At What Age Do People Continue Practicing Traditional Martial Arts?

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After breakfast, Bruce and Blaziken arrived at the courtyard, where Master Sugar Ray was already waiting.

"Put these on," Master Sugar Ray said, tossing four weighted bags to the ground.

Bruce approached and lifted one of the weighted bags. His expression shifted slightly—it was extraordinarily heavy.

Some time ago, Bruce had initially planned to use weighted bags to train Blaziken, but Liam had suggested doing so under professional supervision for safety. As a result, the plan was delayed for a few days until Master Sugar Ray brought out the weighted bags himself.

"I didn't expect Master Sugar Ray to be so up-to-date," Bruce muttered to himself.

Blaziken stepped forward and strapped the weighted bags to his wrists and calves. Once the bags were secured, his expression shifted slightly, and his gait became a bit awkward.

Master Sugar Ray stroked his beard and said, "Blaziken excels in both punches and kicks, so these two areas are key for his training."

"Using weighted bags over time can effectively enhance muscle strength."

"For the next five days, you must wear the weighted bags at all times and cannot remove them."

"Blaze!" Blaziken nodded.

Master Sugar Ray hummed softly and then added, "Of course, if possible, you should continue using them even after returning. The longer you use them, the better the results."

With that, Master Sugar Ray began walking slowly along the path leading away from the courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back. "Come, follow me. Today's training has begun."

Bruce and Blaziken hurriedly followed, trying to keep up with Master Sugar Ray's pace.

Because of the weighted bags, Blaziken struggled to walk, his movements awkward, and his once-proud agility greatly hindered.

Bruce understood this was a normal phenomenon. It would take some time for Blaziken to adapt before returning to his usual competitive form.

Master Sugar Ray walked at a slow pace, seemingly to give Blaziken time to adjust to the weights.

As Blaziken's steps grew steadier and his walking speed increased, Master Sugar Ray also began to pick up his pace.

Time passed unnoticed, and the sun gradually climbed higher, now shining directly overhead. Fortunately, it was October, and the temperature was gradually cooling. While the sun illuminated the earth, it wasn't unbearably hot.

Finally, Master Sugar Ray came to a halt. Bruce and Blaziken stopped as well.

Blaziken was panting slightly. After walking this distance, he had gradually adapted to the four weighted bags strapped to his body, and they no longer significantly hindered his movements. However, they still affected his competitive performance—there was no denying that.

Bruce looked ahead. "Wait, isn't this the cave from yesterday?"

Just then, a familiar figure with a strong physique emerged from the cave. It was Machamp, the ace from yesterday. He quickly approached Master Sugar Ray and nodded.

Master Sugar Ray nodded in return, then turned to Bruce, coughed lightly, and solemnly said, "I gave him a lesson last night. Now, he has decided to reform and become Blaziken's training partner."

Bruce smiled secretly but nodded seriously. "That's great. This Machamp is very powerful and must have been trained by an expert."

"Of course…" Master Sugar Ray began to reply confidently, but when he saw Bruce watching him closely, he quickly changed the subject. "Enough chit-chat. Let them start directly."

"Alright." Bruce stepped back to give Machamp and Blaziken enough space.

"Roooar!"

Machamp and Blaziken locked eyes from a distance. Remembering yesterday's battle, Machamp's eyes flared with fighting spirit, and he let out a fierce roar.

Blaziken's expression turned serious. Machamp's combat abilities were on par with his own. Now, with the weighted bags hindering him, this fight would be challenging.

He became more cautious and focused.

Under the watchful eyes of Bruce and Master Sugar Ray, the battle began quickly.

Blaziken stomped the ground, releasing a Flamethrower from his wrists that scorched the earth and sent sparks flying toward Machamp.

However, Blaziken clearly felt his speed was slower than before due to the weighted bags. His movements were slightly delayed.

Machamp, whose combat power rivaled Blaziken's, noticed the difference. Smiling, he launched a barrage of punches, delivering dozens in an instant.

Blaziken tried his best to counter, but the slight hindrance from the weights left him at a disadvantage, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.

Master Sugar Ray, standing beside Bruce, observed Blaziken's every move carefully, occasionally nodding in approval.

Moments later, Machamp and Blaziken had exchanged blows fiercely for several rounds. From start to finish, Blaziken remained on the defensive, unable to counterattack effectively.

Boom!

