Martial arts techniques are divided into five levels: Beginner, Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, Perfection, and Flawlessness.

When performed, they require extremely high standards for movement, muscles, and strength. Under normal circumstances, without more than ten years of tempering, it is very difficult to reach this level.

He was able to achieve it in just three years of study—both talent and hard work were indispensable.

Of course, now was not the time to ponder this. The Major Achievement level of "Tiger Stride Fist," under the surging true energy of the Qi Cultivation Realm, was as fierce as a tiger descending the mountain, unleashing an astonishing aura.

The Iron-Arm Bear also sensed the danger. Its other iron claw came up to meet the attack.

Bang!

Claw and fist collided.

His face turned pale, and Henry Clark was immediately sent flying backward, his arm and fist burning with pain.

Body damage, lifespan: -50...

In the blink of an eye, his lifespan dropped by fifty days.

Fortunately, he had been cultivating nonstop these past two days; otherwise, just this one blow might have finished him off...

Even so, there wasn’t much left. He probably couldn’t even take another hit.

He had lost more than half his lifespan from the blow, but the Major Achievement level Tiger Stride Fist also had some effect on the Iron-Arm Bear. The latter felt pain and roared in anger again, its massive figure charging forward like a tank.

Roar!

Before the bear arrived, its violent roar made his ears ring, as if he had gone deaf.

"The Major Achievement level Tiger Stride Fist, combined with the Qi Cultivation Realm, is indeed powerful, but... this guy’s hide is too thick. The force can’t penetrate at all, unless... I can comprehend the Perfection level!"

The deeper the understanding of a martial art, the greater the power it can unleash.

Perfection and Major Achievement may only be one level apart, but the difference is like that between hidden force and overt force.

Because of this, in the entire clan, only a few people like his father and the Grand Elder could comprehend it. Among the younger generation, no one had achieved it yet.

Thinking this, Henry Clark knew there was no time left. Feeling the pressure of the iron palm, he unleashed the Tiger Stride Fist once more.

No, this still isn’t enough. I need to become stronger, even stronger...

With a roar in his heart, in an instant, Henry Clark entered a special state of mind. In this realm, there was no panic, no fear—only the perfect execution of his fist technique.

The Longevity Diagram began to tremble.

-1, -5, -15...

His lifespan kept burning away.

The Tiger Stride Fist was pushed to its limit. If someone stood in front of him, they would feel as if he were a tiger descending the mountain—unstoppable. At this moment, his aura, strength, and mental state fused perfectly.

Tiger Stride Fist... Perfection level!

In the blink of an eye, his fist passed through the Iron-Arm Bear’s arm and landed on its chest.

Bang!

Violent true energy instantly pierced through the bear’s fur and burrowed into its heart.

Crack! Crack!

The ferocious Iron-Arm Bear, full of disbelief, was sent flying backward and crashed heavily to the ground. In that moment, all the vessels in its heart were shattered.

"Did I succeed?"

Only now did Henry Clark react, full of disbelief.

This was a beast at the sixth level of martial artist... and yet he, who had just broken through to the fifth level, killed it with a single punch?

Could it be... the Qing Emperor Longevity Art I practice not only nourishes life, but also possesses powerful destructive force?

He hurriedly looked at the Longevity Diagram.

Iron-Arm Bear: Beast of Luoyun Gorge, Yundan Mountains.

Cultivation: Early stage of Martial Artist Level Six.

Lifespan: 22 years / 22 years.

Body damage, lifespan: -34 years.

Just as he felt relieved and secretly glad, he saw his own information.

Henry Clark: Resident of Xu Family Village, Jiyuan City, son of Village Chief Xu Tianlin...

Lifespan: 16 years / 16 years. (Remaining 0.001 days).

Stolen abilities: Qing Emperor Longevity Art, Tiger Stride Fist (Perfection).

"Eh?"

Henry Clark was stunned, unable to care about the last change—he just felt his scalp go numb.

0.001 days, which is about 1.44 minutes... meaning, barring accidents, he would die in about one minute!

Didn’t I just kill the opponent?

Why did my lifespan decrease so drastically?

Most crucially, the opponent’s iron palm didn’t even land on me!

"I can’t die..."

Knowing this was not the time to think, Henry Clark immediately activated bug mode.

"Hahahahaha..."

Laughter echoed throughout the cave.

+0.01, +0.01...

Watching his life gradually replenish, Henry Clark finally breathed a sigh of relief.

0.02 days, nearly thirty minutes—enough for an emergency...

He took two steps to the dead Iron-Arm Bear, afraid it might still jump up, pulled out his dagger, and stabbed it in the heart.

After confirming it was completely dead, he felt as if his whole body was drained, his limbs weak.

At the same time, blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.

Sure enough... with his lifespan at its end, he was so weak he didn’t even want to move, just wanted to lie down and sleep.

"Meat from a level six martial beast must be extremely nourishing..."

Knowing there was no time for cultivation or anything else, he could only eat like crazy to recover his lost lifespan. His eyes fell on the huge beast in front of him.

Following the bone seams, he twisted the dagger and quickly cut off all four hooves.

The tastiest part of a bear is the paw—specifically, the right front paw, which is used to eat honey and is rich in nutrients. The other front paw is used to cover its rear during hibernation, so its taste isn’t as good...