C51 The Secret of the Dragon Countering Nine Steps(2)

“Facing a master truly aligns with my path in martial arts!” Woo Zhengyang thought excitedly.

In his first encounter with Huang Ruoshan, Woo Zhengyang's potential was unleashed. His Azure Cloud Embracing Moon Palm continuously pushed past its limits. If this continued, a breakthrough today seemed highly possible.

Unfortunately, Huang Ruoshan had no intention of fulfilling Woo Zhengyang's wish. He wasn't skilled in palm techniques. After the initial probing, while still mid-air, he had already begun executing the Iron Cloud Leg Technique.

Woo Zhengyang, closely pursuing from below, felt a shift in Huang Ruoshan's aura. It was as if he had transformed into a storm-swept cloud, with dozens of leg shadows sweeping toward him.

Mastering punches is easy; mastering kicks is hard.

As soon as those leg shadows appeared, Woo Zhengyang realized the gap between them. Huang Ruoshan had definitely honed the Iron Cloud Leg Technique to a proficient level, and he had been practicing for quite some time, likely nearing mastery.

Under such a formidable Iron Cloud Leg Technique, Woo Zhengyang's not-yet-proficient Azure Cloud Embracing Moon Palm struggled to hold its ground and was quickly forced back.

“If that's the only palm technique you know, you might lose today, and I'll be quite disappointed.”

As he spoke, Huang Ruoshan landed on the ground, one leg supporting him while the other swept horizontally toward Woo Zhengyang's face.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you're satisfied!" Woo Zhengyang said as he switched from the Azure Cloud Embracing Moon Palm to a fist, aiming for Huang Ruoshan's feet.

"Thud..."

Their fists and feet collided, causing both Huang Ruoshan and Woo Zhengyang to take a step back. This punch was the Tyrannical Mountain Shattering Fist, but Woo Zhengyang had mastered it to the Great Completion Stage. Such a rare opponent was an opportunity Woo Zhengyang couldn't miss to hone his skills.

"Wow... such a powerful punch. You've truly mastered it. You're not an ordinary person, that's for sure. Interesting!" Despite being hit in the leg, Huang Ruoshan was more intrigued than angry. He too longed for an opponent who could match him in hand-to-hand combat.

At that moment, Woo Zhengyang had fully ignited Huang Ruoshan's fighting spirit. Without moving his body, the platform beneath Huang Ruoshan's feet emitted a cracking sound, as if the iron-forged stage had been webbed with cracks.

"The Iron Cloud Leg Technique is known for its speed and strength. Master one to defeat an enemy, master both to claim victory!"

With that, Huang Ruoshan took a step forward, covering several feet in an instant, appearing right in front of Woo Zhengyang. His sweeping kick, infused with true energy, left a white mark on the iron stage.

Woo Zhengyang knew Huang Ruoshan was serious now, and this kick was no ordinary move. He quickly used the Floating Light Step to retreat a step back.

Huang Ruoshan's leg swung to the center, stopping abruptly. In an instant, he shifted his weight, using that leg as a pivot while the other knee swiftly bent, aiming for Woo Zhengyang's abdomen.

What seemed like a simple move was anything but. Woo Zhengyang knew that maintaining such speed and force was something most people couldn't achieve.

With no time to dodge, Woo Zhengyang understood the power behind Huang Ruoshan's strike. He clenched his fists and aimed for Huang Ruoshan's knee.

"Thud..."

Woo Zhengyang's punch drew strength from his inner energy, while Huang Ruoshan's kick was powered by a different kind of force. The collision felt like his fists hit a burst of flame, the heat pushing him back.

At the same time, Huang Ruoshan's fists landed on Woo Zhengyang's chest. Though Huang Ruoshan lacked formal punching techniques, as an Eight-star Martial Disciple, his blows were still formidable. Woo Zhengyang felt a sharp pain in his throat, and blood surged up, spilling from his mouth.

Staggering back three steps, Woo Zhengyang found himself at a disadvantage, even slightly injured. Yet, he wasn't discouraged; instead, he was filled with joy.

Huang Ruoshan's full display of skills had given Woo Zhengyang a key, unlocking a door. He finally understood how to execute the Dragon Countering Nine Steps.

For martial artists focusing on refining their energy channels, achieving maximum power requires concentrating their energy on a single point. This is why attacks are categorized into techniques like kicks, punches, and swordplay, each distinct and not mixed. Even movement techniques are designed to complement combat, using minimal energy.

Earlier, whether Huang Ruoshan's punches were instinctive or a result of battle experience, they adhered to this principle. The energy gathered in his fists was minimal; otherwise, Woo Zhengyang wouldn't have escaped with just a minor injury.

However, Woo Zhengyang is different. He practices both body strengthening and energy channel refinement, allowing him to use his physical strength to perform the "Dragon Countering Nine Steps" and channel his energy into other techniques, like the "Azure Cloud Embracing Moon Palm."

Combining these techniques isn't as simple as adding one to another. The challenge of executing the final step of the "Dragon Countering Nine Steps" becomes manageable. With proper coordination of energy techniques, the steps won't be interrupted, and their power will compound, resulting in a formidable effect.

Realizing this, Woo Zhengyang was thrilled, confirming his theory that martial artists in ancient times likely practiced both body strengthening and energy channel refinement. The current world's limitations had restricted his thinking, and he hadn't considered that these techniques could be used in tandem.