Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 190 - 184: Setting Out

The next morning.

TAP TAP TAP!

Carrying the data on the Northern Three Prefectures' Martial Arts Realm, Ning Muqing hurried to the private villa where Zhou Yuanjue was staying and pushed open the door to the training room on the first floor.

BUZZ!!

The moment she pushed the door open, Ning Muqing saw a visible red glow spread out from within the training room.

SIZZLE!

The arm she extended into the room was instantly seared. The moisture on her skin evaporated, and the fine hairs on her arm singed and curled, causing her to reflexively pull her hand back.

At that moment, the training room was like a massive steel-smelting furnace, scorching everything inside.

'No wonder the higher-ups specifically requested that no equipment be placed in the training room and that the walls be coated with a layer of heat insulation...'

'His daily training is this insane. He really wasn't even using a tenth of his strength when he fought me.'

Ning Muqing took a deep breath, closed the door she had opened, and waited quietly outside. About half an hour later, when the commotion inside the training room gradually subsided, she pushed the door open again and walked in.

Zhou Yuanjue had just finished his training. He wore only a pair of tight, specially-made training pants, revealing his near-perfect physique.

"You got the data?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked, turning to face Ning Muqing.

"I did. It's all here."

Ning Muqing nodded and handed the files to Zhou Yuanjue.

In the Northern Three Prefectures, there were many famous schools and families, but the very top were known as the "Two Families and One Faction." These three powers had divided the Northern Three Prefectures among themselves and formed an alliance called the "Northern Three Prefectures Martial Artists Association." They established the rules, becoming a colossus in the Northern Three Prefectures' Martial Arts Realm. This association was colloquially nicknamed the "Northern Martial Alliance."

Under this alliance's constraints, it was incredibly difficult for anyone to open a dojo, establish a school, or build a power base in the Northern Three Prefectures. After going through a whole set of rules and procedures, any new dojo or family would be branded with the mark of the Northern Martial Alliance. With entangled interests, their positions dictated their allegiances.

And if someone opened a dojo and took on students without the Northern Martial Alliance's approval, the Alliance didn't need to resort to any underhanded tricks. A constant stream of experts showing up to challenge the dojo would be enough to destroy it completely.

Therefore, for many years, almost no Martial Artist had been able to establish their own school without the Northern Martial Alliance's consent. The Changhe Martial Arts School was the sole exception.

"The principal of the Changhe Martial Arts School is also a legendary figure. He was obsessed with the Martial Dao in his youth, but he came from a poor background and had unremarkable Physical Talent. With no family backing and no Talent, the various schools and families of the Northern Martial Alliance naturally looked down on him, and he was unable to receive any true teachings. Later, he left the Northern Three Prefectures and traveled the country, finally managing to learn a Second-class Fist Technique. With this technique, he achieved the realm of Mastery of Fist Techniques."

"After that, he used his willpower and wisdom to break through the shackles of this Second-class Fist Technique and forge his own path. Becoming Holy and Bright, he charged toward the Saint Awakening Realm."

As she said this, Ning Muqing couldn't help but pause and look at Zhou Yuanjue.

It was only after officially becoming Zhou Yuanjue's assistant that she had gotten access to certain data and learned that he, too, had previously cultivated a Second-class Fist Technique. He had also forged his own path, broken through the technique's shackles, and ultimately reached Saint Awakening.

'The principal of the Changhe Martial Arts School may be a legendary figure, but compared to the man before me, his light seems to dim somewhat.'

"He broke the shackles of a Fist Technique and forged his own path?"

A hint of interest appeared in Zhou Yuanjue's eyes. As a Cultivator of a Second-class Fist Technique himself, he knew just how difficult it was to break free from a technique's constraints. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Perseverance, willpower, opportunity, and enlightenment—not one could be missing.

For the principal of the Changhe Martial Arts School to have achieved this, he must be a man with a will of steel.

"Unfortunately, he was already quite old when he broke through the Fist Technique's shackles. Although his power reached the Half Step Saint Awakening Realm, he ultimately failed to break through the final barrier and could advance no further."

"However, aside from his astonishing wisdom, he also possesses an incredible talent for teaching. In his years of cultivation, he has trained many powerful disciples. Furthermore, during his travels across the country, he built up a wide network of contacts in the Martial Arts Realm and befriended a group of like-minded individuals."

"Afterward, knowing that Saint Awakening was hopeless for him, he reflected on the difficulties he'd faced in pursuing martial arts in his youth. He felt those struggles had cost him precious years and were the greatest obstacle to his own attainment of Saint Awakening. He made up his mind, gathered his friends and disciples, and returned to the Northern Three Prefectures to establish the Changhe Martial Arts School. He wanted to break the Northern Martial Alliance's monopoly and allow anyone in the Northern Three Prefectures with a heart for martial arts to walk the correct path, ensuring no more hidden gems would be lost to the Alliance's rigid rules."

"This man was incredibly powerful, and with his friends and disciples also being extraordinarily strong, they managed to withstand the Northern Martial Alliance's suppression and gradually establish a foothold in the Northern Three Prefectures. Over the years, his dedicated teaching has slowly made the Changhe Martial Arts School famous throughout the land."

"In the recent Northern Martial Arts Tournament, four of the top sixteen competitors were from the Changhe Martial Arts School."

Ning Muqing said.

"Quite an impressive character. Have you ever fought a student from the Changhe Martial Arts School? What were they like?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked, briefly glancing at the data in his hand.

"I have. My impression of them is this: In terms of technique, they aren't bound by any single school—all methods are unified under one principle. In terms of spirit, their ambition is extraordinary, radiant like the morning sun. In terms of character, they possess an unyielding pride, yet they are also gentle, humble, and as clear as jade. I have to say, the principal of the Changhe Martial Arts School is truly a remarkable man."

"Some people are born with extraordinary talent and break through all shackles with their individual power. But there are others whose every action can inspire the masses. Perhaps the principal of the Changhe Martial Arts School is the latter."

Ning Muqing said after a moment of contemplation.

"Excellent. In that case, our first stop will be the Changhe Martial Arts School."

A smile touched the corners of Zhou Yuanjue's lips.

...

...

Celestial Yang Prefecture, Beihai City.

Sunshine International Airport.

Because they were traveling in a personal capacity, Zhou Yuanjue and Ning Muqing didn't borrow any resources from the Secret Inspection Bureau. They booked their own plane tickets and flew to Beihai City.

Stepping off the plane and into the airport, Zhou Yuanjue scanned his surroundings and was slightly surprised to find that many of the people around him showed signs of having practiced the Martial Dao.

"Because of the Changhe Martial Arts School, Beihai City has a strong martial arts culture. Many people from all over the Northern Martial Arts Realm come here, drawn by its reputation, and there are even martial arts enthusiasts from other countries. This isn't even the most bustling place. Changhe Town, where the school is located, is the real hub. I hear a whole series of industries related to the Martial Dao and combat have developed there. You might be in for a surprise when we get there."

Ning Muqing said with a smile, having clearly done her homework before they came.

"Oh?"

Hearing Ning Muqing's words, Zhou Yuanjue's interest was piqued even more. He hadn't known much about the Northern Martial Arts Realm before, but he hadn't expected to find such an interesting place in the Northern Three Prefectures. He'd never seen anything like it, not even in the Southern Boxing Three Capitals, where the martial arts culture was extremely prevalent.