I run a Taoist temple in a bizarre world.

Chapter 122 First Time Learning Martial Arts

It must be said that what Wang Wujiao said did make the new martial arts students present feel novel and strange.

They joined the Biyue Martial Arts Academy seeking to learn demon-slaying techniques, only to discover that these techniques originated from evil spirits. They were created by predecessors who imitated the abilities of evil spirits and were derived from them.

This unprecedented news truly intrigued them.

But amidst the novelty, a strange feeling also crept into everyone's hearts.

Someone couldn't help but mutter to themselves.

"The method of slaying demons was actually learned from evil spirits—wouldn't the more proficient we become, the more we resemble those evil spirits?"

Although the voice was soft, everyone present could hear it clearly, and the atmosphere slowly became tense.

Everyone looked at each other.

The strange feeling in my heart intensified, like a thin thorn, slowly but firmly piercing my heart.

In people's minds, evil spirits are synonymous with death, and are terrifying beings that are regarded as food.

Among the new martial arts performers present, more or less had seen the evil spirits in the eerie mist, and they all knew how ugly the evil spirits looked and how terrifying their methods were.

They lack intelligence and only know how to kill.

This is their deepest understanding of evil.

If they practice this martial art, which originated from demons and evil spirits, they will gradually gravitate towards becoming demons and evil spirits.

Such consequences would make them hesitate again and again when faced with learning the martial arts techniques taught at the Biyue Martial Arts School.

Wang Wujiao gradually suppressed his smile, waiting for the new martial arts students to finish their conversation and gradually quiet down, digesting the information he had just released.

He then continued speaking.

"You don't need to feel resentful or resistant to this."

"Martial arts, in the final analysis, are simply learned from demons and monsters, not meant to transform one into a demon or monster."

"Furthermore, if you want to become stronger in the future and advance from martial arts students to martial artists, you will need to hunt down demons and monsters, accept them, and use their remains to gain power."

"Instead of worrying that practicing martial arts will make you gravitate towards evil and gradually turn you into an evil being, you should worry about whether you can survive when you encounter evil beings in the future."

Wang Wu's words did not spark further discussion among the new martial arts students.

Some bowed their heads, struggling with their inner thoughts; others raised their heads, deep in thought; still others nodded to themselves, agreeing wholeheartedly.

Everyone has their own ideas.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Wang Wujiao's smile, which had been softened, reappeared.

It has to be said that it's no wonder the owner of the museum loves to watch fun; he probably understands some of the enjoyment involved.

Perhaps, this old man should seriously consider Master Xu Qing's suggestion.

Many thoughts raced through Wang Wujiao's mind.

After a moment, he suppressed his thoughts, and the upturned corners of his mouth flattened out.

He said seriously.

"Practicing martial arts will not make you closer to evil. Martial arts are just martial arts. Apart from giving you, who are currently just martial arts students, the means to fight against low-level evil, they will not bring you any other changes."

After saying that, Wang Wujiao once again adopted the slightly strange starting stance of his martial arts technique.

"What I'm using now is one of the unique martial arts techniques of the Azure Water Martial Arts School, Azure Serpent Entangling Silk."

"This martial art is modeled after a demonic creature called the Azure Entangling Serpent. Unlike typical martial arts that are fierce and straightforward in combat, this technique emphasizes gentleness, winding, and entangling. One thing to note is—"

The teaching of martial arts techniques began unexpectedly.

Everyone's attention was focused on Wang Wujiao, their eyes following the changes in his movements and postures as they listened intently to his explanation and analysis of the key points of the martial art "Azure Serpent Entangling Silk".

Chi Le was no exception.

But while receiving martial arts instruction from Wang Wu, Chi Le was also thinking about other things.

[Martial arts techniques originated from the demons and evil spirits of this treacherous world.]

Using the methods of demons and evil spirits as one's own methods to fight demons and evil spirits—that sounds familiar.

Judging from what Wang Wujiao said, martial arts techniques originating from demonic sources seem to be commonplace in this strange world.

[Being native to this strange world, their understanding of demons and evil spirits is deeper than that of people in the mortal realm.]

Chi Le recalled that when he chatted with Luo Yang, Luo Yang had mentioned that the training camp was preparing to conduct live-fire training.

"It seems to be today?"

Chi Le recalled, but he had experienced so much in a short period of time that his sense of time had become somewhat blurred.

That's why he couldn't remember it right away.

"But now that I'm at the martial arts school, what difference does it make which one I learn?"

"Brother Yu, what did you say?"

Chen Fang, who was listening intently to Wang Wu's explanation of the "Azure Serpent Entangling Silk" technique, briefly turned his head to look at Chi Le, his eyes filled with doubt. He hadn't clearly heard what Chi Le had said.

