Luo Cheng stepped into the Martial Arts Pavilion, where rows of ancient and elegant bookshelves displayed numerous martial arts secret manuals.
The cover of each manual bore star-patterned markings.
Just like Martial Souls, martial arts techniques are also classified by grades.
One to three stars represent low-level martial arts, four to six stars represent intermediate-level martial arts, and seven to nine stars represent advanced-level martial arts.
The first level of the pavilion only houses low-level martial arts.
Intermediate-level martial arts are on the second level, while advanced-level techniques are absent from the entire Luo Family.
Luo Cheng wanted to train in fist techniques and carefully picked out several manuals.
"Gale Fist Technique"
"Crane-shaped Boxing"
"Transverse and Longitudinal Fist Technique"
"Heavy Mountain Fist Technique"
All four fist techniques were classified as three-star martial arts.
Luo Cheng compared them thoroughly and finally chose the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique.
This technique comprises only three moves, simple yet domineering, leveraging brute force over finesse. It is highly effective for tempering the physique, which suits him perfectly.
After registering the manual, Luo Cheng left the Martial Arts Pavilion.
He hadn't gone far when a group of young men and women appeared ahead of him.
"Oh, Heavy Mountain Fist Technique! Han Shan, aren't you also training in the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique?"
Someone noticed the manual in Luo Cheng's hand and glanced at a tall young man.
The tall young man's expression darkened as he stepped forward to block Luo Cheng and shouted, "Luo Cheng, leave the manual behind!"
"Why?" Luo Cheng frowned slightly.
He recognized Han Shan, a branch family member who had awakened a one-star Martial Soul last year, now at Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer, the weakest among the family's youth.
The two had been on decent terms in the past, but after Luo Cheng awakened a wasted Martial Soul, Han Shan suddenly changed his attitude, aligning himself with Han Qi and becoming the most vocal figure in mocking Luo Cheng.
Han Shan crossed his arms and sneered, "I'm also training in the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique! I don't want to be humiliated by association with you!"
Luo Cheng scoffed, "Just because you're training in it doesn't mean I can't. Are you out of your mind?"
"Trash! What did you say?"
Han Shan's eyes turned icy as he growled, "I'll say it one more time: put the manual back, or I won't be polite!"
Luo Cheng's voice grew equally cold, "Is that so? I'd like to see how you plan to be impolite!"
"You're courting death! Today I'll teach you a lesson for Luo Qi!"
Han Shan let out an angry roar as the figure of a rock hound materialized behind him. He charged forward and unleashed a punch like a thunderclap, aiming directly at Luo Cheng.
This was none other than the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique's first move, Shaking Mountain!
Han Shan went all-in with his most powerful move, showing no mercy and aiming to utterly defeat Luo Cheng.
Luo Cheng smirked coldly, casually throwing out a punch of his own.
BANG!
The two fists collided fiercely,
"AAAHH!"
Han Shan stumbled backward five or six steps, clutching his right hand as he screamed in pain, snot and tears streaming down his face.
The crowd around them froze in shock at the sight.
Han Shan had awakened his Martial Soul a year ago, was older than Luo Cheng by a year, and had trained in the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique—yet he was defeated with a single punch!
"Maybe he underestimated his opponent. Even though Luo Cheng has a wasted Martial Soul, he's already advanced to Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer."
Someone guessed.
"You call that the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique?"
Luo Cheng cast a disdainful glance at Han Shan.
According to the manual's description, the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique emphasizes momentum over form, with every punch requiring an unstoppable force.
Han Shan's technique lacked even a stable stance—he hadn't even grasped the basics.
"You!"
Han Shan's face turned ashen with humiliation, then twisted into a sneer. "Don't think you can stay cocky! From what I hear, Luo Qi's mother spent a fortune to buy some Body Tempering Pills. Soon, Luo Qi will break through to Body Tempering Realm Fifth Layer!"
