It is generally accepted that the Penetrating Fist is merely a first-rank martial art, and even at its peak, it only provides nine resonant strikes. This is common knowledge for those who have embarked on the path of cultivation.
As for the talk of "layering nine strikes" supposedly comparable to a second-rank art—this is nothing more than bragging. A seasoned master who has seen the world knows that phrases like "comparable to" in the descriptions of techniques or scrolls are empty promises.
Perhaps in the hands of the art's creator, these promises could be realized, but an ordinary cultivator has no hope of achieving such a feat.
However, if someone with a deep understanding of martial arts can perfect the Penetrating Fist, they can transcend its limits as a first-rank art.
Thanks to her past life's memory, Mu Zi knew that the Ancestral Stone had perfected the Penetrating Fist to a tenth strike. The ten strikes together possessed a power that surpassed many second-rank arts.
Knowing that nine strikes were not the limit, Mu Zi, of course, had no intention of stopping there. She had every reason to push forward.
Having made up her mind, she began to act. Her figure darted back and forth, performing the technique over and over again.
"The elbow here needs to be raised a little higher."
"The leg strikes too quickly here; it's an overreach."
"Still not right, I need to use the strength of my whole body."
She practiced the movements, listening to the flow of power within her body. Mu Zi made the most minute adjustments, and her technique became increasingly flawless.
Another hour passed unnoticed; the sky had completely darkened, but Mu Zi didn't think about resting.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her fists once more. If someone had been watching her from the very beginning, they would have noticed that her movements were now vastly different from before.
Clap-clap-clap-clap...
Nine resonant strikes sounded without any unexpected turns.
Mu Zi closed her eyes, her mind reaching an unprecedented level of focus. She listened to the sensations that arose in her consciousness, directing all the power of her body, feeling this energy flowing between her muscles and bones, like an elusive current.
Her body, following this flow, trembled almost imperceptibly, and even the delicate skin under her clothes was covered in light, almost snowy ripples.
Every muscle, it seemed, came alive, layer by layer transmitting power that rapidly gathered in her hand.
Pop!
When this power reached her fist, Mu Zi's eyes snapped open. From the depths of her body came a barely audible resonant sound.
It was not loud, but it was filled with an ancient, indomitable power.
The tenth strike—a success!
Mu Zi opened her eyes, but there was no joy in her gaze. On the contrary, her bright eyes held a deep pensiveness.
"Why? Something's wrong," she muttered.
Logically, a breakthrough of a first-rank martial art should increase its power and perfect the technique. The execution should be, if not jubilant, then at least pleasant.
But Mu Zi didn't feel a shred of satisfaction. Yes, she had executed a genuine tenth strike, and its power was a cut above, but in every movement, she felt a certain disharmony.
Something was off. There was no evidence, only intuition.
But for her, with her exceptional comprehension, intuition rarely deceived her.
"Where is the mistake?" she murmured.
Suddenly, Mu Zi changed her stance and performed the Penetrating Fist again.
Clap-clap-clap-clap...
This time—only nine strikes.
Although there were fewer sounds, an elusive harmony appeared in her movements. It seemed as if the technique was created specifically for her.
"Which path is the right one?" Mu Zi asked herself in confusion.
After thinking for a bit, she stopped.
Not because she had figured it out, but because she was hungry.
After half a day of tireless training, jumping, and moving, her stomach was as empty as a drum.
But to simply stop felt wrong. However, for a reborn person, this was no obstacle.
The corners of Mu Zi's lips curled into an anticipating smile.
"Rebirth Seal, show me your limit!" she exclaimed.
Focusing, she directed her consciousness to her glabella, where the mysterious mark appeared again. The lively expression on her face gradually faded, replaced by a cold detachment that sent a shiver down one's spine.
Her eyes lost their usual spark, becoming like the gaze of a deity from the heavens, looking down upon the mortal world's hustle and bustle. A light of wisdom flickered within them, as if no secret of the world could hide from their insight.
"This is it," she said softly.
