“James Bolton, physical strength 25, mental strength 15, combat power 20, Iron Fist (Beginner, Minor Achievement)”—after this, there was actually an additional explanation about the relationship between combat power and physical and mental strength.

It turned out that combat power is determined by whichever is higher between one’s mental or physical strength. For example, since James Bolton’s physical strength is now 25, his combat power should also be 25. However, because he just broke through, James Bolton can’t fully convert his physical strength into combat power yet, so his combat power is only 20. As James Bolton’s control over his body deepens, it won’t be long before he raises his combat power to 25.

After discovering this, James Bolton decided that from now on, he must fully master his body before learning any other martial arts.

Just now, James Bolton felt as if a faint stream of energy flowed through his arm, but when he tried to sense it again, he found nothing and decided not to dwell on it.

In fact, James Bolton didn’t know that he had already reached the stage of channeling internal strength into his body, a milestone for martial artists. Of course, James Bolton didn’t know this now, nor could he have known that in the future, he would become entangled with the legendary martial world!

Feeling refreshed and clear-headed, James Bolton just wanted to find a quiet place to get familiar with his newly advanced Iron Fist. Once his Iron Fist stabilized, it would be time to start practicing a new internal skill.

James Bolton stood up, checked his phone, and saw that it was almost midnight. He quietly slipped out of the house, saw that his parents’ room was already dark, and could hear Mr. Bolton snoring inside. The light in his sister’s room was still on—she was probably studying, as the workload in the final year of high school was still very heavy.

Leaving through the main gate, James Bolton broke into a run, facing the cool night breeze. He really wanted to shout a few times! Under the night sky, James Bolton forgot to wonder why he could see so clearly at night—this was the benefit of improved physical strength. As his physical strength increased further, he would eventually be able to see in the dark as if it were daylight.

Afraid that practicing his punches would disturb the villagers who had gone to bed early, James Bolton ran all the way toward Long Mountain behind his house. He remembered there was a platform halfway up the mountain, just right for practicing punches. When he was a child, he and his sister loved to play there.

With a physical strength of 25, James Bolton was incredibly fast. In less than five minutes, he found the platform from his memory. Looking at the large platform before him, James Bolton even wondered if someone had practiced martial arts here before—otherwise, why would there be a platform in such a deserted spot halfway up the mountain?

Without thinking too much, James Bolton took off his jacket and started practicing his punches, tirelessly repeating the powerful Iron Fist moves. Once again, James Bolton was immersed in the world of strength.

It wasn’t until the first ray of sunlight shone on James Bolton’s face that he snapped out of it. Picking up his jacket, James Bolton went down Long Mountain, washed his face in the stream at the foot of the mountain, and headed home.

From a distance, James Bolton could see his parents already up and working. Mr. Bolton was holding a hoe, ready to head out, and Mrs. Bolton had started making breakfast.

That’s how it is in the countryside—people usually get up early to work and only come home for breakfast afterward. Today, because James Bolton and Emily Bolton had come home, Mrs. Bolton started making breakfast this early.

“Why are you up so early! Why don’t you sleep a bit more instead of running around!” Mrs. Bolton scolded playfully.

“Mom, you can’t get such fresh air in the city. Getting up early to exercise is good for your health!” James Bolton said with a smile as he walked into the house.

James Bolton changed his clothes, washed up, and went into the kitchen. By then, Emily Bolton was up too. As soon as she saw James Bolton, she complained, “Brother, what were you yelling about last night! You made me get a problem wrong!”

James Bolton had thought his sister hadn’t heard the commotion from his breakthrough last night. Luckily, she hadn’t come into his room—otherwise, it would have been hard to explain the hole in the floor!

“It’s nothing, I was just dreaming last night. Didn’t scare you, did I? Haha…” James Bolton picked up a bowl of rice porridge and drank it down.

Chapter 11: Siblings Buy a House

After breakfast, James Bolton took his sister to the county town. He wanted to buy a house there for their parents. Plus, since his sister was now studying in the county, living at school was inconvenient.

If they bought a house in the county, their parents could look after Emily Bolton, and there’d be no need to keep running back and forth.

It wasn’t that James Bolton didn’t want to bring his parents to Nancheng, nor was he worried about not having enough money to buy a house there. Ever since he got the energy exchange device, James Bolton hadn’t worried about money at all. He just thought his parents wouldn’t be used to life in a big city.

If they bought a house in the county, it would be easy for his parents to visit their hometown whenever they wanted. Next time, he’d buy Emily Bolton a car—once she learned to drive, the round trip would only take about half an hour. If his parents didn’t like living there, they could always go back to the countryside for a few days.

That’s why James Bolton wanted to buy the house while he was still home, so he wouldn’t have to worry about it later when he was busy training and searching for energy.

“Brother, why are we going to the county today? I still have so many worksheets to do!” Emily Bolton said with a worried look.

“You can do them when we get back tonight. Today, come with me to buy a house. From now on, you can live in town and won’t have to keep running back and forth!” James Bolton said with a smile.

“Really? You’re the best, brother! Where are we buying it? There’s a new development near my school that just finished construction! The environment is great. If we buy a house there, it’ll only take me ten minutes to get to school.” Emily Bolton was overjoyed at the news and made a suggestion.

“Alright, let’s go take a look. If it’s good, we’ll buy it there!” James Bolton agreed readily.