Lin Lan exuded grace and elegance, her delicate features and serene aura capturing the attention of those around her.
Despite the fact that she practiced martial arts regularly, she had managed to retain her femininity.
Her long, black hair flowed like a waterfall of silk down her back, while her eyes radiated inner strength and poise.
Clad in flowing silk garments adorned with delicate lotus motifs, Lin Lan’s attire symbolized her affiliation with the Lotus Pavilion.
Specializing in fist and palm strikes, the Lotus Pavilion taught practitioners how to harness qi energy for devastating hand-to-hand combat techniques.
Renowned for her precision and grace in battle, Lin Lan earned the title of “Lotus Blossom Mistress” among her disciples.
As the other martial artists made their pitches to Aksai, hoping to gain his support for their schools, Aksai listened patiently before responding.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn about you and your martial arts,” Aksai addressed the gathered guests respectfully.
“However, I must clarify that I have no intention of becoming a regular disciple of any school. Instead, I seek to become an honorary disciple—someone who can study your martial arts without being bound to your organizations.
I request that you teach me here at the Everwood Palace, visiting regularly. While I understand this may be unconventional for your schools, I assure you that I will compensate you for your time and efforts.”
In the moments following Aksai’s proposition, the expressions of some martial artists turned solemn as they processed his words. Sharing glances, they saw that others were equally shocked and confused by Aksai’s unconventional request.
“Young master Aksai, are you suggesting you want to hire all of us for private lessons?”
Zen Hao from Dragon’s Roar Academy inquired, his expression serious.
“That’s correct. Is there an issue with that?” Aksai responded, puzzled by the reactions he received.
“It’s unconventional, but yes, you can hire us for private instruction. Some of us wouldn’t mind teaching you in the comfort of your home either, provided your contributions to the martial school are generous,” Zen explained intently, locking eyes with Aksai.
“Becoming an honorary disciple of our school can be arranged through various means. We can discuss the details later. However—”
Zen Hao paused, allowing Aksai time to digest his words before continuing cautiously.
“However, your words suggest you want to learn martial arts from all of us. Are you trying to become a heretic martial artist?” Zen queried, observing the hint of inexperience in Aksai’s demeanor.
“A heretic martial artist? What’s that, Master Zen Hao?” Aksai inquired, his expression perplexed as he focused on Zen Hao, quickly identifying him based on the information provided by Zinnia.
Master Zen Hao was a rugged and burly man with a scarred face. He had a fierce demeanor and exuded an aura of strength. His short, gray-streaked hair and fiery eyes conveyed determination.
Clad in practical garments of black and silver, adorned with dragon motifs, Zen represented the Dragon’s Roar Academy, specializing in fist and palm strikes emphasizing raw power and ferocity in combat.
Known for his thunderous punches and indomitable spirit, Zen Hao bore the title of “Dragon Fist Master.”
It’s worth noting that Zen’s martial arts practice differed significantly from Lin Lan’s White Golden Palm Arts. Although both focused on palm and fist strikes, their approaches to the concept were starkly contrasting.
Aksai specifically requested these martial artists after knowing briefly about their techniques. He had no intention of abandoning his Harmony Palm for other palm-based styles. However, he recognized the value of studying alternative techniques to expand his knowledge.
Most importantly, Aksai had the neural link fabric at his disposal. He could input manuals detailing various palm-based martial arts into his database, using the information to refine his Harmony Palm.
“I’m surprised you don’t know about this. But I’ll explain anyway. A heretic martial artist practices multiple conflicting martial arts,” Jin Jolan explained, stepping forward to address Aksai’s query.
“Young master Aksai, martial arts shape the qi within your body, laying the foundation for your growth as a cultivator. Mixing incompatible techniques leads to divergence in qi quality.
Beyond a certain threshold, this divergence corrodes the body from within. Those who recklessly pursue conflicting arts are deemed heretics, often meeting premature ends.
Even if they manage to control their divergent qi, they rarely advance beyond a certain cultivation stage,” Jin Jolan concluded, allowing Aksai to absorb his words.
“So that’s how it is,” Aksai mused, stroking his chin in thought.
“But if each martial art focuses on a specific body region, how can one train their entire body without practicing multiple martial arts at the same time? I don’t know about you but I feel that it would be problematic if I proceed forward with only one martial art and its body cultivation technique as the sole basis for my cultivation.”
This question had nagged at Aksai for the past two years. Despite making swift progress in body cultivation and mastering Harmony Palm, he sensed a superficiality in his foundation. While his arms grew visibly stronger, the rest of his body lacked the same qi enhancement.
Seeking to strengthen his entire body, Aksai contemplated learning multiple martial arts concurrently. Yet, the risk of deviant qi from mixing techniques forced him to reconsider his approach.
The 15 martial artists exchanged glances as Aksai posed his query. One could tell that they had also gone from the same form of conundrum that Aksai was currently having at least once in their lives.
Eventually, Lin Sahu of the Temple of the Guardian stepped forward to respond.
“Young master Aksai,” she began, “each martial art is complemented by a dedicated body cultivation technique. For instance, Guardian’s Qi has its own method to adapt the body to its practice.
However, to train with multiple arts without risking deviant qi and to fortify the entire body with qi, one needs a rare form of cultivation that renders the qi formless.
With formless qi, there’s no conflict with any martial art, regardless of how many are practiced together. Regrettably, none of us here possess such a technique,” Lin concluded, her tone tinged with resignation as she acknowledged the limitations of her own art.
‘Hm? Special body cultivation technique? Could it be… Qi Fusion Arts? It has the word ‘fusion’ in it, after all.
Was this why I felt that my body cultivation progress was shallow? The Qi Fusion Arts… I guess it needs qi tempering from multiple martial arts. Not just Harmony Palm.
Was this what the Everwood book meant when it said “seek opportunities outside”? Everwood farm and the Myriad Worlds Painting. Did someone expect me to break past the isolation barrier and visit this world?’
Aksai wondered aloud, a glint of realization shining in his eyes.