Greater Celestial Circuit

In the sixth month of Yunyang, summer blazed fiercely, and the vicious sunlight licked at the Martial Hall like fire.

Even the sunshades erected in the courtyard could not withstand the scorching heat. Heat waves rose from the ground, hemmed in by high walls; the stifling air was unbearable, and one would be drenched in sweat after standing for only a moment.

Most of the students sought out shade, resting beneath the trees.

Only Fang Mo remained beneath the blazing sun, his body moving in rhythm with his stance training. Sweat poured down like rain, yet he seemed utterly unaware of it.

"Junior Brother Fang is truly working himself to the bone. He hasn't stopped even in weather like this." He Shaobing sighed as he watched Fang Mo sweat profusely.

Wang Qing wore a faintly mocking smile. "He's just putting on a show. Without martial roots, what use is all that hard training?"

"Exactly. As if he's the only capable one. We rest, but he insists on training—he just wants to stand out!"

Several other students chimed in, their words full of contempt.

Ding Zhiyuan frowned. Though unwilling to stir up trouble, he could not help saying, "You shouldn't put it that way. If you truly have the will, you can try it yourselves. I think Junior Brother Fang's diligence is worth learning from."

Chu Silin suddenly spoke up. "Huh? Fang Mo seems to have been holding his stance for nearly two hours?"

At her words, everyone turned to look.

They saw Fang Mo's body rise and fall like surging ocean tides. His breathing was long and deep, and faint low roars came from him, making even the air seem to hum along with him.

"Could he be practicing the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method?" He Shaobing said in astonishment.

As the student in the outer courtyard second only to Chen Song in strength, his eye was exceptionally sharp.

"That's impossible! Even we can't do it—can he? Are you sure you didn't see wrong?" A flash of jealousy crossed Wang Qing's eyes.

"How could I have seen wrong? Watch the rhythm of his breathing. That can't be faked." Shock and envy mingled on He Shaobing's face. The Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method could greatly enhance one's stance training, but it was no easy feat. Even he himself had yet to master it.

Chu Silin's eyes flickered. She knew full well how difficult the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method was. She had not managed it herself, much less Fang Mo, who had no martial roots at all.

Ding Zhiyuan's face lit up with delight.

"What did I say? Though Junior Brother Fang's martial roots are poor, with this kind of effort, he is bound to improve."

"That's right! Junior Brother Fang trains like his life depends on it. If someone like that doesn't improve, then heaven itself would have no justice!" The others began praising him as well.

Hearing this, Wang Qing grew even more displeased. "So what if he has mastered the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method? Without martial roots, what achievements can he possibly attain?"

"Senior Brother Wang Qing is right. The martial path ultimately depends on martial roots. What can a little comprehension change?" Some students who harbored prejudice against Fang Mo echoed him.

He Shaobing cast them an unhappy glance, then went off by himself to begin training.

He could not be bothered to keep company with people who refused to work hard yet looked down on the efforts of others.

"Everyone should get back to training. It would be truly embarrassing if Senior Brother Fang surpassed us!" Chu Silin also spoke, turning to find a place to practice her punches.

Fang Mo's progress had placed immense pressure on her, forcing her to work even harder.

The discussions gradually died down as everyone threw themselves into practicing their fists.

Fang Mo knew none of this.

He was immersed in the world of stance training. His breathing was deep, his blood and qi circulated with every breath, and his body rose and fell. When he inhaled, it was like a dragon drinking water; when he exhaled, it was like a tiger roaring through the forest, his breath echoing within his body.

At last, he let out a long breath. The airflow surged more than a foot away, and it felt as though his organs had been washed clean, all turbidity swept away.

"Finally completed it!"

His heart was calm. Completing the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Method had been within his expectations.

Ever since the Tiger Subduing Fist had advanced, his stamina had increased greatly, and completing this method was no longer difficult.

[Tiger Subduing Stance: Entering the Hall (1493/5000)]

If you can't find it by searching the book title, try searching for the author instead—it may simply have been renamed!

