Complete Mastery

Jo Yuan stood alone in the training courtyard, the sound of his fists slamming into a wooden post echoing in the still air. His knuckles were raw, the skin cracked and bleeding, but he didn't stop. He kept punching, again and again, the rhythm steady, almost mechanical. His mind was calm, despite the pain, because he believed in one thing: It's better to practice one technique a thousand times than practice a hundred techniques once.

He had learned this truth through countless regressions. In one life, he had tried mastering various techniques, but none had taken root. He was scattered, weak, and easily defeated. But in another life, he focused on just one—drilling it endlessly until it became part of him. That life had taken him further than any other. This time, he would do the same. He would perfect the Shattering Punch, no matter the cost.

As his fists smashed into the post again, the wood splintered. His hands screamed in pain, but Jo Yuan didn't care. He knew that true mastery only came through suffering, through pushing beyond limits. He didn't stop, even when the blood flowed freely from his fingers. Pain was just another obstacle, one he had learned to ignore.

The consequences of his training were harsh. His body was often wrecked, his muscles torn and bones bruised. But it didn't matter. Every time he died, he would be reborn, his body restored, and his memories intact. This was the advantage of regression. He had time—endless time. But that didn't make it easier. In fact, it took him 18 long years to master the first stage of the Shattering Punch.

Why so long? Because the first stage requires more than physical strength. It needed complete control over his breathing, his energy flow, and his willpower. No matter how many times he practiced, Jo Yuan had to fight the limits of his own body and mind. Only after 18 years did he reach the point where he could shatter a boulder with a single punch.

But the second stage was a different beast entirely. It wasn't about breaking stones; it was about destroying internal energy—shattering the essence of an opponent. Elder Liu had said it would take years to even understand this stage, but Jo Yuan didn't have time to waste. So, he took a more unconventional approach.

He focused on his regression power. Instead of spending years experimenting with slow methods, Jo Yuan forced his body to the breaking point, again and again. He deliberately overexerted himself, driving his internal energy beyond its limits until his body collapsed. Every time he died, he reset, and every time he pushed a little further, his energy control grew sharper. In one week, he achieved what would have taken others decades. Of course, in reality, it wasn't one week, but lifetimes. Yet to others, it looks like he succeeded in a week which was hard to explain

Elder Liu, however, was furious. When Jo Yuan showed him what he had done, the elder's face twisted with anger. "You've fooled me! You already mastered this technique before you even met me, right!? He shouted. "Why fool me? You bastard!" The elder's rage flared, and for a moment, Jo Yuan saw the killing intent in his eyes. Liu attacked, his strikes swift and deadly, but Jo Yuan's instincts kicked in. His regression had given him lifetimes of experience, and with the Shattering Punch fully mastered, he countered Liu's blows with ease.

In the end, Elder Liu stopped. He didn't kill Jo Yuan, but he never spoke of the incident again. The elder knew Jo Yuan had crossed a line, but the power he now possessed was undeniable.

Later, as Jo Yuan returned to the training grounds, a group of disciples ambushed him, their eyes filled with envy. They had heard about his rapid progress and couldn't accept it. The leader of the group, the same broad-shouldered disciple in his past lives.

But Jo Yuan was ready.

With a swift motion, he unleashed the full force of the Shattering Punch. His fist slammed into the disciple's chest, and the result was immediate. A sickening crack echoed through the air as the disciple's internal energy shattered, his body convulsing. The power of the punch didn't just break bones; it ruptured the man's organs. His kidney turned to mush, his breathing faltered, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

The other disciples stood frozen in horror, realizing the danger they had underestimated. Jo Yuan looked down at the fallen attacker, his voice calm but cutting. "Next time, if you want to ambush someone, don't come at me with half-hearted techniques. You can't touch me."

The injured disciple coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips. Jo Yuan's words had hit deeper than his fist. The humiliation was unbearable. The man struggled to breathe, his shattered energy leaving him in agony. He would survive, but only barely. His martial arts was ruined, and his future was over.

Jo Yuan turned and walked away, leaving the others in stunned silence. He didn't need to say more. His mastery of the Shattering Punch had already spoken for him.