Heavy Training, Limit Break

The setting sun slanted west, dyeing the streets and alleys of Jiangnan City a golden yellow.

By the time Lin Fan left the 3rd Exam Area, it was nearing the end of the You Shi (around 7 PM). The official exam arrangements were complete—all candidates who passed the initial test had been assigned to different exam areas and time slots. His exam was scheduled for tomorrow morning, precisely at Chen Shi (8 AM), in the 7th Group of the 3rd Exam Area.

This meant he had a whole night to prepare.

"I must improve further," Lin Fan mused as he walked home. "Since Wang Hao could bribe Sun De at the registration, he might be able to bribe the examiners for the combat stage. What if the examiner deliberately increases the puppet's strength, or makes things difficult during scoring..."

He clenched his fist, feeling the power accumulating in his muscles.

Basic Fist Technique was at 745 points towards Mastery Level, only 255 points away from Minor Accomplishment Level (1000 points). If he could break through to Minor Accomplishment Level, its power would increase by another 50%. Combined with an Origin Energy burst, he would have a better chance of dealing with the combat stage, where foul play was possible.

"But regular practice is too slow," Lin Fan frowned, thinking.

Even with the 2x cultivation speed activated, he could only gain a few dozen proficiency points in one night, which was still far from the 255 points needed. He had to find a way to accelerate further.

"The system mentioned the hidden trait 'Liver Emperor's Tenacity'..." Lin Fan recalled his experience activating the 2x speed last night. "There's an extra bonus in an extreme state. But how is it triggered?"

As he walked, he observed his Panel. Below the Skill Bar, he discovered an inconspicuous gray icon. The icon depicted a human silhouette carrying a heavy load, with a line of small text beneath it:

[Limit Break (Locked)]

"This is it!" Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

He focused his attention on the icon's information:

[Limit Break: When the host continues to cultivate in an exhausted state, this state can be triggered. Effect: Cultivation Efficiency increased by 10%, lasting until Stamina recovers to above 20%.]

[Unlock Condition: Complete 100 effective practice movements while Stamina is below 5%.]

[Current Progress: 0/100]

"Stamina below 5%..." Lin Fan gasped.

This meant pushing himself to his absolute limit, possibly even endangering his life. But the reward was tempting—a 10% efficiency boost. While not as dramatic as the 2x speed doubling, it was an additional bonus that could stack with the 2x speed!

"Let's try it," Lin Fan decided.

There were risks, of course, but the exam tomorrow was more important. Besides, with the system, he should be able to monitor his body's condition and avoid actually training himself to death.

By the time he returned to the Slum District, night had fallen.

The aroma of dinner from various households wafted through the alleys, mixed with the smell of coal smoke and a faint scent of daily life. A few children were playing at the alley entrance. They looked at Lin Fan curiously as he walked by—the children in the Slum District all knew that this quiet older brother had gone to take the Martial Arts Academy exam today.

"Brother Fan, how did the exam go?" a slightly older boy mustered the courage to ask.

"It was okay," Lin Fan replied casually, not stopping his pace.

"If Brother Fan gets in, he'll be a Martial Artist!" the boy said enviously.

"Martial Artists are people too; they need to eat and sleep," Lin Fan waved his hand and turned into his alley.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Lin Xiaoyu was sitting on the threshold waiting for him. Seeing her brother return, she immediately jumped up, "Brother! You're back!"

"Mm, I'm back," Lin Fan closed the courtyard gate. "How was it today? Did you take your medicine?"

"I took it!" Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously. "Brother, I feel much better. My chest doesn't feel tight anymore, and I can breathe smoothly."

Lin Fan carefully examined his sister and found that her complexion was indeed more rosy than in the morning, and her eyes had more spirit. The Blood Condensing Pill's effect was even better than he had anticipated.

"That's good," Lin Fan said, relieved. "You must be hungry, right? I'll cook."

"I already made it," Lin Xiaoyu pulled Lin Fan into the house. "I stewed cabbage and steamed some buns."

On the simple wooden table were two dishes and one soup—stir-fried cabbage, pickled radish, cabbage and tofu soup, and four multigrain buns. Although simple, they were steaming hot and looked appetizing.

"You made this?" Lin Fan was a little surprised.

"Mm! I made it following how you taught me before," Lin Xiaoyu said with a hint of pride. "Brother, try it quickly."

Lin Fan sat down and picked up a chopstickful of cabbage, putting it into his mouth. The seasoning was just right, and the cooking was perfect. Although it wasn't as delicious as his own cooking, it was very good for a 14-year-old.

