Chapter 14: The Ten Thousand Forms Fist Doctrine

Gu Bieli thought it was indeed reasonable and agreed at once. "But I don't know where Butterfly Academy is, or how to get in."

The Tiger King laughed, thumping his chest. "You don't know, but isn't that why I'm here? I've lived here for years—what don't I know? Since I brought it up, of course I've looked into it. As far as I know, in a few days there will be an open selection for Butterfly Academy. All you need to do is register in advance and pass the assessment, and your wish will be granted."

"If I go, what about my little sister and the child?" Gu Bieli frowned, somewhat hesitant.

The Tiger King waved his broad hand and immediately explained, "You might not know, but the assessment can be taken as an individual or as a group. With your abilities, bringing them along still gives you a good chance of passing. This way, you can stay together without worry, and both of them will have a better future as well—a perfect solution."

Only then did Gu Bieli put away his token. "Then I'll start preparing."

"I'm still here, so you can get ready at ease. I'll handle the registration for you," the Tiger King said, pounding his chest, taking full responsibility with confidence.

Seeing there was nothing else, Gu Bieli nodded in thanks, rose, and headed for the door. As he reached it, he suddenly stopped. The Tiger King chuckled, "Something else?"

"The reward," Gu Bieli lowered his head slightly, seeming a bit embarrassed, but his tone was unyielding. "The reward for ten consecutive victories—give it to me. I need it urgently."

...

In the entire Battle League—be it at headquarters, any branch, or the subordinate institutions—rewards for basic battles were always generous. The reward for ten consecutive victories was even more so, enough to make anyone envious. On top of that, it was multiplied tenfold, making it truly a bountiful harvest. Thanks to the Tiger King's generosity, providing more than ten spatial pouches for carrying water, things were much more convenient.

Gu Bieli, along with the village elder and the villagers, took this fortune and left the battleground, returning to the abandoned mines outside Skydawn City.

The entire Gu Legion erupted with excitement.

Even if everyone bathed daily and was wasteful, the supply would last for months. They had never seen so much at once, and it was impossible not to lose their composure.

After a simple arrangement, the legion settled in for good, beginning a new life free from daily worry. Gu Bieli left his identification token behind, allowing them to collect a portion of water each month. With that, there were no more worries for the future.

When everything was settled, the battle supervisor came in person to deliver the credential allowing them to participate in the Butterfly Academy’s assessment. With it in hand, they could pass unimpeded.

Calculating the time, there were still several days left. Gu Bieli calmed his mind and began to cultivate. The miracle of the Tenfold Body Refining Technique had already captivated him, and he couldn't wait to start training for the second stage.

After all, it was like gaining an extra life.

Unless he suffered a crushing blow far beyond his limits—say, from a powerful Marquis or a formidable Aspect-user. As for Kings, there was no need to even consider it; they belonged to another world entirely, their paths unlikely to ever cross.

...

Exhaling a deep breath, Gu Bieli drew his consciousness back and slowly opened his eyes. He could feel that his muscles, bones, and blood were much stronger than before, though his movements grew heavier again. He smiled in satisfaction. "Just a little more and I’ll reach the peak of the second stage, but I cannot be impatient—patience is essential, and I must not be careless. If this technique is already so miraculous, what of the others?"

Thinking of the many arts he had inherited, anticipation and eagerness welled up within him. He began to analyze. "The Art of Shaping is for weapons, and the Wish Technique is similar. But what surprises might the Universal Fist Path bring?"

He focused his mind, unified his spirit, and delved into his sea of consciousness to search.

Within his mind’s sea, four images remained motionless, like statues from an ancient age, impossible to explore. At the center was a peculiar orb with five special points that would occasionally flicker, as if offering a chance, but no matter how desperately he tried, he could not communicate with it. Below the orb stood a great spear, unmoving like a sea-stabilizing pillar.

Since these could not be unlocked or claimed, he shifted his focus to the rivers of golden characters surging nearby. One by one, he probed them, and finally locked onto one.

Waves surged, as if a giant beast had awakened from slumber, stirring the winds and clouds and raising a mighty tide.

As his consciousness drew closer and fused with the river, the characters within began to swim on their own, orderly and connected like a heavenly dragon. Peering closely, he saw most of the characters were blurred and their golden light dimmed—impossible to recognize or absorb.

Just as he hesitated, he caught sight of something at the dragon’s tail—a glove-shaped object, not quite golden. His consciousness reached out, and as soon as he touched it, the glove accelerated, broke away from the dragon, and shot into his mind, merging with him. The dragon, now tailless, quickly dissolved, its starlight scattered into the distant chaos.

“What’s happening?” Gu Bieli wondered. “Never mind. I’d better return to my body and decide after.”

With that, his consciousness returned. As soon as he opened his eyes, he felt an intense itch on his left hand. Looking down, he saw the outline of a glove flicker a few times before vanishing, hidden from sight. At that moment, a burst of golden light exploded in his mind, and a large set of cultivation instructions was transmitted to him.

"The Universal Fist Path—embracing all forms—can absorb the essence of an opponent’s martial arts and gradually deduce and comprehend higher realms. Once all forms are embraced, mastery is achieved. Then, you may act as you wish, invincible and unrivaled, ruling heaven and earth... Unfortunately, it is now damaged due to my death and must be cultivated anew..."

The name of this art was Universal Fist Path. The information imparted to him mainly described its philosophy and functions, but concluded that its essence was lost, leaving only the foundation. The inheritor would need to cultivate it anew—meaning, the core and essence were gone, and it was up to him to comprehend and refine them himself.

"It can actually absorb the essence of opponents’ arts and further deduce even greater power, with no limit to the number, ultimately embracing all forms... Truly remarkable, what a treasure!"

Receiving an incomplete art, Gu Bieli was not frustrated, but instead exhilarated.

For he understood a simple truth:

No matter how powerful a technique, if it is not your own, it will always have flaws and never reach its full potential. Only what you create and perfect yourself is the most suitable and the strongest.

He clenched his left hand, feeling subtle differences, and murmured, "This is it. From now on, I’ll devote myself to cultivating the Universal Fist Path!"

"What kind of all-encompassing mastery awaits? I can only look forward to it!"

A new wave of excitement was about to begin—longing for support and encouragement.

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