Martial Arts Break Through Shackles

As night deepened, most of the lights in the Martial Academy were extinguished. Only the window of Wang Yue's room still cast a faint glow.

Wang Yue suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. After days of using Qi and Blood to shorten the cooldown, the "Extractable" status on his Martial Soul panel had finally lit up again. This time, he intended to extract the Comprehension talent: Talent.

He retrieved the Harmonious Flow Fist secret manual from under his bed. The yellowed booklet emitted a faint golden light in the dimness, as if echoing his intentions.

"Extract Talent!" Wang Yue took a deep breath and silently directed his will.

Unlike the searing pain during the extraction of Talent, there was no discomfort this time. Instead, a warm, smooth power surged into his body from his brow, like rich, mellow wine entering his throat, causing a pleasant, dizzying sensation throughout his body while his mind remained exceptionally clear.

Before he could react, his body moved instinctively. The stances of the Harmonious Flow Fist unfolded in his hands, but they were no longer the rigid forms of the past. Instead, they possessed a fluid grace, like a cloud crane soaring in the courtyard. With every punch, he perfectly avoided air resistance, and with every turn, he utilized the ground's reaction force to amplify the explosive power of the next move.

He had originally only mastered the proficient level of the Harmonious Flow Fist breathing technique. However, under the enhancement of Talent, his breathing rhythm automatically adjusted. Inhales were long and drawn out like a stream, while exhales were short and sharp like an arrow. Unknowingly, he had broken through the limits of the proficient stage and entered the minor accomplishment level!

His fist techniques grew at an even faster pace, progressing from minor accomplishment to major accomplishment in just a few dozen breaths. The awkwardness between his movements completely vanished. Each move felt as if it had been tempered a thousand times, perfectly integrating with his body.

His footwork also advanced in tandem, transforming from its initial steady gait to a light and agile one. As his toes touched the ground, he could use the slightest force to leap half a foot into the air, and when he landed, it was silent, as if he had merged with the ground.

Even more wondrously, as the fist techniques, footwork, and breathing techniques improved, they automatically adapted and adjusted to Wang Yue's body, which had been modified by Talent. The fist energy and footwork optimized his stride length based on his physique, and his breathing adjusted its frequency according to his total Qi and Blood. Ultimately, this formed a Harmonious Flow Fist unique to him, boasting an explosive power three points stronger than the original major accomplishment version!

"Hoo..." Wang Yue slowly stopped his movements. There wasn't a drop of sweat on his forehead; instead, he felt refreshed, as if he had been soaked in warm water.

"Is this what it feels like to have improved comprehension? It's as if something was completed. Every movement, both still and dynamic, feels natural."

The changes brought by his root bone talent were intensely apparent externally, with visible alterations in his height, physique, and the quality of his Qi and Blood.

The changes in comprehension, however, were more subtle. There was no intense pain, no obvious physical transformation, yet it had imperceptibly elevated his understanding of the martial path to new heights. These changes would bring immeasurable benefits to his future martial cultivation.

Wang Yue once again submerged his consciousness into the Harmonious Flow Fist Martial Soul. Previously, when these shadowy figures surged into his body, he could only absorb them crudely, requiring a significant amount of time to digest afterward.

But now, the moment the shadowy figures appeared, his consciousness would dissect, analyze, and chew them. Every detail of the fist moves, every nuance of the breathing rhythm, every key point of the footwork was clearly imprinted in his mind, as if he had painstakingly comprehended them himself. He could effortlessly translate them into his own martial accumulation.

"Why not try the Blood Dragon Secret Method?" Wang Yue's mind stirred, and he immediately assumed the starting stance of the first form of the Blood Dragon Secret Method.

A peculiar sensation instantly coursed through his entire body. The complete diagrams of the first form of the Blood Dragon Secret Method clearly materialized in his mind. The previously obscure and difficult-to-understand changes in the moves now seemed as simple as breathing.

His arm naturally lifted, Qi and Blood circulated through his meridians, and a gust of wind condensed around his fist. With every punch, it landed precisely on the marked positions in the diagrams, without the slightest deviation.

All one hundred and eight variations, from unfamiliarity to proficiency, and then to perfection, were mastered by him in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea!

The seven streams of Qi and Blood within his body flowed like a surging river through his meridians as the secret method circulated, experiencing an unprecedented sense of exhilaration. With each cycle, the Qi and Blood became more solidified.

Wang Yue finally understood the difference between comprehension and root bone talent. Ordinary individuals would see a fist technique and think, "I get it," but when they tried to execute it, their movements would be stiff and the stances distorted.

