The Might of Ming Jin

"Junior Brother Fang, it seems your Tiger Subduing Stance has made a breakthrough?" Ding Zhiyuan asked with a smile when he saw Fang Mo stop to rest.

"Yes, I just broke through!" Fang Mo beamed.

"Not bad. Making a breakthrough in five days isn't slow at all!" Ding Zhiyuan nodded approvingly. "Keep it up. Try to complete nine Heavenly Cycle Breaths and hold out for over an hour. Once you can do that, you'll be able to learn the Tiger Subduing Fist!"

"Alright, I'll work hard!" Fang Mo's gaze was resolute.

"I have faith in you!" Ding Zhiyuan patted Fang Mo's shoulder before turning to leave.

Fang Mo's heart sank quietly. Nine cycle breaths in an hour meant each breath had to last nearly ten seconds. His breaths currently lasted only four seconds. Reaching ten seconds was still a distant goal.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, stopped resting, and immediately resumed training. In the days that followed, he trained with everything he had. He was the last to leave each night and arrived before dawn.

Twenty days flew by.

Fang Mo's skin had grown darker, his body sturdier, and the lines of his muscles more defined. If anyone saw him again, they would never associate him with the useless young master Fang Mo of before.

After finishing another stance session, Fang Mo focused his mind inward.

[Tiger Subduing Stance: Initial Mastery (689/1000)]

He was not far from another breakthrough. During this period, he had already completed Blood Qi Tempering twice.

His body had already surpassed that of his previous life. Even after training for ten years back then, he had never reached such a level. Once he broke through to the third realm, his body would surely become even more extraordinary. He was filled with anticipation.

"I broke through!" An excited cry rang out.

Fang Mo looked over. After nearly a month at the Martial Hall, he had come to recognize most of the people there, even without making a point of it. The one shouting excitedly was Chen Mingzhong, who had arrived at the Martial Hall several months before Fang Mo. Of the seven who had arrived in Chen Mingzhong's batch, he was the first to break through. Three others had already realized there was no hope for them and left early.

At the sound, a group from the rear courtyard came over. Guan Lie led the way, followed by a number of disciples.

"Chen Mingzhong, show us," Guan Lie said as he looked at him.

"Yes, Master!" Chen Mingzhong answered excitedly. He assumed the Wuji Stance, his body rising and falling like a crouching tiger.

Fang Mo felt that Chen Mingzhong truly resembled a fierce tiger at that moment, his body brewing immense strength.

"Hey!" Chen Mingzhong gave a low shout, stepped forward, and unleashed a Cross Punch.

Bang! His fist detonated with a boom, as though the air had exploded beneath it. The entire atmosphere seemed to tremble.

Though this was not Fang Mo's first time watching the trainees demonstrate their skills, his blood still surged with excitement. This was the Ming Jin he had pursued in his previous life—the explosive roar of air. In that life, he had never seen a single person cultivate to such a realm.

The so-called sound of a fist had merely been an artificial noise. This was a true airburst, powerful enough to make one's heart feel stifled.

"Not bad. Strike the log again!" Guan Lie said in a booming voice, a smile appearing on his face.

Chen Mingzhong walked up to the log and assumed the Wuji Stance again. His breath swelled, and with a sudden roar, he drove out a punch that struck the log head-on.

The log, as thick as a bowl's mouth, cracked with an explosive sound. A fissure split across its surface, and splinters shot outward.

Fang Mo's heart jolted again. What terrifying power. In his previous life, he had sought out countless masters across the country, yet no one had ever reached such a level. This was White Ironwood, as thick as a bowl's mouth—extremely hard, renowned as the "Axe Terminator." Its hardness spoke for itself.

Yet Fang Mo saw Guan Lie's brow crease slightly, as if he was not entirely satisfied.

"That's enough. Since you've broken through to Ming Jin, you may begin cultivating in the rear courtyard tomorrow." Guan Lie left with his hands behind his back.

The trainees all stepped forward to offer congratulations. Reaching Ming Jin meant one had truly stepped onto the path of martial arts. Whether becoming a bodyguard or joining the military, one could receive excellent treatment. Naturally, everyone wanted to congratulate him.

"Tonight, drinks are on me for everyone in the Martial Hall. Let's all go together!" Chen Mingzhong waved his hand grandly, and the trainees cheered in agreement.

