Without the Inner Energy Techniques, Is This Still Zhang Sanfeng’s Tai Chi?
If it lacks the inner energy techniques, is this even the Tai Chi created by Zhang Sanfeng? Wouldn’t it just be the same as the Tai Chi practiced by elderly folks in the park?
This “castrated” version is just too incomplete! Forget about lethal power—it probably can’t even be used to show off. At best, it’s only good for improving blood circulation and loosening up the muscles.
Jiang Fei was deeply frustrated. He was ready to decisively abandon this useless Tai Chi and return to diligently practicing his Threefold Cloud Steps, a lightweight movement technique. Although Threefold Cloud Steps didn’t have much offensive power, it allowed him to move quickly. Combined with his acupuncture skills, it still packed a formidable punch. It was definitely better than practicing this laughable, watered-down version of Tai Chi!
If he were to face an opponent and use this flashy but hollow Tai Chi, it might look impressive at first glance, but the moment someone landed a solid punch, he’d be sent flying. Jiang Fei couldn’t afford to embarrass himself like that.
However, just as Jiang Fei was about to toss the “castrated” Tai Chi aside like trash, he suddenly noticed something unusual.
“Huh? This watered-down Tai Chi seems a bit… peculiar,” Jiang Fei muttered, furrowing his brow in confusion. “Why does it require 120 experience points just to reach the first level? That’s way too much!”
According to the rules of the Wuxia Online game, the power of a martial arts manual could be gauged by the number of skill points required to learn it. The stronger the technique, the more skill points it demanded. His Threefold Cloud Steps, for example, only required 50 skill points to reach the first level. And Threefold Cloud Steps was already considered a pretty decent manual. Could it be that this “castrated” Tai Chi was even more valuable than Threefold Cloud Steps?
This realization stirred Jiang Fei’s emotions once again. This was indeed an unusual situation. The “castrated” Tai Chi didn’t seem as simple as he had initially thought. The glaring “120 skill points” required to level up stood out prominently in his skill menu.
“After all, Zhang Sanfeng’s Tai Chi is ranked above even the 72 Supreme Techniques of Shaolin. It’s considered a top-tier martial art. If one could master it and combine it with profound inner energy, they’d be nearly invincible. Now that I think about it, even a watered-down version of such a legendary technique should still be extraordinary, right?” Jiang Fei pondered for a while, his heart beginning to itch with curiosity.
Humans are strange creatures. When you dislike something, no matter how good it is, you’ll find it unappealing. But once your attitude changes, even if the thing itself hasn’t changed at all, you’ll suddenly see it as a treasure.
Jiang Fei was now in exactly that state of mind. He began to feel that Zhang Sanfeng’s Tai Chi, even in its incomplete form and without the inner energy techniques, was still far superior to the Tai Chi practiced by elderly folks in the park. If he could master it, he’d at least be on par with a true Tai Chi master.
In the real world, Tai Chi had spread globally. It wasn’t just practiced by elderly men and women in China; even in the West, many people practiced it as a form of exercise with no real combat effectiveness. However, Jiang Fei couldn’t deny that there were still genuine Tai Chi masters in China. When they demonstrated Tai Chi, they were undoubtedly top-tier martial artists.
“If I level up Threefold Cloud Steps again, it would indeed become more powerful. But right now, Level 1 is sufficient for my needs. Upgrading it further wouldn’t make much of a difference. Maybe I should try learning this incomplete Tai Chi and see just how strong—or weak—it really is!”
Clenching his fists, Jiang Fei quickly made up his mind and chose to upgrade his Tai Chi.
Ding!
As Jiang Fei’s available skill points decreased by 120, his martial arts skill menu updated instantly.
Martial Arts Skills:
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Threefold Cloud Steps, Level 1 (0/100)
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Incomplete Tai Chi, Level 1 (0/200)
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Available Skill Points: 29
The incomplete Tai Chi was now officially learned. Moreover, in just a short while, Jiang Fei’s skill points had increased by 0.1, equivalent to 1 experience point. He hadn’t done anything to earn this—it was automatically generated as a 10% experience bonus from patients visiting his clinic, Jiang’s Medical Hall.
“Let’s see just how powerful this incomplete Tai Chi really is!” Jiang Fei’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he eagerly jumped up from his chair.
He didn’t even bother going to a park or open space. His small office would suffice for practicing the Tai Chi forms. After all, unlike movement techniques, Tai Chi didn’t require much space.
Standing straight, Jiang Fei’s expression turned serious. As he began to execute the Tai Chi forms, he naturally entered a focused state, suppressing his excitement and curiosity. He took a deep breath, let his hands hang naturally with the backs facing outward, and slightly relaxed his fingers. His feet were parallel and shoulder-width apart. Slowly, he raised his arms to chest level, his left arm forming a half-circle with the palm facing inward (yin palm), while his right palm turned outward (yang palm).
This was the starting stance of Tai Chi.
At first glance, it didn’t seem much different from the Tai Chi practiced by elderly folks in the park. But as Jiang Fei continued to execute the forms—Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail, Single Whip, Raise Hands and Step Up, White Crane Spreads Its Wings, Brush Knee and Step Forward, Play the Lute, Step Forward, Deflect, Parry, and Punch, Apparent Close-Up, Cross Hands, Embrace Tiger and Return to Mountain—it became clear that this was no ordinary Tai Chi.
Every movement flowed seamlessly, as if Jiang Fei had been practicing Tai Chi for decades. Even without the inner energy techniques, the incomplete Tai Chi still carried a unique charm, completely different from the Chen-style Tai Chi practiced in the real world.
If an amateur Tai Chi enthusiast were to watch Jiang Fei’s performance, they might scoff, thinking his movements were unorthodox. After all, Tai Chi had many schools, but none were as unconventional as Jiang Fei’s.
However, if a true Tai Chi master were to witness Jiang Fei’s performance—or even spar with him—it would cause quite a stir. Jiang Fei’s Tai Chi wasn’t just random movements; it was incredibly refined and sophisticated.
As Jiang Fei continued, he transitioned from excitement to complete immersion in the intricate forms. Tai Chi emphasized using slowness to counter speed, with each movement embodying the principles of yin and yang. It was a stark contrast to the agility-focused Threefold Cloud Steps.
Though the movements appeared slow and gentle, almost like a dance, a subtle current of air began to swirl within the small office. The leaves of a potted plant in the corner swayed gently, stirred by the unseen force generated by Jiang Fei’s Tai Chi.
About ten minutes later, as Jiang Fei was about to finish the set with Step Up and High Pat the Horse, Step Up and Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail, and Single Whip, the office door suddenly burst open.
Bang!
The hidden currents in the room surged outward, creating a small gust of wind. Though not strong, it was enough to startle the person entering.
“Whoa, what’s with the wind?!” a crisp, surprised voice exclaimed.
Standing at the door was a young girl with a doll-like face and an unexpectedly voluptuous figure. Her hair fluttered in the breeze, and her knee-length plaid skirt billowed upward, revealing her fair, slender thighs. She quickly reached down to hold her skirt in place, but it was too late.
Jiang Fei calmly finished his movements and turned to look at the girl—Xu Jing, also known as “Little Fatty.” His gaze naturally drifted to her exposed legs, but alas, she was wearing safety shorts underneath.