Subverting Everyone's Cognition!

Wang Yanshan's eyes were wide open, the muscles in his face twitching slightly, filled with disbelief.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he blurted out, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly:

"This... Master Hong, you-you didn't misread, did you?! How could he possibly..."

Hong Decheng didn't fully turn around, merely glancing back at Wang Yanshan with a cold look.

That gaze pressed down on Wang Yanshan's shoulders like a physical weight, making him gasp for air.

"Are you questioning my judgment?"

Hong Decheng's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Wang Yanshan immediately fell silent, all his words stuck in his throat.

He lowered his head, no longer daring to meet Master Hong's eyes, but his mind was in turmoil, a wave of shock washing over him.

How could this be possible?

How could someone with below-average aptitude reach the blood and qi critical point in just twenty-four days?

This completely defied common sense in the martial path!

Unless... unless his aptitude wasn't below average?

But he dismissed this thought as soon as it appeared. How could Master Hong have misjudged twice?

Wang Yanshan's mind was a mess.

Just moments ago, he had been planning how to teach Fang Chen a lesson, imagining the scene of the latter begging for mercy on his knees.

Now, the situation had completely reversed.

This sudden change was entirely beyond his expectations.

His fingers clenched unconsciously, his nails digging deep into his palm.

This bet... was he really going to lose?

No wonder Fang Chen had been so calm and composed from beginning to end.

It turned out he wasn't just pretending to be calm, he actually had the confidence!

Recalling his own words and actions during this period, his mockery and provocations, Wang Yanshan now found them utterly ridiculous...

It wasn't just Wang Yanshan who was shaken to his core.

Song Ming, standing beside him, was also struck as if by lightning, frozen in place.

He had expected Fang Chen might beg for mercy, or stubbornly refuse to back down out of pride.

But he had never imagined that Fang Chen would actually be on the verge of breaking through!

This was completely illogical!

Song Ming's heart cried out.

Even with his high-grade aptitude, it had taken him a full forty-five days to break through the Skin and Muscle Realm.

During that time, his family had provided him with a large amount of precious medicinal ingredients, his daily meals were carefully prepared medicinal cuisine, and even his bathwater was a costly medicinal bath concoction.

With such abundant resources, it still took him forty-five days to successfully break through.

What right did this Fang Chen have?

Why could he reach such a state in just twenty-four days?

A strong sense of imbalance surged within Song Ming.

He had always prided himself on his outstanding talent, was admired by many disciples, and after breaking through to the Second Realm, he was full of confidence, believing no one his age could surpass him.

Only Fang Chen's astonishing comprehension during his initiation that day had made him feel a slight threat. He had to admit that in terms of comprehension, Fang Chen was indeed far superior to him.

But with below-average aptitude, his future was bound to be limited. Song Ming no longer paid him much attention, thinking him merely a clown seeking attention.

In his opinion, Fang Chen could never break through, but now... reality had dealt him a heavy blow.

The martial arts school was already in an uproar.

Disciples whispered amongst themselves, exclamations of surprise and discussion rising and falling, everyone's face etched with disbelief.

"Has Junior Brother Fang's blood and qi really reached the critical point? How long has it been!"

"How did he do it?"

"Extraordinary comprehension, and such rapid progress. If he continues at this pace, he might reach the Viscera Realm in the future!"

Someone did a quick calculation and exclaimed:

"If that's the case, won't Fang Chen get five elixirs for free? Senior Brother Wang gets one, Senior Brother Song gets four... Senior Brother Song has really lost big this time."

"Not necessarily," a voice interjected into the discussion, "Don't forget that Fang Chen's aptitude is still only below average. Even if he found some way to quickly nurture his blood and qi, breaking through will likely still be difficult. The limitations of aptitude aren't so easily overcome."

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Yanshan clutched at them like a lifeline, hope rekindling in his eyes.

He thought to himself, "That's right! With mediocre aptitude, breaking through will surely be difficult!"

He forced himself to calm down, trying to regain some of his composure.

Song Ming also snapped back to reality. That's right, the bet wasn't over yet!

Fang Chen might not necessarily succeed in breaking through. Why should he lose his cool first? He took a deep breath, managing to quell his turbulent emotions, and resumed his usual arrogant demeanor.

How could a disadvantage in aptitude be so easily overcome?

Fang Chen, however, remained calm, ignoring the surrounding chatter. His gaze was fixed on Hong Decheng.

All words were futile. The outcome would be clear after the breakthrough.

Hong Decheng understood and said in a deep voice, "Follow me to the backyard. During a breakthrough, external disturbances are most to be avoided."

"Yes."

The two entered the backyard one after the other.

Unlike the bustle of the front yard, the backyard was exceptionally quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

Hong Decheng said directly, "Begin."

Fang Chen nodded, took out the wild fern, and consumed it. He then assumed the starting stance for the Tiger Subduing Fist.

As his fist techniques unfolded, the Blood Essence within his body began to surge, and the air seemed to ripple.

Hong Decheng stood with his hands behind his back, observing intently.

Initially, his gaze carried a hint of scrutiny.

But soon, that scrutiny turned into surprise, and then into disbelief.

Every move and every stance Fang Chen executed was precise and perfect.

As the wind from his fists whistled, Hong Decheng keenly noticed a faint glow of Blood Essence circulating beneath Fang Chen's skin and membranes. The power and speed of his punches had clearly reached a higher level!

This was undeniably a sign of having already broken through to the Skin and Muscle Realm!

But... within the movements of the Tiger Subduing Fist, there was still a final sliver of perfection missing before it could reach minor accomplishment!

Hong Decheng's brow furrowed tighter and tighter, a storm raging in his heart.

This contradictory phenomenon was completely beyond his understanding.

Unless...

A shocking thought flashed through his mind like lightning: "Could it be... he's cultivating other martial arts simultaneously?! And has already used them to break through to the Skin and Muscle Realm?!"

As this thought arose, Hong Decheng felt his heart tremble, almost unable to maintain his composure.

For an ordinary person, practicing one martial art was already extremely taxing. Yet Fang Chen dared to cultivate two?

What was even more terrifying was that not only was he not distracted and delayed by this, but instead, both martial arts were progressing side-by-side. One had already broken through, and the other was on the verge of minor accomplishment!

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