Stronger with More Jobs-Chapter 374 - 212: Confronting Nature as a Mortal

Early the next morning.

The morning light of the Pocket World Blessed Land gently fell on the Bamboo Creek Courtyard through the sparse shadows of bamboo.

Fang Qingyu pushed open the door, and Jiang Wei followed behind him like a little tail.

The two arrived at the edge of the training ground, where Wei Banmeng and two others had just finished their morning exercises and were wiping sweat.

"Qingzi?"

Wei Banmeng saw Fang Qingyu approaching, his cool eyes carrying an inquiry.

Fang Qingyu glanced at the three, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power, "I am preparing to enter the ’Abyss’ again. How about you? How are you feeling?"

"Right now?" Chu Kuanglan’s hand pausing in mid-wipe, his voice deep and muffled, asked, "God Fang, are you... ready? The step at the doorstep of becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster..."

Lu Jiuyuan also cast a suspicious glance, "God Fang, are you truly prepared?"

Wei Banmeng remained silent, simply looking at Fang Qingyu, waiting for his answer.

Fang Qingyu nodded slightly.

In the depths of his eyes, molten gold-like, beneath the calm surface seemed to flow molten magma.

"I feel, it’s just the final little bit... a trace of the mysterious," he slowly spoke, his voice low, "Let’s see if this time I can find it."

As soon as he finished speaking.

A gentle, soothing voice, like a spring breeze rustling through the bamboo forest, unexpectedly sounded beside everyone.

"This final piece is the resonance of the Power of Nature. What you lack is not accumulation, but the ’facing’ that comes after letting go."

The few of them were startled and quickly turned their heads.

It was then that they saw Yan Shouzheng quietly standing under the bamboo shadows at some point, clad in a plain long robe, his aura calm and distant, as if he was one with this Pocket World Blessed Land.

"Pavilion Master Yan!"

The four quickly bowed in salute.

Jiang Wei also lifted her small head, her clear big eyes glanced at Yan Shouzheng, then lowered her head back to fiddling with her tablet.

Yan Shouzheng casually waved his hand, indicating no need for formalities. His gaze paused on Fang Qingyu for a moment, carrying a hint of subtle approval, before seating himself on a nearby stone bench.

"Since you’re all here, it’s just right to talk to you about the last hurdle of becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster."

His voice was gentle, yet every word was clear, like the light chime of jade hitting against each other, knocking on everyone’s heart.

Fang Qingyu and the others immediately focused their minds, sitting down before Yan Shouzheng, their gaze intense.

"The so-called comprehension of nature, causing the manifestation of heavenly anomalies, is not as simple as its literal meaning."

Yan Shouzheng’s gaze was far-reaching, as if piercing the barriers of the Pocket World Blessed Land, seeing the turbulent ’Abyss’.

"In the ’Abyss’, you experience thunderstorms, lava, darkness, hurricanes... It appears to be a direct confrontation with the great forces of nature. But your Qi Blood, your Qi Force, your flesh, and even your mind and will, upon first contact with the terrifying Heavenly Might, have already instinctively operated at full force to set up layers of defense, trying to resist."

Yan Shouzheng’s gaze swept over them, possessing a deep insight into everything.

"This is not a true confrontation. This is merely the powerful instinct of martial artists, protecting yourselves while also isolating you from ’feeling’ that awe of the heavens in its purest, most primitive way."

"True comprehension of nature requires..." Yan Shouzheng paused, his tone becoming extremely solemn, "Letting go of everything! Let go of Qi Blood, let go of Qi Force, let go of defenses, let go of the martial artist’s identity! With a completely, utterly naked mortal body, go embrace, endure, and experience that most authentic vastness, ferocity, ruthlessness, and... nature within the heavens and earth!"

"A mere mortal... directly facing the might of heaven?"

Lu Jiuyuan subconsciously murmured, his face filled with disbelief.

Chu Kuanglan’s eyes widened suddenly, blurting out in a deep, muffled voice, "Master! How is this different from suicide?! Without Qi Blood protection, without Qi Force support... even an ordinary thunderbolt striking, or being splashed by lava, or swept up by a tornado... would mean certain death!"

His voice carried strong doubt and fear, voicing the feelings of everyone present except Jiang Wei.

To face the extreme environment of nature with a mere mortal body?

That’s not comprehension, that’s seeking death!

Listening to Chu Kuanglan’s almost uncontrollable doubt, Yan Shouzheng did not become angry; instead, he slowly shook his head, letting out a long laugh.

"Hehehe..."

The laughter echoed in the bamboo forest, exuding an air of seeing through worldly changes with open-mindedness, yet also carrying a trace of understanding towards the inherent fear of the younger generation.

"Between life and death, there is great terror, but also great opportunity."

Yan Shouzheng’s gaze was profound, as if embodying wisdom accumulated over endless years.

"The way of Martial Arts is to live by heading towards death. Only when you force yourself to the brink can you clearly see the truly original rhythm of the world hidden by powerful forces?"

"How can you truly resonate with nature?"

"You feel it’s a dead end, it’s suicide..." Yan Shouzheng’s gaze finally rested on Fang Qingyu, carrying deep meaning, "But this is the only path to break through the barrier of becoming a Grandmaster."

The moment his words fell.

Yan Shouzheng’s figure, like blue smoke blown away by the wind, naturally transformed from solid to ethereal before everyone’s eyes, slowly fading away.

The light laughter that echoed in the bamboo forest the second before still lingered in their ears, the next second, the stone bench was already empty.

Leaving only Fang Qingyu and the four of them, along with Jiang Wei holding her tablet, facing the empty stone bench and swaying bamboo shadows.

The air seemed to freeze.

Chu Kuanglan’s mouth hung open, the astonishment on his face had yet to fade.

Lu Jiuyuan furrowed his brows tightly, his eyes flickering intensely, clearly experiencing a fierce internal struggle.

Wei Banmeng’s cold face was also filled with heaviness, she looked towards Fang Qingyu, seemingly wanting to discern something from his expression.