Breath of Brilliance (Push, Push, Push)

“Are you out of your mind?!” Ping Luanshan pulled Jiang Feng aside, lowering his voice in a rush of anxiety. “You just advanced three days ago; barely passing the Heavenly Trial is already impressive. Now you want to pit your weakest skill against their strongest? What are you thinking?”

Jiang Feng simply smiled, patting his friend's shoulder before turning to Hong Cheng. “Why does the Ancient Vine Martial Hall bear such a grudge against us? Did something happen before?”

Hong Cheng nodded, sighing as he recounted the story. The Ancient Vine Martial Hall was located in Water Curtain Town, upstream from Pear Blossom Creek—a town almost as large as Linxi County. The martial hall was the biggest in the entire Linxi region, producing the most candidates each year who passed the county’s major exams.

Three years ago, a new instructor named Wu joined them, announcing his identity immediately—he was a disciple of the Hidden Current Sect. Instructor Wu was undeniably skilled and ambitious. Upon arriving in Water Curtain Town, he began openly challenging other martial halls in the area, hoping to make a name for himself. One by one, he sought out rivals—an act known as “kicking the hall.” According to tradition, the loser had to break their hall’s signboard before witnesses as an admission of defeat.

In no time, signboards across Linxi County were shattered, and reputations ruined. But when Instructor Wu came to Yuanshan Martial Hall, he finally met his match. After the battle, it was the Ancient Vine Martial Hall’s signboard that was broken at Yuanshan’s entrance; they slunk away in disgrace, and their campaign of challenges ended there.

Ping Luanshan listened with bright eyes, relishing such tales of poetic justice. But Jiang Feng was reminded of what others had said and quietly asked, “But the hall’s reputation isn’t just about the instructor’s strength…”

Hong Cheng’s expression darkened. After a moment’s silence, he admitted, “That’s exactly it.” Hua Su was indeed powerful, yet running the martial hall seemed more like a way to pass time and put food on the table. He wasn’t particularly attentive to his students, but never turned anyone away.

Hong Cheng himself had only reached the second ring of the Enlightened Heart, and Wang Erhu and the others had but one ring. To call their aptitude “average” would be generous. Yet Hua Su accepted them, guided them to the Dawn Realm, and even provided the Celestial Summons each year so they could take the major exam.

Hong Cheng flushed with shame. “It’s our incompetence…”

Hua Su’s personal strength bested the Ancient Vine Hall, but in three years, none of his students had passed the major exam. In contrast, Ancient Vine produced achievers every year. Their pride gradually returned, and they began to mock Yuanshan. They dared not provoke Yuanshan directly but took every chance to sneer at Hong Cheng and his peers, even plotting in secret to humiliate them in any way possible.

Jiang Feng smiled to reassure them. “Instructor Wu came to Linxi County with an agenda—to gather talent and build his following. They only accept the most gifted students, and their entire curriculum aims for the county exam. High pass rates are expected.”

Ping Luanshan grumbled, “So you know all this? Why make a reckless bet with them?”

Just now, Jiang Feng had challenged them to a direct contest of Heavenly Trial scores. If he lost, he’d leave Yuanshan and join the Ancient Vine Hall. If he won, the Ancient Vine students would have to crawl back to Water Curtain Town from Linxi, just as Instructor Wu had once boasted.

Jiang Feng offered no explanation, simply smiling as he turned to the scores on the Ascendant Rankings.

All the martial artists being evaluated had reached the Dawn Realm, with levels roughly equivalent—most within the range of one chain and five apertures, meaning a base score between ten and fifteen. Beyond this, the key lay in the intensity of their Bright Force.

To refine Bright Force intensity required specialized martial techniques, which were exceedingly rare—even noble families or major sects seldom possessed them. For most, this stage depended heavily on natural talent.

Some candidates’ results lasted a single breath, others two. Two breaths would double the score and vault a candidate to the top.

Suddenly, a name shot to first place on the county ranking!

This was Gao Changdao, at one chain and three apertures—but his Bright Force shone for three whole breaths before fading!

Thirty-nine points!

“Well done!” A thunderous roar echoed through the hall, drawing every eye. It was the Ancient Vine students!

Instructor Wu clapped Gao Changdao heavily on the back, calling out, “Yue Xun Yuan!”

Moments later, another new name appeared at the top—one chain, four apertures, also three breaths! Forty-two points!

“Well done! Teng Zhi!”

One chain, five apertures, three breaths—forty-five points.

Soon, the top ranks of the county board were completely rewritten. All these candidates were between two and five apertures, all with three breaths’ intensity, and apart from the first—Gao Changdao—the rest scored over forty points!

There were ten in total, all students of the Ancient Vine Martial Hall.

