Earth Step

"You were trained by a master martial artist?" After leaving through the gates of Blazing Sun City, Fang Yun decided to tell Lou Meng the most reasonable lie he could think of. His quick-witted servant still wasn't fooled by this obvious lie but nodded his head anyway to show that he understood. As the person who had practically been the Fang Yun's bodyguard in case things were to end up going south, he was sure his young master didn't have enough free time to train martial arts.

Right of this moment, he was even willing to believe that his young master was possessed by a master martial artist instead. Which was a pretty accurate guess considering what truly transpired was pretty similar to that.

"Of course, do you have a better explanation?" Fang Yun rhetorically asked as he was sure Lou Meng would believe him since there was no other way to explain his combat prowess.

"Am I wrong to think you got possessed by a martial artist somehow?" Lou Meng asked straightforwardly in response as he wasn't the type to beat around the bush. Fang Yun's mouth widened after hearing Lou Meng's ridiculous question that had just abruptly arisen out of nowhere. He wasn't sure on how to answer Lou Meng's question as he didn't wasn't to keep on lying to him forever. Well, it was now or never if he wanted to tell him the truth. He was sure Lou Meng will believe his absurd explanation.

"At the time we were seriously wounded by Old Qing, I was able to somehow recollect memories of my past life." Fang Yun told Lou Meng the truth as they were riding along the path paved by Cultivators of the Mercenary Union. To arrive at Azure Flame City, a few checkpoints needed to be personally passed despite the dangers of encountering Demonic Beasts. Many more well-off merchants would rather intrust their merchandise to other people due to dangers of travelling.

"...Seriously?" Although Lou Meng suspected as such, having Fang Yun affirm his speculations still caused him to be at a loss for words. He stopped the carriage once again to turn around and look at the man sitting behind him.

"Awesome, isn't it?" Fang Yun asked with an voice full of interest. As Lou Meng saw the casual expression on his young master's face after he shared such a personal secret, he felt like the foreign traits Fang Yun exhibited all this time was just a cover for the surface. Underneath all that facade was still the fun-loving friend he served for all these years at the Fang Clan.

"It is, it really is. I'm jealous, if only I also 'awakened' memories of being an expert in my past life as well." Lou Meng showed a regretful expression on his face before turning to continue on the path once more. The both of them then started to laugh as they started to talk about many topics regarding Fang Yun's past life on the way to the checkpoint they were going to get to in a few hours. Although Fang Yun's past life was dark and gritty, he was still able to talk about the world he once lived in with nostalgia. The scenes from when he travelled the world while mastering martial arts and the disciples he took were fond memories he had always kept deeply hidden in his heart.

The more Lou Meng heard of Fang Yun's previous life as the genius martial artist named Alex Stuman, the more he realised the reason his young master wasn't willing to share his experiences with him when he first awakened from unconsciousness after being almost murdered by Old Qing. It wasn't that his young master didn't trust him, but the life Fang Yun's previous incarnation lived was beyond his imagination. He was especially surprised when his young master told him about Earth's advanced technology that could be operated by mortals...

They took brakes along the way to give their horses rest once in a while. The horses may be Animalistic Beasts with physical strength more powerful than ones of Earth, but they were still living creatures that needed to eat and sleep.

In the time it took to travel to the checkpoint, Fang Yun didn't hold back as he leisurely took his time to teach everything he knew so Lou Meng had something to defend himself with.

"What do you know know of the Martial Dao?" Fang Yun asked his new student in their first training session. A look of anticipation appeared in his eyes as residents of the Azure Sky Continent were more naturally gifted in martial arts than people of Earth. Both Fang Yun's and Lou Meng's feet were bare as they stood on the grass near the laid-out path due to his suggestion.

"It's a form of Qi application that uses the physical body." Lou Meng's answer was the most obvious one for most Cultivators of the Azure Sky Continent.

"Wrong. The Martial Dao is more than just the application of the body, it's the application 'everything'." With that being said, he showed an example of what he meant by picking up a branch on the ground and smashing it towards a nearby tree. The branch may have easily been broken apart as soon as it hit the tree, but his control over its velocity allowed him to cause a large crack on its trunk. This made a lasting impression on Lou Meng's mind as he couldn't understand how it happened.

"Without full control of your own physical body, a martial artist's striking potential is dispersed before the strike is even thrown. A reason why many hand-to-hand fighters are easily able to increase their combat prowess by holding any random weapon is because they know how to properly make use of their strength. They can't compare to others when it comes to swordsmanship or any other form of weapon mastery but their foundation of martial arts are a lot more 'balanced' than weapon users." Fang Yun's explanation widened Lou Meng's perspective regarding martial arts. He always believed that the Martial Dao and Sword Dao were different, but after carefully listening to his young master's words, he realised that the origin of the Sword Dao WAS the Martial Dao.

