Start with push-ups to gain experience

Chapter 505 The Path to Extraordinary Skills: Upgrading Running Skills

In the early hours of the morning, the city was still asleep.

The old-style tenement buildings on Jiuchang Street were shrouded in a thin, bluish-gray mist.

The air was filled with the lingering smell of cooking oil from last night, as well as the dampness rising from the sewers.

The dim streetlights were still on, and the neon lights of the distant business district were faintly visible in the fog, like shadows lingering in a dream.

Occasionally, sanitation workers would ride by on tricycles, the clattering of their wheels on the road carrying far across the empty streets.

At this moment of utter silence.

On the rooftop of one of the nine-story tenement buildings, a lithe figure had already begun a self-torturing ascetic practice in the darkness.

He stood upside down, supporting his entire body on the edge of the concrete water tank using only the index finger of his right hand.

From a distance, it looks like a straight flagpole, firmly planted there.

"One hundred and forty-eight...one hundred and forty-nine...one hundred and fifty."

As he silently counted, Fang Cheng slightly bent his right index finger and tightened his core muscles in his waist and abdomen.

The whole person is like a fully drawn bow, constantly performing inverted bending and stretching in the air.

"call--"

He exhaled a breath of stale air, which pierced the night like a sharp sword.

Fang Cheng twisted his waist and abdomen, nimbly flipped over and jumped up, standing up straight again.

His naked, muscular body was slightly flushed in the night breeze.

Although it doesn't have an exaggeratedly large size, every muscle is like finely forged steel, with smooth and dense lines.

Fine beads of sweat slid down his back, gathering in his lower back, outlining a breathtaking sense of power.

Looking up to the east, a faint sliver of dawn was just beginning to appear on the horizon, turning the layers of clouds into a leaden gray.

"It's only a little past five o'clock, but it's almost dawn."

Fang Cheng glanced at the sky and silently made plans in his mind.

I just finished 6 sets of 900 single-finger handstand push-ups, finally mastering four of the six fitness skills.

But the remaining tasks are still arduous.

I still need two more sets of single-leg squats, totaling 1200 reps, and I need to do three more sets of one-arm pull-ups, totaling 1500 reps.

Since returning to Dongdu, Fang Cheng has significantly increased the intensity of his daily training, with an increase in the number of sets and repetitions for each skill.

Completing all the fitness activities in about an hour, as it used to be, is clearly a bit of a stretch.

Moreover, with the summer solstice approaching, the days are getting longer and the nights shorter, so it seems that the time for morning exercise will have to be moved forward again.

Fang Cheng snapped out of his thoughts and gently jumped down from the top of the two-meter-high water tank.

His eyes gleamed as he scanned the crisscrossing water pipes on the rooftop, quickly searching for his target.

These pipes, due to years of neglect, are covered with mottled rust and paint, appearing rather cold and hard in the darkness.

Finally, Fang Cheng's gaze settled on an iron pipe with a diameter of more than thirty centimeters.

The pipe is more than three meters above the ground and is as wide as a rock wall, with no protrusions to hold onto.

In climbing gyms, similar equipment is known as "incline wall pull-up rack".

It is specially supplied to high-level athletes for training to pursue the ultimate explosive power.

For ordinary enthusiasts, however, it is a nightmare-level challenge.

Because a standard pull-up relies on the grip strength of the hands on the bar.

Such thick pipes cannot be closed with the palm of the hand; one can only rely on the pressure exerted by the fingertips on the pipe wall to create friction and thus obtain a support point.

Even the world's top rock climbers, if they can do five standard pull-ups under these slope conditions, are worthy of being called masters.

But for Fang Cheng, this is just routine training.

He took two steps and then leaped into the air.

Snapped!
His right hand gripped the surface of the iron pipe like a steel hook.

His strength of up to 65 points gave him superhuman finger strength, which, combined with the "absolute control" effect that comes with his pull-up skill, made him even stronger.

The moment your fingertips touch the rust, the friction is amplified tenfold, as if it has taken root and is hanging there.

His body was suspended in mid-air, yet he remained as stable as Mount Tai.

"start."

Fang Cheng took a deep breath and used his fingers and latissimus dorsi muscles to work together.

The person moved like a nimble ape, drawing a smooth arc in the air with just one hand, easily letting their chin pass over the iron pipe.

Once, twice, three times...

The movements were textbook perfect, with a steady and rhythmic pace.

With each contraction and relaxation of his muscles, he could clearly feel the power surging within him.

"The strength is not enough..."

