Seeing Arthur successfully stepping into Peak-grade martial artist realm. Kai stepped toward Arthur, his gaze sharp yet approving. He had watched countless martial artists train over the years, but Arthur was different.
Arthur was an anomaly. His natural strength, the sheer density of his Chi was far beyond anything he had expected from a martial artist who just started practicing Chi. Now, Arthur had officially stepped into the realm of a Peak-grade martial artist, but raw power wasn't enough. He needed control, to understand Chi on a deeper level .
Kai cracked his knuckles. "Alright, kid. Now that you've properly awakened your Chi, it's time for a lesson."
Arthur, still adjusting to the lingering surge of energy in his veins, exhaled and focused on Kai's words.
Kai took a step forward, pressing a hand to his chest and started explaining. "Chi is a latent energy present in the physical body of every living being. Most people have it, but only a few ever learn to harness it." His voice carried a tone of experience, a weight that only decades of training could give.
Arthur listened intently. He had read bits and pieces about Chi before, but none of those books could compare to learning from someone who had mastered it firsthand.
Kai continued, his hand now glowing with a faint golden hue. "For martial artists, Chi is everything. It can be used to reinforce our bodies, making us far more durable than ordinary people. It enhances our strength, speed, stamina, and reflexes to extraordinary levels. It can be condensed into energy attacks, used for flight, shaped into constructs… the possibilities are vast."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Flight?"
Kai smirked. "That's right. With proper control, a martial artist can manipulate their Chi to defy gravity. Though you have the necessary amount for longer flights, but… you're nowhere near that level of control yet."
Arthur nodded, absorbing the information. He had always relied on his armor's thrusters for flight, but the idea of flying with just his own energy was intriguing. Then something clicked in him, can't he use Telekinesis to fly. He became excited to try it, but for now he focused on Kai's lessons.
Kai wasn't finished. He extended his hand forward, and suddenly, a thin, sharp blade of Chi extended from his palm, shimmering like a golden sword. "With enough mastery, a martial artist can even shape Chi into weapons. Swords, spears, shields, you name it. This technique is called Chi Manifestation."
Arthur watched as the glowing blade dissipated. He had seen similar techniques before, like mana constructs created by mages, but this was different. It wasn't just energy shaped into a form, it was infused with the essence of its wielder.
Kai continued, "As a martial artist's understanding deepens, they can ascend to greater levels of control. First, there's Enhanced Chi, where one learns to fully control their own energy. Then comes Superior Chi, where the flow of Chi within the body becomes almost instinctual, requiring little thought to use. And finally…"
He paused, his voice carrying a rare sense of reverence. "There is Absolute Chi. A level where a martial artist's mastery transcends all conventional limits. Those who reach this stage can manipulate Chi with such precision that they can reshape energy itself. They become forces of nature."
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly. "How many people have reached that level?"
Kai's expression grew distant. "Few. Very few. Even among Grandmasters, most never go beyond Superior Chi. Absolute Chi is something only a handful in history have ever wielded."
He looked back at Arthur and smirked. "What…do you want to achieve Absolute Chi?"
Arthur huffed a quiet laugh. "I'll take that as a challenge."
Kai grinned before cracking his neck. "Good. Now that you know the basics, it's time to put that strength of yours to the test."
Arthur's stance straightened. "You want me to practice control?"
Kai shook his head. "No. I want you to fight me."
Arthur blinked. "Wait. Now?"
Kai nodded. "The best way for you to get accustomed to your increased strength quickly is through battle." He stepped back, rolling his shoulders. "You need to learn how to use this power."
Arthur took a deep breath, his golden aura flickering to life once more. His muscles tensed, his instincts sharpening as he shifted into a fighting stance.
Kai smirked. "Come on, rich boy. Show me what you've got."
…
Arthur wasted no time. The moment Kai gave the signal, he pushed off the ground, closing the distance between them in an instant. His golden Chi flared around him, his muscles thrumming with newfound power as he threw a lightning-fast punch aimed straight at Kai's face.
But Kai barely moved. With a subtle shift of his weight, he sidestepped at the last moment, letting Arthur's fist sail past his cheek. Then, with almost no effort, he flicked his wrist.
Arthur barely had time to react before he felt a heavy impact against his ribs. It wasn't a full strike, more like a quick tap, but the force sent him stumbling sideways.
Kai sighed, shaking his head. "Too direct. Power is good, but all you are doing is charge in headfirst when a fight starts. Before fighting in the battlefield, fight in your head first, try to see how your opponent can counter your attack and come up with proper maneuvers or you'll lose to someone with better technique."
Arthur steadied himself, frowning. "You make it sound easy."
Kai grinned. "It is easy. You just need to gain a lot of experience."
Arthur clenched his fists and launched forward again, this time aiming lower. He feinted a right hook before twisting his body mid-air and delivering a powerful spinning kick aimed at Kai's ribs.
Kai's eyes flickered with amusement. "Better."
Instead of dodging, he raised his arm and blocked the kick with his forearm. A sharp shockwave burst from the impact, sending leaves scattering across the clearing. Arthur's kick had the weight of thousands of tons behind it, but Kai didn't even budge from his position.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. 'He barely felt that. Well…that's given, he is more than 25 times stronger than me.''
