Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Unity of Heart and Will

Ever since most of the martial artists in the Li Family Fortress had perished, the strongest remaining was Du Jiangbo, a Refining Skin Realm martial artist.

With Gu Sheng’s current strength,

his First-level Penetration archery and Great Success Iron Stone Fist technique, killing a Refining Skin Realm martial artist was not a difficult task.

However, he still decided to proceed cautiously. After all, the Li Family Fortress didn’t only have one martial artist. There might even be people from the Black Sand Gang stationed there.

”When my Iron Stone Fist reaches the Perfect level, combined with breaking through to the Refining Skin Realm and my archery skills, I’ll truly be unbeatable below the Blood Refining Realm—at least in the vicinity of Canghe County.”

”By then, even when facing multiple Refining Skin Realm martial artists, I’ll be able to advance and retreat with ease!”

Gu Sheng wasn’t very familiar with the conditions beyond this region. He had no idea if martial artists of the same realm possessed secret techniques to enhance their strength.

But within Canghe County,

most martial artists only studied body refinement martial arts. Those like the martial artist he countered and killed in the black market last time, who had also mastered lightfoot martial arts, were already quite rare.

If Gu Sheng could bring his Iron Stone Fist to the Perfect level, he would be able to sweep through the Refining Skin Realm unbeaten!

”Practice boxing! Break through as quickly as possible!”

Gu Sheng’s gaze was resolute. His motivation for martial training intensified, and his fist techniques grew faintly sharper.

...

Time flowed onward.

Gu Sheng continued training diligently in martial arts while also venturing into the mountains for hunting.

Additionally, he spent more time mingling with hunters, subtly steering Zhang Ze, San Scars, and others toward discussing topics related to the Li Family Fortress. Bit by bit, he gathered more information regarding the fortress, Li Yu, and Han Lu.

Du Jiangbo and Li Yu were practically at odds like fire and water.

Li Yu rarely ventured out, except for the occasional trip to town with Han Lu.

Han Lu appeared to visit the Li Family Fortress for only one or two days each month.

The details were fragmented and sparse,

but Gu Sheng paid unusual attention to them as he began to slowly prepare.

”Additionally, based on the news coming from the Li Family Fortress, it seems Li Yu has indeed been asking Han Lu to do something, but Han Lu has been stalling and doesn’t seem willing to comply. Lately, though, Han Lu’s stance seems to have softened. Matters involving pillow talk can’t be left to chance...”

”Others might not know, but I’m nearly certain that Li Yu is asking Han Lu to uncover the truth behind her brother’s death...”

”Li Yu, courting death yourself!”

Gu Sheng silently made up his mind.

”Since you care so deeply about your brother, why not go down and reunite with him!”

In the courtyard,

Gu Sheng’s chest surged with killing intent, and his fists immediately became ferocious. His punches rained down like a towering mountain collapsing, brimming with murderous rage, their force even more devastating!

He practiced the Iron Stone Fist over and over. The courtyard filled with howling winds, like the thundering roar of countless soldiers charging into battle!

Suddenly,

Gu Sheng’s head cleared, and he shuddered.

Stopping his practice,

Gu Sheng looked at his own hands. He realized that his previous state was off. Harboring intense killing intent toward Li Yu had subtly altered the essence of his Iron Stone Fist. While it might be effective in combat, it would likely reduce the effectiveness of tempering his skin and might even risk injuring himself.

Since awakening his innate wisdom, Gu Sheng had always been cautious and meticulous, working hard in obscurity. From struggling to survive to finally achieving initial success in martial arts, the effort he had expended was beyond what others could imagine.

Now, upon suddenly learning that Li Yu was tracking him, he could faintly sense the pressure that Han Lu represented, and his mindset had turned a bit restless.

”No need to rush. Han Lu doesn’t quite care about this matter for now. I still have time. Once Li Yu is dead, all troubles will be resolved. As for the Black Sand Gang, I have time to continue growing stronger.”

