Breakthrough

Sun Clan Martial Arts School, front courtyard.

Yang Jing's fist forms grew heavier and heavier. Sweat dripped down his jawline, striking the bluestone slabs and spreading into small patches of dampness.

He was completely unaware of it, repeating the moves of Mountain Collapse Fist over and over, each punch seeming like a contest against himself.

By the wall, several disciples resting quietly spoke among themselves, their gazes falling on Yang Jing as he practiced with complete focus.

"Look at Senior Brother Yang. He's really full of drive. He came before dawn and hasn't rested once until now."

A newly arrived young disciple murmured with admiration in his eyes, "If it were me, I'd have collapsed long ago."

Someone beside him snorted. He was an older disciple who had been at the school for three months, standing with his arms folded as he eyed Yang Jing practicing. "What the hell is hard work worth? Martial arts depend on talent and bone structure. He's been here nearly half a year and is still going in circles at the Initiation stage. He hasn't even gone through a single Breakthrough attempt. That shows just how terrible his bone structure is. No matter how hard he trains, it'll all be wasted effort."

"Exactly," another disciple chimed in, his tone full of disdain. "I heard Senior Brother Zhang Kehan say that this Yang Jing used to run around with them. Now he's putting on airs. Does he really think training himself to death will let him succeed in a Breakthrough attempt? Hasn't he noticed that more than half the people with better talent than him have already left?"

"I bet he won't last another half month. Maybe before he even gets the chance to make a Breakthrough attempt, he'll crack under that pressure himself and slink away with his tail between his legs."

Yang Jing paid no heed to what others said.

After all, he had lived two lifetimes and even experienced transmigration. Naturally, he had a stout heart.

Over the past few months, he had endured all manner of cold words and cutting remarks. They could not shake him in the slightest.

Yang Jing continued practicing earnestly, his punches as fierce as ever.

School Master Sun Yong emerged from the inner courtyard. He merely glanced at Yang Jing from afar, then shook his head and walked away to guide Lin Yue's training.

At this martial arts school, bone structure was more precious than sweat. Most people had long grown accustomed to measuring everything by results, and no one wished to believe that someone with ordinary bone structure could create a miracle.

Only that newly arrived youth remained where he was, staring at Yang Jing's sweat-soaked back as he clenched his fists.

Within the shadows beside the courtyard wall.

Zhou Lin nudged Zhang Kehan with her elbow and jerked her chin toward Yang Jing. "Look at him, still practicing like an idiot. He's like a spinning top, whirling nonstop without even knowing he's tired."

Zhang Kehan followed her gaze and saw Yang Jing hammering the wooden post punch after punch, veins bulging across his forehead. He could not help but chuckle. "Isn't that so? At a time like this, he's still clinging to that tiny hope. Does he really think hard work alone can defy heaven and change his fate? Instead of quickly pulling some strings and seeing whether he can stay in the city, he'll probably end up rolling up his bedding and heading back to Wazi Township to farm."

"We're having dinner with Lu Yang tonight. We can have a good laugh about this then. I guarantee he'll laugh until his stomach hurts." Zhou Lin curled her lips, a trace of mockery in her voice. "I really never expected him to become such a martial arts fanatic. What a pity his obsession is in the wrong place."

It had been more than half a year since Lu Yang joined the martial arts school. Having failed to enter the Bright Strength realm, he had left the school a month ago. The three of them still occasionally gathered and met, though the meetings had become less and less frequent. They had arranged to eat together that night.

Zhang Kehan nodded and gave a low chuckle, his laughter quiet but brimming with glee at another's misfortune.

In truth, neither he nor Zhou Lin had many days left at the martial arts school either. Watching Yang Jing struggle like this had become a rare source of entertainment.

In the open space on the other side.

Qi Yun was exchanging moves with Lin Yue.

She had already entered Hidden Strength, and her skills far surpassed Lin Yue's. Yet she deliberately held back, only lightly guiding him aside whenever his moves revealed a flaw, while offering gentle instruction. Her approachable manner was utterly unlike her usual self.

Clearly, she was intentionally trying to befriend this exceptionally gifted junior brother.

"Master." Lin Yue's sharp eyes spotted School Master Sun Yong approaching first, and he hurriedly withdrew his stance.

Qi Yun also turned around and respectfully bowed.

