Under the tempering of countless actual combat scenarios, amidst the flashing blades and swords, on the brink of life and death struggles.
Adrenaline surging, the moment of intense mental focus, between the great terror of life and death, I grasped those fleeting wisps of inspiration.
Sweat irrigates the foundation, life and death ignites potential, comprehension illuminates the spirit.
Only when these three converge and merge can one break through the shackles and reach Perfection.
“So far, I haven’t cultivated any Martial Skill to Perfection. Why not… try to push the Rock Crushing Palm to its limits in one go and see what changes occur.”
Once the thought arose, Jiāng Qīnghé no longer hesitated. With a thought, he chose to upgrade.
Instantly!
It was as if an invisible thunderclap exploded deep within his mind.
Not a sound, but a pure mental shock, tearing through his calm consciousness.
“Buzz—”
Everything before him shattered and disappeared.
In its place, countless surging images poured madly into the depths of his consciousness.
Forcefully dragging him into scenes of brutal combat, all drastically different yet filled with the same ferocity.
There were battles within battlefields, duels atop mountaintops, breakthroughs under desperate circumstances...
Every scene felt as if it were happening in person.
With each immersion, it wasn’t mere observation, but a visceral experience: fear, rage, determination...
Finally, having experienced everything, all insights and inspirations merged into one, forming a natural whole.
Jiāng Qīnghé suddenly opened his eyes. At this moment, his understanding of this palm technique was no longer limited to its moves, nor to its way of exerting force.
Instead, it had completely transformed into a kind of instinct!
“Hah—”
His body seemed to be swept along by this instinct, moving involuntarily. He casually thrust a palm forward.
This was not any move from the Rock Crushing Palm. It was merely a spontaneous action born from inspiration, using less than three-tenths of his strength.
Yet, it still carried a wisp of palm wind, causing the scattered snowflakes in the small courtyard to suddenly swirl and form rings, rapidly pushing outwards in all directions.
“This… this is?”
Jiāng Qīnghé’s heart trembled. He clearly sensed that this palm strike originated from his own will, becoming firmer and heavier than before.
It seemed to be resonating with the very earth that carried everything.
Though it appeared minuscule compared to the momentum of the earth.
However, he had taken the most difficult first step, condensing the embryo of 'Momentum'.
Going forward, with persistent comprehension and tempering.
One day, this 'Momentum' could transform from ethereal to real, from weak to strong, truly showcasing power comparable to the earth’s might.
Dozens of Martial Masters practicing palm techniques might reach the Major Accomplishment realm after ten years of arduous cultivation.
But to step into the realm of Perfection, to comprehend the existence of 'Momentum', only a handful would succeed.
After all, most of their time was spent in isolated practice, how many life-and-death battles had they truly experienced?
Now, Jiāng Qīnghé, in just a few short months since starting his martial arts journey, had entered this level.
“It seems the path of martial arts involves not only tempering the body but also cultivating the spirit and will. Chapter 35: Mountain Shaking
At this moment, the attributes panel, after changing, refreshed and locked onto the brand new realm; it seemed to have reached its limit.
【Martial Skill: Rock Crushing Palm (Perfection)】
“Is there no continuation?”
Jiāng Qīnghé frowned slightly, calming down from his recent surprise, and carefully savored the changes in his body and consciousness.
In his perception, he had merely crossed that threshold, touching the embryo of 'Momentum'.
After a superficial taste, it went no deeper.
It seemed that further realms, the further tempering and strengthening of this 'Momentum', could no longer be achieved through the Rock Crushing Palm.
“Perhaps the level of this palm technique itself is limited to this. A higher-level Martial Skill would be needed to delve deeper.”
Jiāng Qīnghé suddenly understood, gaining some clarity.
“In a few days, I’ll try upgrading the other two Martial Skills to Perfection!”
The Wind Shaking Saber Technique should be at a similar level to the Rock Crushing Palm, while the Leaping Technique was clearly at a significantly higher level than the other two.
