Peak of the Strength Training Realm

Strength Training Realm Peak—Shangyang Mountain, Luming Mountain Villa

This was a villa operated by the Chen Family, combining leisure and entertainment.

However, those who could come to Luming Mountain Villa were all first-rate figures in Yunyang.

At this moment, three people sat in an antique tea room within the villa.

All three were around forty.

Though plainly dressed, they exuded the air of those in high positions.

These three were the Family Heads of three of Yunyang's five great Martial Arts Families: the Shen Family, Zhou Family, and Chen Family.

Shen Kaijiang, Zhou Yundong, and Chen Yingzhong were likewise representatives of Yunyang's pinnacle in martial arts.

With a mere stomp of their feet, all of Yunyang would tremble three times over.

Chen Yingzhong was slender, with sword-like brows. A faint smile appeared on his slightly dark face as he said, "Yue Gang still refuses to come?"

Shen Kaijiang's face was as fair as jade. Dressed in a grayish-white short jacket with a front opening, he set down his teacup and said calmly, "Yue Gang has already lost interest in Yunyang's affairs. Though he hasn't made his position clear, he most likely won't take part, so there's no need to consider him."

Zhou Yundong set down his teacup heavily and said in a low voice, "That old bastard Yue Gang must have sniffed out something foul. The Yue Family is relocating, but not everyone is leaving—some of their businesses and clansmen will remain in Yunyang. Using relocation as an excuse, he clearly wants to stay out of it."

He was not tall and somewhat thin, but cold glints flickered in his narrow eyes as they opened and closed.

Chen Yingzhong smiled faintly.

"If the Yue Family doesn't want to participate, there's no need for us to force them. With only three Martial Arts Families in Yunyang, I think things would be even better."

The two men were briefly stunned, then both turned their eyes toward Chen Yingzhong.

"Brother Chen, do you have some plan in mind?"

Chen Yingzhong smiled faintly and looked at the two of them. "That depends on what you two intend to do. Are you preparing to fight, or bow your heads and submit to the Ningjiang He Family?"

"We don't have a habit of bowing our heads and submitting either!"

Zhou Yundong gave a cold laugh. "This is Yunyang, not Ningjiang. So what if it's the He Family?"

Shen Kaijiang also said calmly, "Brother Chen, just tell us what your plan is! The Qin Family won Iron Stone Boxing Gym from you. You're not going to hand it over so easily, are you?"

"I'll make him spit out everything he swallowed!"

Killing intent surged in Chen Yingzhong's eyes as he looked solemnly at the two men. "They say strike a snake seven inches from its head. Doesn't the Qin Family want to rely on the He Family? Then we'll break its claws and sever the He Family's hand. Let's see how they can remain so arrogant then!"

Shen Kaijiang nodded slightly and looked at Chen Yingzhong.

"Tell us the specifics."

Chen Yingzhong leaned forward and beckoned the two closer. Then he spoke in a low voice. The other two could not help nodding, their eyes gradually lighting up.

Qin Family.

Several important members of the Qin Family sat in the Qin Family's main hall.

Qin Shanlin sat in the seat of honor, while Wei Zhendong of Xiongying Martial Arts School sat in the seat beside him.

Qin Shanlin appeared to be in his forties. His face was as fair as jade, and he wore a five-stranded beard, giving him an exceedingly refined air.

Wei Zhendong was also around forty, broad-backed and thick-waisted. His arms were as long as those of a gibbon, and he sat with the imposing bearing of a great general.

A smile on his face, Qin Shanlin said, "We won the first round tonight. We took Iron Stone and crushed the Chen Family's momentum. Next, we'll take the Shen Family's Gale Club. Once we suppress those three families, our Qin Family will become Yunyang's number one Martial Arts Family!"

The Qin Family members all grew excited.

The Qin Family had been kept down for years, and they had long been dissatisfied. Now, with the He Family's support, the Qin Family was finally about to rise.

At this moment, one of the Qin Family elders said worriedly, "Family Head, news has just arrived that Shen Kaijiang, Zhou Yundong, and Chen Yingzhong met in secret!"

Qin Shanlin smiled faintly, his face full of confidence.

"Let them meet! We can see exactly how they intend to make their move. If they stay quiet, it would actually be difficult for us to press them too hard. There are too many of Yunyang's five Martial Arts Families. In my view, one is enough!"

Qin Shanlin was now filled with high spirits.

His daughter had done him proud—she had been admitted to Yunkong Martial Academy and had caught the eye of the He Family's young master.

Now that he had the He Family's support, his ambition could no longer be contained.

"Family Head, with He Family experts backing us, we have nothing to fear from those three families. Why not simply flatten them outright!"

