While the core idea behind Stealing Fate was to confront death face to face and achieve great breakthroughs amidst life-and-death struggles, if Oizaki’s Eight Challenges couldn’t even accomplish that much, then what was the point of practicing them at all? So, Zhang Beixing drastically modified them. He not only increased their difficulty but also changed all the locations to be within the country.
The first challenge Zhang Beixing was now about to attempt was the Earth Awakening!
The original Earth Awakening required participants to perform a fixed-point parachute jump into the Swallow Cave in xico. Considering that parachuting would allow him to keenly feel the forces of nature and comprehend Transcendence through the Heaven and Earth Natural Technique—thereby enabling him to complete Stealing Fate—Zhang Beixing opted not to alter the fixed-point parachuting requirent. He simply changed the location from xico’s Swallow Cave to Hidden Dragon Cave in the suburbs of Shishi.
He had stumbled upon this cave recently while reviewing materials and studying at the military region. According to the Shishi military region’s records, the cave had existed since the end of the Ming Dynasty. Its entrance was narrow, but the cave itself was large. Locals rumored that a dragon resided inside, hence the na Hidden Dragon Cave. After the establishnt of Great Xia, they also investigated it. They concluded that the cave, despite being large, deep, steep, and a full five hundred ters long, contained nothing of significance. It had been nad Hidden Dragon Cave simply due to the ignorance of the populace at the ti. The reason it was only recorded in the Shishi military district’s archives was that the cave simply wasn’t worth exploring. It had no stalactites, nor any subterranean river. If it had possessed any developnt value, Shishi would have long since turned it into a tourist attraction. Thus, it languished in neglect.
This presented an excellent opportunity for Zhang Beixing. After all, he needed to do a high-altitude fixed-point parachute jump. If it were in a crowded place, it would inevitably cause a degree of panic. Hidden Dragon Cave perfectly matched his requirents. It was a cave, narrow at the entrance, sufficiently deep, and, crucially, deserted. Perfect!
* * *
After Zhang Beixing disclosed the first project he intended to undertake, Huo Honghao pondered for a mont and expressed no objections. Although it sounded very dangerous, Huo Honghao considered that Zhang Beixing had recently read many books, acquired significant knowledge, and had even mastered parachuting during simulation training at the military region. Additionally, Zhang Beixing’s physical condition was impressive. Completing this Earth Awakening might not be impossible. So, Huo Honghao went to contact an Air Force colonel on Zhang Beixing’s behalf and made preparations to head to Hidden Dragon Cave, deciding they would start the next day.
To this, Zhang Beixing expressed his gratitude. Then he left and returned to his dormitory.
Lying on his bed, Zhang Beixing’s thoughts turned to completing his ’Stealing Fate’ version of Oizaki’s Eight Challenges. I’ll definitely have to travel all over the country, and I’ll inevitably be seen by others. After so thought, he took out his phone and opened Douyin. He began editing a new post:
"Special Notice: After careful consideration recently, and taking into account so suggestions from netizens, I’ve realized that even though I’ve reached the Great Grandmaster level, there’s still plenty of room for improvent. The path of martial arts can indeed be extended further!"
"Therefore, starting today, I am embarking on a new round of cultivation. I aim to break through human limitations, pioneer a new realm in martial arts, and elevate our martial arts from a low tier to a middle tier!"
"This process will take a long ti, so this account will be temporarily inactive."
"To everyone out there, I’ll see you again on the path to becoming Transcendent!"
With a tap of his finger, Zhang Beixing posted the update. Instantly, across Great Xia, many who followed Zhang Beixing received this ssage.
When netizens saw that Zhang Beixing was going into seclusion again, had boldly declared his intention to ’surpass human limitations and achieve Transcendence,’ and even proclaid he would extend the path of martial arts, ’elevating it from a low tier to a middle tier,’ they were amused by his grand pronouncents.
"Wow, just wow! It’s only been a few days, and Brother Bei is already clamoring about becoming Transcendent? Co on, who’s got so strong (yellow) pee to splash him awake? No diabetics, mind you—we don’t want him getting any sweet ideas! (joking face)"
"Human potential has its limits; at least it should be scientifically plausible, right? So you’re not going to be human anymore? This familiar rhetoric, this familiar tone... Masaka, you... could you be Dio-sama?! (shocked)"
"Terrifying strength, a handso face, a perfect physique, that captivating aura, and those bizarre statents... Case closed! Our Brother Dan is clearly the savior of all villains, Dio-sama himself! (sarcastic face)"
"Is this the 2D world they talk about? (scared face)"
"But seriously, what’s Brother Dan thinking? Why on earth is he suddenly going on about breaking human limitations and achieving Transcendence? His current strength is already at the absolute peak for a human, isn’t it?"
"Who knows? Maybe he drank too much, or maybe he’s been reading too many novels. He even ca up with that phrase ’elevating martial arts from a low tier to a middle tier.’"
"Even though I’ve been a loyal fan of Brother Dan for ten years, my verdict on this is: impossible! I’m putting it on record right here—if Brother Dan actually achieves Transcendence, I’ll wash my hair while doing a handstand, okay?"
"Good heavens! Why not just say you’re going to make the whole world ascend a dinsion while you’re at it?"
* * *
Due to Zhang Beixing’s update, the comnt section was bustling with activity. Most people were skeptical about Zhang Beixing’s claims of breaking human limitations and achieving Transcendence. After all, it sounded utterly ridiculous! Completely illogical!
Sure, his continuous improvent, enhanced physical fitness, and elevated martial arts skills—while incredibly impressive—were still plausible because they fell within the realm of logic. But now, he was talking about ’dinsionally upgrading’ the human body and martial arts, about no longer being human—how on earth could anyone believe that! Could there really exist a Superman wearing his red underwear on the outside?
Reading through the comnt section, which was uniformly filled with doubt, Zhang Beixing didn’t say much. I expected as much. This is indeed enough to overturn anyone’s understanding of the world; no one would believe it. Even I myself feel a little unsure. Can I really shatter the established worldview and reach that stage? Besides, in this situation, no amount of explanation would matter; the netizens would always find ways to refute . Since that’s the case, it’s better to just diligently try and achieve a breakthrough! If I genuinely succeed in achieving Transcendence one day, then the proof will be like a slap in their faces! Otherwise, all explanations are just empty talk.
He clenched his fist. "The path to Transcendence begins today!"
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