Chapter 26: Wang Jin’s Shock and Benefits!
Standing under the moonlight.
"Master, my Five Animal Forms have reached the proficient level!" Jiang Ning stated truthfully.
"Proficient?" Wang Jin's eyes widened in shock, becoming as round as saucers.
"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.
"You say you've reached proficiency? Perform the Five Animal Forms for me!" Wang Jin's expression turned serious.
"Yes!" Jiang Ning complied.
In the next moment.
He hoped that by showcasing his progress, Wang Jin would value him more and provide greater support.
He also hoped to receive Wang Jin's guidance, which might lead to the changes he anticipated.
This thought flashed through Jiang Ning's mind.
Under the moonlight, he assumed his stance and began performing the Five Animal Forms in front of Wang Jin.
Now that Jiang Ning had reached the proficient level in the Five Animal Forms, his movements were no longer stiff.
It was as if his breathing and fist techniques had become ingrained in his bones, turning into instinct. Everything flowed naturally.
As Wang Jin watched, his eyes grew wider and wider under the moonlight, his astonishment evident.
Incredible!
Incredible!!
His heart was in turmoil.
"Just a few days and this kid has reached the proficient level in the Five Animal Forms?"
"Does such a martial arts genius truly exist in this world?"
"His learning ability is so strong, and his body is so suited to the Five Animal Forms. In just a few days, he's integrated the techniques into his bones, with his breathing and movements becoming instinctive?"
"With such an exaggerated talent, if his comprehension is up to par, he could certainly inherit my teachings!"
"Right now, it's unclear how high his comprehension is. Without exceptional comprehension, even a mid-tier martial art won't shine in his hands!"
"Moreover, the disciple I want must have truly exceptional comprehension, capable of mastering a mid-tier martial art to perfection. Only then can they learn another mid-tier martial art, combining water and fire, layering their strength, and creating a high-tier martial art!"
"But alas, what a pity!!"
Wang Jin's gaze toward Jiang Ning now carried a deep sense of regret.
"He started martial arts too late! In three months, even with heaven-defying luck, it's nearly impossible for him to meet the requirements to join the Inspection Bureau!"
"If he had started two years earlier, he would have surely seized this opportunity to leap over the dragon gate!"
"Once he grasped this opportunity, his future would have been completely different! He wouldn't be confined to this small corner of the world, to this tiny Luoshui County!"
"This kid's luck is just too poor!!!"
The more Wang Jin thought about it, the more regret he felt.
Regardless of future progress, at the very least, Jiang Ning was the fastest learner he had ever seen at the beginner stage.
In just a few days, he had mastered all five forms of the Five Animal Forms and reached the proficient level.
Yet, he would miss out on the Inspection Bureau.
As a newly established government department, with the Martial Saint himself overseeing it, joining the Inspection Bureau would be a tremendous opportunity for anyone.
Especially for someone like Jiang Ning, born into an ordinary family, it would be a life-changing opportunity.
Wang Jin's thoughts gradually returned to the present. He continued to watch Jiang Ning's performance intently.
"This kid is truly exceptional, but missing this opportunity will limit his future achievements!"
"Still, it's not all bad. If he continues to excel in martial arts and passes my tests, he could still become my closed-door disciple!"
"He seems like a loyal and righteous person, not the type to betray his master. Missing the chance to join the Inspection Bureau might make him more suitable to take care of me in my old age!"
"Otherwise, joining the Inspection Bureau, while a great opportunity, would likely involve constant battles given its authority. He might even die prematurely in some conflict!"
Having made up his mind, Wang Jin no longer dwelled on it. He quietly watched Jiang Ning finish demonstrating the Five Animal Forms.
[Five Animal Forms Experience +1]
[Skill]: Five Animal Forms (Proficient 14/200)
After one round, Jiang Ning's Qi and Blood increased by two strands, and a faint steam rose from his head.
"Not bad! Truly not bad!" Wang Jin nodded slightly, his eyes filled with approval.
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Master!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands in gratitude.
