Tai Chi Fist: A Glimpse into the Gateway

It's very difficult, at least from Zhang Ren's perspective, it is.

Tai Chi Fist, even for those with talent in the martial world, would take at least three years to reach the entry-level. To master the basics, another five years would be needed. And to advance to the next level, the great accomplishment stage, without ten years, it's unrealistic. Calculating this way, eighteen years would pass, and in fact, this is still considered fast. To achieve great accomplishment in twenty or thirty years is already remarkable.

As for the realm beyond great accomplishment, the peak of perfection, ten years ago, only a select few grandmasters could reach this level. Although their hair was white, they were robust and spirited, their voices like booming bells, all thanks to long-term fist practice. As for the Consummation Realm beyond that, it probably only exists in legends.

Therefore, many people, after slow progress in a martial art once they reached the great accomplishment stage, would open a new path, practicing a second martial art, such as Xingyi Fist, Bagua Palm, and the like. On one hand, it's about integration and comprehension; inadvertently, their fist art would break through. On the other hand, for those who cultivate martial arts for decades as if it were a single day, their love for martial arts comes from the heart. Practicing other martial arts, experiencing the differences between various fist arts, and appreciating their unique charm is also a joy.

Of course, with the current changes in heaven and earth, whether past martial arts experience is still applicable now is questionable. But Chen Fan, who hadn't even reached the entry-level, already thought of practicing a second martial art, which was truly oversimplifying things.

He shook his head, walked up to Wang Ping and the others, and began to instruct them on spear techniques.

Chen Fan, however, looked at his skill bar, and with a thought, added some experience points. His Tai Chi Fist proficiency directly increased by 5%. At the same time, his understanding and insights into Tai Chi Fist deepened. What previously seemed like well-placed movements now appeared full of flaws.

"Adding points is still faster," Chen Fan sighed, yet felt a little heartache. Was the experience point cost for Tai Chi Fist a bit too much? Did it require 20 experience points just to reach the entry-level? Tai Chi Form only cost 4 points to reach the entry-level.

"I'm afraid this is just the beginning. After reaching the entry-level, the required experience points will only increase." Thinking of this, Chen Fan was happy but also a little worried.

Well, things will sort themselves out. When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a path; when the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten. Such difficult entry must bring about a significant improvement. He looked forward to that day in his heart, but there must be a gradual process, even if this gradual process was rocket-like.

He took a deep breath, relaxed his body, and once again performed the Tai Chi Fist. After this round, the proficiency increase reached three ten-thousandths.

"It seems it doesn't necessarily take three years to reach the entry-level. The more proficient the movements, the more the proficiency increases. However, I'm still used to adding points." Chen Fan added some more experience points, and his Tai Chi Fist proficiency once again surged by 5%.

Just like that, time passed minute by minute.

"Hiss..." Zhang Ren, who came to check, couldn't help but gasp.

He watched Chen Fan perform Tai Chi Fist multiple times. At first, he didn't pay much attention, but later he felt that something was amiss. This kid's performance was more standard each time! More accurate each time! To describe it as rapid progress was no exaggeration! If he continued at this speed, after a dozen more times, he might reach the entry-level on the spot!

But how could this be? It's impossible! To reach the entry-level of Tai Chi Fist in one day, no, a few hours? Simply unheard of! Could it be, he thought, his body trembling, his pupils suddenly widening, that he had truly encountered a legendary martial arts prodigy? The kind who understands upon learning?

Chen Fan saw this and secretly felt smug. Not bad, this was the effect he wanted. If he only cared about Tai Chi Fist, he wouldn't need to repeatedly practice here; he could just go back and add points. But his goal was not just Tai Chi Fist. Since that was the case, to learn other fist arts in the future, he would definitely need to pass Uncle Zhang's assessment. If he suddenly came to him one day and said, "My Tai Chi Fist has reached great accomplishment," even Zhang Ren would find it hard to accept. Therefore, he could only demonstrate his progress in front of him. Although his progress could be called heaven-defdefying, wasn't his cultivation speed just that heaven-defying?

Thinking this, he looked suspiciously at Zhang Ren and asked, "Uncle Zhang, why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?"

Zhang Ren coughed violently twice and said, "No, you continue, continue." After speaking, he turned and left, then occasionally glanced back.

Once, twice, thrice... Zhang Ren's heart slowly rose to his throat. Not bad, this kid was still improving. He wouldn't actually reach the entry-level in one day, would he?

At this moment, Chen Fan finished his stance and slowly walked around the open ground.

"Hoo..." Zhang Ren breathed a sigh of relief.

Good, good, not an entry-level in one day. However, looking at him, it seemed that reaching the entry-level was only a matter of two or three days. Was there any difference between this and reaching the entry-level in one day? In an instant, he was completely stunned. Indeed, it seemed there was no difference? This kid, he should be, probably, possibly, a martial arts prodigy, right? Shouldn't I be happy? The stronger this kid is, the safer the camp will be. But why do I feel a sense of disappointment and loss in my heart?

Zhang Ren looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, and tears seemed to streak across the corners of his eyes.

"It seems Uncle Zhang has somewhat prepared himself mentally." Chen Fan sighed, silently retracting his gaze.

He had no intention of stopping the improvement of Tai Chi Fist here. He planned to leave the camp tomorrow, and the stronger his strength, the better. With a thought, over ten experience points were added.

"Boom!" His heart seemed to suddenly tremble, then fell silent. Immediately after, a massive warm current surged from within, several times stronger than when Tai Chi Form leveled up, washing over his entire body. His bones creaked, and even his steps felt significantly lighter. At the same time, a segment of memory appeared in his mind, as if he had performed Tai Chi Fist hundreds or thousands of times, etched into his very bones.

This process lasted for five seconds. When the warm current dissipated, Chen Fan was still immersed in the previous sensation. After a few more seconds, he took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. The sensation from his body told him that this improvement was probably not simple.

Tai Chi Fist: A Glimpse into the Gateway (0.2%), Attributes: Longevity Level 1, Robustness Level 1, Agility Level 1

"Three attributes!" Chen Fan immediately exclaimed. No wonder it cost so many experience points, and all of them were new attributes. He looked at each one.

Longevity: Each level increase boosts Constitution Attribute by 5 points.
Robustness: Each level increase boosts Strength Attribute by 3 points.
Agility: Each level increase boosts Agility Attribute by 3 points.

"5 Constitution, 3 Strength, 3 Agility. Logically, one increase in proficiency gives me 11 attribute points?" Chen Fan's lips trembled. This, Tai Chi Form simply couldn't compare, couldn't be compared at all!