Jiāng Qīnghé was already looking forward to it. When the Leaping Technique and the Wind Shaking Saber Technique both reached Perfection, what kind of Momentum would emerge?
Would these Momentums be independent, or could they merge?
“Enough, thinking too much is useless.”
He shook his head, brushing away the fine snow that had quietly fallen on his head. “I’ll go find Master for guidance!”
Jiāng Qīnghé tidied his clothes and turned to walk out of the small courtyard.
After eating something simple at the kitchen/mess hall, he arrived at Elder Ping's pavilion and softly knocked on the door.
“Master.”
“Come in,” came Elder Ping’s voice.
Jiāng Qīnghé walked into the room and stood before Elder Ping.
Elder Ping was puffing on his pipe. He looked up, his gaze falling on Jiāng Qīnghé, and said leisurely:
“Qīnghé, how has your cultivation of the Tiger Form Muscle-Tendon Cultivation Technique been recently?”
“Master, I have reached Muscle Tendon Minor Accomplishment,” Jiāng Qīnghé replied calmly.
Elder Ping’s hand, holding the pipe, clearly paused. After a few seconds, he slowly nodded.
“Hmm, well done.”
“Master, this disciple has also brought the Rock Crushing Palm to Perfection,” Jiāng Qīnghé added.
“Huh?”
Elder Ping’s surprise was finally undeniable. He leaped up from his reclining chair, smoothly tossing the pipe onto a nearby table.
Then, with lightning speed, his right palm shot forward, striking towards Jiāng Qīnghé’s chest.
Jiāng Qīnghé neither dodged nor evaded, meeting the attack with equal swiftness.
“Bang!”
His full palm strike, condensing the embryo of Momentum, upon contact with Elder Ping, felt like hitting an invisible yet indestructible giant wall.
A vortex of energy rippled between their palms, scattering dust on the ground and causing the nearby table to vibrate slightly.
Jiāng Qīnghé stumbled back three steps, his Qi and Blood churning within him.
He felt all his strength, his aura, his speed, being dissolved and suppressed the moment he made contact.
Of his ten parts of strength, he couldn't even exert seven.
“Not bad!”
Elder Ping’s face broke into a smile.
To be able to grasp the embryo of Momentum at the Muscle Tendon stage, such talent… his gaze towards Jiāng Qīnghé held undisguised admiration.
“Qīnghé, your comprehension far exceeds my expectations.”
Jiāng Qīnghé said respectfully:
“It was this morning, while practicing palm techniques, that this disciple had a feeling, a flash of inspiration, and luckily broke through.”
“However, the Way of Momentum is profound and mysterious. This disciple has only just glimpsed the threshold and has many questions and confusions in his heart, which is why I rushed here to seek Master’s guidance.”
“Hmm.”
Elder Ping nodded with satisfaction, stroked his beard, his eyes deepening as he began to enlighten his beloved disciple.
“Qīnghé, Momentum is the immense pressure manifested when a Martial Artist’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit are highly condensed and their Martial Will is sublimated. Generally speaking, only by cultivating a Martial Skill to the Perfection realm and grasping its essence can one touch the embryo of Momentum.”
He paused, then added:
“And this embryo of Momentum is merely the beginning. Above it, there are the more profound realms of First Level Momentum and Second Level Momentum.”
Elder Ping continued to explain patiently:
“When you sparred with me just now, did you feel as if you could hardly exert even seven-tenths of your strength before me? You felt constrained everywhere, your force difficult to channel.”
Jiāng Qīnghé pondered for a moment, then understood with a flash of realization:
“Master, it’s because within the scope of your Momentum, those who do not possess Momentum, or whose Momentum is at a lower level than yours, are suppressed.”
“Precisely!”
Elder Ping nodded.
“It is the suppression of Momentum. The moment our Momentums touched, the difference in our levels was clear. Within the coverage of my First Level Momentum, any Martial Artist who does not possess Momentum, or whose Momentum is at a lower level than mine, will have their strength, speed, reactions, and even their state of mind, comprehensively suppressed!”
