Chapter 56: Master Fourteen Disciplines First!

Everyone has entertained the thought, at least once, of becoming the strongest on earth.
When did you give up on that idea?
Was it when your mischievous childhood ended with your father pinning you down for a thorough beating?
Was it when you realized that no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t move that heavy boulder?
Or perhaps it was the moment you discovered that, no matter how far you advanced, there would always be someone stronger, a higher sky beyond the sky?
Or maybe, just as the idea first appeared, you simply looked at the wind, listened to the water, and let the thought slip silently away?
Still, there must always be someone—at any time, somewhere on this planet—who sets becoming the strongest as their life's goal, fighting and evolving ceaselessly towards it.
Clearly, Liu Tian was such a person!
So when the Master asked that question, Liu Tian hesitated not a moment: “What are you talking about, Master? Don’t you know my goal has always been to be the strongest, unmatched under heaven?”
“My only concern, disciple, is that you might be distracted by what’s before you, forgetting what you truly desire,” the Master replied, nodding in satisfaction at his young pupil’s resolute expression. “I’ve spoken to you before, about the legend of the King of the Century.”
“These years, ever since I became the strongest fighter, I’ve been pondering how to become the King of the Century.”
“I kept pondering, kept searching, abandoned ambition and thirst for power, but never forsook martial arts.”
“Now, at this point, you understand the limitations of secret martial techniques, don’t you?” The Master paused, looking at Liu Tian.
“Yes,” Liu Tian nodded. “Secret techniques ultimately train the human body; every style has its own focus and bias, and none can temper every part of the body.”

“It’s precisely because of this that secret techniques are distinguished by what parts they train. Practicing different techniques brings meaning only if their focus differs,”
“It’s also why secret techniques are ranked: generally, the more areas a technique trains, the higher its level, and the greater its effect after breakthrough.”
“That’s right. Long ago, I realized this, and after countless revisions, I can say without doubt—Heavenly Martial Killing Path is the strongest secret martial art in the world. Its scope and depth, its perfected techniques, leave nothing more to improve,” the Master said with pride.
In all these years, apart from his two disciples, the creation and refinement of Heavenly Martial Killing Path had become his greatest achievement.
Yet the Master remained the Master. Though proud, he kept his mind clear, shifting his tone: “But while Heavenly Martial Killing Path is powerful, it isn’t all-encompassing. In certain aspects, it may fall short even compared to some extreme, lesser, or unranked martial arts.”
“Besides the issue I’m working to fix—the surge of killing intent and rampant ambition that comes with it—Heavenly Martial Killing Path hasn’t raised physical endurance enough. It can’t withstand cannon fire or explosives, and even in boosting physical attributes, it now lags behind those who practice secret martial arts and have undergone multiple genetic modifications. Only the freely controlled spirit remains unique.”
“Of course, after reviewing countless manuals and legends, I found in ancient records a possible path to break through to King of the Century.”
“Either nurture the spirit through the body, or elevate the spirit to its utmost height, using every method to unify essence, energy, and spirit, forging a will so strong it shapes reality.”
“The more martial arts one learns, the more conflicts arise, and with age, I can only follow the second path. But you, Tian, are different.”
“You’re still young. I don’t know your secrets, but I can’t see any slowing of progress in you. I believe you can walk the first path—the one that, according to my calculations, can truly make you King of the Century, the strongest on earth!”
“I believe that humanity, having evolved to this point, cannot be outpaced by mindless beasts; our potential is not so limited.”
“Gunpowder, firearms—they should never surpass the strength of our bodies!”
At these words, the Master stood, muscles surging, and his once-white shirt burst apart, scattering to the floor, revealing a physique of bronze-hued muscle. “Disciple, are you willing to prove it—to prove that secret martial arts are superior to magical martial modifications?”
“Uh…” For reasons unknown, a cold sweat dripped from Liu Tian’s brow. Clearly, something had changed in the Master over these months—he had never acted so strangely before.
“What’s wrong? What are you hesitating for? Have no fear, have no doubt. Right now, I stand with you. Let us, master and disciple, prove to the world that secret martial arts are truly supreme—that muscle reigns first under heaven!” The Master roared as Liu Tian remained silent.

But before Liu Tian could respond, the Master’s expression suddenly froze, and he rushed inside. When he emerged, he was once again dressed in his eternal white shirt.
“Master…” Liu Tian, not slow-witted, was concerned—it was clear the Master was different, likely suffering some side effect from training.
“No… it’s fine.” The Master, face stiff, wished to brush aside the incident, but finally couldn’t suppress an explanation: “This was a rare, intense mental secret technique I just practiced—splitting oneself into different personalities, viewing the world from multiple perspectives to cultivate the mind. It’s the core martial art of my second path.”
“I never expected it to be so sinister—even my spiritual state couldn’t suppress it. Clearly, it needs further improvement. By the way, disciple, what is your answer?”
“Train? Of course I’ll train. Before I arrived, I was ordinary; after I arrived, I’m still ordinary. Having come to this world, if I don’t become the strongest, wouldn’t it be all for nothing?” Seeing the Master seemed in good shape, Liu Tian set aside his worries and replied, “Master, which technique should I start with?”
“Which technique? Why would you think such a thing?” The Master retorted, as if long prepared, pulling out thirteen books: Iron Head Technique, Iron Palm Technique, Iron Knee Technique, and so on—thirteen in all, covering twelve parts of the body, and the last a thick tome titled Golden Bell Shield.
“How could it be just one technique? It’s fourteen! Training them all at once is much faster!”
“Here, begin with this—The Imperial Secret of the Scarlet Cloud Empire, the Thirteen Guardians’ Golden Bell Shield. Once you finish, move on to the remaining ninety-four techniques.”
“Thank your second senior brother; he brought all the necessary secret medicines from the Scarlet Cloud Empire. Otherwise, gathering so many would have been a headache.”
Ah, what?
Staring at the pile of manuals in his hands, and considering the ninety-four more he’d have to master, Liu Tian’s thoughts grew ever clearer—he would have to work even harder than ever.