Her gaze flashed with a bright light, and Mu Zi took her stance once more. She performed the Penetrating Fist with such fluidity that it surpassed all her previous attempts.
Clap-clap-clap-clap...
Surprisingly, this time only eight resonant strikes rang out.
Although there were only eight, Mu Zi felt that the power surpassed her previous nine strikes.
The mark on her forehead glowed, a light of wisdom streamed in her eyes, and she continued to perfect the technique.
Clap-clap-clap...
Seven strikes. Now only seven, but the power had slightly increased.
Five strikes, four, three... With each try, the number of strikes became fewer, the execution took less time, and the technique's power steadily grew.
Finally, after the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, she seemed to have broken through a certain limit.
Pop!
One exceptionally resonant strike echoed through the air.
Nine resonant strikes had merged into a single sound. One strike had surpassed all nine!
Although her approach was different from the Ancestral Stone's perfection, the power was no less than the tenth strike of the Penetrating Fist.
And, more importantly, thanks to the Rebirth Seal, Mu Zi had created a version of the technique that followed her will. There was no need to waste time on the complex layering of ten strikes—the execution had become swifter, giving her an advantage in battle. While an opponent lands one strike, she could land several in return.
Dispelling the Rebirth Seal, Mu Zi stood still, absorbing the recent sensations.
Soon she came to, and her face was lit up by a satisfied smile. It was as if ice had melted, and the night's darkness around her was painted with the colors of joy.
"This is it!" she exclaimed.
Everything became clear, everything was illuminated!
"He who imitates, lives; he who blindly copies, dies."
Mu Zi thought. Her initial mistake lay in the influence of the original story. Lin Dong practiced the ten-strike Penetrating Fist, and she had subconsciously followed the same path.
But she had overlooked that every person is unique. What worked for others doesn't necessarily work for her. The best path is the one created for her alone.
Perhaps in the original, the techniques shown by the Ancestral Stone's shadow were tailored for Lin Dong.
"I got too caught up in imitation," she muttered.
Having dispelled the fog of illusions and overcome the barrier of false beliefs, Mu Zi gained a crystalline clarity of thought.
She is who she is, and she has her own path. Rerunning Lin Dong's journey from the original would be too boring.
Her comprehension is unmatched; studying and perfecting martial arts comes easily to her. Her mind is broad, and her past life's experience doesn't allow her to be limited by the confines of this world.
And with a little help from the Rebirth Seal, she is capable of carving a path in martial arts that no one has known before.
It was as if her heart had been transformed, and Mu Zi's aura changed.
Before, despite her confidence, she had too much nervous energy, which seemed unnatural. Now, her energy had become restrained. On the surface, she looked like an ordinary girl next door, lively and genuine.
But deep down, almost imperceptibly, a special radiance was hidden—a burning martial spirit and a potential as bottomless as the sea. If it were to ever burst forth, everyone would be shocked.
At that moment, footsteps and cheerful chatter were heard.
The door to the courtyard opened, and Mu Yun and Mu Lingsha entered.
"Sister! Uncle!" the girl exclaimed happily.
"Little Zi, still training at this hour?" Mu Yun smiled warmly, and the worry in his eyes gradually dissipated. The past few days, he had been concerned about Mu Zi's condition, but seeing her fine, he sighed with relief.
"Uncle, martial arts are so complex, so I decided to practice a bit longer," she replied.
"That's a commendable zeal, much better than what I had at your age. But don't forget about your health; rest is important too," Mu Yun said.
He was pleased. Mu Zi was willing to endure the hardships of cultivation, and a great future awaited her. Her parents' souls in heaven could be at ease.
But he didn't notice the strange glint in Mu Lingsha's eyes as she stood beside him.
"Complex, you say? Yeah, right!" she muttered.
...
(From the Author: The ten-strike Penetrating Fist in the original was considered comparable to a third-rank art but lacked the expressiveness of techniques at that level. I have slightly altered it, and I hope the readers don't mind.)