"It's delicious," Lin Fan praised sincerely.

Lin Xiaoyu smiled happily, her eyes curving into crescents.

The siblings quietly ate dinner. Lin Fan ate very slowly, chewing each bite carefully—he was storing energy for his extreme training tonight. He ate three of the four buns, and most of the vegetables and soup went into his stomach.

Lin Xiaoyu only ate one bun and a little bit of the vegetables before putting down her chopsticks. "Brother, I'm full."

"Eat a bit more," Lin Fan frowned. "You're growing, and you just took medicine. You need nutrition."

"I'm really full," Lin Xiaoyu patted her stomach. "Brother, you consumed a lot today, so you should eat more."

Lin Fan knew his sister was holding back, saving the good food for him. He didn't say anything more, but he secretly vowed: once he got into the academy and obtained resources, he would make sure his sister ate her fill every meal and had meat every day.

After dinner, Lin Fan helped his sister fry the second Blood Condensing Pill and watched her take it. The medicine's effect quickly appeared, bringing a healthy flush to Lin Xiaoyu's face and making her much more energetic than usual.

"Brother, is there another test tomorrow?" Lin Xiaoyu asked.

"Mm, the formal exam is tomorrow morning," Lin Fan said. "Three rounds: strength, speed, and combat. If you pass, you can enter the academy."

"Brother will definitely pass!" Lin Xiaoyu was full of confidence.

"I'll take your good words," Lin Fan smiled. "But I need to train again tonight and might be up very late. If you're tired, go to sleep by yourself. Don't wait for me."

"Brother is going to stay up late to train again?" Lin Xiaoyu was a little worried. "You need to rest well."

"I know what I'm doing," Lin Fan patted his sister's head. "Go to sleep. Remember to lock the door properly."

Lin Xiaoyu nodded obediently and returned to her room.

Lin Fan waited until the light in his sister's room was extinguished before leaving the house and coming into the yard.

Stars dotted the night sky, and moonlight spilled into the small courtyard like water.

He didn't start training immediately but first prepared his weighted gear.

The simple sandbags made a few days ago were still in the corner, each weighing about ten kilograms. Lin Fan inspected them. The sandbags were sewn from old canvas and filled with river sand and small stones, which were quite sturdy.

"Ten kilograms is too light," Lin Fan weighed one in his hand.

With his current strength, he could punch with nearly five hundred jin of force. A ten-kilogram load would have limited training effect. However, there were no heavier materials at home. Iron blocks were too expensive to buy, and stones were too brittle and easily broke.

"Let's try stacking them." Lin Fan found several sturdy hemp ropes and tied two sandbags together, then did the same with another two, creating two twenty-kilogram weighted bags. He then tied the remaining two sandbags around his waist, creating a waist weight.

Total load: forty kilograms on his legs, ten kilograms on his waist, totaling fifty kilograms.

This was equivalent to carrying the weight of an adult.

Lin Fan put on the weighted gear and stretched his limbs. The fifty-kilogram load made his movements noticeably slower, and each step required more effort.

"This should be enough," he estimated. "With my current stamina, if I train at full power for half an hour, my stamina value should drop below 5%."

He assumed the stance for Basic Fist Technique and took a deep breath.

"2x speed, activate!"

"Hoo!"

He threw a punch. Its speed was much slower than usual—the load affected his power output. However, the punch was still sharp, and the air-breaking sound was particularly clear in the quiet night.

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +2] (2x speed bonus)

[Stamina Value -3] (Increased consumption under load)

[Vital Energy Value -0.2, Recovery +0.15]

As expected, stamina consumption was greater under load. Normally, one punch consumed 1 stamina point; now it was 3.

Lin Fan didn't stop and continued practicing.

One punch, two punches, three punches...

Sweat quickly soaked his clothes, glistening faintly in the moonlight. The heavy sandbags dragged his movements, and every punch required him to engage his entire body's muscles, especially the core strength in his legs and abdomen.

[Leg Strength Proficiency +1]

[Waist Strength Proficiency +1] (New Skill)

[Stamina -3]

The Waist Strength skill bar has been activated. This was expected, as weighted training is a full-body exercise.

Lin Fan adjusted his breathing, following the rhythm of the Optimized Breathing Technique. He threw punches while circulating Origin Energy. The Origin Energy flowed through his meridians, nourishing his fatigued muscles and delaying Lactic Acid buildup.

But the Stamina consumption was real.

Half an hour (one hour) later, Lin Fan felt his legs were as heavy as lead. Every step required all his strength. His waist felt sore and swollen, his back muscles were tense, and even his breathing had become rapid.