”But killing Li Yu cannot be done recklessly; it needs a plan that won’t implicate me.”

Taking a deep breath, Gu Sheng began to clear his mind. After calming himself, he resumed the stance of the Iron Stone Fist.

”Right now, I am just a step away from the Perfect level of the Iron Stone Fist. With the right state of mind, breaking through is only a matter of days. No need to rush.”

This time,

Gu Sheng gradually regained his earlier focus.

After bringing the Iron Stone Fist to the Great Success level, the lines between offense and training blurred. Movement and stillness became closely integrated and interchangeable.

Now, his strikes alternated between being as slow and steady as a mountain gliding across the land, and as fierce as a tiger charging down the mountainside. His power exploded with vigor, stimulating the skin coated with Body Refining Ointment, giving him a vivid sense of growth.

He became even more immersed,

gradually forgetting the strands of pressure brought on by Li Yu and Han Lu, his mind settling into complete tranquility.

”Power King Hurls Stone!”

”Iron Fist Crosses Blade!”

”Crushing Mountain Strike!”

...

Gu Sheng practiced each move slowly. Even within the same ’Power King Hurls Stone,’

sometimes he was like a wrathful Vajra hurling a boulder, exuding an incomparably oppressive aura; at other times, he was like a god effortlessly lifting a cauldron, appearing serene and at ease.

The same move gradually began to take on different nuances.

And these contrasting elements,

began to slowly merge together.

”Combat emphasizes momentum; training emphasizes mindfulness! The Perfect level means uniting both mind and momentum. If every move’s essence can align, that is the Perfect level!”

An epiphany flashed through Gu Sheng’s mind.

The countless days and nights of arduous practice finally bore fruit in this moment.

Starting with ’Power King Hurls Stone,’ Gu Sheng began revisiting, honing, and integrating all eighteen techniques of the Iron Stone Fist!

His fist techniques gained an increasingly profound flavor.

As the essence of each move began to align, the division between combat and training utterly vanished!

Previously, when Gu Sheng practiced punches, he could easily switch between the two modes, allowing his combat techniques to help temper his skin. But the two parts remained distinctly separate.

Now,

he had returned to the essence of the eighteen techniques of the Iron Stone Fist, achieving a state akin to returning to simplicity and purity.

”This is the Perfect level!”

Gu Sheng couldn’t hold back a laugh. At this moment, he felt power coursing endlessly through his body, doubling his strength yet again!

With a casual punch, the sound of rushing force filled the air.

The power imbued in his flesh made his already superhuman strength, over double that of an ordinary person, even more terrifying. Gu Sheng lowered his eyes and threw another punch.

”Power King Hurls Stone!”

His punch struck with the weight of a massive boulder, fierce and domineering.

Boom!

The wooden stake before him shattered instantly, turning into a cloud of splinters that flew in all directions.

It was impossible to imagine what would happen if such a punch landed on a human body. Even a Refining Skin Realm martial artist would likely end up with broken bones and severed tendons—a horrifying outcome.

Gu Sheng’s eyes glimmered with joy.

”The Iron Stone Fist has reached the Perfect level. My strength is now ten times what it was at the entry level! This power, combined with my fists and feet, makes my might even more terrifying. Not only that, but my stamina and combat endurance have also vastly improved!”

”Now, I am undoubtedly the number one Iron Stone Fist practitioner in Gu’s Manor!”

He felt a strong sense of satisfaction welling up inside.

Over the span of a year,

he had surpassed Gu Jingang in terms of mastery of the Iron Stone Fist realm!

This was achieved entirely through his own hard work—without any falsehood—though the aid of his interface was undoubtedly crucial.

”With my power now tenfold, the speed at which I temper my skin will also multiply, further accelerating my training!”

”With newfound strength, skin tempering yields its best results. Today is the day I break through to the Refining Skin Realm!”

Gu Sheng collected his thoughts and employed the Perfect-level Iron Stone Fist to temper his skin, striving with all his might to break through his bottleneck.