Great Heavenly Cycle

In the sixth month of Yunyang, summer blazed fiercely, and the venomous sunlight licked at the Martial Hall like fire.

Even the shade netting erected in the courtyard could not withstand the scorching heat. Heat waves steamed from the ground, and the enclosing high walls trapped the sweltering air; after standing for only a moment, one would be drenched in sweat.

Most of the students sought out cool shade or rested beneath the trees.

Only Fang Mo remained beneath the blazing sun, his body moving with the rhythm of his stance. Sweat poured down like rain, yet he seemed utterly unaware of it.

"Junior Brother Fang is truly risking his life. He hasn't stopped even in weather like this." He Shaobing looked at the sweat-soaked Fang Mo and sighed inwardly.

Wang Qing wore a faintly mocking smile. "He's just putting on a show. Without Bone Structure, what use is all that hard training?"

"Exactly. As if he's the only capable one. We rest, while he insists on practicing—he just wants to show off!"

Several other students chimed in as well, their words full of disdain.

Ding Zhiyuan frowned. Though he did not wish to stir up trouble, he could not help saying, "You shouldn't put it that way. If you truly have the will, you can give it a try yourselves. I think Junior Brother Fang's hard work is worth learning from."

Chu Silin suddenly spoke up. "Eh? Fang Mo seems to have been standing in stance for nearly two hours?"

At her words, everyone turned to look.

Fang Mo's body rose and fell like rolling ocean tides. His breathing was long and deep, and a faint low whistle emerged from him, making even the air seem to hum and tremble in response.

"Could he be practicing the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method?" He Shaobing exclaimed.

As the student second only to Chen Song in the front courtyard, his eye was exceptionally sharp.

"Impossible! Even we can't do it—how could he? Are you sure you didn't see wrong?" A flash of jealousy crossed Wang Qing's eyes.

"How could I be mistaken? Pay attention to his breathing rhythm. That can't fool anyone." Shock and envy mingled on He Shaobing's face. The Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method could greatly improve one's stance training, but it was no easy feat; even he had yet to master it.

Chu Silin's gaze flickered. She knew full well how difficult the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method was. Even she had not managed it, much less Fang Mo, who had no martial artist's Bone Structure at all.

Ding Zhiyuan's face lit up with delight:

"See what I said? Junior Brother Fang may not have good Bone Structure, but with this level of effort, he is bound to improve."

"That's right! Junior Brother Fang trains as if his life depends on it. If someone like him doesn't improve, then heaven itself would have no justice!" The others praised him in turn.

Hearing this, Wang Qing grew even more displeased. "So what if he mastered the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method? Without Bone Structure, what achievements could he possibly have?"

"Senior Brother Wang Qing is right. The martial path ultimately depends on Bone Structure. What can a bit of comprehension change?" Some students who held prejudices against Fang Mo quickly echoed him.

He Shaobing swept them with a dissatisfied glance, then walked off alone to begin cultivating.

He could not be bothered to associate with those who refused to work hard yet looked down on the efforts of others.

"Everyone should get back to training. Don't let Senior Brother Fang surpass you—that would be truly embarrassing!" Chu Silin spoke up as well, turning to find a place to practice her punches.

Fang Mo's progress had brought her immense pressure, forcing her to work even harder.

The discussions gradually faded, and everyone threw themselves into practicing their fists.

Fang Mo knew nothing of it all.

He was immersed in the world of stance training. His breathing was profound, his blood and qi circulated with every breath, and his body rose and fell. When he inhaled, it was like a dragon drinking water; when he exhaled, it was like a tiger roaring in the forest, his breath reverberating within his body.

At last, he let out a long breath. The airflow surged more than a foot away, while his organs seemed to have been cleansed, all turbidity swept away.

Finally completed it!

His heart was calm. Completing the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method had been within his expectations.

Ever since the Tiger Subduing Fist had advanced, his stamina had increased greatly, and completing this method was no longer difficult.

