Chapter 15

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Hao Qi's injuries had fully healed several days ago. During this time, he had been using his internal energy to repair the hidden injuries from years of boxing practice and to train the most minute parts of his body, such as capillaries, blood vessels, and even bone marrow. These were training methods he had never imagined before, and they could only be achieved with extremely high-level martial arts before reaching the Internal Energy Realm. However, for someone in the Internal Energy Realm, such training was as easy as drinking water or breathing. In just a few days, his physical condition had undergone a complete transformation.

Compared to when he first unleashed his internal energy, his strength had increased by at least half. First, he was well-fed, well-rested, and in high spirits. Second, he had practiced the application of internal energy over these days, and although he was far from the level of seasoned Internal Energy Realm practitioners, he was definitely much stronger than when he first unleashed his internal energy. Third, his physical condition had improved significantly due to internal energy training, and although it hadn't yet reached the level of a quasi-Internal Energy Realm, it was vastly different from when he first unleashed his internal energy.

Combining all these factors, his strength increasing by about half was not an exaggeration. After all, once a certain level of strength is reached, every bit of improvement is a significant one. In combat, a three-point advantage is already overwhelming. Now, with his strength increased by one and a half points, he could easily overpower his former self, and he might even be able to hold his own against two of his former self for a while.

Of course, apart from physical and internal energy proficiency factors, there was another reason for his one and a half-point increase in strength... the Heavenly Net Palm!

This was a boxing technique that Hao Qi had already equipped to his character template on the day his injuries improved. The boxing technique had a coefficient of 20, with a power of 300, only 50 points higher than the Luohan Fist. Although the damage coefficient in the system didn't have much practical use—real life isn't an RPG game where you just punch each other—the coefficient objectively reflected the quality of the boxing technique. This was a technique that was just slightly better than the Luohan Fist, possibly not even reaching the third-class level.

However, Hao Qi placed great importance on this boxing technique because its true value lay not in its attack power but in its footwork. It was a martial art specifically designed to train footwork and lightness of movement!

The Heavenly Net Palm, also known as the Beauty Fist, was the initial boxing technique of the Ancient Tomb Sect in "The Return of the Condor Heroes." It trained wrist dexterity, footwork, and lightness of movement. When practiced to a high level, it could prevent a bird from flying away just by the movement of the palm. As the practitioner's skill deepened, the number of birds that could be controlled increased. At the pinnacle, it would be like a net covering the surroundings, preventing even insects from escaping. This technique could significantly improve Hao Qi's weakest aspect—his agility.

Both Hao Qi and Li Ming were extremely fast, and with their current physical condition and internal energy enhancement, they could run continuously for a day and night without tiring. They only slowed down after running at least twenty kilometers out of town. They finally stopped in a grassy area, standing opposite each other without immediately engaging in combat, just silently staring at each other.

A few minutes later, Li Pan and Xue Na arrived in a car, running up from a distance and stopping about a kilometer away. At this point, Li Ming smiled and said, "Young friend, forgive this old man's selfishness. However, these two are your sister and brother-in-law, so you're not at a disadvantage. I hope this match will give them some inspiration. In my heart, they are the most likely candidates to reach the Internal Energy Realm in the Li family over the next fifty years. That's one of the reasons I brought them here."

Hao Qi waved his hand without speaking, silently channeling internal energy throughout his body. Li Ming, seeing this, praised him in his heart and continued, "Young friend, be cautious. I won't hold back in this match. This is the supreme martial art I learned from an Internal Energy Realm master, the Sunlight Fist. It's not a secular martial art but a true Internal Energy Realm combat technique. Unfortunately, I don't have the master's permission to teach it to my family... Young friend, be careful."

As he spoke, Li Ming raised his fists, and steam began to rise from them. The heat was visible to the naked eye, with waves of heat radiating from his fists. The temperature was at least several hundred degrees, which was terrifying.

Hao Qi was also shocked. After all, Li Ming's fists were just flesh and blood, yet they could generate such terrifying heat through internal energy. What was the principle behind this? Moreover, even if the use of internal energy could produce such high temperatures, how could the flesh and blood withstand it? How could they not turn to charcoal?

Just as Hao Qi was amazed and puzzled, Li Ming had already pounced, moving at an incredible speed. In fact, Hao Qi didn't even hear any sound; Li Ming was already just five or six meters away.

