I Can See Your Combat Power-Chapter 1937 - 366: Turbulent Changes

After all, martial arts cultivation involves two main aspects: channeling energy and coordinating the body’s movements and steps.

The benefits of a powerful physique, besides enhanced recovery and resilience, are more evident in the strength of one’s meridians. Strong and resilient meridians can withstand increased frequency and volume of Spiritual Energy.

To put it simply, even when training the same exercises, Tang Tianyu can train five hundred times due to the strength of his meridians, while Yang Fan, after two hundred times, would experience discomfort in his meridians, triggering the body’s protective mechanism resulting in spasms, convulsions, and blockage.

Some with weaker bodies or narrower meridians can’t even reach two hundred repetitions.

This is why it’s often said that martial arts cultivation is a game for noble families.

Because ordinary people without sufficient resources, no matter how desperately they practice, will likely only reach the level of an average noble descendant.

This is the harsh reality of cultivation; there’s no fairytale that guarantees surpassing others with hard work; only cold, cruel facts that even with full effort, defeat is likely.

Is it unfair? Certainly, it seems unfair, yet in another sense, it is quite fair.

Because cultivators don’t actually need to have such a high upper limit.

Taking Tang Tianyu and Yang Fan as an example, Tang Tianyu’s physique inherently has a higher upper limit, but this superiority does not easily manifest.

Because time is fair to everyone. While meridians might withstand something five hundred times, the mind can only bear the anguish of practice a hundred times. Therefore, the so-called limit is, in fact, only a hundred times.

Meanwhile, Yang Fan, with tolerance for only two hundred times, can max out his training each day. Though his potential might not match, his progress is actually greater.

This is why along the journey, Tang Tianyu and Tang Nianfan willingly set aside their noble pride to respectfully call him "Eldest Senior Brother."

Tang Tianyu’s thoughts wandered as Yang Fan was finishing his sword practice nearby. Although he wanted to continue, his throbbing meridians disagreed.

With a reluctant heart, Yang Fan sheathed his sword.

Seeing this, Tang Tianyu and Tang Nianfan quickly approached, one helping with the sword, the other supporting him as they walked back to the camp.

Training more, though arduous, is also a shortcut to strengthening bonds. At the very least, through this journey, Tang Nianfan and Tang Tianyu deeply respected Yang Fan.

"Eldest Senior Brother, you’ve worked hard. But please be cautious with your training pace. Even though there’s Spirit Liquid from the sect to nourish you, don’t overstrain your meridians."

Tang Nianfan, holding Yang Fan’s arm, advised earnestly, "Practicing late into the night like this will harm your body!"

"Thank you for your concern, Junior Brother Nianfan. I will heed your advice."

Though Yang Fan responded quickly, with Tang Tianyu holding the sword, he could see from his senior brother’s absentminded expression that Yang Fan was still mentally immersed in the recent practice, despite being physically unable due to the strain on his meridians and endurance.

This dedication was undeniably admirable, yet he felt compelled to remind: "Eldest Senior Brother’s focus is indeed praiseworthy, but excessive immersion, even with Spirit Liquid replenishment, may damage your core. Should that happen, it will be difficult to practice again. Please weigh this carefully."

Yang Fan, initially unworried, was startled by these words and quickly asked, "Do you have any suggestions, Junior Brother?"

With the intention of sharing within the sect, Tang Tianyu revealed his recent practice method: "Not knowing how long you intended to train, I often became distracted. So today, before additional practice, I set a specific number as a goal and concentrated entirely. I wonder if this method might help Eldest Senior Brother?"

Before Yang Fan could respond, Tang Nianfan, who had similar focus issues, brightened: "That’s a great idea, Tianyu!"

"Indeed, it is,"

Yang Fan added, "Tracking numbers this way could prevent overexertion from damaging the core. Thank you, Junior Brother Tianyu!"

"Eldest Senior Brother is too kind!"

Seeing his suggestion being helpful made Tang Tianyu quite pleased.

The next day, after traversing more unseen mountains and dangerous roads for hundreds of miles, the team set up camp again, and the three went out as usual.

After Tang Tianyu’s advice, Tang Nianfan’s efficiency indeed improved, but after the two completed their set quantity, they noticed Yang Fan was still practicing relentlessly.

Did he not listen yesterday?

Seizing the moment Yang Fan switched his sword from right to left hand, Tang Tianyu quickly approached: "Eldest Senior Brother, about the set numbers we discussed yesterday, how many sets did you decide on?"

"Not many, just a hundred sets?"

Yang Fan, with his trembling right arm barely steady, raised a finger and replied with a smile.

Tang Tianyu didn’t believe it at all. Yesterday, even after finishing his practice, Yang Fan would switch his sword hand, but today, despite doing more sets, Eldest Senior Brother had just changed hands.

Yang Fan definitely wasn’t the lazy type, so it was impossible he only did that few; he directly pointed out: "Eldest Senior Brother, Tianyu has completed two hundred sets; how could you have only done a hundred?"

"I really only did a hundred extra sets, truly!"

Yang Fan’s tone was sincere, just short of swearing an oath.

However, Tang Nianfan sensed something and asked gently: "Eldest Senior Brother, how did you count those hundred sets?"

"Count them? Just one after another, of course."

"Uh, I mean,"

Tang Nianfan rephrased cautiously, "When did you start counting those hundred sets?"

"From when the meridians began to feel sore."

Yang Fan easily responded, yet Tang Nianfan and Tang Tianyu inhaled sharply at his answer.

Yang Fan, accustomed to it, seeing their stunned expressions, carried on to the side and resumed his sword practice.

...

"Once we cross that mountain, we’ll have reached the domain of Zhongzhou!"

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Regardless of how long, if one is determined to walk, there will ultimately be a day of arrival.

The seemingly endless Gogong Mountain Range, under the relentless daily crossings by the young men, had finally reached an end.

Yet, looking at the massive barrier reaching into the clouds, indicated by their leader, it was hard to believe it was just a "mountain."

"This mountain is ridiculously tall."

Pei Mu squinted as he gazed, and even with occasional gaps in the clouds, the peak was nowhere in sight.

"Both the wind and clouds head towards Donglan Mountain; this should be Zhongzhou’s Donglan Mountain. Seeing this means we’ve reached Zhongzhou’s boundary!"

Compared to Pei Mu’s exclamation, Tang Nianfan spoke more substantively, though unable to hide his excitement in his words.

The vast Gogong had ultimately been conquered by them. Modern people indeed surpassed their predecessors, and now, the next step awaited.

Gazing along the rugged precipice of Donglan Mountain, Tang Nianfan looked towards the heavens, his spirit soaring.

The members’ excitement mostly stemmed from their unawareness of the true vastness, only seeing the majestic peak without realizing the relentless lightning on such a towering mountain must be ferocious.