du Ren's advice and practiced only one set of Bahequan before returning to his dormitory to rest.
Today, after passing the first test, the yin-yang symbol that had been ineffective for so long finally showed signs of change.
I used to think about finding a wife and seeing if the yin-yang symbol would change after sexual intercourse.
In retrospect, it has indeed applied to martial arts.
However, this yin-yang symbol is divided into black and white, yin and yang. Now that the first hurdle of martial arts has been overcome, only the yang fish is bright, while the yin fish remains dim.
Moreover, although the Yang Fish became a little brighter, it did not seem to be of any benefit to itself.
"Looks like we should light up the Yin Fish as well."
"Taoism says that Yin and Yang cycle endlessly: Lesser Yang gives rise to Greater Yang, Greater Yang gives rise to Lesser Yin, Lesser Yin gives rise to Greater Yin, and Greater Yin gives rise to Lesser Yang."
"What if we light up both the Yin and Yang fish? Would Yin and Yang complement and balance each other?"
Meng Chen pondered for a long time but came up with nothing. As for the method to light up the Yin Fish, he had absolutely no clue.
"Does illuminating the Yin Fish require unlocking a second barrier? Or is it that martial arts are Yang, requiring the cultivation of other arts as well?"
"Or rather, you need to find a wife? Because women are yin, and when the two of you have intercourse..."
Meng Chen quickly banished his distracting thoughts. He had been training intensely these past few days, and he couldn't help but think about women.
Before he knew it, the night had passed. When he woke up in the morning, Meng Chen felt full of energy, as if he had inexhaustible strength in his body.
Good morning, Senior Brother Meng!
"Junior brother, you're up so early?"
Having been isolated for so long, Meng Chen was actually a little unaccustomed to someone greeting him today.
After warming up with a set of Bahequan (Eight Harmonies Fist), Meng Chen then tried his strength by carrying a stone roller.
Before even knocking on the gate, Meng Chen was already able to lift a 200-pound stone roller and walk more than a dozen steps with ease.
Thinking this, Meng Chen tried lifting the 300-pound stone roller. It was a bit difficult to lift, but after carrying it for twenty or thirty steps, he began to feel a little tired.
I tried lifting the 400-pound stone roller again, but this time I really couldn't lift it.
"Back then, Yan Bao weighed only about 100 pounds, and I carried him for half a mile. Now I can carry two Yan Baos on my back!"
Meng Chen understood more and more that after knocking on the barrier, his strength did not increase much, but he became more resistant to exertion.
Besides that, their senses are more acute, but still limited.
After catching my breath, I suddenly heard clapping behind me, as if in approval.
Turning around, I saw Du Ren and Gao Yuan, with a group of apprentices standing behind them.
Du Ren was the one who applauded and cheered; the others remained silent.
"I haven't congratulated Junior Brother Meng on breaking through yesterday yet, my apologies." Gao Yuan hadn't changed out of his brocade robes into his training clothes yet. He had his hands behind his back, a warm smile on his face, but the condescending feeling in his eyes was hard to hide.
"It took me two months to break through the barrier. My talent is ordinary, so I dare not accept your congratulations, senior brother," Meng Chen replied calmly.
"We're all fellow disciples, what's there to be afraid of?" Gao Yuan chuckled. "Come on, let's have a contest while it's still early and see who's stronger."
As they were talking, Gao Yuan suddenly tugged at Meng Chen's sleeve, and the people behind him joined in the commotion.
Meng Chen was speechless. This person was so boring. You've already passed the second level, and you're comparing yourself to me, who's only passed the first level, just because I don't bow down to you? But even if you win, you won't lose face, will you?
"Junior Brother Gao," Du Ren, as the head steward, immediately stepped in to smooth things over, "He has just tested his strength and must be exhausted. It would be unfair for you to win. Why don't we talk about it another day?"
"Then there's no need to compete in strength," Gao Yuan said.
"Let alone a martial arts contest." Seeing that Gao Yuan wouldn't take the opportunity he had given him, Du Ren said, "Junior Brother Meng has only learned the Eight Harmonies Fist and the Returning Origin Skill. He hasn't learned how to fight others yet. It's not too late to spar with him in a few days."
"Senior brother is absolutely right. After all, I've already broken through two barriers, while Junior Brother Meng has only just broken through the first one. I've had an advantage in both cases." Gao Yuan immediately agreed, but then changed the subject, saying, "However, the first realm of martial arts is all about building a foundation, so there's not much difference between us. I've thought of a way to compete without having an advantage, which is to practice horse stance and compare our endurance and willpower."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yun immediately praised, "That's exactly right! Senior Brother Gao is so thoughtful; this way, we can avoid hurting feelings and still test each other's true abilities!"
