Starting from the next day, I began to learn the secret technique of the Thunder Shadow Step, the Heaven Pillar Kill. The morning began with me sitting cross-legged in the training ground, quietly listening to Li Guang's explanation.
"Have you seen how Xiaoqing performs the Heaven Pillar Kill? What did you think?"
"It seemed like she could evade the enemy's attacks with great agility and ease."
I spoke honestly about my impressions. Whenever Jin Xiaoqing performed the Heaven Pillar Kill, she evaded the enemy's attacks so swiftly and brilliantly that it was hard to believe it was the same Thunder Shadow Step I knew. It was as if she was not just evading but also toying with the enemy. Even the rain of sword qi from the top disciples of the Zhongnan Sect was evaded as if she were performing the Shadow Step, which was truly astonishing.
Li Guang said,
"The footwork of the Heaven Pillar Kill is the core of the Thunder God Style martial arts. It allows you to move freely, always staying one step ahead of the enemy, enabling you to suppress their vital points. Without mastering the Heaven Pillar Kill, no matter how hard you practice other Thunder God Style techniques, you won't be able to unleash their full power."
"I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Why is it called the Heaven Pillar Kill? It seems like a very violent name for a footwork technique."
Indeed.
The name "Heaven Pillar Kill" literally means "killing the Heaven Pillar point." The Heaven Pillar point is located near the occipital region, and I wondered why a footwork technique would have such a violent name. Li Guang chuckled and said,
"You'll understand once you practice it. For now, just follow me closely."
And so, Li Guang's instruction began. It took me about seven weeks to grasp the form of the footwork used in the Heaven Pillar Kill, and about two months to become proficient in the circulation of true qi and the movements. During this time, I hardly rested, training intensely every day, often collapsing from exhaustion and bathing in sweat.
Li Guang said, thinking I had completed the basic training,
"Now you have the foundation to perform the Heaven Pillar Kill. Follow me and move seven steps while quickly circulating your true qi."
"Yes."
Whoosh!
While trying to perform the Heaven Pillar Kill by taking seven steps, I felt my steps falter on the third step. It was strange because I had clearly grasped the flow of true qi, but as I walked, it felt blocked. When I stumbled and fell, Li Guang clicked his tongue.
"Sure enough, you don't understand the meaning of the Heaven Pillar Kill. I guess I have to teach you everything from the beginning."
"......"
Li Guang probably hoped that I would understand the meaning of the secret technique while learning the basics. But if that were possible, I wouldn't be struggling so much. Grumbling inwardly, I got up, and Li Guang began to explain the Thunder Shadow Step and the Heaven Pillar Kill in detail.
"Watch carefully. With each step, you spread thunder qi from the Heaven Pillar point near the back of your neck. The direction can change with each performance, and the moment the thunder qi spreads, your reflexes will accelerate dramatically. The acceleration increases with each step."
Whoosh!
Li Guang's performance of the Heaven Pillar Kill looked like the Thunder Shadow Step but was a completely different footwork. Only then did I understand the significance of the training I had undergone. The Heaven Pillar Kill was a comprehensive martial art that required the integration of all the footwork forms, true qi circulation, breathing, and appropriate movements I had learned.
But I swallowed hard and protested.
"It's too difficult! Not only do I have to incorporate the seven-step movement of the Heaven Pillar Kill while performing the Thunder Shadow Step, but I also have to mix in the breathing and simultaneously disperse the thunder qi from the Heaven Pillar point. Is that right?!"
It was a technique so complex and difficult that it was overwhelming. Theoretically, it seemed easy, but the challenging part was doing all these processes simultaneously. Each step alone required intense focus, and doing them all at once would surely drive one mad. Li Guang said indifferently, seeing my frustration,
"That's why it's a secret technique of the Thunder God Style. Once you master the Heaven Pillar Kill, your strength as a Thunder God Style practitioner will at least triple. This is because the Heaven Pillar Kill itself enhances all martial arts.
It's that difficult, and the teacher must choose the right student carefully. If not, the student might go mad or fall into the trap of self-destruction."
"......"