(Not good, too fast!)

Hao Qi immediately stopped speculating about the temperature of Li Ming's fists and focused all his attention on controlling his internal energy, channeling most of it to his brain. Instantly, Li Ming's movements became crystal clear to him. Not only could he see them, but they appeared in slow motion, with the dust and rocks kicked up by his feet flying in all directions at an abnormally slow pace. Of course, his own movements were also in slow motion, even slower than Li Ming's.

(This is the true way of combat in the Internal Energy Realm. No wonder that Xu family Internal Energy Realm practitioner could see my punches so clearly and block each one. This is the conversion of internal energy, the fastest reaction speed, the fastest strength and speed, and the maximum defense of a specific part of the body. All of these need to be mastered...)

While his thoughts raced, Hao Qi channeled a large amount of internal energy into his palms, waist, and feet. The slow-motion effect around him instantly disappeared, and almost imperceptibly, Hao Qi positioned his palms to intercept Li Ming's punches. With a loud explosion, a massive force surged through his body, and Hao Qi was forced to retreat. At the same time, he channeled internal energy to his brain again, re-entering a state of extremely accelerated thinking.

In Hao Qi's vision, a large amount of dust and smoke were kicked up by the shockwave of their punches, reducing visibility to almost zero. He couldn't see any figures, but at that moment, he noticed a few rocks and dust particles rising from the ground to his left. Instantly, he knew what was happening. As he mentally shouted "Not good," he channeled all his internal energy to his left side. Then, his left side was hit with intense pain, and he was sent flying over ten meters away, crashing into the ground twice before rolling to his feet. His fists and left waist were in excruciating pain.

"Young friend, you are still too inexperienced in Internal Energy Realm combat. Your speed of shifting internal energy to different parts of your body is too slow, but your internal energy is very solid. Although the quantity is not much, the quality surpasses even this old man. If it were a regular Internal Energy Realm practitioner, that blow would have ended the fight, but you only suffered minor injuries... Do you want to continue?"

In the dust over ten meters away, Li Ming stood unharmed, his clothes not even wrinkled. Apart from the terrifying heat still emanating from his fists, he didn't even assume a combat stance.

Hao Qi noticed that the center of his palm that had intercepted Li Ming's punch was charred black, with burn marks visible. His waist was similarly injured, and a burning sensation was spreading from the wounds, though the amount was small, it persisted, causing his internal meridians, blood, and muscles to feel as if they were on fire, as if tiny flames were invading his body.

(Internal energy can be injected into others' bodies? Yes, this has been mentioned in martial arts novels, but when I fought the Xu family Internal Energy Realm practitioner, they didn't do this, so I thought the internal energy in this world might be different. Now it seems I was mistaken...)

Hao Qi took a deep breath and moved his internal energy to the two wounds, both to temporarily heal them and to see if he could dispel the burning sensation. As expected, the burning sensation was neutralized upon contact with his internal energy. His internal energy seemed to be inexhaustible, while the burning sensation was like a rootless tree, and it was completely dispelled in a few breaths.

Li Ming then said, "One of the marks of Internal Energy Realm martial arts is the ability to inject internal energy into an opponent's body, like a parasite. You can easily dispel it because your internal energy is of high quality, and I only injected it into your skin. In the future, when you face Internal Energy Realm practitioners, you must not underestimate them. Internal energy on the surface, in the flesh, in the blood, in the bones, and in the marrow are different levels of damage, representing the strength of the Internal Energy Realm practitioner. I can inject internal energy into the bones."

Hao Qi bowed in gratitude and then assumed a boxing stance, saying to Li Ming, "Senior, please continue. But I have a question... If the mark of Internal Energy Realm martial arts is injecting internal energy into the opponent's body, what is the mark of Internal Qi Realm martial arts?"

"Internal Qi Realm... naturally, it is the ability to project internal qi outside the body, visible to the naked eye," Li Ming said meaningfully, and in the next instant, he pounced on Hao Qi again.

(Yes, I lack experience and accumulation, and this internal energy wasn't the result of years of rigorous training, but I have my advantages...)