[Tiger Subduing Stance: Entering the Hall (1493/5000)]

The Bronze Mirror appeared in his mind, golden words flickering as light glinted in his eyes.

"One Great Heavenly Cycle adds three proficiency points!"

If he completed three cycles a day, or four cycles with a medicinal bath, then—

His daily proficiency would increase by over a hundred points, no slower than his previous progress from fighting on the Iron Stone Arena, perhaps even faster.

At this rate, within less than a month, his stance training would have a chance of breaking through to the fourth realm, and his physical abilities would undergo a qualitative leap.

Within the Martial Hall, there were very few who had trained the Tiger Subduing Stance to the fourth realm. If Fang Mo could break through, his strength would surely rise sharply.

The Tiger Subduing Fist was progressing just as encouragingly. With nearly eighteen hours of hard practice each day, his increased stamina meant less rest time and faster recovery, allowing him to complete over seventy rounds of training daily.

At this pace, reaching the fourth realm of the Tiger Subduing Fist within two months would not be difficult either.

And in the Martial Hall, only Feng Qingyuan had reached that realm.

After a slight stir in his thoughts, he returned to calm and continued training his Fist Technique.

Today, he felt that the threshold of Ming Jin seemed clearer than ever. Perhaps Yue Jian's departure had stirred his potential, or perhaps a single spark of inspiration would allow him to step into the realm of Ming Jin and truly embark upon the martial path.

Not far away, Guan Lu watched Fang Mo train with complete focus, her gaze complicated.

She was still angry that her father had not chosen Fang Mo, yet she was powerless to persuade him otherwise.

Fang Mo knew nothing of Guan Lu's thoughts or everyone's attention. He simply continued cultivating in silence.

As he persisted with the Seventy-Two Great Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method, he worked even harder. He trained without interruption every day, rising at four in the morning to practice, never stopping even during the blazing heat of noon, and continuing until late at night.

His persistence and hard work made many students who had originally doubted him see him in a new light.

The skeptical voices of Wang Qing and the others gradually weakened, replaced by greater respect and curiosity.

Fang Mo's unwavering persistence seemed to inspire everyone in the Martial Hall without them realizing it. They began to understand that while talent was important, relentless effort could likewise cross so-called boundaries.

Thus, the Martial Hall shed its previous laxness, and everyone trained with all their strength.

He Shaobing, Chu Silin, and the others even took the initiative to exchange insights on training with Fang Mo, and a positive, striving atmosphere formed within the Martial Hall.

Fang Mo was also happy to share his own experiences. Through mutual encouragement and learning, the entire Martial Hall's training atmosphere grew richer than ever before.

Guan Lie naturally knew about the changes in the Martial Hall. Watching the disciples' performance, he felt gratified.

"Senior Brother, I admit that I misjudged him!"

Standing in the hall, Guan Lie watched Fang Mo sweat as he practiced his punches in the sunlit yard, his face full of emotion. "I never expected his Tiger Subduing Stance to have reached Great Heavenly Cycle breathing, and his Tiger Subduing Fist to have reached the brink of Ming Jin as well. Only a thin membrane remains."

Xie Changmin nodded slightly.

"This boy possesses exceptional talent and comprehension, and his temperament is steadfast as well. If not for his poor Bone Structure, he would certainly be a prodigy. Now you know your daughter's eye for people is not bad, don't you?"

Guan Lie smiled.

"In this regard, Lulu really takes after her mother."

Xie Changmin laughed.

"But you truly made Xiao Lu furious. She isn't even speaking to you now. Why not explain things to her? Must you make her so angry she nearly cries?"

Guan Lie shook his head, his gaze darkening slightly.

"It is better to be cautious. If word gets out, there will be no surprise advantage left."

Xie Changmin nodded faintly, stroking his beard as he said slowly, "That is true. Tomorrow is the match. It is time for Tiger Might Martial Arts School to show its name once more!"

"Yes! Tiger Might Martial Arts School has kept a low profile for too long!"

Guan Lie looked up at the sky and spoke slowly as well.