Sun Yong waved a hand, his gaze settling on Lin Yue. Pointing at the path of Lin Yue's previous punch, he said, "You're exerting force too hastily in this move, 'Mountain Collapse and Rock Splitting.' The qi in your Dantian hasn't settled. You must be like striking a bell—store first, then release."

As he spoke, he raised a hand to demonstrate.

Lin Yue listened intently, nodding from time to time.

Qi Yun stood to one side. Seeing that she had nothing to do, she quietly withdrew.

As she passed through the courtyard, her gaze swept over Yang Jing. Seeing that he was still practicing with his head down, sweat pouring from his forehead like water and his fists striking the wooden post with dull, obsessive thuds, she could not help but sneer before turning away.

Hopelessly stupid.

He's practically about to be thrown out, yet he still wants to gamble on that so-called sliver of hope. How laughable and pitiable.

In her eyes, those who recognized the times were the true heroes. Knowing something could not be done and doing it anyway was not perseverance—it was foolishness.

When the sun climbed overhead, Yang Jing's movements gradually became sluggish. His blood and qi churned violently, and the beads of sweat on his forehead rolled down even more thickly.

Just as he was about to adjust his breathing, a gentle voice came from behind him.

"Junior Brother, sink your shoulders. Don't shrug them. Mountain Collapse Fist emphasizes Waist and Horse as One. Your punches look fierce, but all your force is leaking out through your shoulders."

Liu Maolin walked over and lightly pressed a hand against his shoulder. A steady force flowed through him, and Yang Jing felt the tension in his shoulders and neck ease at once.

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Yang Jing panted as he adjusted his stance as instructed. Sure enough, his fist forms became smoother.

"Don't panic. Take it slowly. You can do it!" Liu Maolin patted his back, genuine encouragement in his eyes. "A Breakthrough attempt doesn't just depend on bone structure. Your spirit matters too. This drive of yours is stronger than many people's."

Yang Jing nodded, warmth filling his heart. Just as he was about to say something more, Liu Maolin pointed at his footwork again. "Make your steps steadier, like roots planted in the earth."

Under the locust tree not far away, Qi Yun watched all of this, a mocking curve rising at her lips.

She had just come from Lin Yue's side, holding a piece of Osmanthus cake she had asked Zhang Kehan to buy from the street. Lin Yue liked it, so she had specifically sent someone to buy it.

What a perfect pair of fools.

Qi Yun sneered inwardly.

Liu Maolin held considerable prestige at Sun Clan Martial Arts School, and his strength ranked among the best. Yet his judgment was terribly poor. He was actually wasting his thoughts on a disciple like Yang Jing, one destined to be eliminated.

Guidance? Encouragement?

It was simply wasted effort.

Yang Jing's bone structure was mediocre, and he had already dragged on to the edge of the time limit. Even if an immortal came to guide him, nothing would change. Putting effort into him was nothing but throwing good money after bad.

She glanced at Lin Yue, who was not far away and had been called over by his master to speak, and a calculating gleam flashed through her eyes.

Compared to the scrap iron that was Yang Jing, Lin Yue was the true promising investment. Now that the school master valued him as well, his future prospects were immeasurable.

If she built a good relationship with him now, then when he soared into the sky one day, how could the benefits she received as one of the first to befriend him possibly compare to the likes of Yang Jing, that stinking fish and rotten shrimp?

Qi Yun smoothed her clothes, held the Osmanthus cake, and walked toward Lin Yue with a radiant smile.

As she passed Yang Jing and Liu Maolin, she did not even spare them the corner of her eye. Rather than waste time on fools, it was better to hurry and cultivate her own connections. That was the way to establish oneself.

Yang Jing turned a deaf ear to every discussion around him and focused on practicing his fist techniques.

He had already trained Mountain Collapse Fist to the limit of the Initiation stage. If the System Panel was right, and he had no bottlenecks in cultivating any cultivation method or martial art, then he should break through into the Bright Strength realm today.

Time passed second by second.

Before long, an hour had gone by.

As noon approached, some people were already preparing to leave for lunch.

Yang Jing was still practicing with all his heart.

Many disciples had already grown used to it. They sighed that Yang Jing's bone structure was simply too poor; otherwise, with this level of perseverance, he would still have some hope of cultivating Inner Force.

In the courtyard.

Yang Jing's fist forms had reached their height when he suddenly heard a soft hum within his body, as though an invisible barrier had abruptly shattered.