Celestial Human Diagram-Chapter 60 - 51: Force Technique

Seeing the student before him, dressed in a training uniform and performing an old-fashioned salute, Cheng Zitong was filled with immense emotion and satisfaction.

’This was it! This was exactly the feeling!’

’On top of that, the student was handsome—the whole experience was just perfect. I really made the right choice accepting him.’

He quickly said, "Please, please, have a seat. You’re far too polite, too courteous."

Chen Chuan said, "Thank you, Teacher." He gave another bow before finally sitting down.

Cheng Zitong’s face was wreathed in smiles. He said, "Good. Before you learn about Power, you must understand one principle: A top-tier Fighter must build their own combat system. This is a process that applies to the present and the future, one that lasts their entire life."

Chen Chuan said, "Someone from the Mutual Aid Association who came to recruit students said the same thing. I can grasp the general idea, but I’m not clear on the specifics."

Cheng Zitong said, "I’ve never been fond of that Mutual Aid Association, but they have powerful backers and some real substance. Here at Wuyi, aside from the Military Combat Department, we usually start our instruction with unarmed combat. Then we move on to weapons, followed by integrating other advantageous equipment. The final goal is to develop a top-tier Fighter with independent combat capabilities, able to handle any situation.

But the crucial part is that this process must be coordinated with the growth of your Mutated Organization.

Let me give you an example. Most students in the Wrestling Takedown Department now prioritize learning ’Cloak Force.’ This is because its defining feature is that, during grapples and takedowns, it works with the Mutated Organization to instantly spread Power throughout the entire body, serving as both offense and defense simultaneously.

This is essential. In close-quarters combat, your vital points are right next to your opponent’s. This isn’t a ring match; no one is going to follow the rules. It’s incredibly dangerous to have your head, face, or the back of your neck and spine grabbed or struck. For example, there’s a move in Scattering Hand..."

As he said this, he loosely clenched his fist. Keeping his upper arm still, he raised his forearm slightly and then brought it down gently. With a sharp CRACK, the small sandalwood table beside him shattered into a spray of wooden splinters.

He said, "This move is called the ’Thunderous Sky Hammer.’ When used, the force channels to the very end of the limb. Its characteristics are explosive speed and a small range of motion. It’s specifically designed to counter diving takedowns."

Chen Chuan looked at the shattered remains of the small table and the wood chip that had rolled to a stop in front of him. He could only imagine that if the back of one’s head took a blow like that in a fight, it would surely be shattered as well.

Cheng Zitong said, "But for someone who has trained in ’Cloak Force,’ as long as they can cover their body with the Power, they can potentially block that strike. The next moment would then become their chance to win.

From a practical combat perspective, Power requires breath to be mobilized and is released in the blink of an eye. Since it’s not outwardly visible, battles are a true test of experience and judgment. Life and death are often decided in an instant. It’s not a matter of whose Power is more advanced; application and seizing opportunities are just as crucial. But that’s not our focus today, so we’ll skip it for now.

Getting back to Power, the Force Technique you practice will influence the growth direction of your Mutated Organization. Let’s use Cloak Force as an example again. Through repeated practice, Cloak Force stimulates the growth of the Mutated Organization, gradually forming a strong, resilient, mutated membrane beneath the skin.

Every time a student applies Force, with each breath, this membrane tightens and stretches. A protective layer naturally forms over the body, as if they were wrapped in a tough, thick layer of leather armor. This is the origin of the name Cloak Force.

With this membrane, a Fighter gains a decent level of protection even when not actively using Force Application. It also provides additional strength. That’s why most students in the Wrestling Takedown Department have impressive durability.

An ancient book once said, ’With Cloak Force applied, one can withstand projectiles of iron and stone.’ In the age of cold weapons, if someone like that were also equipped with a full suit of Iron Armor, they’d be a ferocious general capable of shattering enemy formations. Imagine you’re on the opposing side, and dozens, or even hundreds, of them are charging at you. What would that feel like?"

Chen Chuan imagined the scene, and a chill went down his spine.

Cheng Zitong said, "I’ve seen the injury report for Zhongwu, the one you knocked down during your re-examination. The most critical blow was to his chin, followed by one to the base of his ear. If your strength hadn’t been great enough, and if you hadn’t seized the opportunity so perfectly, it would have been nearly impossible to take him down."

’Chen Chuan had to agree. The key had been the first and second kicks. The first was a surprise, and the second, relying on pure speed, landed in the split-second gap as his opponent breathed. Those two kicks had determined everything that followed. In the fighting arena, life and death were truly decided in an instant.’

