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"Damn, cousin! You're a freak!"
Alex only said this out loud once he knew that Ren wasn't in a sensitive state anymore.
Ren smiled at him, a little bashful. Although he was happy that he managed somehow, he also expected it to happen.
It'd be weird if it didn't. He had the unparalleled comprehension gift. He completely understood the concept that the basic combat technique was trying to impart.
Sure, comprehension was one thing; execution was another. But remember that this was just the basics. At most, it's a beginner-friendly method that teaches how to mix energies into usable chakra. This was the very basic formula for a neutral charged chakra. It's simple and easy; even somebody who had a horrible talent would eventually manage to do the same thing he did too.
And although his Limitless Martial Physique and the aberrant Banished Arsenal Physique he had didn't really have any effects that directly influenced his comprehension, they raised the qualification and talent of his body.
To say that Ren was naturally born for unarmed combat wouldn't be an exaggeration. But of course, this was not something to be proud of. Even though he mixed chakra pretty quickly, Ren was painfully aware that this was only the beginning.
His feat of producing chakra within 15 minutes wasn't even that outrageous. There had been people who managed to produce chakra at their very first execution of the technique. It's really not that big of a deal.
Ren paid close attention to his body and felt the changes.
Besides his blood, he could feel a new presence, a new flow of energy coursing through his body. It's faint, weak, and definitely not permanent, but his body reacted to it very eagerly.
Just because he managed to produce his first wisps of chakra doesn't mean that he's officially a martial artist now. It also doesn't mean that he has stepped into the first stage of the Human Realm.
Right, the Human Realm is one of the three main sections of the Martial Arts Ladder. All three were the Human Realm, the Inhuman Realm, and the Celestial Realm.
The human realm is divided into five stages: Foundation Strength, Muscle Forging, Bone Tempering, Marrow Cleansing, and finally the Pulse Awakening.
Each stage corresponds to the development of one's chakra growth. It starts with a seed in the Foundation Strength Stage, which is then followed by the ignition at the Muscle Forging Stage; then comes circulation upon reaching the Bone Tempering Stage, followed by manifestation at the Marrow Cleansing Stage, and finally the embodiment at the Pulse Awakening Stage.
To enter the Foundation Strength Stage, Ren would first need to convert enough chakra to form a chakra seed, which would then settle and take root behind his navel. Once he reaches this stage, his chakra will begin releasing wisps of chakra to nourish his body from within, slowly but steadily increasing his strength.
One thing to note is that chakra isn't permanent. Just because someone managed to condense a seed doesn't mean that they'd had a steady and accessible storage for chakra.
Chakra fades over time, especially inside the practitioner's own body. To produce more, one must constantly move and practice, but it's impossible to be in motion all the time, and there's simply no guarantee that one's chakra wouldn't be drained as they simply just breathe.
That said, the improvements caused by one's physique being moisturized by chakra are permanent.
"Well, we can pretty much say that you're skilled enough to produce chakra now." Alex wore a wry smile as he said this. "I thought you'd need at least three days like me to reach this stage, but it's obvious that you don't."
"Plans have to be adjusted then, so here's what we're going to do. Today, you focus on becoming more familiar with chakra production. Use the Basic Combat Technique, and only this one, you hear me? Don't try anything else. Don't bite off more than you can chew, and certainly don't ruin your future by experimenting."
"With how fast you are, let's try and see if you can persist until you condense a decent chakra seed."
"If you can make it by the end of the day, cool. If not, don't sweat it. What you did is already impressive. Besides, I'm pretty sure that this won't be too hard for you."
"You seem sensible enough, so I'm confident about leaving you to practice on your own. Just don't do anything reckless, yeah?"
Ren nodded. He never entertained such thoughts to begin with. Knowing the kind of world he lived in, how could he not know the consequences of being reckless with chakra production?
Ren's starting point is already high and exceptional. There's no reason to do anything risky just for the sake of petty gains. Therefore, Ren wouldn't be careless.
And so, without any further ado, Ren went back to his practice.
Even though Alex said that it's no big deal if he couldn't condense a chakra seed by the end of the day, Ren still wanted to try.
This wasn't a risky or reckless decision on his part. If anything, it's a minimum expectation he imposed upon himself.
With the advantages he currently possesses, how can he not strive even for a little bit?
So, despite the basic combat technique being simple and repetitive, Ren persisted. He didn't feel bored or tired of it. He also didn't look down upon it just because it's the basics of the basics.
To build a skyscraper, one must first build a solid foundation. That solid foundation is the basic combat technique itself. Even though it's simple and repetitive, at least it's safe, has a low entry point, and is easy to execute.
The chakra seed it creates wasn't so bad either. Furthermore, Ren had already made a few changes in the way he executed the technique.
Thanks to his unparalleled comprehension, Ren figured out a way to enhance the basic combat technique to maximize the benefits without causing additional stress to his body.
And even though this gift doesn't automatically allow him to master the technique he uses, it's certainly more than enough to prevent him from straying away from the correct path. He could even optimize it to ensure he maximizes the benefit it gives.
The effect improved as his mastery became higher.
Martial arts are divided into three main types: offensive, defensive, and auxiliary.
The basic combat technique certainly falls to the offensive category.
Martial arts mastery is also divided into initial mastery, minor success, great success, and perfection. There is a fifth level of mastery called the 'Intent' stage, but Ren wasn't too worried about that for now; that thing is far out of his current reach, anyway.
In his first few attempts, Ren took the Basic Combat Technique to the Initial Mastery stage. Typically, beginners like him would take about a week of constant practice before they reach this stage, especially since it's their first time actually practicing.
After all, it isn't just throwing random punches and kicks. Each move must be performed seriously, with intent. In addition, there's also the matter of getting used to chakra being produced in one's body, which makes it a little hard to stay focused.
But with the unparalleled comprehension and Ren's heightened mental acuity, he reached the initial stage of mastery in a couple of tries.
The more he performed it, the more he got used to the feeling and the more insights he received.
Alex watched this all for a bit. It wasn't until Ren reached the minor success stage that he exhaled with a wry smile and quietly left Ren to his own.
Ren was immersed in his own practice, and despite constantly moving, he wasn't tired at all. The warmth and coolness that chakra left as it moisturized his body left him comfortable and refreshed.
He could feel his body changing, becoming stronger, and was genuinely enjoying the feeling.
The experience certainly did leave an impression on Ren. This was his first time learning combat, and even though it's just practice for now, he could say that the sensation of becoming exponentially stronger with each passing minute sure felt great.
Ren was so completely immersed that he didn't even notice that Alex was gone. Where he went, Ren had no idea. And truthfully, he couldn't bring himself to care too much. Alex is a grown man; he could do whatever and go wherever he pleased.
Ren only noticed his disappearance after he paused in his practice to drink some water, and even then, he wasn't worried. They're inside the clan compound; there are no dangers here. Alex would be fine.
And so, Ren continued his training until his training gi was completely soaked in sweat. He already emptied his tumbler of water; fortunately, there's a refill station within the training hall.
About three hours after his practice, his mastery over the basic combat technique has gone to the minor success stage.
An hour after that, it reached the great success stage.
And after another hour, he perfected it.
Once he reached the perfection stage, his navel began emitting a strong light. It also became warmer, and Ren felt a new thing that wasn't there before.
He had condensed his Chakra Seed and officially stepped into the Foundation Strength stage. The bonus of the Banished Arsenal Physique and the Limitless Martial Physique finally arrived, and he felt incredibly strong already.