Realm-Hopping Martial Master

Shang Siguo... could he be from Shang Jibei's family? His father, or perhaps an uncle?

Looking at the astonishing achievements of the top-ranked individual on the Grandmaster List, Jiang Shu felt for the first time that he had been somewhat conservative. To dare charge directly into the den of a Fourth Rank Mutant Beast and steal its young while only in the Hua Jing Realm... He's truly deserving of first place. Who could dispute it? Who would dare?

He meticulously scanned the Grandmaster List again. Unlike the simplistic Rookie List, the Martial Artist Alliance had clearly put more effort into the Grandmaster List. Every Martial Artist's achievements were recorded to ensure authenticity.

He took a screenshot, edited a message, and sent it to Xie Feichen with his congratulations. This is indeed a joyful occasion.

For Jiangnan Academy, this meant they had gained a Hua Jing Master as a teacher. The academy's strength would see a qualitative improvement. For Jiang Shu, Xie Feichen reaching the Hua Jing Realm would also be of tremendous help. His progress in Martial Arts had started to slow down, a frustrating reality.

Previously, in the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, he had an ample supply of Second Rank Mutant Beast meat, which was most effective for boosting Qi Blood Strength. Moreover, while in the Bone Forging Realm, tempering the bones in his limbs had been easiest. Thus, he could feel his rapid progress daily.

But now, in the Martial Arts of Xia Country, his stored Qi Blood Strength had reached its peak. To grow stronger, he had to advance further and reach the Hua Jing Realm.

In the Martial Arts of the Da Jing Dynasty, his Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength was still at least two months away from Great Success. Beyond Great Success was Perfection, and beyond Perfection was Break Limit. By this timeline, it would take about half a year for him to break through to the Refining Internal Realm.

Such speed would undoubtedly astound the Martial Artists of Pingling County. Even on Xuanxing, this pace was incredibly astonishing.

After all, the Hua Jing Realm was not the same as the Dark Force Realm. Many Dark Force Martial Artists were stuck at this barrier. Even Xie Feichen had been stuck for half a year before his recent breakthrough.

But this is too slow! Jiang Shu thought. He knew Shang Jibei was likely at a similar realm to his own. Both had reached the limits of a Dark Force Martial Artist's Qi Blood Strength; with a little more accumulation, they could attempt to break through to the Hua Jing Realm. Moreover, Shang Jibei's family had someone ranked first on the Grandmaster List. Jiang Shu refused to believe such a barrier could hold Shang Jibei back for half a year!

I didn't surpass him in the Clear Strength Stage. I didn't surpass him in the Dark Force Realm. I can't let him take the lead in the next realm too!

Besides, he still had to deliver Elder Chou's letter. Only by reaching the Refining Internal Realm at top speed could he safely enter Yongning County City and establish himself there.

If he really lingered in the Bone Forging Realm for another half a year, wouldn't that mean staying in Pingling County for that long? He clearly had the strength to annihilate the Yao Family, yet he'd have to act weak and play games with them due to Magistrate Nie's presence? Simply preposterous!

I'll just have to grind through it! Once Xie Feichen returns, I'll find him to spar and try to comprehend the Hua Jing Realm. It doesn't matter if I can't grasp it immediately. As long as I can increase the proficiency of my Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength and break through a few months sooner, that'll be enough! My advantage lies in having Martial Arts from another world; as long as I Break Limit, I can comprehend it on my own!

「…」

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Using the Tiger Bone Mad Demon Fist, Jiang Shu moved like a frenzied tiger, his Qi Blood Strength circulating through his limbs and bones, each punch exploding with maximum force.

Opposite him, Xie Feichen, recently returned from the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, stood firm. He extended one hand, deftly parrying. Occasionally, he would strike, each blow landing precisely on the weak points in Jiang Shu's Qi Blood Strength.

"When you reach the Hua Jing Realm," Xie Feichen began, "you'll understand just how vast the difference is between it and the Dark Force Realm.

"Once in the Hua Jing Realm, your power will extend to your teeth, tongue, fingernails, and even your hair; Dark Force will permeate your entire body. Still, you're not weak now. I don't know how you've trained, but your Qi Blood Strength has already surged to its peak, which is remarkable enough.

"Your own force already permeates your upper and lower limbs. Only your spine is somewhat weaker. And that—the spine—is the absolute core of the Hua Jing Realm. In the Hua Jing Realm, power originates from the spine. Watch, I'll demonstrate.

"Observe my hips, waist, and back."

Xie Feichen demonstrated as he spoke, his movements slow, openly showing Jiang Shu. The large muscles of his glutes were as soft as cotton yet as firm as iron. With a clench, this power surged from his glutes, up his spine, and culminated in a punch.

