《Murim to XianXia: A Martial God’s Cultivation Journey》 1. Transmigration CHAPTER 1: Transmigration Deep in the woods behind Clear Spring village, a short figure quietly stalked a furry critter. A hunting bow held firmly in their hands, and its string was pulled to the limit. The steel arrowhead gleamed under the sunlight as it glared at the Red-eared rabbit¡¯s neck. The figure was not in a hurry to shoot. Hunting needed patience: despite their young age, the figure understood it quite well. The critter chewed on a piece of green leaf; its red-patterned ears stood upright on its head, ready to pick up any unnatural fluctuations in its surroundings. Aside from their agility, the red-eared rabbits also had a pair of excellent ears. They could hear even the faintest vibrations on the ground when one walked. The rabbit had complete trust in its ears: it grazed without a care in the world as its ear hadn¡¯t detected anything dangerous yet. Out of nowhere, an arrow with a bamboo body tore through the air at a breakneck speed and pinned the unsuspecting furry into a nearby tree. Before the hare heard the whistling sound, its neck had already been pierced through by the arrow¡¯s steel tip. The trait that had always helped it avoid disasters failed for the first time. Luo Ling emerged from hiding, wiping his forehead with the back of his palm. The bow he used to hunt the red-patterned rabbit hung from his shoulders, with a quiver dangling on his back. Although he succeeded in killing his prey, there was no sign of joy or compliance on his tender face. Luo Ling was indeed disappointed with himself. He was nine years old this year and had already started training his body, yet the improvements he saw were almost negligible. As things stand now, he couldn¡¯t even catch a rabbit without wasting an entire afternoon. Even then, he had to resort to tricks. As a former Martial Transcendent, it was nothing but a disgrace. It had been a year since Luo Ling awoke the memories of his previous life. Although he called it past life, in reality, he was no longer in the same world. It¡¯d be more accurate to label it as a transmigration. As mystifying as it may sound, it was indeed the truth. He used to be an illustrious figure who reached the pinnacle of his previous world in a mere twenty years¡ª a feat unprecedented in the world of Murim. After he rose to prominence, Luo Ling had been to every corner of the Murim. He remembered the global geography like the back of his palm, and yet he had never seen the Five Fragrance Village or the Hundred Beast Forest. How could this be unless it was no longer in the same world? For the time being, Luo Ling stopped thinking about it. He lacked enough evidence to comment on the topic. The Murim¡¯s martial artists start their journey as martial apprentices, then step into 3rd-rate martial artists and level up to 1st-rate martial artists through rigorous training. After 1st rate martial artists, the next stage was Martial Masters. Then, Martial Grandmaster. If one¡¯s comprehension was high and they could deduce the true nature of their martial skills, it¡¯d be easy for them to step into Martial Transcendent. Luo Ling had achieved the [Transcendent] stage after mastering and comprehending the true nature of the martial skill he practiced. In only twenty years, he climbed five massive hurdles and set a record that might never be broken by anyone in the future. While partially it could be attributed to his talent, a bulk of credit went to his hard work and the resources provided by the school he was a part of. In this life, Luo Ling had no one to depend on. His parents perished in a magic beast riot before he could even know who they were. Later, he was sent to the orphanage in the village and has been staying there until now. Aside from not having any talent, he didn¡¯t even have access to the resources he had in his previous life. Left with no choice, he could only compensate for what was lacking with hard work, but with it alone, the results were less than satisfactory. At the very least, it couldn¡¯t keep up with his overarching expectations. Luo Ling pulled the arrow out of the rabbit¡¯s neck and wiped the blood off the tip with a piece of leaf. Putting the arrow back into the quiver, he took out a short knife made from sharpened stone and dressed his game. Nimble hands moved with expert precision as Luo Ling skinned the rabbit without damaging its fur. Luo Ling had planned to sell them to the local leather workshop when he returned; those furs would definitely fetch an attractive price. The meat could also be sold for an even higher price as they were considered a rare delicacy among the neighboring villages. But Luo Ling would not do that. The flesh and blood were for his own consumption. Martial arts practice puts a massive toll on the body. To heal those wounds, the body demands extensive amounts of energy. A diet of meat and grains is a must. The better one¡¯s consumption is, the faster one will progress during the early phases. Luo Ling had been hunting these exotic small animals around the edges of Hundred Beast Forest and managed to become a 2nd-rate Martial artist. The energy his body harvested from the consumption of such exotic animals shortened his grinding time. After skinning, Luo Ling drained all its blood, dressed the meat, and got rid of unwanted internal organs. He wrapped the cleaned meat with banana leaves and returned to the village. As he stepped out of the dense winding forest path and onto the pavement road connecting Five Fragrance Village and the nearby town, a gust of strong wind blew past his face, messing up his hair. Luo Ling instinctively closed his eyes, protecting them from the dust and debris that followed the wind. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. After a few seconds had passed and he no longer felt the wind, Luo Ling opened his eyes and looked up. In the sky, a lean figure zoomed into the horizon while standing upright on something. Flight. Humans conquering the sky; Luo Ling never thought it was possible until he came to this world. His worldview refreshed when he witnessed it for the first time, and once again it became clear that he was no longer in the Murim. The Martial artists could make use of [Lightness Skills], also known as agility-based martial techniques, to step on air and perform long leaps. But they certainly couldn¡¯t fly. However, the powerhouses of this world, Cultivators, could achieve such a feat. His knowledge of them was limited to what the villagers of Five Fragrance Village knew. The orphanage he grew up in was rumored to be funded by an organization of cultivators, but the matron and the staff had never revealed anything even after he asked. Luo Ling¡¯s blood burned with desire. He also wanted to soar into the sky and enjoy freedom like a bird. He wished to hold the capabilities of the man who just flew into the horizon. The walk to the village was a quiet one void of any other surprises. The sighting of the cultivator was only a brief respite in Luo Ling¡¯s usual routine. Soon, a pair of towering iron gates and high-rising walls made of stone came into his view. As a village that shared borders with the dangerous Hundred Beast Forest, these gigantic fortifications offered much-needed confidence and security to the people. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the slayer of rabbits, the mighty Ling!¡± As Luo Ling got to the village entrance, a bald head peeked out from one of the two outposts built on either side by the foot of the towering gates. A large grin plastered on his dry, unkempt face. ¡°How about selling what you got today to me? I¡¯ll pay you one stone plate higher than the market price.¡± ¡°Not happening today, gatekeeper Daluo. You can¡¯t afford what I got.¡± Luo Ling grinned, patting the banana leaf package tied to his back. Gatekeeper Daluo would often buy the byproducts of his hunt, and he had always been generous with his offers. Luo Ling liked to trade with him because the man had never taken advantage of his ignorance when he was just getting started in the new world. ¡°Big words coming from a small brat. What treasure did you catch that I can¡¯t afford, hmm?¡± Gatekeeper Daluo snorted. ¡°A red-eared rabbit. Anyway, I am off to the market. See you later.¡± Leaving behind the stunned gatekeeper Daluo to his own devices, Luo Ling rushed to the market. His sensitive ears caught not-so-loud mumblings of ¡®lucky brat¡¯ from the man, but he didn¡¯t pay it any mind. Lucky or not, only he knew the truth. As the afternoon waned, the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape. The sky began to take on hues of orange and pink, painting a breathtaking tableau of colors. The night was fast approaching, and it¡¯d soon be time for everyone to return to the safety of their homes, making the marketplace at its busiest around this hour. Luo Ling beelined to the only place in the village that knew the worth of the materials in his hands¡ªHuang¡¯s Craftsmanship. -~x~- ¡°Exquisite softness and silken textures; it''s indeed the fur of an adult red-eared rabbit.¡± Old Huang, the master of Huang¡¯s Craftsmanship, mumbled under his breath as he ran his thumb against the skin. Time might have deprived him of the sharp vision he once had in his youth, but his rich experience in handling materials made him an excellent appraiser of fabrics. Luo Ling respected people like him who mastered their craft to such heights. ¡°How is it, Old Huang? It¡¯s worth at least forty iron rings, is it not?