Translated by: Ting
Out of the numerous martial techniques of a Close Quarters Combat Expert, if you had to pinpoint the one that Tang Tian was most unfamiliar with, it would be the Joint Technique.
The Joint Technique is a unique set of close combat techniques developed using the human joints as targets. Human joints are relatively fragile and easy to damage. Furthermore, strengthening of the joints is comparatively more difficult than for other areas of the body.
Martial artists who are experts in the Joint Technique are usually feared by others. The nightmare begins once these experts in the Joint Techniques come in close contact, as any parts of the body may become their target. These martial artists are usually well aware of the intricate joints that are protected by the muscles, and are experts in damaging them.
However, as per the other Techniques, the Joint Technique is extremely difficult to master.
This is because such spirit cards are difficult to obtain, and besides, an important reason is that a sparring partner is essential. To be able to truly master the Joint Technique, practicing on the wooden mannequins alone, without a sparring partner, will never do the trick.
This was also a problem that Tang Tian had. He has almost perfected the other four martial techniques and internalised the killing techniques of the other three attacking techniques. The biggest, sole obstacle for Tang Tian was the Joint Technique.
Just then, the hand-combat specialist Green Sandalwood Ape came to mind, and all of a sudden, a realisation hit Tang Tian – wasn’t the ape the perfect sparring partner?
Furthermore, the high level True Power that caused his entire body to be swollen provided him an additional layer of protection. He has no misgivings about getting injured, so long as he can protect his eyes and other vitals well. He had already tested it just now – although the punch delivered by the ape was powerful, it hardly had any effect on his body.
At the thought of this, Tang Tian felt like laughing out loud.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he charged towards the ape daringly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The punches of the ape fell relentlessly on Tang Tian, but he did not flinch an inch, and quickly creeped up close to the ape. All kinds of Joint Techniques were repeatedly unleashed.
Thus, an extraordinary scene unfolded.
Tang Tian stuck close to the Ape, like superglue, executing all kinds of techniques, sometimes even lifting up the ape and trashing him repeatedly onto the ground. While all along, the relentless blows of the ape continued to rain on the heavily bandaged Tang Tian.
Everyone was astounded by such fearless execution of techniques.
Baldie’s face was white as sheet, quivering. He… … He must have a death wish … …
The punches of the ape were so forceful, that each blow on Tang Tian caused his body to tremor involuntarily. Yet Tang Tian continued his attacks, as though nothing happened. The ground was a mess, as though it had been freshly ploughed, with no stones unturned.
Tang Tian seemed like a starving wolf, clinging tightly onto the ape’s thigh, paying no heed to the blows raining on him.
The spectators could no longer bear to watch the scene and turned pale at the sound of each forceful blow.
What… … What is he doing?
Everyone stared blankly at Tang Tian, who was clinging onto the thigh of the ape, while his hands seem to be groping for something, and it sent chills down their spines.
Could it be … … He he he… …
Tang Tian held on to the ape’s knee, while his hands kept fumbling, amidst the ‘bang, bang, bang’ of the blows on him. Tang Tian eyes lit up, mumbling, “Wrong… … the technique seems wrong … … oh, the back of the knee is too hard, hmm … … it’s this!”
Crack!
The punches of the ape stopped abruptly, as it suddenly let out a mournful wail.
Hoo hoo hoo … …
Tang Tian wiped his sweat-soaked bandages. Finally, he destroyed one of the ape’s joints. He reached out towards the ape’s other knee joint.
The ape’s eyes were filled with terror, but it immediately switched to that of anger. It started attacking Tang Tian wildly, and Tang Tian was totally showered with punches. The ground around him exploded and shattered into a million pieces.
Crack!
Another knee joint was destroyed.
Crack, crack!
Two elbow joints were destroyed as well.
The ape flopped onto the ground like jelly. It thrashed its body wildly, but was still unable to move an inch.
Baldie and the others were shocked, astounded, as the bandaged silhouette seemed devilishly scary in their eyes. They were unable to describe their inner fears, as the sight before them sent shudders down their spine.
By right, shouldn’t the wild attacks of the ape have made mincemeat out of this person? Could it be that Tang Tian has a body of steel?
The most shocking fact was that Tang Tian was able to remain unfazed in the midst of the raining blows and even continued his attempts to destroy the joints. In the eyes of Baldie and the others, it was more than crazy sheer determination!
Suddenly, the flimsy ape let out a loud roar.
This roar spread far and wide, which was totally different from the previous.
“Oh no, it is summoning its companions!” Baldie was distraught, “Big Brother, run! It is summoning its companions!”
Tang Tian eyes lit up. He just reached his peak of excitement, so how could he leave just like that, thus he waved them away, “You can leave with the rest first.”
Baldie hesitated for a moment, but as the entire forest shook and quavered, he shuddered and led the others away.
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Baldie was extremely torn for decisions.
An entire hour had passed, yet Tang Tian had not returned. Baldie shuddered, could it be… …
If one Green Sandalwood Ape was already so formidable, then a hoard of apes was definitely insurmountable.
