Early next morning.
On a peak of Red Mountain, behind Qinghe Palace.
Qinghe Palace is situated between Red Mountain and Qingding Mountain, in a mountainous area with steep trails and dense forests, each peak standing at different heights, resembling white pimples growing out of the mountain and forest—particularly eye-catching.
At the moment, in a slightly dark pine forest on the peak.
Zhang Rongfang and Zhao Dacong stood facing each other, silently opposing.
Both men were adjusting their breaths, eyes constantly watching each other's force points.
Whew.
Suddenly, a light breeze stirred the branches; amid the rustling, leaves scattered and flew.
Zhao Dacong let out a low shout, stepped forth, and reached with both hands, one above, one below, to grasp Zhang Rongfang's arms.
This move, "Welcoming Pine at the Gate," is mainly a controlling technique, also a part of Mountain-shaped Talisman.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Rongfang did not retreat but advanced instead, speeding forward, crashing into Zhao Dacong, his right elbow striking the chest and belly.
This elbow strike was fast and fierce, forcing Zhao Dacong to change moves and block.
Bang.
The two quickly exchanged blows, each taking a step back.
Immediately after, both of them shot their hands again, the same Mountain-shaped Talisman. In their hands, it turned into two distinct styles.
Zhao Dacong's was expansive and bold, with the heavy aura of a mountain peak towering above.
Zhang Rongfang was steady and unmoving; with each attack, he dismantled it precisely and calmly, one by one, akin to the firmest rock wall.
In the blink of an eye, over thirty moves were exchanged. Zhao Dacong took the initiative to pull back.
"Impressive, purely in terms of technique, you are already ahead of me. Many moves, if I hadn't seen you execute them, I wouldn't have known they could be used that way."
She sincerely praised.
Martial arts are essentially a form of fighting technique. Moves are pre-designed sequences and actions, making it difficult for the opponent to predict and defend while allowing oneself to exert full strength smoothly.
At this moment, Zhang Rongfang's understanding of the moves was already superior to hers, who was at the second rank.
"Senior sister, you flatter me." Zhang Rongfang smiled, withdrawing his hand and cupping his fist.
"You're still nourishing the blood, at least two more years to begin Muscle Forging. By the time you rank, I might not be able to beat you." Zhao Dacong sighed, returning the gesture.
"Even being ranked at first grade, how could I compare with you, senior sister?" Zhang Rongfang shook his head.
"That's not it. Once ranked, the difference between grades isn't just in strength, physical quality, recovery, endurance, but not too stark.
The main differences lie in the superiority of martial arts and realms.
Thus, the saying that ranks are fought for exists; many masters have higher ranks than their martial arts limit levels.
Currently, your technique is already more refined and complete than mine, able to spot my weaknesses faster. Once ranked, if the power difference isn't too great and I cannot completely overpower you, in a real fight, the outcome is unpredictable," Zhao Dacong explained.
"Ultimately, regardless of the rank of the master, if the vital point is hit, injuries or even death can occur," she added.
"Isn't there martial arts to toughen the whole body?" Zhang Rongfang frowned.
"There is, it's Hard Qi Gong.
But the so-called Hard Qi Gong, also requires you to channel Qi and Blood; only then it becomes as hard as iron. If Qi and Blood aren't circulating in certain areas, it's the same as not having it.
Meaning, without defense, even if trained in Hard Qi Gong, it's only akin to an extra layer of thick skin compared to ordinary people. Such protection, a ten-year-old child with a knife can still kill you at vital points."
Zhao Dacong's words were rather realistic.
They reminded Zhang Rongfang of similar Hard Qi Gong from his previous life.
It seemed that the Hard Qi Gong here was no different.
"Then, what about whole-body Hard Qi Gong training?" He asked unwillingly.
"Never heard of it; typically, it's focused training on one area, like Iron Arm Technique, Iron Body Technique, Iron Head Technique, Iron Back Technique, etc. Moreover, these cultivation techniques don't last long, are not sustainable, can harm the body, and take a long time to train, so they aren't very practical. Only useful for roadside performances."
Zhao Dacong explained.
"Let's go, why think so much? Those Hard Qi Gong techniques are not as handy as temporary leather armor, that doesn't take years of training or numerous internal injuries.
Since the master wants me to assess your current level, techniques are sufficient. Follow me,"
She beckoned to Zhang Rongfang and turned to walk deeper into the pine forest.
He quickly followed.
Before long, they arrived at a small area with remaining tree stumps.
Each sturdy stump was over a meter high, standing in the clearing of the pine forest, making the ground full of dry yellow leaves, exuding a trace of desolation.
Zhao Dacong tapped one of the stumps.
"This is an Ironwood Stump, its surface polished, won't injure the hand. It's what I use to practice exerting force through techniques."
"The so-called exerting force through techniques means actual moves. Unlike in the Martial Cultivators' arena, where we empty-punch, here, every move must strike the Ironwood Stump.
You need accurate control over the force of your moves. Moreover, you need to cultivate the resilience of your fist and palm's skin and muscles, otherwise, with one punch, on contact, nothing happens to the other's hand, but your skin tears and bleeds; how can you fight?"
Zhao Dacong's words made Zhang Rongfang nod continuously.
"Wanna try?"
"Okay!"
