The Realm Above Skill-Transforming Force

Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall.

Cheng Heng stood quietly before Wu Zhong.

Wu Zhong looked relaxed, his face full of approval as he said:

"You two have done well. You both earned places in the top ten. From here on, there is little more your master can teach you."

Cheng Heng and Chen An exchanged a glance, then cupped their fists together.

"A teacher for a day, a father for life. This disciple will never forget Master's grace in teaching us!"

Wu Zhong nodded in satisfaction, then slowly said:

"I imagine you have both reached Hidden Force Great Completion. Skill-Transforming Force should not be far off, should it?"

Cheng Heng cupped his fists. "In another month or so, I should be able to attempt a breakthrough into Skill-Transforming Force!"

Chen An, standing beside him, stared at Cheng Heng in surprise, finding Cheng Heng's rate of progress unbelievable.

"I still need several months, but it will be soon!"

Wu Zhong then personally inspected the cultivation progress of his two disciples in detail.

Then he said solemnly, "Bright Force is when one's qi and blood are still shallow, yet the sinews and bones throughout the body are coordinated, and fist force and body become one. That is Bright Force Great Completion."

"Hidden Force opens the qi and blood throughout the body, concealing force within. It may appear soft on the outside, yet its force can strike directly into the body and wound others invisibly. When the meridians and qi-blood throughout the body are linked, and one can freely release and withdraw one's force, that is Hidden Force Great Completion."

"Skill-Transforming Force, however, is the most extraordinary realm. It sheds tangible force; qi-blood and flesh merge into one. Formless and without stance, its force changes without end. When body and mind become one, moving or still without trace, one has reached the pinnacle of worldly martial arts!"

"For a martial artist, once they break through into Skill-Transforming Force, their lifespan generally increases by twenty years!"

At those words, Cheng Heng's eyes lit up. He could only marvel at the wonders of martial cultivation.

Breaking through to Skill-Transforming Force could actually extend one's life by twenty years!

This guidance today had truly opened Cheng Heng's eyes.

After pondering for a moment, Cheng Heng softly asked:

"Master, what realm lies above Skill-Transforming Force?"

Hearing Cheng Heng's question, Chen An hurriedly revealed a curious expression as well. Wu Zhong gave Cheng Heng a deep look before slowly replying:

"Skill-Transforming Force is the limit an ordinary worldly martial artist can attain. The realm above Skill-Transforming Force is called Core-Embracing Force!"

Above Skill-Transforming Force lay Core-Embracing Force!

This was Cheng Heng's first time learning of a realm beyond Skill-Transforming Force!

"However, you must not reach for the moon before learning to walk. With your abilities, breaking through into Skill-Transforming Force will be as easy as turning one's hand. But beyond Skill-Transforming Force..."

"Cultivation methods, resources, talent, and luck—not one can be lacking!"

"The Tiger-Subduing Stance Art can be cultivated up to Skill-Transforming Force. Beyond that, you can only obtain further cultivation methods from the sects within the prefectural city."

"What matters most for you now is cultivating Hidden Force to Completion, then smoothly breaking through into Skill-Transforming Force!"

Cheng Heng and Chen An both turned solemn and answered in unison.

Wu Zhong then turned and walked to a hidden compartment. With a light press, he took out two wooden boxes and handed them to the two of them.

"What are these?"

Cheng Heng accepted a wooden box and asked with a puzzled expression.

"Inside are twenty-year-old wild mountain ginseng. For Hidden Force martial artists, they have unexpected benefits in nourishing qi and blood."

"These two medicinal ingredients are of little use to me now. Take them."

Wu Zhong lightly waved his hand, speaking as calmly as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze.

Twenty-year-old precious medicine was something that could be encountered only by chance in Gaoyang County.

Cheng Heng had never expected Wu Zhong to bring out the twenty-year treasure medicine he had kept in reserve!

Cheng Heng was so moved that he wanted to bow in thanks, but Wu Zhong gently helped him up. Then Wu Zhong's expression darkened as he said gravely:

"You likely know what happened to your senior brother Zhao Wei. Both his arms were crippled. Even if he recovers, he can only remain at Hidden Force for the rest of his life!"

Cheng Heng frowned slightly at those words.

"Master, what grudge exactly lies between Prosperity Martial Academy and our Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall?"

Taking this opportunity, Cheng Heng wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.

He had already formed an irreconcilable enmity with Prosperity Martial Academy. They were now locked in a struggle to the death, so it was best to learn the full story and prepare himself!

Wu Zhong's gaze sharpened slightly before he said:

"When I was young, I wanted to open a martial hall in Gaoyang County. The rule at the time was that one had to challenge five martial halls. Only after succeeding would one be qualified to open a martial hall in Gaoyang County."

"My grudge with Prosperity Martial Academy was formed back then. I fought Wu Yong at the time, and he was no match for me. Afterward, he could no longer hold his head up among his fellow disciples in the martial hall."

"I never expected Wu Yong to be so vindictive that he would strike Zhao Wei so viciously during the Martial Examination!"

Only then did Cheng Heng understand, though his heart tightened slightly.

Wu Yong was so narrow-minded that there was no chance of settling things peacefully with him!

He needed to break through into Skill-Transforming Force as quickly as possible!

"The reason I gave you this precious medicine is to let you reach Hidden Force Completion quickly, then break through into Skill-Transforming Force."

"Although your rankings have already been determined, there are still six months before the prefectural city sends you your tokens."

"In another two months, it will be the Gaoyang Martial Gathering. I fear Prosperity Martial Academy will seek revenge during the gathering, so over these next two months, you must do everything in your power to improve your strength."

The Gaoyang Martial Gathering.

This martial gathering was an old tradition of Gaoyang County. Like the Martial Examination, it was held once every three years.

Its purpose was to invite numerous martial experts to exchange martial arts. At the same time, the major martial halls would select those with outstanding aptitude and accept them as disciples!

"At this martial gathering, Prosperity Martial Academy definitely will not let the matter rest!"

Chen An's expression was grave as he said, "Junior Brother Cheng defeated Prosperity Martial Academy's second disciple, but their eldest disciple is named Shen Liang. It is said that he has been in seclusion recently and is only one step away from breaking through into Skill-Transforming Force!"

Cheng Heng's heart suddenly sank. He had not expected Prosperity Martial Academy to have such a disciple.

When the martial gathering was held, Wu Yong could not fight him because of the gap in seniority.

But if Shen Liang wanted to spar with him, Cheng Heng would have no reason to refuse!

"Junior Brother Cheng, you must be extremely careful at this martial gathering!"

Seeing Cheng Heng's tightly furrowed brow, Chen An spoke up to warn him.

Wu Zhong was also filled with concern as he looked at Cheng Heng and Chen An.

"This time, our Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall seized two top-ten places in a row. Those great martial halls in the Inner City have lost face. Using this martial gathering as a pretext, they will surely make trouble."

"Not only Cheng Heng—Chen An, you must be careful too!"

"Don't worry!"

Cheng Heng's furrowed brow suddenly relaxed, and his gaze became resolute.

"With Master's precious medicine to aid me, I will definitely break through into Skill-Transforming Force within two months!"

Cheng Heng cast aside the worries in his heart. With two months, the assistance of the [Heaven Rewards Diligence] fate, and this twenty-year-old precious medicine, breaking through into Skill-Transforming Force would be as natural as water flowing into a channel!

The master and his two disciples looked at one another. Though they carried some worries in their hearts, an even greater fighting spirit rose within them!

If those Inner City martial halls truly wanted to strike at the two of them, Cheng Heng would not mind using them one by one as stepping stones, as the capital to enter the prefectural city!