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Chapter 370 - 338 World’s No.1 Ambition

Chapter 370: Chapter 338 World’s No.1 Ambition

Hearing Wu’s words, Bai Tao scoffed, "Being too arrogant in youth is not necessarily a good thing!"

He was set on becoming the Sitting Hall Leader of Hongmen, boasting both ambition and strength, and held himself in high regard. To lower his stance today in front of a junior and still be rejected by Wu was inevitably displeasing.

Wu gave Bai Tao a fist salute and stated respectfully but firmly, "Senior is correct, I will definitely keep that in mind."

To Wu, his respect for Bai Tao was not due to the latter’s status, but his accomplishments in martial arts. Therefore, Wu did not continue to press the issue, having already made his stance clear.

Seeing how Wu reacted, Bai Tao’s expression softened somewhat.

After all, there were no conflicts of interest between them. Although Wu was close to Zhiyuan Hall, it was clear he was unlikely to join them. Even if Bai Tao felt slighted, it wasn’t enough to warrant hostility toward Wu. People who made enemies over slight provocations could not have reached Bai Tao’s position.

Waving his hand, Bai Tao gestured for Wu to sit with him.

"If I’m not mistaken, in your cultivation of Fist Intent, you’ve begun to grasp borrowing the momentum of all things and are on the threshold of achieving Unity of Heaven and Man," said Bai Tao.

Hearing this, Wu immediately knew that Bai Tao’s spiritual cultivation must be very close to Spirit, otherwise he couldn’t have so accurately assessed his own realm.

"That’s right," Wu nodded.

"Ten years ago, I initially created the Bone Marrow Skill you saw earlier. Over the next four years, I gradually refined it; at the same time, practicing day and night without rest. Five years ago, I achieved great success with the Bone Marrow Skill, reaching the stage where the inner and outer forces connect, allowing me to manifest the Innate Gang Qi recorded in the Fist Scripture."

"Since then, I have been only one step away from the highest perfect realm of the True Martial Divine Power spoken of in Wudang Fist."

Looking at Wu, Bai Tao spoke with some emotion, "The only thing missing is your current spiritual level. Regrettably, I’ve been stuck at this stage of cultivation for five full years, always unable to break through."

Wu was silent. The paths to mastering Dragon and Tiger Power and Thunder Sound Bone Marrow were traceable and systematic, difficult as they were, at least he knew in which direction to strive. But matters of the soul were too profound; no Fist Scripture explicitly tells you how to break through, and even experienced seniors from the sect could only share their personal insights, unable to give direct guidance.

Wu had a system in place but had also failed to find a specific breakthrough method from it. Thus, achieving a breakthrough in the realm of Fist Intent relies on talent, as well as chance and luck.

If Wu had not broken through a barrier in his mind back then, if Sun Yiquan hadn’t come around and handed Wu that critical spear, if Feng Lin’s strength hadn’t been immense enough to pressurize Wu... had any of these conditions been lacking, Wu would not have achieved a breakthrough from Void to Spirit.

This shows how difficult it is to achieve spiritual breakthroughs. Bai Tao had been stuck at this bottleneck for five full years; he might have a sudden insight the next second, or he might remain stuck his entire life.

Bai Tao shook his head, "Wudang Fist emphasizes health preservation, and the Bone Marrow Skill I created has unique aspects of health preservation, which is why I can still maintain peak physical strength. But I’ve always lacked a level in my spiritual practice; I haven’t been able to truly achieve unity of body and mind, merging with the natural world. I fear that in a few years, my condition will begin to decline."

"But for you, being so young and already touching the threshold of Unity of Heaven and Man, you have plenty of time to enhance your body, and your future is limitless."

Hearing this, Wu felt a bit strange, sensing a hint of envy in Bai Tao’s tone. But just moments ago, Bai Tao had been eager to take him as a junior; after being rejected, his attitude suddenly shifted to admiring Wu?

Given Bai Tao’s pride, it seemed unlikely he would take such a step.

Observing Bai Tao’s expressions and gaze, Wu felt they were somewhat deliberate.

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Wu’s mind; he understood what Bai Tao meant: Bai Tao’s invitation to join Zhiyuan Hall was not just about valuing him as a person, but about finding an opportunity through him to break through in spiritual cultivation!

Considering Bai Tao’s constant ambition to become the Head of Hongmen, this goal was even clearer: compared to the Republic era, a century later, Grandmasters had become a rarity. And if Bai Tao could achieve the Grandmaster Realm, he might have a chance to become the number one of this era!

If so, Bai Tao could then leverage his position to become the Sitting Hall Leader of Hongmen. Leading the number one Chinese organization with the strength of the world’s number one person would be a remarkable feat.

No wonder, with Bai Tao’s pride, strength, and status, he was initially willing to invite Wu with such humility. No wonder after being rejected, he was briefly annoyed but then quickly changed his attitude and began expressing envy. In light of what he wanted deep down, a bit of pride could temporarily be set aside.

In an instant, Wu completely understood Bai Tao’s thoughts.

