With the universe of Taiji held within his embrace, the shifting of Yin and Yang strikes terror into the hearts of gods and spirits!

Chen Jue sized up the middle-aged man before him. The man was dressed in a loose-fitting martial arts uniform and possessed a sturdy, upright build, standing well over 185 centimeters tall. His features were rugged, and his eyes were sharp and spirited. However, he lacked the overtly fierce and hardened aura typical of folk martial arts practitioners, instead carrying the polished air of a moderately successful businessman, much like Cheng Wei.

Yet, it was clear that this man was older and possessed a more composed, steady demeanor than Cheng Wei, who was an entrepreneur under thirty.

Judging by his affluent attire and refined temperament, Chen Jue immediately guessed that this man was likely a wealthy businessman living in the same residential complex as Cheng Wei. It was probable that he lived nearby, had a habit of exercising early in the morning, and, being a martial artist himself, had been drawn in to observe Chen Jue for quite some time after noticing the unique charm of his Tai Chi movements.

One had to understand that Chen Jue’s current Level 4 Tai Chi was profound enough to establish a sect and take on disciples. Combined with the "Golden Elixir" he had cultivated, he possessed an indescribable air of a master. Performing this authentic internal martial art was naturally captivating; it was no wonder a fellow practitioner would be mesmerized.

*Beidu Sanhuang Paochui, Yao San...* Chen Jue muttered the name to himself. He realized that this man seemed to be a member of the folk martial arts exchange group he had joined earlier. He recalled seeing him post occasionally and humbly asking for advice on how to cultivate "Dark Energy."

*Can it really be such a coincidence?*

*A small group of barely fifty people, and I run into a member just by taking a walk?*

Chen Jue found the coincidence rather remarkable, but he did not immediately reveal his identity as the "martial arts expert" from the group. Instead, he cupped his hands in a traditional salute and said, "So it is Master Yao of the Sanhuang Paochui school! I am Chen Jue, a practitioner of the boat-fist style from An County in Wenzhou."

"However, Master Yao, peeking at others practicing martial arts without permission was a major taboo in the old days! Although times have changed, there is still the matter of fairness. Since you have been watching my form for so long, why don't you show me a few moves as well?"

"Let’s consider it an exchange of learning."

Chen Jue was referring to the old rules among martial artists. In the past, if a "peeping tom" was caught, they would be taught a lesson—often beaten until bedridden for months, or in severe cases, even crippled to ensure they remembered the lesson.

Of course, in this peaceful era, those rigid, archaic rules had mostly been swept into the dustbin of history. One could find people practicing Tai Chi in any park, and watching was no longer considered a taboo. If not for the fact that Yao San had performed a traditional martial arts salute, Chen Jue would have simply regarded him as a casual enthusiast and forgotten about him after a brief chat.

But since the man had saluted and introduced his lineage, they had to follow the rules of the pugilistic world. Perhaps that was the last shred of pride remaining among folk martial artists.

Hearing this, Yao San was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected that the man who had just performed Tai Chi with such masterly grace actually practiced a relatively obscure southern style. Yet, seeing that Chen Jue had also presented his credentials, Yao San quickly understood the etiquette. He nodded and said, "Master Chen! It was indeed presumptuous of me earlier."

"In that case, I shall perform a set of my own Sanhuang Paochui. Consider it an offering of my meager skills. I look forward to your guidance, Master Chen!"

Yao San took a deep breath, settled into his stance, and focused his energy into his dantian. With a sharp "whoosh-crack," he threw his punches like cannon fire, each strike powerful and heavy. His movements were grand and open—truly capturing the essence of the Sanhuang Paochui.

With every strike, his muscles and bones seemed to resonate with a dull thud, and the hair on his knuckles stood on end. It was clear he had mastered the "Bright Energy" throughout his entire body. His skill level was a tier higher than Li Xiangning, the authentic heir to the boat-fist style whom Chen Jue had met before.

