The Dragon Step

In Guangling City, on the Southern Grand Avenue, the Luo residence stood imposingly. In the training room, Bryce, dressed in his Taoist robe, arrived early. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, he heard footsteps. The elder who had appeared in his father's study that morning was approaching.

Bryce bowed deeply, "I have seen Elder Gao."

"Just call me Master," Gao Lin responded, hands clasped behind his back, circling Bryce. "What is your current level in visualization technique?"

"Third level of the primary stage," Bryce answered truthfully.

"Hmm," Gao Lin hummed. "You're practicing 'Wind Thunder Swift,' a technique focused on rapid advancement. It seems the mentor who chose this method for you has quite the insight."

"Yes, my mentor Huang Yong said that if it weren't for the deathmatch, I should cultivate a foundational technique like 'Contemplating the Mountains and Seas.' But to compete in the deathmatch, being one level higher gives me an edge over Ethan," Bryce said respectfully.

"That's logical," Gao Lin said calmly. "Even if the rapid progression means your foundation isn't solid, you can always cultivate other techniques later to reinforce it." He paused, then asked, "Do you know what technique your opponent is cultivating and his level?"

Bryce replied promptly, "Ethan is practicing 'Contemplating the Mountains and Seas,' and as far as I know, he's at the second level of the primary stage. He earned quite a few credits upon enrollment and exchanged a large amount of 'Tranquility Elixir' after challenging me."

Gao Lin chuckled, "With the deathmatch so close, and he's still practicing 'Contemplating the Mountains and Seas.' His mentor must have great confidence in him. It's not surprising he reached the second level with the help of 'Tranquility Elixir.' Although there's only a week left, you must prepare for the worst—he could break through to the third level before stepping onto the stage."

Bryce narrowed his eyes. "Since he's recommended by Victor, it's likely he's been personally taught combat techniques."

Gao Lin sat down cross-legged. "Victor's combat techniques are derived from two 'basic forms.' One is 'Thunderclap,' a sword technique, and the other is 'Bone Shatter,' a fist technique. Both have spawned many derivative combat techniques, such as 'Thunderclap: Chaos' and 'Thunderclap: Flash,' or 'Bone Shatter: Seven Kills' and 'Bone Shatter: Heart Split.'"

The elder seemed to have a deep understanding of Victor, and Bryce listened intently, not wanting to miss a thing.

"Considering the time and your classmate's level of visualization technique," Gao Lin said with a smile, "Victor couldn't possibly have taught him derivative combat techniques, likely only the two 'basic forms.' I won't teach you combat techniques either. With only a week left, there's no time. However, I will teach you a set of steps, or movement techniques."

Bryce was puzzled. Steps? What could steps do?

Gao Lin smiled faintly, "Steps may not defeat an enemy, but they are an important auxiliary method. They also allow you to evade attacks. Some advanced steps even have other uses, like 'Mystic Tracing Step,' which can disrupt an opponent's judgment, or 'Void Walking Step,' which allows one to tread on air and leave no trace."

Bryce was taken aback, realizing he had underestimated the importance of footwork.

Gao Lin stood up and declared, "I will teach you the 'Dragon Step,' which will allow you to move effortlessly under your opponent's onslaught. Then, find an opening to counterattack and defeat the enemy in one move!" He raised his hand and brought it down with force.

...

In the afternoon at the training hall, Ethan arrived to find Marshal conversing with another person—a man with stern, hard features, none other than Victor, the commander of the Surface Exploration Corps.

"Ethan is here," Marshal announced, coughing into his fist. "Have you chosen your weapon?"

Ethan nodded, handing the tablet back to Marshal, which displayed his chosen option.

"Star Splitter?" Marshal nodded, pocketing the tablet. "Alright, I'll go get it for you. Victor will be instructing you this afternoon."

With that, Marshal left, and Victor sized Ethan up before placing a firm hand on his shoulder. Ethan straightened under the weight of Victor's hand, sensing encouragement. Victor had likely heard about the events in the forbidden zone but didn't mention them. Instead, he asked, "How is your visualization technique progressing?"

Ethan didn't hide the truth, "Third level of the primary stage. I just broke through recently."

A flicker of surprise crossed Victor's eyes, then he said, "Today, I won't be teaching you combat techniques or mystic arts. Instead, I will teach you a secret method that stimulates your body to unleash its potential in a short time. It's called 'Opening the Soul Wheel.'"

Ethan listened intently, not uttering a word.

"The Daoist text 'Cloud Manuscript of the Seven Seals' states that a person has seven souls, named Corpse Dog, Fettered Arrow, Sparrow Shade, Swallowing Thief, Non-Poison, Expelling Filth, and Stinking Lung. These souls correspond to the seven chakras in the body: Yuan, You, Ling, Li, Qi, Hui, and Chong. 'Opening the Soul Wheel' means activating these seven chakras to temporarily unleash greater potential."

Ethan nodded, easily absorbing the knowledge.

Victor continued, "With only a week until the deathmatch, I can only teach you how to open one of the chakras. We'll cover the others when there's more time." He paused, then said solemnly, "I'll teach you the easiest and most fundamental of the secret methods: Opening the Yuan Wheel. Watch my demonstration."

Victor pointed at his shoulders and then tapped his forehead lightly, "To open the 'Yuan Wheel,' we need to stimulate the 'Shoulder Well Acupoints' on both sides with Yuan Force, and finally the 'Hall of Impression Acupoint.' Beginners need external stimulation to assist because they're not yet proficient. Once familiar, you can simply use Yuan Force to strike the acupoints."

Boom! Victor's body suddenly erupted with a surge of Yuan Force. The bright yellow aura visible to the naked eye billowed around him, causing his hair to flutter. At the same time, he released an astonishing pressure that nearly forced Ethan to the ground.

As Victor took a deep breath, the pressure and rising Yuan Force quickly dissipated.

"Once the Yuan Wheel is open, all bodily functions, including the strength of Yuan Force and the power of combat techniques and mystic arts, can increase by about twice," Victor explained. "The more solid your foundation, the greater the space for improvement. But opening the Soul Wheel comes at a price. The cost for opening different Soul Wheels varies. The price for the Yuan Wheel is that your physical energy and Yuan Force will rapidly deplete during its active state. So, do not open it unless necessary. If you do open the Yuan Wheel, you must resolve the battle quickly—decide life or death!"