He opened his Panel to check:

[Stamina: 42/100]

[Basic Fist Technique: Proficient (801/1000)]

[Leg Strength: Skilled (211/500)]

[Waist Strength: Beginner (88/100)]

He had consumed 58 points of Stamina, but the Proficiency growth was not ideal—Basic Fist Technique only increased by 56 points. On average, 1 point of Stamina yielded 1 point of Proficiency, which was less efficient than normal training.

"Not enough." Lin Fan gritted his teeth. "I must push my Stamina below 5%."

5% Stamina meant 5 points, so he needed to consume another 37 points.

At his current consumption rate, he needed about seventy more punches. But the problem was, as his Stamina decreased, each punch would consume more—after muscles fatigue, performing the same action requires more energy.

Lin Fan gritted his teeth and continued to punch.

Punch eighty-one, Stamina dropped to 30 points.

Punch ninety-five, Stamina dropped to 20 points.

Punch one hundred and three, Stamina dropped to 15 points.

At this point, Lin Fan was trembling all over. Each punch was shaky, his movements severely deformed. Sweat dripped like rain, forming a small puddle on the ground. His breathing was as heavy as bellows, and his lungs burned.

[Warning: Stamina below 15%, recommended to stop training immediately to avoid muscle damage]

A red prompt appeared on the Panel.

Lin Fan ignored the warning and continued.

Punch one hundred and fifteen, Stamina at 10 points.

Punch one hundred and twenty, Stamina at 8 points.

His consciousness began to blur, and stars danced before his eyes. Lin Fan bit his tongue. The sharp pain cleared his head somewhat. He knew this was the limit—his body was issuing its final warning. Training further could lead to fainting, or even sudden death.

But the progress bar wasn't full yet.

[Limit Break Unlock Progress: 98/100]

Just two more times!

"Haa... Haa!"

Lin Fan roared, pouring his last ounce of strength into his 121st punch. This punch was weak and listless, lacking even an air-breaking sound, but he had undeniably completed the motion.

[Limit Break Unlock Progress: 99/100]

The last one!

Lin Fan felt his body no longer obeying him. His muscles twitched, and his vision swam. He forced himself to recall the essentials of the fist technique: stomp the ground, twist the waist, send the shoulder, punch...

"Move... move for me!"

His will forcibly drove his body, completing the final action.

[Limit Break Unlock Progress: 100/100]

[Congratulations to Host for unlocking the Hidden Trait: Liver Emperor's Tenacity]

[Effect: When Stamina is below 20%, Cultivation Efficiency increases by 10%; when Stamina is below 5%, Cultivation Efficiency increases by 20%]

[Trigger Condition: Each training session requires Stamina to be pushed below 30% at least once]

It worked!

Lin Fan rejoiced inwardly, but his body could no longer hold up. His legs gave out, and he was about to collapse to the ground.

Just then, a strange sensation surged from the depths of his body.

It wasn't Origin Energy, nor was it Stamina, but a kind of... tenacity. Like a spring compressed to its limit, accumulating the power to rebound. The fatigue remained, his muscles were still sore, but his will became exceptionally clear and firm.

[Detected Host is in an extreme state, triggering "Limit Break" effect]

[Cultivation Efficiency increased by 20%, Duration: Until Stamina recovers to above 20%]

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +4] (2x Speed + Limit Break stacked)

[Stamina -2] (Current Stamina: 3/100)

The efficiency had truly increased! Originally, one punch yielded 2 points of proficiency at 2x speed, but now it was 4 points!

However, his Stamina had also dropped to a dangerous level—3 points. He could collapse at any moment.

Lin Fan dared not train any further. He sat down cross-legged on the spot and began circulating the Breathing Technique to recover.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

However, just as he sat down, the system popped up another notification:

[Detected host's first unlock of "Liver Emperor's Tenacity", special reward obtained: Stamina Attribute +5]

[Current Stamina: 15 (Ordinary Person is 10)]

A warm current surged from his heart to his limbs, and Lin Fan felt his body's fatigue lessen, his breathing becoming smoother. It wasn't that his stamina had recovered, but his body's "capacity" had increased—like a small bucket being replaced by a larger one. Though the water was the same, the increased space reduced the pressure.

"Stamina attribute..." Lin Fan mused, "It seems the system has many hidden attributes not displayed on the panel."

He continued to meditate and recover.

