At the welcome gathering.
Everyone was toasting and chatting merrily.
It was almost evening when everyone started feeling tipsy and began to say their goodbyes.
As they stepped outside, a group of bodyguards and drivers hastened to greet them.
Some of the elders did not rush to get into their cars, their faces flushed from alcohol, but the cold wind quickly sobered them up.
"Do you think, given Fang Cheng’s natural strength, it could be from that sort of origin?"
"No, Senior Brother Ma is very discerning, and Wu Datong has also investigated him..."
"Right, I forgot to tell you, I often see him exercising in the park when I practice my boxing..."
Let’s not discuss the old comrades’ private speculations about a certain junior.
Inside the courtyard, some people left and some stayed.
Those who stayed, Fang Cheng and Wu Datong, sat in a quiet room inside.
Opposite them were Ma Jianguo and an elegantly dressed elder, who is Wu Dewang from the White Crane Sect.
Both of them eyed Fang Cheng with a somewhat cryptic look.
"I know you have many questions."
Ma Jianguo sipped some after-dinner tea, speaking unhurriedly:
"But before that, let me ask you something, I hope you can answer truthfully."
"You have learned Boxing, Sanda, Jujitsu, Muay Thai, and other combat skills. You’re strong enough to overpower a professional athlete, yet you choose not to compete. What is the reason for that?"
Fang Cheng paused slightly upon hearing this.
He couldn’t simply say that he was just keen on gaining experience and leveling up his skills, could he?
Seeing Fang Cheng hesitating, Ma Jianguo’s gaze suddenly intensified, staring at him:
"You are also striving to find a path that transcends the physical limits of ordinary people because of your father’s death, looking for ways to combat those monsters, right?"
Fang Cheng abruptly looked up to meet his gaze.
Feeling the sharpness in his look, Ma Jianguo averted his gaze and pretended to casually sip his tea.
"I’m truly sorry about your father’s incident. When we had it investigated before, we indeed found many suspicious aspects."
Fang Cheng glanced at Wu Datong next to him.
Almost certainly, it was this guy who had investigated his family background.
Wu Datong scratched his head, slightly embarrassedly smiling at him.
Ma Jianguo continued, "My judgment is similar to yours; it’s very likely that the real serial murderer from seventeen years ago is hiding among those monsters."
Fang Cheng responded noncommittally, "You’ve also seen those monsters?"
Before Ma Jianguo could answer, Wu Dewang, sitting beside him, suddenly chuckled bitterly and took over:
"Which member of our Martial Arts Research Association isn’t a victim of those monsters?"
As the two spoke, Wu Datong couldn’t help clenching his fists until they cracked, his eyes seemingly flaming with hatred.
"No, it’s more accurate to say survivors, the fortunate ones."
Wu Dewang glanced at Wu Datong, then sighed deeply:
"This world seems prosperous and peaceful; we could choose to be ordinary people and live out our lives quietly."
"If we encounter natural or man-made disasters, we’d just be the unlucky ones in some traffic accident or explosion reported in the news."
"But when you inadvertently glimpse just the tip of that dark, icy berg, see that bloody, brutal world, it’s hard to continue living as peacefully and justifiably as an ordinary person."
"You’d constantly wonder if danger will someday arrive at your doorstep, whether those monsters who kill for pleasure, even those who eat humans, might suddenly come for you?"
"Despite our success and social status, owning wealth and power, in the eyes of those monsters, we are no different than lambs waiting for slaughter."
The room was dimly lit, and for a moment no one spoke, only the sound of sighs echoed.
Fang Cheng remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking up and asking:
"Where exactly are they stronger than ordinary humans, and where do they acquire their abilities?"
Ma Jianguo replied solemnly:
"You could say it’s a natural Talent, or perhaps due to some special encounter, they instantly acquire abilities far beyond ordinary people."
"Definitely not like us who rely on daily diligent Exercise, gradually improving our physical Strength."
"The abilities they use are almost like magic or miracles, the gap between us is like a chasm, it’s simply not something that can be bridged through hard training."
Natural Strength, huh?
Fang Cheng couldn’t help but recall the explanation of "Talent" on the panel.
"You must have heard about the West Mountain explosion incident, right?"
Wu Dewang continued explaining:
"Although the official report covered up the truth, anyone discerning could tell that those monsters caused the destruction, and the impact is likely to be far-reaching."
"Doesn’t the government and police have any countermeasures?"
Fang Cheng’s heart chilled, holding onto some hope.
"Yes, but there may be reasons unknown to us ordinary people, preventing the complete eradication of those monsters lurking in the shadows."
"It’s better to rely on oneself than on others, only by becoming strong oneself is the right way."
"The mission of our Martial Arts Research Association is to find ways to counter the monsters through the experience handed down by our ancestors, using the Nourishing Life Technique combined with the Exercise Method to break the human limits and achieve a transformation of both body and Spirit."
"We have already made some initial progress on this path, as you have seen with your own eyes."
Ma Jianguo and Wu Dewang, as president and vice-president, took turns explaining.
Fang Cheng’s eyes sharpened.
Seeing his continuing confusion, Wu Dewang patiently explained:
"In fact, Qigong is not rare, it has been around since ancient times, at least traceable back to the Neolithic age, ancient murals depict scenes of practicing Qigong, back then it was probably called Health Preservation Guiding Skill."
"Later, the Inner Elixir Skill practiced by Taoists, and the Internal Cultivation Methods derived within Martial Arts Sects, actually all fall under the category of Qigong."
Apart from being a master of White Crane Boxing, he is also a professor of history and ancient anthropology at East Capital University.
"When Qigong is mentioned, many people instinctively reject it, but if replaced with a fashionable term like ’Human Life Science,’ studying how to actively regulate the physiological functions of the body with consciousness, wouldn’t that seem much more reasonable?"
"I previously held a seminar at East Capital University on Super Healing Power and Health Preservation, but unfortunately very few attended."
At this moment, the always silent Wu Datong also spoke up:
"I was also half in doubt about this initially, it was only after meeting Senior Brother Ma that I changed my mind."
Ma Jianguo slightly reservedly snorted, picked up his teacup, and looked at Fang Cheng:
"Qigong is a method that requires grinding, not like Boxing or Jujitsu which can be quickly mastered."
"It not only requires exceptional Talent but also persistent effort over many years, it can’t be rushed, and it might even delay your work and life."
"Your Senior Uncles have spent at least a decade to see some progress."
"So, are you sure you want to practice this Cultivation Technique?"
Fang Cheng did not hesitate, and immediately nodded:
Though Donghe had reminded him of the drawbacks of practicing Qigong, he was a man with a panel.
"As long as it lets me step through the threshold, I will definitely level you up to the max!"
Fang Cheng silently said to himself.