Fang Cheng gritted his teeth, a fierce look in his eyes.

Although he was confident that his talent for "omniscient language" and the defense mechanism of "Sun Web" would allow him to block the mental tracking of the leader of "Ideal Land".

But the biggest hidden danger remains: his face has been remembered by the other party.

Once the ideal world casts a wide net and searches with all its might, it's only a matter of time before it's found.

According to the professor's previous prediction, if the other side only sent a few S-level cadres, he was still confident that he could handle the situation.

But what if it's that leader, who is suspected to have lived for hundreds of years, personally taking action...?

Fang Cheng knew very well that he was still far from having enough confidence.

The Illuminati, as a newly formed organization, needs time to take root and sprout.

As a leader, he needs time to grow and transform.

In the experiment the night before last, Fang Cheng successfully pulled Lin Chuqiao and Ye Zhiren into the inner world.

This not only means that the organization has a safe place to gather, but also that he has found a shortcut to quickly become stronger and achieve "inner vision manifesting outward".

The more extraordinary people the "Sun Heart Network" connects to, the greater the "spiritual nourishment" it provides, and the faster the inner world grows.

Since those mysterious beings of higher dimensions need to harvest spiritual nourishment by granting abilities to extraordinary individuals.

So, if you can snatch food from their mouths and withstand the backlash from the rules, the benefits you gain will be unimaginable.

After two days of hands-on experience, Fang Cheng has witnessed firsthand the significant changes that have taken place in the interior world.

The island's area has expanded by nearly one-tenth, the originally low hills have risen several meters, and even the river has become wider and more turbulent.

More importantly, the brightness of the light spots representing the two people's consciousness on the starry dome surged, establishing an unprecedentedly close connection with the sun that symbolizes the "true self".

With the experience of this successful attempt, combined with the theories of Ma Jianguo and Shi Chengyi, and his own cultivation insights, Fang Cheng became even clearer about a way to break the deadlock.

That is "cultivating both body and mind".

Cultivating one's inner nature means elevating one's spirit.

By using visualization to gather the spirit and soul, and by pooling the wishes of all beings to expand the island, create vitality, and propel the inner world toward the legendary "divine kingdom".

This is the ladder that breaks through the limits of mortal destiny and leads to the supreme divine throne.

External cultivation of "life" means tempering the physical body.

The physical body is forged into an indestructible furnace, providing a continuous supply of vital energy and blood to support the ever-growing divine soul, laying the most solid material foundation for the future "inner vision to manifest outwards" and interfere with reality.

As the ancient saying goes, "If you cultivate your nature but not your destiny, your spirit will never attain sainthood; if you cultivate your destiny but not your nature, you will still have possessions but no true master."

If the spirit is a skyscraper, then the body is the foundation.

If the foundation is unstable, the taller the building is, the faster it will collapse in the future.

Without a body comparable to that of a god or demon, even if one steals the power of a "god," it is difficult to touch the realm of laws that can change the world. The final result can only be the disintegration of the physical body and the annihilation of the soul.

Only by advancing both simultaneously can one break free from the constraints of the human body and truly achieve transcendence.

As his thoughts reached this point, the light in Fang Cheng's eyes grew even more intense.

"Come again!"

He let out a low growl and increased the frequency of his pull-ups once again.

[You are engaging in high-intensity training; your physical fitness has increased by 0.001 points.]

[You are engaging in high-intensity training; your strength has increased by 0.001 points.]

………………

The panel displayed constantly updated numerical information as Fang Cheng tirelessly worked up a sweat.

This tangible sense of strength gained through hard work is like a warm current that gradually dispels the gloom that has been hanging over my heart for days.

At the same time, the extremely difficult one-arm inclined wall pull-up is far more efficient than ordinary training methods.

What used to require 500 pull-ups can now be done in just over 100.

After finishing one set, Fang Cheng landed on the ground and then practiced single-leg squats.

Then switch to your left hand and continue practicing one-handed incline wall pull-ups.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the constant repetition of the exercises.

The red sun finally burst forth from the eastern horizon, its golden rays piercing through the morning mist and shining on Fang Cheng's bare upper body.

At this moment, his muscles were flushed with a healthy red from the blood rushing to them, and fine beads of sweat glistened in the sunlight.

"call--"

After completing his final one-arm incline pull-up, Fang Cheng let out a long breath and slowly straightened his body.

Although the intensity of the morning exercise has increased significantly compared to the past, I am not exhausted as a result.