It is worth noting that Bright Energy, Dark Energy, and Neutralizing Energy are merely three methods of practice mentioned in the Xingyi Quan classics; they are not necessarily sequential stages of progression. Each practitioner’s force varies based on physique, bone structure, and nervous system response. It does not mean that someone who has mastered Dark Energy is inherently stronger than one who has only mastered Bright Energy.

Like Master Yao, while he had not mastered Dark Energy, his powerful build—reminiscent of the fierce Zhang Fei from *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*—gave his Paochui strikes such explosive force that even a master who had mastered Dark Energy would not dare to take them head-on.

However, after watching Yao San perform, Chen Jue noticed several issues. While the man’s physique was imposing and his Bright Energy explosive, there was a worldly smoothness to him. He held back slightly after each strike, lacking the forward-driving, indomitable spirit that Sanhuang Paochui should possess.

Chen Jue couldn't help but offer a critique: "Holding the Tai Chi universe within, where Yin and Yang shift to startle ghosts and gods. Your Sanhuang Paochui is technically proficient, but it lacks a bit of true heart."

"I suspect you are a businessman, Master Yao? It would be best not to bring the slick, worldly ways of the business world into your martial arts. Otherwise, your practice will only regress."

Stunned by these words, Yao San looked at Chen Jue in astonishment. "Master Chen, you are familiar with the verses of our Sanhuang Paochui?"

"There is nothing strange about that. All internal martial arts originate from the same Daoist roots; they all lead to the same destination. It is all much the same," Chen Jue replied with a faint smile.

Just then, he sensed someone with light footsteps and deep, steady breathing emerge from behind a row of willow trees. A cold voice sneered, "What a big mouth the young man has!"

"Don't think that just because you've read a few verses online, you can go around critiquing others. You are misleading your juniors, do you understand?"

Chen Jue had long since sensed the person hiding behind the willow, but he had chosen to ignore them. Since the person had stepped out, Chen Jue turned to look.

The newcomer was a sturdy old man with short, graying hair, a coarse black beard, and thick calluses on his hands. He wore simple, rough clothing and old-fashioned cloth shoes. His eyes were sharp and piercing, and he appeared to be in his fifties or sixties.

The moment this man appeared, Chen Jue felt an aura of intense fanaticism and stubbornness radiating from him.

"And who might you be, elder?"

"Peeking at others teaching martial arts is hardly honorable, is it?" Chen Jue frowned slightly, feeling that this morning was an incredible coincidence. He had only gone for a morning jog, yet he had run into another folk practitioner.

"What?"

"You, a practitioner of southern boxing, running around in Beidu, randomly teaching my disciple of the Sanhuang Paochui school, and you think I shouldn't interject?" The old man spoke bluntly as he slowly paced forward.

As for Yao San, upon seeing the old man, he stepped forward with a look of reverence and called out, "Master! I didn't know you were here too!"

*Teach the young one, and the old one jumps out?* Chen Jue understood their relationship immediately, a ridiculous thought crossing his mind.

However, given the old man's aggressive posture, it was clear he did not intend to let this slide. In the old rules of the martial world, heritage was paramount. Chen Jue’s casual instruction of Yao San, without the master's consent, was another form of taboo. For those who made their living running martial arts schools, such "stealing of disciples" often led to physical altercations.

But Chen Jue had his reasons, and he was a fellow group member with Yao San, having frequently shared tips on Dark Energy in their chat.

Provoked by the old man's sharp tone, Chen Jue did not back down. He stepped forward with a faint smile and teased, "It seems, elder, that you have quite an opinion of this southern practitioner."

"I only gave your disciple a few pointers because he was peeking at my practice."

"Since you are unhappy, let us discuss this through martial arts. Let's see if I am truly 'misleading' anyone! Let’s exchange a few moves."

"You are my elder, so I will not bully you. I will let you have the first three moves!"