Chapter 1

Yucheng, Wang's Martial Arts Hall.

It was already past three in the morning, but the lights in Wang's Martial Arts Hall were still on.

Wang Yue sat in front of the light, carefully savoring the "Manual of Boxing Techniques" passed down through generations.

"How can I achieve the hidden strength described in this 'Manual of Boxing Techniques'? What exactly is the 'Tiger-Leopard Thunder Sound'?"

Wang Yue had read this ancient book no less than a thousand times, but the methods for cultivating hidden strength were far from complete.

As for the subsequent transformation strength and the legendary pill strength, they were only briefly mentioned, with no cultivation methods provided.

If it weren't for the fact that this "Manual of Boxing Techniques" had been passed down through generations of the Wang family, Wang Yue would have suspected that the higher realms were fake.

Wang Yue was already thirty-two years old. If he didn't enter the hidden strength realm soon, he knew he would never have the chance again.

After the age of thirty, one's qi and blood begin to decline, making it impossible to improve martial arts skills.

"Master."

A young man's voice sounded from outside the room.

Wang Yue's brows furrowed slightly, then he smiled and said, "It's Chen Zhi. Come in."

Chen Zhi, wearing a white training uniform, entered with a cup of tea. "Master, it's late. Have a cup of tea to stay alert."

Wang Yue smiled. "Yes, you should get some rest too."

Chen Zhi stood still, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Master, are you really going to fight Wu Cheng? I heard he's a famous master and even serves as an instructor in the military. Master, Wu Cheng is a senior. Even if you don't accept the challenge, no one will laugh at you."

Wang Yue looked at Chen Zhi, this honest disciple, and felt a warm feeling in his heart.

The martial arts hall was poorly managed, and most of the disciples had left, but Chen Zhi remained loyal, which made Wang Yue very pleased.

Wang Yue thought to himself, "Chen Zhi is dedicated to martial arts and can endure hardship, but unfortunately, his talent is limited."

"Ha ha, Chen Zhi, there are many things you don't know." Wang Yue smiled, but his smile was somewhat bitter. "Wu Cheng, no matter how strong he is, is just a hired hand. The one truly forcing me is Li Kun, the chairman of Xinghe Group. The Wang's Martial Arts Hall has a large area and a good location. Li Kun wants to use this land to build a villa complex, but I won't sell it. I didn't expect him to bring in Wu Cheng."

Chen Zhi was shocked, not realizing there were so many things he didn't know.

"Master, since you know it's Li Kun causing trouble, why are you still accepting the challenge? Won't you fall into Li Kun's trap?" Chen Zhi's voice was anxious.

Wang Yue shook his head slightly. "If I don't accept, Li Kun will definitely have other schemes. It's better to face the challenge. Sigh, the era of martial arts has passed. Now it's the era of money. Li Kun has money, and this land will eventually be his, unless I have more money than him? But I, Wang Yue, am just a martial artist. Where do I have money? Ha ha."

Wang Yue closed the "Manual of Boxing Techniques" and handed it to Chen Zhi, saying seriously, "Chen Zhi, among all the students learning martial arts, I only consider you a true disciple. Unfortunately, your talent is limited. This 'Manual of Boxing Techniques' contains the essence of our Wang family's martial arts. It not only includes the boxing insights of our ancestors but also my own reflections. If I die on the stage tomorrow, find a good disciple and pass on the martial arts."

"Master."

Chen Zhi, tears streaming down his face, didn't know what to say. He was not good with words, being honest and simple. Apart from wanting his master to give up the fight, he didn't know what else to say.

Finally, Chen Zhi took the "Manual of Boxing Techniques." "Master, rest assured. I will definitely pass on your martial arts."

Chen Zhi later dedicated himself to martial arts, and with the "Manual of Boxing Techniques" and his incredible perseverance, he eventually became a great master.

Chen Zhi left with the "Manual of Boxing Techniques."

Wang Yue stood by the window and said coldly, "Between life and death, there is great fear. I have already put life and death out of my mind. If I can't become a hidden strength martial artist, I will die on the stage. Wu Cheng, even if you are a hidden strength martial artist, I, Wang Yue, am not afraid of you. I want to see just how powerful you, the inheritor of Wu-style Tai Chi, really are!"

...

In the northern district of Yucheng, in an underground fighting arena, Wang Yue stood in the center, eyes closed, cultivating his spirit.

Li Kun smiled. "Wang Yue, if you agree to my conditions, I can immediately cancel the fight between you and Master Wu. Not only can you join my company, but you will also enjoy endless wealth and honor."

Wang Yue opened his eyes, a hint of disdain on his lips. "Li Kun, although I am poor, I am not someone who can be bought with money. I am a martial artist!"

Li Kun snorted. "Hmph, an ungrateful thing. We'll see how you die today! Master Wu, it's up to you."

A middle-aged man in black training clothes stepped forward from behind Li Kun and smiled. "Nephew, don't worry. Although Wang Yue has some skills, it won't be a problem for me to deal with him."

This middle-aged man was Wu Cheng, the direct descendant of Wu-style Tai Chi, a great master who had reached the hidden strength realm.

A young man holding a "Life and Death Contract" walked onto the stage.

Wang Yue and Wu Cheng each signed their names on it.

Although this fight had few spectators and was illegal, according to martial arts rules, the procedures still had to be followed.

