Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted

This...this shouldn't be right, right?

This was Mai Shiranui's initial idea.

According to the records in the Secret Scroll of Flame, by constantly tempering and strengthening the 'Nen Fire Circuit', it can withstand the high temperature of Nen Fire... This is the safest way to master the art of Nen Fire.

But now, it has melted the protective layer created by the 'Nianhuo Circuit'...

This was completely different from the fire magic that Mai Shiranui remembered, but for some reason, Mai Shiranui showed no intention of stopping at all.

As for the reason...

"...So comfortable."

Mai Shiranui subconsciously narrowed her eyes, and her voice softened involuntarily.

She felt the main meridians that formed the Mind Fire Circuit within her body being enveloped by an extremely thin layer of warmth. Even though the protective layer that formed the Mind Fire Circuit was melting, she felt an extra sense of comfort and peace of mind.

It's like... like a knife maker immersing a red-hot steel blade in oil, making it dense, homogeneous, and indestructible from the outside in.

Subconsciously urging her Nen Fire, before Mai Shiranui could stop in fear, she noticed that the energy flowing through her meridians was smoother than usual.

Sensing something was slightly amiss, Mai Shiranui subconsciously turned her gaze toward Yuan Chen.

Yuan Chen didn't pay attention to Mai Shiranui's gaze. Instead, he looked at his hands, feeling the highly condensed and intensely activated life energy within them, accompanied by leaping golden flames. A hint of contemplation appeared in his eyes.

Although he learned it through the art of fire mind, Yuan Chen could sense that, if you really wanted to calculate it, the fire mind technique accounted for at most 10% of the composition of the golden flame.

In other words, in the energy transformation that generates the golden flame, the Fire Mantra acts like a lighter.

Once the ignition source is lit, it's no longer of any use.

The golden flame is actually composed of three parts: one is the Qi and intention of Yuan Chen itself, another is the life energy within Yuan Chen's body, and the third is something similar to solar energy, which is transformed from the sun rune.

After removing the technical support of the fire-chanting technique, Yuan Chen's own Qi and intention account for 45% of the golden flame, life energy accounts for 45%, and the remaining 10% is the special energy transformed from the sun rune.

This energy is not much, but it acts as a lubricant, allowing the Qi, intention, and life energy of Yuan Chen to merge, rise, and transform into golden flames in the reciting fire circuit.

Although there were still many things that puzzled him, Yuan Chen could sense that this should be the next form of life energy.

Or rather, compared to the previous crude way of using it, this is a more efficient way of using it now.

As it stands, Jin Yan has three abilities.

The first is the same treatment and activation as the previous life energy – only after it turned into golden flames, both the treatment and activation effects were significantly enhanced.

The second is the 'devouring' ability that comes with transforming into a flame form.

This ability is not simply about harming or engulfing, but about transforming the opponent's energy into life energy for one's own use.

Similar to healing while fighting? No... because to be precise, it should be that while healing while fighting, you will also continuously apply a weakening buff to your opponent and constantly drain their energy.

The third is someone like Mai Shiranui... who, under certain circumstances, allows life to grow in the 'correct' direction.

The emergence of these abilities... aside from the inspiring energy transformation brought about by the fire-summoning technique, is also due to the boost from the sun runes.

Without the assistance and neutralization of the Sun Talisman, I... would probably still be practicing according to the logic of the Fire of Thought Technique, trying to let my body replace the meridians, thereby achieving the purpose of transforming them into fire of thought energy through methods such as bursting out, accelerating metabolism, etc.

As he pondered, a hint of understanding appeared in Yuan Chen's eyes.

At the same time, his gaze fell upon the sun symbol on the back of his hand, visible only to himself…

So this was Ingrid's real gift to herself?

Give yourself a push at crucial moments when you might miss them.

Thinking this, Yuan Chen was also somewhat moved.

Although this old woman seemed cynical and liked to make lewd jokes to tease the younger generation, she was actually very dedicated.

Old woman! I will never call you old woman again!

While moved, Yuan Chen also felt somewhat helpless.

Since their parting in Hong Kong, the old woman said that finding Yuan Chen was just a matter of "opening a door," but she never appeared again after that. She only left a message from Old Yuan saying, "I have something to take care of," and then disappeared.

Perhaps they've returned to the infinite multiverse outside of this universe?

Things that Ingrid could handle herself... well, there's no need to think about them too much; they're still too far removed from my own reality.

Thinking this, Yuan Chen could only silently pray that Old Lady Duanli would remember the time of humankind and not make the mistake that all immortal beings make, only to come back to see him when he was old...

Then, after his death, he took two young people, a red-haired man and a purple-haired woman, and embarked on a journey to find the traces of the Martial God Yuan Chen.

Looking up and noticing Mai Shiranui's gaze, Yuan Chen briefly explained his guess.

