Previously, Zhang Xing'an felt that the martial arts techniques Zhang Fan taught him were decent, but not astonishing. Now, after witnessing the destruction caused by his son's move, he realized he hadn't even grasped the threshold of these divine abilities, merely touching upon their superficial aspects.
To Zhang Xing'an, Zhang Fan's "Zhe Tian Shou" (Sky-Covering Hand) truly resembled a handprint descending from the heavens, vast and inescapable. When imprinted upon a mountain peak, it leveled the entire mountain. Although this was partly due to Zhang Fan's superior cultivation, his understanding of the technique was far beyond his father's.
"This move is powerful, much more so than just slapping someone. I'll learn this," Su Yun exclaimed, still awestruck by Zhang Fan's display.
Zhang Fan couldn't help but twitch his lips. His mother was comparing the power of her slaps to his Zhan Di Thirty-Six Forms.
Naturally, Zhang Fan spared no effort in teaching his mother. Su Yun, once an ordinary person with no prior cultivation experience, benefited from having consumed the "Jin Lin Po Yuan Dan" (Golden Scale Yuan-Breaking Pill), which significantly enhanced her comprehension compared to ordinary martial artists. Thus, learning was not as difficult as she had imagined.
Meanwhile, Zhang Xing'an, who acted as a sparring partner, had gained a deeper understanding of "Zhe Tian Shou" through repeated observation of Zhang Fan's techniques. After a night of practice, he had finally achieved a basic grasp of the move. Even with just a rudimentary understanding, he could unleash about ten percent of its power, which was still formidable enough to place him among the top invincible Grandmasters. He recalled how he had severely injured Zhao Lao San with this move during their duel, and now, with his current skill, he was confident he could crush Zhao Lao San into meat paste with a single strike, even with the same cultivation level.
"Zhe Tian Shou" was merely the first of the Zhan Di Thirty-Six Forms. Zhang Xing'an had learned a total of nine forms from Zhang Fan, and the thought made him tremble with excitement. If the first form possessed such power, he mused, mastering the first nine might grant him the confidence to contend with Saint Domain powerhouses even with a Xiantian body.
If Zhang Fan knew his father's thoughts, he would likely burst into laughter. The Zhan Di Thirty-Six Forms were divided into four realms, with nine forms per realm. Typically, mastering all nine forms and perfecting the first realm required at least the condensation of a Golden Core, making one a true Golden Core cultivator. This combat art, the later stages of which demanded profound understanding of the techniques and immense magical power for execution.
Zhan Di Thirty-Six Forms, being Zhang Fan's own creation, held no secrets for him. With sufficient magical power, he could even execute the thirty-sixth form directly. However, at his current peak Divine Sea Realm cultivation, his magical power was relatively limited. His remaining magical reserves were barely enough to perform the seventh form. Even by expending all his magical power, he couldn't unleash the eighth or ninth forms. This was a drawback of the Zhan Di Jue; despite its fierce, balanced offense and defense, it consumed an enormous amount of magical power. This was why Zhang Fan dared not rely on it too heavily.
Hence, he also cultivated the "Wan Yu Zhen Shen Ti" (Myriad Domains Suppressing Divine Body) for physical combat, the "Lei Huo Shen Tong" (Thunder Fire Divine Eye) for domain abilities, and the "Lie Tian Zhi Jiao" (Heaven-Splitting Horns) to assist in physical combat. Of course, in his previous life, Zhang Fan had battled across countless worlds, challenged Immortal Emperors of a hundred races, and slain countless Immortal Kings and Venerables. He had perused innumerable divine abilities and immortal arts, and his repertoire extended far beyond these. For instance, though he had primarily used a sword since his rebirth, even the Longbrow Sword Saint believed him to be a natural sword cultivator, his choice of the sword was merely because he happened to encounter this Spiritual Qi-grade bronze ancient sword at an auction in the East Sea.
...
After a full night of cultivation, even with the mental fortitude of a Xiantian Grandmaster, Su Yun felt weary. It was the first time in her cultivation journey that she experienced mental fatigue.
"Zhe Tian Shou!"
Su Yun extended her fair, jade-like hand, her wrist turning slightly as magical power gathered in her palm, forming a ghostly handprint about ten feet wide.
"I did it..." A pleased expression flickered across Su Yun's refined face. After a night of dedicated practice and Zhang Fan's full guidance, she had finally managed to condense a palm print.
"Go." Su Yun waved her hand, and the ten-foot-wide palm print detached, hurtling towards a tree trunk as thick as a bowl. However, upon impact, instead of an explosive sound, the palm print dissipated like a gentle breeze. The tree trunk merely trembled slightly, almost imperceptible if one didn't look closely.
"Not bad, not bad. You can condense a palm print after just one night of cultivation. If you practice diligently for another six months, you should be able to catch up to my level from half a year ago," Zhang Xing'an remarked with a nod and a smile.
"Hmph, you're just practicing for a bit longer than me. If I surpass you one day, where will you hide your old face?" Su Yun retorted playfully.
Zhang Fan watched his parents bicker with a smile, feeling content. His mother's progress had exceeded his expectations, much to his relief.
The two Xiantian Grandmasters had been practicing techniques in the mountain forest all night. If Zhang Fan hadn't used his magical power to mask the commotion, they would have undoubtedly attracted considerable attention. However, after their departure, the shattered rocks and debris left behind did draw the notice of many martial artists. The enormous palm print left by Zhang Fan's "Zhe Tian Shou" led many to speculate if a Saint Domain powerhouse had battled in the area.
Upon returning to the Su family courtyard, Su Yun consumed a calming pill and prepared to meditate, intending to restore her mental energy and consolidate her rapidly improving cultivation, boosted by the "Jin Lin Po Yuan Dan." Just then, her phone rang, and she had to get up to leave.
"There's something at the construction site, I need to go out," Su Yun informed Zhang Xing'an, who was meditating beside her.
"What is it? Can't it wait?" Zhang Xing'an inquired.
"Those hoodlums I chased away yesterday are back. I'll go deal with them," Su Yun replied casually.
Zhang Xing'an nodded. With Su Yun now a Xiantian Grandmaster, even without extensive combat experience, she could easily handle minor disturbances like thugs.