At last, when everything had settled down, Su Hao panted heavily, his body slick with sweat, but he could hardly hide the satisfaction on his face. "Crane Form Fist... has finally entered the force stage too!"
"Mastering Crane Form Fist tempers the five viscera from the inside out and reshapes the sinews and bones, increasing my strength by roughly twenty to thirty percent. On top of that, I've gained a completely new force: 'Crane Cry Force'!"
Su Hao quietly felt the changes in his body. His physical attributes had improved by twenty to thirty percent—a tremendous increase. After all, the closer one's physique came to its limits, the harder it became to improve. A ten percent difference was already enormous, so a twenty to thirty percent increase could be called a leap forward.
Then there was the force born from mastering Crane Form Fist. It was unlike the "Tiger Gallant Force" of Tiger Form Fist: lighter and faster, it was also a short-range force that could unleash astonishing destructive power within a tiny space!
Su Hao walked up to a large tree and placed his fingertips against its trunk, leaving barely an inch or two between them.
"Crack!"
A moment later, an explosive force with tremendous penetrating power gathered at his fingertips and burst forth within that tiny space, thrusting into the tree trunk. The hard bark split at once, sending wood chips flying. His fingers were like arrows; four of them sank halfway into the trunk.
It was hard to imagine how terrifyingly destructive such an attack would be against a human body.
Su Hao's cultivation realm had long since reached the required level. By practicing the fists, he was reshaping his sinews and bones and opening his meridians, thereby bringing this body into the force stage.
"Next, I'll study Ape Form Fist."
Su Hao composed himself. Of the Five Animals Fist, he had mastered two forms, with three still remaining. His goal was to bring each of them to perfection!
Another half month passed, and the end of the year was fast approaching.
One afternoon, Su Hao returned home after practicing martial arts as usual. But now his brow was furrowed, because a large crowd had gathered outside his courtyard gate.
At the head of the crowd stood a broad-shouldered, burly young man. His skin was dark, and his features were rugged. From his appearance, it was hard to believe he was only seventeen.
"He's back again."
Seeing him, Su Hao furrowed his brow in secret.
But when the burly young man spotted Su Hao returning, his eyes lit up and he immediately stepped forward to block his way. He shouted, "Su Hao, you're finally back! Fight me!"
The burly young man was Su Hu, one of the outstanding members of the younger generation among the Su family disciples. Lately, he had come to Su Hao's home again and again, claiming he wanted to spar with him.
Everyone knew, however, that Su Hu's talk of sparring was just an excuse. In truth, he had his eye on the Martial Academy's quota.
It was already the end of the year. Once the New Year passed, it would be time to report to the Martial Academy. Su Hu's only chance to get that quota was to defeat Su Hao before the year ended, then use the opportunity to rally the others and pressure the family. Naturally, the Martial Academy's quota should go to the strongest!
"Not interested."
Su Hao's expression was calm as he refused without hesitation.
Having lived two lives, he wouldn't agree to fight just because Su Hu provoked him. Winning wouldn't benefit him, and besides, he had already given the Martial Academy's quota to Su Yue. Even if Su Hu defeated him, he still wouldn't get it.
Su Hu noticed Su Xiaoqing cowering fearfully by the gate. His heart softened, but then he remembered his own background. He had a younger sister too, but when she was little, she fell ill and they had no money to treat her. In the end, she was left with a lung disease, and even now she often coughed. No medicine could cure her. He didn't want to experience that helplessness again!
Only by entering the Martial Academy and making something of himself could he change his fate!
"Are you scared? If you're worried about losing to me, that's fine. I'll fight you with one hand!"
Su Hu grinned at Su Hao, making no effort to hide his provocation.
"Su Hao, fight Su Hu! Let everyone see it and accept the result!"
The other Su family disciples gathered around to watch the show, only too happy to see trouble. Many of them were already jealous that Su Hao had received a quota, and some seized the chance to fan the flames. But Su Hao remained unmoved and paid them no heed.