"Let life grow in the 'right' direction..." Upon hearing Yuan Chen's explanation, Mai Shiranui was stunned for a moment, then said somewhat blankly, "Doesn't that mean... the Nen Fire I'm cultivating is wrong?"

"do not know."

Yuan Chen glanced at the Secret Scroll of Flame and said, "But it has indeed been cut a lot... It seems that in order to avoid certain special things, some crude methods were deliberately chosen."

Upon hearing this, Mai Shiranui recalled the words Yuan Chen had spoken to Hanzo Shiranui before they began reading the Secret Scroll of Flame.

A thousand years ago, Shiranui Town was attacked by people who possessed special flames...

"Wow, I'm suddenly so angry... I thought it was just a story." With her arms crossed, Mai Shiranui's face showed a hint of surprise.

He then stretched and said, "But now the movement is indeed much smoother... I didn't feel it before, but compared to now, before, it felt like I was carrying a huge rock back and forth. Hmm... but it just feels a little easier, not much of a change?"

Upon hearing Mai Shiranui's words, Yuan Chen shrugged: "After all, it's just a simple correction. It's unlikely to be completely cured in a short period of time."

Mai Shiranui has been practicing the art of fire magic for over ten years, which is a genuine foundation from childhood.

It is clearly impossible to restore the Fire Spirit Technique to the righteous path of the Shiranui Town era with just a wisp of golden flame.

Realizing this, Mai Shiranui blinked, and then her expression began to change.

What... this new guy... should be my junior brother's guy, not only is he stronger than me, but I seem to have something very important to ask him?

The thought that she might have to beg Yuan Chen to pour golden flames into her to get the Nen Fire Technique back on track filled Shiranui Mai with resentment.

Damn it! Being defeated with a single punch was bad enough, but I could at least use my experience in fire-summoning techniques to give him some pointers… and now! I haven't even had a chance to show off my senior sister status! And now I'm expected to just ask this junior brother to pour his inner energy into me…

Looking at Mai Shiranui, who was gripping her fan tightly with a face full of resentment, Yuan Chen just tilted his head, unable to understand what this woman was thinking for a moment.

In contrast, Genryusai Maki remained silent, instead focusing on the changes within her own body.

Compared to the Shiranui-ryu, which specializes in energy conversion, ki, and ninjutsu, Genryusai Maki, as a member of the Mushin-ryu, is more skilled in physical combat and mecha fighting.

Although his father, Elder Genryusai, was a key figure in reviving the Martial God School, in reality... Elder Genryusai was a complete weakling.

Or perhaps, he's a classic martial arts theory master, but a weakling in practice.

Even so, we cannot deny Elder Genryusai's contributions to the Martial God School—if it weren't for Elder Genryusai's timely changes to some of the Martial God School's philosophies, the Martial God School might have gradually disappeared into the long river of history, like many other unknown schools...

After all... objectively speaking, the lineage of the Martial God School is inherently problematic. It is basically a one-on-one transmission, and the slightest mistake could lead to the lineage being cut off.

Elder Genryusai was a contemporary of Gen and Hanzo Shiranui. However, unlike Hanzo Shiranui, Elder Genryusai had a daughter late in life, which is why Maki Genryusai was the same age as Mai Shiranui and they became friends.

However, in terms of natural talent... Genryusai Maki is not even as good as Mai Shiranui.

This lack of natural talent is one of the sources of pressure for Genryusai Maki...

Now, if Mai Shiranui is experiencing more of a correction in her meridians, then Maki Minamoto is experiencing a revitalization of her body.

This ability to perceive the subtle, comprehensive sensations of one's own body...

Is this... is this the world of geniuses?

Not just any genius like myself, merely a genius compared to ordinary people, but a true genius among geniuses, perceiving the world as...

At that moment, Genryusai Maki suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of despair and suffocation.

The tragedy of genius is that he makes mediocre people realize their own mediocrity.

This is undoubtedly a great cruelty.

Because Genryusai Maki clearly realized that things she had never felt or noticed before... were commonplace in Genji's, and even in Mai Shiranui's, perception.

Thinking this, Genryusai Maki lowered her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes. She didn't even want Yuan Chen to join the Martial God School, because she felt... Yuan Chen might not need her guidance.

Just like now, with a simple glance at the Secret Scroll of Flame, which has been passed down for thousands of years by the Shiranui lineage, one can discover many secrets, flaws, and oversights that even the current direct descendants of Shiranui cannot find... and then correct them.

While pondering this, Genryusai Maki even found it somewhat laughable.

When Shiranui Hanzo directly took out the Flame Scroll for Yuan Chen to read, Genryusai Maki was still wondering if it was a bit inappropriate to just show the ancient secret manual to a newcomer.

But now it seems... very clearly, my confusion was just the thinking of a mediocre person.

