Moving Bricks and Practicing Fists, Advancing on Two Fronts

The morning light pierced the mist, scattering across the yard of the abandoned workshop.

Lin Fan, bare-chested and wearing only a pair of faded, coarse linen shorts, was practicing his punches against a waist-high wooden post. His punches weren't fast, but each one was as steady as a rock. The impact on the hardwood produced dull thuds, and the surface of the post was already dented.

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +1]

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +1]

System prompts popped up alternately.

Sweat trickled down the young man's lean yet well-defined back, glistening in the morning light. His breathing followed a special rhythm—inhaling as he punched out, exhaling as he drew his fist back. With each breath, Origin Energy circulated slowly within his body.

This was a technique recorded in Grandpa Li's book, "Detailed Explanation of Basic Breathing Technique," which, when combined with the Iron Body Skill's cultivation method, could maximize the effects of the medicinal bath.

Last night's medicinal bath had been remarkably effective.

Lin Fan could clearly feel that his skin had become tougher, and his muscle fibers were more tightly knit. Previously, his hand would swell and turn red after hitting the wooden post, but now even the pain had significantly lessened.

"At this rate, the Iron Body Skill should break through to the Proficient level today."

He glanced at the panel:

[Iron Body Skill (Proficient 472/500)]

Only 28 points left.

There were still three days until the academy's official test.

Time was tight.

Lin Fan didn't stop, continuing to punch. He adjusted his angle, no longer just striking the front of the wooden post but moving around it, punching from different directions—this was simulating mobile attacks in actual combat.

[Basic Footwork Proficiency +1]

[Combat Experience +0.1]

"As expected, combined movements can trigger multiple proficiency increases simultaneously."

Lin Fan's heart stirred, and he began to attempt more complex combinations: a charging step followed by a straight punch, a sidestep followed by a hook, a backward step followed by a block... These were all basic movements, but when combined, they gave him the feeling of "training in actual combat."

An hour later, the sun had fully risen.

Lin Fan stopped, gasping for breath. He was soaked through, as if he had just been pulled out of the water, but his eyes were bright.

He checked the panel:

[Basic Fist Technique (Proficient 612/1000)]

[Basic Footwork (Proficient 398/500)]

[Iron Body Skill (Proficient 488/500)]

[Strength: 14.8]

[Combat Experience: 3.2]

"Iron Body Skill is still 12 points away..." Lin Fan wiped his sweat. "I'll keep training on the way to the docks."

He put on his clothes—still the same patched-up coarse cloth shirt—and slung the backpack with bricks on his back. He then pushed out the black bicycle he had bought last night.

It would take half an hour to cycle to the docks.

He didn't want to waste this time.

The docks in the morning were as busy as ever.

A dozen cargo ships were docked along the shore, and workers scurried between the ships and warehouses like ants, hauling various goods: sacks of grain, bundles of fur, sealed medicinal herbs, and heavy metal ores.

When Lin Fan found the foreman, Old Ma, he was squatting by the warehouse entrance, smoking his pipe.

"Uncle Ma, is there any work today?"

Old Ma looked up at him and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Yes, ship number three on the north side, unloading iron ore. Three hundred tons per ship. The pay is according to the old rules, 30 points per person upon completion. However..." He paused. "That ship's ore is 'Black Iron Ore,' which is thirty percent heavier than regular iron ore. Are you sure you want to take it?"

Black Iron Ore?

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

Black Iron Ore was a low-grade spiritual ore, extremely heavy, and often used to forge mortal artifacts. Because it was so heavy, many workers were unwilling to take the job, and the pay would be appropriately increased.

"I'll take it," Lin Fan said without hesitation.

"Alright, then go find Steward Wang on ship number three." Old Ma took another puff of his pipe. "A word of advice, do what you can, don't overexert yourself. Your sister is counting on you."

"Thank you, Uncle Ma."

Lin Fan pushed his cart towards pier number three, calculating in his mind.

Black Iron Ore was heavier than regular ore, requiring more physical exertion to move, but in return, it offered better training effects for strength. If he could make good use of this opportunity...

He arrived at ship number three.

It was a medium-sized cargo ship, its deck piled high with dark ore, each piece the size of a watermelon, glinting metallically in the sun. Over a dozen workers were busy, working in pairs to haul the ore in specially made iron baskets.