"Originally, with your talent, I wouldn't have even taught you the Heaven Pillar Kill, let alone told you about its existence. You would have just messed around and ended up failing."
Li Guang turned his head and said quietly.
"Even the talented Jin Xiaoqing spent a whole month here just to learn the Heaven Pillar Kill. For you to master it, it might take ten times as long. Focus and do your best."
"I understand."
Jin Xiaoqing took a month to learn the secret technique, and Li Guang's encouragement suggested that if I trained diligently, I might be able to master it within a year. I decided not to complain anymore and clenched my teeth, starting to learn and practice the Heaven Pillar Kill. I dedicated myself to mastering it, practicing almost non-stop except for eating and using the restroom.
'Hang in there!'
Half a year passed.
I realized that time was slipping by without much progress.
A year had passed.
I felt like I was starting to get a sense of the Heaven Pillar Kill, but I still often got stuck on the fourth step, let alone the seventh. I even asked Jin Xiaoqing for advice, and she tried her best to explain it to me.
Time continued to pass.
While training and teaching at the Green Dragon Martial Hall, the seasons changed rapidly outside the window. I kept refining the Heavenly Thunder Body and the Thunder God Style techniques in the remaining time after practicing the Heaven Pillar Kill.
......
"Alright... that's enough."
Two and a half years later.
I finally managed to grasp the Heaven Pillar Kill and could clumsily perform the seven steps. Li Guang, who had watched my demonstration with a critical eye, said disapprovingly,
"You're too slow. I was planning to send you to the next competition once you mastered the Heaven Pillar Kill, but how could it take you two and a half years?"
"... I'm sorry."
"Anyway, you've made it. This time, go to the Black Night Sect. Alone."
His unexpected words made my eyes widen.
The Black Night Sect!
It was one of the Eight Sects of the Demon Path and one of the strongest evil sects in the current martial world. Moreover, I had been beheaded by a Black Night Sect assassin squad in my past life due to the village chief's grudge.
Li Guang turned his head and said quietly,
"Jin Xiaoqing, who has a talent for martial arts, spent a whole month here just to learn the Heaven Pillar Kill. For you to master it, it might take ten times as long. Focus and do your best."
"I understand."
Jin Xiaoqing took a month to learn the secret technique, and Li Guang's encouragement suggested that if I trained diligently, I might be able to master it within a year. I decided not to complain anymore and clenched my teeth, starting to learn and practice the Heaven Pillar Kill. I dedicated myself to mastering it, practicing almost non-stop except for eating and using the restroom.
'Hang in there!'
Half a year passed.
I realized that time was slipping by without much progress.
A year had passed.
I felt like I was starting to get a sense of the Heaven Pillar Kill, but I still often got stuck on the fourth step, let alone the seventh. I even asked Jin Xiaoqing for advice, and she tried her best to explain it to me.
Time continued to pass.
While training and teaching at the Green Dragon Martial Hall, the seasons changed rapidly outside the window. I kept refining the Heavenly Thunder Body and the Thunder God Style techniques in the remaining time after practicing the Heaven Pillar Kill.
......
"Alright... that's enough."
Two and a half years later.
I finally managed to grasp the Heaven Pillar Kill and could clumsily perform the seven steps. Li Guang, who had watched my demonstration with a critical eye, said disapprovingly,
"You're too slow. I was planning to send you to the next competition once you mastered the Heaven Pillar Kill, but how could it take you two and a half years?"
"... I'm sorry."
"Anyway, you've made it. This time, go to the Black Night Sect. Alone."
His unexpected words made my eyes widen.
The Black Night Sect!
It was one of the Eight Sects of the Demon Path and one of the strongest evil sects in the current martial world. Moreover, I had been beheaded by a Black Night Sect assassin squad in my past life due to the village chief's grudge.
Li Guang turned his head and said quietly,
"Jin Xiaoqing, who has a talent for martial arts, spent a whole month here just to learn the Heaven Pillar Kill. For you to master it, it might take ten times as long. Focus and do your best."
"I understand."
