Primordial Python Star Devourer Record!

Primordial Python Star Devourer Record!

In the depths of winter, heavy snow blanketed the mountains and forests. Great Ming Mountain was a vast expanse of white, with not a bird or beast in sight.

The newly risen sun brought not the slightest warmth. The biting wind stripped away the last leaves remaining in the forest.

In the woods on the outskirts of Great Ming Mountain, five li from Gu Family Village, Gu Shaoshang wore rough hemp clothes as he slowly practiced Xingyi Quan in snow that buried his knees.

Gu Shaoshang's left foot plowed the ground like an iron plow, while his right foot stomped down fiercely. His right fist shot out with the motion, his entire body like a great bow drawn to its limit, his fist an arrow launching from the string.

"Puff!"

His fist force swept up the snow, sending it flying high into the air as Gu Shaoshang unleashed a Cannon Fist.

"Crack!"

A crisp sound rang through the air.

Compared to the time when Gu Ji had injured him three months ago, his slightly taller body now carried a faint sense of being as immovable as a mountain.

"Xingyi Quan's effect in strengthening the muscles and bones surpasses Tiger Roar Fist by a notch!"

Gu Shaoshang felt utterly invigorated. Every muscle in his body tingled, while his bones crackled. He could even sense his sinews, bones, and internal organs continuously transforming and growing stronger. The skin all over his body tightened, and his pores grew smaller and smaller!

"The second stage of Foundation Establishment, Tough Skin Like A Drum! If I had enough meat, I could break through within ten days and gain the Strength of One Ox!"

Gu Shaoshang looked delighted.

With a leap, he climbed onto a branch. After several rises and falls, he reached the treetop, yet not even a flake of snow fell from the branches!

"In my previous life, I ran myself ragged just to make a living. I worked overtime every day until nightfall. With that subhealthy body, I'd be gasping after only a few steps! How could it compare to how exhilarating this feels now!"

Gu Shaoshang gazed into the distance at Great Ming Mountain. The world was a vast white expanse, draped in silver. His heart felt boundlessly open!

Gu Shaoshang raced through the forest, crossing the five li in an instant.

"Auntie!"

"Uncle!"

"You're up so early. What a good child!"

He stepped through the gates of Gu Family Village and jogged all the way toward the training grounds. Whenever he saw the uncles and aunties who were up early cooking or training, he took the initiative to greet them. Gu Jiu was seriously ill, and the villagers had helped them often. Gu Shaoshang remembered it all and was deeply grateful.

The mountain had been sealed by heavy snow these past few days, preventing the Hunting Team from entering it. At the training grounds, several hundred burly men were engaged in their morning practice.

Some practiced fist techniques, some shook great spears, some demonstrated saber forms, and some lifted stone locks to temper their strength. The entire field was bustling with activity!

"Shaoshang!"

"Why are you so late?"

"I got here earlier than you today!"

When Gu Shaoshang arrived beneath the raised platform in the southeast corner, more than a dozen children were already gathered there practicing Tiger Roar Fist.

"I got up early to chop a bundle of firewood, so I arrived late."

Gu Shaoshang smiled slightly and joined the group. He particularly liked this way of life, where an entire village was like one great family. It was something he had never experienced in his previous life.

After a little less than half an hour, once all the village youngsters had arrived, Gu Ji stood atop the platform in a black robe, his garments half-open to reveal his dark chest hair.

Seeing the youngsters lined up neatly, Gu Ji nodded slightly. "The Tiger Roar Army granted me a year of leave, and eight months have already passed! You all basically know Tiger Roar Fist now. All that remains is diligent practice! There's no other way!"

Gu Ji's voice was thunderous as he extended an arm and pointed with his thick fingers.

"Gu Shaoshang!"

"Gu Shaoze!"

"Gu Shaoyou!"

"Gu Shaohan!"

"You four, step out!" Gu Ji called out four names, and the youngsters' gazes immediately gathered on them, their faces filled with envy. These four had all broken through the Foundation Establishment stage and stood out among the youngsters. Gu Shaoze had even reached the second stage of Foundation Establishment!

The four stepped out from the ranks.

"You four! Spar in pairs! The winners will be rewarded by me!" Gu Ji crossed his arms over his chest, expressionless.

"Gu Shaoshang, I challenge you!" Gu Shaoyou, round-faced and slightly plump, sneered.

Gu Shaoyou was fourteen and Gu Shaohan's older brother. He was the oldest among all the youngsters on the field.

He often picked fights with Gu Shaoshang. The reason was that, years ago, Gu Jiu had needed to enter the mountains to gather medicine after Gu Shaoshang's mother was severely injured. Accompanying him had been his best brother, Gu Si—Gu Shaoyou's father.

In the end, Gu Si died in the mountains. Gu Shaoyou's mother died of grief soon afterward. Even though Gu Jiu had secretly supported the two brothers for years, it had been difficult to change Gu Shaoyou's hatred for them.

