Chapter 024: Blazing Fist Technique

“Remember, study diligently. I want all of us to grow stronger together. Otherwise, be prepared for me to teach you a lesson!” Tan Qingxuan departed, leaving behind this imperious remark.

Lin Zhan held the jade slip, gazing at her ethereal silhouette as she drifted away, feeling a surge of emotion. In his heart, he expressed it with a phrase from the real world: “May those who treat me well prosper!”

Cultivation techniques were exactly what Lin Zhan needed most at this moment. The Nine Stars Diagram, for now, merely allowed him to refine his qi and accumulate spiritual power. Its other functions remained to be explored. Therefore, Tan Qingxuan’s gift of the Blazing Fire Fist was timely—it meant he could finally abandon the military boxing and ordinary grappling techniques, which were little more than cannon fodder in this world.

He squeezed the jade slip firmly. It shattered, and a torrent of information flooded Lin Zhan’s consciousness: The Blazing Fire Fist was one of the fist techniques collected by the Sword Burial Peak. Its rank was unknown, as was its creator. The complete version comprised nine forms; only three remained...

“So, it’s an incomplete manual!” Evidently, Tan Qingxuan's primary cultivation wasn’t fist techniques; she likely hadn’t looked through this manual carefully.

But perhaps that was best. An incomplete manual wouldn’t draw too much attention, and when he used it later, no one would question its origins.

The first form was Fist Burst. Once mastered, the power of his punches would be ten times greater than normal—each strike like a heavy hammer, capable of shattering mountains and stone, unstoppable.

“Wow, this is great! One force prevailing over ten skills. I can become a mighty, formidable man—ha, isn’t this like turning into Thor!” Lin Zhan laughed.

The manual then described the second form: Fist Wind. Mastering it would greatly increase the speed of his punches, allowing him to feint and confuse his opponent with blurred fist shadows, making it impossible to tell which was real.

Lin Zhan’s mind continued to absorb the second form, forcibly committing every incantation and movement to memory.

“Among all martial arts, speed is invincible. I must master this Fist Wind!” Lin Zhan’s fighting spirit roared within him. Next time he encountered people like those from Plum Blossom Hall, he wouldn’t have to resort to hit-and-run tactics. “The third form, Fist Flame, must be even more impressive.”

Fist Flame, founded on Fist Burst and Fist Wind, would unleash a punch like a blazing fire, scorching the opponent and leaving them helpless. This third form was the essence of the Blazing Fire Fist.

“Wow, this Fist Flame is truly overbearing.”

Yet, the third form was also the hardest to master. Lin Zhan wondered what even fiercer moves would be found in the complete version of the Blazing Fire Fist. But for now, it was more than enough. He simply needed to hurry and train.

With this, he had Wind Step for movement, the Nine Stars Diagram to aid his spiritual power, and for combat skills, he could rely on the Blazing Fire Fist.

Once Lin Zhan absorbed the incantations and movements of the incomplete Blazing Fire Fist, the jade slip naturally disintegrated into powder, scattering across the floor. The time it took to receive the fist technique was but a flash.

Lin Zhan dusted off his hands, ready to head to the Heroic Pool secret realm and begin practicing the Blazing Fire Fist, when suddenly someone clapped his shoulder hard.

“Ouch!” Lin Zhan turned to see behind him the now dark and handsome Za Shi.

The formerly fair and handsome was now dark and handsome, looking somewhat annoyed and curious.

“No alertness at all—I was right behind you and you didn’t notice. Tell me, what’s your relationship with that junior sister?”

So that was his curiosity. Lin Zhan grinned, “She’s the young miss of my clan. We came to the Blazing Ice Mountain together. She’s now an inner disciple of Floating Shadow Peak. What’s the matter, Senior Brother Shi, are you interested in her? Want me to introduce you?”

Back in the dormitory, whenever the topic turned to female classmates, everyone would get lively. If one of them pursued a girl, the whole dorm would strategize together, with some even volunteering as cannon fodder.

Lin Zhan had long regarded Za Shi as a close brother, much like a dorm mate, and Za Shi seemed to only chat with Lin Zhan.

Za Shi flashed a cunning smile, “Oh, stop it. Clearly you’re interested in that junior sister and are trying to drag me into it. But it looks like you’d better hurry with your cultivation, or you’ll end up hiding behind a woman.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Lin Zhan was exasperated. He’d arrived in this Blue Ice World and, facing someone as uniquely charming as Tan Qingxuan, it was only natural for a man to be impressed. But as for wanting to pursue her, that thought hadn’t crossed his mind.

In this world, his only goal was to survive, thrive, and one day have the chance to return to the real world. Having recently broken up with Ling Qier, he was still suffering from post-breakup syndrome, sometimes yearning for those beautiful days together.

To fall for someone else so quickly was impossible.

Still, Lin Zhan knew Za Shi’s latter words held truth: a man must be stronger than a woman, shielding her from wind and rain, keeping her safe from danger, and standing in front when hardships arise.

Thus, diligent cultivation and improving his fighting prowess had always been his principle.

It seemed that the intimacy of these late-night dormitory chats with Za Shi could not continue, so Lin Zhan wisely held his tongue.

“What did your junior sister sneak you? Let me see.” Za Shi shamelessly extended his right hand.

The cultivation jade slip had already been destroyed, so Lin Zhan had nothing to worry about. He merely marveled at Za Shi’s sharp eyes—he’d noticed even Tan Qingxuan’s subtle movements.

“Since it was given secretly, of course I can’t tell you what it was! Heh.” Naturally, Lin Zhan wouldn’t confess about the technique. If anyone found out, it would be bad for both him and Tan Qingxuan.

Even brothers who slept side by side, like Za Shi, couldn’t be told.

“Heh, even if you don’t say, I can guess. But let me remind you—any cultivation method must suit you to achieve perfect results. Otherwise, your future growth will be severely limited.” Za Shi withdrew his hand, sat aside, and muttered lightly.

As usual, he pulled out a wine jar and a bundle of wild beast roast wrapped in spiritual herb leaves.

Lin Zhan, seeing his familiar posture, shrugged, sat down, tore off a chunk of roast, and started eating.

“Senior Brother Shi, where do you get all this meat?” Lin Zhan finished one piece and reached for a second.

Za Shi glanced at Lin Zhan as if looking at an idiot. “What do you think? Of course, I hunted it!”

Lin Zhan stuck out his tongue. He’d thought as much, but couldn’t picture Za Shi hunting wild beasts, battling them—it must be far easier than fighting with the brothers in the labor class.

This time, before leaving,