Kai grabbed Arthur's leg and twisted his body, throwing Arthur over his shoulder. Arthur's back hit the ground hard, but he rolled to his feet instantly.
Kai dusted off his robe. "Your reaction speed is decent, and your instincts are sharp, but you're treating Chi as just an enhancement when it's so much more."
Arthur exhaled, golden energy still swirling around his body. "Alright. Show me."
Kai grinned, then suddenly, he was gone.
Arthur's pupils shrank. 'Fast!'
Before he could react, a fist slammed into his gut. Arthur felt the air rush out of his lungs as he was sent flying backward. He twisted mid-air, flipping to regain his balance before landing on his feet. But the moment his feet touched the ground, Kai was already in front of him.
Arthur barely managed to cross his arms in time to block the incoming strike. The sheer force of Kai's punch sent cracks through the earth beneath them.
"Flow with your strikes, don't force them," Kai said, his voice calm despite the rapid exchange. "Chi isn't just about making your attacks stronger, and becoming faster. Use it to heighten your senses."
Arthur gritted his teeth, pushing Kai back with a burst of strength before dashing forward again. This time, instead of brute force, he focused on what Kai had said.
He let his movements flow naturally, shifting his stance fluidly instead of just charging in. His punches weren't just strong, they were precise. Each movement was controlled, his strikes seamless instead of forced.
He focused on the Chi inside his body and stimulated the Chi to enhance his vision, hearing, sense of touch, smell. A new world appeared before Arthur, he felt the subtle movements of Kai's muscle, his breathing pattern and much more and thought he should be able to predict his movements.
Kai's grin widened as he effortlessly deflected Arthur's attacks, his movements like water, fluid and effortless. "Now that's more like it."
Arthur stepped in closer and feinted another punch before shifting his weight and sweeping his leg low. Kai hopped over it, but Arthur was already moving. Instead of retreating, he followed through with another strike, using the momentum of his missed sweep to twist his body mid-air and launch a powerful elbow strike toward Kai's chest.
This time, Kai blocked, but he actually had to put in effort. Arthur felt it.
Kai's eyes gleamed. "Now we're getting somewhere."
Arthur didn't let up. He adjusted his stance, focusing on his footwork. Every movement was sharper, faster. His golden Chi flowed more smoothly through his body, enhancing his strikes without making them sluggish.
Kai's expression was unreadable as he parried another strike. "Good. But you're still thinking too much. A real fight isn't just about memorizing techniques."
Arthur clicked his tongue. "Easier said than done."
Kai suddenly smirked and stepped back, shifting his stance. It was different from before. His feet were positioned lightly, his hands raised slightly.
"Watch closely," Kai said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "This is what true martial arts looks like."
Arthur barely had a second to process before Kai blurred forward.
Arthur moved on reflex, blocking the incoming attack, but the moment his arm met Kai's strike, he felt something different.
Kai wasn't using brute force. He was redirecting Arthur's own strength, absorbing the momentum and twisting it against him.
Arthur was thrown off balance, his own power being used to send him stumbling backward.
Kai didn't stop. He moved like a shadow, his strikes swift and precise. Arthur tried to counter, but every time he moved, Kai was already adjusting, already slipping through his defenses like a ghost.
"This is flow," Kai said between attacks. "Chi isn't just about power, it's about movement. You don't just hit, you guide it to follow your intentions."
Arthur clenched his jaw and adjusted again. Instead of resisting, he let his body move with the flow of battle. Instead of brute-forcing his way through, he tried using his opponent's momentum against them.
When Kai attacked again, Arthur didn't just block, he tried to deflect the attack. He stepped to the side and redirected Kai's fist, throwing him slightly off balance for the first time in the fight.
Kai's grin widened. "Now you're learning."
Arthur pressed forward, his strikes more fluid, his defense sharper. Every movement became smoother, more refined. He wasn't just attacking anymore, he entered a state of mind when he became one with his body. All his learned movements and attack pattern became like instinct.
Kai let out a satisfied chuckle as Arthur's punch came dangerously close to his face. He caught it at the last moment, gripping Arthur's wrist.
"Alright," Kai said, stepping back and releasing him. "That's enough for now."
Arthur exhaled sharply, his golden aura still flickering. His entire body was buzzing with adrenaline, but more than that, he could feel it. He had taken a great leap in his combat ability.
Kai stretched his arms. "Not bad, kid. You learn fast."
Arthur smirked. "Well, I did have a good teacher."
Kai scoffed. "Damn right you did."
Arthur rolled his shoulders, feeling the difference in his movements already. "So, what was that style you used?"
Kai grinned. "It doesn't have a fancy name. It's just pure martial arts. No wasted movement. No unnecessary force. Just technique and control." He tapped his temple and then his chest. "Use your head and body at the same time, and even someone twice your strength won't be able to touch you."
Arthur let that sink in. He had always been strong, but this was different. It wasn't just about being stronger than his opponent. It was about outmaneuvering them.
Kai gave him a pat on the back. "Keep practicing. You've got potential. Maybe one day, you'll even land a clean hit on me."
Arthur smirked. "One day? I'll give it a week."
Kai let out a booming laugh. "HAHAHA!...We will see then."
Arthur exhaled and looked up at the sky. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the clearing. Today had been exhausting, but also enlightening.
***
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