Looking at the stream before him and the small waterfall not far off, Zhang Beixing knew this was the spot where he would make camp. With the stream in front and the forest behind, the sunlight fell unobstructed. A few hundred steps to one side, he could stand on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the surrounding forest scenery. Although the air was a bit humid, maintaining a certain distance would mitigate this. This is simply the perfect location for secluded cultivation, he thought.

With this in mind, Zhang Beixing immediately unloaded his gear and began to pitch the tent right where he stood.

The process was rather straightforward. First, he assembled the tent poles and attached the inner tent. After driving in the stakes and spreading the flysheet, the basic setup was complete. He rolled out the moisture-proof mat inside, tossed in the sleeping bag, and finally hung up the tent light. Another job well done. Looking at the tent, which stood firm against any wind, Zhang Beixing nodded in satisfaction.

Then, he started preparing his other necessities. Since he would be living in the mountains, Zhang Beixing decided to cook for himself. So, he bought a small windproof stove for daily cooking and boiling water. He also purchased several solar panels to charge his phone and tent light.

Zhang Beixing busied himself with these tasks. By the time he had tidied up all these miscellaneous items, it was, unbeknownst to him, already three o'clock in the afternoon.

After a busy morning, Master Zhang sat on the ground, his stomach growling. Looking at the windproof stove, which burned fiercely yet didn't shoot out a single spark, he thought for a moment. Then, he scooped a pot of water from the stream and placed it on the stove. He rummaged through his bag for four packets of instant noodles. Once the water boiled, he poured them in, stirred them up, and ate directly from the pot.

After he had devoured the entire pot of noodles, soup and all, Zhang Beixing extinguished the fire and let out a satisfied burp. He rested for a while, leaning on his spear. Then, Zhang Beixing got up, cleaned the pot, and moved aside to practice Yue Family Spearplay.

First day of mountain Martial Arts Training!

I'm not sure if it's the environment or my own changed mindset, Zhang Beixing mused, but he felt that his Yue Family Spearplay was exceptionally smooth. It was just an exceedingly ordinary, detachable spear, not even sharpened. But at that moment, he swung it with such energy that it whooshed through the air, looking mighty and impressive. It was as if he had merged with nature itself, his movements elusive like an antelope hanging by its horns, yet smooth and natural, each strike seemingly heaven-sent. Though he still couldn't generate a potent wind aura, it allowed Zhang Beixing to gain a slightly deeper insight into the Yue Family Spearplay. This surprised him.

So, he pressed his advantage. After practicing the Yue Family Spearplay three or four times and feeling that sense of clarity completely fade, Zhang Beixing began practicing the Yue Family Connected Fists and the Hidden Force version of the Northern Sect Eight Pieces of Brocade.

It was only then that Zhang Beixing understood why so many experts liked to retreat to the mountains when they had free time. Because practicing martial arts in the uninhabited mountains is truly fucking exhilarating!

No constraints, no need to consider others' feelings.

Whether looking far or near, one is surrounded by nature; practicing martial arts in such a state of mind is indeed fantastic.

All I need to do is practice martial arts, martial arts, and more martial arts!

I can practice however I want: on the ground, in the water, even up a tree.

As long as I wish, anything is possible!

No matter how strange or expansive the movements, nobody cares!

Because at this moment, the only person here is me, and me alone!

"ROAR!"

"BOOM!"

"SPLASH! SPLASH!"

With all reservations gone, as Zhang Beixing practiced the Hidden Force version of the Northern Sect Eight Pieces of Brocade, the sounds of Tiger Roar and Rolling Thunder, and of rushing rivers within him, grew louder. His blood surged rapidly, causing his skin to turn crimson, like a cooked lobster. But Zhang Beixing didn't care in the least. Sometimes, when inspiration struck, he even switched techniques, took up his spear, and began to practice a combination of Yue Family Spearplay and his Hidden Force version of the Northern Sect Eight Pieces of Brocade. For a while, the continuous sound of the spear tearing through the air was incessant.

Awesome!