Out of all the application type Daos existing in the universe, the Martial Dao was omnipresent in many different forms of existence. Whether it be the Staff Dao, Sword Dao, Sabre Dao or Knife Dao, the presence of control over ones physical strength was always there. Even the Medical Dao which had nothing to do with combat was no exception as 'self-control' was needed to refine medicines and give therapies.

"Then why doesn't everyone train the Martial Dao if it's so vast?" Lou Meng quickly saw a hole in Fang Yun's theory as it wasn't possible that people would choose training in the Sword Dao even after knowing of the Martial Dao's use.

"Simple. The Martial Dao may be vast and limitless, but that in itself made it too difficult for Cultivators to traverse like other Daos. It might be hard for you to understand what I'm trying to say, so I'll simplify what I mean." After speaking his mind, he shifted into the Angel form and balanced his body using his arms. Even though he was just standing in once place with his foot slightly lifted, the pressure exuded from his body weighed on Lou Meng's shoulders similarly to a mountain.

"A 'Stance' in martial arts is a person's means, and the 'Form' in martial arts is a person's goals. Humans will always have long or short term goals no matter how unambitious they are and the means they use will always change depending on a person's personality.

In this world where combat prowess is essential for a Cultivator or mortal martial artist, most only have the intention to fight and even kill for what they desire to obtain. This is why most choose the Sword Dao, an instrument which symbolises the extremity of their beliefs. Just because the Sword Dao originates from the Martial Dao doesn't mean its an inferior path, the reason most choose this path is because most people of the continent are resolved to kill to achieve their goals. For those cultivating the Sword Dao, the sword becomes their 'means' towards achieving whatever they desire." After he finished explaining his theories regarding the Martial Dao, he stopped pressuring Lou Meng and put his foot down. The aura that surrounded his body faded as if it had never existed.

"The profoundness between the 'Stance' and the 'Form' is beyond you right now. You will not be able to understand how to express the any of the styles of martial arts I know of without a proper foundation. So the first technique I'll be teaching you will be the most basic movement technique that uses Ki, known as Earth Step." He sighed before walking up to the kneeling Lou Meng who was panting in exhaustion and patting his shoulder.

Lou Meng was quick to recover and only needed a few moments of rest before standing up again. Now, after personally feeling the difference in their strength, he realised why Nascent Forging stage fighters were powerless to fight against Fang Yun's might. He even felt anticipation towards the Earth Step basic movement technique.

"This technique isn't profound in any way. All you have to do is harden your feet using Ki, then lunge forwards using all your strength. This should be simple for you, right?" As Fang Yun spoke, he took a step forward and appeared back at the place he stood moments ago like a ghost. When he used the technique again to return next to Lou Meng, he was able to see with his strong perception that his young master practically 'jumped' the distance between them with one foot.

'It seems simple enough.' Lou Meng thought as he mimicked Fang Yun's movements. He hardened his foot and tried to 'leap' forwards the same way his young master did, but failed embarrassingly as fell to the ground.

Fang Yun didn't comfort him nor did he explain why Lou Meng failed. All he did was demonstrate the technique again in a slower motion than before.

"Don't rush, hasting won't solve anything. Remember that using Ki for 'Reinforcement' isn't the same as 'Augmentation'." Fang Yun advised seriously as he watched every one of Lou Meng's attempts to mimic his Earth Step. It was only after many failures did Lou Meng give up and think of changing his method of utilising the strength in his feet.

Lou Meng could feel the apparent difference in quality between Ki and Internal Qi at this moment. Although Ki could harden the physical body, it was unable to influence a person's power in any way, shape or form. This made it so all those who utilised Ki were similar to armadillos, there wasn't anything a person who cultivated their inner Physique Force could do except become punching bags for Cultivators.

"I'll give you a hint: Grasp the world below you and 'wield' it. Why do you think I made you come out with bare feet?" Fang Yun asked rhetorically.

Lou Meng pondered upon his young master's hint and tried to grasp the soil beneath his feet. He circulated his Ki and hardened his feet once more, but this time he was taking in every minute detail that was occurring. There didn't seem to be anything unusual happening to him as he dug the toes of his hardened foot into the ground. The cryptic words his young master once again arose in his mind as he pushed 'the world' under his foot behind him.

'This is...!' Lou Meng's mind reeled in shock as he was sent tumbling forwards. He felt enlightened towards Fang Yun's advice as he changed his method of utilising his strength.

Instead of slamming his foot into the ground and jumping forwards, he used the enhanced elasticity of his muscles to 'launch' himself when he stepped forwards. He still failed to properly utilise the movement technique to its truest potential, but his efforts weren't wasted as every failure was every time he learnt how to increase his mastery over this basic movement technique.

Fang Yun was happy to see that Lou Meng passed his little test and thoroughly guided him as they made their way to the checkpoint between Blazing Sun City and Azure Flame City.

Lou Meng's understanding of utilising his strength with more precision increased over time as well. When they arrived at the checkpoint, Fang Yun was sure that Lou Meng would be able to take on a eighth level Nascent Forging stage Cultivator no problem.