"New guy?" A middle-aged man with a goatee walked over, holding a ledger. "Old Ma sent you, right? I'm Steward Wang. You know the rules? Two people per basket, carry it to that warehouse over there, weigh it, and register it. Standard weight per basket is 200 kilograms, pay is per basket, 2 points per basket."

Lin Fan glanced at the iron baskets. Each was one meter long and wide, and half a meter deep. Filled with Black Iron Ore, they would weigh well over 200 kilograms.

"Steward Wang, can I carry one by myself?" Lin Fan asked.

"By yourself?" Steward Wang blinked, looking him up and down. "Kid, are you joking? Each of these baskets of Black Iron Ore weighs at least 250 kilograms. It's tough for two people to carry, and you want to do it alone?"

"I want to try," Lin Fan said. "I can take half pay, just 1 point per basket."

Steward Wang frowned. "It's not about the pay, it's about your safety. This job is grueling, no joke. Last year, some hot-headed kid tried to show off, broke his back, and he's still bedridden."

"I've trained in martial arts," Lin Fan said. "If I can't lift it, I'll stop."

Steward Wang stared at him for a few seconds before finally waving his hand. "Fine, if you want to court death, I can't stop you. But let's be clear, you're responsible for yourself if anything happens. The dock won't cover medical expenses."

"Understood."

Lin Fan walked over to a pile of iron baskets and chose one that looked the sturdiest.

He didn't rush to fill it with ore. Instead, he did a few stretching movements, loosening his joints and adjusting his breathing. Then, he took a deep breath and began loading the Black Iron Ore into the basket.

One piece, two pieces, three pieces...

He loaded them slowly, carefully feeling the weight of each piece of ore and adjusting its position to keep the center of gravity as balanced as possible.

After loading ten pieces, the iron basket was full.

Lin Fan estimated the weight. Each piece of Black Iron Ore was about 25 kilograms, so ten pieces made 250 kilograms. Add the weight of the iron basket itself, and the total was close to 270 kilograms.

This already exceeded the maximum load he had tested earlier.

But... he wanted to try.

"System, assess the current load on my body," Lin Fan thought silently.

The panel didn't respond directly but displayed a notification:

[Recommend activating 'Extreme Training Mode'. Under this mode, proficiency gain efficiency increases by 50%, but stamina consumption doubles, with a risk of injury.]

Extreme Training Mode?

A new function?

Lin Fan didn't hesitate. "Activate."

[Extreme Training Mode activated. Duration lasts until stamina is depleted or manually deactivated.]

He felt a slight warmth spread through his body. His muscle fibers seemed to be infused with some kind of power, but at the same time, a faint stinging sensation arose—a signal of excessive load.

"Begin."

Lin Fan bent down, gripping the handles on both sides of the iron basket with his hands.

"Lift!"

He grunted, engaging his core and pushing off with his legs. All his strength erupted at that moment.

The iron basket lifted off the ground!

Although it only rose less than ten centimeters, it was indeed lifted.

[Strength Proficiency +3]

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +2]

Panel notifications popped up frantically.

Lin Fan gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. He could feel every muscle trembling, every bone bearing immense pressure. But simultaneously, a warm current surged from his dantian, flowing through his meridians to his limbs—a sign that Basic Breathing Technique was automatically activating.

"Move!"

He took his first step.

His steps were heavy, each one leaving a deep imprint in the dirt.

The distance from the cargo ship to the warehouse was about fifty meters. Normally, two people would carry a basket and take about two minutes to cover this distance, with a chance to rest once.

But Lin Fan was alone.

He couldn't stop. If he stopped, he might never be able to lift it again.

He forced himself to maintain his breathing rhythm—two steps inhaling, two steps exhaling. Origin Energy circulated within his body, barely preventing his stamina from collapsing.

Twenty meters.

Thirty meters.

Forty meters...

Sweat blurred his vision. The muscles in his arms screamed with a tearing pain. His lower back felt like it was about to snap. Lin Fan was on the verge of collapse.

But just then, the panel suddenly displayed a new notification:

[Detected 'Extreme State' sustained for 10 seconds. Triggered 'Potential Unleashed'. Temporary Strength +1. Duration: 30 seconds.]

A new surge of power erupted from the depths of his body. Though weak, it was enough for him to push through the final ten meters.

"Bang!"

The iron basket landed heavily on the scale platform in the warehouse.

