As usual, Yan Chuan gathered Yu Jinpeng, Jin Yutang, and Wei Quan, holding their attribute lists in his hand—
"Take a look at them." Yan Chuan handed them over.
The three eagerly took them, eyes wide with anticipation.
They had some awareness of their own progress over the month, but it wasn’t as intuitive as Yan Chuan’s list data. This kind of summary was the most enticing.
Wei Quan couldn’t wait and was the first to open his—
[Wei Quan] (Yan Wutai - August Year Ten Martial Arts Progress Chart)
[Martial Arts—] (7.30→8.30)
[Horse Stance (Fourth Realm): 81] → [Horse Stance (Fourth Realm): 99]
[Twelve Bridge Hands (Fourth Realm): 38] → [Twelve Bridge Hands (Fourth Realm): 99]
[Tiger Form Boxing (Second Realm): 92] → [Tiger Form Boxing (Third Realm): 39]
[Crane Form Boxing (First Realm): 41] → [Crane Form Boxing (Second Realm): 58]
"’Copper Bridge Iron Horse’, 99 points, all stuck at the peak of the Fourth Realm!"
"Wei Quan, you’re just a breath away. From now on, you should focus more earnestly on the basics of ’Horse Stance’ and ’Twelve Bridge Hands’. Once you break through, not only will these two skills advance further, but your integration of the fundamentals will benefit your entire boxing prowess. For instance, ’Tiger Form Boxing’ and ’Crane Form Boxing’ can greatly improve on this foundation."
"Don’t think that just because you’re practicing ’Tiger Form Boxing’ and ’Crane Form Boxing’, ’Horse Stance’ and ’Twelve Bridge Hands’ are too basic for you to put in the effort!"
"I’ve told you before, this mindset is incorrect!"
"If you don’t believe me, look at your Brother Yu’s—"
Wei Quan took the attribute list back and was reprimanded by Yan Chuan.
His face fell immediately.
Not because he was unconvinced by the reprimand, but because seeing ’Copper Bridge Iron Horse’ stuck at 99 points in the Fourth Realm was frustrating. Even the joy of ’Tiger Form Boxing’ breaking through to the Third Realm disappeared, and the anticipation and excitement of the month-end summary was dashed.
He felt utterly drained.
He heard Yan Chuan’s final words and obediently went to look at Yu Jinpeng’s chart—
[Yu Jinpeng] (Yan Wutai - August Year Ten Martial Arts Progress Chart)
[Martial Arts—] (7.30→8.30)
[Horse Stance (Fourth Realm): 85] → [Horse Stance (Fifth Realm): 22]
[Twelve Bridge Hands (Fourth Realm): 83] → [Twelve Bridge Hands (Fifth Realm): 15]
[Tiger Form Boxing (Fourth Realm): 18] → [Tiger Form Boxing (Fifth Realm): 11]
[Crane Form Boxing (Third Realm): 68] → [Crane Form Boxing (Fourth Realm): 28]
[Thousand Pounds Fall (Third Realm): 25] → [Thousand Pounds Fall (Third Realm): 95]
[Gongzi Fuhu Fist (Second Realm): 45] → [Gongzi Fuhu Fist (Third Realm): 85]
"Twelve Bridge Hands!"
"Both broke through to the Fifth Realm!"
"After breaking through, the skill level of ’Tiger Form Boxing’, ’Crane Form Boxing’, ’Thousand Pounds Fall’, and ’Gongzi Fuhu Fist’ all increased rapidly!"
"Copper Bridge Iron Horse, the integration is this effective?"
Wei Quan felt even more uncomfortable.
In July, his progress was rapid, and he was full of spirit. He was fascinated by the initial learning of ’Tiger Form Boxing’ and ’Crane Form Boxing’. As a result, he often, intentionally or unintentionally, dedicated his time and energy to these two forms, neglecting Yan Chuan’s frequent reminders not to drop ’Horse Stance’ and ’Twelve Bridge Hands’. Wei Quan would hear it but forget after.
Eventually, after receiving the monthly summary, Wei Quan was dumbfounded. His progress was far less than he had imagined.
Instead, it was Yu Jinpeng.
Wei Quan saw clearly that this Brother Yu spent most of his time in the month practicing ’Horse Stance’ and ’Twelve Bridge Hands’, either training with new disciples at the Martial Arts Hall, especially during sessions when Yan Chuan was instructing, never missing a session. Or he would consult with the senior disciple, and Wei Quan heard him ask several times about the basics like ’Copper Bridge Iron Horse’.
He was puzzled at the time. Brother Yu had clearly already practiced to the ’Gongzi Fuhu Fist’ stage, and this skill had reached the Third Realm, well-established and ready to advance to the ’Ten Forms Boxing’, but Yu Jinpeng chose not to learn further and continued focusing on ’Horse Stance’ and ’Twelve Bridge Hands’, rarely practicing the ’Gongzi Fuhu Fist’ that Wei Quan yearned for.
There was no understanding before.
Comparing their charts, Wei Quan recalled his own performance and Brother Yu’s over the month, along with the senior disciple’s multiple teachings and reminders.
The feeling of regret welled up.
After the three of them looked at the charts,
Wei Quan was remorseful.
Yu Jinpeng was satisfied.
Jin Yutang was also quite satisfied. He had been obedient this month, following the senior disciple’s advice to first specialize in ’Copper Bridge Iron Horse’, achieving the Fifth Realm in these two basics, achieving integration, and having a much higher skill level even than Yu Jinpeng.
Having improved his fundamentals,
He clearly felt the truth in the saying Yan Chuan mentioned, "Sharpening the axe does not delay the cutting of firewood." When practicing other forms, it was indeed much more effective and easier.
Jin Yutang’s trust in Yan Chuan grew immensely!
Yan Chuan addressed the trio’s performance and progress over the month, providing both admonishments and affirmations, then said to Yu Jinpeng and Jin Yutang: "You two, having integrated ’Horse Stance’ and ’Twelve Bridge Hands’ this month, next, to further advance in the basics, it’s not just about cultivating the basics. You need to turn towards intermediate and advanced boxing, from low to high, from high to low, and further verify."
"In this process, it’s best to choose a boxing style as your primary focus, using it as your base, linking ’Copper Bridge Iron Horse’ below, connecting ’Cheng Family Boxing’ styles above, and extending outward to various styles from different schools. Starting from one point and verifying extensively is a method to quickly elevate your boxing skills and helps you quickly master an intermediate-level boxing style, rapidly forming combat strength."
With two months of rapid progress, Yu Jinpeng and Jin Yutang were already ready to enter the next stage of cultivation.
This represented a new tier.
Transitioning from ’beginner’ and ’ordinary’ to the stage of ’refined study’ and ’deep study’.
This part, Yan Chuan had discussed with them in advance, and both had already made up their minds—
"I feel a deep connection with ’Ten Forms Boxing’, so I’ll focus on this form first." Jin Yutang said with a grin.
’Ten Forms Boxing’ is a high-level boxing skill within ’Cheng Family Boxing’, further progression would lead to absolute skills like ’Iron Wire Fist’ and ’Tiger Crane Double Forms’.
Old School Martial Artists do not easily pass on absolute skills.
Jin Yutang sensibly decided to concentrate on ’Ten Forms Boxing’, not mentioning or thinking about anything else.
Over these two months, he had clearly seen that although the senior disciple’s martial arts were advancing rapidly, his true strength lay in imparting knowledge and resolving doubts. Every guidance was precise and insightful, greatly benefiting him.
Only a fool wouldn’t be satisfied.