Hao Qi's mind was calm, and he made a decision. He no longer tried to match Li Ming's sensitivity and speed in controlling internal energy. Instead, he stood firmly in place, ready to counter with the Luohan Fist whenever Li Ming attacked from the front, and to dodge and counter with the Luohan Fist when attacked from the back. Although his agility was inferior to Li Ming's, he didn't try to match it. No matter how good and fast Li Ming's agility was, could he circle around to attack from behind faster than Hao Qi could turn in place?

This was how Hao Qi dealt with Li Ming's exquisite footwork and boxing technique. He ignored it all, focusing on the basic application of internal energy: enhancing reaction speed, dynamic vision, physical strength, and the defense of specific body parts. Although his reactions were slower than Li Ming's, he could still defend in place. This was also one of the reasons why it was difficult to kill an Internal Energy Realm practitioner, even if you could defeat them. To kill them, you needed to be significantly stronger.

Of course, Hao Qi wasn't having an easy time either. Li Ming's fists were scorching hot, and any contact left a charred mark. Li Ming was gradually increasing the intensity of his attacks, and the fiery internal energy that entered Hao Qi's body was becoming more invasive. Initially, it only entered the skin, but it gradually penetrated deeper into the flesh. Driving it out took more than a few breaths, and it continued to spread within his body, causing intense pain and slowing his movements. Hao Qi suspected that the internal energy was affecting the speed of nerve conduction and possibly damaging the nerves.

At this point, everyone—Hao Qi, Li Ming, Li Pan, and Xue Na—believed that Hao Qi was destined to lose. After all, although Hao Qi had an innate talent and had unexpectedly unleashed his internal energy, he was still a recent Internal Energy Realm practitioner. Li Ming, on the other hand, was a seasoned Internal Energy Realm practitioner with over a decade of experience and Internal Energy Realm martial arts. If Hao Qi were to win, it would be a major problem.

However, Hao Qi didn't think so. Strength wasn't just about strength in this world. Otherwise, what was the point of his golden finger, the system, or the ten years of Luohan Fist practice?

As he threw punches, Hao Qi felt the internal energy concentrating in his fists, a sign that the Luohan Fist, combined with the Yi Jin Jing, was ready to unleash the Prajna Palm!

But...

Hao Qi observed Li Ming's speed, movements, and agility, which were the hard power of a martial artist. Combat experience, he was far behind Li Ming. Control of internal energy after decades of practice, he was far behind Li Ming. The footwork and agility inherent in the martial arts he practiced, he was far behind Li Ming. Therefore, he didn't think the Prajna Palm could hit Li Ming. Moreover, from Li Ming's expression earlier, the Prajna Palm he used in the capital had likely been known to the Internal Energy Realm practitioners there, and Li Ming probably had some defenses.

Furthermore...

Hao Qi didn't hesitate to think the worst of others. Although he had a long-standing relationship with Xue Na, his relationship with the Li family was just a polite acquaintance. If the stakes were high enough, the Li family wouldn't consider Xue Na's existence. The greatest stake... was the Prajna Palm.

From their earlier conversation, Hao Qi had learned some common knowledge about this world. If a martial art could train someone to the quasi-Internal Energy Realm, it was a treasure worth a fortune in the secular world. In the realm above the Internal Energy Realm, a martial art that could fully utilize Internal Energy Realm strength was a priceless treasure, like Li Ming's Sunlight Fist. Because of his fear of the Internal Qi Realm master who taught him, he didn't dare teach it to his own family, which already indicated the rarity and value of Internal Energy Realm martial arts. So, what would be the value of a martial art that could project internal energy outside the body, forming an Internal Qi Realm attack?

Although there was no clear evidence, Hao Qi could sense some subtle details from Li Ming's combat with him. For example, the most obvious one was the four Internal Energy Realm practitioners' baptism, where Li Ming's match was completely unnecessary. Could anyone track Li Ming to confirm if he challenged Hao Qi? Impossible! If they were truly family, Li Ming could have skipped the challenge.

But Li Ming insisted on the challenge, and although he didn't use any killing moves, he didn't hold back. Whether it was injecting internal energy into the body or using the Sunlight Fist, Li Ming was fighting Hao Qi with great seriousness.

From a positive perspective, this might be Li Ming's way of helping him, giving him practice to avoid similar situations in the future. But from a negative perspective... this might be Li Ming's way of testing him. If Hao Qi's strength was weak and Li Ming had enough confidence to kill him, would something unspeakable happen, and the Li family obtain this potential Internal Qi Realm martial art?

