Domestic Zone: You already have a system, why join a chat group?

Chapter 18 Unpredictable Scattered Hands, A Born Prodigy

At this point, Russell finally realized what was going on and began to have some ideas about this causal relationship.

The title is wrong. It shouldn't be called "Cause and Effect Connection." It should be called "The Shift in Character's Fate," which would be more appropriate.

His thoughts gradually became clear. One of the most important turning points in Duan Yu's original destiny was obtaining the "Northern Darkness Divine Skill" and "Lingbo Steps" in Langhuan Paradise, and by chance absorbing the internal energy of many people, thus gaining a solid foundation to activate the Six Meridians Divine Sword.

Now, because of him, Duan Yu gave up the opportunity in Langhuan Paradise, and therefore no longer has the profound internal strength to support his comprehension of the Six Meridians Divine Sword, which is why the karmic ties between them have deepened.

Now, he has made a one-month agreement with Kumārajīva, and Kumārajīva will most likely not go to Dali again. Even if he does go, Duan Yu will not be captured by Kumārajīva due to various coincidences, and the subsequent encounter with Wang Yuyan at Mantuo Manor and the sworn brotherhood with Xiao Feng at the Beggars' Sect will not happen again.

One is the cause, and the other is the effect. When the two are combined, it's as if Duan Yu's storyline has been cut off in half.

What about Mu Wanqing?

In the original novel, Mu Wanqing's fate is almost entirely dependent on Duan Yu. Since the causal relationship on Duan Yu's side has been severed, there should be a reaction on Mu Wanqing's side as well. Therefore, a triggering process is still missing.

"Oh, right."

While Russell was deep in thought, Kumārajīva seemed to suddenly remember something, a warm smile spreading across his face as he earnestly addressed Russell:

"Previously, Benefactor Luo mentioned that he had never learned any moves. While this is not a major issue, it does put one at a disadvantage when facing an opponent of similar internal strength. If you do not mind, I have a Taoist manual on freehand techniques. It is not a closely guarded secret, nor is it my main focus, but its principles are quite commendable. I can teach it to you as a small token of my appreciation."

Hey! There's an unexpected surprise!

There's no reason to spit out meat that's already been fed, so Russell immediately asked for guidance: "Please enlighten me, Master."

"Of course." Seeing Russell's respectful attitude, Kumārajīva's desire to teach was satisfied, and a smile appeared on his face. He stood up and walked to a more open area in the courtyard, where he began to demonstrate: "This skill is called 'The Impermanent Scattered Hand.' Please watch carefully, benefactor."

While gesturing for Russell to pay attention to his movements and breathing, he verbally explained the basic techniques and energy flow routes of the exercise.

According to Kumārajīva, these Nine Forms of Impermanence Scattered Hands were created many years ago by a wandering Taoist who observed the mutual generation and restraint of the "one-line tide" and "returning tide" of the Qiantang River tide. They integrate the Taoist principle of "existence and non-existence arising from each other" and the Buddhist concept of "impermanence of all things".

This martial art is based on the principle of "unpredictable and unfixed, free-flowing and structured." Its moves have no fixed form, its styles have no constant state, and the transformation between illusion and reality is only a matter of a thought.

When striking, the force can be concentrated at a single point like a "straight tide," unstoppable, or it can spread throughout the body like a "returning tide," ready to be unleashed, or it can suddenly swirl around, catching the enemy off guard.

It emphasizes that intention follows thought, and power arises from the heart, like the ever-changing gathering and scattering of clouds, or the formless flow of mercury onto the ground, making it difficult for the opponent to grasp and defend against.

In a sense, it is an internal skill that is extremely well-suited to the Lesser Formless Skill.

This necessitates the development of a concept: what is internal skill and what is external skill?

Internal strength training involves opening acupoints and generating internal energy, similar to techniques like the Northern Darkness Divine Skill and the Yi Jin Jing.

External martial arts, on the other hand, are skills used in battle. They do not generate internal energy and require a strong internal force to activate. Famous examples of external martial arts include the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, the Six Meridian Divine Sword, and the Shifting Stars.

Generally speaking, people use internal strength to overcome external strength, but there are also those with exceptional talent who cultivate both internal and external strength from the outside in.

As Kumārajīva unleashed the Nine Forms of Impermanence Scattered Hands one by one, Russell's expression gradually became solemn.

Kumārajīva's movements were sometimes fast and sometimes slow. His arms moved like a rushing river, sometimes like a swirling eddy, and sometimes like drifting clouds. Although he did not use much internal energy, the charm of his moves, the skill of exerting force, and the coordination of his steps were all displayed to the fullest.

As his moves unfolded, Kumārajīva's movements quickened, his palms flying, pushing, grabbing, cutting, and brushing. The surrounding air seemed to be stirred by an invisible force, and the dust on the ground swirled slowly around him, forming a faint ring of dust. Then, he suddenly paused, his palms drawing arcs back, and the ring of dust contracted inward, as if drawn by his palm force. Finally, he gently pushed it out, and the condensed ring of dust quietly dissipated, the dust falling evenly as if nothing had ever happened.

When Kumārajīva finished his routine and stood still again, Russell slowly closed his eyes. Every move Kumārajīva had made just now appeared in his mind like a movie in slow motion, and he dissected it frame by frame, move by move.

"How was it?" Kumārajīva raised his head slightly, his tone inevitably carrying a hint of smugness.

Having been lectured on martial arts principles by a junior for half a day, and having witnessed the profound martial arts of the other sect, how could the mighty Great Wheel King tolerate it?

Sending the Impermanent Hand was, firstly, to show sincerity, and secondly, because Kumārajīva genuinely wanted to experience being a master and satisfy his vanity.

"Hmm..." Russell pondered for a moment, then began to move as well.

Kumārajīva stared intently at Russell, initially intending to correct his mistakes, but as Russell's movements became faster and faster, Kumārajīva's expression grew increasingly astonished.

Russell's starting stance was exactly the same as his. Then, he unfolded his body, advancing or retreating, turning or bending. The nine freehand techniques were executed as smoothly as flowing water. Every move was extremely standard and the movements were very continuous, without any pauses or hesitations!

It should be noted that, in terms of martial arts grade and sophistication, the "Wuchang Sanshou" may not be as good as top-tier martial arts such as the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms or the Six Meridian Divine Sword, but it is definitely not inferior to any of the superior martial arts of the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts!

If an ordinary martial arts practitioner obtains a secret manual and practices diligently for several months or even years to even begin to grasp the basics, they are already considered to have excellent aptitude.

But this young man... was able to replicate it exactly after only seeing it once and hearing the explanation once.

Doesn't this mean that if given enough martial arts manuals, he could master all the martial arts styles in a very short time?

What terrifying level of understanding!

He had lost count of how many times Russell had surprised him since they met, each time pushing the boundaries of his understanding of the word "genius."

After finishing his freestyle fighting routine, Russell stopped, calmed his breathing, and asked, "Master, how did I do? Were there any mistakes?"

"Amitabha! Your talent is unparalleled, and this humble monk is filled with admiration," Kumārajīva said sincerely.