"270 kilograms!" The old worker in charge of weighing stared at the scale beam in astonishment. "Kid, did you carry that here by yourself?"

Lin Fan was too exhausted to reply, just gasping for air.

[Strength Proficiency +5]

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +3]

[Basic Footwork Proficiency +2]

[Combat Experience +0.5]

[Strength: 15.1 (Temporary +1)]

A series of notifications flashed by.

Strength had broken through 15 points!

Furthermore, his Iron Body Skill proficiency had reached 491 points, only 9 points away from reaching the Mastery level.

'Potential activation... temporary strength bonus...' Lin Fan thought while catching his breath. 'Does the system have these hidden mechanisms? It seems they can only be triggered under true extreme conditions.'

This deepened his understanding of the system.

"Kid, can you still manage?" Steward Wang walked over, his expression complex. "This strength of yours... it really doesn't seem like a 16-year-old's."

"I'm okay." Lin Fan straightened up. Although his body ached all over, his spirit was high. "Steward Wang, can I continue?"

"Are you sure? That last basket was already tough."

"I just need a short rest," Lin Fan said. "I want to move twenty baskets today."

"Twenty baskets?!" Steward Wang's eyes widened. "That's 1 point per basket, so twenty baskets is only 20 points. If two people carried them, they could earn 40 points. You're losing out big time."

"I'm not losing out," Lin Fan smiled.

He was losing money, but gaining strength.

In the face of the academy's tests, money could be put aside for now; strength was the foundation.

"Alright, if that's what you want." Steward Wang stopped trying to persuade him. "There's a water bucket over there, help yourself. Rest up before you continue, don't push yourself too hard."

"Thank you, Steward."

Lin Fan walked to the water bucket, scooped up a ladle of cool water, and drank it in one gulp. The cool water flowed down his throat, slightly easing the heat in his body.

He found a clean stone to sit on and began circulating the Basic Breathing Technique to restore his stamina.

Ten minutes later, more than half of his stamina had recovered.

"Continuing."

Lin Fan stood up and walked towards the cargo ship.

The second basket, the third, the fourth...

Each basket weighed a hefty 270 kilograms, and every lift was a challenge to his limits. By the fifth basket, Lin Fan had adapted to the load, his steps steadier and his breathing smoother.

He even started attempting to integrate martial arts techniques into his lifting—for example, using the power generation method of a 'straight punch' when starting, and employing the weight transfer technique of a 'swinging punch' when turning.

[Detected combined skill usage, combat experience acquisition efficiency increased]

The system panel provided positive feedback.

This further convinced Lin Fan that his direction was correct.

Martial arts were not isolated techniques but a coordinated application of the entire body and mind. Strength, speed, endurance, technique, reaction... all elements combined were true strength.

At noon, Lin Fan finished moving the tenth basket.

He was so exhausted he felt like he was about to collapse. Sitting under the eaves of the warehouse, he held the free lunch provided by the dock—two coarse steamed buns and a bowl of vegetable soup—and wolfed it down.

"Brother Fan?"

A familiar voice called out.

Lin Fan looked up and saw Chen Dahu carrying a bag of grain, sweat dripping from his forehead.

"Dahu? You're working here too?"

"Yeah, my family's been short on money lately, so my dad told me to earn some." Chen Dahu sat down next to him and glanced at the five empty bowls in front of Lin Fan. "Brother Fan, how much did you eat?"

"Finished the tenth basket, I'm starving," Lin Fan mumbled. "What are you carrying?"

"Grain, 80 kilograms per bag, 1 point per trip," Chen Dahu sighed. "Can't compare to you. I just saw you lifting Black Iron Ore by yourself, scared me half to death. That stuff, a basket is over two hundred kilograms, right?"

"270." Lin Fan replied.

"My god..." Chen Dahu's mouth fell open. "Brother Fan, just how strong are you now?"

"Haven't measured it, probably... three to four hundred kilograms?" Lin Fan wasn't sure.

His current Strength attribute was 15.1, but attribute points didn't directly translate to actual strength; it also required proper application techniques. Based on his previous experience with the strength testing monument, 1 point of Strength attribute was roughly equivalent to 30 kilograms of punching power, but lifting weights would be greater.

"Three to four hundred kilograms..." Chen Dahu murmured. "Isn't that the peak of a 1st Grade Martial Trainee? Brother Fan, you've only been training for half a month!"

