Chapter 25: Descending the Mountain

Li Long had truly placed Zhang Ji under house arrest for a month.

However, Zhang Ji had no complaints. Resources were in abundant supply here; there was no shortage of medicinal pills, and his training progressed smoothly. The only change was that Li Long did not have him attend the new round of the inner-sect monthly competition. After assessing Zhang Ji's current strength, Li Long felt that sending him to compete against the others would be like a professional athlete entering a children's tournament, so he let him focus on his own cultivation instead.

In his room, Zhang Ji finished his practice and stood up as a notification flickered before his eyes.

【Notification: Obtained "Dragon Form Fist" (Excellent) Combat Skill Essence *1. Can be extracted to the Liminal Space for storage.】

"Extract!"

With a thought, Zhang Ji’s consciousness shifted into the pitch-black Liminal Space. Inside, eight pristine "Iron Cloth Shirt" crystals, six "Iron Cloth Shirt" essences, and one "Raccoon Claw Technique" essence were floating. Most striking among them was the newly appeared "Dragon Form Fist" essence, which glowed with a distinct, eye-catching green light.

Even with an unlimited supply of Essence Pills and Qi-Boosting Pills, it had taken Zhang Ji forty days to acquire this single essence. It was a testament to how difficult the "Dragon Form Fist" was to master. Yet, the benefits upon reaching the entry level were immense. Zhang Ji felt that, relying solely on the entry-level "Dragon Form Fist," he could go head-to-head with a version of himself that had thirty percent mastery of the "Iron Cloth Shirt"—and he would likely win more often than he lost.

The "Dragon Form Fist" was a martial art that integrated both internal and external cultivation. Beyond refining one's internal Qi, its inherent offensive techniques were formidable.

Zhang Ji shifted his thoughts, withdrawing the "Dragon Form Fist" essence from the Liminal Space. In an instant, his physique underwent a subtle transformation. He appeared more balanced, and he even seemed to have grown slightly taller. In truth, his physical structure had not changed; rather, during the process of internalizing the martial art, his spine and other structural points had been fine-tuned, shifting his body toward the most optimal posture for the "Dragon Form Fist's" power generation.

Zhang Ji flicked his palm outward. Naturally and effortlessly, his body’s strength coiled into a single force, producing a sharp *crack* in the air.

Integrated force!

That was the unique quality of the "Dragon Form Fist." It was a style capable of mobilizing the entirety of one's body strength. Through the combination of internal Qi and the posture correction from his training, it fundamentally and gradually altered his body structure until it perfectly aligned with the art's techniques. When that was achieved, every strike could mobilize the maximum possible power from his body.

This was not only a combat skill of the "Qi School" but also one of the "Spirit Intent School." However, achieving "Spirit Intent Manifestation" through the "Dragon Form Fist" alone was clearly impossible. Zhang Ji even felt that the foundation of Spirit Intent Manifestation—the "Spirit Strike"—was beyond his reach for now. Spirit Intent Manifestation required the body to enter a superconducting state where biological energy could circulate almost without resistance; in this state, an ordinary person could momentarily burst forth with the strength of a B-rank combatant. The "Spirit Strike" involved briefly entering that state to unleash a single attack. The "Dragon Form Fist," being merely a preliminary integration of force, was still far from that level.

Next, Zhang Ji tested his Qi-based attacks. With his entry-level "Dragon Form Fist," his body could store a decent amount of internal Qi, just enough to manifest it for external attacks. As he focused, a trace of Qi flowed from his fingertips, feeling like water and air simultaneously. This energy could be projected to attack or used to protect his body.

Zhang Ji employed the techniques of the "Dragon Form Fist" and projected his Qi into the air.

*Poof!*

The soil three meters away exploded, leaving a palm-shaped crater. Zhang Ji, however, curled his lip in disappointment. It was weaker than a casual palm strike from an amateur combatant. With his current level of internal Qi, projecting it for attacks was all show and no substance. It was far less effective than using it to replenish stamina or strengthen his tendons and bones. Most energy-projection methods in the hands of low-level combatants were like this. If one truly sought long-range attacks, it would be better to practice throwing darts.

Zhang Ji was not discouraged by the weakness of his projected Qi. More important than the entry-level "Dragon Form Fist" was the fact that he now possessed eighty-six percent mastery of the "Iron Cloth Shirt." He was no longer far from the ten crystals required to reach the next stage. In another half-month, he would steadily reach the Grandmaster level—which was equivalent to a C-rank. Zhang Ji felt that by then, he would finally have a solid footing in this place.

***

"Your progress is indeed rapid."

After sparring with Li Long in his courtyard, Li Long’s expression grew increasingly approving. Initially, he had rated Zhang Ji as a "promising talent." After the inner-sect monthly competition, he felt Zhang Ji’s potential might rival his own. But now, looking at him, he felt that Zhang Ji’s aptitude might be far superior to his own. He had truly struck gold.

"It is all thanks to your cultivation," Zhang Ji said politely.

Of course, this was not just flattery. In the Five Forms Sect, his expenses for food, training, custom equipment, and resources like medicinal pills were all covered by Li Long. Saying he relied on Li Long’s guidance was factually correct.

