Chapter Twenty-One: Madness!

“What do you mean, why?”

Jiang Ning’an said matter-of-factly, “Didn’t your martial arts teacher tell you that before ascending the Heavenly Path, you can only choose to specialize in one cultivation method?”

Fang Can instinctively licked his slightly chapped lips and replied, “No... no, is there such a rule?”

“How did your master teach you?” Jiang Ning’an asked in puzzlement. “This kind of basic knowledge should have been clarified before the body transformation stage, don’t you think?”

Fang Can was utterly stunned. So, it was his fault for being too fast after all.

After all, Coach Yang could never have imagined that this guy would develop Qi perception within a single day; even at the fastest, it should take at least half a month.

If someone told Yang Lie that it was possible to sense Qi in a day, he would firmly say it was nonsense.

Seeing Fang Can’s bewildered expression, Jiang Ning’an patiently explained, “The so-called body transformation stage is the process by which the body gradually adapts to the cultivation method.”

“Each method differs in content—true essence, inner strength, Qi, magnetic forces, fighting energy, magic, culinary god cells... every secret manual has its own merits.”

“I see that you cultivate through martial arts to strengthen your body’s vitality, while others rely on poetry to renew old blood. Each martial art requires a different approach.”

Hearing this, Fang Can stood frozen for a long time before asking, “Then what about the eighty-eight acupoints mentioned in my cultivation method...?”

“If you believe it, it exists. The most important aspect of martial arts is the power of the mind. The cultivation method of the ‘Inverse Gate’ sect next door relies on generating high-speed friction between endless particles within the body to enhance physical constitution.”

“Depending on the method, even within the body transformation realm, there are qualitative differences. As for your eighty-eight acupoints...”

Jiang Ning’an shook her head, implying that such a flawed cultivation method was nothing but a fantasy not worth dwelling on.

With Jiang Ning’an’s explanation, Fang Can felt as if he had suddenly awakened, standing rooted in place as if struck by lightning.

On his interface, the “Tiger Sha Eighty-Eight Caves” began flickering as his Dao heart fractured, seemingly on the verge of disappearing.

Just as the Great Zhou Overlord once incarnated as a celestial being, Fang Can, whose Dao heart was pierced by Jiang Ning’an’s words, now faced the risk of regression in his cultivation.

Seeing Fang Can dazed and pale, Jiang Ning’an raised her pale, pristine arm and gently waved it before him.

“You... are you alright? Don’t be too discouraged. Although cultivation methods vary in quality, don’t obsess over it. Once you ascend the Heavenly Path, such differences can be made up for.”

Ignoring Jiang Ning’an’s concerns, Fang Can’s worldview, formed through seven days of martial training, shattered dramatically, replaced by a will to break through and rebuild.

At this moment, his mind rewound to the principles of the Tiger Sha Eighty-Eight Caves and the initial words Yang Lie had spoken: “As long as you have the will, anyone can become a Martial God!”

“I’ve realized it!” Fang Can suddenly punched his palm, looking as if he had seen through everything, excitement brimming in his eyes.

“Martial arts is all nonsense. Only the mind is real! That damned Eighty-Eight Tiger Sha Caves—I’m done with it.”

Jiang Ning’an, watching the handsome young man before her so fervent, worried she might have triggered a hysterical episode. If so, the blame would be on her.

Seeing Fang Can pacing excitedly, muttering incessantly and thrashing his chest, Jiang Ning’an cautiously asked, “What... what do you want to do now?”

“What else? Of course, switch my cultivation method!” Fang Can shook his head with a wild grin. Despite his striking appearance, he seemed utterly unhinged.

“I’ve already told you, before ascending the Heavenly Path—”

Before Jiang Ning’an could finish, Fang Can’s determined gaze locked onto hers.

“Have you heard the story of the Great Yan God Lord?”

“I’ve heard enough about the Great Yan God Lord,” Jiang Ning’an said helplessly.

Fang Can said slowly but firmly, “Then why could he refine the Mo Kuo Great Sun Fist using the Iron Wire Fist, but I can’t?”

“Are you comparing yourself to the Great Yan God Lord?” Jiang Ning’an instinctively questioned.

“What kind of god lord nonsense—he’s not worthy of comparison with me.” Fang Can said and stormed into the room.

“Oh no, I’ve driven him mad,” Jiang Ning’an felt a deep pang of guilt, fearing he might do something reckless. Despite her injuries, she followed him into the inner room, ready to keep watch.

Entering Fang Can’s tidy bedroom, she saw him pulling out a metal box from under the bed and quickly opening the lid to reveal dozens of translucent pills.

‘What is this...?’ Jiang Ning’an wondered, staring at the crystal-clear pills.

Suddenly, Fang Can grabbed a handful—at least thirty or forty—and shoved them into his throat.

“What... what are you doing?” Jiang Ning’an’s eyes widened, instinctively wanting to stop him but silenced by his feverish gaze.

After swallowing a small white pill, feeling an unprecedented surge of urgency, Fang Can still shook his head and said, “Not... not enough. Need to be more ruthless.”

With that, he looked at Jiang Ning’an and ordered, “You... break my limbs right now... no, better leave one hand so I can ask the school for leave.”

“What...?” Jiang Ning’an couldn’t possibly agree. Looking at the seemingly deranged Fang Can, she quietly said for the first time, “Calm down. Don’t let yourself spiral into madness.”

“I’m calm. I’ve always been calm,” Fang Can said honestly.

Seeing her hesitation, Fang Can knew she couldn’t help him, so he strode toward the living room. Under Jiang Ning’an’s anxious gaze, he picked up a solid wooden baseball bat.

“If you don’t want me to report this to the authorities, you’d better watch and not interfere,” Fang Can said, raising the bat.

“You’re threatening me? Don’t tell me...” Jiang Ning’an’s voice trailed off as Fang Can fiercely struck his own leg with the bat.

“Crack!” With a crisp sound, the bat and Fang Can’s right leg snapped simultaneously.

“You, you, you...” Jiang Ning’an was too shocked to speak properly.

At this moment, she had no idea what he intended. This guy was definitely mad! Yes, truly mad!

Ignoring Jiang Ning’an, Fang Can nodded approvingly at his broken right leg. “Good, just as it should be.”

Then, without caring about the woman beside him, he returned to his bedroom, leaving a message not to be disturbed and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Just as he had said before, he was done with the Tiger Sha Eighty-Eight Caves. If cultivation is purely mental, why be bound by convention?

For mental cultivation, having no conventions is the greatest rule!

If so, why not create his own cultivation method?