"Was that martial skill Duan Lingtian just used?"
"It didn't look like any martial skill I know; it felt like a simple straight punch. Yet, the way he slid to dodge Li Xin's Tiger Fist, arrived behind him, and threw that punch in the blink of an eye—I have no idea how he pulled it off."
"Are you joking? Such a powerful move, how could it not be a martial skill? With just one punch, Duan Lingtian shattered Li Xin's shoulder bone!"
…
The Li Family disciples were whispering among themselves; they could not fathom the Crushing Fist that Duan Lingtian had just unleashed. That punch had looked simple, but its power was absolutely astonishing.
"His shoulder bone is completely pulverized. Li Xin’s arm is as good as crippled!"
After examining Li Xin's injuries, the Fifth Elder, Li Ting, drew a sharp breath and looked at Duan Lingtian with a hint of shock. A mere warrior at the First Level of the Body Tempering Realm had managed to execute such a terrifying attack.
After having a few disciples take Li Xin away to be treated, Li Ting walked toward the young man who stood there calmly. At that moment, he even had the illusion that the person standing before him was no longer a youth, but a seasoned master who had immersed himself in the martial arts for years.
"What do you call that punch you just used? Without the cumbersome movements of typical martial skills, the force erupted like a collapsing mountain. How long… have you been practicing it?"
Li Ting looked at Duan Lingtian with burning eyes. While the other Li Family disciples could not see through the mystery of that punch, he saw it clearly. Though it appeared simple, it contained a terrifying release of power. The moment Duan Lingtian unleashed that strike, he had perfectly concentrated his entire body’s strength into a single point. It was something even Yellow-grade High-tier martial skills struggled to achieve—no, perhaps even common Profound-grade martial skills couldn't do it.
Martial skills on the Yunxiao Continent were divided into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, each further subdivided into high, middle, and low tiers. Aside from the Yellow-grade Low and Middle-tier skills in the library, the Li Family possessed only one Yellow-grade High-tier skill, the "Wind-Following Palm," which only those at or above the Condensing Pill Realm were qualified to practice. Yet, Li Ting knew that even if one mastered the Wind-Following Palm, its explosive power would still pale in comparison to that punch of Duan Lingtian's.
"Crushing Fist," Duan Lingtian replied.
As for how long he had practiced it, he didn't say. How could he tell them he had been practicing it for over a decade?
Crushing Fist was one of the Five Elements Fists in Xingyi Quan, a type of straight punch. When releasing force, it emphasized concealment, sudden activation, and short-range impact. It was fast, fierce, and capable of penetrating deep into the internal organs—a classic style known for its extreme piercing power. Though it seemed simple, it involved the coordinated power of the entire body, including the lungs and organs. To train it to Duan Lingtian’s current level, ten years of hard work was the bare minimum.
"Fifth Elder, I'll be taking my leave now. You witnessed who instigated this conflict today; I hope you can serve as my witness." Duan Lingtian nodded at Li Ting and turned to leave.
"Crushing Fist? This boy is truly remarkable… Li Rou, even you have been deceived by your own son all this time. He was merely biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to shine!" Li Ting took a deep breath, his heart racing. He naturally assumed that Duan Lingtian had been keeping a low profile and hiding his true abilities for years. He could see that such a technique could not be learned in a day.
The onlookers dispersed. They, too, now knew that the terrifying straight punch Duan Lingtian had displayed was called the "Crushing Fist."
"Refreshing!" Back home, Duan Lingtian exhaled a breath of stagnant air and a smile appeared on his slightly immature face. Since arriving in this world, this was the first time he had unleashed the Xingyi Quan so wantonly! In that split second, it felt as if he had returned to the passionate, bloody life of his past.
Duan Lingtian returned to his room and realized the remaining Seven Treasures Body Tempering Liquid was enough for at most two more medicinal baths. "It seems I’ll have to ask Mother to buy some more medicinal herbs."
Sitting in the wooden tub, he enjoyed the medicinal bath while practicing the "Nine Dragons War Sovereign Technique." Duan Lingtian was completely focused, unaware that the otherwise peaceful Li Family was in an uproar over his defeat of Li Xin.
"Hey! Have you heard? The Ninth Elder’s son, Duan Lingtian, has finished tempering his body and reached the First Level of the Body Tempering Realm!"
"Pfft! I knew that long ago. Do you know that not only did he reach the First Level, he also severely wounded Li Xin in a match witnessed by the Fifth Elder? He crippled Li Xin’s arm!"
"No way! Li Xin is a Second Level Body Tempering warrior, and it's said his Yellow-grade Middle-tier 'Tiger Fist' has already reached minor success. How could he lose to a mere First Level kid?"
"What does Tiger Fist matter! It was Duan Lingtian's 'Crushing Fist'—simple in appearance but profound in reality—that did it. Even the Fifth Elder was astonished…"
The rumors grew increasingly exaggerated. Some said it was a Profound-grade skill, others claimed it was Earth-grade, and some even insisted it was a Heaven-grade martial skill!