"What are you all shouting about? Keep it up and you'll all be sent to the Law Enforcement Hall to receive your punishment!"
A stern voice rang out. A burly, imposing middle-aged man strode over. It was none other than Family Elder Su Lie!
"Family Elder Su Lie!"
Everyone respectfully saluted him in unison. Su Lie held a seat among the Su family's family elders and wielded great authority.
Su Lie looked sternly at Su Hu and said coldly, "Su Hu, you've caused a scene several times already. The family has promised that if there's a Martial Academy quota next year, it will give one to you. You only have to wait another year. Yet you're still causing trouble. If you do it again, you'll be punished according to family law!"
Su Lie had stepped in to speak up partly because it was his duty, and partly because the quota Su Hao had received had in fact already been given to his son. It was the sort of thing that couldn't be brought into the open, so Su Lie naturally wanted to put a stop to the commotion.
Su Hu was still unwilling to accept it. He was already seventeen, and the years before turning twenty were the golden age for martial cultivation. Every year wasted was a year of his life thrown away. If he entered the Martial Academy next year, he would already be eighteen, and standing out there would undoubtedly be much harder.
Moreover, Martial Academy quotas were precious, and it was still unknown whether Su Family Fort would receive another one next year!
But faced with Su Lie's authority, Su Hu had no choice but to lower his head. Otherwise, not only would he be punished, but even if there was a quota next year, he might not get it!
"Yes..."
Though Su Hu was unwilling, he could only grit his teeth and bow his head.
Watching it all, Su Hao sighed inwardly. Su Hu hadn't been born into a prominent branch of the Su family, so his path in martial arts would be harder.
"Brother!"
At that moment, Su Xiaoqing rushed through the courtyard gate and clung tightly to Su Hao. Her body trembled; she was frightened.
Su Hao's heart softened. Su Xiaoqing was scared. Lately, Su Hu had brought people to their door again and again to challenge Su Hao. Of course, he wouldn't dare do anything to Su Hao's mother or sister.
But having a crowd block the entrance and come at them aggressively was frightening enough. Su Xiaoqing was only seven or eight years old. Although their mother had told her to ignore them and not be afraid, she was still terrified.
A different feeling stirred in Su Hao. The best way to face fear was, of course, to overcome it. He had considered only the most sensible choice, without thinking about the pressure his family had to endure.
Su Hao lowered his voice and said to Su Xiaoqing, "Xiao Qing, don't be afraid. Big brother will teach him a lesson so he won't dare come back."
After speaking, Su Hao turned to Su Hu, who was just about to leave, and said, "Su Hu, you want to fight me? Then I'll give you what you want!"
Su Hu, who had been lowering his head and preparing to leave, froze. He hadn't expected Su Hao to suddenly change his mind and accept the challenge.
Su Hu's eyes lit up. Afraid Su Hao might change his mind, he immediately called out, "Good! You dare accept my challenge. I admit I underestimated you before! Let's go to the Martial Practice Arena right now! I'll be waiting for you!"
After that, Su Hu paid no more attention to Su Lie's grim expression and strode toward the Su family's Martial Practice Arena. A large number of Su family disciples hurried after him.
Su Lie was startled. If Su Hao lost to Su Hu, then even though they had the authority of the family behind them and the quota would still belong to Su Hao, many of the Su family disciples would surely resent it. Why invite trouble?
"If you lose... how do you plan to handle it?"
Su Lie asked Su Hao, his expression troubled. He had already paid Su Hao for the quota. If Su Hao lost to Su Hu and unforeseen complications arose, or if the quota ended up seeming illegitimate, that was the last thing Su Lie wanted.
"Don't worry. He's no match for me."
Su Hao answered Su Lie's question calmly.
"Let's hope so!"
Su Lie sighed, full of worry. But now that things had come this far, there was no way he could step in and stop it!
Before you continue