On the way, Su Jie chatted animatedly with Odell.

Odell turned out to be quite knowledgeable about China—well-versed in many aspects, especially martial arts. He was an expert in countless techniques, and there seemed to be nothing he didn’t know. Su Jie found this entirely unsurprising. Through their conversation, he learned that Odell was a combat coach, and not just any coach—he trained world-class professional fighters.

However, Odell was currently unemployed.

What made Su Jie both laugh and cry was that Odell's job had been snatched away by artificial intelligence.

According to Odell, the top professional fighters today all trained with the assistance of AI. The technology could analyze even the smallest muscle movements, subtle changes in the skin, and even the undulations of internal organs, enabling it to design targeted training regimens every day.

Moreover, AI could monitor fighters’ physical conditions daily, devising meal plans and recommending specific trace elements for intake.

With access to massive databases and the most advanced medical analytics, AI far surpassed any human coach.

Su Jie knew how powerful AI had become. Years ago, it had completely defeated the world's top Go champions. What’s more, its strategies were entirely different from human techniques, creating a new realm of Go that was not merely an extension of human intelligence but a manifestation of its own innovative capacity.

He had also read news about AI-assisted training in national sports teams, such as badminton, table tennis, basketball, and soccer. By analyzing videos, AI could correct every action and guide athletes to perfection.

The same applied to combat sports.

Su Jie’s elder sister, Su Muchen, was involved in AI computer research at a major company after earning her PhD.

Su Jie had read novels before where the protagonist acquired a super AI chip that corrected their martial arts movements, merging numerous techniques into an invincible skillset. While fictional, it wasn’t entirely implausible.

Nowadays, Go players and their coaches had largely been replaced by AI. Every move it made was the most accurate and flawless.

In ancient times, Go players would exhaust themselves mentally and even spit blood to perfect a single move. In contrast, AI could calculate the optimal solution in just a fraction of a second.

Years ago, Su Jie had seen the despair of the world’s best Go masters facing AI, describing it as akin to the "God of Go."

“Uncle Odell, do you think AI has figured out the ultimate training method for combat or determined the strongest fighting techniques?” Su Jie asked, voicing a question he had long wondered about.

Which martial art was the strongest in the world?

“There is no strongest martial art, only the strongest person,” Odell replied. “Training methods are not set in stone. Every individual has different physical and psychological traits. A method that works best for me might not suit you. As coaches, we design personalized training regimens for each person. Unfortunately, AI is superior in tailoring regimens for professional fighters. But I’m not willing to give up. That’s why I’ve come to the mysterious East—to seek the legendary Qi, a supernatural power.”

“Supernatural power? Is that even possible?” Su Jie was skeptical. However, he could understand Odell’s frustration. Losing his career to AI was undoubtedly disheartening, not to mention the significant financial loss.

Professional combat coaches at Odell’s level could earn tens of thousands of dollars per hour. Some even received shares of their fighters’ prize money and endorsement earnings, as they often doubled as managers.

As a diligent student of science, Su Jie didn’t believe in supernatural powers. However, he knew little about the limits of martial arts and couldn’t compare himself to someone like Odell, who stood at the pinnacle of the field. Criticizing or judging Odell would have been as foolish as an elementary school student telling a renowned professor that their research was worthless.

As they chatted, Su Jie bought the phone Josh had requested. When they returned, he discovered that Odell lived near his school. Odell had rented a small farmhouse, which was quiet and adorned in an antique style. Once the gate was closed, it felt like a world of its own.

The courtyard had stone vats filled with water, complete with lotus flowers and goldfish. The house itself featured pure wooden furnishings, as well as calligraphy, chessboards, and paintings—resembling the home of an ancient scholar or hermit.

Su Jie continued to ponder Odell’s words as they parted.

While walking, he practiced digging and hoeing the soil.

He repeatedly meditated on the sentiment of "Resenting the sky without a handle, resenting the earth without a loop," gradually beginning to grasp its essence.

Seeing his expression, Odell nodded approvingly. "Practicing in every action, whether standing, sitting, or lying down, is the best state for training. Your coach, Gu Yang, is actually a martial arts expert. Unfortunately, the regulations of the Minglun Martial Arts Academy prevent him from teaching combat techniques to temporary class members. However, I can teach you."

"You’re willing to teach me?" Su Jie asked joyfully.

"I’ll be here for another month before heading to Tibet and India to search for something I’m looking for," Odell said, nodding. "Since I have free time, you can come to me whenever you're available to learn. This is what we call fate."

"Then could you take a look at this move of mine? What needs improvement, and how can it be applied in combat?" Su Jie quickly asked.

"The technique I mentioned earlier, ‘Resent the Sky Without a Handle, Resent the Earth Without a Loop,' is a training mindset," Odell explained. "For combat, there's a different mindset: ‘Anger fills the chest, breaking the crown, flesh as hard as iron, bones as steel. Swift as a monkey, fierce as a tiger, refuse to return without spilling the enemy's blood.'"

As he spoke, Odell suddenly slid forward, pouncing right in front of Su Jie.

Su Jie only felt a flash of darkness before his eyes, as if the entire world was shrouded, leaving him completely unaware of what was happening. Then, his face, throat, chest, and abdomen were lightly tapped in quick succession. Though the strikes were soft and caused no harm, he found himself on the ground.

Odell's speed was astonishing. Compared to him, Josh was like a child.

"So fast!" Su Jie's heart raced wildly. Just now, he felt as if a shadow of death had enveloped him.