"fine."

Chi Le waved his hand, signaling him to concentrate on the lecture.

After some time, Wang Wujiao, who was surrounded by a group of new martial arts students, finished explaining the key points of the "Azure Serpent Entangling Silk" movement.

He stopped posing, exhaled a long breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and continued speaking.

"That's basically it for the 【Azure Serpent Entangling Silk】. For the next two weeks, this will be your main practice content, based on the movements I just demonstrated."

After saying that, Wang Wujiao did not deliberately refrain from explaining as he had done at the beginning; he quickly continued.

"Most of you are now blindly increasing your strength in order to pass the martial arts school's test, which has made your bodies too stiff. You haven't really 'stretched out' your bodies. If you rashly learn other martial arts techniques, you will only achieve half the result with twice the effort."

"Although 【Azure Serpent Entangling Silk】is only a non-ranked martial art and its practical combat effect is average, its more important effect is to allow your stiff bodies to stretch out, laying the foundation for learning other martial arts in the future."

"Therefore, practice diligently. Martial arts skills are not something that can be mastered in a day or two. It requires perseverance, like water dripping on a stone until it wears away the stone, and eventually, success will come naturally."

Wang Wujiao involuntarily began to mutter again, but everyone listened quietly, afraid of missing a single word he said.

After a short while, Wang Wu finally finished speaking.

"That's all I'll say. If I say any more, you'll be accused of being long-winded. Go practice on your own. If you're unclear about any of the movements, come find me at the Sixteenth Martial Arts Room. I'll be there having tea and resting."

After leaving those words, he was about to turn and walk towards a house next to the training ground.

But then he stopped, as if he had thought of something, and turned around to ask.

"I remember in this test, there were a few who didn't have election stones. Which ones were they?"

Everyone present paused for a moment, and then their gazes began to focus on the four people, including Chi Le.

These individuals were all those who joined the Biyue Martial Arts School by passing the test instead of choosing to lift the stone weights.

Wang Wujiao's gaze followed the gazes of the others, sweeping over the four individuals one by one.

Upon seeing that Chi Le was among them, his eyes seemed to brighten slightly.

"In addition to lifting stone weights, you also need to practice the [Azure Serpent Entwining Silk] martial art every day, you also need to practice the [Mysterious Armor Carrying the Stele] in addition."

"This martial art does not aim to suddenly enhance physical strength during battle. Unlike the [Azure Serpent Entangling Silk], which is also practiced regularly to improve physical strength and has a certain effect in actual combat, [Mysterious Armor Carrying the Stele] has no means of fighting enemies."

"It will only slowly improve your physique through your daily practice."

"This martial art is currently the most suitable for the four of you, and it can further enhance your already formidable physical defenses."

As he spoke, Wang Wu squatted down, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and his breathing gradually calmed down.

"【Mysterious Armor Carrying the Stele】The most important thing is breathing. Remember my current breathing rhythm: slow and steady, with hidden strength within the steadiness. Inhale as deeply as a mystical turtle in water, and exhale as finely as a silkworm spinning silk."

—When you feel a slight warming sensation all over your body, that means you've entered the beginner stage—

The teaching of martial arts techniques began unexpectedly once again.

During the teaching of the "Azure Serpent Entangling Silk" martial art, everyone witnessed Wang Wujiao's sudden teaching method.

Chi Le was prepared for this and silently kept Wang Wu's words in mind.

Not only the four people Wang Wujiao specifically mentioned, but also the others were listening to Wang Wujiao's teachings.

After all, Wang Wujiao had never said that apart from the four people including Chi Le, no one else was allowed to practice the martial art of [Xuanjia Carrying the Stele].

Forget about trying to learn too much at once; you've already paid for it, so why not learn it?

With this in mind, everyone noted down the breathing techniques that Wang Wu taught them for the [Mysterious Armor Carrying the Stele], and then imitated the movements that Wang Wu was now performing.

I tried to find the sensation of skin burning that Wang Wu mentioned.

Unfortunately, even after Wang Wu finished explaining the key points and put away his airs, no one could grasp the introductory feeling of the "Mysterious Armor Carrying the Stele" that he mentioned.

"You're really getting old. Teaching me two martial arts techniques that haven't even reached the beginner level, I'm always complaining about aches and pains."

Wang Wujiao rubbed his lower back and stretched.

"You can all practice on your own. I'm going to rest for a bit. Like I said, if you don't understand anything, come find me in martial arts room number sixteen."

After saying that, Wang Wujiao tapped his lower back lightly and walked to one side of the huge training ground.

The long buildings on the left and right sides surrounding the training ground are divided into many small rooms.

It was divided into many small rooms.

These rooms are each reserved for martial artists with considerable skill within the martial arts school, or for students who have mastered a particular martial art and gained considerable expertise in it.

Biyue Martial Arts School arranged for these people to stay in these small rooms during their spare time in order to answer the questions of new martial arts students like Chi Le about martial arts techniques and help them to master the martial arts techniques they were learning more quickly.

These small rooms, where martial artists or martial arts students are stationed, are called martial arts rooms.

Each martial arts room has a number.

The martial arts room, exclusively for Wang Wujiao, is numbered sixteen.

They watched as Wang Wujiao walked into the Sixteenth Martial Arts Room.

Chi Le was hesitating about which martial art to learn first.

【Azure Serpent Entangling Silk】This skill improves physical agility. After practicing it, one can enhance control over their body and limbs, and also gain some means of resistance against demons and evil spirits in the mysterious fog.

The [Mysterious Armor Bearing the Stele] skill is more like a passive skill. After learning it, it only slowly improves one's physique and makes one's body more defensive, but it does not provide any means of fighting enemies.

After much deliberation, Chi Le finally decided to first learn the [Mysterious Armor Carrying the Stele].

If Chi Le didn't have the Green Mountain Temple, couldn't summon immortals and gods, and didn't awaken the ability of "Body Outside Body," Chi Le might have first practiced "Azure Serpent Entwining Silk."

After all, this martial art is indeed quite good, granting him the ability to directly confront the eerie mists and demons.

But he already has so many beings at his disposal.

Wouldn't it be a huge waste to personally take on such a task?

The reason I first practiced the [Mysterious Armor Carrying the Stele] was not because I was afraid of dying; I simply wanted to enable the [Outer Body] and the three immortals to perfectly fulfill their roles.

Besides, despite feeling unwell, Wang Wujiao still insisted on teaching them this martial art.

Wang Wujiao definitely has some unseen, forward-thinking plans.

This isn't because I'm afraid of death; it's simply because I'm following the advanced and outstanding vision of my predecessors and listening to their teachings!

I convinced myself.

Chi Le adopted the stance that Wang Wu had taught her to assume.

"It wasn't as easy as I imagined—"

Chi Le could only maintain the [Mysterious Armor Carrying the Stele] training stance for a few minutes before feeling his legs and arms go weak.

He couldn't even manage to control his breathing using the breathing techniques of this martial art before he returned to a normal standing posture and began to recover his strength.

This was completely different from Wang Wujiao's relaxed demeanor, where he maintained his stance, practiced breathing techniques, and explained the key points to them.

"My physical condition is still too poor."

Chi Le kneaded and relaxed her leg muscles, trying to reduce the soreness as quickly as possible.

With no time to continue practicing martial arts, Chi Le took a look at the group of new martial arts students at the Biyue Martial Arts Academy who were also his fellow students.

Unlike Chi Le, who came from the real world and had been a fragile college student for four years and a corporate slave who was exhausted in every way for half a year before coming into contact with the ghost world.

Those who can pass the Biyue Martial Arts Academy's test are, if not unique among ordinary people, certainly among the best in terms of physical fitness.

Compared to them, Chi Le is like an eight-year-old child facing a middle-aged adult who works out regularly.

Therefore, at this time, all the new martial arts students except Chi Le were focused on learning the martial arts techniques taught by Wang Wujiao.

No one noticed Chi Le, who had started resting early.

There were no entertaining programs, and no one chose to come to Chi Le's side at this time to mock her.

They either performed the "Azure Serpent Entwining Silk" technique in sequence, one move at a time.

Just as Wang Wujiao said, most of the people present were too stiff, so the moves they made were not as smooth and natural as Wang Wujiao's.

Or, maintaining the stance of "Black Armor Carrying the Stele," one should calm their breathing and try to find the introductory feeling that Wang Wu taught.

All the new martial arts students were completely absorbed in their own training, cherishing every moment they spent practicing at the Biyue Martial Arts Academy.

"Something feels off, but everything also feels right."

This normal yet hardworking atmosphere made Chi Le feel a little dazed, and she couldn't help but murmur softly.

"Brother Yu, what are you saying?"

A familiar dialogue unfolds once again.

While practicing the "Azure Serpent Entangling Silk" technique, Chen Fang felt as if his joints and muscles had been forcibly twisted. He chose to rest before continuing his training, but he still couldn't hear Chi Le's murmurs clearly.

"fine."

After seeing Chen Fang off, Chi Le had rested enough and once again assumed the stance of [Black Armor Carrying the Stele].

Not to mention the burning sensation on my skin that I felt while practicing this martial art today, which signifies that I've just entered the field.

You should be able to maintain the posture for at least ten minutes while coordinating with breathing techniques.

This is Chi Le's requirement for herself now.