Chapter 5

• “What martial skill did Duan Ling Tian use just now?”
• “It doesn’t look like a martial skill. It seems just like any ordinary straight punch, but he smoothly dodged Li Xin’s Fierce Tiger Fist, moved to Li Xin’s back, spun his body, and swung out with that punch, all of which happened in just an instant… I wonder how he did it?”
• “Are you kidding me? How could such a strong move not be a martial skill? Duan Ling Tian split open Li Xin’s shoulder blade with just a single punch!”
• ……
• The Li Family disciples discussed energetically, but they were absolutely unable to see through the Collapsing Fist Duan Ling Tian used.
• That fist move… although seemingly simple, its might was truly shocking.
• “Li Xin’s shoulder blade has completely shattered. His right arm is crippled!”
• Fifth Elder examined Li Xin’s injuries and drew in a breath of cold air. He displayed a brief startled expression when he glanced at Duan Ling Tian.
• A mere level one of Body Tempering Stage martial artist was actually able to execute such a formidable attack.
• After assigning some Li Family disciples to carry Li Xin away for treatment, Li Ting walked over to Duan Ling Tian, who was calmly standing there.
• At this very moment, he had the misconception that the person standing in front of him was not a youth but a seasoned expert of the Martial Dao.
• “That fist technique you executed earlier… what is it called? It lacks the complication of common martial skills and instead exerts force like a landslide. How long have you cultivated it?”
• Li Ting glanced at Duan Ling Tian with glistening eyes.
• The Li Family disciples were unable to see through the profoundness of that move, but he saw it clearly.
• That move seemed simple, but it actually utilized a formidable method of force exertion.
• In the instant that Duan Ling Tian swung his fist, the strength of his entire body was perfectly concentrated into a single point.
• It was a feat that was difficult even for a high grade Yellow Rank martial skill to accomplish.
• No, perhaps even ordinary Profound Rank martial skills were unable to accomplish such a feat!
• The martial arts of Cloud Continent were divided into four ranks, from high to low: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.
• Every rank of martial skill was further divided into three grades: high, middle and low.
• In the Li Family, besides the low grade and middle grade Yellow Rank martial skills placed in the Martial Pavilion, there was only one high grade Yellow Rank martial skill, the Wind Chaser Palm.
• This martial skill was only permitted to be cultivated by Li Family martial artists that were at the Core Formation Stage or above.
• But Li Ting knew that even if Wind Chaser Palm was mastered, the exertion of force would still be inferior to that move from earlier.
• “It’s called Collapsing Fist!” said Duan Ling Tian, but he did not say anything regarding his time spent cultivating it.
• How could he say that he cultivated it for over 10 years?
• Collapsing Fist, one of the Five Elemental Fist moves of Form and Will Boxing, was a type of straight punch.
• When exerting force, it stressed upon concealing the accumulation of strength and performing an unexpected, swift, and intense attack which penetrated the internal organs. It was a type of fist technique with powerful penetrative capabilities!
• Collapsing Fist seemed simple, but it actually encompassed the exertion of force of the entire body, including the internal organs.
• In order to reach the same level of cultivation as Duan Ling Tian, it would require at least ten years of hard work.
• “Fifth Elder, I’m going back home. About the incident today, I’m sure you noticed who provoked who first. I hope you can bear witness on my behalf.”
• Duan Ling Tian nodded toward Li Ting, turned around, and left.
• “Collapsing Fist? This kid is extraordinary… Li Rou, all along, even you were deceived by your son… He’s been concealing his abilities and waiting for the right moment!”
• Li Ting took a deep breath and tried to stabilize his agitated mood.
• He noticed that Duan Ling Tian’s Collapsing Fist was not a martial skill that could be cultivated quickly or with ease. He naturally believed that Duan Ling Tian was patiently holding back, hiding his strengths and weaknesses.
• The surrounding Li Family disciples that were spectating the battle dispersed.
• They all knew that the terrifying punch Duan Ling Tian executed was called Collapsing Fist!
• “Satisfying!”
• After arriving back home, Duan Ling Tian heaved a sigh of relief as a brief smile appeared on his immature face.
• Since arriving in this world, this was the first time he executed Form and Will Boxing without restraint!