Odell had executed the move he referred to as "Hoeing the Earth," advancing, lifting his hand, and striking as he descended.

"‘Anger fills the chest, breaking the crown, flesh as hard as iron, bones as steel. Swift as a monkey, fierce as a tiger, refuse to return without spilling the enemy's blood?'" Su Jie repeated the mantra, pondering it. Suddenly, clarity filled his mind. The essence of the mantra boiled down to one word: ruthlessness.

Using this move in combat demanded an unyielding resolve. When pouncing forward, one must not retreat without drawing the enemy's blood. How fierce and unstoppable was that?

"This is a superior martial art that incorporates many elements. Hoeing the earth involves movements that are forward and back, up and down, left and right. Master this move, and many other techniques will become second nature," Odell explained, sharing extensive knowledge of traditional martial arts with Su Jie. "No matter how versatile your opponent, I’ll rely on my trusty ‘hoe.' Farming techniques are invincible. A hoe can cultivate the land to feed people, defend oneself, and even ignite uprisings. Your execution of this move only scratches the surface of power application. You’re far from mastery. To perfect it, you must start with stance training."

"Stance training?" Su Jie refrained from asking further and focused on learning.

At this point, Odell positioned him in a forward-backward stance, one hand extended forward and the other pressed just below his abdomen, supporting himself left and right, pulling upwards and downwards.

Once Su Jie maintained the posture, Odell continued, "This stance, when minimized, resembles a monkey. When expanded, it embodies a tiger. Pressing downward mimics an eagle, while hugging the head imitates a bear. Charging forward evokes a galloping horse, and light, nimble movements reflect a flying swallow. When you use a hoe to dig into the earth, pause and imagine yourself transitioning into any of these forms. Use your mind and intent to control the transformation of your muscles and tendons, generating power from the ground."

As he spoke, Odell picked up a stick and struck Su Jie's toes. Though painful, Su Jie endured it without complaint.

"By striking your toes with a stick, you instinctively clench your teeth to endure the pain. Your toes tense up, gripping the ground firmly, and the pain lessens. This principle is also used in building resistance and in martial arts techniques that involve channeling energy throughout the body. However, what’s commonly referred to as ‘energy’ here isn’t true energy—it’s just the mind controlling the muscles. It’s artificial energy, not True Qi, nor is it a supernatural force."

Then, Odell firmly pinched Su Jie’s calf muscle. Su Jie felt an intense, stabbing pain and almost cried out.

Being pinched with force—this was the sensation.

"When I pinch this muscle, you must tense it up. Tighten the muscle so that it pushes my fingers away!" Odell’s voice was loud and commanding.

Su Jie quickly focused his mind to control his calf muscle, making it tighten sharply and push Odell’s fingers away.

Odell continued to pinch along different parts of Su Jie’s body, instructing him to tense his muscles and push away each time.

This form of training was grueling for Su Jie, but gradually, he noticed a slight improvement in his ability to control his body’s sensitivity.

"This is the essence of martial arts training and the so-called truth behind Qi Gong. In every movement, you must imagine someone striking your body with a fist. For each part of your body, consider the state it should maintain upon impact to neutralize the opponent's force. This is true training—not merely posing or recklessly abusing your muscles." 

Odell methodically pinched, slapped, and struck Su Jie with his fingers, palms, and a stick, creating a rhythmic routine that forced Su Jie’s body to tense in a coordinated manner.

"As you breathe, every muscle in your body should move, assisting your breathing. This is what martial artists call body breathing, rather than abdominal or dantian breathing. When your lungs breathe, every muscle should resonate with them. Only then will your breathing be perfect, and your strength reach its peak."

An hour later, Su Jie was covered in bruises from the pinching and slapping.

At this point, Odell brought out some herbal oil, applying it to Su Jie’s body and massaging away the bruises. He then said, "Now, immediately do 200 heel raises, 100 crunches, 30 push-ups, a three-minute plank, and a ten-minute spinal activation routine."

He demonstrated the exercises himself.

Although Su Jie was utterly exhausted, like a beaten dog, he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Odell’s training plan was highly targeted and effective. His sharp eyes identified any imbalances in Su Jie’s muscles or joints during the session, and he prescribed exercises to address them immediately.

Moreover, Odell adjusted each exercise to ensure Su Jie wouldn’t get injured while maximizing the effectiveness of the workout.

This was the level of a world-class coach.

Whether in sports or martial arts, having a good coach was critical. Without a professional and experienced coach, it was impossible to achieve meaningful results through blind practice.

Gu Yang, Su Jie’s previous coach, was overly conservative. His words were often vague, akin to the cryptic teachings of an old monk discussing Zen.

In contrast, Odell explained everything in detail—principles, reasoning, and methodology.

Odell’s teachings incorporated elements of traditional martial arts, but also included modern training techniques focusing on physical fitness and muscle and skeletal development. These were the same methods he used to train top-tier fighters worldwide.

With just a glance, Odell could identify Su Jie’s weaknesses and immediately create a training plan to address them.

Three hours later, Su Jie was completely drained.

"Alright, now relax, rest, take deep breaths, and imagine yourself lying in a forest with a gentle breeze and flowing streams. Let your mind completely unwind." 

At this point, Odell played some soothing music, and Su Jie nearly fell asleep.

"Take a hot shower," Odell commanded as Su Jie was about to doze off.

After the hot shower, Su Jie felt refreshed, and all his fatigue seemed to vanish.

"Now, I’ll teach you the true path of martial arts cultivation—eating and sleeping," Odell said once again.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay