"Bare body kicking water foot skill, slanted shoulder resisting water breaking through waves… set the breath heavy as water, face the enemy by leaping like a flood dragon!"
Under the dim glow of the copper oil lamp, Bai Qi immersed himself in the book "Eight Section Power".
He earnestly memorized the verses, pondering their meaning.
Then... he found himself completely unable to understand!
"What is this?"
Bai Qi was bewildered.
Above were simple stick figure-like drawings, along with some hastily drawn wavy lines.
Accompanied by doggerel verses, interspersed with annotations in local dialect and slang.
No matter how many reading comprehension exercises he had done in his past life, he still felt utterly confused.
"No wonder the knowledgeable ones go to martial arts halls and pay for the master's tea.
Just relying on broken fist manuals, self-studying to master martial arts? What kind of monstrous intuition would that require?
Cheap is no good, indeed it never deceives me.
Dreaming to find a bargain with just a few hundred coins is nothing but wishful thinking."
Scanning through the entire text, Bai Qi raised his hand to rub his aching temples.
His entry-level skill in recognizing characters endowed him with an extraordinary ability to never forget what he saw.
He confirmed the complete imprint of "Eight Section Power" in his mind, not missing a single word.
The Daoist register silently shimmered, subtle ripples turned into clear text.
[Technique: Eight Section Power]
[Progress: 0/800 (Not yet initiated)]
[Effect: Riding waves without trace, inner strength outwardly robust]
"As expected, I was right! This Daoist register encompasses all methods, making various techniques all usable to me!"
Bai Qi's heart finally settled.
As long as it displayed a progress bar, he could draw insights from its advancement.
"I too can be a one-in-a-million martial arts genius!"
This three hundred and fifty Wen was well spent!
"Ah Di, when you get hungry later, heat up the roasted chicken we brought back."
Bai Qi was a bit impatient, planning to take advantage of the night to go down the river and accumulate proficiency.
"Eight Section Power" was also known as "Wave Wrapping Skill" and "Swimming Skill".
It was not combat technique, but a water combat art.
According to the Daoist register's display, just starting out allows for effortless diving and floating, riding waves without trace.
For fishermen, it couldn't be better.
Especially since Bai Qi's swimming skill was now excellent, he wasn't afraid of the cold.
Practicing "Eight Section Power" should be more efficient and smoother!
"Brother, be careful, it's dark and windy, don't go to the reed marsh.
I've been helping the people at the school copy books these days, earned ten Wen Coins."
Bai Ming's face carried a hint of tension, fearing Bai Qi would not return like their father.
He took out several copper coins, holding them with both hands to give to his brother.
"I'll just stroll around in shallow water, set up a couple of fish traps.
No worries, hurry and eat that roasted chicken wrapped in lotus leaves."
Bai Qi's heart warmed slightly, as he rubbed his brother Bai Ming's head, comforting him:
"I found a large fish nest yesterday, enough to exchange for thousands of coins and let us brothers get through the winter.
When we have more resources, I'll send you to school.
Once out, you can find a job as an accountant in restaurants or shops, no need to rely on fishing like I do."
Ah Di Bai Ming was frail, inherently malnourished, making it hard for him to do heavy labor to support the family.
But he had a sharp mind, learning quickly.
With literacy and arithmetic skills for accounting and trading, he could make a living in Black River County.
"Whatever brother tells me to do, I'll do it, as long as I can help brother."
Bai Ming nodded firmly, appearing timid but instantly resolute.
"Yes, once I'm back, we'll surely rise in Black River County, and live well."
Bai Qi smiled, took the fish traps, and stepped out of their earthen house.
Outside, the wind was strong and the cold bite deep, yet it could not extinguish the fierce flame in his heart.
...
...
[Underwater for thirty breaths, Eight Section Power has entered the novice level]
[Underwater for sixty breaths, comprehended the "Kicking Water" trick]
[Underwater for one hundred and twenty breaths, grasped the "Treading Water" trick]
[Underwater for two hundred breaths, form resembles the Golden Toad, swift as the wind]
[Underwater for three hundred breaths, technique refined…]
The Daoist register gently trembled, like stars flickering unpredictably.
Clear text cascaded like a waterfall, appearing before his eyes.
Splish splash!
Bai Qi bursts out from underwater, sending waves in all directions.
He exhaled a breath, drew another in.
His legs felt as solid as if on firm ground, lightly stepping forward.
His whole body was as light as a feather, swiftly riding the flow of the water far ahead!
His hands deftly directing, easily changing direction.
Amidst the dense, ink-black darkness, swiftly moving back and forth.
Like a water-dwelling spirit, incredibly fast!