He extended a finger and pointed in the air:
“Taking a Martial Artist without Momentum as a reference. If you grasp the embryo of Momentum, you can suppress the opponent’s strength by about 5%; upon comprehending First Level Momentum, you can suppress the opponent’s strength by as much as 30%; if you reach Second Level Momentum, the opponent won’t even be able to exert half their strength.”
Jiāng Qīnghé asked curiously:
“Master, what realm lies above Second Level Momentum?”
Upon hearing this, Elder Ping instinctively showed a look of longing.
“Condensing one’s own True Martial Intent!”
Then he chuckled and chided:
“You rascal, don’t aim too high. This Way of Momentum alone will take you countless hours to explore.”
“Alright, since you have cultivated the Rock Crushing Palm to Perfection and understood the embryo of Momentum, and also reached Muscle Tendon Minor Accomplishment in your Tiger Form Muscle-Tendon Cultivation Technique, your foundation is stable. Then I shall officially teach you the Mountain Shaking Palm today!”
“Mountain Shaking Palm?”
Jiāng Qīnghé’s spirit lifted, his eyes filled with anticipation.
“Indeed!”
Elder Ping said sternly.
“This palm technique is fierce and powerful, emphasizing destructive force to break through an opponent's defense and shatter them.”
“However, it has a shaking effect. If one's cultivation is insufficient, it can easily injure bones and tendons. Therefore, one must have achieved Muscle Tendon Accomplishment before practicing it, to use the fascia and muscles throughout the body to dissipate the counter-shock force.”
“The Rock Crushing Palm is the foundational part of the Mountain Shaking Palm. Both originate from the same source; the flow of power and methods of exertion are inherited. Your Rock Crushing Palm has reached the pinnacle. With this foundation, practicing the Mountain Shaking Palm will undoubtedly yield twice the results with half the effort.”
The master and disciple walked into the backyard of the pavilion.
“Watch carefully!”
Elder Ping’s aura suddenly changed!
He stood in the snow and slowly raised his right palm. His movements were not fast but carried a peculiar rhythm.
As his palm slightly caved inward, an invisible force gathered, compressed, and condensed at its edge.
“Shake!”
A deep, vast hum arose, the ground trembled faintly, and accumulated snow was swept up, forming a giant snowball.
As he thrust his palm forward, the air in front of him was continuously compressed, finally exploding and striking the snowball, scattering it outwards.
At this moment, a clearing about three meters square, devoid of snow, formed centered around Elder Ping.
“This is the True Meaning of ‘Shake’ in the Mountain Shaking Palm. The power is contained within, penetrating directly to the origin.”
Elder Ping’s voice carried a hint of authority.
“Qīnghé, remember this feeling: concentrate all your strength at a single point, unleash it instantaneously, triggering a shockwave capable of destroying everything.”
“When you cultivate this palm to the Perfection realm, your comprehension and control of Momentum will undoubtedly advance another level. At that time, you will be able to step into the First Level Momentum realm, just like me. Chapter 36: Wilderness Forest
Jiāng Qīnghé took a deep breath, calming the turmoil in his heart, and couldn’t help but ask:
“Master, if I want to continue improving, what should I do?”
Elder Ping looked at the inquiring expression in his disciple’s eyes, his gaze filled with satisfaction, and slowly said:
“Then you will need to expand the boundaries of your martial path, seek out and cultivate other offensive techniques of a similar type, cultivate them to Perfection, comprehend their Momentum, and then merge them. Only then can you break through.”
Jiāng Qīnghé nodded, pondering inwardly:
It seems that fist, palm, leg, saber, sword, spear… the eighteen martial arts.
The Momentum comprehended from cultivating different types of offensive techniques to Perfection is not transferable.
If I later comprehend the Momentum of the Mountain Shaking Palm and want to advance further, I will need to find other profound palm techniques.
After listening to Elder Ping’s guidance, many of Jiāng Qīnghé’s recent cultivation doubts were cleared, and he felt enlightened.