¡± Luo Ling offered his price confidently. ¡°I admit the furs of red-eared rabbits are rare, but it¡¯s not that rare.¡± Old Huang shook his head and made a counteroffer. ¡°I can give you fifteen iron rings for this pelt.¡± ¡°Old Huang, are you not ashamed to spout such nonsense in my face? Just because I''ve never been to the town doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t know anything. The rugs made from these pelts go as high as sixty iron rings. Compared to that, my asking price for the pelt isn¡¯t that high.¡± Luo Ling slammed his hands on the table. ¡°Give me thirty-eight iron rings.¡± ¡°Too much! I will suffer a loss. Alright, considering we are from the same village and you are the same age as my grandson, I''ll give you 17 iron rings.¡± Not one to eat a loss, Luo Ling kept haggling for a better price until they reached an agreement at 20 iron rings. ¡°I really can¡¯t underestimate you, Ling brat. That shrewdness is beyond your years.¡± Old Huang exclaimed as he handed out the money. His expression betrayed his disbelief at Luo Ling¡¯s bargaining capabilities. ¡°How is it shrewd? It¡¯s called negotiating.¡± Luo Ling insisted. ¡°Anyway, take care, Old Huang. I¡¯ll be back if I get better spoils next time.¡± -~X~- Luo Ling arrived at a relatively deserted corner of the village¡ª a small clearing surrounded by towering trees and dense shrubbery. He discovered this place only a few days after awakening his memories, and it had been his secret training location since then. No one came to this place, giving him peace of mind while he trained. There were a few training dummies made from dried leaves and wooden posts scattered around, serving as his target practice dummies. Off to a corner, there was an earth stove sitting quietly. The dark patches around the burner were an indication of its frequent use. Luo Ling untied the banana package from his waist and put it down. A strong scent of turmeric and some other herbs wafted off the meat inside it. Before coming here, Luo Ling went to an herb shop and bought a few stalks of Blood Congealing leaves¡ª a herb that helps in blood coagulation. With a few pieces of turmeric roots, he made a paste with those leaves and applied it to the meat before wrapping it in banana leaves. It had been half an hour since then, and the medicinal oil from the leaves had already seeped into the tender meat. It was ready for consumption. Luo Ling started the fire and slotted the meat into wooden skewers. Leaving it to cook in low-intensity flames, he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. His consciousness sank into the depths of his head¡ª a place where his biggest secret lay. Traversing through the inky darkness of his mind, Luo Ling approached a world bathed in golden radiance. In the middle of this vast expanse, a gargantuan tablet seemingly made from gold stood out proudly. Luo Ling guided his consciousness to approach the tablet. As he got closer, words written on this monolithic structure became clear. There was only one line¡ª [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 178/500 2. Records of Toil CHAPTER 2: Records of Toil The golden tablet was taller than a skyscraper and shined brighter than a midday sun. Yet, its brilliance didn¡¯t hurt Luo Ling¡¯s eyes even when he kept staring at it without blinking. The tablet had only one thing written: the name of the martial arts he was practicing and his progress on the said technique. It had a [Second] tag next to the name, meaning he had reached the second stage of the body forging technique, boosting his level to 2nd-rate martial warrior. ¡°Martial God,¡± Luo Ling mumbled under his breath, staring at the tablet with a forlorn expression. In truth, the [Transcendent] was not the end of the martial path; there was another stage above it¡ª the Martial God. The three stages above 1st-rate Martial Warrior, namely Martial Master, Martial Grandmaster, and Martial Transcendent, have a goal each. A Martial Master must tap into their mental energy and train it to perfection. Then, they are to flood their mental energy into their bodies and strive to achieve absolute control over their physique. This stage is called the Martial Grandmaster. Similarly, when a Grandmaster¡¯s mastery over their bodies reaches microscopic levels and they achieve mind-body unity, the door to Martial Transcendence opens. After becoming a Martial Transcendent, Luo Ling unlocked the inherent shackles in his body and gained access to his soul. He could also absorb the natural energy in the atmosphere and use it to strengthen his soul. The speed at which he improved was even faster than when he was a master or grandmaster. Everyone thought he had a higher chance of becoming the legendary God within a hundred years, and even Luo Ling agreed with their speculations. After all, by the time this rumor spread among martial artists of Murim, he had already achieved perfection of his Transcendent stage. The door to godhood was right before his eyes. But Luo Ling had never expected to be poisoned by his schoolmaster¡¯s disciple because the man was jealous of his talent. Moreover, the poison that the disciple used was something Luo Ling had never seen before; even the strength of a Martial Transcendent couldn¡¯t stop its spread. As his vision sunk into the darkness, Luo Ling regretted his naivety. He should have adhered to the prime rule of the Jianghu in the Murim world- trust no one. One poisoned dagger to the heart shattered all his glory and dreams. He would soon become a nameless corpse destined to be forgotten in the annals of history. At the height of his despair, Luo Ling noticed the emergence of a door in his fading consciousness, and a call echoed in the depths of his soul¡ª open it. He felt compelled to reach out and pry it open. It''s as if his very existence wished to open that door. And that¡¯s what he did. The memories of what happened after that were hazy, but Luo Ling remembered casting a technique to save himself. It was a technique he obtained after becoming a God. The door was the final shackle of his body that prevented a mortal from divinity, and he broke it. The technique was meant to send his soul several hours back in time and assimilate with his past self so he could avoid death and live on. Even while using himself, Luo Ling couldn''t help but hold a lot of doubt. Traveling in time was already treading upon the boundaries of impossibility. And it succeeded, but partially. Although he managed to send his soul, it was not to the past but across the space-time and to a different dimension. He lost everything in the process and was reduced to a frail mortal with the last vestiges of his fading God Soul transforming into this golden tablet. Speaking of the golden tablet, it was another wonder that tested his common sense. When Luo Ling learned its uses for the first time, he was rendered speechless for an entire day. To put it bluntly, this treasure could help him master any technique through continuous repetitions. It didn''t matter what the requirements of the technique were, as long as he repeatedly performed it, he would continuously increase its mastery. Let''s consider the Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise that he practiced as an example. This martial technique had three levels, corresponding to the three stages before Martial Master. In the first stage, the practitioner was required to execute a set of complex-looking and strenuous stances while breathing in a specific pattern. After persisting until mastery, the practitioner was guaranteed to become a 3rd-rate martial warrior. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The second level of Iron Muscles and Steel Veins required the practitioner to wear weights while performing all the exercises of the first stage. The added stress would hone his muscle strength and flexibility. As for the third stage, the practitioner had to wear weight and repeat the first level while enduring physical pain in the form of beating. This level focussed on strengthening the skin as it was the first line of defense of the body. This stage was basically a form of self-harm. Each level had its corresponding methods that needed to be followed to increase martial technique''s mastery. But thanks to the tablet, Luo Ling became a 2nd-rate martial warrior by continuously repeating the first stage. Even without the weights, his body grew stronger as the mastery of the level increased with each passing day. Taking note of such game-changing, almost cheating-like, abilities of the tablet, Luo Ling named it [Records of Toil]. He briefly considered naming it [Repetition Makes Perfection], but it sounded rather bland. -~X~- Luo Ling observed the monolithic structure for a few more minutes with mixed feelings before pulling himself out of the subconscious world. Although he lost all his accomplishments, he gained a logic-defying tool in exchange. With its help, climbing back to his previous summit wouldn¡¯t pose much of a challenge. Perhaps he¡¯d only need a few years to achieve transcendence this time. Luo Ling rose to his feet and stretched, eliciting a series of satisfying popping sounds from his bones. Assuming a horse stance, he regulated his breathing with practiced ease. After a few minutes, he seamlessly transitioned into another form. The first stage of the Iron Muscles Steel Veins body forging exercise comprised a series of complex-looking stances; executing