Prisoner's Six Arts, Freeing the Self

The city at five in the morning.

Stars dotted the sky, and streetlights stood scattered along the roads.

Other than the occasional hiss of tires passing by, everything was silent.

Inside the narrow, pitch-black rental room.

Flickering neon light filtered through the window, casting the shadow on the wall into swaying motion.

"Hiss... hoo..."

"Hiss... hoo..."

Fang Cheng lay prone on the floor, his back straight and his feet together behind him.

His arms bent repeatedly until his chest was nearly touching the ground.

He took a deep breath of icy, piercing air.

Then he forcefully pushed himself up on his elbows, lifting his chest and head to look forward.

A puff of warm white vapor escaped his mouth.

With every completed movement, he silently counted the repetitions, trying to maintain a steady rhythm.

That was right.

What he was doing was Push-Ups, known as the "golden exercise of bare-handed fitness" and one of the three foundational street workout movements.

After careful consideration, Fang Cheng decided to place Physical Training above everything else.

He hoped that, just as he had mastered Boxing, he could unlock new skills like "fitness" and "training" through basic skills practice.

In his previous life, Fang Cheng had been a shut-in who had watched countless videos, and he had also read some books and watched videos about fighting and fitness.

One bestselling book in particular, titled Prisoner's Fitness: Build Powerful Survival Strength, had left a deep impression on him.

The book's author had served nineteen years in one of the darkest prisons.

Prison life was brutal. Beatings and abuse were commonplace, and there were often accidents that caused severe injuries or even death.

In such a harsh environment, weakness was a crime, and growing stronger was merely a matter of survival.

After years of study, the author learned various traditional techniques from fellow inmates and combined them with modern Physical Training science.

In the end, he achieved enlightenment and developed a Prisoner's Fitness Technique containing six arts, built upon the principle that the greatest truths were simple.

Its philosophy was simple: get rid of the gym.

There was no need for cold exercise equipment, nor any drugs to stimulate the muscles.

It did not pursue bulky limbs or oversized pectoral muscles, only the ability to control one's body freely and become one's own master.

Anyone could possess explosive strength and the physique of a beast.

Abandoning equipment and drugs was perfectly suited to Fang Cheng's current circumstances.

He likewise had no money for a gym membership, private coach sessions, or supplements like protein powder, nitric oxide boosters, and creatine.

Therefore, based on his own needs and the book's contents, Fang Cheng created a bare-handed fitness Training Plan.

It included Push-Ups, Squats, Pull-Ups, Leg Raises, Back Bridge, and Handstand Push-Ups.

The book called these Six Skills the "Prisoner's Six Arts."

As the foremost of the six arts, Push-Ups were one of the simplest and most practical, yet highly effective, methods of strength training.

Besides training the wrist, upper arms, pectoral muscles, and core, this movement could also improve cardiopulmonary function and increase endurance.

Fang Cheng was currently starting with the most standard Arms Push-Ups.

Of course, there were more difficult Action Options built upon that foundation.

For example, advanced variations such as Diamond Push-Ups, Folding Knife Push-Ups, Archer Push-Ups, Knuckle Push-Ups, One-Arm Push-Ups, and Superman Push-Ups.

"13."

"14."

"15."

"Hoo... hoo..."

Once his Push-Ups exceeded ten repetitions, Fang Cheng's breathing gradually became more labored.

His arm-bending and extending motions also began to deform, making it difficult to maintain the proper standard.

But Fang Cheng had no intention of giving up there.

This was both a Fitness Test and a further exploration of what the golden finger could actually do.

Unlike professional skills such as Boxing and Cooking.

The concept of "fitness" was far too broad and all-encompassing, making it difficult to define specifically.

For his first training session, Fang Cheng wanted to see.

Whether repeatedly practicing the same movement could trigger the Panel and unlock a Skill Bar.

"18."

"19."

"20..."

By the time he barely managed twenty, his physical strength seemed to have reached its limit.

Fang Cheng's chest heaved violently, and his arms began trembling uncontrollably.

He could not help but stop and catch his breath.

"I'm still too weak..."

According to the Training Plan, one set should have contained a full twenty-five repetitions.

It seemed he really had overestimated himself.

This body had lacked exercise for a long time and had grown weak over the years.

Suddenly taking on high-intensity exercise and performing this well was already excellent.

Besides...

The Panel had shown no response for so long that he could not help feeling uncertain.

Fang Cheng was Frowning as he gasped heavily.

A wavering thought flashed through his mind, only to be cast aside at once.

Back when he had been an Ordinary People, he could be unwilling, could wallow in self-pity, could regret the missed chances of the past.

But now, heaven had given him the chance to change his ordinary, vulgar life.

