Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

Chen Mo stopped in front of the 700-jin stone lock and saw that it was indeed half a size larger than the 650-jin stone lock, looking extremely intimidating.

He stayed at the inn for the past two days, focusing intently on trying to break through to the next level.

I tried six times in total, and each time it took longer than the last.

Each time, the meridians and collaterals within the body are expanded to a new width, and the flowing energy within is like a newly formed mountain spring, with more sweet and clear spring water flowing out with each dig.

After making one last attempt, he felt that he was only a hair's breadth away from mastering internal energy, as thin as a cicada's wing.

The more this happened, the more cautious he became.

"My strength has also increased a lot as a result. I wonder how much my strength will grow when I truly break through to the next level."

He pondered to himself.

After a short while, his thoughts came back to him.

Chen Mo tightened the belt around his waist, his expression solemn, and began to slowly squat down.

A 700-pound stone lock is not as heavy as a 650-pound stone lock; the center of gravity is higher, and the arms need to be spread wider, making it harder to exert force.

He understood this, and he also understood how to exert his strength better.

To be precise, based on his understanding of the Dragon Subduing Stance Technique, no one present knew better than him how to exert force.

"Ming Jin is lifting a 700-jin stone lock! My God, he's about to begin!"

At this moment, the entire venue fell silent.

Those who were far away simply stood up to watch, just to see if this ordinary boy could bring any surprises.

Chen Mo pressed his hands against the rough stone surface, and his internal energy surged suddenly, flowing through his wide meridians.

In the blink of an eye, all the energy had gathered in his waist and arms.

Chen Mo exerted force from his waist, transmitting the energy to his arms and then to his palms, causing the stone lock to slowly lift off the stone slab, inch by inch.

"It moved! It really moved!"

Someone shouted from the edge of the drill ground.

Then, cheers erupted from the sidelines.

People hope that something will happen when it has never happened.

That's exactly right now!

Everyone wanted to see if a strong person could lift a 700-pound stone lock.

Chen Mo's arm muscles were as thick as the branches of an old locust tree, which was awe-inspiring. The veins on his neck were slightly bulging, and he exuded a sense of robust strength.

Several young girls who witnessed this scene couldn't help but rest their chins on their hands, secretly harboring feelings for each other.

At the Tianqing Martial Arts School, no one dared to make a sound, for fear of disturbing him.

Zhou Pi, who had been defeated by Chen Mo, stood rooted to the spot, his mouth agape.

As Chen Mo continuously poured his energy into the stone lock, it was lifted to his chest, rested there for a couple of breaths, and then slowly rose to the top of his head.

At that moment, a deafening roar like a tsunami echoed from all around.

"One breath!"

"Two breaths!"

"Three breaths!"

Some Ming Jin martial arts students also shouted along, as they were also moved. Several of them had failed to break through to the next level twice, which meant they would never have the chance to develop An Jin in this lifetime.

But who says that obvious strength will be trampled underfoot by hidden strength!

Chen Mo is a living example right now; if he can do it, so can I!

Of course, most of the Ming Jin martial arts performers felt very uncomfortable and a sense of bitterness arose in their hearts.

If I cannot do it, why can he?

As time passed, ten breaths were about to be completed.

"Nine breaths!"

"Ten breaths!"

"My goodness! He really did it!"

"Ming Jin really can lift a 700-jin stone lock!"

Chen Mo put down the stone lock, his chest heaving rapidly.

The 700-pound stone lock was indeed his limit; if he wanted to advance further, he would have to break through the hidden strength barrier.

"I shouldn't be a liability in the physical fitness test, now it's all about the technical skills test tomorrow..."

He thought to himself, "I must break through to the next realm tonight, no matter what!"

"Seven hundred catties of stone lock, Jia!"

As the clerk announced the results, Chen Mo calmly walked back to his original position.

Various gazes lingered on him for a long time.

Chen Mo walked to Xie Jinnian's side. The latter twitched his lips, wanting to say something but unable to find the words. He could only cup his hands in congratulations, "Brother Chen, you are truly a hidden master! Many martial artists with internal strength cannot achieve this, but you have!"

As he said this, his words of encouragement to Chen Mo seemed to still linger in the air, and his ears turned slightly red.

Chen Mo also cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your kind words, brother."

As the two were talking, a man with a slightly white beard walked over, bowed to them, and said, "Young Master Xie, Brother Chen Mo, I am Liang Wen, the head of the Liang family. I was amazed by Brother Chen Mo's performance just now and admire him greatly. I would like to invite you two to my humble abode for a few drinks the day after tomorrow."

Chen Mo was slightly taken aback.

He hadn't expected the recruitment to come so quickly, just as he stepped off the field.

He had heard of the Liang family; they were a small family in the county, with a strength between the Wu and Zhao families.

Chen Mo was perfectly clear-headed; he knew that the man who invited him was interested in someone else, and that the man who invited Xie Jinyou was trying to climb the social ladder by associating with the Xie family.

The other party did not explicitly state what kind of status he was to be given, but instead invited him to their home for a drink. They promised to serve him good food and wine, and he would feel obligated to accept their hospitality.

Therefore, after pondering for a few moments, Chen Mo replied, "If I have time after the martial arts exam, I will visit you."

He did not explicitly state whether he would definitely go, but rather based it on whether he had the time. He would keep his word even if he did not go.

Liang Wen did not insist, and replied, "Then I will wait for you both at my humble abode."

After speaking, he stepped back to a distance of ten feet from the two men, then turned and left, his manners impeccable.

After Liang Wen, several other people of different statures and extraordinary bearing approached Chen Mo and extended a warm invitation.

Chen Mo replied that he would go when he had time, neither refusing nor agreeing.

It's quite ironic. Before he made his move, no one sought him out. Now that he's famous in the training grounds, people are coming to him like frogs croaking in a pond after the rain.

Xie Jinnian whispered a reminder: "Brother Chen, these are all small families and clans, and the resources they can provide you are limited. With the talent you have shown so far, a few large families might be interested in you. I can recommend you to the Xie family."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo pondered for a moment and replied, "In that case, thank you very much, Brother Xie!"

The Xie family is a prominent clan, and gaining their favor would be ideal for Chen Mo right now; there's no reason for him to refuse.

The next martial arts performers to appear on stage were two more who used their internal strength to lift a 700-pound stone lock, which drew cheers from the crowd. The rest of the performers were not particularly impressive.

After all the martial arts students had finished their tests, the chief examiner led the other examiners to check each person's scores and record them in the register. The physical examination for the day was then over.

The crowds on both sides of the drill ground gradually dispersed.

Several young women turned back to look at Chen Mo a few times as they left, whispered among themselves, and then reluctantly departed.

At this moment, Yin Tianqing led his disciples to Chen Mo. Chen Mo bowed and called out, "Master."

Yin Tianqing beamed, his face radiant. "Good lad, you actually had this trick up your sleeve, even fooling your master!"

Yin Shanshan and Ji Chang, who were standing to the side, both looked at him with admiration. Although Li Xuan felt a little bitter, he managed to smile.

On the other side of the training ground.

Zhao Huayuan and Zhang Chong walked to the edge of the training ground. The former turned around, his gaze sweeping across the entire field. "Today's strength test was just a small spar. Tomorrow's skills test will be your real stage. How confident are you?"

Without hesitation, Zhang Chong replied, "I'm about 80% sure I'll get into the top three."