them posed no challenge for Luo Ling. By the time he reached the thirteenth stance, he was already sweating. The technique harnessed the excessive energy in the body to strengthen muscles and blood vessels. Therefore, an energy-rich diet was necessary for the practice. Usually, the martial apprentices who practiced this body-forging technique would fatten themselves until they were overweight. Their accumulated fats supplied inexhaustible energy, helping them to level up quickly. Luo Ling also did the same when he started on this body-forging technique. After regaining his memories, he spent the first few months to gain weight. Although the orphanage was not too shabby, they still cut corners in many things. The meals they provided left much to be desired. Meat dishes were an occasional luxury, and the vegetables were often rotten. They lacked the necessary nutrients he desired. After becoming a 3rd-rate martial warrior, Luo Ling no longer relied on the orphanage for meals. Having trained a physique rivaling that of trained adults and ample experience in wilderness survival, he had the means to hunt on the outskirts of Hundred Beast Forest. The combination of energy-rich diets, diligent practice, and Records of Toil made him a 2nd-rate martial warrior in nine months. With how fast things were progressing, he had a high chance at breaking through to 1st-rate warrior in the next two months. Although this speed fell short of his expectations, he was still much faster than his previous life. -~X~- Luo Ling crouched down before springing up with an uppercut. The fifteenth, also the final, stance in the Iron Muscle Steel Veins series was named Leaping Dragon. Designed to counter bigger opponents than the practitioner by targeting their chin, the move puts a massive toll on the body, especially on the thighs. A wave of weakness washed over him as soon as his foot touched the ground. Luo Ling nearly tumbled down, barely managing to stay on his legs through sheer willpower. Just then, his stomach rumbled with a vengeance. The last time he had a full meal was before he left the village to hunt; that was a few hours ago. As a 2nd-rate martial warrior, his metabolism had already surpassed the limits of an average person. Food that took hours to digest would be done within half an hour. Luo Ling was famished after all that hard work he put himself through and the fragrance of the slow-cooking rabbit continuously stimulated his appetite. However, the meat entered the oven for only a few minutes. It was still far from being cooked properly. Raw flesh would never enter his menu no matter how hungry he was. Luckily, he was prepared. On his way here, he stopped by Madam Wei¡¯s Eatery. Famous for its delicious yet greasy meat buns, the shop always saw a steady stream of patrons around the clock. Luo Ling regularly bought his pre-meal ¡®snacks¡¯ from that restaurant as not only did those oily buns satisfy his palette, but the stuffings were generous. It was the perfect starter before the main dish was ready. Luo Ling had bought a handful of extra-large buns; he tore through them like a ravenous glutton. Two servings of those buns were enough to make an adult feel bloated, yet Luo Ling had no trouble gorging on three. Feeling stuffed, he put away the remaining three and settled down on a meditative stance. His mind sunk into the depths of his subconsciousness. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 179/500 The proficiency had grown. Each time Luo Ling finished the set of fifteen stances, the proficiency of the exercise would increase by one point. Following this trend, he needed to repeat the sets 321 more times to reach the Third Level and become a 1st-rate warrior. With his current vitality and blood, Luo Ling could perform the sets four times daily. That was his limit. Forcing himself beyond that number would stunt his natural growth, and he didn¡¯t want that. It wouldn¡¯t be wise to jeopardize his body¡¯s natural growth process. Roughly, he would need two months to reach 1st-rate. 3. Archery CHAPTER 3: Archery Those greasy buns took almost half an hour to digest. In the meantime, Luo Ling sat cross-legged and meditated. The Martial Master stage focuses on the cultivation of mental energy. Born in the depths of one¡¯s consciousness, mental energy was sometimes called the crystallization of willpower. A capable martial master could move things with his thoughts alone. At their pinnacle, the mental energy, which was also called Inner Breath by the martial artists, could be manifested out of the body. Luo Ling was still far from that stage. He had yet to tap into his innate mental energy, let alone strengthen it. Meditation was self-discipline he developed a habit of. Whenever he had free time, he would sit down cross-legged and meditate. Even after transmigration, that habit persisted. This diligence honed Luo Ling¡¯s inner breath in his previous life, making its strength soar to new heights. Before his death, he held the record of lifting a small-scale mountain with his raw mental energy. For his current self, meditation only benefitted him in calming his mind and regulating his emotions. As energy filled him once again, washing away the fatigue he felt from the intense practice from before, Luo Ling got up and stretched. The second round of the Iron Muscles Steel veins Body Forging was thus commenced. After several minutes of intense workout, he stopped, gasping for breath and feeling drained. His stomach once again rumbled, demanding food. All those generously stuffed buns were burned away into energy and used up to strengthen his body. In the golden world located in the depths of his consciousness, proficiency of the body forging skill had risen by one. Luo Ling wolfed down the remaining buns before peeking at the oven. The rabbit was only halfway cooked and still had an hour to go before it was done. Although its delicious smell was already making him drool, he had no choice but to wait. One thing Luo Ling noticed about this world was that the meats of the animals he hunted in the Hundred Beasts Forest were more delicious than the beasts of Murim world and contained significantly more energy. On average, it would take an entire night to digest their meats. Crossing his legs, he sat down to meditate and regain strength. It took him less than thirty minutes to digest those buns this time. Feeling energized, Luo Ling got to his feet, ready to continue his labor. But he didn¡¯t persist in body forging exercises. Although doing it again would increase proficiency by one, he had to learn when to stop. His current body was that of a nine-year-old kid, still growing. Putting more stress than it could handle would prove counterproductive in the long run. Picking up his bow, Luo Ling decided on some target practice. Archery was his bread and butter for the time being, and he needed it to hunt his game. Perfecting the craft was a must. Luo Ling had a handful of sharpened bamboo arrows tucked away under one of the target dummies. Those were the special arrows made solely for training purposes. He didn¡¯t use the same arrows he hunted the rabbit with as metal was an expensive commodity in Five Fragrance Village. Given his limited funds, he couldn¡¯t afford to have those iron-tipped arrows dulled. Those fifteen-odd arrowheads he custom-made cost him a dozen bronze marbles. As the clock ticked away, the sky gradually darkened. It was time for him to return to the orphanage. Just as Luo Ling was about to put the bow down, a warm sensation enveloped him. A stream of electrifying sensation arose from his head and approached his face. Before he understood anything, mind-numbing pain assaulted his eyes. It felt like someone forcing a dull spoon into his sockets and forcefully scooping his eyeballs away. Luo Ling clutched his face and wreathed on the ground. It took every ounce of his willpower not to scream on the spot. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. The pain vanished as soon as it came, leaving him spiritually and physically exhausted. Back in his Jianghu days, he had been to many life-and-death battles. Many times, he sustained injuries that could kill an average human. But those injuries could not hold a candle to the few seconds of hell he endured just now. Getting his bearings straight, Luo Ling forced himself to sit cross-legged and guided his consciousness into the depths of his mind. He had an inkling of what happened seconds ago and wanted to confirm his hypothesis. The golden bathed world appeared and in its centre was the Records of Toil. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 180/500 [Archery (Houtian)]¡ª Proficiency: 1/500 He was right on the money. The sudden agony was due to Records of Toil adjusting his body after a new entry. Luo Ling knew how the golden tablet functioned, so he was not worked up about archery appearing on it. The surprising part, however, was despite his conscious efforts to avoid any named archery techniques in his memories, he still couldn¡¯t stop it from entering the tablet. Luo Ling¡¯s face morphed into a frown. He was far from being thrilled. Records of Toil might be gigantic, but in the end, the space on it was limited. He would rather not fill it up with things he might give up in the near future. Luo Ling had not planned to stick with archery for longer. At the moment, he was young and weak. Even though he had become a 2nd-rate martial warrior, his underdeveloped body couldn¡¯t bring out the full potential of this stage. He would get tired within seconds if he exploded with the full might of a 2nd-rate martial warrior. Throwing hands with those animals in the forest in his current state was no better than asking for death. Hence, until he hit a growth spurt, the bows and arrows would become his tools for hunting. But now, he would have to make adjustments to those plans. Since Records of Toil already accepted it as a martial technique, he had to stick to it until the end. With his mind made up, Luo Ling returned to reality and opened his eyes¡­ only to do a double take. A brighter and wider world greeted him. The trees looked denser, and the grasses looked greener. Even the target dummies appeared much closer and more defined. Luo Ling suddenly recalled the momentary pain in his eyes and figured out the reason behind such drastic changes in his vision. It was his eyes; they had improved. Even a fool would know why it happened since the hints were so obvious. He had not expected a technique he avoided to have such hidden benefits. It was a welcomed surprise. Unfortunately, the sky was about to turn dark, and he still had to eat the roasted rabbit. Given the size, it would take at least half an hour to eat. It was rich in energy, so he couldn¡¯t subject it to the same fate as those buns from earlier¡ª to be inhaled in a few bites. Otherwise, he would have liked to test his improved vision with a few target practices. -~X~- An hour later, Luo Ling left his secret training spot. The village streets were void of human presence as almost everyone retired to the safety of their homes. There was a rumor floating among the older folks that a terrifying presence would prowl the streets after the sun went down. While Luo Ling didn¡¯t believe such things, he didn¡¯t dare try his luck either. This world had people who could fly in the skies. It wouldn¡¯t be too farfetched to have a demonic presence lurking around. The orphanage was built to the south of the village. Sandwiched between the health clinic and the military barracks, it could be said to have occupied the safest place in the village. It was for this reason that the orphanage didn¡¯t employ a guard. Luo Ling had occupied a room closer to the gate so he could conveniently go in and out without disturbing anyone. As he was about to enter his room, an elderly woman walked over. She was tall with a head full of greying hair, and age folds filled her face. Yet, her blue eyes held sharpness that Luo Ling had only seen in seasoned martial artists. ¡°Ling, you are finally back.¡± Her voice carried hints of tenderness. ¡°Mother Yi.¡± Luo Ling nodded his head in acknowledgment. Everyone in the orphanage called her mother Yi. Luo Ling also addressed her in the same way even after awakening his memories. Furrowing his brows, he inquired, ¡°Is something the matter?¡± He doubted the usually busy headmistress would have time for idle chats with him. He wondered if she needed his help with something. It was not weird for her to ask for his help once in a while to carry out some delivery tasks as she knew of his usual escapades to the forest. Perhaps she wanted him to pass down some message to someone? ¡°There is indeed something important. Tomorrow, an exult guest will be here to appraise the children for their aptitude in cultivation. Stay in the orphanage, and don¡¯t go anywhere in the morning.¡± Mother Yi said seriously. ¡°If you are lucky enough, you might become a part of the true powerhouses of this world.¡± She added with a yearning gaze in her eyes. 4. Mother Yi CHAPTER 4: Mother Yi Luo Ling was rather excited as he welcomed the headmistress into his room. He was finally getting the answers to the questions bugging him throughout the year. Mother Yi smiled upon seeing the eager look flashing on Luo Ling¡¯s face. She took a seat on his bed and straightened her back. ¡°You have a lot to ask, don¡¯t you?¡± She said, propping her head on her palm. ¡°Ask away. I¡¯ll answer them for you.¡± Luo Ling pulled out a wooden stool and settled onto it, his gaze fixed on the headmistress before him. He harbored a multitude of questions clamoring for answers. Piecing together fragments from conversations with villagers and snippets picked up through eavesdropping, he had begun to grasp the intricacies of this unfamiliar realm. But there were too many gaps in his information, and they had to be addressed first. He cleared his throat as decisiveness flashed in his eyes. He knew what to ask. ¡°Who are cultivators?¡± ¡°Cultivators are the true overlords of Spirit Continent.¡± Mother Yi said sombrely. ¡°They practice the art of Qi Refining and pursue immortality. Of course, their most important role is to protect the world from the threats that lurk in the unknown. More often than not, they¡ª¡± ¡°Wait a minute, Mother Yi.¡± Luo Ling raised his voice and pretended to not see the spark of annoyance flashed by the headmistress¡¯ face. Interrupting someone when they were speaking was very rude, but the transmigrator couldn¡¯t care less about the etiquette at the moment. He heard something unbelievable and needed confirmation. ¡°Immortality?¡± His voice was a little forceful. ¡°You mean real immortality as in living forever kind of thing?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Mother Yi responded curtly, seemingly still annoyed over the sudden interruption. ¡°Is immortality even possible? Has anyone become immortal?¡± Luo Ling was in genuine disbelief. In this previous world, martial artists could live for hundreds of years, but they would still erode with the passing of time and die of old age. Even the transcendents with godlike control over their bodies could slow down the aging to live for a thousand years at most. To his knowledge, no one had crossed that threshold. ¡°Yes. Cultivators who have reached a high enough level could stay alive for as long as the sun and moon in the sky.¡± Mother Yi¡¯s tone expressed her worship for such people. Even Luo Ling felt tremors in his heart and the yearning in his heart grew. Having suffered through death once, he vividly experienced the agony that came with it. The paranoia and despair as darkness overwhelm all your senses. The helplessness at your inability to do anything while your consciousness gradually sinks into nothingness. He really didn¡¯t want to be on the receiving end of such helplessness again. He decided in his heart. He must become a cultivator in one way or another. He had to strive for immortality. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Then, how can I learn to become one?¡± He asked; his usual level-headed demeanor melting away, giving way to the eagerness befitting his present age. From the gist of Mother Yi¡¯s explanation, it was clear that achieving immortality was a step-by-step process, like the Martial Arts path he was pursuing. It was evident a systematic training process was available for those who wished to pursue this path. ¡°I¡¯m here for this matter.¡± Mother Yi nodded her head, pleased at Luo Ling¡¯s eagerness. She coughed to clear her throat and straightened her back, in the process, gaining his undivided attention. ¡°Cultivation is the process of going against the rules of the heavens. Immortality is, after all, a forbidden path.¡± Luo Ling felt his heart skipping a beat. This orphanage matron sure knew how to build up an atmosphere: even a man like him, who had experienced death once, was drawn in. ¡°The Heavens has enforced many shackles on our bodies. Cultivators must refine their energy and repeatedly break those shackles to get closer to immortality.¡± Mother Yi almost appeared zealous when she spoke about cultivation, catching Luo Ling off guard. He didn¡¯t know the mature lady who looked to have weathered countless storms could wear such an expression on her face. But he couldn¡¯t blame her. Even a Martial God like him was feeling the tremors in his heart. ¡°But¡­¡± She stopped and retracted her expression. Although she hid it well, Luo Ling noticed a trace of helplessness and reluctance in her eyes. ¡°Not everyone could cultivate. To embark upon this path, one ought to have the required talent for it.¡± Luo Ling nodded his head; he agreed with that statement. It takes up a lot of resources and investment to train a powerhouse. Talent decides how fast and how few of those resources a practitioner consumes compared to others. No organization would be willing to waste its resources on mediocre people when it could invest the same amount in better talents and yield twice the result. ¡°You must have heard rumors about our orphanage being funded by a cultivator organization. You even asked about it a while ago. To answer that, Yes. This orphanage is built and cared for by the Fragrant Crown Immortal Sect.¡± Mother Yi revealed, then put a hand to stop Luo Ling from speaking out. ¡°And don¡¯t ask anything about the sect anymore. You will naturally know everything if you pass the assessment test tomorrow.¡± Luo Ling gulped down the plethora of questions he had for the dean. Mother Yi had made it clear that she wouldn¡¯t be answering them, so he might as well not waste his time. Most of his questions had gotten satisfactory responses, helping him fill in the gaps in the information about this new world. ¡°Understood. But what should I expect from this assessment test you speak of?