Chapter 6: The Essence of Air Attack (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Constitution attribute breaks through the 99% limit, finally reaching 9 points!

This is not just a simple point increase.

It's a real accomplishment earned through day-to-day physical training, accumulated over time.

"9 points in constitution, about the healthy standard of an adult male..."

Fang Cheng feels his body subtly becoming tougher and more durable.

His gaze sweeps over the progress of his other attributes.

Strength 86%, agility 73%, spirit 42%.

The originally fatigued body instantly refilled with vigor.

Looking at the skill experience points on the panel, his enthusiasm intensifies.

Often, what people fear is not the hardship of persistence, but the lack of a clear goal.

Some things may be far away.

But as long as you do it, it will eventually get closer to you!

After taking a deep breath, Fang Cheng bends his arms and lowers his body to the ground.

Continuing the unfinished task of 100 standard push-ups.

.........

In the afternoon, there are three boxing classes.

Two are regular classes for ordinary students.

The last one is a specialized class for elite students preparing for professional competitions.

It can be said to be a true professional combat class.

Around five o'clock.

The setting sun slowly descends, blocked by skyscrapers outside the window.

The indoor light becomes soft and deep.

Many students leave the class one after another, and the venue gradually returns to its original emptiness.

Colleagues yawned one after another, watching the wall clock, waiting for the end of the workday.

Fang Cheng, however, becomes even more spirited, fixing his eyes unwaveringly on the several figures throwing punches on the boxing platform.

Two young men in combat training shorts, with muscular builds, adopt a classic stance, their fists tentatively attacking each other.

Beside them stands an older coach, occasionally yelling to stop, pointing with his hand.

He is imparting competition experience to the two elite students, as well as some advanced tactical applications.

Such as Swing Flash, Antelope Jump Step, followed by various combinations, Liver Explosion Double Strike.

"Frankly, although these moves can overpower an opponent in one hit, I advise you not to use them lightly."

"Because opening up close at the same time also means completely exposing gaps within the punching radius, which greatly tests the boxer's reaction capability. The result isn't about knocking out the opponent, it's about getting knocked out by them."

"For you to apply the trained tactics in a competition, the key is mastering the sense of distance, timing, and rhythm."

"These can't be taught, you only develop them through years of actual combat, forming your own bodily instincts."

One boxer nods after listening and then asks:

"Coach, aside from hitting the sandbag during regular training, it's hard to find suitable opponents. What should we do?"

"Go home and watch more videos of top boxers, imagine them as your enemies, how they punch, how they dodge, how they feint."

"Each simulation fight ingrains neural pathways into your brain and body, the more you practice, the more intuitively you'll be able to use them in competitions..."

The coach's deep voice echoes in the venue, causing the two elite students to nod frequently and take lessons.

It's also like a bolt of lightning strikes through Fang Cheng's mind.

Air Attack!

Also known as "Shadow Strike."

Originated from ancient martial artists observing their own shadows cast by the sunlight on the wall, using it as an imaginary opponent.

Simply put, it involves exchanging blows with an imaginary shadow opponent conjured up by your own brain, simulating real combat by striking the air.

This is a very important training method in stand-up fighting.

Regardless of skill level, as long as one can master the basics, they can use Air Attack to hone their technique, build combat awareness, develop a sense of rhythm, and thereby enhance their real combat capabilities.

Many top boxers even use Air Attack as a warm-up before a match to relax and prepare for psychological tactics.

At this moment, the coach continued speaking, pointing out the problems with the usual training of the students.

"The reason you find practicing Air Attack ineffective is partly because your basic skills are not proficient enough, and partly because you are too focused on continuity, lacking a sense of rhythm."

"Air Attack is not just about swiftly executing a few consecutive strikes and then shaking your body a few times; real combat doesn't offer that many chances for continuous combinations."

"If you have to understand the sense of rhythm, think of the coordination between your boxing techniques and footwork as dancing."

"The sense of rhythm in dancing comes from the background music, so the rhythm of Air Attack comes from your imagined opponent."

"Like this, you throw a front-hand jab, and the opponent can choose to clash with you or dodge and counter with a backhand. This is his accompaniment; you tilt your head to distance yourself and make targeted defensive moves, that's your rhythm."

"The stronger the accompaniment your opponent provides, the stronger your own sense of rhythm becomes. In real combat, you can stay calm and think of various counter-tactics in an instant, making the most suitable choice..."

The coach used vivid metaphors to explain the essentials of "Air Attack" practice.

Finally, he pointed to his head:

"So, the key is to be flexible here; if you box without thinking, you'll only ever be a sparring partner!"

Fang Cheng was profoundly moved and greatly benefited.

This was truly useful expertise.

Previously, his boxing practice was merely about imitation, repeatedly practicing routines.

He had never set up a specific imaginary enemy, nor actively tried to handle variations in attack and defense outside of set routines.

Thus, the speed of unlocking skills and gaining experience had always been relatively slow.

It wasn't until he personally experienced a street brawl that he truly appreciated the benefits of real combat.

However, opportunities for real combat are rare and cannot be sought after.

Air Attack, obviously, is an effective alternative to accelerate skill improvement and compensate for the lack of experience.

"Besides... I have a panel, and the efficiency of practicing Air Attack will definitely be higher than ordinary boxers!"

Fang Cheng's eyes sparkled, unable to hide his eagerness to try.

He decided to go to a video store after work to rent some combat sports celebrity match discs and watch them at home.

However, world-class Boxing Kings are ultimately quite distant from himself.

And the most familiar boxer at the moment...

It must be Coach Hu who once fought in free combat and won the championship in the Nanjiang Province competition!

Inside the coach's lounge.

Coach Hu held a thermos cup, sipping goji berry tea.

Suddenly, he shivered.

He looked up at the air conditioner's temperature display. It wasn't low, so why did he feel chilly?

In winter, it gets dark very quickly.

Soon it was time to clock out, and the beeping sounds of timecards followed one after another.

The training hall, scented with detergent and disinfectant, gradually had its lights turned off, sinking back into silence.

After a hot shower, Fang Cheng, carrying a bag with his clothes, was the last one to leave through the staff passage.

The backdrop wall at the entrance had several matte paper posters reflecting a dim glow.

They advertised discounted enrollment, upcoming combat matches, and some posters of star athletes.

Fang Cheng's gaze swept across and settled on the portrait of a famous Boxing King with strong muscles and dark skin.

Does this world have powers that surpass the physical limits of ordinary people?

He wasn't sure.

But...

Continuously climbing towards the peak, one is bound to see different scenery, right?