The Nine Cauldrons

Chapter 46: The ‘Strongest Plan’ begins!

Girls would have to be married out of the family eventually. Therefore, by imparting the Tiger Fist to females, it could easily spread the clan’s great technique to the outsiders.

“Qingshan, how do you plan on teaching it?” Teng Yunlong looked at Teng Qingshan. The entire group of people in the room looked at him too. Teng Qingshan’s current status had once again rose higher. What kind of achievements could a genius like him, who could create a set of fist art that could produce inner strength, attain in the future? This was something that no one knew.

Nevertheless, Teng Qingshan’s name would definitely be the most glorious one in the history of the Teng Clan.

After pondering for a while, Teng Qingshan said, “Grandfather, I can’t teach too many people at the same time. How’s this? I’m think about selecting the top twenty to thirty most outstanding clansmen and I will teach them the Tiger Fist at the forest in the west during the morning training period. The training will start tomorrow.”

“Alright, we’ll do just that.” Teng Yunlong nodded and said with a smile. “If it weren’t because of my old age, I would have learned as well.”

“Grandfather, you have a sturdy body. Of course you can practice with us. If you manage to generate inner strength, it will extend your lifespan as well.” Teng Qingshan said with a smile.

“Haha, alright. I don’t have anything to do most of the time, so I’ll go along and learn it as well.” Teng Yunlong said as he laughed out loud.

“Qingshan, will I be able to learn it?” Teng Yonglei hesitated for a moment before he asked.

After Teng Yonglei lost his arm, he was secretly suffering emotionally despite appearing to be tough and strong.

“Of course you can.” Teng Qingshan said hastily. In the history of his previous life, there were lone-armed experts that had mastered the Tiger Fist.

…

The Tiger Fist was decided as the clan’s secret technique.

The next day, thirty-two most outstandings clansmen were chosen. Amongst the group of people who were to learn the Tiger Fist, the oldest one was the Chief Teng Yunlong, while the youngest one was Teng Qinghai, a child who was only eight years old. Teng Yongfan, Teng Yongxiang, and even the one-armed Teng Yonglei also joined in to receive training from Teng Qingshan.

Upon knowing that one could obtain inner strength through practicing the Tiger Fist, all of them were extremely serious when learning.

“Qingshan, what is with this breathing method? It requires one to breathe slowly and inhale deeply at times and slightly and quickly at times. We even have to do all these with other actions. It feels so awkward.” Teng Qinghu was the first out to speak up. Indeed, everyone felt awkward and uncomfortable on the first day of learning the Tiger Fist.

“Listen to Qingshan and learn from him.” Teng Yunlong glared and Teng Qinghu was so scared that he immediately shut up.

Teng Qingshan smiled and said, “Cousin, it might feel awkward now, but you will feel very comfortable as soon as you get used to it. At the end of the cultivation of the Tiger Fist, you will feel as though you are a tiger. To achieve that result, the breathing rhythm must coordinate with the movements. Therefore, everyone must listen carefully. We can’t allow even a tiny mistake.”

Actually, in the cultivation of the Xing Yi Martial Art, the form was only secondary. The meaning behind each move was more important.

However, the true focus of the Xing Yi Martial Art was only for the Grandmasters. AS the clansmen had just started learning, they needed to take it one step at a time and be extremely precise and cautious.

“Don’t even expect that you can be like a tiger after only a short while of practicing. Take it one step at a time and learn the basic moves like your stance and breathing well. You must have a solid foundation to be able to practice the Tiger Fist well.” Teng Qingshan taught them slowly one step at a time.

One day, two days, three days… half a month, one month…

After three months and eight days.

At the forest to the west of the Teng Jia Village, a group of clansmen was practicing the Tiger Form Fist Art.

“My muscles are feeling slightly numb even throughout the night and my growth rate is accelerating. I should have completely entered my puberty stage by now.” Looking at the group of people practicing the fist technique, Teng Qingshan thought to himself, “Right now, I can commence my ‘Strongest Plan.’ However, as father, uncles, and the rest have no generated inner strength, I must stay here and watch over them.”

Teng Qingshan had already reached his puberty stage. The prime time of one’s puberty was around three to four years.

This time of three to four years was the most important period of time during the development of the body.

