Chapter 103: Awakening Supernatural Powers, Unmatched Glory

No one could have anticipated such a scene.

It was all the more shocking.

A secret technique to enhance the physical body?

Those unfamiliar merely sensed its power, but those in the know were left utterly speechless.

Long Aotian’s astonishment mirrored theirs.

Unfathomable, inconceivable, impossible to comprehend.

Could it be that Jiang Ming truly was Heaven’s own son? How else could he be so monstrous, so far beyond the bounds of convention?

Yet Long Aotian’s kneeling, even on just one knee, broke the defenses of many hearts.

“Brother Long, this is the Martial Arena—broadcast live to the entire federation!” Jiang Ming hurried to help him up.

He knew that the man was stunned, perhaps even reeling from the blow.

His mind was in chaos.

“So what!” Long Aotian stubbornly declared. “No matter how you look at it, you utterly crush me. In every way. Facing you, I can’t muster even a thought of resistance.”

“No!” Jiang Ming replied earnestly. “On the path of martial arts, we stand only at the starting line. I’ve taken one step ahead, but the future holds a thousand steps, ten thousand, a million. Who can say what may happen, what we will experience along the way? A moment’s speed means nothing; only those who reach the end truly surpass. You shouldn’t be discouraged now, nor lose heart. Instead, you should set me as your goal, strive to catch up and surpass me. When you stand atop the peak of martial arts one day, looking back, your past failures won’t be shame—they’ll be the firmest foundation for your rise.”

“Brother Jiang, your strength is unmatched, your talent extraordinary, and your heart is vast as the sea, boundless as the stars. You’re my elder brother—I’ve decided, for life!”

“Haha, then let’s forge ahead together!”

Long Aotian then conceded defeat.

This moment spread far and wide.

Especially Jiang Ming’s words, which won countless hearts of young men and women, and rekindled the spirits of those in despair.

His image grew taller, more dazzling, more radiant.

Soon, Jiang Ming, Gun Nine, Long Aotian, Lan Xin, and Qin Zhiyan were all teleported onto the Martial Platform, introduced to the world, to represent Central Province in the upcoming federal examination on June fifteenth.

Even the proud Gun Nine was deeply moved.

Yet Long Aotian’s eyes remained bewildered, his mind lost.

“You struck him too hard, poor child,” Lan Xin glanced at Long Aotian and sent a message to Jiang Ming. “Don’t be fooled by his usual swagger—he’s actually the proudest of all, more so than Gun Nine.”

“During the preliminary selection, he boldly proclaimed he would make the federal top three, but didn’t even reach the top ten!”

“He was nearly furious to death.”

“He buried himself in training, even ventured into a secret realm, swearing upon his return to take first place in the provincial exam.”

“But he narrowly lost to Gun Nine. Losing wasn’t shameful—after all, Gun Nine’s background is no weaker, and he comprehended a terrifying penetrating intent, his natural nemesis. The fact they nearly destroyed each other shows how remarkable he is.”

“But…”

“You crushed him utterly, especially in his proudest domain!”

“The Jade Bone Realm—he wouldn’t dare dream of it, yet you refined it yourself.”

“Remember, he comes from an ancient clan, with countless secret arts, endless resources, and true dragon blood, yet you surpassed him.”

“Then, you shattered his pride with your Inch Punch, grinding it beneath your feet.”

“He didn’t lose his mind—he’s already impressive!”

“Sigh!”

“He meant to rely on his supreme physique to win the martial champion’s title.”

“But…”

“It’s too tragic.”

“Utterly tragic!”

“His confidence, pride, ambition, future—all destroyed.”

“Next, he might sink into despair, lose his fighting spirit, and become a wasted man; or, perhaps, his pride will transform into resolve, and he’ll rise again, never arrogant in victory nor discouraged in defeat!”

“Brother Jiang, please help him!”

“Don’t let him truly fall!”

Lan Xin’s words ended with a plea.