He bowed respectfully. After bidding farewell to his Master, he walked towards his own courtyard.
As he stepped onto the small path, he ran into someone, who turned out to be his fifth senior brother, Zhào Guāngyì, just emerging from the steaming kitchen/mess hall.
Zhào Guāngyì’s usually upright posture was now relaxed, his broad shoulders slumping slightly.
He yawned and rubbed his drowsy eyes, clearly still feeling the effects of the previous night’s drinking.
“Junior Brother!”
Zhào Guāngyì squinted, recognized Jiāng Qīnghé, and his voice was a bit hoarse.
“It’s only the first day of the New Year, and you’re up so early. Why don’t you give yourself a few days off to rest!”
Jiāng Qīnghé chuckled.
“Senior Brother, I was idle all day yesterday. Practicing martial arts is like rowing upstream; if you don’t advance, you fall back. If I don’t pick it up again, I fear I’ll become rusty.”
“Good boy, you really are something!”
Zhào Guāngyì clapped Jiāng Qīnghé’s shoulder heartily.
“Let’s go, I’ll help you practice a bit. It’ll help me sober up too!”
Without waiting for Jiāng Qīnghé to reply, he slung an arm around his shoulder and headed towards his own backyard.
Half an hour later, in the backyard of Zhào Guāngyì’s independent dormitory.
A patch of snow had been cleared, and two figures moved like rabbits and eagles, the sound of palm strikes echoing continuously.
After over a hundred exchanges, the two figures separated.
Jiāng Qīnghé’s breathing was slightly labored, sweat beaded on his forehead, but his eyes were bright, clearly having benefited greatly.
Zhào Guāngyì, on the other hand, had completely sobered up from his hangover. A look of shock flashed across his face, and he then teased:
“Incredible, incredible! It’s one thing that you’ve reached Muscle Tendon Minor Accomplishment, but you’ve even comprehended the embryo of Martial Momentum. You truly are a monstrous talent!”
Zhào Guāngyì circled Jiāng Qīnghé a few times, clicking his tongue in amazement, making the latter’s scalp tingle.
“Back then, I trained through the coldest winter and hottest summer, spending years just to barely comprehend it. Who knew you’d surpass me so quietly…”
He shook his head, feigning weariness.
“Truly, the waves behind the river push the waves before, and the front waves die on the beach. I reckon it won’t be long before you leave this old man to dry like a fish on the beach.”
Jiāng Qīnghé spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness.
“Senior Brother, compared to the young masters of the great families in the city, and those legendary geniuses of the sects, what I have is nothing.”
Zhào Guāngyì raised his eyebrows, a sharp glint in his eyes.
“Talent is given by parents, opportunities are bestowed by heaven, and the path is walked by oneself. They merely have a higher starting point. In time, we, senior and junior brothers, will eventually trample them underfoot.”
Jiāng Qīnghé gave him a thumbs-up.
“Senior Brother, your insight is profound!”
Zhào Guāngyì, as if struck by a sudden thought, changed the subject and a smile appeared on his face.
“Speaking of which, just sparring in the courtyard is a bit dull. Junior Brother, are you interested in a real fight? I’ll take you to the edge of the Wilderness Forest to hunt some Demonic Beasts for fun?”
Wilderness Forest? Demonic Beasts? Jiāng Qīnghé’s heart stirred.
During his recent periods of cultivation downtime, he had also flipped through books and had developed some interest in the mysterious and vast Wilderness Forest bordering Lin'an County.
Now, hearing Zhào Guāngyì bring it up, his curiosity suddenly surged:
“Senior Brother, when do we set off?”
Zhào Guāngyì rested his chin in his hand, pondered for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands.
“Why wait for another day? Let’s go now! You and I will quickly go back to our rooms to pack a few things, and we’ll meet at the main gate in fifteen minutes.”
He then added:
“We’ll just be exploring the outer areas, taking you to get a feel for it, familiarize yourself with the environment. If all goes smoothly, we’ll be back tonight, at the latest by noon tomorrow. Just bring some dried food and water.”