Although the body would still continue to grow, the growth rate would not be comparable to these three to four years.

“As I have to watch over Uncle and the others now, I’ll do some simple training for now. When it’s about time, I’ll then go into the mountains and undergo training by myself.” Teng Qingshan decided. “Moreover, this world isn’t like the one in my previous life. There’s plenty of Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth here, so Uncle and the others should be able to produce inner strength very soon.”

In Teng Qingshan’s opinion, if they were in the modern society in his previous world, it would be impossible to generate inner strength with just the Tiger Form Fist Art and within such a short time.

However, in this ancient era where the Spiritual Qi of the Heaven and Earth was abundant, just the practicing of the breathing technique was enough to help one generate inner strength.

“Haha, I’ve generated inner strength! I’ve generated inner strength!” A cry of elation rang out from amongst the group of people practicing the Tiger Fist.

Teng Qingshan turned and saw Teng Qinghu jumping with extreme excitement.

“Qinghu, you’ve generated inner strength?” Everyone crowded around him.

“Mmm, I can sense it.” Teng Qinghu kept nodding as he replied. “But I can’t use it.”

“You can’t use it? But Qingshan was able to. He could even smashed wooden bench across space.” Teng Yonglei said.

Chief Teng Yunlong spoke up, “I heard that for most people who have not trained their inner strength, their meridian channels are blocked. It’s said that cultivating the inner strength is the process of opening up the meridian channels. However, it’s also said that it’s almost impossible to open up all the meridian channels in one’s body.”

Teng Yunlong had seen a lot in life and knew about a lot of things.

Teng Qingshan walked over and said, “Cousin, there’s no need to be feeling anxious. If you were to continue cultivating like this, your inner strength will flow through your arms and you’ll then be able to use it. Moreover… when you’re practicing, the inner strength can also strengthen you body. When that happens, you will have greater strength as well.”

The people of Teng Clan were not familiar with the inner strength at all. They only knew that inner strength was something amazing.

“It can increase our strength?” The clansmen were surprised and elated.

“Yes, of course it can. Right now, Cousin has also generated inner strength. As long as you work hard, everyone should also be able to do it as well.” Teng Qingshan said.

Although Teng Qingshan said this, he knew well that not everyone would be able to absorb the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth and produce inner strength. It all depended on the individual’s aptitude. Although this group of people were the most outstanding in the clan, probably only some of them would eventually be able to produce inner strength.

However, Teng Qingshan did not say anything about this.

…

Half a month later, the one-armed Teng Yonglei became the second person who had attained inner strength. Teng Qingshan knew that this uncle of his had probably been training in secret at home all the time despite losing an arm . It was not surprising for him to be the second one to succeed.

A month passed. His father Teng Yongfan and the eight-year-old Teng Qinghai both generated inner strength

…

While the group of people were practicing the Tiger Fist, Teng Qingshan was upside down, supporting himself with his right index finger and training up the strength of his fingers. Although Teng Qingshan was only ten years old, he had a tremendous strength of one thousand Jin. Most importantly, as he was still young, his weight was lower. With his strong fingers, he was able to accomplish the training.

To remain in an inverted position while supporting himself with only a single finger was considered to be the basics for Teng Qingshan.

“Hu,” Teng Qingshan landed and stood upright.

The people from the clan also stopped their practice.

“Grandfather, Father… From tomorrow onward, everyone can just continue to practice the Tiger Form Fist Art by yourself.” Teng Qingshan said.

“Alright, we know every move and stance of this Tiger Fist now. Qingshan, you can go do your own things.” Teng Yunlong smiled and said “After watching you and training right beside you, I only knew that…Qingshan, you are much stronger than I guessed.”

With a modest smile, Teng Qingshan replied, “Grandfather, Father, I think it is not suitable for me to stud my fist art and train in the village. I have made up my mind. Besides leading the Hunting Squadron into the forest and mountains, the rest of the time will be spent cultivating and training in the mountains. I’ll only return at night.”

“Enter the mountains for training for the entire day?” The group of people started talking amongst themselves.

“Qingshan, you can tell me what tools you need for your training and I can forge them for you.” Teng Yongfan said, “Why do you have to go into the mountains.”