An elder of the Qin Family shouted excitedly.

"That won't do!"

Qin Shanlin said solemnly, "We cannot arouse the authorities' hostility, much less draw the attention of other sects. We must do things step by step—we cannot be hasty!"

After restraining the eager members of the Qin Family, he turned to Wei Zhendong with a warm smile.

"Brother Wei, how are things progressing on your martial arts school's side?"

Wei Zhendong replied calmly, "At present, the only ones in Yunyang's martial arts school circle who can stand against me are Hong Jiantong of the Splitting Air Palm, Xiong Jiang of the Cloud Holding Hand, and Guan Lie of Fuhu Martial Arts School. Once I defeat those three one by one, I will have complete control over Yunyang's martial arts school circle!"

Qin Shanlin nodded, pondering for a moment before saying, "Brother Wei, I think you should start with Guan Lie of Tiger Might Martial Arts School!"

"Hong Jiantong is advanced in years. He is already sixty, his physical strength has declined, and he is nothing to worry about. Xiong Jiang is a notch weaker than the other two, and your Eagle Claw Skill also suppresses him. Only this Guan Lie is troublesome. Among the eleven martial arts schools on City God Street, he is the leader. As long as you defeat him, the other schools will submit directly!"

Wei Zhendong nodded.

"Fine. I'll issue the challenge tomorrow. I have heard a little about this Guan Lie as well—he has real skill in his hands. I've long wanted to measure myself against him!"

"Good!"

Delight appearing on his face, Qin Shanlin cupped his fists. "Then let me congratulate Brother Wei in advance on achieving victory the moment you set out!"

The next day, Fang Mo rose early as usual.

After a night's rest, only faint traces remained of the injury on his arm; one would not notice them without looking closely.

Without alerting anyone, he went to the testing room and switched on the force tester.

Assuming the Tiger Subduing Stance, his blood and qi surged as he directed his qi into his Dantian. Then he threw a fierce punch, the fist howling through the air.

His fist slammed heavily into the target with a dull thud, and the numbers on the tester shot upward.

With a beep, the number stopped.

"380 kilograms!"

As Fang Mo looked at the reading, joy still flashed through his eyes. He had gained a hundred kilograms in just a few days.

This figure had already reached the standard peak for the Strength Training Realm.

In other words, as long as he comprehended Bright Force, he could break through.

Yet the joy vanished in an instant.

With divine abilities, reaching this point was inevitable. It was nothing to be proud of!

After switching off the machine, he went to the front courtyard and continued practicing his fist techniques and stance work.

Unfortunately, he could not go to Ironstone lately, so he could only slowly polish himself on his own.

He practiced for two hours. The others gradually arrived as well, each finding a place to practice their punches.

Chu Silin came too. In the past, she always found a spot to train by herself, but today, she deliberately—or perhaps not—watched Fang Mo. When Fang Mo took a break, she walked over.

"Senior Brother Fang, it looks like your Tiger Subduing Fist has improved again, hasn't it?"

Fang Mo looked at Chu Silin with some surprise.

Chu Silin was quite proud. She only associated with a few students of good family background and natural talent, rarely paying attention to anyone else. She had never even spoken a single word to him before. Why had she suddenly come to speak with him today?

Looking at Chu Silin's wide, fluttering eyes, he felt there was something off.

He merely smiled calmly and said, "I'm not sure either. I just practice like this every day!"

With a pitiful expression on her face, Chu Silin said, "Senior Brother Fang, could you give me some guidance? There are parts of the Tiger Subduing Fist that I don't quite understand!"

Fang Mo's heart stirred. She was asking him for guidance? Was this a joke?

Everyone knew they all looked down on him, so he directly refused. "Junior Sister Chu, are you making fun of me? Do I dare give you guidance in fist techniques?"

"Silin, what can Fang Mo possibly teach you? If there's anything you don't understand, I'll guide you!"

At that moment, Miao Ping suddenly spoke from not far away. His gaze swept over Fang Mo, carrying a warning.

"Alright, Senior Brother Miao!"

Chu Silin answered, then ran over to Miao Ping with a smile.

She had merely wanted to see whether Fang Mo was that Iron Mask from last night, but that was not important. Senior Brother Miao's favor was what mattered.

Fang Mo was puzzled.

Guan Lu last night, and Chu Silin today—both were somewhat strange.

Still, he shook his head and cast aside the distracting thoughts, continuing to practice his fist techniques.

Bang! Bang! Bang!!

"People from Tiger Might Martial Arts School, come out!"

Before Fang Mo could finish a set of punches, heavy pounding came from outside the courtyard gate, along with a loud shout.