Even though Xie Feichen had held back considerably, and Jiang Shu had braced himself, the explosive power of the punch still sent Jiang Shu flying four to five meters! His specially made shoes scraped against the ground from the force, their treads completely worn away.

"We call this the 'Tiger Clenches Glutes, Dragon Whips Tail.' You must train your Dark Force down into your lower body. When you clench your glutes, your spine should move like a divine dragon's tail, power erupting forth. Of course, this step is still quite distant for you. You can imbue your fists and feet with force, but training the force in your glutes isn't easy; it's a task requiring persistent effort.

"You need to start training this from the very first stance exercises."

Indeed... Jiang Shu thought. It seems achieving the Hua Jing Realm first, and then the Refining Internal Realm, is truly difficult.

From sparring with Xie Feichen, Jiang Shu had perceived some of the marvels of the Hua Jing Realm. But precisely because he had seen them, he understood the difficulty involved.

Take the 'Tiger Clenches Glutes, Dragon Whips Tail' for example. No wonder foundational training always involves stance work. Stance training, by channeling Qi Blood and settling into the hips, is the best way to train the glutes. Without a stable foundation, one absolutely cannot advance in Martial Arts. Fortunately, my Martial Arts foundation is exceptionally solid, beyond what others can achieve! Horse Stance. Famished Tiger Sits in Cave Stance. Both stance techniques have reached Break Limit!

Not rushing to verify his thoughts, Jiang Shu twisted his feet and charged forward again.

Every Martial Artist's time is precious. Having managed to get this session with Xie Feichen today, he intended to make every second count!

"Your fist technique is quite interesting," Xie Feichen commented while parrying, "I can sense that while its offensive power is average, each move and stance helps temper all the bones in your body. No wonder your progress during the Dark Force stage was so rapid."

Jiang Shu had been attacking for over fifteen minutes without realizing it. Xie Feichen, while continuing to block, nodded as he gradually discerned the intricacies of the Tiger Bone Mad Demon Fist.

Xie Feichen then said, "Your footwork, especially your maneuvering, has significant flaws that you need to address. When we Martial Artists enter the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, we can usually rely on teammates, but when true danger strikes, we can only depend on ourselves.

"You must be solid in all areas and excel in several. Your choices seem to focus on practicality—a silent approach, rapid acceleration, and upward leaps—but maneuvering is also indispensable.

"If you're ever surrounded by multiple Mutant Beasts, excellent maneuvering techniques can help you conserve a great deal of Qi Blood Strength and break through.

"Maneuvering also relies heavily on variation. With enough skill in it, your attacks can become unpredictable. Neither Martial Artists nor Mutant Beasts will stand still like training dummies for you to hit.

"Your unarmed combat skills are also lacking. I know your saber techniques are superior, but they seem to consist of only a few repetitive moves with insufficient variation. Furthermore, weapons are merely extensions of your limbs. If your unarmed skills are deficient, no matter how well you train with weapons, problems will eventually arise."

The last time they met, they could still spar somewhat evenly. Now, upon his return, Xie Feichen fully embodied the air of a Grandmaster. His lead by a major realm was significant; with just a few words, he could pinpoint Jiang Shu's critical weaknesses.

"The Martial Artist Alliance has a technique called Minor Stele-Toppling Hand. It's a simplified version of the Great Stele-Toppling Hand and should only cost five hundred points. You could focus on this Martial Art, as it can directly lead to the Great Stele-Toppling Hand in the future. For leg techniques, just train the corresponding Breaking Stele Leg Technique; it's only three hundred points. Both are representative of powerful, heavy-hitting styles and would suit you well.

"Your physical strength is much greater than that of an average Dark Force Martial Artist. Even I, at your current stage, definitely couldn't have matched you.

"As for movement and maneuvering techniques, there are many options, so choose one yourself."

「Beneath the Moon」

Jiang Shu panted softly, his Qi Blood Strength nearly depleted. Yet, his gains had also been immense. He now had a clearer direction for improving both his strength and his realm.

Especially having understood the 'Tiger Clenches Glutes, Dragon Whips Tail,' he could now focus on training his Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength in his glutes and spine. Perhaps the proficiency gained from such intense training will increase much faster now.

"Thank you, Teacher Xie."

Just as Jiang Shu was about to respectfully thank Xie Feichen for selflessly dedicating his time to guide his student's Martial Arts progress, Xie Feichen spoke, his tone light,

"No need for thanks. However, my time is limited. Having just entered the Hua Jing Realm, I also need to properly consolidate my understanding of it, plus study new Martial Arts. I won't have time to manage the class anymore, and my teaching hours will also be reduced.

"Anyway, aren't you already at the Dark Force Realm? I'll speak to the principal and have you substitute teach my classes for a month.

"It's only two or three sessions a week. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?"