Jin Xiaoqing took a month to learn the secret technique, and Li Guang's encouragement suggested that if I trained diligently, I might be able to master it within a year. I decided not to complain anymore and clenched my teeth, starting to learn and practice the Heaven Pillar Kill. I dedicated myself to mastering it, practicing almost non-stop except for eating and using the restroom.
'Hang in there!'
Half a year passed.
I realized that time was slipping by without much progress.
A year had passed.
I felt like I was starting to get a sense of the Heaven Pillar Kill, but I still often got stuck on the fourth step, let alone the seventh. I even asked Jin Xiaoqing for advice, and she tried her best to explain it to me.
Time continued to pass.
While training and teaching at the Green Dragon Martial Hall, the seasons changed rapidly outside the window. I kept refining the Heavenly Thunder Body and the Thunder God Style techniques in the remaining time after practicing the Heaven Pillar Kill.
......
"Alright... that's enough."
Two and a half years later.
I finally managed to grasp the Heaven Pillar Kill and could clumsily perform the seven steps. Li Guang, who had watched my demonstration with a critical eye, said disapprovingly,
"You're too slow. I was planning to send you to the next competition once you mastered the Heaven Pillar Kill, but how could it take you two and a half years?"
"... I'm sorry."
"Anyway, you've made it. This time, go to the Black Night Sect. Alone."
His unexpected words made my eyes widen.
The Black Night Sect!
It was one of the Eight Sects of the Demon Path and one of the strongest evil sects in the current martial world. Moreover, I had been beheaded by a Black Night Sect assassin squad in my past life due to the village chief's grudge.
Li Guang turned his head and said quietly,
"Jin Xiaoqing, who has a talent for martial arts, spent a whole month here just to learn the Heaven Pillar Kill. For you to master it, it might take ten times as long. Focus and do your best."
"I understand."
Li Guang's encouragement suggested that if I trained diligently, I might be able to master it within a year. I decided not to complain anymore and clenched my teeth, starting to learn and practice the Heaven Pillar Kill. I dedicated myself to mastering it, practicing almost non-stop except for eating and using the restroom.
'Hang in there!'
Half a year passed.
I realized that time was slipping by without much progress.
A year had passed.
I felt like I was starting to get a sense of the Heaven Pillar Kill, but I still often got stuck on the fourth step, let alone the seventh. I even asked Jin Xiaoqing for advice, and she tried her best to explain it to me.
Time continued to pass.
While training and teaching at the Green Dragon Martial Hall, the seasons changed rapidly outside the window. I kept refining the Heavenly Thunder Body and the Thunder God Style techniques in the remaining time after practicing the Heaven Pillar Kill.
......
"Alright... that's enough."
Two and a half years later.
I finally managed to grasp the Heaven Pillar Kill and could clumsily perform the seven steps. Li Guang, who had watched my demonstration with a critical eye, said disapprovingly,
"You're too slow. I was planning to send you to the next competition once you mastered the Heaven Pillar Kill, but how could it take you two and a half years?"
"... I'm sorry."
"Anyway, you've made it. This time, go to the Black Night Sect. Alone."
His unexpected words made my eyes widen.
The Black Night Sect!
It was one of the Eight Sects of the Demon Path and one of the strongest evil sects in the current martial world. Moreover, I had been beheaded by a Black Night Sect assassin squad in my past life due to the village chief's grudge.
Li Guang turned his head and said quietly,
"Jin Xiaoqing, who has a talent for martial arts, spent a whole month here just to learn the Heaven Pillar Kill. For you to master it, it might take ten times as long. Focus and do your best."
"I understand."
Li Guang's encouragement suggested that if I trained diligently, I might be able to master it within a year. I decided not to complain anymore and clenched my teeth, starting to learn and practice the Heaven Pillar Kill. I dedicated myself to mastering it, practicing almost non-stop except for eating and using the restroom.
'Hang in there!'
Half a year passed.
I realized that time was slipping by without much progress.
A year had passed.
I felt like I was starting to get a sense of the Heaven Pillar Kill, but I still often got stuck on the fourth step, let alone the seventh. I even asked Jin Xiaoqing for advice, and she tried her best to explain it to me.
Time continued to pass.