If a Fisherman were to set sail at night and see this scene,
they'd likely mistake it for encountering a Water Ghost and be scared out of their wits on the spot.
[Skill: Eight Segments Skill (Beginner)]
[Progress: (49/800)]
[Effect: Wave Riding with No Trace, Inner Strength and Outer Power]
"At this rate of improvement, in about half a month, I should be able to break through this water combat skill to a minor accomplishment."
After finishing his practice, Bai Qi climbed onto the sampan.
He lay on his back, gasping for air.
After autumn arrived, the nights grew deep and dew heavy, with an especially intense chill.
Even with a sturdy body, soaking in the icy, bone-chilling Black Water River for about Half a Stick of Incense.
One would still end up with stiff limbs and a pale face from the cold.
But with the added skill of a minor accomplishment in fishing, Bai Qi remained steaming hot.
Like a boiling pot, constantly emitting heat.
Especially when he followed the movements of the Eight Segments Skill,
kicking and stomping the water, using his shoulder blades to slant and carry the water waves, diving and running swiftly.
With each repeated practice of these movements, he felt a thumb-thick trickle of energy inside running constantly, bringing him immense comfort.
Despite such large consumption, he didn't feel too tired, instead finding it exhilarating.
"Inner Strength and Outer Power! Truly not deceiving! This... is indeed a skill that can be practiced and nourishes the body!"
Bai Qi was somewhat surprised, looking at the crude illustrations akin to children's scribbles.
He thought it was some gimmick created by an unskilled Martial Artist's random tinkering.
But surprisingly, just beginning to practice led to a sensation of energy?
Bai Qi recalled Xiaotou's explanations, "Secrets" are divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower.
Only when one can cultivate Qi Blood and sense changes in oneself through breathing is it considered entry-level.
Also known as "Lower Martial Arts."
Otherwise,
it's just a gimmick that doesn't belong in the mainstream.
Like children in the countryside picking up long sticks and playing energetically,
but that can't be considered martial arts.
Facing a burly fellow, a single punch could knock them down.
Ultimately,
martial arts is about combat skills, is a craft!
It's the ability to kill, and a way to strengthen the body!
"The Eight Segments Skill must be practiced step by step, it's not so easily accomplished.
Initially practice in shallow water, and once the movements are proficient, switch to deep water and then wander in the rivers and seas.
Fortunately, I have a minor accomplishment in fishing, with excellent water skills.
Without these concerns, I progress quickly."
Bai Qi dried himself off, rested for a moment.
He paddled the sampan towards the riverbank, not venturing deeper into the reed marsh.
The saying goes, listen to advice and you'll be full.
Since the Fishery posted a notice, claiming that recently Demon Fish have been causing trouble.
Even Steward Chen the Lame wasn't spared, becoming a meal.
So he acted cautiously, planning to practice in deep water at dawn.
"Inner Strength and Outer Power, water combat like a dragon! If I break through the Eight Segments Skill to minor accomplishment, can I also nurture my body and achieve Qi Blood abundance!"
Bai Qi was full of anticipation, feeling the changes within.
According to the path Xiaotou heard, martial arts are divided into four major practices.
The first level, Golden Flesh and Jade Veins.
It's said after achieving this, one can draw a White Ox Bow weighing seventy to eighty pounds and shoot several arrows, making it difficult for thirteen to fourteen ordinary strong men to get close.
And to step into the first practice's threshold, one must first achieve Qi Blood abundance.
Once the foundation is solid, it's easier to progress from shallow to deep, strengthening the muscles and gaining strength.
"Simply put, eat well every day, ensure sufficient nutrition to keep up with the body's daily consumption.
Otherwise, it's easy to waste one's body through training..."
Bai Qi pondered the intricacies.
No wonder, among over ten thousand households in Black River County, few can become Martial Artists.
The reason is none other than, the entry conditions are too harsh.
Three meals a day are difficult enough.
Even more so with eating meat, medicine, and large supplements?
How many families can afford to support their children without a source of income!
"Yangquan forced the Fishermen to catch Ghost Pattern Fish, to please the Young Master of the Fishery.
Because this fish can invigorate Qi Blood and be made into nourishing meals..."
Bai Qi's eyes suddenly lit up, staring blankly at the vast night along the Black Water River, as if seeing a secret Treasure Vault opening its doors to him.
"Who says, without money to apprentice in Martial Arts Hall, without major supplements to nourish the body, one can't cultivate Qi Blood?
Rely on the mountain, eat from the mountain; rely on the water, eat from the water. With a minor accomplishment in fishing skills in hand, there are always more solutions than difficulties!"