Fang Mo noticed that Ding Zhiyuan seemed somewhat dejected. Though he was still chatting and laughing, the smile on his face was clearly forced.

Finding an opportunity, Fang Mo walked over to Ding Zhiyuan and comforted him. "Senior Brother Ding, don't be anxious. Isn't there still a month left? Maybe you'll break through."

"There's no hope." Ding Zhiyuan shook his head with a smile. "I know my own situation better than anyone. I still haven't found the feeling at all. I'm afraid it'll be difficult for me to break through."

"Then what are you planning to do, Senior Brother?" Fang Mo had noticed it as well. Ding Zhiyuan had not been very diligent in his training lately.

"What plans could I have? Go home and take over the family business." Ding Zhiyuan shrugged, speaking with feigned ease.

Fang Mo had spoken with Ding Zhiyuan before and knew that his family operated a freight company. They had some wealth. If he truly lacked talent for martial arts, returning home to take over the family business was also a path forward.

"That works too. Martial arts isn't the only road in life," Fang Mo consoled him.

Ding Zhiyuan smiled and patted Fang Mo. "It's fine. I can accept it."

By then, Chen Mingzhong and the other trainees had changed clothes and come out, repeatedly calling for the others. The crowd gathered around him and headed outside.

"Senior Brother Ding, come drink with us!" Chen Mingzhong called out. Ding Zhiyuan answered, then looked at Fang Mo. "Come on! Join us!"

"I won't be going." Fang Mo shook his head. He had no desire to take part in such activities, and Chen Mingzhong clearly had not intended to invite him. Why force his way into the excitement?

Ding Zhiyuan did not press him. He patted his shoulder and left with the others.

Fang Mo had long grown used to this. He kept to himself and did not socialize with anyone. At most, he exchanged greetings and a few words from time to time. He spent all his time cultivating, making him somewhat of a lone wolf.

"Junior Brother Fang, why are you still training? Isn't Junior Brother Chen Mingzhong treating everyone to dinner?" Just as Fang Mo was about to resume training, Senior Disciple Brother Feng Qingyuan came out with Miao Ping, Chi Jing, and two others. Feng Qingyuan looked at Fang Mo with a genial smile, while the others wore indifferent expressions.

"Greetings, Senior Brother and Senior Disciple Sister!" Fang Mo withdrew his stance and saluted them. Then he smiled and said, "Senior Disciple Brother, you all go ahead. I won't be going. I still need to practice a few more sets."

"You should rest when it's time to rest. Don't push yourself too hard," Feng Qingyuan said with a smile.

"Thank you, Senior Disciple Brother. I'll rest after practicing a little longer," Fang Mo replied respectfully.

Feng Qingyuan did not say anything further. He waved his hand and left with the other four.

"Why waste words on him, Senior Disciple Brother? He's someone destined to leave anyway," Chi Jing said arrogantly.

"That may not be certain." Feng Qingyuan smiled faintly. "I think Fang Mo has made quite a bit of progress lately. Perhaps he really can cultivate Ming Jin."

"Then let's make a bet, Senior Brother. I bet he definitely won't be able to cultivate it!" Chi Jing suddenly said with a smile.

"Sure."

"What do you want to bet?"

Feng Qingyuan asked with a smile.

Chi Jing raised a finger and said sweetly, "Ten jin of Exotic Beast Meat, plus two Initiation Grade Spiritual Medicines. How about it?"

"It seems Junior Sister Chi is very confident."

Feng Qingyuan smiled, extended his hand, and clapped it against hers. "Alright, I accept!"

Fang Mo knew nothing of the bet they had made over him. He trained for another hour before leaving the Martial Hall.

When he arrived at his small courtyard and was about to open the door, he stopped. The lock had already been opened.

His eyes narrowed slightly. Someone had entered the courtyard?

Instead of going through the gate, Fang Mo came to the courtyard wall. With both hands gripping the top, he vaulted onto it and looked inside. The courtyard was pitch-black and silent, without the slightest movement.

He pressed lightly with both hands, leaped, and drifted into the courtyard.

But the instant his feet touched the ground, a black shadow sprang from the darkness and lunged straight at him. Its punch tore through the air with a sharp crack, like an explosion.