“If he really falters, I’ll torment him a few more times!” Jiang Ming replied.

Lan Xin’s face darkened.

The host appeared, passionately reintroducing them and announcing the rewards.

First place: ten million federal credits; second: eight million; third through fifth: five million each.

The rest: one million each.

The rewards were paltry.

The real prize was admission to martial universities, secret arts, and myriad hidden benefits—such as endorsements.

After the cheers, the broadcast ended.

“Brother Jiang, see you in the provincial capital!” Lan Xin bowed. “Let me show you hospitality then!”

“He’s my big brother, so I’ll host him!” Long Aotian claimed.

“Careful you don’t get a beating!” Lan Xin smirked. “In front of at least tens of billions—maybe hundreds of billions—kneeling on one knee to recognize an elder brother, tsk tsk tsk. Think your old man will string you up? The Dragon clan’s pride is even higher. Haha, I can’t wait to see your sorry state.”

“I—I…” Long Aotian’s face was grim.

He wanted to slap himself.

He must have been insane to kneel and recognize an elder brother; for a Dragon scion, it was… it was… a colossal humiliation!

“Brother Jiang, why didn’t you stop me?” Long Aotian looked at Jiang Ming with a mournful gaze. “You struck me hard, but you’ve harmed me even harder.”

“What, you regret it?” Jiang Ming smiled.

“A real man keeps his word. I’ve recognized you as my elder brother—now we’re brothers for life.” Long Aotian pounded his chest, then slumped, looking dejected. “What now? My old man is stubborn, ruthless, domineering, merciless, iron-fisted, harsh, proud, and thinks our bloodline noble, but now…”

Sigh…

He scratched his head hard.

“Since you’ve recognized me as your elder brother, I won’t let you suffer!” Jiang Ming said, then punched the air, blasting it apart and sending a straight corridor through the void for miles.

“Inch Punch—Ninefold Mountain!”

“Well?” Jiang Ming smiled.

“Ninefold? Nine times amplification?” Long Aotian was stunned.

Earlier, the punch was close enough for him to sense its power, leaving him chilled and his mind shaken.

Had it landed on him, it would have obliterated him.

Terrifying.

“Yes. Do you want it?” Jiang Ming asked.

“You’ll share the amplification secret technique?” Long Aotian’s eyes widened, then he shook his head quickly. “It’s too precious, absolutely not. If I take it, my old man will kill me.”

“Take it and he’ll kill you?” Jiang Ming looked puzzled.

“Stubborn and proud—how could he take someone else’s technique for nothing?” Long Aotian sighed.

“Let him buy it then!” Lan Xin laughed. “Your Dragon clan has endless resources, rare treasures, powerful pills—give some to Brother Jiang! You get the secret technique, your foundation grows; Brother Jiang gets rare medicines, his cultivation quickens, his strength grows. It’s win-win. But the amplification secret is too precious, Little Dragon, don’t let Brother Jiang suffer.”

Her last words were especially stern.

“Brother Jiang…” Long Aotian hesitated.

“It’s just a technique I deduced, not that precious. If you have some rare medicinal pills, all the better!” Jiang Ming smiled. “Just don’t let me suffer. For physique-enhancing elixirs, those are my favorite.”

“Thank you, Brother Jiang!” Long Aotian showed deep gratitude.

He knew the value of such a secret art.

For a clan, it’s accumulation, foundation, source of strength, and the capital to rise again after decline.

Jiang Ming touched his finger to Long Aotian’s brow, transmitting the first nine layers of Inch Punch via divine method.

It was exquisite.

But he didn’t care.

Besides, he mastered more than nine layers now. If he could exchange for precious medicine, his progress on the path of body refinement would accelerate.

After all, body refinement was slow.

“Brother Jiang, I admire you!” Gun Nine, who had been silent, finally spoke. He knew the value of such a secret art; even he couldn’t provide it.

And if he had it, he wouldn’t trade it away.