Li Long was satisfied with Zhang Ji's response. While he preferred his disciples to have a competitive spirit, it didn't mean he wanted them to be ungrateful. He didn't expect Zhang Ji to die for the sect in times of crisis, but at the very least, he hoped Zhang Ji would be able to pay back the favor when the sect needed it.

"Your strength is not bad now. As it happens, the sect needs some manpower for a task. Why don't you go and lend a hand?" Li Long said.

"What is it?" Zhang Ji asked.

"The sect's business enterprise has run into a minor issue. We need a few security personnel. It’s nothing major," Li Long replied.

He immediately showed Zhang Ji the relevant documents. Li Long had begun to officially take over sect affairs, and in addition to his training, he assisted in decision-making. He felt that Zhang Ji spending all his time training was not ideal, so he found a suitable task to let him go down the mountain and clear his head.

Zhang Ji quickly finished reading the documents. The Five Forms Sect owned a pharmaceutical factory in the southern suburbs of Beixi City. A newly developed drug was about to hit the market, and several internal employees had suddenly gone missing. To avoid further losses or the leakage of secret information, the Five Forms Sect was sending disciples from their security firm to guard the site.

It was, in every sense, a plain and simple corporate war.

"Has the Enforcement Hall not investigated anything?" Zhang Ji asked.

"Many things inside the pharmaceutical factory are top secret and cannot be exposed. There are hardly any surveillance cameras. Even if we found traces, so what? At most, we’d only catch small pawns, and there's no end to them. They are merely causing trouble for us; as long as something happens at the factory, the launch of the drug will be delayed," Li Long explained.

If someone else had asked so many questions, Li Long would not have been in the mood to explain. But for Zhang Ji, he was willing to spare the breath. Zhang Ji did not understand business or politics; these complex machinations were things he had never encountered in his previous life. However, he was intelligent enough that, once Li Long explained it, he understood the situation clearly.

"There won't be anyone showing up with rocket launchers or wearing combat mechs to cause trouble, right?" Zhang Ji asked cautiously.

Li Long glanced at Zhang Ji with a subtle expression.

"They wouldn't dare; that would break the rules," Li Long finally explained. "The big shots of the East Pole Nation value their lives dearly. They won't let the power struggle escalate beyond their control. You didn't see those kinds of things on Shanli Island, and they certainly won't appear in places like this."

Hearing this, Zhang Ji felt slightly relieved.

***

After accepting the mission, Zhang Ji was driven to the pharmaceutical factory by an inner-sect disciple who was already involved in the sect's business affairs. The meeting was scheduled for seven in the evening, and before that, Zhang Ji could have spent the time enjoying a meal on the sect's tab. However, he had no such leisure; he only wanted to reach the factory and begin his training there. If Li Long had known this was Zhang Ji's intention, he might not have sent him.

Soon, the vehicle arrived at the pharmaceutical factory. The words "Golden Hook Pharmaceuticals" were written in large characters outside the facility. After a quick phone call, Zhou Hao, the current second senior disciple of the Five Forms Sect, came to the factory gate.

Indeed, it was Li Long’s junior fellow apprentice, Zhou Hao, who worked at Golden Hook Pharmaceuticals. Although he was a junior, Zhou Hao looked more mature than Li Long; Zhang Ji estimated he was around thirty. He had short hair and wore a grey suit, looking more like an entrepreneur than a martial artist.

"Junior Uncle Zhou!" Zhang Ji bowed. He had become accustomed to his new identity; at the very least, showing proper etiquette to others was no longer a problem.

"Didn't we agree on the evening? Why did you arrive so early?" Zhou Hao said with a smile, helping Zhang Ji up.

"The sect gave an order, and as a disciple, I naturally dared not be slow," Zhang Ji replied casually. Though he was thinking about getting to his training, he had been a member of society in his past life and knew how to handle basic social pleasantries.

"You really are a stickler for rules, just like our Senior Brother," Zhou Hao laughed, patting Zhang Ji on the shoulder.

After a brief exchange, Zhou Hao had someone take Zhang Ji’s luggage and walked with him into the factory.

"I heard from Senior Brother that you are practicing the 'Dragon Form Fist.' That is the most difficult martial art in the Five Forms Sect. You certainly have ambition. After practicing for so long, how do you feel?" Zhou Hao asked.

"The teacher’s instruction has been excellent, and I have already reached the entry level," Zhang Ji said.

Zhou Hao looked slightly surprised. "It's only been a month, right? Tsk, that’s truly remarkable. While it doesn't compare to the Senior Brother’s mastery of all five forms in just two months, you aren't far behind him. No wonder he chose to take you on as a disciple."

Zhang Ji raised an eyebrow. Even with abundant resources and a solid foundation, mastering five Grandmaster-level martial arts in two months meant Li Long’s talent was truly among the human elite. If he didn't have his "cheat," he wasn't sure he could ever catch up to Li Long’s level of strength.

Inside the factory, Zhou Hao prepared a grand banquet to welcome Zhang Ji and introduced him to the senior executives of the pharmaceutical company. However, Zhang Ji finished his meal in a few bites, then excused himself, claiming he had lessons assigned by Li Long, and returned to his room to train.

In his previous life, he might have felt compelled to play along with these social obligations, however much he disliked them. But in this world, personal strength was the only thing that mattered. Chatting with these people at the banquet was a complete waste of time.