While Genryusai Maki was still lost in thought, she suddenly felt the sky darken.

She subconsciously looked up and saw that Yuan Chen had already come to stand in front of her.

Looking at Genryusai Maki, Gen Chen asked, "You don't look too well?"

"...It's alright, or rather, it's been better than ever before."

Looking at Yuan Chen standing in front of her, his back to the sun, tall and imposing, his shadow alone enough to completely cover her, Genryusai Maki said with a wry smile:

"It's just... the light is too bright. I feel like my eyes, which are used to darkness, are going to get burned!"

Volume 1: Chapter 126 - The Boundary Between Life and Death, the Golden Flame Endures

Sensing Genryusai Maki's wry smile, Yuan Chen pondered for a moment before understanding her thoughts.

Because Genryusai Maki's condition is very similar to Hinaki Takeshi's... except that, unlike Hinaki Takeshi, Genryusai Maki has not given up completely yet, but after personally experiencing the world of geniuses, she felt a sense of despair and powerlessness.

Thinking this, Yuan Chen remained silent for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Because... Maki Genryusai's talent is indeed average. Even within SNK, she is considered a forgotten character, and she is completely incomparable to Mai Shiranui, who debuted in Art of Fighting and rose to prominence in the King of Fighters series.

Putting everything else aside, if you just randomly search their names on any pink or green website, the number of notebooks that pop up is on a completely different scale.

So much so that when the perverts learned that Genryusai Maki and Mai Shiranui were competing for her affections, they were all shocked.

People are asking who Genryusai Maki is.

In fighting games, if you're not popular, you're no good. Before, Mai Shiranui was simply someone who used explosives. After she became popular, they added a backstory, saying she came from the ancient town of Shiranui and later became a top-tier cultivator of the power of crimson flames.

Without popularity... being forgotten, and then falling behind in the game's version, without any new additions to the roster, it's only natural that the character's strength will lag behind.

But Yuan Chen didn't just wait there. Instead, he looked at Yuan Liuzhai Maki and said, "I... can more or less understand what you're thinking."

"...Can you really understand?" After a brief silence, Genryusai Maki looked at Gen Chen with some helplessness, while Gen Chen said, "Since I have decided to study at the Martial God School, I will naturally not do it without paying anything... Consider the Golden Flame as tuition."

Upon hearing this, Genryusai Maki was slightly taken aback, looked at Yuan Chen, and her eyes were filled with disbelief.

Yuan Chen, however, stated matter-of-factly, "Although I am not familiar with the scriptures of the Martial God School, in essence... it is about 'intention', right?"

“…Hmm.” Genryusai Maki didn’t pay much attention to Yuan Chen’s question, after all, she had just discussed the issue of martial arts specializations with Shiranui Hanzo. In addition, it was not unusual for Yuan Chen, who came from the lineage of the Lost Assassination Fist, to know some information about the Martial God Style.

“If it’s about intention, then it’s either about implementation or a resolute commitment to radical change,” Yuan Chen said, extending his hand to Yuan Liusai Maki.

"Although I don't know you very well yet, how should I put it... I do know something about 'bōsōzoku' (motorcycle gangs), and I can feel your indomitable spirit... so I believe in you."

"What biker gang...?"

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Genryusai Maki turned her face away in embarrassment, wondering why Yuan Chen had suddenly brought this up.

However, on the other hand... that was indeed the time when I felt most glorious, happiest, and most comfortable.

As she pondered, seemingly recalling some past events, a hint of a smile appeared in Genryusai Maki's eyes. She then nodded and said, "Then I'll leave it to you—I will answer all your questions about the Martial God School without reservation!"

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen nodded in agreement.

Then, Yuan Chen continued to divide the golden flames, allowing Mai Shiranui and Maki Genryusai to continue experiencing the effects of the activated golden flames.

Although he had only a preliminary grasp of it, through years of using life energy, even though the life energy had now transformed into a higher form of energy like golden flames, Yuan Chen was still mastering this new ability at an astonishing speed, relying on his original foundation.

As the three of them focused on their cultivation, the restless blood energy around Shiranui Hanzo gradually calmed down.

This immediately sparked heated debate and controversy.

As the first person in Yuan Chen to try using the Golden Flame to activate, Shiranui Hanzo had the most intense reaction. After initially being incredulous, he entered a meditative state, and his complexion and condition gradually improved.

Now, as Hanzo Shiranui opened his eyes, while others might be okay, Mai Shiranui was definitely the first to notice the changes in Hanzo Shiranui.

"Grandpa! You...you've become younger?!"

The changes in Shiranui Hanzo are indeed very obvious.

The first thing that caught people's attention was his skin.

Those wrinkles that were once deeply etched into her face like knife cuts were now visibly smoothed out, as if they had been brutally filled in by the new flesh from within.