Much less before receiving any benefit.

Such boldness stirred a ripple in his heart: “See you in the provincial capital, brother. We’ll battle again in the federation. Farewell!”

With that, he exited the virtual world.

Long Aotian finished absorbing the information and looked gratefully at Jiang Ming: “Strength, courage, talent, heart—big brother, you’re the best in the world! I’ll go extort my old man, get him to hand over all the good stuff.”

After a few words, they each departed.

Jiang Ming’s mind returned.

He opened his eyes and stood.

Inside, City Lord Song was already waiting and immediately opened the door, laughing heartily: “Haha, truly a peerless genius for Pingyang City, a battle that stunned the world, talent unmatched, even the elite scion of the hidden Dragon clan bows to you. Well done, Jiang Ming!”

“Indeed, you’ve brought honor to us all. The whole city is proud of you!” Elder Tang came over.

Teacher Chen and Principal Chang, who followed, were overwhelmed with excitement.

“Elder Tang, Elder Song, Teacher Chen, Principal Chang,” Jiang Ming greeted them with a smile. “Wait until I win the federation’s martial champion, then you can be proud of me—it’s too soon now.”

“Good boy, I’m just waiting for you to bring back the champion’s title!” Elder Tang was delighted. “Tomorrow, Song, Chen, Chang, and I will accompany you to the provincial capital. And Qin Zhiyan, too.”

Qin Zhiyan walked over, her expression faint.

Tian Tian had faded into a little shadow.

After each was interviewed, they departed.

But for Pingyang City, the celebrations had only begun, though none of it concerned Jiang Ming anymore.

“There are offers for endorsements, requests for photos, all sorts, countless opportunities—want to make some extra money? We’re talking tens of millions.” Elder Tang joked on the way.

“No thanks!” Jiang Ming replied. “I don’t need it. Strength is the best currency. Instead of wasting time, I’d rather focus on cultivating—when I’m stronger, everything else follows.”

“Haha, you see things clearly.” Elder Tang laughed, raising his fist, voice deep, “Fist is power—and power is wealth.”

Jiang Ming wholeheartedly agreed.

“Aren’t you going back?”

“No need, nothing to pack. Elder Tang, please have someone look after my house, so it won’t be damaged.”

“Don’t worry, your place will likely become a shrine. With your achievement, who’d dare harm the home where you grew up? If they did, the whole city would tear them apart.”

“As long as it stays intact, it’s a piece of memory.”

“Memory…” Elder Tang sighed.

The older you get, the more memories you accumulate, and the more you lose.

“Tomorrow, you’ll go to the provincial capital. There, you five will receive special training, unlimited resources, learn any secret arts, and be guided by experts. For you, it’s a rare chance—a hundred times better than training in a secret realm. Remember, secret realms improve your strength, but limit your horizons.”

Jiang Ming nodded; he understood the stakes.

When they arrived, Elder Tang slipped out, leaving him the space.

Not long after, Fat Wang arrived.

“Thought you’d forgotten your old friend!” Fat Wang joked, looking around in wonder. “This garden is so well kept, filled with rare plants, the air is rich, the fragrance invigorating. No wonder it’s the retreat of a great figure—so enviable.”

“You’re as shameless as ever!” Jiang Ming said. “Got any plans?”

“My grades are just enough for Zhongtian Divine Martial University, so I’ll go there. I saw on the Martial Arena you recruited a powerful guy as your underling. I checked—he’s a Dragon clan scion, top of the provincial capital. Your underling is my underling; if trouble comes, handy to call people.”

“You really know how to plan!”

“Of course, if there’s a bargain and you don’t take it, you’re a fool.” Fat Wang sidled closer, grinning, “You’re famous now, all over Central Province, the whole federation, dominating the trending charts, with endless fans. Fans are money—lots of money. How about I be your agent? I’ll arrange a fresh model for you every day, whatever look or personality you like, guaranteed to please.”