If he agreed to join Zhiyuan Hall, Bai Tao could frequently engage him under the pretense of friendly martial exchange, observe his Fist Intent, and even seek advice on critical issues from him. Bai Tao indeed had many aspects in his martial arts that Wu could learn from; with mutual exchanges and deepening acquaintance, Bai Tao stood to gain in multiple ways.

Seeing Wu’s changing expressions, Bai Tao knew he had likely guessed his intentions, so he directly proposed, "Master Wu, since you’re not willing to join Zhiyuan Hall, how about I make another offer: you help me break through in the realm of Fist Intent, and I’ll teach you the skill of Bone Marrow."

Wu looked at Bai Tao with a smile that was not quite a smile, "If it involves things of the spirit, I’m not an Immortal, how could I guarantee that I can definitely help you break through?"

Bai Tao was clearly prepared, directly saying, "One year, a year’s time, you demonstrate to me the Fist Intent of borrowing the momentum of all things. Meanwhile, I’ll gradually share my Bone Marrow Skill with you. During this time, we can exchange ideas and spar, and Zhiyuan Hall can shield you from any troubles."

"If I still cannot make a breakthrough after a year, you can go wherever you want, and I will definitely teach you the Bone Marrow Skill completely and without reservation. I, Bai Tao, always keep my word!"

Bai Tao spoke with a decisiveness that convinced Wu Li of his sincerity, but Wu Li still felt it was somewhat petty.

If the roles were reversed and Wu Li were in his position, he certainly would not complicate matters, but would simply make a clean and complete exchange at once: You share your insights with me and demonstrate your Fist Intent, and I will tell you the complete Bone Marrow Skill in return.

Such an exchange, most importantly, establishes a relationship. If I have trouble with Fist Intent in the future, I can consult you, and likewise, you can consult me anytime about the Bone Marrow Skill. This is true friendship forged through Martial Arts.

But Bai Tao was unwilling to do this, and Wu Li guessed why: The other party was worried about being at a disadvantage.

If Bai Tao revealed the complete Bone Marrow Skill to Wu Li all at once, what if Wu Li only demonstrated his Fist Intent once and never again? What if Wu Li had ulterior motives? After all, this was their first meeting and they had no prior relationship. If he gave away a valuable Bone Marrow Skill, only to receive a few words and a demonstration from Wu Li in return, Bai Tao would see it as a major loss, hence his proposal for this method of exchange.

Though Bai Tao’s approach was prudent, Wu Li found it too petty and uninteresting. Moreover, he couldn’t possibly stay by Bai Tao’s side for an entire year as he had many other commitments.

With this thought, Wu Li abruptly stood up and moved to an open space.

He assumed a Three Body Formation stance, recalling the scene from last night’s competition where he performed Tiger Hugging Head.

Moments later, Wu Li slightly crouched down, bending at the waist and knees, and threw his clenched fists upward.

He initiated the Drilling.

Taking a step forward, he raised his right fist and chopped downward.

Fall and Flip!

The execution of Tiger Hugging Head caught Bai Tao’s attention.

This simple move contained various conceptions and transformations: It began with Snake Form Drilling Fist, with Wu Li’s spine undulating like a giant python, conveying a conception of ascending. Simultaneously, Wu Li’s Fist Intent merged into a vast conception, like the moon rising over the sea.

Just as the Snake Form reached its peak, it transformed into Dragon Form.

Python to Dragon! This was the essence of several Killing Moves in Xingyi Fist, which Wu Li had applied in his Tiger Hugging Head move, elevating his entire Fist Intent from the moon to the sun.

The final punch descended like an overwhelming divine authority from above the highest heavens.

Bai Tao unconsciously stood up, his eyes bright and nearly fervent as he watched Wu Li.

"Is this borrowing the power of heaven and earth? Great Fist Intent, wonderful conception!"

Although Wu Li didn’t exert much force with that punch, his face paled from aggravating his internal injury.

This new Ultimate Move built upon Tiger Hugging Head, though still in its nascent and not yet complete form, contained a mixture of conceptions and transformed Fist Intents that amazed Bai Tao, who was merely a line away from the Grandmaster Realm.

"Senior, this punch represents the best demonstration of Fist Intent I’m capable of showing you right now, and I hope it benefits you," Wu Li said, turning to Bai Tao.

Bai Tao, coming back to his senses from the Fist Intent, furrowed his brow at Wu Li, "What do you mean?"

Wu Li shook his head. "I have important matters to attend to back home and cannot afford to be delayed here too long, so I can’t stay by your side for an extended period."

"Of course, as a skilled fighter like yourself, senior, I’m very interested in exchanging and sparring with you. Whenever there’s an opportunity, I can demonstrate my Fist Intent for you," Wu Li added.

"If senior could break through to the Grandmaster Realm, it would be beneficial for Chinese Martial Arts and for me as well."

"Oh?" Bai Tao was somewhat surprised.

Wu Li smiled, "To me, the more martial artists like yourself there are, the more exciting this world becomes, and the less lonely I will be in the future!"

PS: Returned from a business trip today. Writing on the train wasn’t very efficient, so just one Chapter today, more tomorrow.