Great Heavenly Cycle

Chapter 45: Grand Heavenly Cycle

Yunyang, the sixth month of the year. The summer sun blazed, its scorching rays licking the Martial Arts School like fire.

Even the sunshade netting set up in the courtyard struggled to ward off the oppressive heat. Heat waves rose from the ground, and within the high walls, the air was stifling and unbearable. Standing for even a moment left one drenched in sweat.

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

Only Fang Mo remained under the scorching sun, his figure moving in rhythm with the stance practice. Sweat poured down him, yet he seemed oblivious.

"Junior disciple Fang is truly putting in the effort, not even stopping in this weather," He Shaobing remarked, watching Fang Mo sweat profusely, a sense of admiration welling up within him.

Wang Qing, however, smirked, "He's just putting on a show. Without any talent, what's the use of all this hard training?"

"Exactly! As if he's the only one capable. We're resting, but he insists on training. He just wants to show off!"

Several other students chimed in, their words filled with disdain.

Ding Zhiyuan frowned. Though he disliked stirring up trouble, he couldn't help but say, "You shouldn't speak like that. If you truly have the will, you can try it too. I believe Junior disciple Fang's effort is something we should learn from."

Chu Silin suddenly exclaimed, "Huh? Fang Mo has been practicing his stance for almost two hours?"

Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze.

They saw Fang Mo's body moving like surging tides, his breathing long and steady, accompanied by a faint, low whistle that seemed to make the very air resonate.

"Is he practicing the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Technique?" He Shaobing asked in astonishment.

As the second strongest student in the front courtyard, second only to Chen Song, his perception was quite sharp.

"Impossible! Even we can't do it, how can he? Are you sure you're not mistaken?" A flicker of jealousy crossed Wang Qing's eyes.

He Shaobing quickly retorted, "How could I be mistaken? Pay attention to his breathing rhythm; it won't lie." Shock and envy mingled on his face. The Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Technique could greatly enhance stance practice, but it was no easy feat. Even he hadn't mastered it.

Chu Silin's eyes flickered. She knew how difficult the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Technique was. She herself hadn't managed it, let alone Fang Mo, who had no talent for martial arts?

Ding Zhiyuan's face lit up with pleasant surprise:

"What did I say? Although Junior disciple Fang lacks talent, with this kind of effort, he will definitely improve."

"That's right! Junior disciple Fang trains so hard. If someone like that doesn't improve, it would be against all reason!" The others chimed in with praise.

Wang Qing's displeasure grew upon hearing this, "Even if he masters the Seventy-Two Heavenly Cycle Breathing Technique, so what? Without talent, what achievements can he possibly make?"

"Senior disciple Wang Qing is right. Martial Arts ultimately depends on talent. What difference can a little comprehension make?" Some students who held prejudices against Fang Mo echoed his sentiment.

He Shaobing swept them a displeased glance and walked away to begin his own training.

He disdained associating with those who were unwilling to work hard yet looked down on the efforts of others.

"Let's all go back to our own training. It would be embarrassing if Senior disciple Fang overtakes us!" Chu Silin also spoke, turning to find a spot to practice her punches.

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

The murmuring gradually subsided, and everyone threw themselves back into their training.

Fang Mo was completely unaware of this.

He was immersed in the world of stance practice, his breathing deep, his blood and qi flowing with each breath. His body rose and fell, inhaling like a dragon drinking water, exhaling like a tiger roaring in the forest, his breath echoing within him.

Finally, he exhaled a long breath. The airflow surged outward about a foot, and his internal organs felt cleansed, all impurities washed away.

"Finally done!"

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

Since advancing his Tiger Subduing Fist, his stamina had greatly increased, making it no longer difficult to complete this technique.

[Tiger Subduing Stance: Proficient (1493/5000)]

He couldn't find the book by searching the title, you can try searching the author, maybe they just changed the name!

A Bronze Mirror appeared in his mind, golden text flashing, and a light gleamed in his eyes.

"Each Grand Heavenly Cycle increases proficiency by three points!"

If he completed three rounds a day, he could complete four rounds with a medicinal bath.

Adding the proficiency gained from sparring in the Iron Stone Boxing Ring, within a month, his stance practice would likely break through to the fourth realm, and his physical fitness would undergo a qualitative leap.

In the Martial Arts School, very few could train their Tiger Subduing Stance to the fourth realm. If Fang Mo could break through, his strength would undoubtedly soar.

The progress of his Tiger Subduing Fist was equally gratifying. With nearly eighteen hours of hard training daily, as his stamina increased, his rest time decreased, and his recovery sped up, allowing him to complete over seventy repetitions each day.

At this rate, reaching the fourth realm of Tiger Subduing Fist within two months was not an issue.

And this realm was only achieved by Feng Qingyuan in the entire Martial Arts School.

After a slight fluctuation in his emotions, he returned to a state of calm and continued to immerse himself in practicing his boxing techniques.

Today, he felt the threshold of Bright Strength was becoming clearer. Perhaps Yue Jian's departure had stimulated his potential, or perhaps a flash of inspiration would allow him to enter the realm of Bright Strength and truly embark on the path of Martial Arts.

Not far away, Guan Lu watched Fang Mo, who was focused on his training, her expression complex.

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

Fang Mo was unaware of Guan Lu's thoughts or the attention he was receiving; he continued to train diligently.

As he persisted with the Seventy-Two Grand Heavenly Cycle Breathing Technique, he trained even harder, never slacking off. He woke up at four in the morning to train, didn't stop even during the hottest part of the day, and trained late into the night.

His perseverance and hard work earned the respect of many students who had initially doubted him.

The questioning voices of Wang Qing and the others gradually subsided, replaced by more respect and curiosity.

Fang Mo's perseverance seemed to inspire everyone in the Martial Arts School invisibly. They all began to realize that while talent is important, unremitting effort can also transcend so-called boundaries.

As a result, the Martial Arts School, which had been lax before, changed. Everyone was cultivating with all their might.

He Shaobing, Chu Silin, and others even took the initiative to exchange training experiences with Fang Mo. A positive and upward atmosphere formed within the Martial Arts School.

Fang Mo was also happy to share his experiences. Through mutual encouragement and learning, the training atmosphere of the entire Martial Arts School became unprecedentedly intense.

Guan Lie was naturally aware of the changes in the Martial Arts School. Seeing the performance of the disciples within, he felt gratified.

"Senior Brother, I admit I misjudged him!"

Guan Lie stood in the hall, looking at Fang Mo, who was sweating and practicing punches under the sun, with emotion on his face. "I didn't expect his Tiger Subduing Stance had already reached the Great Heavenly Cycle Breathing, and his Tiger Subduing Fist was also on the verge of Bright Strength, with only one layer left."

Xie Changmin also nodded slightly and said:

"This child's talent and comprehension are both excellent, and his disposition is firm. If not for his poor bone structure, he would surely be a prodigy. Now you know your daughter's judgment isn't bad!"

Guan Lie smiled and said:

"In this regard, Xiao Lu indeed takes after her mother!"

Xie Changmin smiled and said:

"However, you really angered Xiao Lu quite a bit. She's not talking to you now. Why don't you explain to her? Why did you have to make her cry with anger?"

Guan Lie shook his head, his gaze slightly heavy, and said:

"It's better to be careful. If the news gets out, it will lose its element of surprise!"

Xie Changmin nodded slightly, stroked his beard, and slowly said, "That's right. Tomorrow is the competition. The Tiger Might Martial Arts School should also make a name for itself again!"

"Yes! The Tiger Might Martial Arts School has been too low-key for too long!"

Guan Lie looked up at the sky and said slowly.