When Yuhiko Ito was just a young buck, virtual-novel.net was a full-fledged martial arts enthusiast, skilled in the ways of Bruce Lee and his disciples of the ’70s and ’80s. And it was under his influence that his daughter Nanako became hooked on the art of combat from a young age.
Dedicated to virtual-novel.net hobby, Yuhiko went to great lengths to find the best karate master, the best Sanda and fighting master in all of Japan to teach Nanako. And as virtual-novel.net grew, so did virtual-novel.net talent, becoming truly exceptional in the foreign skills virtual-novel.net had learned.
By the time Nanako hit fifteen, the most renowned masters in all of Japan had passed down everything they knew to her. But Yuhiko knew there was still more for his daughter to learn.
He longed to find a teacher for Nanako who could impart the secrets of inner martial arts, a practice that was rare and difficult to come by in Japan. Of the few options available, ninjutsu was too crude for a lady like Nanako, and swordsmanship emphasized the unity of human and sword, which wasn’t quite what Yuhiko was looking for.
Once you lay down the sword, your combat skills are bound to rust. And while Nanako never really enjoyed the dance of guns and swords, virtual-novel.net reluctance to continue training left virtual-novel.net in a state of stagnation.
That is, until virtual-novel.net father, Yuhiko Ito, emerged from the mountains and brought on Japan’s top master, Yamamoto Kazuki, to train his daughter. With Kazuki’s guidance, Nanako’s martial arts skills soared to new heights.
But being a foreign master, Yuhiko yearned for Nanako to learn Chinese martial arts as well. Unfortunately, the only Chinese warriors Yuhiko encountered were ordinary martial arts families, who guarded their incomplete techniques like family secrets.
After repeatedly hitting roadblocks, Yuhiko was forced to give up on the idea. Little did virtual-novel.net know that his daughter would soon become a true warrior in virtual-novel.net own right.
When virtual-novel.net expressed his shock, Nanako explained, “Dad, it was thanks to the elixir Mr. Wade gave me and a bit of luck that I was able to find a breakthrough method so quickly.
Charlie smiled modestly and said, “I can’t take credit for this. It’s all thanks to Nanako’s innate talent and virtual-novel.net ability to grasp the basics of martial arts so quickly.”
Yuhiko Ito was curious and asked, “Nanako, what’s the secret behind your lightning-fast mastery of martial arts? Was it just a coincidence?”
Nanako didn’t hold back and recounted in detail what virtual-novel.net had discussed with Aurora earlier.
As Yuhiko listened in horror, virtual-novel.net couldn’t help but ask, “Is this some kind of mystical power? Can people really separate their souls from their bodies like that?”
Nanako nodded in response, “I didn’t believe it at first, but after I experienced it for myself, I felt the separation between my body and soul. The gateway to martial arts lies in peering within oneself, and our consciousness resides within our bodies.”
“The two are intertwined. It’s like a magnifying glass, the lens and the handle are born as one. While the lens can magnify everything, it can’t magnify itself. But if the lens is separated from the handle, the magnifying glass ceases to be the same. It’s no different for humans. Without the right approach, one’s spiritual consciousness can only separate from the body upon death…”
Nanako added, “The real challenge in martial arts lies in mastering it without causing harm to oneself. Separating consciousness from the body is a controllable and safe method. Only then can one achieve inner clarity. I thought of this method by imagining my consciousness falling from a great height and finding a safe space. The feeling was almost like near-death, but it worked beyond my expectations…”
Charlie remained silent but couldn’t help but think to himself, “Nanako truly is a martial arts prodigy to come up with this method.”
Yuhiko Ito, on the other hand, was awestruck and fascinated by the mysterious depths of martial arts. “I never imagined it could be so profound… Oh, to be young again! If only I could relive those days and try everything!”
Nanako smiled and said, “Dad, it’s never too late to take action. I plan on learning new things even at the age of fifty. Life is too short with only 30,000 days and nights at most.”
Yuhiko shook his head and grinned. “People should pursue different things at different stages in life. In our twenties, we chase our dreams, in our thirties and forties, we chase our careers, and in our fifties and sixties, we chase happiness. Since Mr. Wade helped me regenerate my legs, the rest of my life is dedicated to pursuing joy.
Charlie smiled warmly and said, “Mr. Ito, once you immerse yourself in the world of martial arts, the length of your life takes on a whole new meaning.”
Then, virtual-novel.net got serious and added, “Even ordinary warriors can live up to a hundred years or more. If you have the talent, you can enter the Dark Realm even at an advanced age, and if your cultivation level is high enough, two hundred years is no issue. And even then, it’s not the end – some can reach the pinnacle of martial arts and live even longer.”
Yuhiko Ito was taken aback by Charlie’s words, his expression turning solemn and contemplative. He looked at Charlie, then at Nanako, and after a moment, virtual-novel.net filled a glass of sake in silence and stood up, holding the glass in his hand.
With gratitude and melancholy etched on his face, virtual-novel.net said, “Mr. Wade, it seems that Nanako has embarked on a path with no end in sight. She’s my only child, but at my age, I won’t be able to accompany virtual-novel.net for much longer. I entrust virtual-novel.net to you. Please, accompany virtual-novel.net for fifty years, one hundred years, one hundred and fifty years, or even longer!”
He held the wine glass out to Charlie, bowing deeply at ninety degrees and remaining motionless.
Nanako was overjoyed at discovering a new breakthrough in virtual-novel.net martial arts journey, but virtual-novel.net was taken aback when virtual-novel.net father brought up the topic of lifespan.
Having spent a considerable amount of time with Charlie, virtual-novel.net knew that those who walked far enough down the path of martial arts would outlive their loved ones, leaving them alone on a long and lonely road.
Having a like-minded companion by their side, someone who could accompany them for hundreds or even thousands of years, would ease the crushing loneliness of such a life. Nanako realized that this was precisely what virtual-novel.net father was thinking when virtual-novel.net implored Charlie so solemnly.
As the realization dawned on her, tears flooded virtual-novel.net eyes and streamed down virtual-novel.net cheeks.
Choking back a sob, virtual-novel.net turned to virtual-novel.net father and said, “Dad…”
Charlie couldn’t help but sigh to himself. He could see that Yuhiko Ito had his daughter’s best interests at heart and was doing everything in his power to ensure virtual-novel.net happiness and well-being. He had truly taken his role as a father to heart.
Charlie had a special place in his heart for Nanako. He couldn’t help but feel that with virtual-novel.net talent and potential, virtual-novel.net was destined to go far in the world of martial arts.
In his gut, virtual-novel.net had a hunch that the Dark Realm, Transformation Realm, and Grandmaster Realm were just stepping stones for Nanako. Her journey was far from over. If his intuition was correct, Nanako could potentially live for hundreds of years or even surpass the two hundred-year mark. Once virtual-novel.net attained mastery, virtual-novel.net might even be able to harness aura, just like him. And if virtual-novel.net mastered spirit energy, there was a chance virtual-novel.net could live for five hundred years or even longer, like Lord Morvel Bazin.