After another intense clash, Blaziken staggered back several meters. Panting heavily, he looked up at Machamp standing ahead.

Machamp appeared invulnerable, his four arms moving simultaneously from different angles, leaving no opening.

"Machamp is like this," Master Sugar Ray suddenly commented. "In battles of equal strength, his four arms provide a significant advantage, making him almost impenetrable and denying his opponent any opportunities."

"With the weighted bags affecting Blaziken's competitive state, the balance has shifted entirely in Machamp's favor."

Bruce asked instinctively, "So how do we break the stalemate?"

Master Sugar Ray chuckled, shaking his head. "Why would you want to break it?"

"For Blaziken, Machamp is the perfect teacher right now, helping him fully adapt to the weighted bags."

"If Blaziken can defeat Machamp while wearing the weights, then the first stage of training will be complete."

"At this rate, I estimate this stage will take no more than two days," Master Sugar Ray added.

Hearing this, Bruce nodded thoughtfully, then curiously asked, "Master Sugar Ray, what's the second stage of training?"

Master Sugar Ray smiled. "The second stage runs concurrently with the first: teaching Blaziken to master Focus Punch."

"Once these two stages are complete, we move on to the third and final stage."

Master Sugar Ray turned to Bruce, his eyes deep and serious. "Challenge the totem of this forest."

"And win."

Unknowingly, the afternoon arrived.

Master Sugar Ray produced two chairs seemingly out of nowhere and sat down with Bruce.

Poochyena also ran over, circling around Master Sugar Ray before lying down to watch the battle unfold in the open space.

"Learning martial arts is a long and arduous process," Master Sugar Ray said, reclining in his chair and shaking his head. "You must start young. It's already too late."

"Unless you're a martial arts prodigy, one in a million, you might achieve something."

"If not…" Master Sugar Ray chuckled. "You'll only learn the surface of martial arts."

These words shattered Bruce's dream of practicing martial arts.

As Master Sugar Ray had said, mastering martial arts requires decades of intense study and practice—it's not something you achieve overnight.

Even world-renowned martial arts masters continue training daily, enduring harsh winters and scorching summers.

Bruce admitted he couldn't commit to such discipline.

But that's fine. After all, traditional martial arts are still practiced, even as psychic abilities gain popularity.

"Hmm…"

Suddenly, Master Sugar Ray's eyes lit up as he looked at Blaziken, letting out a surprised sound.

Bruce followed his gaze and looked at Blaziken.

Compared to the morning, Blaziken's attacks were now more fluid and natural, showing no signs of clumsiness.

His movements had become lighter, allowing him to better handle Machamp's attacks.

What surprised Bruce even more was how Blaziken's evasion techniques had significantly improved.

Previously, he used large movements to avoid attacks. Now, his evasions were minimal, resembling how Master Sugar Ray had dodged Blaziken's strikes the day before.

"Not bad, very clever," Master Sugar Ray remarked, a slight smile on his face and a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.

Smaller evasive movements conserved energy, reduced vulnerabilities, and allowed for instant counterattacks.

Bruce remained silent, his gaze fixed on the battle in the open space.

Blaziken's momentum grew stronger, the flames on his wrists burning brightly. However, he relied solely on fighting moves from start to finish.

With a swift motion, Blaziken lunged at Machamp, throwing an uppercut as soon as Machamp reacted.

Boom!

The uppercut struck Machamp's chin, the immense force sending him flying backward several meters before crashing heavily to the ground.

Struggling to his feet, Machamp let out an angry roar, stabilizing himself.

Blaziken ignored him, stepping forward to close the gap in an instant and delivering a powerful High Jump Kick.

"Roar!"

Machamp suddenly extended his hands, grabbing Blaziken's knee tightly. The two entered a brief stalemate.

But then, a sudden surge of power burst forth. Machamp's fierce expression shifted, his veins bulging as his grip faltered.

Boom!

Bruce watched as Machamp was sent flying once again.

Blaziken's unexpected burst of strength left Machamp unable to resist. Finally, Machamp's eyes swirled into dizzy spirals.

Master Sugar Ray stood up, quickly walking over to Blaziken, praising him repeatedly. "Not bad. You adapted to the weighted bags in just one day."

"Your talent and hard work exceed my expectations," Master Sugar Ray said without hesitation.

"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we'll begin learning Focus Punch."

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To be Continued

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