Hao Qi didn't think there was anything wrong with considering this. It's better to be cautious than to be caught off guard. So, after being hit and until now, he had been carefully defending, not considering stopping, but treating Li Ming as a true opponent and an enemy. Facing an enemy stronger than him, the only way was to rely on his special abilities. The Prajna Palm was one, and the Heavenly Net Palm was another!

On the other hand, Li Ming was growing impatient after a long attack. At this moment, Hao Qi's fists were severely burned, the skin on the surface charred black. Li Ming considered and finally raised a single fist, using his footwork to rush to Hao Qi's front. This time, he didn't look for gaps to attack but stepped forward with a bow, punching straight like a spear. As he punched, his fist glowed brightly, the temperature increasing several times. Even from half a meter away, it was enough to curl Hao Qi's hair.

(Can't block it!)

At the same moment, both Hao Qi and Li Ming had the same thought. This was a killing move from the Sunlight Fist. Hao Qi had defended too many times, and his fists, skin, blood, meridians, and bones were already injured. He couldn't block this punch, and the force was so great that if he were hit, he would suffer more than just minor injuries...

In the split second of consideration, the enhanced reaction speed from internal energy allowed both Hao Qi and Li Ming to make a decision. Hao Qi took a small step forward, while Li Ming, assuming a pursuit stance, took a large step forward. Li Ming was sure Hao Qi would retreat, but he didn't expect Hao Qi to move forward.

All of this happened in an instant. Both were moving faster than the speed of sound, and everything around them seemed to be frozen. Then, Hao Qi didn't clench his fists but opened them into palms, moving them like butterflies or a large net. One palm moved downward to cover Li Ming, while the other moved upward to intercept Li Ming's punch.

(Not that low-level garbage technique, but a new technique, focusing on agility and intricate movements. He's using it clumsily, not from long practice but from recent learning. I can't blame him...)

Li Ming's internal energy was concentrated in his brain, allowing him to see Hao Qi's change in technique. He pondered for a moment but didn't change his attack. Confirming that there was no time to change his technique, he poured all his internal energy into his punch, body, and arms, using his full strength in that instant.

Hao Qi also concentrated his internal energy in his brain, confirming that Li Ming didn't change his technique but increased his strength and speed. He smiled coldly and touched Li Ming's fist with one palm. The intense heat instantly cooked and carbonized the flesh on his palm, and the fiery internal energy invaded his body. If this continued, his fist would be useless.

(This is the moment!)

In an instant, Hao Qi exited the state of maximum reaction speed, enhancing the strength, defense, and speed of his arms and body. He then unleashed the Prajna Palm, which glowed brightly from his palms, forming the Prajna Seal. The most ingenious part was that he was using the Heavenly Net Palm's agile attacks to unleash the Prajna Palm. The agility and speed were such that even birds couldn't escape, let alone a person!

Heavenly Net!

Prajna Palm!

Hit! Hit! Hit!

With a loud explosion, the two, who had exited the state of maximum reaction speed, clashed. The ground where their fists met cracked, and dust rose to a height of seven or eight meters. Small rocks flew like bullets in all directions, and even Li Pan and Xue Na, standing far away, felt a strong wind carrying dust and sand, forcing them to close their eyes. When they opened their eyes again, they saw an unbelievable scene.

Hao Qi's palm was raised upward, and above it was Li Ming's twisted and broken fist. His other palm had struck Li Ming's shoulder, which was visibly indented by several centimeters. His collarbone and shoulder bone were broken, and Hao Qi's palm was embedded in the broken bone. More terrifyingly, Li Ming was pressed into the ground, his feet and lower legs buried in the soil, making him half a head shorter than Hao Qi.

"Ah!"

Xue Na's exclamation was followed by Li Pan's rush forward. But before he could reach halfway, Hao Qi had already retreated ten meters away, his face calm as he bowed and said, "Senior, you have my respect!"

Li Ming spat out a mouthful of blood, which evaporated in mid-air. He stared blankly at Hao Qi, who was bowing from a distance, and after a long moment, he murmured, "Good technique... What is this technique?"

"Prajna Palm... Heavenly Net Prajna Palm," Hao Qi said calmly, still maintaining his bow.

"What does Prajna mean... But Heavenly Net, what a Heavenly Net..."

Li Ming