The Optimized Breathing Technique was even more effective in a critical state. Origin Energy flowed rapidly through his meridians, nourishing damaged muscle fibers and accelerating the expulsion of metabolic waste. Combined with the residual effects of the Clear Heart Grass (though very faint), his recovery speed was more than 30% faster than usual.

After fifteen minutes, his stamina recovered to 20 points.

The Limit Break state ended, but the Liver Emperor's Tenacity trait was permanent—from now on, as long as his stamina was pushed below 30% during training, a 10% efficiency boost would be triggered; if pushed below 5%, a 20% boost would be triggered.

"This trait is perfect for me," Lin Fan's eyes gleamed.

He relied on "grinding" to improve, and this trait simply made his "grind" more efficient.

After his stamina recovered to 20 points, Lin Fan didn't get up immediately. He continued meditating until his stamina was fully restored to 100 points.

This process took one hour (two hours). But the gains were worth it—not only was his stamina restored, but his Origin Energy also returned to its full value of 120 points, and his mental state was adjusted to optimal.

It was now Zi Shi (11 PM), late at night.

Lin Fan stood up, feeling a subtle difference in his body.

It wasn't that his strength had increased, but his "tolerance" had improved. The same fatigue now recovered faster; the same exertion felt easier.

He tried throwing a punch, his movements fluid, the wind whistling.

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +2]

[Stamina -1] (Normal consumption)

"As expected, with the increase in stamina, stamina consumption has decreased," Lin Fan rejoiced.

This meant he could train longer and break through his limits more easily.

"Continue!"

This time, Lin Fan had experience.

He no longer blindly practiced punch after punch. Instead, he designed a training plan: first, he would train normally until his stamina dropped to 30%, triggering the 10% efficiency boost; then, he would increase the intensity until his stamina dropped to 5%, triggering the 20% boost; finally, he would meditate to recover, repeating this cycle.

This is the most efficient and safest way.

The second training session began.

Lin Fan put on his Weighted Gear, activated 2x speed, and threw punches one by one.

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +2]

[Stamina -1]

[Leg Strength Proficiency +0.5]

[Waist Strength Proficiency +0.5]

Because his endurance had improved, his stamina consumption dropped from 3 points to 1 point, tripling his efficiency!

An hour later, his stamina dropped to 30 points.

[Triggered "Liver Emperor's Tenacity" effect, Cultivation Efficiency increased by 10%]

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +2.2] (Rounded to 2)

[Stamina -1]

His efficiency increased from 2 points to 2.2. Although it was only an increase of 0.2, it added up.

Lin Fan continued to exert more force, his punches becoming faster and fiercer.

Another half hour passed, and his stamina dropped to 10 points.

At this point, his Basic Fist Technique Proficiency had already risen to 925 points, only 75 points away from Minor Accomplishment Level.

"Just a little more effort!"

Lin Fan gritted his teeth and squeezed out the last bit of his stamina.

When his stamina dropped to 5 points:

[Triggered "Limit Break" effect, Cultivation Efficiency increased by 20%]

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +2.4] (Rounded to 2)

[Stamina -1] (Current Stamina: 4/100)

His efficiency increased further!

Lin Fan forced himself to throw a few more punches, only stopping when his stamina dropped to 2 points and he could no longer hold on.

He checked his Panel:

[Basic Fist Technique: Proficient (945/1000)]

[Stamina: 2/100]

Only 55 points left!

But with only 2 Stamina remaining, he had to recover.

Lin Fan sat down cross-legged and circulated the Breathing Technique.

This recovery was faster than the last time—with his Endurance increased, his body's self-healing ability had also strengthened. It only took half an hour for his Stamina to recover to 50 points.

"That's enough."

Lin Fan got up and continued training.

The third round.

With the experience from the first two rounds, he controlled himself better, using every bit of Stamina effectively. When his Stamina dropped to 5% again, his Basic Fist Technique Proficiency reached 990 points.

Only 10 points left!

But his Stamina was also down to 3 points, nearing his limit.

"The last... ten punches!"

Lin Fan's eyes turned red, his body supported entirely by willpower.

One punch, two punches, three punches...

Each punch was as slow as a snail, but each punch was a solid completion of the movement.

The seventh punch, Proficiency at 996 points.

The eighth punch, 998 points.

The ninth punch, 999 points.

The final punch!

Lin Fan mobilized the last trace of strength from his entire body, his fist pushing out slowly. This action was less like a punch and more like extending his hand, light and airy, without any force.

But the system registered it as valid.

