Shattering Punch

Every day, at the crack of dawn, Jo Yuan would make his way to the outskirts of the sect, where a shabby wooden house sat, barely holding together. This house, hidden in the shadows of towering trees, belonged to Elder Liu.

He wasn't like the other elders who lived in grand halls and wore flowing robes. Elder Liu wore ragged, simple clothes, and his house reflected his poverty. The roof leaked when it rained, and the walls creaked in the wind.

Jo Yuan sat quietly in front of the elder, watching as Liu sipped tea from a chipped cup. Something was calming about these visits, though neither spoke much. Jo Yuan came every day, knowing that Elder Liu didn't have anyone else. The other disciples ignored him, seeking teachings from wealthier, more powerful masters. But Jo Yuan knew better; this elder in front of him had a trump card called "Shattering Punch," which he used to kill him in his first life.

Today, after weeks of quiet visits, Jo Yuan decided to break the silence. "Elder Liu," he began, his voice steady. "Would you teach me the Shattering Punch?"

Elder Liu raised an eyebrow, surprised. For a moment, he said nothing, then set his cup down with a soft clink. "You, a newcomer, want to learn that technique?" His voice was hoarse but carried a certain weight.

Jo Yuan nodded, his expression calm. He knew the Shattering Punch was no ordinary martial technique. It was something only a few in the sect had even heard of, and even fewer had ever seen. There were only two pages describing it, and each stage required intense focus, patience, and willpower. The first page explained how to break down physical barriers with raw strength, while the second page hinted at something far more dangerous—shattering the internal energy of one's opponent.

"It's a high-level technique," Liu said, eyes narrowing. "And the creator designed it to test the spirit as much as the body. The requirements are steep. The first stage needs you to have complete control over your breathing and energy flow. You'll know you've reached it when you can crush a boulder with a single punch. As for the second stage... you'll feel it in your bones, the way it makes your opponents' energy collapse inward."

Jo Yuan listened carefully, his mind focused. "And what was the creator's intention behind the technique?"

Elder Liu leaned back, stroking his beard. "To teach patience and restraint. The Shattering Punch is not about brute force. It's about control—knowing when to strike and when to hold back. Many disciples have tried to learn it, but they're too impatient. They think power comes easily."

Jo Yuan nodded, absorbing every word.

After a pause, Liu gave him a sideways glance. "I'll teach you, but remember this: it's not just about learning the moves. The creator of the technique believed that mastery required hardship. If you're not willing to endure pain, you'll never reach the second stage."

Jo Yuan bowed respectfully, but before he could respond, there was a commotion outside the house. A group of disciples had gathered, whispering among themselves.

One of them, a tall, broad-shouldered disciple, stepped forward, his voice sharp. "Elder Liu, why are you teaching this newcomer the Shattering Punch? You've never agreed to teach us, and we've been here for years!"

The others murmured in agreement, their faces dark with frustration.

Elder Liu remained calm, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You all lack patience," he said simply. "You rush toward power without understanding the consequences. This one"—he gestured to Jo Yuan—"has shown respect and control. That's why I'm teaching him."

The disciples' anger was clear. They shot glares at Jo Yuan, but he remained indifferent, He could feel their resentment, but he didn't care. They had no idea who he was or how many times he had faced situations like this in his past lives. Let them be angry. It didn't matter.

As the group slowly dispersed, muttering under their breath, Jo Yuan turned back to the elder. "When do we start?"

Elder Liu smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Now."