Instructor Wu raised his chin high, looking around with pride. The entire hall was silent; no one could find words. His arrogance was insufferable, but his overwhelming strength spoke for itself.

Hong Cheng’s face changed drastically, and he whispered, “His students weren’t this strong in previous years!”

Jiang Feng also watched the board, then suddenly smiled. “Let’s go—it’s our turn.”

Yuanshan Martial Hall’s group followed the Ancient Vine students; their five names were listed together, Jiang Feng’s at the end.

As the five of them approached the bronze tree, Instructor Wu’s gaze swept over them with a mocking smile.

Ping Luanshan muttered, “Are their talents really so exceptional? Every one of them reached three breaths?”

Hong Cheng frowned. “Ancient Vine does handpick only the best…”

“No,” Jiang Feng interrupted, narrowing his eyes as he recalled something from his reading. “Even with top-tier talent, without the right martial technique, three breaths is the limit. For all of them to reach this level, it can’t be just talent.”

“You mean…”

“Mm. They must have acquired a special training method—especially for Bright Force intensity.”

At this, Ping Luanshan grew even more worried. He muttered, “You really shouldn’t have gambled with them. Now, unless you reach forty points, there’s no chance of winning.”

The first of the five, Hong Cheng, approached the bronze tree, visibly hesitant. Once his hand touched the surface, he calmed at once.

He half-closed his eyes; a glow began to radiate beneath his skin. Gold light flowed into the trunk, surging upward.

One leaf—two—three… The first branch was fully illuminated.

The second branch began to glow.

One leaf, two, three, four…

The golden light halted.

The glow began to pulse, like breathing.

One breath, two… then the light faded.

Instructor Wu’s lips curled in a cold sneer.

The glow returned—a third breath!

Instructor Wu’s smile vanished; his eyes widened.

The light faded for the last time, but the result was already startling.

One chain, four apertures, three breaths—forty-two points!

Hong Cheng’s name leapt into the top ten.

He turned in disbelief. “How is this possible?!”

Last year, he’d only reached one chain, one aperture, and one breath. How had his progress soared so much in a single year?

Jiang Feng and Ping Luanshan exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. Ping Luanshan’s face was worried. “Old Jiang, you can’t win now unless you get more than forty points…”

Jiang Feng patted Wang Erhu’s back. “Your turn.”

Wang Erhu—one chain, two apertures, three breaths—thirty-six points.

Xiang Sheng—one chain, two apertures, three breaths—thirty-six points.

Though neither made the top ten, their results far exceeded their expectations.

Next was Ping Luanshan. He shook his head. “With everyone doing so well, I’ll be embarrassed if I fall short…”

He strode forward and placed his hand on the tree without hesitation.

The light raced up rapidly; in moments, the result was clear.

One chain, three apertures, three breaths—thirty-nine points—just at eleventh place.

He stared at his hand, puzzled. “Strange, I never trained for intensity…”

Jiang Feng said meaningfully, “Are you sure?”

Ping Luanshan was startled. “You mean Teacher Hua’s methods…”

Jiang Feng drew a deep breath. “Now it’s my turn.”

He walked steadily, his expression calm and untroubled.

He placed his hand on the bronze tree. The surface was smooth, cold, and strangely comforting.

Moments later, a current from the trunk seeped through Jiang Feng’s pores, swiftly meeting his own circulating Bright Force.

The trunk began to glow.

The light moved slowly but steadily. The first branch was completed, then it advanced toward the second.

Ping Luanshan sighed inwardly. Three days ago, Jiang Feng had only just broken through. He couldn’t possibly have cleared the first aperture of the second branch.

Sure enough, the light halted at the beginning of the second branch.

At this, the Ancient Vine students burst into laughter. “One chain—just one chain! So he’s just a newcomer!”

Instructor Wu’s lips curled in mockery, though he still scolded his students: “For his age, reaching entry level is already impressive. You should learn from his diligence.”

At that moment, Jiang Feng opened his eyes slightly. The glow of his Bright Force faded and disappeared.

The first breath ended.

After a moment, with his breathing, the light reappeared—then faded again.

Second breath.

The glow of Bright Force pulsed softly.

Third breath.

That seemed to be the limit.

For someone his age to enter the realm and achieve three breaths of Bright Force was already remarkable.

But what excited Instructor Wu most was not this. For Hua Su to recruit a student of such talent must have been no easy feat. Yet now, with a simple wager, he was about to win this promising seedling away.

The thought of snatching such a prize from Hua Su filled Instructor Wu with delight.

At that moment, something happened that stunned him.

On the bronze tree, the glow appeared a fourth time, paused, then slowly faded.

The fourth breath!