Lesser Heavenly Cycle Isn't Cheating, Fighting in the Octagon

A glowing humanoid figure occupied his vision. He didn't need to use his eyes to observe it; the red and white light was evenly distributed across different areas.

It was primarily concentrated in the limbs, with lighter and darker shades elsewhere.

"It's a bit like the red and white muscle the fitness coach talks about."

Qin Shi pondered seriously. He knew skeletal muscles were divided into red and white types.

Red muscle was more about endurance, while white muscle was about explosive power.

He heard that sports departments used this method to select athletes; those with a higher proportion of white muscle fibers were suited for sprinting and high jump.

Conversely, those with more red muscle would participate in marathons or road cycling races.

"It shouldn't be that simple. I see subtle pink hues too, where red and white blend into wisps of pink... Could this be Qi Sensation?"

The glowing humanoid figure was in a seated meditation posture. A pink beam of light, as thick as a finger, traveled slowly between the red and white areas.

Qin Shi simultaneously grasped the Qi Sensation and guided its circulation.

He maintained his internal vision, carefully observing the pink light, which was as tender and soft as a newborn's, brimming with vitality.

After about seven or eight minutes, a warm stream of Qi completed a full cycle.

This was what Old Liang called circulating the Lesser Heavenly Cycle.

"The pink light grew slightly stronger, and then the red and white became brighter."

Qin Shi clearly saw the subtle changes in his internal vision.

"According to Old Martial Arts, each time the Lesser Heavenly Cycle is completed, the progress of cultivation quickens.

This process actually deepens the brightness of the red and white colors, enhancing the body's strength."

Qin Shi mused. Following Old Liang's four introductory steps, Muscle Twisting and Back Pulling were for training, and Grasping Qi Sensation was for strengthening.

These two methods worked in tandem to squeeze out potential and release abundant vitality.

Finally, opening the Mortal Body's Eight Sections and Nine Joints would allow Qi Sensation to circulate throughout the entire body, covering him in a tender pink glow.

"The Old Martial Arts sect's years of inheritance are truly extraordinary, with each step interlocking seamlessly.

As long as one follows the steps, they can ascend higher and higher.

Of course, the prerequisite is being able to get started."

Qin Shi opened his eyes and stretched his body. His joints felt connected, as if his entire body was unified.

It felt like he had done a gentle stretch for a dozen minutes, opening himself up completely.

At this moment, Qin Shi felt no muscle soreness or fatigue that usually came after high-intensity training. Instead, he felt incredibly light.

His muscles were relaxed where they should be and tensed where they should be, like a brand-new machine that had just been oiled.

"The Eight Sections and Nine Joints step came naturally. Next is to increase the number of Lesser Heavenly Cycle circulations and solidify the foundation of my Fighting Style."

Qin Shi stepped outside and splashed cold water on his face. Xie Yucheng's voice came from outside:

"A'Shi, hurry up! Don't be late. Brother Ze is putting on a big show today, and they're short-handed!"

"Coming!"

Qin Shi quickly locked the door and hopped onto the back of a bicycle.

"Old Liang was unusually generous yesterday and gave us a day off. I originally wanted to hang out with Brother Yuan, but you weren't home."

Xie Yucheng pedaled, the bicycle bell jingling as they sped like the wind towards North Pass Street.

"Brother Cheng's breathing is even, but not sustained. His breathing rhythm is like swinging a hammer, rather short and choppy."

Qin Shi, having just learned how to perceive others' breath to judge their physical strength, was practicing on Xie Yucheng, who was cycling.

He closed his eyes and tilted his head, letting the airflow brush against his face and blow through his hair.

Inhale, exhale.

Qin Shi focused his attention.

Gradually, Xie Yucheng's breathing sounds amplified, forming a continuous, undulating wave curve.

"He has Qi Sensation too, Brother Cheng does, but it's very thin."

The more skilled a martial artist was, the smoother the curve representing their breath would be, with less intense fluctuations. Only when entering a combat state would there be a sudden surge in the wave's amplitude.

"Hmm, I can see the color of Brother Cheng's muscles too."

As Qin Shi's concentration reached its peak, his vision suddenly flickered, stripping away Xie Yucheng's flesh and blood form to reveal extremely dim red and white light. The faint pink, as tender as a newborn's, was almost nonexistent.

"There's more red than white, no wonder Brother Cheng usually can't beat Brother Yuan in sparring.

He has good endurance but lacks explosive power. His punches lack force, missing a decisive finishing blow."

The internal vision state didn't last long; Qin Shi's head began to feel heavy. Observing others seemed to consume a lot of energy.

"Speaking of which, does this count as fully opened? If I could expand the range, even seeing through walls and obstacles, wouldn't that be an amazing skill for ambushing people!"

Ten minutes past nine, the bicycle stopped in front of the brightly lit Midnight Palace entrance.

Xie Yucheng looked back:

"Shi, I'll go lock the bike. You go in from the back first. Brother Yuan is already here this afternoon."

