The Might of Bright Force

The Might of Bright Force

"Junior Brother Fang, it seems your Tiger Subduing Stance has made a breakthrough?" Seeing Fang Mo stop to rest, Ding Zhiyuan asked with a smile.

"Yes, I just broke through!" Fang Mo beamed.

"Not bad. Making a breakthrough in five days isn't slow at all!" Ding Zhiyuan nodded approvingly. "Keep it up. Aim to complete nine Heavenly Cycle Breaths and hold out for over an hour. Once you can do that, you'll be able to learn Tiger Subduing Fist!"

"Alright, I'll definitely work hard!" Fang Mo's gaze was firm.

"I have faith in you!" Ding Zhiyuan patted Fang Mo's shoulder and turned to leave.

Fang Mo's heart grew heavy. Nine cycles of breathing in one hour meant each breath had to last nearly ten seconds. His breaths currently lasted only four seconds. Ten seconds was still far beyond his reach.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, stopped resting, and immediately resumed training. Over the following days, he trained with all his strength, always the last to leave at night and arriving before dawn.

Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.

Fang Mo's skin had grown darker, his body sturdier, and the lines of his muscles more defined. If anyone saw him again, they would never connect him to the useless young master Fang Mo from before.

After finishing another stance session, Fang Mo focused his thoughts on his mind.

[Tiger Subduing Stance: Elementary Mastery (689/1000)]

He was not far from another breakthrough. During this time, he had already completed two rounds of Blood Qi Body Tempering.

His body had now surpassed that of his previous life. Even after training for ten years back then, he had never reached such a level. Once he broke through to the third realm, his body would surely become even more outstanding. His heart brimmed with anticipation.

"I broke through!" An excited cry rang out.

Fang Mo looked over. After nearly a month at the Martial Hall, even though he had not gone out of his way to socialize, he had come to recognize most of the people there. The one shouting excitedly was Chen Mingzhong. He had arrived at the Martial Hall a few months before Fang Mo and was the first among the seven who had come in the same batch to break through. Three others had already realized there was no hope for them and left early.

Hearing the cry, a group from the back courtyard came over. Guan Lie led the way, followed by a host of disciples.

"Chen Mingzhong, show us," Guan Lie said, looking at Chen Mingzhong.

"Yes, Master!" Chen Mingzhong answered excitedly. He assumed the Wuji Stance, his body rising and falling like a crouching tiger.

Fang Mo felt that Chen Mingzhong truly resembled a fierce tiger at that moment, his body brewing with immense power.

"Hey!" Chen Mingzhong let out a deep shout, stepped forward, and unleashed a Cross Punch.

Bang! His fist cracked like exploding air, and the entire atmosphere seemed to shudder.

Though this was not Fang Mo's first time seeing trainees demonstrate their skills, his blood still surged with fervor. This was the Bright Force he had pursued in his previous life—the explosive crack of air. In that life, he had never seen a single person train to such a realm.

The so-called sound of fists had merely been artificial noises. This was a genuine airburst, enough to leave one's heart feeling stifled.

"Not bad. Strike the log again!" Guan Lie said loudly, a smile appearing on his face.

Chen Mingzhong walked up to the log. He once again took the Wuji Stance, his breath swelling through him. Then, with a sudden roar, he threw a punch that landed squarely on the log.

The log, as thick as the mouth of a bowl, gave a cracking blast. A fissure split across it, and wood chips scattered in all directions.

Fang Mo's heart jolted again. What terrifying strength. In his previous life, he had sought out countless masters throughout the country, yet none had reached this level. This was White Hardwood, as thick as a bowl's mouth—exceptionally hard, renowned as the "Axe Terminator." Its hardness spoke for itself.

Yet Fang Mo noticed Guan Lie's brow furrow slightly, as though he was not entirely satisfied.

"That's enough. Since you've broken through to Bright Force, you may begin cultivating in the back courtyard tomorrow." With his hands behind his back, Guan Lie left.

The trainees all stepped forward to congratulate him. Reaching Bright Force meant one had truly stepped onto the path of martial arts. Whether he became a bodyguard or joined the military, the benefits would be quite good. Naturally, everyone came to offer their congratulations.

