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Chapter140
The major sects of the Jiangnan Base are often in the news. Many core disciples are recognized by the public. Many of the live broadcast tutors turn out to be elder brothers from these sects, but none of the sect leaders seem to have personally taken to the field.
Zhou You goes to find Li Yunxi, who has already heard the news from the radio. She registers on the platform even faster than he does, then humbly asks him, "Mr. Zhou, what do you think I should learn?"
"Stop calling me Mr. Zhou. I'm older than you. Just call me 'brother'."
Hearing the title "brother", Li Yunxi's eyes well up with tears. She nods vigorously, "Okay, Big Brother Zhou."
Zhou You sits beside her, inquiring closely, "You’re a strength-type martial artist, right? Do you have any other strengths besides your physical power?"
Lowering her head, Li Yunxi responds, "My brother once assessed my abilities. He said I don’t have a significant talent for martial arts. My strength is just relative, and my speed is not as fast as my peers. If I have a strength, it's my body's flexibility."
Knowing that her weapon is a pair of iron hammers, and seeing a tutor in the course using the same, Zhou You pays for Li Yunxi to attend the class. He then accesses another course, precisely the Qingfeng Swordsmanship given to the Jiangnan Branch.
The instructor of this course is the sect leader of the Feijian Sect from the Jiangnan Base. After obtaining the sword manual, he studied it overnight. Now, while teaching the first lesson, he learns alongside his students. The online class has over a hundred thousand attendees.
"So, there are so many moves with the iron hammer. I always used it randomly." Li Yunxi projects the screen onto the wall and practices following the instructor with her weapon.
Zhou You sits by and watches, going over the Qingfeng Swordsmanship. By the time Shao Qi returns, this is the scene he witnesses. If Zhou You had been holding a clay teapot, it would have been even more picturesque.
Shao Qi plops down next to Zhou You, watching Li Yunxi train for a bit, then murmurs, "Her strength is decent, but the iron hammer, a heavy weapon, doesn’t suit her. It restricts her agility."
Zhou You nods and asks, "Have you seen this Qingfeng Swordsmanship before?"
Sneering, Shao Qi replies, "What Qingfeng Swordsmanship? It probably is some casual creation of that old Qingfeng guy. It looks like something old men and women would practice for health."
Zhou You feels the same but believes that many of its techniques, combined with internal energy, are rather interesting. Without internal power, the moves seem too soft, probably effective only against low-level mutated beasts.
In the end, after referencing several courses, Zhou You and Shao Qi introduce Li Yunxi to bladework. The blade is a common weapon, heavier than a sword but lighter than a hammer, suitable for those with strength.
Bladework requires nimble footwork and a flexible body, which Li Yunxi possesses. Thus, she should find it more powerful than swinging a hammer.
Trusting the experts' judgment, Li Yunxi picks up a blade and tries a few moves. She feels more agile, but her excessive strength sometimes disrupts the flow of her techniques.
"Not bad, but there’s room for improvement," Shao Qi comments honestly.
Sweaty from her practice, Li Yunxi bows in gratitude to the two, "Thank you, Big Brother Zhou and Mr. Shao, for your guidance. I know you must be behind this live stream. You truly are heroes of humanity."
Zhou You raises his hands in a shrug, "I didn't do anything."
Shao Qi, with arms crossed over his chest, remarked, "I've provided the platform for everyone. What you can achieve from it depends on your own efforts. I hope that one day, each of you will be able to leave the base relying on your own capabilities."
Chapter 078: Surpassing the Master
The live-streamed courses can be viewed repeatedly. With production and classes halted, many dived deep into learning, practicing incessantly except for the usual meal and rest times.
In many families, everyone joined in. If their homes lacked space, they'd clear out their doorways, training even in the midst of heavy snowfall. In no time, the entire Jiangnan base was engrossed in martial arts fervor.
"It's fantastic! I feel like I was born to wield a sword. Holding it revitalizes me!" Before, Li Yanqing practiced boxing and martial arts with Miao Miu during morning workouts. After absorbing spiritual energy, he also practiced internal energy techniques downloaded online, sensing a notable improvement in his physical condition.
Today, he chose a class from the Fei Jian Sect. The senior brother from that sect merely demonstrated a sword routine and then ended the class after releasing the routine. But Li Yanqing practiced the moves several times and found it exhilarating.
Mi Ai couldn't find the whip technique he had longed for, so he spent ten points to watch a boxing lesson. With a lackluster tone, he said, "Look carefully, what you're holding is a wooden sword, something you've played with since childhood. How can you be so enthused?"
"It's not the same. We used to be ordinary people, but now we've officially entered the world of martial arts. We can definitely become martial artists in the future."
"I think it's challenging. If martial arts were so easy, there wouldn’t be so few martial artists. The majority are still ordinary people."
"Are you daft? We're still young. If we don't succeed in a year, we train for five. If not in five, then ten. Even then, we'd only be thirty. Once we succeed, we can leave the base. Don't you want to see the outside world?"
"Who doesn't? I've almost forgotten what the old world looked like. But do you genuinely believe we can make it?"
"Of course! Mr. Zhou once said that I'm very talented. And as my friend, you surely won't lag behind."
Mi Ai felt reassured and energetically continued his practice. Their training area in the courtyard was quickly getting blanketed by heavy snow.
Inside the Jiangnan Military Zone, Ren Zhiyuan went silent after watching all the lessons.
His aide, after watching with him, cautiously inquired, "Commander, what exactly is Shao Qi's identity? How can he make such significant decisions, even getting the whole Martial Arts Association to go along with him? Or was this originally the Association’s decision? It's alright now with everything halted, but once production resumes and everyone's practicing martial arts, who will work? Isn't this chaotic?"