Rachel Derek nodded. As ambitious as they were, when talking about the academy’s top genius, Eric Hamilton, they truly felt an indescribable psychological pressure!

　　“It’s a pity that, up to now, I’m still stuck practicing the Cloud-Pushing Palm. As for the essentials of the Wind-Shattering Finger and the Nine Strikes of Sky-Splitting, I simply can’t grasp them… Otherwise, maybe I could try breaking through the first level of the Moon God Realm…”

　　Emily Foster glanced at Rachel Derek. This student’s strength was impressive, and she also had the potential to break through the first level of the Moon God Realm. Hearing her mention these martial skills, Emily Foster didn’t mind giving some pointers: “Clouds are traceless, winds are unpredictable! The original form of the Cloud-Pushing Palm comes from an ancient martial sect of the near-ancient era—Wudang Mountain, called Taiji Push Hands. It was originally a practice move, which has now evolved into one of the intermediate martial skills offered as an elective at the academy—the Cloud-Pushing Palm. The main points of this palm technique are ‘push’, ‘lean’, ‘squeeze’, ‘press’, and ‘top’. As for the key to the Nine Strikes of Sky-Splitting, it lies in the word ‘split’. With every strike, the power is condensed into one, and at the moment of hitting the target, it erupts all at once, enough to shatter wood and split stone! ‘Sky-Splitting’—the name comes from this! Why don’t you watch the technique Scott Parker is demonstrating right now!”

　　As she spoke, Emily Foster had already directed the attention of Rachel Derek, Grace Harris, and Evan Grant to the screen: “See that? Every time Scott Parker makes a move, he instantly releases the power stored in his hands. If you were there in person, you could even hear the sound of the air shattering around him. If this martial skill is cultivated to the level of the ninth strike, performed in one go, even a mountain peak could be completely smashed!”

　　After hearing Emily Foster’s explanation, and with Scott Parker, a peak fourth-rank martial artist, giving a live “demonstration,” Rachel Derek and Grace Harris indeed started to understand some of the subtleties!

　　“The most important thing about this martial skill is the technique of exerting and controlling force. Before you strike, you must control the power perfectly, not letting it dissipate midway. When it lands on the enemy, you must unleash all the power at once to achieve the greatest damage! If you can…”

　　At this point, Emily Foster suddenly stopped, her gaze falling on Evan Grant.

　　Rachel Derek and Grace Harris were listening intently. When Emily Foster paused, the two of them were momentarily stunned, then followed her gaze to Evan Grant, who was frowning slightly!

　　“What is it? Judging by your reaction, do you have a different opinion?”

　　Evan Grant shook his head slightly. “I just think that the Nine Strikes of Sky-Splitting shouldn’t be understood that way.”

　　As soon as Evan Grant spoke, Rachel Derek was startled and quickly said, “What nonsense are you talking about! Just listen quietly.” After that, she hurriedly apologized to Emily Foster: “Senior Sister Zuo, Derek is only at the third rank of martial artist and has never truly practiced intermediate martial skills, so he can’t appreciate the deeper meaning you mentioned, so…”

　　“Of course he can!” Before Rachel Derek could finish, Emily Foster interrupted her bluntly. “Derek—anyone who can come back alive from the Nightblood Forest is certainly extraordinary! Even I, with fifth-rank martial strength, wouldn’t dare venture deep into that place! I’d like to hear what insights you have about the Nine Strikes of Sky-Splitting…”

　　“Senior Sister Zuo, he doesn’t have any insights. He hasn’t even seen the Nine Strikes of Sky-Splitting performed…”

　　“Junior Sister! Anyway, Scott Parker will soon succeed in taking the head of the demonized giant hound and complete this challenge. There’s no suspense left, so there’s not much point in watching further. Why not listen to what this Derek junior has to say?”

　　“This…”

　　Emily Foster ignored Rachel Derek, her expression cold as she looked at Evan Grant: “Alright, go ahead!”

　　“I just think that the key to the Nine Strikes of Sky-Splitting isn’t in the word ‘shatter’! This martial skill has nine strikes in total, which can be learned and performed one by one. But as far as I know, this technique was originally a combo skill—nine moves in succession, each following the last, each stronger than the previous. It’s a method of attacking the strong with the weak, speed against speed, breaking the whole with a single point. When all nine attacks are unleashed in one flow, like moving clouds and flowing water, continuous and unbroken, they target a specific point of a strong opponent—block, weaken, suppress, and break through, four steps closely linked, leaving the opponent no chance to catch their breath! According to your earlier explanation, after hitting the opponent, you unleash all the power at once for maximum damage. If you break it down and only practice one strike, that’s fine, but once your true energy has erupted, it naturally takes time to gather it again. The smooth rhythm between the nine attacks is broken, and the opponent’s gradually suppressed momentum and crumbling defense will recover…”

　　Before Evan Grant could finish, Rachel Derek shouted loudly, “Enough, Derek, stop talking! You’re just a third-rank martial artist, and you dare question Senior Sister Zuo? Don’t forget, Senior Sister Zuo has already broken through the first level of the Moon God Realm and reached the fifth rank of martial artist. Her martial arts cultivation is far beyond what you can even hope to reach!”

　　“But…”

　　Sitting quietly to the side, Grace Harris spoke up softly, “But, I think what Derek said… actually makes some sense…”