My Core is the Boss

Chapter 284.1: The Buyer

With that one punch, a sharp explosive sound rang out. The scene was somewhat shocking, but felt rather ordinary. After all, could a punch really be deadlier than a gunshot? Could carrying loads at a construction site compare to a cargo truck? Of course it couldn't. It wasn't even as effective as taking a gene-enhancing drug.

Second Senior Brother was both surprised and underwhelmed. A genius, sure. So what?

"You can be considered to have entered the basics now. Looks like you won't need me to teach you. If you have any questions later, just come ask me," he said. "Xiao Li, take him to get a set of training clothes."

"Got it."

What had just happened barely caused a ripple. It was less sensational than a celebrity's pet dog falling ill.

As Qi Yuan followed the staff member, he pondered about the punch. His mood was far from calm. It was an ordinary punch, inferior to Canglan martial arts, yet his perception still sensed something hidden within.

"This punch feels a bit different."

When he threw the punch, it gave him a sensation entirely different from both Canglan martial arts and Moonwatch’s martial path. It was only a vague feeling though. He couldn’t even tell what exactly was different. After all, he was still too weak. If he were a Yin Spirit, he could observe himself and instantly identify internal issues. He could likely remove the curse entirely, rather than merely suppress it.

After changing into his training clothes, Qi Yuan entered the training room. The spacious room held over twenty people, most of which were men, while women made up only about a quarter.

"Well, hello there, handsome."

Qi Yuan attracted attention the moment he entered. He had always drawn admirers since school days. Even Li Yan once pursued him obsessively, until she found out about his mental illness. Sometimes, when a man was dashing enough, he realized just how proactive some girls could be.

Moreover, those who could afford martial training here all came from fairly well-off families. Their personalities were generally outgoing, and some of the girls even flirted openly with Qi Yuan.

"I am new here. The name’s Qi Yuan. Nice to meet you all," he said casually.

Then, he found a corner and began practicing the Mingwu Resonance Fist.

A woman with a high ponytail approached him boldly. "Hey, handsome little brother, I've been here a month longer than you. Want big sis to teach you?"

"Oh?" Qi Yuan looked at her. "Are you good at it?"

Her friend laughed from afar. "Wang Shiqiao is a nine-pattern genius, her technique is excellent."

Wang Shiqiao opened a window. "Look, this is the fourth floor."

Qi Yuan glanced down. From that height, an ordinary person could die from the fall. Could it be...? He gazed at Wang Shiqiao with anticipation.

Wang Shiqiao slammed her fist heavily against the sandbag beside him. "Watch this!"

The bag swung violently under the immense force. The blow seemed quite powerful. In fact, it would’ve killed his Primordial Seed self.

The others applauded as if watching a show.

"Nice!"

"That punch has a year's worth of skill behind it!"

Wang Shiqiao seemed smug. "Pretty powerful, right?"

Qi Yuan, however, stared at her expectantly. "Very powerful. So now you're going to demonstrate jumping off the building?"

"Huh?" She smiled. "I was joking. I never said I'd jump from the fourth floor. Even Senior Brother would end up hospitalized if he jumped from here. You don't actually think practicing the Mingwu Resonance Fist can turn you into a superhuman who defeats gene warriors, do you?"

Qi Yuan murmured, "Is martial arts really this weak?" freeweɓnovel.cѳm

On the way here, he had heard that the senior brother was second only to the master. The man had practiced the Mingwu Resonance Fist to the eighth level, just one step below the master, but even he would be injured from a fourth-floor fall. No wonder martial arts was merely a hobby. It was like fishing or fitness on Blue Planet.

Wang Shiqiao deliberately puffed out her chest. "Martial arts aren't weak. Our bodies are far stronger than ordinary people, and it’s completely natural, too!"

With technological advancement and cultural exchange on Brilliant Star, societal attitudes had become much more open, especially among the wealthy.

"Which part of you is natural?" Qi Yuan glanced at her nose. "You've had surgery there."

Wang Shiqiao's expression changed as she covered her nose. "You can tell?"

Qi Yuan replied honestly, "It's quite obvious."

Furious, Wang Shiqiao stormed off to confront the cosmetic clinic. "Damn it! It hasn't even been a year, and people can already tell? That crappy clinic promised it would look natural! I'm going to settle this with them!"

Qi Yuan turned away and continued practicing. This fist technique was a combination of cultivation method and physical movements. He could grasp Canglan martial techniques at a glance, but those of this world were different.

Though he could perform the Mingwu Resonance Fist, it required constant practice. He also discovered that practicing it led to improvement. While others merely improved in proficiency, Qi Yuan experienced something deeper, though he couldn’t comprehend it yet.

"Punch like a soul, resonate in all directions... push upward, circle right..." Qi Yuan murmured as he practiced, fully focused as time flew by. Sweat dripped down his forehead, but he paid it no mind.

His surroundings chatted, sparred, or joked flirtatiously. Occasionally, someone glanced at Qi Yuan, but never for long.

Not far away, Qiao Wu stood behind a glass door, surveying the room. His gaze eventually settled on Qi Yuan, a hint of approval in his eyes.

He sighed. "In this era, it is indeed rare for someone to still be so devoted to martial arts..."

Qiao Wu was the master of Mingwu Martial Hall. Though over fifty, gene enhancements made him stand like an immovable wall.

Second Senior Brother stood beside him. "It's a pity that he was born in the wrong era. In ancient times, with his diligence and talent, he might have become a renowned general."

Qiao Wu nodded. Times had changed. Martial arts had become little more than decoration. Qiao Wu himself came from a martial lineage. His ancestors included top scholars of martial exams and generals, yet decades of training in Mingwu Resonance Fist brought less improvement than a single gene drug.

Qiao Wu said casually, "He wants to join the martial arts tournament? Good prospect. It's been years since our hall had a participant. If he joins, it might attract more students."

Martial arts circles were small and insular. Those enhanced with gene drugs couldn't compete as it would be unfair.

Second Senior Brother calculated. "With his looks, if he makes the top hundred and gets national broadcast, he'll gain a huge following."

"Top hundred?" Qiao Wu shook his head. "His physical condition is too poor. He probably won't even get past the city level, let alone the national stage."

Second Senior Brother laughed, realizing he had been overly optimistic. The harsh truth was that eating more and getting stronger would probably yield more physical gains than martial arts.