Fist Force

The Training Ground was packed with people.

Compared to most, the few who had entered the Nourishing Life Technique looked even more nervous.

Those who ranked in the Top Five for Fist Force could receive 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, a free portion of nutritious food would be of immense benefit to their future cultivation.

After all, double portions of beef could already set them apart from the others. What if they ate three portions of beef every meal?

With such thoughts in mind, these newcomers looked at 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 entered the Nourishing Life Technique through their extra nutritious food. Their initial Fist Force had been relatively high. If Jiang Ping wanted to surpass them, he could only be sure of it by displaying a Nourishing Life Technique level beyond everyone else's.

Yet Jiang Ping had always been cautious. He understood that when a tree stood tall in the forest, the wind was bound to break it.

A moment of brilliance meant nothing. No matter how gifted one was, one was still only a sapling for now. 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 entered the technique, Jiang Ping only needed to erupt with a little more vital energy and blood atop the strength of the first level of the Nourishing Life Technique to surpass him easily. It would neither draw attention nor prevent him from obtaining the nutritious food reward.

In fact, while Jiang Ping's train of thought ran, Zhao Lusi, the holder of Fifth Place, was feeling uncomfortable all over. Several sharp gazes kept turning toward him.

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

Zhao Lusi wore 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 masses.

"Zhang San!"

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

The Fist Force test had begun!

Bang!

"142 jin!" Head Escort Liang said expressionlessly.

"You trained for three days and didn't gain even one jin of strength, and that was with nutritious food. Even a pig would put on some flesh. Where did yours go?" Looking at Zhang San's initial Fist Force record in the register, Escort Huang could not help shaking his head in disdain.

Zhang San's face immediately flushed red. Lowering his head, he hurried into the crowd.

"Li Si."

"Wang Wu."

"..."

One after another, those whose names were called stepped forward to test their fists. Aside from Zhang San, though none of the others had entered the technique, their Fist Force had all increased to varying degrees. Yet the greatest increase was only ten jin.

"Those who cultivate 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 practice more. Strive 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 did this man possess the highest initial Fist Force in the entire group, he was also the first among everyone to break through. They were curious just how much Fist Force Sun Qi had.

The burly man named Sun Qi walked out of the crowd, neither servile 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 bulge along his sturdy arm, as though it had swelled by a whole circle.

Bang!

His fist swung toward the Head Escort's chest. Though it gave off a crisp sound, the Head Escort did not budge in the slightest. He said expressionlessly:

"213 jin."

"Not bad. Not only have you entered the Nourishing Life Technique, you can go even further. I'm afraid it will take only a few more days for you to break through to the Second Level."

Escort Huang nodded and gave Sun Qi a brief once-over.

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

"Sun Qi will probably still be first in Fist Force, and he may keep that position for some time, perhaps even until the special training ends." Many people whispered among themselves, both envious and jealous.

The testing continued.

"Fang Yong, Fist Force: 173 jin!"

"Not bad, you've entered the Nourishing Life Technique. You've only been eating one portion of beef per 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 nervous.

"Eat two portions of nutritious food from now on," Escort Huang said.

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

However, Escort Huang said no more. Only after returning to the crowd and receiving some guidance from others did he understand.

"Escort Huang meant that I entered the technique in about the same time as those eating two portions of nutritious food despite eating only one. If I eat two portions from now on, my Martial Dao progress may be even faster!"

Fang Yong's face filled with delight. Then he raised his head and looked toward Sun Qi, the first person, faintly unconvinced.

"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 Top Five, and he was also the target several later arrivals wished to catch up to first.

A moment later.

"168 jin!"

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

"Even with double portions of nutritious food, you still couldn't enter the technique. 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 surrender his place.

"..."

"Jiang Ping!"

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

Everyone examined him.

If Sun Qi suppressed the entire crowd through absolute Fist Force, then what this one relied on was his outstanding Facial Features.

"His face looks good. Don't tell me he's entered the Nourishing Life Technique too?" someone clicked their tongue.

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

"183 jin! Entered the Nourishing Life Technique."

"Brother Liu, you got slapped in the face."

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

Little White Face had really entered the technique.

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

Escort Huang had originally intended to suggest that Jiang Ping 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 him to make the suggestion.

"Escort Huang is right."

Jiang Ping clasped his fists. He had only erupted with a little more than the strength of the first level of the Nourishing Life Technique. It was not eye-catching, but it should be enough to rank in the Top Five. Naturally, he ought to eat double portions of nutritious food.

"Only after breaking through the first level did his strength match my initial Fist Force. Not much of a threat." Sun Qi murmured.

Watching the young man return, the crowd felt rather sour.

Not only did this man have good looks, he had also entered the Nourishing Life Technique. He did not seem to be merely an embroidered pillow.

"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 if he had not been the one scolded last night. With the delighted tone of an old friend of Jiang Ping's for many years, he called him "Brother" again and again.

Not far from the two of them, Sun Zheng's expression looked unpleasant, dark and even carrying a hint of apprehension.

He had not expected that the Little White Face with whom he had just formed a grudge would silently enter the Nourishing Life Technique. No wonder he had been so fearless last night and had not taken Sun Zheng seriously.

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

Qian Dele was equally surprised, though only somewhat so. After all, he too had entered the Nourishing Life Technique!

Time gradually passed...