"Just lucky," Lin Fan didn't explain further.

He intended to keep the system a secret forever.

"What luck, this is talent!" Chen Dahu said excitedly, "Brother Fan, you'll definitely pass the test! Teach me a few moves when you get into the academy!"

"Sure." Lin Fan nodded, "By the way, how's your footwork coming along?"

"As you said, I practice for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening." Chen Dahu scratched his head, "I feel like it's improved a bit, but it's still far from yours. I tried this morning, and it took me 2.5 seconds to run ten meters."

"That's good, much faster than before." Lin Fan encouraged him, "Keep practicing, and try to get under 2.2 seconds before the test."

"Okay!"

After the two finished their meal and rested for a bit, they went back to their respective tasks.

The afternoon sun was even more scorching.

The ground at the dock was baked hot, and the air was filled with a mixture of sweat and the scent of goods. Most of the workers were bare-chested, sweat trickling down their bronze skin, glistening in the sun.

Lin Fan continued his "extreme training."

The eleventh basket, the twelfth basket... By the fifteenth basket, he felt his body reach a new critical point.

The soreness in his muscles accumulated to a certain extent, and every exertion felt like being pricked by needles. Yet, his mind was exceptionally clear, able to distinctly perceive the state of each muscle and the rhythm of every breath.

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +3]

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency +3]

When the seventeenth basket of Black Iron Ore landed on the scale, a series of golden prompts suddenly appeared on the panel:

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency reached 500/500]

[Iron Body Skill broke through to 'Proficient' level]

[Defense attribute permanently +2]

[Acquired Skill Trait 'Iron Bones': Bone strength increased by 20%, resistance to impact enhanced]

[Iron Body Skill Proficiency cap increased to 5000 points]

Lin Fan felt a slight tremor throughout his body, as if countless tiny warm currents were flowing through his bone marrow. Immediately after, his skin surface emitted a very faint metallic sheen, which disappeared after only a moment, but he could feel that his skin had become tougher and his muscles tighter.

"Broke through..."

He checked the panel:

[Name: Lin Fan]
[Age: 16]
[Realm: 1st Grade Martial Trainee (Tier 1)]
[Strength: 15.3]
[Defense: 10 (+2)](Original 8, Iron Body Skill Proficient +2)
[Speed: 9]
[Spirit: 12]
[Comprehension: 15]
[Root Bone: 18]
[Origin Energy: 150/150] (Iron Body Skill breakthrough boosted Origin Energy)
[Skill Points: 0]
[Cultivation Method: Basic Breathing Technique (Proficient 632/1000)]
[Martial Skills: Basic Fist Technique (Proficient 745/1000), Basic Footwork (Skilled 512/500), Iron Body Skill (Proficient 0/5000)]
[Combat Experience: 8.7]

His defense increased from 8 to 10, and his Origin Energy cap also rose from 100 to 150.

More importantly, the "Iron Bones" trait increased his bone strength by 20%, meaning he could now withstand greater loads and was more resilient to damage.

"Let's go again!"

Lin Fan's spirits soared, feeling his fatigue vanish.

He continued carrying the last three baskets of Black Iron Ore.

This time, it was much easier.

Although the weight hadn't changed, his body, after the breakthrough, could clearly handle the load better. Each step was steadier, and his breathing was more sustained. He even had the energy to try more complex footwork variations while carrying the load.

By the time the twentieth basket of Black Iron Ore was placed down, the sun was already setting in the west.

"Finished." Lin Fan let out a long sigh.

He checked his day's gains:

Strength increased from 14.8 to 15.3, a gain of 0.5 points.

Basic Fist Technique increased from 612 to 745, a gain of 133 proficiency points.

Basic Footwork increased from 398 to 512, a gain of 114 proficiency points.

Combat Experience increased from 3.2 to 8.7, a gain of 5.5 points.

Most importantly, the Iron Body Skill had broken through to the Proficient level.

"Worth it."

Although he only earned 20 points in wages (since he was moving it alone, the wages were halved), the improvement in his strength was far beyond the value of that money.

"Kid, you're something else." Steward Wang walked over, handing him a cloth bag, "Twenty baskets, 20 points, count 'em."

Lin Fan took it and tucked it into his clothes without counting, "Thanks, Steward Wang."

