Fist Force

The Training Ground was packed shoulder to shoulder.

Compared to the vast majority, the few who had reached Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique appeared far more nervous.

Ranking among the Top Five in Fist Force could earn them the Escort Agency's nutritious food reward.

Nourish training through eating! Having already begun eating double portions of beef, they understood this deeply.

If they could seize a Top Five spot in the Fist Force test, one free portion of nutritious food would bring immense benefit to their future cultivation.

After all, double portions of beef were enough to open a gap between them and the others. What if they ate three portions of beef every meal?

With such thoughts in mind, these newcomers eyed one another sharply, their gazes filled with wariness.

Jiang Ping was pondering as well.

Of the previous Top Five in Fist Force, four had already reached Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique through the extra nutritious food. Their initial Fist Force had been relatively high. If Jiang Ping wanted to surpass them, he would have to display a level in the Nourishing Life Technique beyond everyone else's to be certain.

But Jiang Ping had always been cautious. He understood that when a tree stood taller than the forest, the wind would be the first to break it.

A moment of brilliance meant nothing. No matter how gifted one was, one was still only a sapling at present. To reach the far shore of Martial Dao, steadiness had to be carved into one's bones.

This was also the awareness a transmigrator ought to possess!

Therefore, Zhao Lusi, who held fifth place with 158 jin of Fist Force, was the target Jiang Ping needed to surpass for now.

The gap between their initial Fist Force was only three jin. Assuming Zhao had already reached Entry Level, Jiang Ping merely needed to unleash a little Blood Qi on top of the power from the First Level of the Nourishing Life Technique to surpass him easily. It would neither draw attention nor prevent him from earning the nutritious food reward.

In fact, while Jiang Ping's train of thought was running, Zhao Lusi, the holder of fifth place, was feeling uneasy all over as several sharp gazes occasionally fell upon him.

Clearly, compared to the other four ahead of him, he was the easiest one to surpass and had long since become a target.

At this, Zhao Lusi revealed a bitter smile. He had yet to break through to the First Level of the Nourishing Life Technique. After this, he feared he would fade into the crowd.

"Zhang San!"

Without giving everyone much time to prepare themselves, Escort Huang's voice rang out at the right moment.

The Fist Force test had begun!

Bang!

"142 jin!" Head Escort Liang spoke expressionlessly.

"You trained for three days without gaining a single jin of strength, and that was with nutritious food. Even a pig would put on some flesh. Where did your gains go?" Looking at Zhang San's recorded initial Fist Force in the register, Escort Huang could not help shaking his head, disdain written across his face.

Zhang San's face instantly flushed red. He lowered his head and quickly burrowed back into the crowd.

"Li Si."

"Wang Wu."

"..."

One after another, those called by name stepped forward to test their punches. Aside from Zhang San, though none had reached Entry Level, all of them had gained some Fist Force. However, the greatest increase was only ten jin.

"Those who practice our Escort Agency's Nourishing Life Technique can gain at most ten jin of strength before breaking through to the First Level. Those who gained ten jin should go back and train harder, striving to break through as soon as possible," Escort Huang said.

A while later.

"Sun Qi!"

When the escort called Sun Qi's name, everyone immediately raised their brows and perked up.

Not only had this man possessed the highest initial Fist Force in the entire group, he had also been the first among "everyone" to break through. They were all curious how much Fist Force Sun Qi now had.

The burly man named Sun Qi stepped out from the crowd, neither humble nor overbearing.

"Head Escort, excuse me." Sun Qi came before Head Escort Liang and gave a slight cupped-fist salute. Then his right hand instantly clenched into a fist.

Everyone saw the veins bulging across his powerful arm, as though it had swollen by a whole circle.

Bang!

His fist swung straight toward the Head Escort's chest. Though it produced a crisp sound, the Head Escort did not budge in the slightest. He spoke without expression.

"213 jin."

"Not bad. Not only have you reached Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique, but you can go even further. In just a few days, you will likely break through to the Second Level."

