Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

Fang Xia seemed oblivious to the praise and regret expressed around her.

He calmly cupped his hands in greeting to Zhou Cheng: "You flatter me, Senior Brother Zhou."

Zhou Cheng chuckled and patted Fang Xia on the shoulder: "Good lad, you've improved so fast!"

Fang Xia bowed slightly: "It's all thanks to Senior Brother Zhou's mercy and the Master's guidance that I've managed to gain some insight."

Fang Xia appeared humble, without the slightest arrogance.

He knew in his heart that his progress was entirely due to the Tiger and Leopard Bone Refining Technique and the nourishment from the Great Azure Dragon Treasure Fish.

Without these resources, such speed would never have been possible.

Ning Tianyang looked around and his gaze fell on Fang Xia.

"Your Qingyang Palm technique has improved greatly and has reached a state of proficiency."

However, you haven't made much progress in the initial stage of the "Bullish Skin" realm.

Although the palm technique is powerful, we martial artists ultimately value the realm of martial arts above all else.

"Your comprehension is not bad; as long as you remain steadfast in your resolve, you have a good chance of achieving inner cultivation in the future!"

Fang Xia quickly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Disciple will humbly obey Master's teachings!"

Master is right. No matter how proficient you are at Qingyang Palm, it's just a branch and leaves. Realm is the foundation.

Fang Xia pondered to herself.

Ning Tianyang nodded and looked at everyone.

"Did you see that clearly? This is how the Qingyang Palm technique works!" Ning Tianyang spoke again, his voice booming.

"Practicing martial arts is not only about learning the skills to kill and protect oneself, but also about strengthening one's foundation and cultivating one's inner strength."

Muscles, bones, skin, tendons, blood, and spirit all grow stronger through tempering and training; this is fundamental.

He paused slightly, and the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; even his breathing was deliberately lowered.

Fang Xia felt an invisible pressure enveloping her, as if the air itself had thickened.

He instinctively straightened his back and listened intently.

"However..." Ning Tianyang's tone suddenly changed, and a cold glint appeared in his eyes.

"The other side of martial arts is fighting!"

Struggle with others, struggle with fate, struggle with yourself!

They fight for opportunities, for a way to survive, for that single thread that leads to heaven!

As his gaze swept over the youthful faces of the crowd, Ning Tianyang's tone suddenly turned icy.

"Those rules for ring fights? That's just a facade!"

Ning Tianyang's voice was like an ice pick, piercing Fang Xia's heart with a chill.

Previously, I sparred with Senior Brother Zhou Cheng. We stopped short of each other, each making our own moves. Although there were winners and losers, there was no danger of life or death.

So, it turns out that was just... a facade?

In a real life-or-death struggle, there is no such thing as "stopping when you've made your point".

What 'rules' are there?

Ning Tianyang's voice was calm, yet tinged with cruelty.

"Throat, temples, solar plexus, genitals..."

Where you can strike with a single, decisive blow, that's your target!

Fang Xia's pupils suddenly contracted, and a chill shot from her tailbone straight to the top of her head.

He seemed to see a future of fierce battles, each move deadly and fraught with danger.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and the other disciples around them gasped.

Some people turned pale, some had shifty eyes, and some subconsciously touched their private parts.

"Soft-hearted?" Ning Tianyang's lips curled into a slight smile: "That's a path to death!"

On the line between life and death, there is no room for hesitation!

If you're even a fraction slower, you'll be the one who dies!

"Remember!" Ning Tianyang's voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap.

"The path of martial arts is fraught with thorns and littered with corpses!"

Once you embark on this path, you must be prepared for death and the annihilation of your spiritual essence!

Fighting with others, killing to save one's life, and being ruthless are inevitable!

Put away your pointless pity. Survival and becoming stronger are the only things that matter!

After he finished speaking, the training ground fell into dead silence.

Ning Tianyang's blunt words weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

Fang Xia also took a deep breath. Ning Tianyang's words gave him a deeper understanding of the cruelty of the martial arts world.

The world of martial arts is truly like this... a place fraught with danger at every turn!

......

The next morning, they did their morning exercises in the inner courtyard.

A sudden gasp erupted in the training ground.

"He's broken through! Junior Brother Lin You has actually broken through to the middle stage of the Stone Skin Realm!"

"My God, only forty days! His talent is terrifying!"

"Mid-stage Stone Skin Realm! His Qi and blood are condensed like stone, indestructible! Too powerful!"

All eyes turned to Lin You, who was surrounded by surging blood and qi, exuding a powerful aura.

Having just broken through, Lin You's qi and blood had not yet fully subsided, and the oppressive aura of the Stone Skin Intermediate Realm faintly emanated.

The inner courtyard instantly erupted in excitement!

Exclamations of surprise, praise, and envy filled the air.

All eyes were fixed intently on Lin You, as if they were seeing a rising star.

Fang Xia's gaze remained unmoved.