Jiang Ming shot him a look: “I recorded that. I’ll send it to Uncle Wang.”

“Damn, you’re sneaky!” Fat Wang jumped up, waving his hands. “Fine, fine, no more business!”

He grew serious: “Will you come back? I heard—and confirmed—that talents like you, after the martial exams, go to special training sanctuaries for the best cultivation, then head to the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Worlds. That battlefield…”

Fat Wang’s expression was complicated: “I really hope you don’t go, or at least go later.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing!” Jiang Ming waved. “What’s your martial strength? Or what do you like?”

“Strength? Like?” Fat Wang stroked his chin. “I’m good at lying down, and I like lying down!”

“Get out!”

“Hehe, I’m an honest guy, just telling the truth!”

“Well, I’ll teach you the Five Elements Art—the path of the Five Elements has something for everyone!” With that, Jiang Ming transmitted the Five Elements Sword Array via divine method, the elements able to split or combine, holding endless mysteries.

He went further, using the vitality of wood and the power of life and death to cleanse and refine Fat Wang’s body, boosting his aptitude, so he could progress faster and grow more.

But then, Fat Wang’s body surged with a strange aura.

“This…” Jiang Ming was shocked.

Fat Wang absorbed the information and sensed his change, gaping: “Xiao Ming, you’re incredible—you triggered my ability awakening! Damn, am I about to ascend to heaven?”

“You awakened?” Jiang Ming looked odd. “What’s the ability?”

“It’s my stomach—my digestion power’s skyrocketed, digestion is rapid, absorption is fast, and I can refine essence to boost strength. This…” Fat Wang was stunned, then overjoyed, “Xiao Ming, am I about to soar?”

“More than soar—you’re defying heaven!” Jiang Ming marveled.

Refining his body actually triggered ability awakening.

So bizarre.

Jiang Ming thought: He must have been on the verge of mutation, and I catalyzed it.

“Haha, now I can eat and drink my way to endless strength!” Fat Wang danced. “See, I’m Heaven’s favorite son!”

“You…” Jiang Ming shook his head, warning, “Don’t forget to train hard. Without effort, even the strongest awakening is limited.”

“Relax.” Fat Wang nodded.

They chatted for a long time before he left.

The next day.

Jiang Ming and the others boarded a fighter jet, which roared away.

A real jet—also a powerful weapon—autopiloted, simulating the outside environment, very comfortable.

Elder Tang came along, as did Elder Song.

Teacher Chen was there, having personally taught two of the five provincial representatives—an immense honor.

Principal Chang followed, too.

“Jiang Ming, Zhiyan, once you arrive, follow the city lord’s arrangements.” Teacher Chen kept reminding them.

They listened quietly.

After today, such advice would be rare.

Life keeps moving forward—you can look back, but never relive the past.

Recall the past, pursue the future.

“Student Jiang, Student Qin, do you know the arrangements there?” Elder Song suddenly spoke, mysteriously. “Because of you, this year’s martial exam is special—many prodigies appeared, rewards are generous, even I’m envious. To help you prepare, the province is offering its most precious treasures for your cultivation.”

“Can you tell us?”

“Of course!” Elder Song shared the news.

“Divine beast blood?”

“Enlightenment tea?”

“Sea of vitality?”

“Intent simulation?”

“Personal guidance from a Heaven-Realm expert?”

Each item left Principal Chang gasping, stunned.

Teacher Chen was hardly less amazed.

Jiang Ming and Qin Zhiyan exchanged fiery glances.

Just “intent simulation” was enough to excite them.

“That’s nothing!” Elder Tang laughed. “The real rewards come in the final exam. Jiang Ming, give it your all—if you take first, you’ll truly soar.”

Today, the child had a persistent high fever—once 39.5°C, once 39°C, and nearly 39°C at night…

Raising children is hard.

Being a parent is harder.

Barely managed five thousand words.

Keep going!

(The chapter ends)