Gu Shaoshang frowned but said nothing.

Gu Shaoze stepped forward. "Gu Shaoyou! Shaoshang spent half a month recovering from his injuries, and he still hasn't mastered Tiger Roar Fist. Fight me instead!" Gu Shaoze was a head taller than most youngsters. Though only twelve, he looked fifteen or sixteen.

"Gu Shaoze! Who do you think you are? I want to fight Shaoshang. What business is it of yours?" Gu Shaoyou's small eyes widened as he shouted angrily.

"You—" Gu Shaoshang grabbed Gu Shaoze's arm just as he was about to explode. He shook his head slightly. "Brother, don't interfere. I'm confident."

Gu Shaoze was shocked and uncertain. When Gu Shaoshang had grabbed his arm, he had been unable to shake free despite possessing the strength of the second stage of Foundation Establishment! For a moment, he even forgot to stop him.

On the platform, Gu Ji narrowed his eyes. "Bullying the weak and fearing the strong, pushing a powerful opponent onto his younger brother... with such a disposition..."

"Come on!"

Gu Shaoyou stepped forward. "Gu Shaoze is at the second stage of Foundation Establishment and possesses the Strength of One Ox! Of course I can't beat him, but Gu Shaoshang... heh heh."

"Take this!"

Gu Shaoyou stomped fiercely on the ground, his body pouncing out like a fierce tiger. His five fingers spread wide as he clawed straight at Gu Shaoshang!

"Gu Shaoyou is being far too ruthless! He opened with Fierce Tiger Tears Heart!"

"How underhanded!"

"Shaoshang only entered Foundation Establishment recently, and he was delayed by half a month. He probably isn't Gu Shaoyou's match!"

Gu Shaoshang's face turned cold, his eyes narrowing. The large muscles all over his body suddenly contracted. Without dodging or evading, he threw a punch!

"Crack!"

In his previous life, there was a saying: A Sound Worth a Thousand Gold. At that moment, as Gu Shaoshang threw his punch, a crisp sound burst through the air! Gu Shaoyou's expression immediately changed. "Not good!" Before he could react, Gu Shaoshang's fist struck him squarely in the chest, palm and all!

"Crack!"

"Ah!"

Gu Shaoyou let out a miserable scream and flew more than a zhang away!

"Good lad!"

"He defeated Gu Shaoyou in one move!"

"How could he be this strong!"

"Didn't Gu Shaoshang just break through Integrated Strength?" The crowd erupted in an uproar. Even some of the men from the Hunting Team cried out in astonishment!

Gu Shaoyou struggled to his feet, gripping his right wrist with his left hand. Cold sweat covered his forehead. "You've perfected Integrated Strength!"

"That's right. I've already perfected Integrated Strength. I can mobilize the power of all my major muscles with a single punch. Naturally, you're no match for me," Gu Shaoshang said blandly.

At the perfection of Integrated Strength, one could mobilize every muscle in the body and unleash one's full strength with a casual punch! Gu Shaoshang had concentrated all his power into that single fist, which was why he could defeat Gu Shaoyou in one blow!

No matter how unwilling Gu Shaoyou was, he could only swallow it. "My skills are inferior. I lost!" Clutching his right hand, Gu Shaoyou retreated.

"Instructor, I concede." Gu Shaohan strode forward and supported his older brother, then stared coldly at Gu Shaoshang.

Gu Ji watched silently from the platform. When Gu Shaoshang defeated Gu Shaoyou, he was inwardly astonished. Good lad! He's about to break through to the second stage already! Is this boy even more talented than Gu Shaoze? Now, hearing Gu Shaohan concede, he spoke coldly, "Trash! You don't even have the courage to compete. You won't go far on the Martial Path!"

Gu Shaohan's face flushed red. He stammered without daring to speak, nearly lowering his head into his chest!

"Gu Shaoshang! Gu Shaoze! Come with me!" Gu Ji stepped down from the platform and headed out of the village. Gu Shaoshang and Gu Shaoze exchanged a glance, then strode after him beneath the envious and resentful eyes of the crowd.

In the forest.

Gu Ji came to a stop. "The Martial Path is arduous and winding!" His face was solemn. "The Five Stages of Foundation Establishment! Each stage is a world apart. An ordinary person may practice fist techniques for fifty years and still never set foot in the last two stages! Let alone reach Life Establishment!"

The two youngsters exchanged a look, their hearts jolting!

"In ancient times, an extraordinary man deeply felt the hardship of martial cultivation and the twists and turns that ordinary people like us faced on the road to martial arts. He traveled across the entire Vast Continent, studied all manner of strange beasts, and ultimately created the marvelous art known as the Primordial Python Star Devourer Record!"

Gu Ji spoke slowly, as though making a pilgrimage!