Du Ren secretly rolled his eyes at Qi Yun, but also thought Gao Yuan's suggestion was good.
The horse stance itself isn't difficult; the challenge lies in maintaining it for a long time. Untrained people can't hold it for more than fifteen minutes, and most people can only manage a quarter or two at most.
As for the apprentices who come to the martial arts school, practicing the horse stance is a daily routine. Even if they are not very good at it, it is not difficult for them to hold the stance for more than half an hour.
The first stage of martial arts involves three stages: first, breaking through the barriers of Qi and Blood; second, breaking through the barriers of Tendons and Bones; and third, breaking through the barriers of Skin and Flesh. This progression is from the inside out, step by step, and all of these are for building a solid foundation. Therefore, although there is a difference between those who have broken through the first and third barriers, the difference is not insurmountable. As for those who have broken through the second barrier, the difference is even smaller.
To put it simply, to maintain a horse stance for a long time, you need a stable waist, strong muscles and bones, regular breathing, a calm mind, and above all, perseverance.
Du Ren is currently only at the first stage of martial arts, having opened three gates, but he has come a long way. According to his experience, if we only talk about stance training, at the first stage of martial arts, the number of gates opened is not that important. Even someone who has opened three gates may not be stronger than someone who has opened one gate.
So, if we're going to have a horse stance competition, that's actually a good idea; at least it won't hurt anyone.
Of course, no matter what, those who knock on the gate three times or two times will definitely have an advantage, since their qi and blood are more abundant and their muscles and bones are stronger.
However, Gao Yuan, who has only two knocks on the gate, is probably still better than Meng Chen, who is the most hardworking and diligent student in the martial arts school.
Du Ren stroked his chin and looked at Meng Chen. He thought that as long as Meng Chen avoided his gaze, it probably meant he didn't want to compete, so he simply rejected this boring competition.
Although Meng Chen is from a peasant family, he paid money to learn the craft. They are all our own children, so there's no need to put him down to elevate someone else.
"Would you like to give it a try?" Du Ren asked with a smile when he saw that Meng Chen did not avoid his gaze.
Before Meng Chen could speak, Gao Yuan said directly, "He's definitely willing! Senior Brother Du, since you're here, why don't you be the referee? Just think of it as a game, and I'll treat everyone to drinks tonight!"
Is this guy crazy? Wouldn't it be better to use that energy on a woman's belly? Why bother with stances? Why not just take off your pants and compare sizes? Wouldn't that be much more convenient? Du Ren saw that Gao Yuan was getting more and more excited. He knew that if he refused again, he would be disrespecting the son of the clerk.
"Junior Brother Gao asked me to be the referee, so I'd be impolite to refuse!" Du Ren cursed inwardly, but his face remained as warm as a spring breeze.
At this point, Du Ren changed the subject and continued, "Since it's a competition among fellow disciples, everyone who wants to try is welcome. As long as you're from our martial arts school, no matter how long you've been here or how many challenges you've overcome, you're welcome to give it a shot! Junior Brother Gao has treated us to drinks, so I'll join in the fun too. Whoever gets into the top three will get an extra fat chicken tonight!"
Du Ren had already made his decision. Since he had already given Gao Yuan face, he might as well give him the full amount.
The Du Family Martial Arts School has just opened, and there are no people who have passed the third level of the test yet. Besides Gao Yuan, there are three others who have passed the second level, but they may not participate. Even if they do participate, they probably won't compete with Gao Yuan for the first place.
Therefore, Du Ren thought Gao Yuan was likely to take first place. Even if someone was stronger than him, they wouldn't be so tactless as to steal his thunder.
In that case, Du Ren invited the other apprentices to compete in horse stance, and even added a reward. This was partly to give face to the son of the clerk, and partly to encourage the apprentices.
Most importantly, Du Ren had been watching Gao Yuan and his gang isolate Meng Chen. Although he hadn't intervened, he knew Meng Chen had a tough time. If Gao Yuan won against Meng Chen this time, and Du Ren said a few words to smooth things over, Gao Yuan, that hothead, would probably realize that bullying a peasant boy wasn't worth it.
Sure enough, as soon as Du Ren spoke, many people responded.
Qi Yun, in particular, was extremely serious, saying to Gao Yuan, "Senior Brother Gao, I'm going to use my full strength, so please don't let me win!"
"You have to do your best to test your true abilities!" Gao Yuan immediately climbed onto the wooden stake.
"Just play around with it. When Qi Yun falls off the stake, you can come down with him." Du Ren held Meng Chen's shoulder and whispered instructions to him, treating Gao Yuan like a child.
Meng Chen nodded, then stepped onto the wooden stake, lowered his waist and hips, and assumed a horse stance.