The Bronze Mirror appeared in his mind, golden words flashing as a glint shone in his eyes.

"One Greater Celestial Circuit adds three points of proficiency!"

If he completed three cycles a day, or four cycles with a medicinal bath, then—

Together with the proficiency gained from sparring at the Iron Stone Boxing Ring, his stance training had a chance of breaking through to the Fourth Realm in less than a month. His physical qualities would also undergo a qualitative leap.

Within the Martial Hall, very few could train the Tiger Subduing Stance to the Fourth Realm. If Fang Mo could break through, his strength would undoubtedly rise dramatically.

The Tiger Subduing Fist was progressing just as encouragingly. With nearly eighteen hours of hard training every day, his growing stamina meant less rest and faster recovery, allowing him to complete more than seventy rounds of practice each day.

At this pace, reaching the Fourth Realm in the Tiger Subduing Fist within two months would not be difficult either.

And in the Martial Hall, Feng Qingyuan alone had attained that realm.

After a slight stir in his emotions, he returned to calm and continued training his fist techniques.

Today, he felt that the threshold of Bright Force seemed clearer than ever. Perhaps Yue Jian's departure had stimulated his potential, or perhaps a single spark of inspiration would let him step into the realm of Bright Force and truly embark on the martial path.

Not far away, Guan Lu watched Fang Mo train with complete focus, her gaze complicated.

She was still angry that her father had not chosen Fang Mo, yet she was powerless to persuade him otherwise.

Fang Mo knew nothing of Guan Lu's thoughts or everyone's attention. He simply continued training in silence.

As he persisted with the Seventy-Two Greater Celestial Circuit Breathing Method, he became even more diligent. He trained without pause every day, rising at four in the morning to practice, never stopping even during the blazing noon heat, and training deep into the night.

His persistence and effort made many students who had once doubted him see him in a new light.

The voices of doubt from Wang Qing and the others gradually weakened, replaced by greater respect and curiosity.

Fang Mo's unyielding persistence seemed to inspire everyone in the Martial Hall invisibly. They began to realize that while talent was certainly important, unrelenting effort could likewise cross so-called boundaries.

Thus, the Martial Hall shed its former laxness, and every person trained with all their strength.

He Shaobing, Chu Silin, and the others even took the initiative to exchange training insights with Fang Mo, and a vigorous, upward-striving atmosphere took shape within the Martial Hall.

Fang Mo was also happy to share his experience. Amid mutual encouragement and learning, the Martial Hall's training atmosphere became more intense than ever before.

Naturally, Guan Lie knew about the changes in the Martial Hall as well. Seeing the performance of its disciples, he felt greatly gratified.

"Senior Brother, I admit I misjudged him!"

Guan Lie stood in the hall, watching Fang Mo sweat as he practiced his punches beneath the sun. His face was full of emotion. "I never expected his Tiger Subduing Stance to have already reached Greater Celestial Circuit Breathing, and his Tiger Subduing Fist to be at the edge of Bright Force as well. Only a thin membrane remains."

Xie Changmin nodded slightly.

"This boy possesses exceptional talent and comprehension, and his temperament is resolute as well. If his martial roots were not so poor, he would surely be a peerless prodigy. Now you know your daughter's judgment wasn't bad, don't you?"

Guan Lie smiled.

"In this regard, Lu Lu truly takes after her mother."

Xie Changmin smiled.

"Still, you made Xiao Lu terribly angry. She won't even speak to you now. Why don't you explain it to her? Must you make her so upset she is nearly in tears?"

Guan Lie shook his head, his gaze darkening slightly.

"It is better to be cautious. If news gets out, we will lose the effect of a surprise force!"

Xie Changmin nodded faintly, stroking his beard as he said slowly,

"That is true. Tomorrow is the competition. It is time for Tiger Might Martial Arts School to show its name once again!"

"Yes! Tiger Might Martial Arts School has kept a low profile for far too long!"

Guan Lie looked toward the sky and spoke slowly as well.

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