"Coming back tomorrow?" Steward Wang asked, "Ship number three still has two more boatloads of Black Iron Ore to unload tomorrow, and I can raise your wages a bit, 1.5 points per basket."

Lin Fan thought for a moment and shook his head, "I have something to do tomorrow, so I won't be coming."

He needed time to practice the Gale Sword Technique and prepare for the test. Moving bricks could increase proficiency, but its efficiency had started to decline—as his strength improved, ordinary weight training became less effective.

He needed a more efficient method.

"Alright, I'll look for you again if there's work in the future." Steward Wang didn't press the issue.

As Lin Fan pushed his bicycle away from the dock, the sky had already darkened.

He got on his bike and didn't head directly back to the slums. Instead, he detoured to a blacksmith shop in the outer city.

"Boss, do you have sandbags?"

In the blacksmith shop, a bare-chested strongman was working the forge. He didn't look up at the question, "They're hanging on the wall, take a look yourself."

Lin Fan looked at the wall, where various training equipment was hung: stone locks, iron sandbags, weighted leg wraps...

He chose a pair of weighted leg wraps, each weighing 10 kilograms, and a weighted vest, weighing 20 kilograms. A total of 40 kilograms, plus the bricks in his backpack (15 kilograms), made for an additional 55 kilograms of weight.

"That'll be 120 points," the strongman stopped hammering and quoted a price.

Lin Fan took out his money pouch—the 20 points he earned today, plus the 36 points he had left from before, totaling 56 points. It was far from enough.

"Boss, can you make it cheaper? I only have 56 points."

"56 points?" The strongman frowned, "Then you can only afford the leg wraps."

Lin Fan hesitated.

The leg wraps were 20 kilograms, and the vest was 20 kilograms. The combined effect would definitely be better. But he didn't have enough money...

"How about this," the strongman suddenly said, "You help me with something, and I'll give you these items."

"Help with what?"

"There's a batch of pig iron ingots in the backyard that needs to be moved to the front yard. Fifty pieces in total, 50 kilograms each. Once you move them, these items are yours." The strongman pointed to the training equipment on the wall. "But I have to warn you, that batch of iron ingots has been sitting for a long time, they're covered in dust and very dirty."

Lin Fan's eyes lit up, "Deal."

Moving iron ingots? This was much easier than moving Black Iron Ore, and he'd get training equipment for free.

He followed the strongman to the backyard and indeed saw a pile of dark, black ingots piled up in the corner. Each was about the size of a brick but extremely dense, feeling heavy in his hands.

Fifty pieces, 50 kilograms each, a total of 2500 kilograms.

This was heavy work for an ordinary person, but for Lin Fan, who had just broken through, it was nothing.

He took off his shirt (afraid of getting it dirty) and began moving them.

One, two, three...

This time, he didn't activate his limit training mode, just moved them normally. But even so, his strength proficiency and Iron Body Skill proficiency were still steadily increasing.

Half an hour later, all fifty iron ingots were moved.

"Efficient." The strongman nodded, took the weighted leg wraps and vest from the wall, and threw them to Lin Fan, "Here you go. Kid, are you training in martial arts?"

"Yes, I'm preparing to test into the Martial Arts Academy." Lin Fan took them.

"Martial Arts Academy..." The strongman mused, "That place is a game for the rich. But judging by your strength, you should have a shot. One piece of advice: be careful during the test."

"Be careful?"

"Some examiners... aren't very clean." The strongman didn't elaborate and waved his hand, "Alright, you can go. I'm closing up."

Lin Fan thanked him and left with his newly acquired training equipment.

He put on the weighted vest and tied on the leg wraps, instantly feeling his body grow heavier.

With an extra 55 kilograms of weight, even walking was a bit strenuous.

But Lin Fan smiled instead.

"This is good."

He got on his bicycle and headed towards the slums.

The night wind blew, carrying a hint of coolness.

Lights gradually lit up on both sides of the street as the outer city's night market began to liven up. As Lin Fan passed by, he saw many stalls: selling snacks, groceries, herbs, and a few selling used books.

In front of one of the bookstalls sat an old man with white hair, engrossed in a book.

Lin Fan glanced casually and was about to cycle past when, suddenly, the old man looked up and looked at him.

Their eyes met in the air.

The old man's eyes were cloudy, but deep within them was an indescribable meaning.

He beckoned to Lin Fan.

Lin Fan froze for a moment.

Did he know this old man...?