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +1]

[Basic Fist Technique Proficiency reached 1000, Realm Advancement: Proficient → Minor Accomplishment]

[Effects Improved: Fist Technique Power +50%, Punching Speed +20%, Force Application Technique +30%]

[New Feature Unlocked: Collapse Force]

[Collapse Force: Punching Power can penetrate the body, directly destroying the target's internal structure. Has additional armor-piercing effect against armor and defensive martial skills]

"I did it!"

Lin Fan's heart relaxed, his will instantly slackened, and his body softly collapsed.

But he didn't fall to the ground—at the moment of falling, a majestic power erupted from the depths of his body!

It was the feedback from breaking through to the Minor Accomplishment Level in his fist technique!

This power surged through his limbs and bones like a flood, his muscles, bones, and meridians trembled and strengthened. Fatigue receded like a tide, replaced by a feeling of abundant power.

[Realm Feedback: Strength +3, Defense +2, Speed +2]

[Vital Energy Cap +50]

[Current Vital Energy: 170/170]

Lin Fan lay on the ground, gasping for breath, but a brilliant smile spread across his face.

"It was worth it!"

All the hard work was worth it!

Not only did his Basic Fist Technique break through to the Minor Accomplishment Level, unlocking the "Collapse Force" feature, but he also gained attribute improvements and an increase in vital energy. His strength now was at least 30% greater than yesterday!

He lay there for a while, letting his body adapt to the new strength, before slowly getting up.

He removed his Weighted Gear, and his body felt so light it seemed like it would float away. This wasn't an illusion, but a relative effect—after getting used to fifty kilograms of weight, suddenly removing it naturally made him feel as light as a bird.

Lin Fan tried throwing a punch.

Without using vital energy, purely with physical strength.

"Bang!"

The fist wind surged, and the air let out a crackling explosion! It was more than a little bit stronger than before!

"This is the power of the Minor Accomplishment Level..." Lin Fan felt the power condensed in his fist, and a surge of ambition rose in his heart.

He was confident that if he encountered a Steel Tooth Rat again now, he could blow its head off with a single punch. Even a 2nd Tier Demonic Beast might not be an unbeatable opponent.

"Combat trial, bring it on." Lin Fan looked up at the night sky, his eyes sharp.

No matter what tricks Wang Hao played, they would be futile in the face of absolute strength.

***

Returning to his room, it was already the Ugly Hour (past 1 AM).

Lin Xiaoyu was fast asleep, her breathing even and steady. Lin Fan quietly fetched water, washed off the sweat, and changed into clean clothes.

He didn't go to sleep immediately. Instead, he sat down cross-legged and began to consolidate his gains.

He needed to digest the insights from his Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique, familiarize himself with the newly acquired Origin Energy, and adapt to the changes in his Stamina Attribute.

He sat like that for an entire Shichen.

At the Tiger Hour (3 AM), Lin Fan opened his eyes, his sharp gaze retracted.

His condition was optimal.

He lay down to rest, but didn't fall completely asleep, maintaining a state of "Breath Circulation Instead of Sleep." This allowed him to recover his mental energy while slowly increasing his Origin Energy.

In the darkness, he heard faint movements.

Not from within the courtyard, but from outside – at the alley entrance, someone had arrived again.

This time, there weren't four people, but six. Their auras were stronger, their footsteps lighter, clearly indicating they were seasoned individuals.

"Wang Hao is really persistent," Lin Fan sneered inwardly. "He can't even leave me in peace the night before the exam."

He didn't get up, merely sensing the movements of those people.

The six people lingered at the alley entrance for a moment, whispering amongst themselves. Then, two of them split off and quietly approached Lin Fan's courtyard. The other four remained at the alley entrance to keep watch.

"Are they going to make a move?" Lin Fan's eyes turned cold.

He slowly sat up, his right hand resting on the short knife by his bed.

But unexpectedly, the two didn't climb over the wall. They paused outside the courtyard wall for a moment, as if confirming something, and then retreated.

The six people left quickly, their footsteps disappearing into the night.

"They weren't here to attack..." Lin Fan frowned. "They were here to scout?"

It was possible. Wang Hao wanted to know what he was doing tonight, what his condition was, to prepare for tomorrow's exam.

"It seems the combat trial tomorrow will definitely have some tricks," Lin Fan lay down again, his vigilance heightened.

But he wasn't afraid.

Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique, Collapse Force characteristic, 170 points of Origin Energy, plus the bonuses from his 2x speed and Limit Break...

"No matter what you've prepared, I'll punch through it."

Lin Fan closed his eyes, his breathing gradually becoming steady.

The night grew deeper.

There were still four Shichen until the exam.