Wang Jin chuckled. "No need for such words! I haven't given you any extra guidance. I only taught you the Five Animal Forms and demonstrated it a few times in front of you. Reaching this level is mainly due to your diligence and talent!"
After a pause, Wang Jin added, "Starting tomorrow, you can go to the kitchen morning, noon, and evening to receive a bowl of medicinal soup. Go find Aunt Sun later and inform her of this."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning felt a surge of joy.
Revealing his progress in front of Wang Jin had indeed been the right move.
If he hadn't shown his talent, how could he have gained Wang Jin's attention?
How could he have received this benefit?
Earlier in the day, Xiao Peng had become Wang Jin's true disciple, and his greatest privilege was also being able to receive a bowl of medicinal soup three times a day.
Now, Jiang Ning had also gained this benefit, showing that Wang Jin valued him even more.
At this moment, Jiang Ning's joy was evident on his face.
"Yes!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands and bowed. "Thank you, Master!!"
Wang Jin smiled and nodded, his gaze toward Jiang Ning growing even more favorable. "You wanted to ask me about the essence of the minor mastery level in the Five Animal Forms, right?"
"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded, then clasped his hands again. "Please enlighten me, Master!"
Wang Jin nodded, then removed his short jacket, revealing his muscular upper body, clad only in gray shorts that reached above his knees.
"The hardness within softness and softness within hardness of the Tiger Form, the agility within stability of the Bear Form, the agility and unpredictability of the Ape Form, the combination of motion and stillness in the Deer Form, and the soaring into the clouds and moving with the heart's intent in the Crane Form all of these are related to your control over your body and your understanding of force."
"These things are hard to express in words. It's like how you continue to breathe even in your sleep."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning's expression became thoughtful.
Wang Jin continued, "I'll perform the Five Animal Forms for you to demonstrate what minor mastery looks like. Pay attention to the changes in my muscle fibers."
"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands in gratitude.
"Watch closely!" Wang Jin shouted lightly.
Without moving his feet, his entire body suddenly shot backward, instantly putting him three meters away from Jiang Ning in an open area.
In the next moment.
His arms moved, and he began performing the Five Animal Forms.
Jiang Ning focused intently on Wang Jin's movements, especially the subtle changes in his muscle fibers.
The changes in muscle fibers reflected the flow of force.
As Wang Jin performed the fist techniques, Jiang Ning's thoughts deepened.
The Tiger Form in Wang Jin's hands was no longer the textbook-perfect version he had demonstrated earlier.
At times, his movements were slow, like a tiger stalking its prey.
At other times, he exploded with power, like a tiger pouncing down a mountain, exuding a terrifying aura.
"Hardness within softness, softness within hardness? This concept seems similar to the Tai Chi I knew in my previous life combining motion and stillness, hardness and softness!"
This made him think of throwing a punch: pulling back the fist to deliver a stronger blow.
It also reminded him of a spring: the more you compress it, the greater its explosive force.
From this perspective, softness is for storing energy, and hardness is for releasing it.
With this thought, Jiang Ning continued to memorize the movements of Wang Jin's muscle fibers.
Time passed slowly.
Under Wang Jin's demonstration, the Five Animal Forms appeared completely different from what Jiang Ning had seen before.
In Wang Jin's hands, each move seemed to come alive.
The hardness within softness and softness within hardness of the Tiger Form.
The agility within the stability of the Bear Form.
The agility and unpredictability of the Ape Form.
The combination of motion and stillness in the Deer Form.
The soaring into the clouds and moving with the heart's intent in the Crane Form.
All these forms were vividly displayed in his performance.
After completing the demonstration, Wang Jin exhaled slowly, his face calm and unflustered as he looked at Jiang Ning.
At this moment, Jiang Ning had already closed his eyes.
In his mind, he replayed Wang Jin's performance of the Five Animal Forms.
Every move, every subtle change in muscle fibers, appeared vividly in his mind.
After a long while.
Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes.
"How do you feel?" Wang Jin asked.
"Let me try!" Jiang Ning replied.