How could he still casually give up and make lies and excuses to numb himself?

A salty Sweat Droplets ran past the corner of his mouth and down his chin.

Fang Cheng clenched his molars.

The game had already begun.

If he could not even take the first step, then he would only ever deserve to be a loser!

Success or failure aside, if he wanted something, he had to fight for it with everything he had!

At the very least, he had to see where his limits lay!

"Focus Skill—activate!"

You used the Focus Skill. Your mind is highly concentrated, and your Body Control has increased.

Maintain it for over 30 minutes to gain Experience Points.

"21."

"22."

"23."

His muscles continued to tremble, but Fang Cheng's gaze became firm and calm.

It was as though he had returned to the Exam Room during the college entrance examination, facing a difficult and complicated Test Paper without the slightest thought of retreating.

Every time he lowered himself to the ground, it was like speaking with his former weak and helpless self.

Every time he lifted his chest and head, it was like proving that he had surpassed himself once more.

"24."

"25."

He broke through another Major Milestone.

Fine Sweat Droplets already covered Fang Cheng's forehead.

The Sweat flowing from his body had soaked a large patch of his undershirt.

He silently caught his breath for several seconds.

Then he continued repeating the simple yet incomparably difficult movement.

It was as though he had forgotten the pain produced by his body.

He only focused on feeling the taut muscles in his arms, feeling the power hidden within them—the power that could change his fate.

Warning! You have begun overdrawing your physical strength. Please rest promptly and regulate your physical condition.

"26."

"27."

"28."

"29."

At this point, every additional repetition was an enormous challenge.

The pain and torment were no less than enduring torture.

No matter how strong his Willpower was, the body ultimately possessed a physiological limit for self-protection.

Fang Cheng's face had flushed crimson, and flames seemed to burn in his eyes.

Had he truly reached his limit?

Then.

One last.

One more!

"30!!!"

Fang Cheng swallowed hard and let out a low roar.

He barely completed the motion of lowering himself down.

But then the muscles in his arms suddenly spasmed.

At last... they could no longer support his increasingly heavy body.

Thud.

Fang Cheng dropped to his knees, his elbows against the floor, his head lowered as he gasped deeply.

The Whole Person was like a fish that had just leaped out of water. His hands, feet, waist, and back had all lost their strength, and he was so exhausted that he nearly collapsed to the ground.

However.

In the silent darkness, there was not the slightest trace of discouragement or pain on Fang Cheng's face.

Instead, his eyes gleamed brightly with unspoken delight.

Because the Panel before his eyes was rapidly brightening and expanding.

New lines of information Emerged one after another, scrolling continuously.

You practiced Push-Ups with all your strength, reaching a certain level of proficiency and gaining a deep understanding of them.

Skill unlocked: Push-Ups Lv0 (0/100)

You challenged your limits, and your body activated its self-protection mechanism.

Skill unlocked: Potential Activation

You successfully triggered a hidden skill. Please use it as soon as possible.

It was not "fitness" or "training" as he had expected, but the more specific and specialized Push-Ups.

That was fine too. At least it proved that the method worked.

The Prisoner's Six Arts contained six skills in total. If he successfully unlocked all of them, wouldn't he receive even more enhancements from leveling up?

Fang Cheng had no time for careful consideration.

He noticed that another newly unlocked Skill Bar on the Skill Panel was continuously Flickered with Red Light, as though it might disappear at any moment.

Without hesitation, he immediately chose to use it.

Buzz—

In an instant, it felt as though invisible energy had been born from within his blood.

Fang Cheng's pupils widened.

He clearly felt that energy coursing through his blood vessels, continuously pouring into the bones, muscles, and internal organs throughout his body.

His exhausted body immediately felt as though it had been injected with adrenaline, instantly returning to full health.

It was also like soaking in a hot spring after receiving a spa treatment from a Gold Medal Technician.

All the soreness, fatigue, and other negative effects caused by exercise were swept away.

Fang Cheng raised his arm and clenched his fist, feeling his strength return.

"So this is the effect of Potential Activation?"

That sense of fulfillment, like leveling up in a game, made his extinguished fighting spirit blaze fiercely once again.

Fang Cheng licked his dry, chapped lips.

Then he Stood Up and poured A Cup of warm boiled water from the thermos on the table.

Gulp, gulp, he poured it straight down his throat.

After drinking Most of It in one go, he used a Towel to wipe the Sweat from his face.

His strength had recovered, and he had replenished the water he had lost.

Then he might as well strike while the iron was hot and keep training!

"31."

"32."

"..."

"40."

"..."

"60."

"..."

Fang Cheng counted the repetitions as he practiced Push-Ups with an exceptionally standard posture.