• In that moment, he felt like he had gone back to his previous life, one that was full of excitement and bloodshed.
• Duan Ling Tian returned to his room and noticed that the remaining Seven Treasures Body Tempering Liquid was only enough for two more medicinal baths.
• “Seems like I need to ask mom to buy me more medicinal herbs.”
• Sitting in the bath barrel, he cultivated Nine Dragons War Sovereign Technique while enjoying the medicinal bath. Duan Ling Tian cultivated intently, but little did he know that, because of his victory against Li Xin, there was a great disturbance in the once tranquil Li Family.
• “Hey! Have you heard? Ninth Elder’s son Duan Ling Tian completed his body tempering and has stepped into level one of Body Tempering Stage!”
• “Pfftt! I knew that long ago. Do you know that Duan Ling Tian not only stepped into level one of Body Tempering Stage, he even severely injured Li Xin during a public battle that was witnessed by the Fifth Elder; he even crippled one of Li Xin’s arms!”
• “Really? Li Xin is already at level two of Body Tempering Stage, and he even cultivated the low grade Yellow Rank martial skill Fierce Tiger Fist to the Initial Stage. Don’t tell me he couldn’t even beat a mere first level of Body Tempering Stage martial artist like Duan Ling Tian?”
• “Fierce Tiger Fist is useless! Duan Ling Tian’s Collapsing Fist is seemingly simple, but it has actually been stripped of all extravagances and returned to simplicity… Now that is formidable! Even Fifth Elder expressed admiration towards it…”
• ……
• The effects of Duan Ling Tian’s Collapsing Fist became more and more exaggerated as the news spread.
• Some Li Family disciples proclaimed it to be a Profound Rank martial skill, some proclaimed it to be an Earth Rank martial skill, and some even proclaimed that Duan Ling Tian’s Collapsing Fist was a Heaven Rank martial skill!
• Within a room in a large courtyard of the Li Family Estate…
• Seventh Elder Li Kun stood beside the bed, looking at the broken shoulder of his son who was so exhausted that he fell asleep.
• In his ears, the voice of the Grand Elder was still ringing, “Seventh Elder, if it was just an ordinary cracked or broken bone then consuming a Grade Nine Gold Injury Pill and getting some rest would be enough to heal the injury. But your son Li Xin’s shoulder blade has been totally shattered… Even if you can get a Grade Eight Gold Injury Pill from the Patriarch, it would make no difference… You have my condolences.”
• “Duan Ling Tian, I want you dead… You must die!!”
• Li Kun’s eyes opened wide and radiated a light of hatred as he gnashed his teeth and clenched his fists; Origin Energy bursted forth as he growled and roared.
• “Dad, how is my little brother?”
• Just at this moment, a hurried voice sounded from outside, as a figure rushed in the room.
• This person was Li Jie, the eldest son of Seventh Elder and a famous genius martial artist of the Li Family.
• He stepped into the fourth level of Body Tempering Stage at the age of sixteen, and he even mastered the middle grade Yellow Rank martial skill Falling Leaf Palm.
• Li Family disciples were considered adults at the age of sixteen.
• After the coming of age ceremony, they would usually be sent to help at one of the Li Family businesses in Fresh Breeze Town, and even Li Jie was not exempted from these duties.
• He rushed home when he heard that his little brother Li Xin had been severely injured.
• Li Kun took a deep breath, and said in an extremely heavy voice, “Little Jie, your little brother… his right shoulder is crippled… Even Grand Elder is unable to do anything.”
• “What?!”
• Li Jie’s body trembled, as if struck by lightning.
• The Grand Elder of the Li family was a famous Grade Nine Alchemist in the entire Fresh Breeze Town! Even Grand Elder was unable to treat his little brother’s injuries. He was clear as to what this implied.
• “Little Xin…”
• Standing at the side of the bed and gazing at the soundly asleep Li Xin, Li Jie’s eyes opened wide and radiated a light of hatred not one bit less than Li Kun!
• His mother died while giving birth to this little brother. He doted dearly upon his little brother all these years… Whether it was food or toys, he would always give priority to his little brother.
• But now, his little brother’s right shoulder was crippled, and his future ruined. Li Jie’s heart was filled with rage!