"Luo Qi said she'll make you beg for mercy in ten days! Let's see how arrogant you can be then!"
"Make me beg for mercy? Then let's wait and see!"
Luo Cheng shook his head and walked away.
In a small courtyard.
BANG! BANG! BANG...
Figures darted about, fists creating gusts of wind!
Luo Cheng was practicing the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique.
"Shaking Mountain!"
Suddenly, Luo Cheng let out a cold shout as he threw a punch with momentum resembling a mountain in motion, carrying an unstoppable force.
BOOM!
A training post as thick as a foot trembled violently, leaving a faint imprint of Luo Cheng's fist upon it.
"Not bad—small success!"
The levels of martial arts mastery are categorized into: Entry, Small Success, Great Success, Perfection, and Transformation Realm!
In less than two days, Luo Cheng had already mastered the Heavy Mountain Fist Technique to the Small Success level!
Now, a single punch of his could generate over three hundred pounds of force!
"It seems I have decent talent after all."
A hint of a smile appeared on Luo Cheng's face.
To master a three-star fist technique to the level of Small Success in just two days—across the entirety of Qishan City, only a few could achieve such a feat.
"Perhaps it's time to venture into the Black Cloud Mountain Range."
Luo Cheng muttered to himself.
The final three layers of Body Tempering Realm mark the late stage. Reaching Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer is a significant hurdle, and even with a Jade Body Tempering Pill, advancing is far from easy.
Ji Yuanhao, as a member of the Ji Family, possesses unmatched talent and resources. To catch up and surpass him within ten years is nearly impossible through conventional training.
Luo Cheng wanted to awaken his potential through real combat, rapidly enhancing his strength.
Additionally, there was another goal driving him toward the Black Cloud Mountain Range.
The vast, sprawling mountains stretched for thousands of miles, teeming not only with countless fierce beasts but also rare spiritual medicines and spirit grasses of all kinds.
He hoped to try his luck and find healing spiritual medicine for his grandfather and father.
After tidying up briefly, Luo Cheng immediately set out.
As he left the Luo Residence and rounded a street corner, he abruptly stopped.
Up ahead, a group of people laughed and chatted among themselves.
Among them was Luo Qi, and to his surprise, some members of the Lin Family, led by Lin Xiao, the young master of the Lin Family.
Luo Cheng's expression turned dark as he stepped forward and asked, "Luo Qi, why are you mingling with people from the Lin Family?"
Aside from the City Lord Mansion, Qishan City had three prominent families: Luo, Lin, and Qi Families.
The Luo and Lin families were perpetually at odds, competing in business and fostering friction among their younger generation. Luo Cheng himself had clashed with Lin Family's young members before.
Luo Qi's gaze flickered, avoiding a direct answer.
Lin Xiao glanced at Luo Cheng with a smirk and said, "Oh? Who might this be? Turns out it's the famous young master of the Ji Family. I hear you've awakened a supreme Martial Soul—why don't you show us and let us admire it?"
"Hahaha…"
Everyone burst into laughter.
The story of Luo Cheng's failure to awaken a Martial Soul had long become a hot topic throughout Qishan City.
Luo Qi's face flushed red with anger and embarrassment. He glared at Luo Cheng and shouted:
"Luo Cheng, I can associate with whomever I wish! Who are you to interfere? Don't forget our agreement—just so you know, I'm about to advance to Body Tempering Realm Fifth Layer!"
"Is that so? Well, take care of yourself, then!"
Luo Cheng gave a kind warning, but since the other party didn't appreciate it, he didn't bother saying more. After glancing at Lin Xiao and the others, he turned and left.
"Just a waste—so arrogant!"
"He really thinks he's some Ji Family prodigy? He's nothing but trash thrown out by the Ji Family!"
"Luo Qi, when you two fight, make sure you don't hold back. Give him a proper lesson!"
The Lin Family youths sneered coldly.