Wu Cheng looked at Wang Yue like a hawk staring at its prey. "Master Wang, I heard you are cultivating Xingyi Quan, Tai Chi, and Bajiquan, the three major internal martial arts? I don't know whether to say you are versatile or foolish. Internal martial arts are profound. Specializing in one style for a lifetime may not even lead to the peak of cultivation, yet you are cultivating three styles at once. Truly overestimating your abilities. Ha ha, if you had specialized in one style, you might have already reached the hidden strength stage."

Wang Yue knew his problem was learning too many styles. But now, it was too late to change.

"Enough talk. Fight!" Wang Yue shouted.

Wu Cheng sneered. "Since you are so eager to die, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Wang Yue and Wu Cheng moved simultaneously.

However, Wu Cheng's speed was clearly much faster.

Wu Cheng's reaction and explosive power were twice as strong as Wang Yue's.

This was the difference between a hidden strength martial artist and a visible strength martial artist.

"Blocking Hammer!"

"Great Python Turnover!"

"Boom!"

The two collided, causing a massive tremor on the stage.

Wang Yue was pushed back by the powerful force, leaving clear footprints on the stage with each step.

Wang Yue's face was red, his eyes bloodshot, his breathing rapid, and his qi and blood churning, as if his bones were about to disintegrate.

"Phew!" Wang Yue spat out a mouthful of blood. "Blocking Hammer! Excellent technique, excellent hammer!"

Tai Chi is renowned for perfectly balancing hardness and softness.

When practicing Tai Chi, it appears gentle and graceful, but the fighting techniques are the most powerful. Each punch is like striking a war drum, and ordinary people cannot withstand such vibrations, dying from internal bleeding.

Wu Cheng, a hidden strength martial artist, had mastered Tai Chi to a divine level, effortlessly switching between hard and soft forces. The fact that Wang Yue wasn't instantly killed was already a miracle.

Wu Cheng remained calm, smiling. "Not bad, you can withstand my 50% strength without dying, which is already a miracle. It seems you have reached the half-step hidden strength stage. Given time, you would have become a hidden strength martial artist. Your Xingyi Quan is also very proficient. The 'Great Python Turnover' is derived from 'Dragon and Snake Combined,' right? Unfortunately, your strength is too weak."

Li Kun clapped his hands and laughed loudly. "Master Wu, excellent technique!"

Wang Yue remained calm, his mind clear and his spirit serene. He had already found the way to enter the hidden strength realm.

"Again!" Wang Yue's fighting spirit soared. This time, either he would enter the hidden strength realm or die!

Wu Cheng said coldly, "Then take another punch from me!"

This time, Wu Cheng used his full strength, the hidden strength on his palm like needles. Wang Yue could feel Wu Cheng's terrifying power from ten meters away.

If hit, his internal organs and bones would be shattered by the hidden strength.

"Roar!"

Wang Yue roared, and his bones crackled.

Wu Cheng was surprised. "Bones and tendons resonating, Tiger-Leopard Thunder Sound! You've entered the hidden strength realm, but it's too late. Die!"

Hidden strength martial artists are terrifying. Wang Yue becoming a hidden strength martial artist would be a formidable opponent for Wu Cheng, so he wouldn't let Wang Yue live.

"Cannon Hammer!"

Xingyi Quan also has hammer techniques.

Wang Yue used all his strength and hidden strength to deliver his strongest move, "Cannon Hammer."

"Bang!"

The two were thrown back, landing on the ground, and a large part of the stage collapsed.

Wu Cheng was shocked. "How is this possible? How can you have such powerful strength and hidden strength?"

Wang Yue's burst of strength surpassed Wu Cheng's, directly destroying Wu Cheng's internal organs. Even as a hidden strength martial artist with strong qi and blood, Wu Cheng would only live for another ten to fifteen days. Being injured by hidden strength to this extent, even a god could not save him.

Wang Yue lay on the ground, smiling. "Human potential is infinite. The strength I burst out before dying is naturally greater than yours. Ha ha, I finally found the way to become a hidden strength martial artist. But, alas, alas... ha ha..."

Wang Yue lost his life.

This fight ended with both of them dying.

...

Wang Yue felt himself falling into endless darkness, unable to wake up.

"Are you feeling better?"

A sweet voice sounded in Wang Yue's ear, the girl speaking no more than fifteen years old.

"Who? Who is calling me?"

Wang Yue slowly opened his eyes and saw a girl in green clothes looking at him anxiously.

"Ah?" Wang Yue was shocked, looking at his body. Hadn't he died on the stage? Why had he become a young boy?

The girl in green was delighted to see Wang Yue awake. "You're awake, that's great. How could you be so careless and fall into the lake? If I hadn't found you in time, you would have drowned."

Wang Yue, seeing himself drenched, realized he had just been pulled out of the water.

"Thank you." Wang Yue smiled.

The girl in green smiled. "Since you're fine, I have to go back. Otherwise, my young master will scold me."

Wang Yue whispered, "Young master?"

Mentioning the young master, the girl in green puffed out her chest, her face full of pride. "Listen carefully, my young master is the famous Southern Murong. In the martial world, among the younger generation, only the Northern Qiaofeng of the Beggar Sect can match my young master."

Wang Yue was shocked. Northern Qiaofeng? Southern Murong?

The girl in green rowed away in a small boat, and Wang Yue shouted, "Miss, what's your name?"

The girl's voice came back, "I'm called Aibi!"

Wang Yue was shocked. "I really came to the Northern Song Dynasty!"

Standing by the lake for a while, Wang Yue finally came to his senses. Based on the fragmented memories in his mind, he walked step by step toward home.