However, those with high comprehension, upon seeing a fist technique, would fully grasp its principles, power application techniques, and breathing coordination. When they practiced it, they could execute it flawlessly.

"Is this the effect of root bone talent and comprehension stacking?" Wang Yue clenched his fist, feeling the abundant Qi and Blood within him, the perfected Harmonious Flow Fist, and the complete first form of the Blood Dragon Secret Method. A hint of confidence flashed in his eyes.

Now, he possessed the top-tier root bone talent modified by Talent, and extraordinary comprehension amplified by Talent. In terms of natural aptitude, he dared to claim himself as the foremost of the Wang Clan!

Ten days later, in the early morning, sunlight streamed through the window and fell upon the bronze mirror in Wang Yue's room, reflecting a faint halo.

Over these ten days, Wang Yue had dedicated almost all his time to cultivation.

The final barrier of the major accomplishment Harmonious Flow Fist was easily broken. His fist moves, breathing, and footwork merged into a seamless whole, with every gesture exuding a refined martial aura.

The Fist Master talent had also been completely assimilated. Now, when he looked at any fist technique, he could instantly grasp its core essence. Even for stances he had never encountered before, a mere glance was enough for him to imitate them convincingly.

As for the Tiger Might Saber Art extracted from the Good Victory Saber, it was simpler than he could have imagined. For the current Wang Yue, this saber art felt as natural as eating or drinking. Without deliberate practice, he could execute it immediately upon picking up a saber, his saber moves sharp and his presence imposing, as if he had practiced it for years.

He walked to the bronze mirror and looked at his reflection. The corners of his mouth curved slightly. In these ten days, he had subtly grown taller again. His previously slightly short training uniform now felt a bit snug, and his posture had become even more upright, his shoulders broad and waist narrow, exuding the vibrant energy characteristic of a young martial artist.

After a simple tidying up, Wang Yue headed to the mess hall and quickly consumed a breakfast that far exceeded the portion of ordinary disciples. He had already made up his mind.

Staying in his room all day was not a viable solution. Rather than waiting for Wang Shuo to inspect him, it would be better to proactively seek him out and, at the same time, verify the results of his cultivation over the past ten days.

As he passed through the training grounds, many disciples instinctively stopped their movements when they saw Wang Yue. The changes in his height and demeanor were too significant. Even in his loose training uniform, it was impossible to conceal his distinct aura.

Wang Yue paid no mind to the gazes of others and walked directly to Wang Shuo's door, knocking lightly.

A familiar voice came from within: "Enter."

He pushed the door open and saw Wang Shuo holding a teacup, having just taken a sip. When Wang Shuo saw that it was him, he spat out his tea, splashing the tablecloth in front of him, his face filled with disbelief. "You... you brat! How have you grown so much taller in just half a month?"

Before Wang Shuo could continue questioning, Wang Yue spoke first, "Master Wang, disciple's Harmonious Flow Fist recently broke through to major accomplishment, and these changes naturally occurred in my body."

"Really... really major accomplishment?" Wang Shuo stood up abruptly, strode quickly to Wang Yue, and circled him, his eyes filled with shock. Then, he grabbed Wang Yue's wrist. "Come! Let's spar outside. I want to see if your 'major accomplishment' is real or fake!"

Wang Yue obediently followed Wang Shuo to an open space outside.

He lowered his head and cupped his hands in a salute. "Disciple Wang Yue, seeks Master Wang's guidance."

Wang Shuo did not reply, merely staring intently at Wang Yue. For some reason, this young man now gave him a faint sense of danger, a feeling he usually only experienced when facing powerful martial artists. Could his perception be mistaken?

Although Wang Shuo had heard of cross-level challenges in martial world rumors, he had always dismissed them as mere hype. If one could easily defeat stronger opponents across levels, why would countless predecessors risk their lives to deduce realms and evolve cultivation methods? They might as well have remained at a certain realm forever and relied on "cross-level" dominance.

Wang Yue wasted no time. Sensing the aura emanating from Wang Shuo, which was significantly weaker compared to ten days ago, it now felt like a gentle breeze to him, no longer exerting any pressure.

He took a deep breath, and the essence of the major accomplishment Harmonious Flow Fist instantly unfolded. His steps shifted slightly, and his fist wind cut through the air, aiming directly for Wang Shuo's face. Every move and every stance was precise, without any errors.

"Well done!" A sharp glint flashed in Wang Shuo's eyes. He raised his hand to block. The moment his fist and palm collided, his fist technique suddenly changed. The originally steady Harmonious Flow Fist became exceptionally agile, like a crane spreading its wings, attempting to disrupt Wang Yue's rhythm.