Unlike before, it was as though his body muscles had formed an instinctive memory.

Every movement aimed to achieve the most perfect score with the least possible expenditure of energy.

If Push-Ups had an Olympic Games, then judging by Fang Cheng's current performance, he would have been fully qualified to join the national team's training camp.

"82."

"83."

"Phew—"

Fang Cheng suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded, and couldn't help stopping.

The excitement brought by Potential Activation was gradually fading, and the strength that had just returned seemed about to be depleted again.

He narrowed his eyes and checked the scrolling real-time information displayed on the Panel.

You completed 5 standard Push-Ups. Experience +1.

You completed 5 standard Push-Ups. Experience +1.

You completed 5 standard Push-Ups. Experience +1.

He dragged to the bottom, where it stopped at the ninth message. Nothing else appeared after that.

He then checked the Skill Bar.

Push-Ups: Lv0 (9/100)

After unlocking the skill, he had done more than fifty Push-Ups in a row.

Only the last eight had failed to grant experience because his form had not been standard enough.

It seemed the system's assessment was extremely strict.

If he merely went through the motions, or if insufficient strength caused his form to distort, he definitely would not gain experience.

As for successfully unlocking the skill by challenging his limits—

Fang Cheng guessed it was more of an entry test.

Take the Boxing skill, for instance. He could also choose actual combat to speed up the unlocking process.

By the same logic—

Even if he practiced only five standard Push-Ups a day, he could still achieve the goal after one or two months.

It was just that the time required would be far too long.

By now, the glowing words in the Skill Bar had dimmed, and that wonderful sensation was rapidly receding.

"Potential Activation" had turned gray, entering a sealed state.

There was also a small note beneath it.

This skill is a hidden skill and requires prerequisite conditions for activation.

Remaining cooldown time: 71:39:56

Fang Cheng did not continue training.

He still had to go to work at the Club today.

Since he had already exceeded his training goal, he might as well save some strength.

That way, he could avoid overtraining, muscle strain, and a prolonged recovery period.

"The next skill unlock will be three days from now!"

Fang Cheng's eyes flashed slightly as he spoke in a low voice.

The muscles in his arms were not spasming and trembling as they had before, nor did he feel the soreness caused by lactic acid buildup.

His head was just a little dizzy, and his stomach was growling.

It was as if he had gone three or four days without food, leaving him severely anemic and weak.

Fang Cheng simply sprawled flat on the floor and slowly caught his breath.

Though his body was exhausted to the extreme, he felt a strangely masochistic thrill.

All the Negative Emotions piled up in his heart found tremendous release through the sweat-drenched rounds of exercise.

Outside the Window, the pitch-black sky gradually brightened and turned white.

Dawn had already passed.

A hazy gleam spread across the fogged glass, as if it had been brushed with a faint layer of gold dust.

A dark room, a golden window.

It was like a sacred Gate of Heaven descending before him.

Fang Cheng opened his eyes, slowly climbed to his feet, and walked barefoot across the floor to the window.

His home was on the top floor, giving him an exceptionally broad view of the distant Skyline.

The City beneath the faint morning light seemed especially quiet and peaceful.

The streetlights went out one after another, while the people in the residential buildings were still asleep.

The occasional car horn from the street seemed to be waking this vibrant world.

Looking At the Winter Morning Scene and enjoying the warm touch of sunlight on his face—

Fang Cheng was suddenly seized by an urge as if he had stepped onto a stage.

He couldn't help opening his throat and shouting at the top of his lungs:

"Ah—"

His voice rang out brightly, echoing between the buildings in the morning breeze for a long while.

But it also woke the neighboring residents, drawing a wave of complaints.

"Which lunatic is howling like a ghost this early in the morning? Are you not letting anyone sleep in peace?!"

"Damn it, don't let me catch you, or you'll regret it..."

Listening to the curses erupting one after another, Fang Cheng grinned.

For the first time in both his past and present lives, he experienced the thrill of becoming physically stronger.

The feeling was so incredible that it deeply shocked him, leaving him a little intoxicated.

No wonder some people became addicted to fitness.

He had never understood it before. He thought those people were complete masochists, deliberately making themselves suffer.

But now, he understood exactly how they felt.

No!

He understood it even more deeply than they did.

Fang Cheng's gaze shone as he looked directly at the Pale Blue Screen glowing alongside the dawn.

Perhaps the greatest meaning of this Panel's existence—

Was that as long as he trained, he would gain experience; and with experience, he could Level Up and grow stronger.

He could truly watch himself improve step by step, and not a single drop of Sweat he shed would ever be wasted.

So he just had to grind!

A newcomer setting out with a new book—please bookmark and Follow-up Reading, everyone! Thank you for your companionship and support!