Qin Shi nodded and hopped off the back seat.

North Pass Street at this hour was bustling, with heavy traffic and crowds of people.

Cars, rarely seen on Old Factory Street, drove in continuously.

Valet boys with fanny packs enthusiastically rushed forward to help park and hold spots.

"Brother Hua, open the door."

He squeezed into the alley and knocked on the iron gate, once again seeing the bear-like, muscular bald man.

"Shi! It's already heating up inside, hurry and change into your work uniform. I told Manager Yu that you and Ah Cheng are here, just in the restroom."

The bald man, whose real name was Niu Aihua, said with a friendly smile.

"Thanks, Brother Hua!"

Qin Shi slipped through the passageway and into the locker room.

Outside, the deafening sound waves pounded against the walls, seeping through.

"It's really lively."

Xie Yucheng, who had also snuck in, sighed:

"The floor manager said that these explosive big shows can attract many wealthy customers to buy tickets. I hope we can earn a few hundred in tips and have a hearty late-night meal."

Qin Shi looked at the poster stuck outside the locker's iron cabinet. It featured a bronze-skinned muscle man, as if cast from steel, striking a most muscular pose. His opponent was a scrawny Indian man wrapped in a turban.

"I wonder how high the physical strength of the Fighters under Brother Ze is?"

The Midnight Palace was exceptionally lively tonight. The customers were no longer paying attention to the scantily clad dancers or the hot-bodied hostesses. Instead, all eyes were fixed on the octagon cage that had been raised on the main stage.

The heavy iron cage stood tall, emitting a cold glow. It was about ten meters in diameter, with railings two meters high.

Eight thick corner pillars supported eight wire mesh gates, resembling a miniature beast arena.

The microphone carried the host's high-pitched, impassioned voice throughout the entire hall:

"Tonight, we will witness a brutal, desperate fight! On one side is 'Black Lonnie' from North Pass Street, whose hands have crushed countless Fighters' skulls! On the other side is 'Bitter Monk' from the Indian Autonomous Region..."

The ostentatiously dressed host shouted himself hoarse, but the audience just wanted him to get off the stage quickly, eager to watch the slaughter.

"Brother Yuan, what's this Black Lonnie, Bitter Monk? Their names sound pretty impressive!"

After delivering a few cocktails ordered by customers, Qin Shi was chatting with Li Yuan in a corner.

"It's all made up. Black Lonnie is a gym trainer from the metropolitan area. He took so much drugs that his head became pointy. He looks big, but he's actually as clumsy as a pig. He might not be able to beat me.

Bitter Monk is even funnier. He's a dishwasher at a curry restaurant in the North District.

The opening show isn't much to watch. It's mainly to build atmosphere and fool the amateurs."

Li Yuan sneered.

"Huh?"

Qin Shi was surprised.

So it was a nightclub version of Martial Arts World?

Who could act better?

"The truly exciting content wouldn't be put on public display,"

Li Yuan shrugged.

"The main course is only served after the appetizers are finished. Several big bosses from Yancheng are here tonight. They specifically requested a fight to the death, and they won't be satisfied unless there's blood."

As he spoke, Li Yuan's expression turned grim. His and Xie Yucheng's clearest "career plan" was nothing more than following Brother Ze, upgrading from a boxer to a fighter in the arena.

"That brutal? They must cause a death!"

As a student, Qin Shi had only experienced the dilapidated side of Old Factory Street and had never truly glimpsed the darkness hidden beneath a peaceful life.

"Rich people, they've enjoyed everything. The dignity, the personality, the time of the poor can be trampled on by them at any moment. Is there anything left but their lives?"

Li Yuan gritted his teeth, hatred flashing in his eyes.

Qin Shi fell silent. His elder sister had shouldered too many burdens for him and the youngest.

She paid for their education and their living expenses, shielding them from storms and sheltering them from rain.

They hadn't experienced the pain and hardship of being beaten down by reality.

"Brother Yuan, table 52, open two bottles of Thorn Rose!"

The bartender at the bar relayed the message through the intercom.

Li Yuan responded and left in a hurry.

"Earning tips is really not easy."

Feeling the intense gazes from several booth areas, Qin Shi had to force a professional smile again.

Serving drinks and fruit platters to these lonely single ladies in the VIP section inevitably led to some teasing.

If it were just verbal, it would be fine, but some bold ones would directly touch him and even ask if he wanted to find a sugar mama or a sugar mommy.

"Young man, when you're out and about, you really need to protect yourself!"

Hearing the bar's reminder about a drink order, Qin Shi sighed again, preparing to endure the humiliation.

He hoped he wouldn't encounter any perverted players who called themselves "needing discipline," "willing to be a slave," or "begging to be stepped on."

Before Qin Shi could serve the drink, Manager Yu, who was dressed somewhat seductively, called out to him:

"A'Shi, hold on a moment. Brother Ze is looking for you in the second-floor private room."