Chapter 99: Force Warrior

Seeing a line of small text appear on the Panel, Jiang Cheng let out a sigh of relief.

In fact, more than half an hour earlier, he already knew that the Secret Martial Arts book he had transcribed was genuine.

But at that time, the note behind the Broken Jade Skill said it was the Introductory Chapter, not the upper part.

Shi Yan's voice sounded, tinged with a hint of fatigue.

"Xiao Cheng, this is the upper part of the Broken Jade Skill, and also the true core of the Broken Jade Fist. Have you, while training in the Martial Arts Hall, ever heard a saying? 'Practice the fist without cultivating, and you'll end up empty‑handed in old age.'"

"Heard it."

Jiang Cheng nodded.

Senior Brother Zhao often hangs that saying on his lips.

Especially when he is doing the Standing Post.

The so‑called 'skill' refers to basic practices like the Standing Post.

"Good that you've heard it; applied to cultivating Secret Martial Arts, it fits even better. This Broken Jade Skill is an internal cultivation method that teaches how to sense the Force, absorb the Force into the body, then gradually enlarge the Force, as well as the way to break through each Acupoint. The last one is the most important and the most crucial."

Shi Yan's expression was extremely solemn.

"Every Acupoint on the human body is vital; some mis‑touches are either fatal or cause injury. Not to mention using the Force to force them open—any excessive force or reckless action leads to unimaginable consequences. Yet with a cultivation method, you stand on the shoulders of predecessors and avoid many detours."

"I see, thank you, Brother Shi."

Jiang Cheng also thanked him solemnly.

Although he didn't know whether he would need this experience, having it was certainly better than not.

"Hehe, you're welcome; this was what we agreed on beforehand."

Shi Yan laughed and shook his head, feeling a pang of inner pain.

Such an important item, a treasured heirloom passed down through the Shi family for generations, was sold for only ten thousand yuan.

But he had no choice.

"Xiao Cheng, although the Broken Jade Skill can let you absorb the Force, most people first practice the Broken Jade Fist to strengthen the body, sense a trace of the Force, and only then begin cultivating the Broken Jade Skill."

"I understand."

Jiang Cheng instantly recalled what Shi Yan had said earlier.

The Broken Jade Skill requires seated meditation, a calm mind, to feel the existence of the cosmic Force.

The vast majority of its content concerns what follows after absorbing the Force.

"Indeed, this step is the hardest. Those with innate spirit can sit and absorb the cosmic Force, but ordinary people like us—actually most people—must start with the Broken Jade Fist, practicing repeatedly. Within three months, if you cannot feel the Force, you lack talent and have no affinity with Secret Martial Arts."

Having said that, Shi Yan sighed and produced another small booklet.

"This is the upper part of the Broken Jade Fist. It records many human techniques; copying them isn't easy. It's of no use staying with me now, so I'll lend it to you for a while—just practice the moves as shown on the characters."

"Let me see."

Jiang Cheng took it, and upon opening it found a human diagram annotated with many meridians and Acupoints.

Turning to the later pages revealed the moves one by one.

At first glance it looked similar to the Flying Crane Fist he had learned at the Martial Arts Hall.

But a closer look shows the figures also have energy‑circulation routes, with many small notes beside them teaching how to wield power. The booklet isn't long; after a short flip he reached the final page.

After Jiang Cheng finished reading carefully, the line of small text on the Panel also changed.

【Broken Jade Fist (Upper Part): Not Yet Entered (0/3000)】

"The Experience Bar is three times that of the Flying Crane Fist, meaning I only need to spend three times the time of Flying Crane Fist to reach Entry?"

Jiang Cheng felt a surge of joy.

One hundred fifty hours doesn't seem that many.

After Entry, can I absorb the cosmic Force? He then turned to Shi Yan and asked the question in his mind.

"Exactly."

Shi Yan gave a wry smile: "Absorbing the Force into the body counts as Entry for the Broken Jade Fist; you can keep training the fist while cultivating the method. Once you break through the first Acupoint, that counts as Entry for the Broken Jade Skill, making you a Level One Force Warrior."

Hearing this, Jiang Cheng relaxed.

Absorbing the Force into the body is Entry, so Entry must also allow absorption of the Force.

What seems absurd to others can happen to oneself.

However, the Force Warrior mentioned earlier left him a bit puzzled.

"A Force Warrior is the title for anyone who cultivates Secret Martial Arts and wields the Force. Even those with innate spirit who practice Secret Martial Arts are called Force Warriors. Those who specialize in Spiritual Power are a special case, called Spiritual Thought Masters, but the combat‑power ranking is the same, from Level One to Level Ten."

"The level criteria follow a set standard. For Force Warriors who strengthen their flesh by absorbing the Force, to reach Level One their maximum punch force must reach 200 kg and they must sprint 10 m/s. Level Two requires 300 kg punch force and 15 m/s speed, Level Three requires 500 kg punch force and 20 m/s speed."

"The standard is a bit simpler for those with spirit or Spiritual Thought Masters; their bodies may be weaker, so as long as they can cause equivalent damage with their abilities, they pass."

"I see now."

Jiang Cheng was enlightened.

An average person's maximum punch force is about 80 kg; with special training it can reach 100 kg.

As for 100‑meter speed, ordinary people run it in 13–15 seconds; breaking 12 seconds already shows great talent. Running it in under 10 seconds was achieved before the crossing, and no one has surpassed it in the following decades.

A Level One Force Warrior in the world before his crossing would be top‑tier humanity.

Those "cultivators" and those who train Spiritual Power may have weaker physiques, but they possess myriad techniques, even ranged attacks; their threat level is certainly not inferior to those who strengthen the body via the martial path.

"Perhaps besides the flesh path, I could also try the energy and spirit routes? The energy route requires spirit; without it it may be impossible, but the Spiritual Thought Master path I can give a try."

Jiang Cheng thought to himself.

As the saying goes, having many skills doesn't weigh you down; each extra means of survival is like an extra life.

Shi Yan remained silent.

He actually guessed what Jiang Cheng was thinking.

Because he had gone through the same thing—he'd heard his father's introduction and felt a surge of excitement, convinced he would easily achieve Entry as a once‑in‑a‑million prodigy—only to be harshly slapped down and finally accept the reality that he is just an ordinary person.

Brother Shi.

Jiang Cheng suddenly asked, "If the Breaking Jade Technique is cultivated to the Perfect Realm, how many levels can be reached?"

(End of Chapter)