A Metamorphosis in Strength

"So fragrant! Delicious," Fang Yu could not help murmuring in wonder. "I really wonder how these Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are nurtured and born." He had never heard of so many wondrous treasures on Blue Star; otherwise, the Life Levels of the ancient Grandmasters would not have been so low. Was the Primordial Star truly that miraculous? As the Ice Heart Marrow Cleansing Fruit slid down into his stomach, it dissolved rapidly. Fang Yu's innate divine ability, Devour, immediately went to work. Bursts of peculiar icy energy surged through his four limbs and hundred bones, rushing toward every part of his body. It was intensely domineering! "No wonder. In medicinal potency, this Ice Heart Marrow Cleansing Fruit is far stronger than the Myriad Manifestation Creation Fruit, yet it costs less. That's simply because its potency is too domineering." Even though Fang Yu's Life Level had reached Level 16, he still felt slightly uncomfortable. Just as a frail elderly person could not recklessly consume rich tonics, martial artists operated by the same logic. Certain Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were not divine medicines to low-level martial artists and ordinary people, but deadly poisons. Consuming them carried a genuine risk of death. Only what suited a person was best. *Furthermore!* *My innate divine ability can unleash the potency of medicinal treasures to the absolute utmost, absorbing them far faster,* Fang Yu thought. *To me, a single Ice Heart Marrow Cleansing Fruit is probably equivalent to two or more for an ordinary person.* *There's no need to use the Cell Vitality Factor or the Life Regeneration Agent yet—no point wasting them.* Fang Yu immediately began practicing his foundational fist forms, assuming the stance of Opening Dragon Spine. He circulated his vital energy and blood, driving Dark Force to surge through his entire body to temper his physique. As time passed, Fang Yu noticed even more peculiarities about the Ice Heart Marrow Cleansing Fruit. "Most of the medicinal efficacy actually acts upon the bones and internal organs, and a small portion rushes into the brain," Fang Yu marveled inwardly. As the saying went, the young should not train strength, and the old should not train sinews. Adolescents grew and developed extremely quickly. If they pushed their bodies too hard, their height and skeletal frame would set prematurely, severely limiting their future potential. Because of this, the Blue Moon Alliance explicitly decreed that one had to be at least thirteen years old to gradually begin martial cultivation. At the beginning, the focus was primarily on "nurturing," known as foundation building. Only after turning eighteen would they proceed to further body tempering. This was precisely why Fang Ping'an wanted to purchase Myriad Manifestation Creation Fruits for Fang Siyue and Fang Long... If they missed these few years and their skeletal frames set, it would become exceedingly difficult to grow taller or strengthen their bones. Back then, the foundation-building treasures Fang Yu used were not quite on par with the Myriad Manifestation Creation Fruit, yet they had been quite extraordinary nonetheless. His sinew and bone foundation was considered top-tier among his peers. And this Ice Heart Marrow Cleansing Fruit could actually build upon the foundation of his youth, taking foundation building a step further, and even strengthen the brain! "No wonder it has 'Marrow Cleansing' in its name." Fang Yu smiled. So-called marrow cleansing, in scientific terms, meant strengthening the cells of specific bodily areas. It could even alter one's genes. Star force had a similar effect, offering continuous refinement, which was why powerful martial artists could break through their limits time and again... But Fang Yu could not yet absorb star force. *This is plenty.* *The medicines and treasures Father gave me are far more effective than Vital Energy Compounds and Bone-Strengthening Pills. I've never fought such an affluent battle before.* Fang Yu's eyes carried a glint of anticipation. *With my innate divine ability and my technical mastery at the Great Accomplishment of Entering the Minute,* *over this one month,* *let's see what height I can elevate my Life Level to.* This was not merely for himself. It was to ensure he did not let down the sacrifices and expectations of his family. …… July 15, a little past three in the morning. When Fang Yu got up as scheduled and went down to the underground martial arts room, he turned on the light and was immediately greeted by the sight of Fang Long and Fang Siyue, already neatly dressed. Both looked at Fang Yu with considerable excitement and shouted in unison, "Brother!" "What's going on?" Fang Yu was thoroughly baffled. "Starting today, I'm going to be just like you, getting up at three in the morning to train in martial arts," Fang Siyue spoke first. "You work so hard; we can't slack off either." "Same for me!" Fang Long chimed in hurriedly. Fang Yu did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Nonsense! If you want to train in martial arts, fine, but who told you to get up at three in the morning? What time did you go to bed last night?" "Nine!" Siyue answered. "Nine-thirty," Fang Long followed. "Not enough." Fang Yu shook his head, his expression dead serious. "I know you signed with Star Radiance Group yesterday, and the first batch of training resources for you has arrived at home. "However, even with the help of Spirit-Calming Incense, your own mental power is far too weak. You can't maintain deep sleep for long. "Besides, your bodies are still growing. "You want to train alongside me? Fine!" Fang Yu said. "Then follow my plan: go to bed at eight-thirty