Wang Yue chuckled, and his fist style also transformed, sometimes fierce like a tiger, sometimes light as a butterfly, subtly echoing Wang Shuo's fist style, as if the two were jointly performing a complete Harmonious Flow Fist.

Suddenly, Wang Yue sensed a familiar, peculiar surge of immense strength seeping into his body from Wang Shuo's fists and feet. This time, he did not panic. Instead, he carefully perceived it and soon discerned the essence of this force.

It turned out to be a special transformation resulting from the fusion of Qi and Blood with internal energy, making it more solidified than pure Qi and Blood, and more agile than pure internal energy, possessing a peculiar vitality.

The moment he sensed this, Wang Yue's breathing suddenly stopped, then slowly resumed. The Harmonious Flow Fist breathing technique had actually entered the Great Accomplishment realm on its own at this moment!

He stomped his foot forcefully, and with a "crack," the bluestone slab beneath him shattered. Qi and Blood and internal energy instantly circulated within his body, flinging out all the force Wang Shuo had infused into him!

"What?!" Wang Shuo exclaimed in utter shock. His Harmonious Flow internal energy was actually thrown out by Wang Yue using his breathing technique? He could achieve this with just his physical strength?!

Wang Shuo's expression turned serious, a sense of competitiveness rising within him. He had practiced martial arts his entire life; if he were to be defeated by a junior today, others might marvel at Wang Yue's talent, but he himself could never accept it!

"I have practiced martial arts for decades, not daring to slack off for a single day. Today, I will show you my achievements!" Wang Shuo roared. Although he could clearly feel his stamina rapidly declining, a disadvantage that older martial artists couldn't avoid.

He still forcefully gathered all his internal energy.

In Wang Yue's eyes, Wang Shuo's aura instantly transformed into a towering, majestic mountain, heavy and solemn, making it impossible to look directly at him.

The next second, Wang Shuo's fist, carrying immense internal energy, shot towards Wang Yue's chest like a primordial spear. This punch utilized more than half of his strength!

Veins bulged on Wang Yue's forehead. No longer holding back, he channeled all seven strands of Qi and Blood within him into his fists and met Wang Shuo's punch with a fierce strike!

"Bang!"

As their fists collided, immense force surged through his arms. Wang Yue couldn't help but retreat repeatedly, the bluestone slabs beneath his feet cracking one after another. He only managed to stabilize himself after taking five steps, but a heat began to rise from his body, a sign of his Qi and Blood circulating intensely.

He looked up at Wang Shuo, a look of admiration on his face. "Master Wang, this punch made me feel as if I saw your youthful demeanor!"

Wang Shuo looked at Wang Yue. Although he had retreated several steps, his fist was only trembling slightly, with no skin or flesh injuries. He couldn't help but give a wry smile. "You kid, you truly... exceed my expectations."

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind, recalling a rumor from the martial world: there were martial artists with special physiques whose physical qualities advanced by leaps and bounds after starting their training. They were extremely compatible with certain body-refining Sects, and after just over a month of practice, they could be accepted into a major Sect.

Wang Shuo retracted his internal energy, stepped aside, and cleared the path. "Since you've come this far, come in. I'll tell you how to proceed."

Wang Yue followed behind Wang Shuo, pondering in his heart: he had just fought Master Wang to a draw without even using the Blood Dragon Secret Method to stimulate his Qi and Blood. It was a shame Master Wang was old and his stamina was gradually declining, making it impossible to gauge his true depth.

What if he tried to find Uncle Wang Hu?

The thought had barely surfaced before he suppressed it. It would be fine if he lost, but if he won, it would be a devastating blow to Wang Hu's reputation.

Wang Hu had shown him great kindness; his foundational [Ox-like Physique] came from the Black Cloud Fist he gifted him.

As they walked, Wang Yue suddenly had a thought: did the exceptionally talented ancestors of the Wang Clan encounter the same dilemma as him back then?

A shallow body of water couldn't contain a dragon. Once a dragon grew a little, it would feel as if it were looking at the sky from the bottom of a well, with no peers to spar with and test its martial arts. In such an environment, how could it continue to improve?

He looked at Wang Shuo's retreating figure ahead, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination. No matter what, he would first listen to Master Wang's guidance. As for the higher path of martial arts, he would forge his own way someday.

Wang Yue didn't notice that at the entrance of the alley, Wang Daoling's face was filled with shock, followed by a heavy expression, before he turned and left.