I Can See Your Combat Power

The so-called internal power refers to a martial artist’s cultivation of their own physical capabilities. It involves the release of body-generated energy as an offensive force. In general, the martial artists who have cultivated to the point of understanding hidden strength are considered to have done excellent work in developing their physical abilities.

Before practicing hidden strength, martial artists need to overcome several thresholds. In the early stages of martial arts training, the goal of every individual is to accumulate the body’s energy together and deliver it with a single punch.

This type of internal power is called hard strength. Methods for cultivating hard strength are found in most techniques taught at the Mortal Realm level. This forms the foundation of all martial arts training.

After hard strength, comes the practice of soft strength, known as the art of deflection and increasing strength, alternatively referred to as ‘transforming strength’.

When hard and soft strengths are combined and fully understood, one is said to have achieved ‘visible’ strength. Normally, martial artists who have advanced to the Mortal Realm can reach this stage.

Seeing Tang Luo’s humble demeanor, Tang Hongtao nodded, not finding any issue with it.

No matter how talented a person is, each day offers the same amount of time, and energy is always limited. Tang Luo’s exceptional achievement in Spirit Art is not just a matter of talent, but also a result of focus and diligence.

Therefore, it was expected that Tang Luo would have trouble reaching the level of hidden strength. According to Tang Hongtao’s assumptions, Tang Luo maybe was struggling with either the point of soft strength or the bottleneck area of hard strength.

However, what Tang Luo said next completely shattered the latter’s assumptions. Scratching his head, Tang Luo confessed, “I can’t seem to figure out how to start with hard strength. I came to seek your guidance.”

A highly advanced martial artist at the peak of the Mortal Realm, who is yet to grasp even the basic foundational technique of hard strength – this fact caused Tang Hongtao to let out a bitter laugh, “This is really… unexpected.”

After all, he never imagined he would encounter such a situation. Tang Luo silently raged at his predicament internally, but outwardly maintained an obedient posture with sincere eyes.

Facing such a humble student asking for guidance, all Tang Hongtao could do was to elaborate on the methods for cultivating hard strength. Yet, the depth of understanding shared by this renowned researcher from the Tang Clan was enough to make the path of hard strength fascinating.

“Hard strength is defined by the power of aggressiveness and swiftness. The kind of hard strength one comprehends varies based on the differences in their weapon techniques.”

“For instance, those who practice palm techniques easily understand push strength; those who practice finger techniques easily understand snap strength; those who practice fist techniques easily understand punch strength; those who practice leg techniques easily understand crashing strength; those who practice claw techniques easily understand scratch strength; those who practice knife techniques easily understand horizontal strength; those who practice flexible arts easily understand splitting strength; and those who practice throwing techniques easily understand crashing strength.”

“There are nine types of hard strength. Comprehending all nine types signifies mastery of basic hard strength. If one can further merge these types of hard strength into one, they would have truly mastered hard strength!”

“Wow!” Tang Luo exclaimed in amazement.

The difference between a martial arts expert and an ordinary fighter lies here. All martial artists who have transcended the Mortal Realm have learned one or two types of hard strength. However, they are of the view that once they are skilled in one type of hard strength and apply it to martial arts, hard strength is cultivated, and they can move on to training for hidden strength.

But in Tang Hongtao’s eyes, understanding all nine types of hard strength is a prerequisite that constitutes only a basic level of understanding. To reach the level of true mastery, one must integrate multiple types of strength.

Following this standard, practically all martial artists would need to relearn everything to be considered up to par. After all, the transition from the Mortal Realm to surpassing it spans about a decade. To achieve mastery of visible strength within this timeframe, one must comprehend at least one type of hard strength each year, a daunting standard to live up to.

Seeing Tang Luo’s astonished expression, Tang Hongtao felt that his standard was rather demanding, and comforted him by saying, “This is only an understanding from your teacher. Generally, after cultivating two or three types of visible strength, you can start practicing hidden strength. There’s no need to meet the standard of basic mastery.”

“No, no, no, you’ve misunderstood,” Tang Luo quickly responded, shaking his hands. “I was just amazed at the complexity and depth of visible strength. Since I have decided to research body techniques, if I can’t even achieve full understanding of visible strength, how can I talk about anything else? So, Master, I will leave you to your work. I will go and study visible strength on my own for a while.”

Tang Luo may have many shortcomings, but shying away from difficulties is not one of them. After all, the pathway of the Undying Battle Body combined with physical cultivation is a glorious one. Particularly for him, if he cannot elevate his level in his field to the highest, how can he compete with the world’s prodigies?

Looking at his disciple’s resolute expression, Tang Hongtao nodded in satisfaction, and advised, “The category of visible strength is diverse, and the speed at which each person comprehends varies. If you encounter a type of visible strength that is extremely difficult to understand, I suggest you try understanding a different type. We, the Tang Clan, are highly proficient in palm techniques. You can start with ‘push strength’ first.”

As he spoke, Tang Hongtao extended a hand into the void. A golden spiritual palm appeared, retrieving a scroll from the bookshelf, and placed it into Tang Luo’s hand.

“This contains some comprehension and understanding of the nine types of visible strength. Read it, it may help with your cultivation of visible strength.” Respectfully accepting the scroll, Tang Luo thanked Tang Hongtao, “Thank you, Master.”

Although Tang Hongtao spoke light-heartedly, Tang Luo was fully aware that the scroll in his possession contained his master’s cultivation records. Possessing this invaluable scroll would save him from years of intensive training and prevent many potential mistakes.

“Off you go,” said Tang Hongtao, nodding. A sense of expectation filled his eyes,

Having such a gifted student studying body techniques was a great advantage. But knowing Tang Luo’s talent in Spirit Art, he feared that focusing on body techniques might hinder his development, which left Tang Hongtao somewhat undecided.

Tang Luo, on the other hand, left happily. With the scroll in hand, he could now fully cultivate himself independently. Self-cultivation was crucial to him. Because the first step in cultivating visible strength is adjusting oneself to the Herculean power. Since that night, he had not exercised the Undying Battle Body in fear that his sudden change in physique would raise suspicion. Now, under the pretext of cultivation, he could retreat and re-emerge after some time without drawing much attention to himself.

Right now, he needed to apply for a cultivation room from Uncle Fu. After picking up the iron hammer in two days, he could begin his retreat.

Thinking of it still made him a little excited-

In Mi Bai’s memory, feelings of happiness have been drifting further away from him since he turned ten. If he hadn’t established a basic foundation in martial arts during his childhood, enabling him to attain the cultivation of the Mortal Realm, he might not have been able to endure even the early years.

In his memories, poverty always seemed to be a perpetual state. He had witnessed too many heart-wrenching yet helpless events. At one point, he had thought that his life was destined to be like this and would never improve.

Until he fell in love with calligraphy and painting, and began to learn the scholarly virtues.

He learned that the nature of the universe pushes us to constantly strive for self- improvement!

He started earning a living by tutoring people, slowly escaping the verge of subsistence. He used his ability to take care of orphans who were left alone on the streets.

That kind of life was already the best thing in his heart until he met Mr. Xu and Tang Luo.

Ever since he met these two incredible friends, his life began to improve significantly.

Not only did he manage to protect the children from the Righteous Gang, but he also began to pursue his passions.

After that experience at Red Cloud Mountain, the owner of the neglected courtyard in Fengqing Alley visited. The individual was a middle-aged man with white hair who clearly came from a wealthy background and had cultivation levels.

Just when he and the children were about to become homeless, the man offered to lease him the abandoned courtyard out of pity for the children..