Throwing the spear aside, Zhang Beixing finished his form. He felt his blood coursing as thick as mercury and a sore, weary sensation emanating from every part of his body. Zhang Beixing simply sprawled on the ground and let out a long howl towards the sky.

Pure bliss.

This unrestrained and free form of Martial Arts Training fascinated him.

My only audience is the green hills, witnessing my progress.

Lying on the ground, he rested for a long time until he regained some strength. Zhang Beixing, not bothering to undress, plunged straight into the nearby river, beginning to wash away the grime from his body. In the process, he also scrubbed his clothes, which had been soaked through with sweat.

Just as Zhang Beixing had finished washing himself and his clothes and was preparing to climb out of the water, he noticed the waterfall cascading from above, crashing heavily onto the rocks below. He recalled how in TV dramas, those martial arts experts liked to practice under waterfalls, using the waterfall's Lily Waters to challenge their bodies and strengthen their will. He now considered himself a fledgling expert, but he had yet to try it.

Maybe it's doable!

So, he swam over to the waterfall. He eyed the giant, almost flat boulder that the persistent flow had smoothed over the years. He climbed onto it and, seizing the chance, positioned himself under the waterfall.

Almost instantly, an immense pressure coupled with pain radiated through Zhang Beixing's body. The fierce Lily Waters pounded on him. Despite having mentally prepared himself, he couldn't help but gasp sharply.

"Holy shit, that's intense!" Zhang Beixing exclaimed.

In all his time training, this was the first time he had experienced such pressure. It was fortunate that his physique was extremely strong; both his Power and Constitution had been enhanced to 99.9. Otherwise, anyone else under this severe pressure likely wouldn't last three minutes before being swept away by these Lily Waters into the stream below!

But this is what makes it interesting! Zhang Beixing smirked, feeling the pressure on his body.

Then, standing in place to acclimate himself for a while, he braced against the waterfall's force and attempted to practice his martial arts. He had a premonition: if he could successfully perform the Yue Family Connected Fists under the waterfall's intense pressure, he would achieve a significant breakthrough!

And this significant breakthrough will most likely be...

"External release of Vital Energy!" Zhang Beixing murmured.

External release of Vital Energy, to put it simply, meant channeling one's Hidden Force to the exterior of the body, cloaking one's fists with it. It might seem simple, but in reality, only those who had practiced it knew how difficult it was! It was like asking an impotent man to achieve release on his own—a near impossibility. Unless, that is, he was stimulated by an external factor, transforming him from incapable to capable. Only then could he succeed.

External release of Vital Energy was no different. Previously, Zhang Beixing knew he needed to find a stimulus to force his Hidden Force out of his body. But he had no clue what that specific stimulus might be.

Now, feeling the pressure on his body, Zhang Beixing understood!

The stimulus is pressure.

With that pressure, the Hidden Force within me can be mobilized and released.

That is the key to mastering the external release of Vital Energy!

But... why do I feel like there's still something missing?

"Never mind that!" Zhang Beixing said excitedly. "Let the training begin! Now that I've found the stimulating point for Hidden Force—it's like I've got it by its weak spot. I refuse to believe I can't draw it out!"

This is a truly welcome surprise, he thought.

Then, standing under the waterfall, he began to throw his punches with difficulty.

「 」

Time flew by as Zhang Beixing lost himself in his training.

「July 6th, Thursday.」

Three days had passed since Zhang Beixing entered the mountains on July 3rd.

Released from all restraints, Zhang Beixing's approach to Martial Arts Training was one of "go mad or go home"; he was fierce and relentless. Especially after grasping the key to the external release of Vital Energy, he would earn the required six Ability Points each day, then immediately head under the waterfall to work on it. He trained as if he were indestructible, pushing himself to his absolute limits.

Such intense training meant Zhang Beixing consumed an extreme amount of food during this period. He had originally bought enough food for five days when he went up the mountain, but it was nearly all gone in just three days, forcing him to descend the mountain to purchase more.

But this was not without its rewards. After so many days of frenzied training, Zhang Beixing was now able to stand steadily under the waterfall, withstanding its pressure, and execute the first ten moves of the Yue Family Connected Fists!

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