• “Dad, are you sure it was Duan Ling Tian?” Li Jie asked while looking at Li Kun.
• When he initially heard about this incident, besides being worried for his little brother Li Xin, he felt a sense of disbelief… How could a piece of trash that couldn’t even complete body tempering be capable of severely injuring his little brother?
• “Yes, I talked with Fifth Elder. It was Duan Ling Tian! Three days ago, that piece of trash hadn’t even completed body tempering, but who could have known that today he had not only stepped into the first level of Body Tempering Stage, but also defeated your little brother. He even allegedly used a high ranked Martial Skill called Collapsing Fist!” Li Kun gnashed his teeth while saying.
• “Level one of Body Tempering Stage; Collapsing Fist, huh?”
• Li Jie laughed coldly, his gaze like that of a poisonous snake, “Father, follow me!”
• In a quiet courtyard.
• “Mom, you sent for me. Did something happen?” Duan Ling Tian, who just walked out of his room after he finished absorbing the Seven Treasures Body Tempering Liquid, looked at his mother Li Rou with a slightly embarrassed expression.
• Li Rou gazed at her son in a slightly absentminded manner.
• She still could not believe what she had heard earlier.
• As far as she was concerned, her son being able to complete his body tempering and step into the first level of the Body Tempering Stage was a difficult feat. But this kid… With just one trip to the Martial Pavilion, he crippled the arm of Seventh Elder’s youngest son and even handed him an untreatable injury!
• “Collapsing Fist… Tian, shouldn’t you explain to Mom when you learned a martial skill that even Fifth Elder would exclaim in admiration at?
• Li Rou looked at Duan Ling Tian with a faint smile.
• “Mom, if I told you that when the old man taught me the medicinal formula he taught me this fist technique as well, would you believe me?”
• Duan Ling Tian had an embarrassed smile.
• “Tian, you’re all grown up… Since you have secrets that you’re unable to disclose, Mom won’t force you. But you have to remember, no matter when and no matter what happens, Mom will always be there for you!”
• Li Rou glanced deeply at Duan Ling Tian, sighing faintly.
• “Mom.”
• Duan Ling Tian’s heart trembled, his eyes slightly red.
• Just at this moment, a voice that was disgusting as a fly, broke the warm atmosphere between mother and son. “Ninth Elder, Li Kun requests for an audience!”
• “He still dares to come here?”
• Li Rou’s eyes flashed with a cold light.
• In the next moment, Seventh Elder Li Kun and his eldest son, Li Jie, walked into the courtyard, while glaring hatefully at Duan Ling Tian.
• “Seventh Elder, you didn’t come here on purpose just to make trouble for my son right?” Li Rou took a step forward, shielding Duan Ling Tian behind her, and lightly smiled.
• “Ninth Elder be at ease… The battle between your son, Duan Ling Tian, and my son, Li Xin, was witnessed by Fifth Elder. His arm being crippled is a consequence of his inferior skill; he can’t resent anyone but himself.”
• Li Kun took a deep breath as he repressed the rage in his heart.
• “Then, Seventh Elder came here for…?”
• Li Rou became curious after hearing what Li Kun said.
• “Greetings Ninth Elder,” Li Jie, who was beside Li Kun, stood out and said.
• After greeting Li Rou, Li Jie’s eyes sparkled as he glanced at Duan Ling Tian.
• “Ninth Elder, my father followed me here… The reason I came here is to challenge Duan Ling Tian. I heard his Collapsing Fist is extremely formidable.”
• Hearing what he had to say, Li Rou’s expression turned icy cold.
• “Li Jie, if memory serves me right, you’re one year older than my son and have already stepped into the fourth level of Body Tempering Stage, while my son is only at the first level of Body Tempering Stage… Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for challenging him?” Li Rou glanced at Li Jie and said indifferently.
• “Ninth Elder, Duan Ling Tian is no ordinary first level of Body Tempering Stage martial artist. He easily defeated my little brother, and his strength is formidable!”
• Li Jie smiled, as if he didn’t notice Li Rou’s face turning cold.
• Just when Li Rou was about to harshly see her visitors out, Duan Ling Tian walked out from behind her.
• “I can accept your challenge, but I have one condition!”