Jiāng Qīnghé agreed, then quickened his pace back to his own courtyard.
He didn’t have much to prepare, just took a dagger from a compartment under his bed and strapped it to his forearm in its sheath, then pushed open the door and went out.
Just as he was about to knock on Ziyue’s door across the way to give her some instructions.
He saw the young girl herself push the door open from inside, standing before him charmingly.
She held a brand new coat, meticulously stitched, and carefully handed it over, her voice clear and pleasant.
“Brother, are you going out? Here, I made this for you. It’s very warm! It’s cold and windy outside, be careful not to catch a chill.”
Jiāng Qīnghé felt a warmth in his heart. He took the coat made by his sister and immediately put it on, affectionately patting her little head.
“Ziyue, Brother has something to do and will be out for a day or two. Stay home and behave yourself. Don't go bothering those wooden stakes again and hurt yourself.”
Jiāng Zǐyuè, hearing her brother mention her embarrassing attempt to show off last time, pouted her little mouth and said playfully.
“Hmph, Brother, you’re so annoying. I’m not talking to you anymore!”
Although her words were a complaint, her big eyes were full of dependence.
“Haha!”
Jiāng Qīnghé winked and made a funny face, causing his sister to burst into laughter.
Only then did he turn and stride away.
Behind him, Jiāng Zǐyuè’s concerned voice could be heard.
“Brother, be careful outside!”
“Don’t worry!”
......
Lin'an County, West City Gate.
Towering grey-green city walls, over ten meters high, stood firm against the biting north wind.
At the city gate, only a few yamen runners were idly on duty.
They huddled in a sheltered corner of the wall, breathing warmth into their hands, chatting idly about trivial matters, paying little attention to the few pedestrians entering and exiting.
As Jiāng Qīnghé and Zhào Guāngyì exited the gate, the biting cold wind carrying fine snow particles rushed towards them.
As far as the eye could see, the vast and stern wilderness was covered in a blanket of white snow.
Not far from the west gate lay a wide river—the Green River.
This river was where the old boatman had found him and the origin of his name.
Now, the river had long frozen into a vast sheet of ice, covered by days of heavy snowfall.
Crossing the bridge, the landscape opened up before them, and they reached the Wilderness Forest.
An endless primeval forest, a vast expanse of white, devoid of life, emanating an invisible pressure.
Jiāng Qīnghé followed Zhào Guāngyì into the forest. After walking for a while, it was still snow and nothing but snow.
Let alone Demonic Beasts, not even a bird could be seen.
He looked at the utter silence around them and couldn't help but feel puzzled. He lowered his voice and asked:
“Senior Brother, in this ice and snow, there isn’t even a bird in the forest. Where are we going to find traces of Demonic Beasts? Chapter 37: Blind Bear
Zhào Guāngyì pushed aside a dead branch covered in ice shards that blocked his view, exhaling a long breath of white vapor, and explained:
“Junior Brother, don’t be anxious. The outer areas of this Wilderness Forest are inhabited only by ordinary wild beasts that fear the cold and seek warmth. At this time of year, they would naturally find a place to hibernate for the winter, so it’s normal not to see any.”
Saying this, he signaled Jiāng Qīnghé to follow, pushing aside denser dead vines ahead and continuing deeper.
“Go a bit further in, and the situation changes. The deeper you go into this Wilderness Forest, the stronger the Demonic Beasts you encounter become.”
Zhào Guāngyì’s tone grew serious.
“These fellows have a very strong sense of territory. Lower-level Demonic Beasts only dare to move within their own small domains, while higher-level Demonic Beasts almost never appear in the outer areas. The prey in the outer areas is too weak; they don’t even bother looking at it.”
Jiāng Qīnghé mused upon hearing this.
“Senior Brother, you mentioned before that Demonic Beast levels correspond to the five realms of martial arts. Then, under equal realms, how do we compare their strength?