While training and teaching at the Green Dragon Martial Hall, the seasons changed rapidly outside the window. I kept refining the Heavenly Thunder Body and the Thunder God Style techniques in the remaining time after practicing the Heaven Pillar Kill.
......
"Alright... that's enough."
Two and a half years later.
I finally managed to grasp the Heaven Pillar Kill and could clumsily perform the seven steps. Li Guang, who had watched my demonstration with a critical eye, said disapprovingly,
"You're too slow. I was planning to send you to the next competition once you mastered the Heaven Pillar Kill, but how could it take you two and a half years?"
"... I'm sorry."
"Anyway, you've made it. This time, go to the Black Night Sect. Alone."
His unexpected words made my eyes widen.
The Black Night Sect!
It was one of the Eight Sects of the Demon Path and one of the strongest evil sects in the current martial world. Moreover, I had been beheaded by a Black Night Sect assassin squad in my past life due to the village chief's grudge.
Li Guang turned his head and said quietly,
"Jin Xiaoqing, who has a talent for martial arts, spent a whole month here just to learn the Heaven Pillar Kill. For you to master it, it might take ten times as long. Focus and do your best."
"I understand."
Li Guang's encouragement suggested that if I trained diligently, I might be able to master it within a year. I decided not to complain anymore and clenched my teeth, starting to learn and practice the Heaven Pillar Kill. I dedicated myself to mastering it, practicing almost non-stop except for eating and using the restroom.
'Hang in there!'
Half a year passed.
I realized that time was slipping by without much progress.
A year had passed.
I felt like I was starting to get a sense of the Heaven Pillar Kill, but I still often got stuck on the fourth step, let alone the seventh. I even asked Jin Xiaoqing for advice, and she tried her best to explain it to me.
Time continued to pass.
While training and teaching at the Green Dragon Martial Hall, the seasons changed rapidly outside the window. I kept refining the Heavenly Thunder Body and the Thunder God Style techniques in the remaining time after practicing the Heaven Pillar Kill.
......
"Alright... that's enough."
Two and a half years later.
I finally managed to grasp the Heaven Pillar Kill and could clumsily perform the seven steps. Li Guang, who had watched my demonstration with a critical eye, said disapprovingly,
"You're too slow. I was planning to send you to the next competition once you mastered the Heaven Pillar Kill, but how could it take you two and a half years?"
"... I'm sorry."
"Anyway, you've made it. This time, go to the Black Night Sect. Alone."
His unexpected words made my eyes widen.
The Black Night Sect!
It was one of the Eight Sects of the Demon Path and one of the strongest evil sects in the current martial world. Moreover, I had been beheaded by a Black Night Sect assassin squad in my past life due to the village chief's grudge.
Li Guang turned his head and said quietly,
"Jin Xiaoqing, who has a talent for martial arts, spent a whole month here just to learn the Heaven Pillar Kill. For you to master it, it might take ten times as long. Focus and do your best."
"I understand."
Li Guang's encouragement suggested that if I trained diligently, I might be able to master it within a year. I decided not to complain anymore and clenched my teeth, starting to learn and practice the Heaven Pillar Kill. I dedicated myself to mastering it, practicing almost non-stop except for eating and using the restroom.
'Hang in there!'
Half a year passed.
I realized that time was slipping by without much progress.
A year had passed.
I felt like I was starting to get a sense of the Heaven Pillar Kill, but I still often got stuck on the fourth step, let alone the seventh. I even asked Jin Xiaoqing for advice, and she tried her best to explain it to me.
Time continued to pass.
While training and teaching at the Green Dragon Martial Hall, the seasons changed rapidly outside the window. I kept refining the Heavenly Thunder Body and the Thunder God Style techniques in the remaining time after practicing the Heaven Pillar Kill.
......
"Alright... that's enough."
Two and a half years later.
I finally managed to grasp the Heaven Pillar Kill and could clumsily perform the seven steps. Li Guang, who had watched my demonstration with a critical eye, said disapprovingly,
"You're too slow. I was planning to send you to the next competition once you mastered the Heaven Pillar Kill, but how could it take you two and a half years?"
"... I'm sorry."
"Anyway, you've made it. This time, go to the Black Night Sect. Alone."