Inside a room in the Li Family estate, the Seventh Elder, Li Kun, stood by the bed, looking at his son, whose right shoulder was slumped as he slept in exhaustion. The words of the Great Elder still echoed in his ears: "Seventh Elder, if it were a simple fracture, a Grade Nine Golden Wound Pill would heal him in time. But your son Li Xin's shoulder bone is completely pulverized. Even if you begged the Family Head for a Grade Eight Golden Wound Pill, there is nothing that can be done… my condolences."
"Duan Lingtian, I want you dead! I want you dead!" Li Kun’s eyes bulged, hatred flashing within them as he gnashed his teeth, his fists clenched tight, Origin Force erupting as he let out a low, guttural roar.
"Father, how is my brother?" At that moment, a hurried voice came from outside, and a figure strode into the room. It was Li Kun’s eldest son, Li Jie, a renowned genius of the Li Family. At only sixteen, he had already reached the Fourth Level of the Body Tempering Realm, and his Yellow-grade Middle-tier "Falling Leaf Palm" had been mastered to perfection. Li Family disciples were considered adults at sixteen, and after their coming-of-age ceremony, they usually helped with the family business in Qingfeng Town. Li Jie was no exception. Hearing his brother had been gravely injured, he rushed back without a second thought.
"Jie, your brother… your brother’s right arm is crippled. Even the Great Elder is helpless." Li Kun took a deep breath, his voice strained.
"What?!" Li Jie’s body shuddered as if struck by lightning. The Li Family's Great Elder was a renowned Grade Nine Alchemist in Qingfeng Town! If even he couldn't help, the implications were clear.
"Xiao Xin…" Standing by the bed, looking at his sleeping brother, Li Jie’s eyes flared, his hatred no less intense than his father’s. His mother had died in childbirth while delivering his brother. Over the years, he had doted on him, giving him the best of everything. Now that his brother’s arm was ruined and his future in doubt, a chilling rage burned in his heart.
"Father, are you sure it was Duan Lingtian who did this?" Li Jie asked, looking at Li Kun. When he first heard the news, he was filled with disbelief—how could a trash who hadn't even finished tempering his body wound his brother?
"Yes, I asked the Fifth Elder. It was him! Three days ago, that waste hadn't even completed his tempering, yet today he not only reached the First Level but also defeated your brother with an advanced martial skill called 'Crushing Fist'!" Li Kun said through gritted teeth.
"First Level of the Body Tempering Realm, and a Crushing Fist, eh?" Li Jie sneered, his eyes flashing with the cold malice of a snake. "Father, accompany me."
In the quiet courtyard, "Mother, did you call me out for something?" Duan Lingtian had just finished absorbing the liquid and stepped out of his room, looking at Li Rou with a hint of embarrassment.
Li Rou looked at her son, her gaze slightly dazed. What she had heard was still hard to believe. In her eyes, it was already impressive enough that her son had completed his tempering. But this little one had gone to the library and crippled the arm of the Seventh Elder's youngest son—an injury that could not be healed!
"Crushing Fist… Tian'er, shouldn't you explain to your mother when you learned a martial skill that even the Fifth Elder found astonishing?" Li Rou asked with a mysterious smile.
"Mother, if I told you that an old man from my dream taught it to me along with some medicinal recipes, would you believe me?" Duan Lingtian smiled awkwardly.
"Tian'er, you’re growing up. Since you have your secrets, I won't force you. But remember, no matter what happens, I will always be your greatest support," Li Rou said with a deep, lingering sigh.
"Mother." Duan Lingtian’s heart trembled, his eyes turning red.
"Ninth Elder, Li Kun requests an audience!" A voice as annoying as a fly shattered the warmth between mother and son.
"He still has the nerve to show his face?" A cold light flashed in Li Rou’s eyes. A moment later, the Seventh Elder, Li Kun, entered the courtyard with his eldest son, Li Jie, casting hateful glares at Duan Lingtian.
"Seventh Elder, you aren't here specifically to cause trouble for my son, are you?" Li Rou stepped forward, shielding Duan Lingtian behind her with a faint smile.
"Ninth Elder, rest assured. The battle between my son, Li Xin, and yours was witnessed by the Fifth Elder. His arm was crippled because his skills were inferior; I don't blame anyone else." Li Kun took a deep breath, suppressing his fury.
"Then, Seventh Elder, why are you here?" Li Rou asked, curious.
"Greetings, Ninth Elder." Li Jie stepped forward. "Ninth Elder, my father is here with me… I’ve come to challenge Duan Lingtian. I hear his Crushing Fist is quite impressive." After greeting Li Rou, Li Jie stared intensely at Duan Lingtian.
Frost covered Li Rou’s face. "Li Jie, if I recall correctly, you are a year older than my son and have already reached the Fourth Level of the Body Tempering Realm… my son is only at the First Level. How do you have the face to challenge him?"
Li Jie ignored her cold expression and laughed. "Ninth Elder, Duan Lingtian is no ordinary First Level warrior. He defeated my brother easily, so his strength is not to be underestimated!"
Just as Li Rou was about to order them to leave, Duan Lingtian stepped out from behind her. "I can accept your challenge. However, I have one condition!"