¡± Luo Ling asked, ready to give his undivided attention to the woman. He was familiar with assessment tests. The Martial schools and affluent families often conducted them before choosing disciples or guards. Usually, such assessments would have tests designed to evaluate a participant¡¯s talent and hard work. He assumed the same would be true here as well. ¡°Nothing much. You only have to put your hands on a stone tablet that the guest will bring. If you have what it takes to be a cultivator, the tablet will show some reaction.¡± Mother Yi smiled as she replied. Luo Ling made a good impression of a fish out of water while he was struck with disbelief. Although he didn¡¯t make any assumptions beforehand since he knew next to nothing about being a cultivator, it was still shocking to learn all he had to do was put his hands on some stone thing. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± He wondered out loud, thinking the dean was teasing him. Mother Yi chuckled and shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate the means of an immortal sect. That tablet was inscribed with runes that could detect the quality of a person¡¯s meridian coil.¡± She said admonishingly. Luo Ling¡¯s eyes lit up as he caught a piece of important info from the orphanage caretaker¡¯s words. ¡°What¡¯s a meridian coil?¡± He inquired. He was like a sponge, absorbing any and every information related to the cultivators. Luo Ling had not felt this enthusiastic about something since the day he started on the [Light Wheel Swordsmanship]. 5. The Assessment part 1 CHAPTER 5: The Assessment Part 1 Mother Yi swiftly left after she said everything she had to. Luo Ling was very thankful that she took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions. Thanks to her, he had now gotten a somewhat detailed idea of the world he was in and also learned about the true powerhouses of the world. With a clear path ahead, he could save a lot of time. As the first light of dawn painted the sky in soft hues of pink and orange, the world stirred from its slumber. The gentle caress of the morning breeze carried the sweet scent of dew-kissed flowers, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. Birds greeted the day with joyful melodies, their songs weaving through the tranquil stillness of the morning air. Standing by the window, Luo Ling greeted the first rays of the sun with a gentle smile on his face. It was going to be a memorable day, not only for him but also for all the children who were nine years or older. Whether they would stay mortal or embark upon the path of a cultivator would be decided today. ¡°Meridian coils,¡± He mumbled under his breath, recalling Mother Yi¡¯s words from the previous night. Cultivation is the process of absorbing the energy of the world and using it to refine the shackles in the body. However, to absorb the energy of the world, also known as Qi, a person must possess opened meridians. The link that connects these meridians to form a chain is known as a meridian coil. According to Mother Yi, a meridian coil was something one was born with. There was no other way to obtain it. Divided by their quality, there were four known variations of meridian coils¡ª Mortal, Spiritual, Heaven and Earth, and Immortal. The Fragrant Crown Immortal sect accepts only children who have Spiritual or higher-grade meridian coils. He doesn¡¯t know what quality he had, but Luo Ling hoped it was of spiritual grade. Although he was excited, Luo Ling didn¡¯t lose his cool. He understood the saying: the higher your expectations, the greater your disappointment. The previous night, he had done a lot of thinking on this subject. It came to his notice that he was becoming too obsessed with the idea of being immortal. Strictly speaking, it was not a good thing. Obsession often leads to destruction. Therefore, on the eve of the morning, Luo Ling let go of his infatuation with immortal cultivation while gazing at the rising sun. He was not letting go of his desire to be a cultivator. But he was no longer obsessed with the idea. Cultivation of Immortal arts required one to have a meridian coil in their body, and not everyone had it. It depends on one¡¯s luck and ancestry. What if he didn¡¯t have the necessary qualifications to be a cultivator? After all, Luo Ling of this world was but a son of two ordinary people. ¡°Let¡¯s hope this body got what it needs,¡± Mumbled Luo Ling as he walked out of the room. The dinner from last night had already been digested and converted into necessary nutrients. He was now overflowing with energy and needed an outlet. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. It was time for morning exercise. -~X~- [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 181/500 [Archery(Houtian)]¡ª Proficiency: 1/500 Luo Ling exited his inner world after a round of intense practice. All the energy he had accumulated from the red-eared rabbit¡¯s meat was absorbed into muscles to strengthen his body. There might be no noticeable changes, but Luo Ling knew he had become stronger than yesterday. Getting up from the ground, he patted his back to clean off the dust and returned to his room. On the way, he was stopped by a little girl with a double ponytail. Her dark-brown eyes flashed with innocence as her gaze landed on him. ¡°Xiao Ru,¡± Luo Ling called her name, surprised to see her. ¡°What are you doing this early?¡± Xiao Ru was one of the older children in the orphanage, around the same age as him. Despite only being nine years old, she was helping out in the orphanage to take care of the younger children. If not because of the memories of his previous life, she would have been the one with the most maturity in the orphanage. She was not an early riser as she usually slept much later than everyone at night. ¡°Ling, Mother Yi is looking for you.¡± She said as her expressive brown eyes sparkled, reflecting her mood. Luo Ling quickly assessed his appearance. Covered in dust and grime, he emitted a pungent, sweaty odor. He preferred not to be seen like this, especially on such an important day. After all, he didn''t want to make a poor impression in front of the guests. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be there shortly.¡± Luo Ling said and walked off towards the well behind the orphanage building. After a quick bath, he planned to dress neatly and meet Mother Yi. He anticipated the girl would rush off to report, but she remained in place, casting hesitant glances in his direction. Luo Ling raised an eyebrow, a touch of surprise coloring his expression. Xiao Ru had always kept her distance from him. Perhaps it was due to his daily routine, which kept him rising early and returning late, leaving little time for interaction. She always treated him differently from other children in the orphanage. Luo Ling found it odd, so he questioned. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Err¡­¡± She hesitated while toying with the hem of her dress. ¡°I saw two strangely dressed men talking with Mother Yi. They are asking about the ages of everyone. Do you¡­do you think they are bad people? Are they going to take us somewhere?¡± Luo Ling blinked as he tried to process her words. Realizing what she meant, he gave out a chuckle. Even with all her maturity, she was still a child. It was valid that she would get scared by strange men. If he was right, those men were probably the guests Mother Yi talked about last night. They were already here. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. They were not going to do anything bad to anyone.¡± Luo Ling assured the fidgeting girl with a smile. Aside from that, he didn¡¯t know what else to say. He had never interacted with children in his past life. ¡°Oh¡­ okay.¡± Xiao Ru still appeared unsatisfied. She gave him a small nod and turned around. Watching her disappear into one of the rooms meant for the toddlers, Luo Ling sighed. Even though she was so young, she had already shown exceptional maturity and kindness. She would be a wonderful woman once she grew up. -~X~- Luo Ling took a slightly longer bath and cleaned himself off thoroughly. If cultivators were anything like the martial artists of his previous world, they would loathe to be in the presence of dirty commoners. Martial artists commanded supernatural abilities and were therefore considered nobles. They considered interacting with commoners without any prospects demeaning. If cultivators were also like them, they would have a skewed prospecting of the children from this dilapidated border village. It was better to present himself neatly to minimize their bias. 6. The Assessment Part 2 Chapter 6: The Assessment Part 2 Luo Ling''s best attire consisted of a pair of brown pants and a sky-blue shirt with frilled cuffs. He wished he had something finer, but these were his only decent clothes. His strict training routine consumed most of his day, and the little money he earned from selling hunting byproducts went toward herbs and meat. There was no room for luxury. He never thought he would need anything more, but now he regretted it. Mother Yi¡¯s office was only a few rooms away from Luo Ling¡¯s, positioned near the main entrance of the orphanage. A short walk brought him to his destination. The tall mahogany doors of the office loomed before him, evoking a sense of oppression he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time. This moment would determine his future: whether he could embark on the miraculous path of cultivation or be forced to continue with his martial arts. Taking a deep breath, Luo Ling composed himself and raised his hand to knock on the door. -~X~- ¡°Is he the brat you were talking about, Yi?