every evening and get up at five in the morning, rain or shine. "Right now, nurturing comes first for you. "During the day, I'll draw up a training regimen for you," Fang Yu scolded. "Now, get back to bed, both of you. Go!" "Oh." The siblings slunk back to their rooms in defeat. A faint smile emerged on Fang Yu's face. …… During the day, at nine in the morning, Fang Siyue and Fang Long began training under Fang Yu's guidance. The first task was still Stake Stance Training. "Stance work is the foundation. "In ancient martial arts, there was the Hunyuan Stance, the Trinity Stance, the Ascending and Descending Stance, the Limitless Stance, and many others, each with its own virtues. But after the Great Sky-Burning Era, when Star Aspects emerged—and especially after the New Calendar began—they were standardized into the 'Vault of Stars Pillar Stance,' incorporating the strengths of various schools... Yet the most fundamental purpose is to help martial artists open their 'star acupoints' as quickly as possible," Fang Yu explained to his younger brother and sister. Fang Siyue and Fang Long listened intently. They had learned this material before, but they had never paid attention as earnestly as they did now. "Practicing the stance is like arranging stars; moving the body is like the heavenly vault," Fang Yu said. "In plain words, it means that through static stance holding, you establish a baseline coordinate system for your body, bringing it into alignment with the Star Aspect you visualize. "You adjust all the sinews, bones, and pathways of your body into the state best suited for absorbing star force. "It is said," Fang Yu continued, "that on New Moon, they already have holographic projection training pods capable of projecting a translucent celestial bodily map around a person. They run digital corrections on posture deviation values, flow velocity of force, bodily stability, angle of center of gravity shift, efficiency changes in the acupoints absorbing star force, and so forth." This was something Fang Yu had learned from his teacher. New Moon's might was not simply because it had more martial arts powerhouses; its cultivation environment, technological level, quantity of treasures, and numerous other facets completely surpassed the old lands of Blue Star. According to recent statistics, despite having a population of barely over a hundred million, the number of Earth Martial Artists and Sky-Patrolling Martial Artists born there accounted for thirty percent of the entire Alliance. "That amazing?" Fang Siyue and Fang Long clicked their tongues in private astonishment. "No need to belittle yourselves," Fang Yu said with a shake of his head. "It's just like tempering the body: going too far is as bad as falling short," Fang Yu said with a smile. "Sometimes, absolute precision is an error, while vagueness is the truth. That's why, whether it's holographic calibration pillars or holographic projections inside training pods, they only calibrate up to ninety percent. The remaining ten percent still requires you to feel it for yourselves. "Remember," Fang Yu said, "the words spoken by Ye Xinghe, the foremost powerhouse of our civilization: The greatest truth in this world is that there is no absolute truth." …… On the second floor, inside Fang Zhiyuan's room. "That's how it should be. "When brothers are of one mind, their sharpness can cut through metal." Looking at the three training on the surveillance screen, Fang Zhiyuan smiled broadly. "Only when you all stand firmly can I lie down and relax in greater comfort. "My son has toiled his entire life. With these three children, he should soon be able to take a break too." Switching off the monitor, Fang Zhiyuan put on his VR headset, reclined in his comfortable, specially crafted chair, and mumbled to himself, "What game should I play today? *Surrounded by Housewives* or *League of Young Wives*? "What a wonderful era!" "Nothing like before the New Calendar Era..." "I hear virtual headsets have already gone on sale on New Moon. I have to live until they become widespread on Blue Star too." Fang Zhiyuan began to immerse himself in the game. "Oh, right, I need to order takeout in advance. "Got to eat on time." …… Fang Yu spent the sweltering summer days in relentless daily training. Aside from his personal cultivation, Fang Yu also focused on instructing his younger siblings. He did not consider it a waste of time; rather, he found it to be a pleasure. To his delight, this time, his brother and sister no longer whined about hardship and fatigue as they had in the past. While they still slacked off a bit on occasion, overall, they had become exceptionally diligent, far surpassing most peers of their age. Their willingness to train voluntarily had increased dramatically. Moreover, when practicing fist forms, both demonstrated good comprehension. *Good!* *An Upper-Rank Star Aspect, coupled with diligent training, and their comprehension isn't bad either.* Fang Yu felt overjoyed. *As long as they keep this up, both Siyue and Xiaolong are bound to achieve great things in the future.* Time flew. In the blink of an eye, it was August 15, a little past four in the morning. "Five Ice Heart Marrow Cleansing Fruits. "Twelve vials of medicine, all used up without a drop wasted." Sensing the surging, tempestuous power within him, a smile played at the corners of Fang Yu's lips. "This past month has practically remade me from the marrow out. "The second Junior-College-to-Undergraduate Upgrade recommendation list? Let's see who can compete with me." *Whoosh!* Fang Yu unleashed a punch that slammed fiercely into the punch force tester, triggering a series of booming alarm tones... As a basic tester, its maximum punch force measurement limit was 2,000 kilograms.