The sun and moon take turns to shine.
Unknowingly, another thirty-five years have passed.
It has been one hundred and eleven years since Chen Jichuan first arrived in this world.
Over the years, Chen Jichuan has witnessed much of life and death.
Lul Peng, Yangg Qing, Yangg Xu...
Lul Xiong, Lul Rong...
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Four generations, each growing old one by one. By now, even Lul Changshou, once known as ’Little Nanchen,’ has reached the end of his life.
At Taiqing Mountain’s main peak, on the training platform.
The Chen Sect Master, heads of the halls, elders, direct disciples, totaling seventy-two people.
New and old secular disciples, two hundred and eighty-four in total.
Gathered in full assembly.
On the day of the grand lecture, disciples and sect members came together. The long-unseen Old Sect Master, ’Southern Fist’ Lul Changshou, hair completely silver, stood in the center of the gathering.
Lul Changshou had reached seventy-six years of age.
He still walked briskly, his voice loud and clear.
Looking around at the crowded assembly, silent and focused, his heart swelled with pride. He said loudly, "Our Chen Sect was founded in the third year of Emperor Lizong’s Baoqing reign, honoring ’Southern Dynasty Chen’ Chen Jichuan, the Grandmaster, as our founding ancestor. It has been forty-seven years since then. Common folk only know that our Chen Sect possesses seventy-two skills, yet they do not realize that our sect’s martial teachings have far surpassed the seventy-two in number."
They often enjoy reminiscing about the past.
Lul Changshou was no exception.
He recalled the early days of the Chen Sect’s founding, the rise of the Tan Sect.
The name of Tan Sect’s founding ancestor and Great Grandmaster, ’Scattering Flower Leg’ Tan Jinxuan, had long been buried in historical texts.
The famed Thirteen Grand Protectors of yesteryears, who once dominated the martial world of the north and south, known throughout the seas, had grown old one by one.
Internal conflict within the Tan Sect led to its disintegration.
The largest sect in the north ceased to exist.
The Chen Sect, however, defied the trend and rose to prominence, first with ’Little Nanchen’ and ’Southern Fist’ Lul Changshou equaling the Thirteen Grand Protectors, followed by direct disciples of ’Southern Dynasty Chen’ and the ’Four Great Vajra’ sweeping through the southern martial world.
After the Four Great Vajra.
The Chen Sect’s seven hall heads and ten secular tigers were all top-notch masters renowned across the north and south martial worlds.
Flourishing and enduring.
Not to mention the rumors in the martial world about a hidden ’Old Monster’ within the Chen Sect, suspected to be the legendary ’Southern Dynasty Chen’ from a century ago. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel★fire.net
It inspired deep fear among sects, factions, and masters of all kinds.
The illustrious Chen Sect.
Lul Changshou, as the first Sect Master, held a towering reputation in the martial world.
His lifetime of glory needs no elaboration.
Today, on a whim, he decided to deliver a martial arts lecture, exciting the sect members immensely.
For those fortunate enough to join the Chen Sect, they naturally understood its prestige.
Within the martial world, who doesn’t know—
All martial arts come from the Chen Sect!
The Chen Sect’s seventy-two extreme skills had long been renowned in the Jianghu. Any single skill, if presented to the martial world, was a superior technique. Masters from the Chen Sect were found across the vast north and south.
Their momentum and prosperity had long surpassed the Tan Sect of old.
Respected by both the northern and southern martial worlds.
Listening to the Old Sect Master’s narration, the disciples couldn’t help but feel stirred.
Lul Changshou swept his gaze across the group. Seeing their expressions and noticing some unfamiliar faces, he could tell they were newcomers. His expression changed, and he solemnly said, "The essence of practicing the Chen Sect’s seventy-two skills lies in strengthening the body, fortifying muscles, and repelling inner vice to ward off oppression. However, such achievements cannot be attained through idle words—they require diligent effort and perseverance, without sloth or neglect, to achieve mastery."
"Our founding ancestor ’Southern Dynasty Chen’ once said that to study Chen Sect martial arts, one must keep in mind the ’Three Musts,’ ’Five Avoidances,’ and ’Seven Harms.’ Have you all memorized them?"
None dared to answer.
Casually, Lul Changshou pointed at a middle-built young man: "You, answer."
The youth stood straight reflexively, eyes fixed ahead, and exclaimed loudly, "The Three Musts in practicing martial arts are: one, steadiness and composure; two, precision and adequacy; three, moderation and humility. The Five Avoidances are: one, laziness and neglect; two, arrogance and bragging; three, impatience and impulsiveness; four, skipping steps; five, indulgence in lust and alcohol. The Seven Harms are: proximity to lust harms essence; violent anger harms vigor; excessive contemplation harms spirit; indulgence in worry harms the heart; excessive drinking harms blood; sloth harms muscles; rashness harms bones."
These were summarized by Chen Jichuan, Lul Changshou, Lu Qing, Wang Mingzhang, and four other disciples and included in the general principles of the ’Chen Sect’s Seventy-two Skills.’
All Chen Sect disciples must commit them to memory, recite them fluently, and practice them thoroughly.
Seeing that the young, inexperienced boy he pointed at could recite them flawlessly, Lul Changshou’s face softened with a trace of a smile as he asked the youth, "What is your name?"
"Disciple’s name is ’Mao Li,’ eighteen years old, and I just joined Mingde Hall last month."
Mao Li shouted excitedly, his voice nearly cracking with joy and exhilaration.
He admired the Chen Sect’s founding ancestor, ’Southern Dynasty Chen,’ and the Old Sect Master, ’Southern Fist.’ He was aware that the Chen Sect boasted the Four Vajra, Seven Primaries, and Ten Tigers—each a rare Grandmaster and hero.
So, he begged his father to send him to the mountain to learn martial arts.
Unexpectedly, after just a month on the mountain, he had a chance to speak with the Old Sect Master and even be asked his name. He felt as though he was floating in a sea of happiness, utterly disoriented.
"Train hard and carry forward the prestige of our Chen Sect."
Lul Changshou casually encouraged him again, leaving Mao Li both overjoyed and speechless.
Lul Changshou smiled faintly, unconcerned, and continued, "Knowing the Three Musts, Five Avoidances, and Seven Harms is the foundation for discussing martial arts training. The method of practice can be divided into several stages. The initial step is to train the skin and flesh; next, to strengthen the muscles and bones. When the skin, flesh, muscles, and bones have become solid; one progresses to training the strength of each body part. Once strength is sufficient; then comes the practice of cultivating internal energy. If one masters this interconnection of methodology, great merit will be achieved. Whatever skill is practiced, this principle ensures swift effectiveness."