Teng Qingshan quickly replied, “The reason I’m going into the mountains is also so that I can observe the tigers carefully and further perfect my Tiger Fist. Who knows, I might be able to create an even more amazing fist technique. As for the tools for my training, of course I’ll need them. I’ll tell Father what tools I require when we reach home later.”

Having seen Teng Qingshan spear arts, Teng Yongfan was not worried that Teng Qingshan would encounter danger in the Great Yan Mountain.

Teng Yunlong said, “Alright, speak no more. Even Li Jia Village’s Li Jinfu had stayed in the mountains for a few years while Qingshan will come back every night. There’s no need to stop him. Moreover… the fierce tigers, black bears and the wolf packs in the mountains are of no threat to Qingshan at all.”

Since the Chief had spoken, everyone stopped trying to persuade Teng Qingshan.

******

The Hunting Squadron only entered the mountains once every two days. Early this morning, when the sun was only starting to appear.

In the courtyard of Teng Qingshan’s home.

“Qingshan, you must be extra careful when you enter the mountains.” Mother Yuan Lan instructed worriedly. At the same time, she was helping Teng Qingshan pack his bag. In the bag, there was the Damascus Steel Spear which had been detached into two parts and a few training tools which Teng Qingshan had requested.

“Don’t worry, Mother.” Teng Qingshan carried his bag and pat this younger sister Qingyu’s head as he said, “Qingyu, be good and listen to Father and Mother at home.”

“Brother, I’m always good,” Qingyu spoke in a clear voice.

Teng Qingshan looked at his parents and took in a deep breath before he said with a smile, “Father, Mother, I’ll be heading off into the mountains.”

“There are a lot of ferocious beasts and venomous snakes in the mountain. Be careful.” Teng Yongfan finally spoke.

“I will.” Teng Qingshan nodded. Then, without any further hesitation, he walked out of the courtyard and left Teng Jia Village.

The entire place was shrouded in silence and Teng Qingshan stood at the bottom of the mountain. As he took a deep breath, the chilly morning air freshened up his mind.

“Finally… finally… I’m finally starting the ‘Strongest Plan’.” Teng Qingshan could feel his blood boiling. He had been preparing for this day for too long.

Once the full physical potential was reached, it would be very difficult to make any further achievements. However, Teng Qingshan had never explored or used any of his physical potentials.

All this while, he had been nurturing his body, focusing on getting stronger blood, essence, and physique, as well as strengthening his vitality.

“A person’s puberty stage is the phase when his height, bones, muscles, organs, and other aspects grow the most rapidly. It is also the best time to develop one’s potential. However, it is also the most dangerous phase.” Teng Qingshan was well aware of this. During puberty, it was very grow a height of ten centimeters.

However, once the body and bones are shaped, it would be over a hundred or even a thousand times more difficult if one wanted to grow a height of ten centimeters.

However, if one overworked one’s body during puberty, it would bring about irreversible regrets.

“Wealth is sought from risks. And with me having attained the Grandmaster Realm, my control over the bones and muscles can be adjusted at any time. The puberty stage is the best time to develop one’s potential. Once this opportunity is missed, there wouldn’t be another one again.” Teng Qingshan thought to himself as he looked up at the tall mountains. “I have a tremendous amount of inner strength stored in my body, which would be the energy supply to support the rapid energy depletion when my height, bones, and muscles are growing. Moreover, with me having attained the Grandmaster Realm in the cultivation of Internal Martial Arts, I can make necessary adjustments depending on the situation. With the integration of these two aspects, I wonder…what physical level will my body achieve?

In the history of Teng Qingshan’s previous world…

There had not been any Grandmaster in the cultivation of Internal Martial Arts who had the good fortune of living in the generation where there was ample Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth.

There had also not been any Grandmaster in the cultivation of Internal Martial Arts who could possess consciousness and started to strengthen their bodies from infancy.

Over so many years, it could be said that Teng Qingshan had not taken any detours. His body could be considered a ideal example of a human body that could potentially reach the absolute physical limit.

“When the ‘Strongest Plan’ succeeds, I’ll be able to know how powerful my body is.” Teng Qingshan had high anticipations for how he would be several years later.

“Let’s start!”

Teng Qingshan carried his bag and entered the Great Yan Mountain, starting his ‘Strongest Plan’.