Zhang Rongfang did not hesitate, stepping forward to stand in front of a different Ironwood Stump, reaching out to touch the stump.
The texture was smooth, resilient, like wrapped in a layer of flesh, and not cold at all despite winter.
Bang.
Beside him, Zhao Dacong had already begun outputting on the Ironwood Stump. No techniques, just simply punching with both fists, honing the skin, bones, and muscles of the fists.
"Additionally, don't worry that the Ironwood Stump will suddenly break or have any sharp spikes or holes appear.
"This thing is really hard, even if I use all my strength..."
Before finishing his sentence, Zhao Dachong suddenly retreated, delivering a fierce elbow strike from right to left.
Bang!
The elbow strike hit the wooden stake, leaving only a shallow indentation, less than a centimeter deep.
"This is the best I can do." Zhao Dachong finally completed his sentence.
Zhang Rongfang looked at the indentation and suddenly unleashed the same move himself.
Bang.
The wooden stake on his side remained smooth, without a trace of a mark. This was because he concealed his strength.
Beside him, Zhao Dachong burst into laughter.
"Don't rush, take it slow. How long have you been practicing compared to me?"
"Got it."
Zhang Rongfang nodded, refraining from further words, and continued hitting the ironwood stake.
He imitated Zhao Dachong, first exercising just the two parts of his fists.
After every few minutes of strikes, Zhao Dachong would take out the medicinal wine he carried and apply it to the spots where they hit.
Then they rested for a while and continued hitting.
This cycle repeated until it was almost noon.
Zhao Dachong had to leave early for some matters, leaving Zhang Rongfang to continue practicing the strikes alone.
After practicing for a bit, Zhang Rongfang suddenly stopped and looked at the one-centimeter-deep indentation made by Zhao Dachong.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly thought that maybe he could test the power of the secret technique "Heavy Mountain" he just acquired.
Based on the feeling when he comprehended Heavy Mountain, it could significantly enhance his original limit of explosive power.
But he didn't know exactly what kind of power it would unleash or what the consumption would be when used.
'Let's give it a try.'
With this in mind, he took a step back and closed his eyes.
His strong arms began to slowly contract, and his heart rate rapidly increased as blood, guided by his mind, surged quickly to his right arm.
Suddenly.
Zhang Rongfang put strength into his legs, connecting the force to his waist, chest, back, and shoulders, channeling it in a line through his right arm, and delivered a powerful punch.
Bang!
A faint pain and numbness spread from his fist to his entire body.
The ironwood stake trembled slightly and then returned to calm.
Zhang Rongfang exhaled, feeling a hint of fatigue.
'Just one strike, and I'm already tired. It seems this secret technique really consumes a lot.'
He withdrew his hand and saw his fist covered in red, dotted with tiny blood spots, clearly sustaining some minor injuries.
'Even with a First-Rank skin and flesh toughness, I can't withstand it.'
To know, after reaching First Rank, one's skin toughness is enhanced once, and this effect doesn't repeat later.
Further breaking limits to advance ranks would only slightly improve strength, endurance, etc., and the closer to the human limit, the less increase there is.
Because human limits are so high, the further improvements are limited. It's more about martial arts realm competition and the intrinsic strength of martial arts.
'Considering this, this move consumes a lot of stamina, and my skin can't withstand it. It's best used at a crucial moment for deciding victory or defeat.
Otherwise, after using it, I'd end up injured and bleeding, unable to endure.'
Zhang Rongfang's thoughts were clear in his mind.
Actually, to use this secret technique freely, there's another way.
That is to practice Hard Qi Gong alongside fist training, while also boosting one's endurance and stamina.
This way, the secret technique could be used as a regular move.
However, mastering a martial art generally requires many years of practice to reach Minor Achievement. To add Hard Qi Gong on top of that, the cost-effectiveness is too low for others.
But for Zhang Rongfang, with the ability to instantly accelerate through attribute points, it's worth a try.
"Right, I haven't checked the power of this move yet." Zhang Rongfang suddenly snapped back to reality and approached the ironwood stake to take a look.
He saw a clear mark on the stake, deeper than the mark made by Zhao Dachong.
Zhang Rongfang was slightly stunned, repeatedly comparing the two indentations.
Only after confirming that the pit he made was a little bit deeper than the one Zhao Dachong made with all her strength did his eyes reflect a realization.
'The power level of Second Rank, coupled with Sister Zhao's natural strength, resulted in this pit. Ordinary Second Rank is probably slightly weaker. I can unleash more power than this level....'
"Let's try without the secret technique this time."
Without another word, Zhang Rongfang retreated again, delivering another punch with all his strength, without hiding or using the secret technique, on the other side of the stake.
Bang!
This time it left only a very shallow mark, with minimal indentation.
"So, essentially, my strength is still far from Sister Zhao's, but with the secret technique, I can unleash a destructive power even stronger than her full strength."
Strength and speed complement each other; with constant mass, the greater the power, the faster the speed, and vice versa.
'Heavy Mountain is much faster than regular moves, highly consuming, and powerful. It seems the best use is as a trump card.....'
'No one would ever think that I, a Daoist who hasn't entered ranking, can unleash an attack stronger than Second Rank in an instant. The greater the power leap, the more surprising it will be to others.'