Tang Tian must be dead already… …
Baldie mumbled silently to himself and hesitated, but he eventually inched towards the Heavenly Pit. He prepared himself to run and escape if the situation did not seem right. His light body technique was quite decent, and the apes disliked leaving the Heavenly Pit as well.
Although it was against my wishes to call you Big Brother, since I have acknowledged you, I will treat it as an act of kindness on my part to retrieve your body, but do not pester me even if you turned into a ghost… …
Baldie muttered to himself, while inching towards the Heavenly Pit.
The Heavenly Pit is just around the corner. Baldie held his breath as he clearly knew that the Green Sandalwood Ape has an astute sense of hearing. Baldie slowly inched forward along the boulder, and poked his head out for a peek.
He froze.
Apes with their four joints destroyed were wailing in pain, all over the ground. It was a majestic sight to behold, as there were at least five hundred apes packed along the entire stretch.
A heavily bandaged silhouette could be seen holding on to his knee, catching his breath. The coarse, heavy panting could be heard crystal clear from afar, where Baldie is hiding.
The white bandages were covered in mud, mixed with fresh blood, and were torn and tattered beyond recognition. It was a sorry sight to behold.
However, Baldie did not feel disturbed, he was astounded.
He realised that there was no longer an apt description for the incredible sight before him.
“Hey, come over and lend a hand if you are here!” Tang Tian suddenly turned his head over and shouted towards Baldie’s hiding spot.
Splash!
Baldie, who was startled, fell face-first into the mud.
Tang Tian paid no heed to him. Looking at the floor full of wailing Apes, he felt a sense of accomplishment. In just one day, he has improved in his Joint Technique by leaps and bounds, which was far more effective than any previous practices. He had lost count of the number of blows he had received, as the only thing on his mind was the Joint Technique!
Due to the overly-forceful attacks, the high level True Power in his body was exhausted, causing him to be unable to withstand the blows towards the end.
That is why Tang Tian was covered in blood.
However, this was all worth it. In this battle today, he has grasped the concept of the Joint Technique and attained a higher level of understanding. In the face of extreme danger, his attention was even more focused than before, thus creating unbelievably great results. Another reward reaped from the battle was that, as long as he could fully internalise what he had learnt, his Joint Technique will be able to progress to a higher level.
His only flaw was about to be replaced.
With each improvement, he would feel that he is a step closer to Qian Hui, closer to his dreams.
This feeling, it’s superb!
Amidst the heavy panting, the heavily bandaged Tang Tian broke into a smile.
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When Tang Tian returned to the outer camp, the whole camp was in a stir. No one thought that Tang Tian would returned alive, let alone imagine that he would return with five hundred spirit nuclei. The gazes bestowed upon Tang Tian were no longer of fear, but of warm welcome.
Someone of similar age and size as them has actually completed such a miraculous achievement!
That’s right, this must be a miracle!
The usually depressed outer camp seemed to be in a brighter mood today.
The moment Tang Tian reached the camp, he lost consciousness.
Tang Tian self-examined his body and was shocked to find that the dangerous True Power within his body had completely vanished without a trace. Tang Tian was bewildered, as even if it was absorbed, it should not have been absorbed so rapidly. It was then that Tang Tian realised his body had a new fuzzy ball of mass within, and got a rude shock.
That fuzzy ball of mass seems to be mist, but it also seems like a ball of flame, quietly floating in his Dantian.
There was actually a new foreign body inside him! Tang Tian was startled, and hurriedly ran to the Cross Door to find Uncle Bing. “Uncle Bing, there is something wrong with my body.”
Bing stiffly replied, with a tinge of astonishment, “That is a Martial Spirit, nothing much.”
“Martial Spirit?” Tang Tian was stunned for a moment, before heaving a sigh of relief, scratching his head in reply, “So this is the Martial Spirit, what a scare. Eh, this is not right, I am only in the third level, I can’t possibly be able to produce a Martial Spirit. Isn’t that something you are only able to form at the fourth level?”
“In normal cases, yes.” Bing replied, “But your circumstances are unusual. High level True Power and Crane Body energy, these I cannot fathom either.”
Tang Tian was very excited, “Does it mean that I am formidable now?”
“Although you have produced the Martial Spirit, you are unable to use it.” Suddenly, Ghostly Claw Nong beside Bing spoke.
Never in his wildest dreams did Tang Tian think that Ghostly Claw Nong could speak, but he was now attracted by what Nong said, so he hurriedly asked, “Why is that?”
“Before attaining the seventh level, the Martial Spirit is unable to be used directly by yourself.” Nong said, “It’s biggest help to you right now, is to help you forge relationships with your treasures and increase their power. However, don’t bring your hopes up, as your Martial Spirit is too weak right now, thus the effect is limited.”
Tang Tian was greatly disappointed, muttering, “I thought I had a great deal, what a wet bucket.”
“It still has its uses.” Bing piped up, “Since you have produced a Martial Spirit, you can use it to unlock the Martial Spirit Chamber.”
“Martial Spirit Chamber?” Tang Tian was stunned, as it was the first time he heard of it.
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