Cheng Zitong continued, "We’ve discussed the Wrestling Takedown Department, so now let’s talk about the Capture Department. The Force Techniques practiced there mostly cause the Mutated Organization to infiltrate the muscles and sinews, fusing with and encasing the bones. This makes them tough and strong, granting them greater resilience and extensibility, which in turn makes Force Application easier.

One thing to note: it’s not that the Wrestling Takedown Department completely prevents the Mutated Organization from infiltrating the bones. It’s just a matter of focus in order to build combat effectiveness. However, with continued stimulation and subsequent training, the Mutated Organization’s growth will diverge, becoming increasingly suited to the individual’s chosen fighting style and methods."

Chen Chuan thought for a moment, then nodded in understanding.

Cheng Zitong continued, "I’m giving you these examples just to tell you this: the Force Technique you choose must match your personal fighting style and disposition. Don’t choose a type of Power that feels awkward or goes against your nature just because you covet its strength or want to blindly follow others. The best one is the one that suits you."

Chen Chuan looked at him and said, "Teacher, does this mean you’re giving me the right to choose which Power Technique to cultivate?"

Cheng Zitong said, "That is my intention. Other instructors believe their experience allows them to make better, more far-sighted decisions than the students themselves. But you must understand, this initial choice will determine a student’s entire path. It must be made with caution, shouldn’t it?

From what I’ve seen, I feel you’re a student with a mind of his own. I will provide you with the references, and you can choose for yourself. Of course, if you don’t feel you can make a good choice and you trust me, then I can also make the decision for you."

Chen Chuan considered this for a moment, then said, "In that case, I would first like to learn about the Power Techniques the academy currently offers."

Cheng Zitong pointed to a nearby bookshelf. "Most of the Force Techniques the academy can teach are over there. You can go and look through them yourself."

Chen Chuan glanced over, then stood up and walked to the bookshelf. He casually took down a bundle of bamboo slips. On it, written in an ancient script, were the words "Horned Beast Force."

Cheng Zitong said, "That’s a Power specifically for assisting in strength training. Anyone who cultivates a Great Force can choose it. There’s also one called ’Swallowing Spring Force,’ which has a similar effect. These Small Forces are either used to support a Great Force, or they are scaled-down versions of a Great Force. You can just browse them for now."

Chen Chuan glanced at it briefly before putting it back. He looked up, then took down another bundle of bamboo slips. This one read "Python Body Force." Cheng Zitong’s voice came from behind him. "That is a mandatory Power for the Capture Department. It allows coiling and constricting force to flow through the root, middle, and end sections of the body. It has both hard and soft variations. Take Soft Force, for example. A skilled practitioner can grab a single point on an opponent and shake their very sinews and bones apart..."

Chen Chuan unrolled the slips and saw that they were filled with hand-drawn figures demonstrating various stances and movements.

Cheng Zitong added, "Every type of Power must be practiced in coordination with Pile Skill. Pile Skill is divided into two types: Fixed Posture and Flowing Posture. In the old days, it was all Fixed Posture, but after modern improvements, Flowing Posture is more common.

Fixed Posture is tedious and difficult to master. Furthermore, practicing beyond a certain time limit each day yields no further effect. It’s almost impossible to master without a specific talent for it. Flowing Posture, on the other hand, is more convenient for all sorts of people to practice, and can even be aided by various tools. For example... this is the Ancient Method Posture for the ’Cloak Strength Posture.’"

As he spoke, he stood up. He clenched his fists and held them tight against his chest and abdomen. He curled his body, tucking his head in and curling his toes under, taking on the shape of a fetus in the womb. Yet he supported his entire body with just the tops of his toes touching the ground, and he stood with unshakable stability.

Chen Chuan waited until he had finished his demonstration and straightened up before asking, "Teacher, I’ve heard that Wuyi has a Power Technique called Mixed Element Force?"

Cheng Zitong nodded. "We do! That is the standard Power of the Freestyle Martial Arts Department. Once mastered, your body’s coordination, flexibility, and even strength will increase dramatically. For example, the ’Thunderous Sky Hammer’ I just performed used Mixed Element Force."

As he spoke, he placed a hand on his lower abdomen, just below his navel. "And once you’ve trained it to a deep level," he said grimly, "the first thing that will happen is a mass of Mutated Organization will form in your Dantian."

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