Aside from slightly rapid breathing, he remained calm, as if the inhuman, self-torturing training he had just undergone was merely a warm-up.

A pale blue light screen slowly unfolded before my eyes.

Fang Cheng reviewed the results of his morning exercise.

The experience points for all six fitness skills have increased significantly.

Each item saw increases ranging from a minimum of ten points to nearly twenty points, which is quite considerable.

That's the charm of bodyweight training.

Even without equipment assistance, one can approach the limits of the human body by constantly challenging oneself with more difficult movements and techniques.

After reviewing the experience gained, Fang Cheng glanced at the panel and continued to check the progress bars of other skills.

"I'm just 4 experience points away from running."

"Perhaps, the upgrade can be achieved today..."

He muttered to himself, his spirits lifted.

At that time, whether it's acquiring new skill effects or valuable free attribute points, it will allow you to take your combat power to the next level.

Fang Cheng's gaze continued downwards, and his eyes suddenly narrowed as he noticed a line of small print following the pull-up skill description:
Once your Strength attribute exceeds 70 points, this skill will undergo a new change, unlocking a hidden effect.

Fang Cheng's eyes flashed.

My current strength attribute is 65 points, only 5 points away from the 70-point mark.

If you're lucky, the attribute points from leveling up through running might help you overcome this hurdle.

"Om-"

The sound of a car starting up downstairs broke the morning's tranquility.

Fang Cheng gathered his thoughts and looked around.

As dawn broke, white smoke billowed from the coal stoves of the breakfast stalls downstairs, and early risers across the street began to open their windows.

The once quiet old factory street has gradually come alive with life.

Fang Cheng didn't linger.

In order to save time, he swiftly jumped over the rooftop railing.

Then it slid silently down the drainpipe, like a swift returning to its nest and slipping into its own window.

The bedroom was still dimly lit, and the mother's breathing next door was long and steady, indicating that she was still fast asleep.

Fang Cheng quickly changed into a dark blue tracksuit and running shoes.

Only then did he quietly open the door again and go out.

Next, his destination was the riverside park a few kilometers away.

....................................

At six o'clock in the morning, the park was shrouded in a thin layer of milky white river mist, and the air was moist and fresh.

There is no noise here, only a few groups of people who love fitness and exercise in the morning.

Several elderly people dressed in white exercise clothes were slowly practicing Tai Chi under the willow trees by the river.

Occasionally, young people wearing headphones would stride briskly on the track, sweating profusely and breathing heavily.

Fang Cheng blended into the sparse morning exercise group, adjusted his breathing, and deliberately suppressed the force of his steps.

With his current monstrous physical abilities, he wouldn't dare to run at full speed.

Otherwise, every step you take is like being struck by a pile driver's hammer.

If you trample deep holes in the expensive plastic running track, you'll be accused of damaging public property.

Fang Cheng is currently in a state similar to that of a skilled dancer.

Precisely control the contraction and relaxation of every muscle while running, and always maintain a stable speed at the level of a professional long-distance runner.

This is not only about improving physical fitness, but also about honing a subtle control over strength.

He ran through the morning breeze, watching the scenery rush past him, feeling the pulse of the city, yet his heart was unusually calm.

After running for about half an hour, an elderly man who was also jogging caught Fang Cheng's attention.

The old man was wearing a tank top. Although his hair was gray, his muscular physique was quite solid, and his steps were steady and powerful, clearly indicating that he was a trained fighter.

He seemed to have been following Fang Cheng for a while, trying to have a go at him.

But no matter how big his strides or how fast he accelerated to overtake, he was always left more than ten meters behind Fang Cheng and could never catch up.

Finally, at a bend, Fang Cheng slowed down, preparing to adjust his pace.

The old man, panting heavily, caught up with Fang Cheng, gave him a thumbs-up, and sincerely praised him:

"Young man, you have great stamina! I followed you for five kilometers, and you didn't lose any pace at all, not even breaking a sweat."

He wiped the sweat from his face, his eyes full of admiration:

"It's rare to see a young person these days with such a robust physique as you!"

Fang Cheng turned his head, looked at the old man who was covered in sweat but looked radiant, and smiled in response:

"You're not bad either, sir, you're still going strong for your age."

A few simple words of greeting, filled with the goodwill and encouragement between strangers, added a touch of fun to the otherwise mundane morning run.

Another half hour passed.

As the sun rose fully and the river shimmered, Fang Cheng suddenly stopped under a willow tree.

The panel in front of me suddenly appeared, radiating an incomparably dazzling light.

(End of this chapter)