"Tonight, I'm treating everyone in the Martial Hall to drinks! Let's all go together!" Chen Mingzhong declared with a delighted wave of his hand. The trainees immediately cheered.

Fang Mo noticed that only Ding Zhiyuan seemed somewhat dejected. Though he was chatting and laughing as well, his smile was clearly forced.

Finding an opportunity, Fang Mo walked up beside Ding Zhiyuan and comforted him. "Senior Brother Ding, don't be anxious. Isn't there still a month left? You might still break through!"

"There's no hope." Ding Zhiyuan smiled and shook his head. "I know my own situation better than anyone. Even now, I haven't found the feeling at all. I'm afraid it'll be difficult to break through!"

"Then what are you planning to do, Senior Brother?" Fang Mo could see that Ding Zhiyuan had been somewhat unmotivated in his training lately.

"What else can I do? Go home and take over the family business." Ding Zhiyuan shrugged, affecting a carefree manner.

Fang Mo had spoken with Ding Zhiyuan before and knew that his family ran a freight company. They had some modest wealth. If he truly lacked the talent for martial arts, going home to inherit the family business was also a path.

"That works too. Martial arts isn't the only road in life," Fang Mo consoled him.

Ding Zhiyuan smiled and patted Fang Mo. "It's fine. I can accept it."

At this moment, Chen Mingzhong and the other trainees emerged after changing clothes, constantly calling out to everyone. The crowd clustered together and headed out.

"Senior Brother Ding, let's go drink!" Chen Mingzhong called. Ding Zhiyuan responded, then looked at Fang Mo. "Come on! Let's go together!"

"I'll pass." Fang Mo shook his head. He had no interest in such gatherings, and Chen Mingzhong clearly had not intended to invite him. Why go and join the excitement?

Ding Zhiyuan did not press him. He patted Fang Mo's shoulder and left with the others.

Fang Mo had long grown used to this. He kept to himself and did not interact with anyone. Usually, he would only exchange an occasional greeting or a few words. All his time went into training, making him somewhat of a lone wolf.

"Junior Brother Fang, why are you still training? Isn't Junior Brother Chen Mingzhong treating everyone to a meal?" Just as Fang Mo was about to resume training, Senior Brother Feng Qingyuan emerged with Miao Ping, Chi Jing, and the others. Feng Qingyuan smiled warmly at Fang Mo, while the rest wore indifferent expressions.

"Greetings, Senior Brother and Senior Sisters!" Fang Mo withdrew his stance and saluted them. Then he smiled and said, "Senior Brother, you all go ahead. I won't be going. I still need to do a few more sets!"

"You should rest when it's time to rest. Don't push yourself too hard," Feng Qingyuan said with a smile.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll rest after training for a little while longer," Fang Mo replied respectfully.

Feng Qingyuan said nothing further. He waved his hand and left with the other four.

"Why waste words on him, Senior Brother? He's someone destined to leave anyway." Chi Jing spoke with a proud expression.

"That's not necessarily so!" Feng Qingyuan smiled faintly. "Fang Mo has made quite a lot of progress lately. Maybe he really can cultivate Bright Force!"

"Then I'll make a bet with Senior Brother—I bet he definitely won't be able to cultivate it!" Chi Jing suddenly said with a smile.

"Sure!"

"What do you want to bet?"

Feng Qingyuan asked with a smile.

Chi Jing raised a finger and said sweetly, "Ten jin of Exotic Beast Meat, plus two Entry Grade Spirit Medicines. How about it?"

"Junior Sister Chi seems very confident!"

Feng Qingyuan smiled, stretched out his hand, and slapped hers. "Alright, I'll take that bet!"

Fang Mo had no idea the two were betting over him. After training for another hour, he left the Martial Hall as well.

When he arrived at the small courtyard and was about to open the door, he stopped. The lock had already been opened.

His eyes narrowed slightly. Someone had entered the courtyard?

Rather than going through the door, Fang Mo went to the courtyard wall. With both hands gripping the top, he vaulted up and looked inside. It was pitch-black and dead silent, without the slightest movement.

He lightly pressed down with both hands, leaped, and drifted into the courtyard.

The instant his feet touched the ground, a black shadow shot out of the darkness and lunged straight at him. The punch whistled through the air, bursting like thunder.