With eyes closed and focused inward, the concept of a "late bloomer" clearly emerged in my mind:

[Sanyang Zhuang Minor Success (34/100)]

[Qingyang Palm Basics (71/100)]

[Body Tempering Realm: Skin Barrier - Initial Stage of Bullhide (90/100)]

[Introduction to Tiger and Leopard Bone Refining Technique (30/100)]

[Introduction to Qi Sensing Techniques (33/100)]

Fang Xia's gaze fell on the golden characters, and looking at the line 【Beginner Level of Bullhide (90/100)】, his thoughts stirred slightly.

"Lin You broke through to the middle stage of the Stone Skin Realm, and I'm not far behind..."

Fang Xia could clearly feel the surging of qi and blood within his body, the gateway to the Stone Skin Realm.

A breakthrough is guaranteed in three to five days at most!

Fang Xia murmured to herself as she watched the crowd surrounding Lin You.

Ning Tianyang strode over, his face beaming with undisguised satisfaction, and burst into loud laughter:

"Good! Good! Good!"

After forty days, the stone skin is broken, the qi and blood become strong and refined, and the foundation is solid!

Lin You, you have indeed lived up to your teacher's expectations; you will surely achieve great things in the future!

Lin You bowed respectfully, his tone humble yet unable to conceal his pride: "It's all thanks to Master's meticulous guidance; this disciple is deeply grateful!"

Ning Tianyang accepted the greeting with a smile, his eyes piercing.

He slowly swept his gaze across the entire room, noticing that everyone was holding their breath, their eyes filled with longing.

Ning Tianyang's expression turned solemn, and his voice suddenly became deep and serious: "Lin You, it is a joyous occasion that you have broken through the stone skin and are in sight of the flesh barrier, but I have something to tell you."

"It concerns whether you will ever glimpse the innate martial arts path in the future!"

"Once you reach the Stone Skin Realm, don't rush to break through to the Flesh Realm. Try to break through to the Copper Skin Realm."

A hint of doubt flashed in Lin You's eyes, and he quickly asked, "Master, why?"

"I've heard that once you reach the peak of the Stone Skin Realm, you can directly attempt to break through to the Body Realm. Why go through all that trouble?"

Ning Tianyang glanced at Fang Xia, Lu Sheng, and the others who were listening attentively beside him, and slowly began to speak.

"This concerns the foundation and essence of martial arts."

"Entering the flesh barrier with the stone skin, while not affecting subsequent external or internal cultivation, or even the opening of meridians and gathering of qi, requires the 'copper skin' barrier if one possesses innate ambition; it is absolutely essential to overcome it."

He paused, then continued to explain: "Do you know that most of the martial artists who can enter the Innate Realm have gone through the Copper Skin Trial?"

The remaining one or two all relied on precious medicines or rare elixirs to forcibly break through the shackles, but their foundations were ultimately unstable, and their future was fraught with difficulties!

Lin You suddenly understood, a resolute glint in his eyes. He bowed and said, "This disciple understands! I am willing to pursue the Copper Skin Realm! Even if it means facing a thousand difficulties and dangers, I will have no regrets even if I die a hundred times!"

"Good! Good! What a wonderful 'no regrets even if it means dying a hundred times'!" Ning Tianyang's eyes were full of satisfaction as he exclaimed "Good!" three times.

"With such ambition, the path to martial arts is promising! Excellent!"

These words ignited the atmosphere in the room, and the crowd reacted in various ways.

Lu Sheng, Wang Dachui, Zhou Cheng, and the others felt their blood rush to their heads and their bodies tremble!

The Realm of Primordial Innate!

That was a legendary being, extraordinary and able to command the wind and rain.

Fang Xia clenched his fists, shouting in his heart, "Innate Realm! Only by reaching the Innate Realm can I protect my loved ones and avenge myself against the Black Tiger Gang!"

Lacking in natural talent? I'll compensate with my destiny! I'll fill the gap with perseverance and resources!

Han Qing, Luo Zhao, Xiao Pingshan, and Zheng Sanze all remained calm.

Their cultivation levels had already surpassed Pi Guan's, and all four of them successfully tempered their skin into copper.

Upon hearing Ning Tianyang's words, he merely nodded slightly, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

For them, the copper siege was long gone.

Qi Wanyu, Zhao Qiyun, Lu Lingshu, and others revealed an undisguised sadness in their eyes.

Qi Wanyu looked dejected, his face filled with resentment.

They had tried to break into the copper-plated category back then, but ultimately failed due to insufficient aptitude and understanding.

Ning Tianyang took in everyone's expressions and warned in a deep voice: "The copper skin test is not something to be taken lightly. It requires extremely high perseverance, comprehension, and resources."

The hardship of its refining process is a hundred times greater than that of the stone skin!

The slightest mistake could result in severe damage to one's vital energy and blood, or even complete destruction of one's foundation and the end of one's martial arts career!

You must all remember to act within your capabilities and avoid being overly ambitious, lest you ruin your future!

Everyone nodded, keeping Ning Tianyang's words in mind.

Fang Xia's gaze sharpened slightly, a hint of determination flashing across it.

"Resources...basic qualities...or two mountains standing in the way of copper skin."

But no matter what, I'm determined to walk this path!