*Momentum?*

Though Tang Yan’s knowledge from his past life was vast, this world was different. Here, martial prowess reigned supreme, and the martial path had flourished into something far beyond Earth’s concepts.

“My master never mentioned it,” Tang Yan replied. “Why do you bring it up, Senior?”

“We’ve only known each other briefly, but I feel a rare kinship with you, Young Brother Tang. As I’m about to depart, I’d like to share some insights—hopefully they’ll aid you,” Shen Shan said.

“Thank you, Senior!” Tang Yan quickly bowed in gratitude.

Shen Shan paused to gather his thoughts. “Momentum reflects a person’s essence, their spirit. The sooner you grasp ‘Momentum’ and define your own, the better you can harness it in your cultivation. By channeling it, you unlock your potential.”

Tang Yan listened, mulling it over. In his past life, many had stressed “momentum” too—like the saying, *“In battle, it’s all about courage: strike with full vigor once, wane on the second, exhaust by the third.”* That courage was a form of momentum, capable of swaying a war’s outcome.

But that was a surface take. How to forge it? Tang Yan was still in the dark, so he kept quiet, absorbing Shen Shan’s words.

“Mountains tower awe-inspiring—that sheer, sky-piercing edge is a momentum.

“Bamboo stands firm on cliffs—that unyielding resolve is a momentum.

“Water wears through stone—that steadfast endurance is a momentum… We must look within, know our hearts, and birth our own momentum!”

Shen Shan’s words struck like thunder, exploding in Tang Yan’s mind.

With two lives’ worth of talent and experience, Tang Yan had a rare edge. Shen Shan’s clear, apt metaphors sparked a sudden clarity.

Yet a barrier lingered—how did this momentum manifest?

As Tang Yan puzzled, a weight pressed down on him. A tangible, oppressive force radiated from Shen Shan, bearing down on him.

Under this aura, Tang Yan felt an illusion: Shen Shan wasn’t a man but a cloud-scraping peak. Tang Yan? A mere pebble at its base—small, ordinary.

Sensing this momentum, his understanding deepened.

Shen Shan didn’t relent. Tang Yan’s face flushed, his breathing quickened.

“This is momentum—a transformation of mental force into something else. It’s intangible yet real,” Shen Shan’s voice cut through.

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Tang Yan, already sharp, felt the fog lift, his mind crystal-clear.

*“Form follows the heart; reality bends to will.”*

The phrase flashed in his mind. Closing his eyes, he sank into thought: *What’s my momentum?*

In his past life, he’d devoted himself to alchemy, overcoming countless hurdles to reach ninth-rank Dan Master. Yet he’d always felt ninth-rank wasn’t the end—couldn’t there be a tenth rank?

To push alchemy further, he’d poured his soul into crafting a tenth-rank pill. A cultivation misstep had shattered the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron, flinging him into this world.

Here, he chased martial supremacy with the same fervor.

The path ahead was unclear, yet he pressed on without hesitation. Wasn’t this fearless spirit his true way?

A restless surge brewed in his mind, like a volcano simmering, ready to erupt.

Shen Shan’s explanation wound down. He held his momentum a moment longer, then spoke. “These are martial insights. Cultivating ‘Momentum’ is no easy feat—it demands relentless exploration, not instant mastery.

“Young Brother Tang, focus on ‘Momentum’ in your future training. If you can forge your own before reaching Heavenly Stage, your potential will be limitless.”

As he finished, Shen Shan prepared to retract his aura.

Suddenly, a skyward surge burst from Tang Yan.

Against Shen Shan’s mountain-like pressure, this momentum stood defiant, piercing the clouds with fierce resolve.

Shen Shan’s heart lurched, his stunned gaze locking on Tang Yan. Feeling that tangible force, his mind raced with a stampede of imaginary alpacas.

*How?! A Mysterious Stage fighter grasping Momentum? Even Heavenly Stage masters struggle with this!*

Thankfully, days with Tang Yan had built some tolerance for his freakish nature.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Shen Shan probed Tang Yan’s momentum.

Under his oppressive aura, Tang Yan’s force resisted, relentlessly breaking through.

This spirit—*Fearlessness!*

Realizing Tang Yan’s momentum, Shen Shan felt dizzy. *What kind of monster did I stumble upon?*

In a mere quarter-hour, Tang Yan had grasped what others chased for lifetimes—and *Fearlessness* at that!

Fearlessness was rare, maximizing one’s cultivation by shrugging off obstacles, forging ahead with unshakable guts.

With this, Tang Yan would rarely hit bottlenecks, and his growth would skyrocket.

When Tang Yan opened his eyes, he felt his vortex dantian spinning faster than ever, a thrill surging through him.

*Momentum’s wonders are endless!*

“Thank you for your guidance, Senior,” Tang Yan said, clasping his hands. Shen Shan’s help today was immense.

Snapping out of his shock, Shen Shan exhaled. “Your talent, Young Master Tang, would rank top-tier even in the Northern Spirit Realm!”

“You flatter me, Old Brother Shen. My gifts pale next to Little He’s,” Tang Yan waved off.

Shen Shan didn’t linger on pleasantries, nodding. “Since you’ve glimpsed Momentum’s power, go refine it. If you ever leave Tingxiang or face trouble, you *must* visit me at the Artifact Pavilion.”

“I’ll make it to the Northern Spirit Realm someday,” Tang Yan vowed firmly.

“Then we’ll meet again there,” Shen Shan smiled.

“Until next time!” Tang Yan saluted and turned to leave.

Watching him go, Shen He’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “Big Brother Tang’s got such a free spirit.”

Shen Shan nodded, voice grave. “For the Eastern Domain to birth a youth like him—it’s astounding. His talent’s sharp, but his strength lags. Compared to the Northern Spirit Realm’s geniuses, he’s got ground to cover. Hope he grows fast.”

“Grandpa, my strength’s low too…” Shen He pouted.

Shen Shan blinked, then burst into laughter. “You’re different from Tang Yan. Our Artifact Pavilion has resources outsiders can’t dream of. Even with middling talent, as long as you can cultivate, we’ll get you to Heavenly Stage.

“And with your unique physique now, once we’re back, your progress will soar.”

“Then why not invite Big Brother Tang to the Artifact Pavilion?” Shen He asked, curious.