Chapter 145: A Big Case

The Eighteen Chain Kicks was divided into three levels. Every six kicks formed one level: kicks one through six represented Small Mastery; kicks seven through twelve were Grand Mastery; and kicks thirteen to eighteen signified Peak Perfection.

Every time a level was mastered, the combat power of the Eighteen Chain Kicks surged. The Practitioner’s fighting strength would also sharply increase. Jiang Xincheng hadn’t trained in the Eighteen Chain Kicks in his past life, so progress wasn’t as quick or natural as with the Mountain-Shaking Fist or Butterfly Sword Art.

However, thanks to the Stone of Wisdom, Jiang Xincheng’s comprehension greatly improved. During this time, he had fully grasped the essence of the Eighteen Chain Kicks. All that remained was diligent practice to master this powerful Origin Force Combat Skill to Peak Perfection.

Near his rented small courtyard lay a bamboo grove—an excellent training spot. Part of the reason he rented there was for this very bamboo grove.

While cultivating his Primordial Force, Jiang Xincheng also devoted significant time to practicing the Eighteen Chain Kicks.

His figure moved like lightning, his feet delivering chain kicks. Among the bamboo, Jiang Xincheng’s right foot shot out diagonally. He silently recited the mantra for the first kick of the Eighteen Chain Kicks. His Primordial Force surged, flowing towards the Meridians involved in the first kick.

“Boom…”

Dust and stones flew and smoke filled the air. The force of the kick was certainly impressive. However, it mostly relied on his Middle Bone Training Stage Primordial Force rather than the power of the kick itself.

Pricks of pain ran along his leg, originating precisely from the Meridians directing the Primordial Force for the kick. Clearly, these Meridians still couldn’t withstand the impact of the Primordial Force and needed strengthening.

If Jiang Xincheng’s Immeasurable Golden Body hadn’t reached a certain level, even that single kick could’ve ruptured Meridians in his leg, damaging his foundation.

Training Origin Force Combat Skills was perilous. A slight mistake could damage Meridians or the body, causing irreversible harm. Even with his rebirth and past life’s rich experience, Jiang Xincheng dared not be careless.

The first kick failed, but Jiang Xincheng persisted. This time, however, he channeled much less Primordial Force into the leg Meridians. Adapting the Meridians required a process; Jiang Xincheng would gradually increase the Primordial Force sent to his leg Meridians to enhance the chain kicks’ power.

Kick by kick, minute by minute, second by second… Jiang Xincheng focused intensely on training the first kick. With each repetition, the first kick improved rapidly.

The sun rose and set; a whole day passed in the blink of an eye.

“Boom…”

At one moment, as Jiang Xincheng’s right leg lashed out, a massive boulder weighing ten thousand pounds blocking his path shattered into pieces. The Primordial Force pouring into his leg Meridians now vastly exceeded—by tenfold, even a hundredfold—that of his first attempt. It fully unleashed the attacking strength of a Middle Bone Training Realm Primordial Warrior.

This meant Jiang Xincheng’s first kick had finally become proficient. It could now fully express the Practitioner’s total attacking power. As the first kick improved further, its force would only grow stronger.

Once the first kick reached Grand Mastery, Jiang Xincheng could start training the second kick, then the third, fourth, fifth, all the way to the sixth.

Mastering kicks one through six all to Grand Mastery would allow him to attempt executing kicks one, two, three… up to six simultaneously during an attack.

Linking flawlessly, the chain kicks landed until he could unleash all six kicks in a mere instant. That signified Small Mastery of the Eighteen Chain Kicks. Next came training kicks seven through twelve, then attempting to unleash all twelve instantly. This sudden, drastic surge in attacking power became unpredictable, impossible to guard against—marking Grand Mastery of the Eighteen Chain Kicks.

Repeating the cycle until achieving eighteen kicks in a flash—eighteen strikes moving as one—signified the Practitioner had reached Peak Perfection in the Eighteen Chain Kicks. Its immense power could annihilate a small hill instantly, granting Jiang Xincheng an initial capacity to rival a Bone Training Realm Great Yuan Warrior.

The might of an Origin Force Combat Skill at Mysterious Grade, Upper Tier far surpassed ordinary imagination.

As time passed drop by drop, Jiang Xincheng’s strength also grew steadily. His Eighteen Chain Kicks training advanced systematically onto its proper course.

First Kick Grand Mastery… took three days.

Second Kick Grand Mastery… took two days.

Third Kick Grand Mastery… took three days.

Fourth Kick Grand Mastery… took four days.

Fifth Kick Grand Mastery… took five days.

Sixth Kick Grand Mastery… took seven days.

Then came merging the six kicks: landing two kicks… then three… then four… up to six—all within the span previously used just for one.

Amidst the Eighteen Chain Kicks’ progress, Jiang Xincheng’s Primordial Force cultivation didn’t stall. Fueled by Spiritual Elixirs and ample Yuan Stones, his strength steadily soared. He inched ever closer to the pinnacle of Middle Bone Training Realm.

That evening, Jiang Xincheng reached Small Mastery in the Eighteen Chain Kicks. He could now execute six consecutive kicks in the blink of an eye. The attack’s power was extremely potent, nearly matching that of his Butterfly Sword Art powered by the Mysterious Steel Sword.

The arrival at Small Mastery in the chain kicks, coupled with his steadily improving overall strength, brought Jiang Xincheng considerable joy. Instead of eating dinner in his rented courtyard that night, he went to Shenzhuang Snack Street’s “Xiangnan Big Bowl Cuisine.” He ordered several dishes and two bottles of juice, enjoying them while sipping his drinks.

Xiangnan Big Bowl Cuisine had several signature dishes exceptionally well-made. Jiang Xincheng ate until his mouth gleamed with satisfaction.

The twice-cooked pork was fatty but not greasy. Stir-fried until quite dry, it gave a strangely appealing dry sensation that was far from unpleasant—rather deeply enjoyable. Slightly salty, yet this saltiness balanced the chili heat in the dish, preventing it from being overwhelmingly spicy.

The stir-fried leek with eggs was a classic home-style dish. The eggs were cooked tenderly, the leeks slightly undercooked. Combined, the single word was: tender!

The braised pork ribs were even more delicious. The soup was rich and oily, fragrantly satisfying on the palate. Devouring the ribs brought pure delight. Every rib piece was generously covered in meat. Biting into one released a mouth full of savory juices; the rib meat itself—spicy and flavorful—made for an endlessly satisfying bite.

…

Just as Jiang Xincheng was happily indulging in this feast, he glanced up and inadvertently spotted a news report playing on the restaurant’s LCD TV. It was covering the achievements of the Vice Minister from Tianhai City’s Wu’an Department.

Watching Zheng Zhong, Vice Minister of Tianhai’s Wu’an Department, on the screen—radiant and smiling widely—Jiang Xincheng felt a jolt run through him. Suddenly, he recalled an event tied to Zheng Zhong from his past life. A flash of excitement sparked across his face.

Such a huge incident… If he could unearth it, he was bound to earn Flourishing Tang Points far beyond his imagination—possibly tens of thousands! As for merits, it would definitely be enough to promote him to Centurion, or even Leader of Thousand.