Escort Huang nodded and gave Sun Qi a brief appraisal.

"Sun Qi will continue working hard and will not disappoint Escort Huang's expectations." Sun Qi cupped his fists, neither arrogant nor rash.

"Sun Qi will probably remain first in Fist Force, and he may keep that position for quite some time—even until the special training ends." Quite a few people whispered among themselves, both envious and jealous.

The testing continued.

"Fang Yong, Fist Force: 173 jin!"

"Not bad, you've reached Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique. You've been eating one portion of beef every meal these past few days, haven't you?"

Escort Huang looked Fang Yong, the ordinary-looking young man before him, up and down as he asked.

"Yes." Fang Yong appeared somewhat flustered.

"From now on, eat two portions of nutritious food," Escort Huang said.

"Huh?" Fang Yong looked confused. If he ate two portions and failed to rank in the Top Five, would he not have to spend silver?

However, Escort Huang said nothing more. Only after returning to the crowd and receiving some guidance from others did he realize what it meant.

"Escort Huang means that I reached Entry Level in roughly the same time as those eating two portions of nutritious food, even though I ate only one. If I eat two portions from now on, my progress in Martial Dao may be even faster!"

Fang Yong's face filled with delight. He then lifted his head and looked toward Sun Qi, the first person, with a hint of defiance.

"Zhao Lusi!"

At that moment, as a name was called, quite a few people held their breath in anticipation.

This man had been the gatekeeper of the previous Fist Force test's Top Five, and he was also the target the later generations wanted to catch first.

A moment later.

"168 jin!"

As the Head Escort's cold voice rang out, several cries of surprise rose from the crowd.

"You ate double portions of nutritious food and still failed to reach Entry Level. Not very good." Escort Huang shook his head, somewhat disappointed.

Zhao Lusi lowered his head and said nothing.

He knew it was time for him to give up his spot.

"..."

"Jiang Ping!"

Not long after Zhao Lusi, it was Jiang Ping's turn.

Everyone examined him.

If Sun Qi crushed the entire field with absolute Fist Force, then what this man relied on was his outstanding facial features.

"He has a good face. Don't tell me he's reached Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique too?" Someone clicked their tongue.

"Not likely!" Liu Wensheng declared with certainty, a trace of sourness in his voice.

"183 jin! Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique."

"Liu, you got slapped in the face."

"..." Liu Wensheng's expression was complicated.

Little White Face had actually reached Entry Level.

"From now on, eat... Hmm, eat double portions of nutritious food."

Escort Huang had originally intended to advise Jiang Ping to eat double portions of nutritious food from now on as well. But considering his Fist Force result, he could make the Top Five, so there was no need for such advice.

"Escort Huang is right."

Jiang Ping cupped his fists. He had only unleashed a little more than the power of the First Level of the Nourishing Life Technique. It was not eye-catching, but ranking in the Top Five should not be a problem. Naturally, he should eat double portions of nutritious food.

"He only has Fist Force comparable to my initial Fist Force after breaking through to the First Level. Not much of a threat," Sun Qi murmured.

Watching the young man return, everyone felt a little sour.

Not only did he have a good face, he had also reached Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique. He did not seem to be an embroidered pillow stuffed with straw.

"Congratulations, brother Jiang! Congratulations, brother Jiang!"

When Jiang Ping entered the crowd, Luo Tiegen was the first to warmly offer his congratulations.

It was as though he had not been the one scolded last night. He spoke with the delight of an old friend of Jiang Ping's for many years, calling him "Brother" with every other breath.

Not far from the two of them, Sun Zheng's expression looked unpleasant, dark and gloomy, with even a measure of wariness.

He had never expected that Little White Face, with whom he had just formed a grudge, had silently reached Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique. No wonder Jiang Ping had been so fearless last night and had not taken him seriously.

"Don't worry. You have me." Noticing that his old friend's expression was off, Qian Dele immediately comforted him.

Qian Dele was equally surprised, but only mildly so. After all, he too had reached Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique!

Time slowly passed...