¡± A rude voice broke the silence in the room, gaining Luo Ling¡¯s attention. He eyed the two middle-aged men sitting on chairs before Mother Yi. One of them threw a judgmental glare at him as he spoke. Luo Ling¡¯s eyes narrowed subtly. He felt no threatening aura from them. The cultivator from the previous day had exuded the presence of an apex predator. Despite losing all his prowess as a martial transcendent, Luo Ling¡¯s senses, honed from countless life-and-death struggles, remained sharp. That day, even from a distance, the man¡¯s aura had given him goosebumps and palpitations, making Luo Ling certain he could have been killed easily. These two men, however, didn¡¯t exert the same pressure. This could only mean one thing: they posed no threat to him. He might even be able to take them on and emerge victorious in a life-and-death battle. Once he gauged their strength, Luo Ling¡¯s confidence grew. He straightened his back and stood upright, facing the two cultivators. ¡°He is the one, Mr. Yang,¡± Mother Yi replied, nodding toward Luo Ling. It was evident from her encouraging look that she might have tried putting a good few words in his favor to the recruiters. Meanwhile, the two men threw overt glances at Luo Ling. As their gazes clashed in the small room, the white-robed man, who had remained silent since Luo Ling entered, spoke up. ¡°Yang GuFeng, bring out the Spirit Testing Orb. Let¡¯s hurry up and finish our job here.¡± His sudden interruption dragged Luo Ling¡¯s attention onto him. He had been busy observing the rude man and forgot about the other cultivator in the room. ¡°All right.¡± The man, now identified as Yang GuFeng, reached into his sleeve and produced a pitch-black spherical object. Luo Ling¡¯s gaze shifted to the contraption in the man¡¯s hand, curiosity burning in his eyes. The sphere, made of an unknown substance(to him), had a glossy black surface that reflected his face. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Put your hand on it and relax your nerves.¡± Yang GuFeng advised, holding out the sphere. Luo Ling kept staring at his face, waiting for an explanation on the sphere. He wanted to know how it would help detect his meridian coil. But, the rude man kept his mouth shut. Seeing him dilly-dallying, impatience flashed through Yang GuFeng¡¯s expression. ¡°Hey, come on. Hurry up. We don¡¯t have all day.¡± ¡°Ling. Don¡¯t worry. Just do as he says.¡± Mother Yi also encouraged, thinking Luo Ling was nervous. ¡°Okay.¡± He sighed and did what he was told. With some hesitation, Luo Ling¡¯s palm touched the smooth surface of the sphere. Suddenly, the object lit up in a resplendent blue, bathing the room in its glow. Luo Ling squinted his eyes; he noticed four cursive lines stretching along the bottom of the sphere responsible for the luminescence. What do they mean? ¡°Such dense soul power!¡± A surprised gasp tore Luo Ling''s attention away from those lines. He noticed two pairs of eyes fixed intently on the glowing ball. Even the man, who had maintained his composure since the beginning, now wore a gaping expression. It was he who had made the comment. ¡°GuFeng, check his meridian coil. Quick,¡± he nearly shouted at his partner. His cool and aloof persona could no longer be maintained. Amidst his confusion over the happenings to the ball, Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but let the corners of his lips tremble. He found it funny. Without a word, GuFeng made a hand sign with his free hand, and a pale silver glow enveloped the sphere. Instantly, Luo Ling felt a chilling sensation spread out from his palm. As a martial artist, Luo Ling¡¯s training revolved around strengthening his body, and his heightened sensitivity made him acutely aware of any changes. When the sphere glowed silver, an invasive energy surged into his system, rushing through every nook and cranny. It left no place untouched, making him feel disgusted and exposed¡ªa sensation he could never grow accustomed to. Gritting his teeth, Luo Ling endured the discomfort. Gradually, the invasive energy receded, and the silver glow of the sphere faded to a pale yellow. ¡°Low-grade mortal? Tch! Such a shame,¡± GuFeng voiced his disappointment, shaking his head as he put the sphere away. Even Mother Yi¡¯s expression turned downcast, as though she had lost a treasure. Only the other man, who had not revealed his name, remained impassive, his face a mask of indifference. Luo Ling was no fool. He needed no further confirmation to understand the results. It was clear: he was incompatible with the path of cultivation. ¡°Ling, go out and call Ru¡¯er in.¡± Mother Yi¡¯s voice held a trace of coldness in it. Luo Ling nodded and walked out of the room without making noise. It¡¯d be a lie to say he wasn''t disappointed. Luo Ling had longed to tread the same path as the powerhouses of this world. Ever since he witnessed the so-called cultivators flying, a fire had ignited in his heart, sparking a deep longing for freedom. He had planned to seek out clues and secrets of cultivation once he grew up or reached the transcendent realm. He would be more confident in venturing out then. Mother Yi¡¯s sudden visit the previous night had brought him an opportunity. Unfortunately, it was not his to enjoy. He couldn¡¯t change what he was born with. Yesterday, she had made it clear that the grade of one''s meridian coil would determine their potential as a cultivator. Mortal was the lowest grade, and he had the weakest of the lowest-grade meridian coils. Though he didn''t fully understand how the grades of meridian coils were related to cultivation potential, he had not completely given up hope. However, this particular opportunity had nothing to do with him anymore. -~X~- Luo Ling didn¡¯t brood over the matter any longer. He was mentally prepared for disappointment. Besides, he was a man in the body of a child. A man who had once stood at the peak of his world. How could he let himself be defeated by something like this? After leaving the room, he found Xiao Ru in one of the playrooms where the toddlers were gathered. Delivering the message to her, he quickly exited the orphanage. Yesterday, the [Archery] skill appeared in the Records of Toil. Due to a lack of time, he hadn¡¯t been able to test what changes raising its level would bring. Now, it was time to work on it. Would his arrows hit targets miles away? Would his eyes become as sharp as an eagle¡¯s? Would his arrows curve to strike impossible targets? He couldn¡¯t wait to find out. In his excitement, Luo Ling completely forgot about the disappointment he felt over his inability to cultivate. 7. Archery Level Ups Chapter 7: Archery Level ups By the time Luo Ling arrived at his secret training spot, the matters of cultivation were already thrown to the back of his head. He didn¡¯t have a habit of brooding over things out of his control. He would rather train his martial arts. First, he performed the full set of stretches to loosen his muscles. Since he had already practiced Iron Muscles Steel Veins in the morning, Luo Ling skipped it now. That body-forging exercise puts a lot of stress on the bones and muscles. Overdoing it while he was still so young would impede his growth. After the warmup, he picked up the practice bow and arrow. When his fingers touched the weapon, Luo Ling had a strange feeling in his heart¡ª he was born to hold this bow. It was an extinct, a kind of primal call that came from the depths of his soul. How strange! Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was due to Archery. The remnant of his martial god abilities worked in ways beyond his current understanding. He only knew how to use the manifestation, not the principles behind it. Perhaps he would understand when he finally retraced his steps back into the peak. -~X~- Nocking the arrow on the bow and holding it at arm length from his face, Luo Ling repeated the process just as he had done since the day he started practicing the craft. After practicing daily for nearly a year, Luo Ling thought he got the basics down. Yet, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of inadequacy when he held the bow. It¡¯s as if he lacked something. Unable to find the source of his discomfort, Luo Ling helplessly threw this train of thought to the back of his head and pulled on the string. Squinting his eyes, he aimed at the target several meters away. His vision had become sharper after his body underwent the baptism of Records of Toil. Even before he trained in it, [Archery] had already brought him a tangible benefit. As Luo Ling¡¯s finger loosened on the taut bowstring, the arrow sliced through the air soundlessly, striking the small dot drawn on the chest of the target dummy. He picked up another arrow, nocked it on the bow, and released it towards the target again. The rain of arrows didn¡¯t stop until Luo Ling emptied his quiver. Then, he closed his eyes and sank consciousness into his inner world. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 181/500 [Archery (Houtian)]¡ª Proficiency: 41/500 There were only twenty arrows in the quiver. After firing them all, Luo Ling gained forty points. This implied that each arrow earned him two proficiency points. [Archery] required five hundred proficiency points to increase in rank¡ª twice the number of Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging needed during the beginning stage. Luo Ling was taken aback after this discovery. The body-forging martial art he practiced held the top spot in his previous world among its fellow foundation-building exercises. Its continuous practice would result in a physique encompassing both strength and speed. In the Murim world, with this technique as their foundation, the Baek family dominated the entire Eastern Region for hundreds of years. The warriors they nurtured could easily hold their ground against the warriors of other families even when they had to fight three at once. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. But such a fierce body forging technique lost to a commonly used battle skill. Either the technique was not as awesome as everyone made it out to be or [Archery] was more advanced than Iron Muscles Steel Veins. Luo Ling was more inclined to believe the latter. He had crossed swords with the martial artists of that clan in the past and they were anything but weak. Luo Ling threw the distracting thought to the back of his head and collected the arrows from the dummy. He vowed to rank up the [Archery] at least once in the morning. Going out to hunt would have to wait until noon. Besides, he had some savings from his past hunts and could easily sustain a day¡¯s worth of meat and supplementary herbs. Luo Ling immersed himself in shooting arrows. One, two... ten... one after another, the bamboo arrows struck their target, steadily increasing his proficiency as the Records of Toil recorded. At a rate of one arrow per second, it wouldn¡¯t be long before Luo Ling reached his goal. But, after letting loose his 150th arrow, Luo Ling had to stop. His right hand burned like it was on fire, the muscles screaming in protest. He glanced at his battered fingers, raw and throbbing, and sighed. ¡°Reached my limit, huh!¡± He muttered to himself, flexing his hand and wincing at the sharp sting. No matter how determined he was, a nine-year-old¡¯s body in the end had its limit. Even though he trained himself into a second-rate martial warrior, Luo Ling was held back by his body¡¯s age. Some barriers were hard to overcome for the time being. Luo Ling got rid of the distracting thoughts and sat down on the spot to rest. After he felt better, he¡¯d resume shooting. Determination flashed in his resolute eyes; he would upgrade Archery by a rank by the end of this hour. -~X~- Luo Ling¡¯s consciousness sunk into his inner world¡ª the place where Records of Toil inhabited. Ignoring the vast expanse stretching behind the massive monolithic structure, his eyes zoomed on the entries on the Records of Toil. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 185/500 [Archery (Houtian)]¡ª Proficiency: 341/500 Without much suspense, Archery¡¯s proficiency has grown by three hundred points. Together with the forty points he already had, the total proficiency was now 341. Luo Ling balled his fist in excitement; he was close. Very very close. After one more round, he¡¯d fulfill the required criteria. The one that stumped him was the body-forging martial art. Surprisingly, it had grown by four points. He had not practiced the technique, so why had it gained proficiency out of nowhere? The answer to his question came almost immediately. It was Archery that gave him the bonus body-forging points. More specifically, it was the stress he put his body through to fire those one hundred fifty arrows. Luo Ling was elated to discover this benefit. It takes nearly twenty minutes to complete one circle of the Iron Muscle Steel Veins Body Forging exercise yet the returns were a measly one point. Moreover, he couldn¡¯t practice it more than thrice a day or risk hurting himself. But practicing [Archery] once equaled practicing the body-forging martial art four times. Two birds with one stone. With renewed vigor, Luo Ling picked up his bow and proceeded to shoot arrows. He was, after all, a second-rate martial artist. His body¡¯s recovery capabilities were twice an average human¡¯s. Just a few minutes of rest was enough to refill his stamina and heal his aching shoulders. -~X~- As the hundredth arrow pierced into another mangled dummy, Luo Ling felt a vibration from the depths of his soul. Then, a mind-numbing pain drowned his entire body, concentrating mostly on his shoulders, forearm, and fingers. Even his eyes felt an indescribable burn. Had it not for his monumental willpower, Luo Ling would have been screaming until his throat ripped. The pain lasted for several seconds, rendering him into a sweating mess. Tears and snot drenched his face. Despite the pitiful appearance, an indescribable smile stretched Luo Ling¡¯s lips. He obtained a benefit. A huge benefit. Closing his eyes, he sunk his consciousness into his inner world and focussed on the Records of Toil. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 190/500 [Archery (Houtian II); Penitration(Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 0/1000 8. A Considerable Upgrade Chapter 8: A Considerable Upgrade A few noticeable changes had occurred to [Archery]. First, the skill grade, which used to be Houtian was now Houtian II. Honestly, Luo Ling had never seen this kind of skill gradation before. Back in Murim, the martial skills had five ranks¡ª beginner, adept, master, grandmaster, and Truth. Beginner is when you just learned the skill; adept is the next stage, representing the user¡¯s half-assed mastery over it. The Master stage is when the user can use the skill in the way it is meant to be used. At the Grandmaster stage, the skill is incorporated into the user¡¯s daily life, becoming a part of it. And finally, the Truth stage, where the skill traces back to its origin. About the new grading system, he knew nothing about it. Then, his gaze shifted toward the new entry next to the skill¡¯s name. At that moment, whether it was by coincidence or not, Luo Ling had his entire attention on the new addition. Suddenly, as if heeding some sort of command, the sky-scraping monolith flashed yellow as a handful of information surged into his mind. Penetration (Rank 1) ¨C Projectiles ignore 10% of a target¡¯s overall defense. This includes both natural and external defense. Luo Ling stood rooted in his spiritual form, staring at the fading lights around the structure with an indescribable expression. To think Records of Toil had another function! It was out of his expectations. Luo Ling thought he had his unique ability figured out, yet from the looks of things, it couldn¡¯t be further from the truth. He made a mental note to research his ability and find out if any more surprises were left to be unearthed. Back to the new skill, Luo Ling had to ball his fist to keep his excitement under control after he was done understanding the description provided by his ability. As a warrior with ample experience on the field, he perfectly understood the importance of Penetration. All martial arts primarily focussed on strengthening the body. The higher one¡¯s stage the sturdier their physique. Some martial arts such as Golden Bell Body, Classics of Arhat, and Shaolin Temple Scriptures give their practitioners an invisible shield capable of blocking even spiritual martial techniques. Their defensive capabilities made them a nightmarish existence to go up against. With Penetration, however, this defense could be ignored to some extent and deal damage to the body. After learning of it, Luo Ling had to reassess his views of Archery. Basic skills had more to them than what he learned in the past. Maybe he should also pick up on swordsmanship. Perhaps he would obtain another useful ability. Luo Ling had avoided practicing sword arts despite being a swordsman in his previous life because he didn''t want the Records of Toil to record it before he was ready. He planned to take up [Lightwheel Swordsmanship] after becoming a first-rate martial warrior. This sword art had made him the youngest and one of the most capable martial artists to ever roam the Murim. It was, without a doubt, one of the strongest as well as most versatile schools of swordsmanship. Unfortunately, not many could learn it. To even start up on the basics, a user must possess a body as strong as a first-rate martial warrior¡¯s. Most people would be in their late twenties when they become first-rate warriors. How could they have the mood to start on something that¡¯d take decades to master? Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! After witnessing the surprise brought by Archery, how could he still stay calm and adhere to his schedule? Changes had to be made. Luo Ling made up his mind; he would begin his sword training from today. Back in the real world, Luo Ling noticed he had recovered most of his expended stamina. The physique of a second-rate martial artist is not to be underestimated. Their stamina, endurance, and overall recovery abilities were more than twice those of ordinary people. For Luo Ling, a quick rest was more than enough. Even the pain of his overexerted muscles had disappeared. Another thing Luo Ling noticed was his improved vision. He could see everything with a much better clarity than before, even the objects far from him. This was a benefit Archery brought after upgrading it once. Luo Ling picked up his bow, eager to test the new ability, Penetration, and verify the physical changes brought by the upgrade. The bow felt lighter than he remembered. When he nocked an arrow, he noticed how easily his fingers held onto the taut string¡ªhis grip strength had improved significantly. Luo Ling narrowed his eyes and took aim as his newly improved vision made him lock onto the bullseye rather easily. Thud! The moment his fingers loosened, the arrow tore through the space and went through the wooden dummy like a hot knife through a block of butter. It only stopped after embedding halfway into a sturdy tree behind the dummy. Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but gape at the sight. Wasn¡¯t Penetration supposed to provide only 10% ignore defense? How come the arrow went through the dummy? Truth to be told, Luo Ling¡¯s training dummies were no pushovers. They were made from the stumps of smaller trees and were sturdy enough to endure hundreds of arrows. A while ago, the dummy he used to farm proficiency didn¡¯t break until Luo Ling¡¯s 160th arrow hit it. Luo Ling looked at his hands; this pair of thin and tender-looking limbs could fire arrows capable of poking a hole through an adult human¡¯s body. Who would believe it? Even he from before Archery¡¯s upgrade would not buy such a ridiculous notion. It was beyond everything he knew about cause and effect. Sure, with the help of full potential second-rate martial artist strength, Luo Ling could achieve a similar outcome, but it would tire him out. With his current body¡¯s prowess, three arrows were his absolute limit. Luo Ling¡¯s lips stretched into a grin. He had grown stronger¡­ much stronger. The Records of Toil was simply a divine tool. No wonder, a Martial God is claimed to be omnipotent. Just a tiny fragment could grant him abilities he had never seen in his previous life. The grin turned into a proud smirk. Although it was only for a few seconds, Luo Ling had achieved the fabled godhood. Too excited to take his body into consideration, Luo Ling kept firing arrows one after another. However, he had no choice but to stop when his stomach rumbled angrily and a wave of weakness hit him like a speeding train. It was only then he realized he had not eaten anything in the morning. A quick peek at the sky revealed the sun¡¯s position over his head. -~X~- After having a hearty serving of meat buns at Madam Wei¡¯s, Luo Ling came back to his secret training spot. He decided against going out to hunt for the day. The growth of his abilities and strength demanded a change to his training gear. The training dummies were riddled with holes and more than half bamboo arrows were broken. Rebuilding those would take up an entire afternoon. Besides, he also planned on starting his sword training. So many things to do and yet so little time. He had no choice but to skip hunting for the day. 9. Ugly Emotion Chapter 9: Ugly Emotion Late into the afternoon, bathed in the orange hue of the setting sun, Luo Ling made an upward swing with his wooden sword. The practice weapon drew a beautiful arc in the air before approaching an abrupt halt; its tip pointing at the sky. Luo Ling took a deep breath, filling his burning lungs with much-needed air. Speed was the core aspect of [Lightwheel Swordsmanship], which he practiced back in Murim. When the sword swings as fast as lightning, the glow of the practitioner¡¯s Inner Qi coating the blade creates an illusion of a ring of light¡ª thus the name. Of course, what Luo Ling doing was not following the steps of the sword art, but basic sword moves. He wanted the basic skill to appear on the Records of Toil. Too exhausted, Luo Ling dragged his feet to a tree stump and sat down. Taking a quick peek at his inner world, he revealed a satisfied expression. First, [Archery] had gained a few points, which was expected since he trained for half an hour after upgrading his training equipment. With its influence, Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging also gained a couple of proficiency points. He had come a few steps closer to being a first-rate martial warrior. Regrettably, swordsmanship didn¡¯t appear on the golden tablet, but it was something he expected. Archery took a little less than six months to enter the Records of Toil. Going by that trend, perhaps swordsmanship would also take six months before he could see it on the list. Luo Ling was not in a hurry anyway; hence it didn¡¯t matter much. -~X~- After regaining some energy, Luo Ling decided to call it a day and head back home. The balance between work and rest should be maintained at all costs while he was still growing. On his way to the orphanage, Luo Ling stopped by another eatery for a full meal of meat and white bread. To his great regret, rice was not a staple food for the people of this border village. He really missed the taste of well-cooked, fragrant rice. After coming to this world, Luo Ling¡¯s palette suffered greatly. A prominent figure like him, whose daily meal consisted of top-class grains, fruits, vegetables, and meat, was forced to make do with hard-to-swallow bread and tasteless curries. Rarely, if ever, he saw greens in his daily meals. As a village built on the edge of the wilderness, the farming fields were prone to wild animal raids. The yields were abysmal after numerous plundering. There were hunters in the village trained to kill these wild animals, but even then, it was hard to maintain a quality yield. The villagers always imported vegetables from the nearest city, skyrocketing their prices. Due to these reasons, the people in the Five Fragrance Village had little to no vegetables or fruits in their daily meals. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The dilapidated building of the orphanage appeared in the distance, and Luo Ling hastened his steps. In this new world, this orphanage was his anchor to reality. It was where his origins lie. He might not be close to the caretakers or the kids, but it¡¯s a place where he could sleep at night without worrying about anything. As he got closer, a small figure came to his notice, squatting by the wall. Upon closer inspection, he found it was Xiao Ru sitting on a rock, bawling her eyes out. Luo Ling raised his eyebrows, wondering what could cause this usually headstrong girl to break down like this. In his memories, Xiao Ru had always been a mature young lady. She would not cry even when scolded by Mother Yi. Although curious, Luo Ling didn¡¯t know how to ask the girl. Luo Ling was an adult trapped in the body of a young boy. Due to this, he never interacted with the children in the orphanage much. He felt awkward and thought it was shameful to mingle with the kids of his current body¡¯s age. In his opinion, they were not mature enough for him to hold any meaningful conversation. At some point, while such thoughts swirling in his head, keeping his attention occupied, he was noticed by Xiao Ru. She furiously wiped her face with the back of her hand, stood up, and disappeared into the building. Left in the dust, Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but blink his eyes. The corners of his lips curved upwards in a lopsided smile, and he shook his head. His steps were rather brisk as he made his way to the building. This little girl actually ran away without greeting him; how rare! Now, his curiosity was piqued. Xiao Ru often came to talk to him in an attempt to make him more friendly towards other kids. She would usually ramble about her day or share interesting things she saw on her trips to the market with Mother Yi. Luo Ling believed they had a somewhat close relationship, as the lass would always greet him whenever she saw him. Sometimes, she would smile, and other times, a nod. But today, she just ignored his presence and disappeared. What¡¯s the situation? Luo Ling suddenly recalled the two men he met in Mother Yi¡¯s office. What was their purpose? Wasn¡¯t it to select appropriate candidates to join their Fragrant Crown Immortal sect? Was this girl sad because she couldn¡¯t pass the test? In the end, it was just a thought in passing. Luo Ling really didn¡¯t care why Xiao Ru was teary-eyed. He had better things to do than to care about a child¡¯s tears. After all, it could be anything. Though curious, its intensity was not enough for him to enquire about it. He could ask her the next time he sees her. -~x~- Luo Ling¡¯s room was only a few meters from Mother Yi¡¯s office on an adjacent side. Their doors were practically facing each other. And now, standing in front of her door, Mother Yi wore an absentminded expression. The two men from the sect were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they finished their job and returned. Did they find any suitable candidate? Luo Ling was honestly curious. Hence, he changed his direction and walked over to the orphanage matron. Mother Yi woke up from his stupor when she felt someone approaching. Luo Ling¡¯s small figure immediately put her nerves at ease. A smile, which looked quite forced, found its place on her aged face. ¡°You¡¯re back, Ling.¡± ¡°Mhm, I¡¯m.¡± Luo Ling acknowledged her with a nod. ¡°Are those people gone?¡± He enquired, his eyes darting from side to side before settling on her face. ¡°Yes. A few hours ago.¡± ¡°Did they find anyone from our orphanage?¡± Luo Ling wondered out loud. He was rather curious about it. ¡°Only one, Xiao Ru. She has a Perfect Spiritual talent.¡± Her voice had a flash of pride, yet her face betrayed her heart¡ª longing. ¡°From now on, she will soar to the skies like a phoenix who rose from the ashes.¡± Her voice was soft but laced with deep feelings. Luo Ling kept his silence while he listened to her. He could tell that Mother Yi, this woman who had always displayed admirable kindness and maturity, was actually feeling one of the ugliest emotions in a human¡ª jealousy. 10. A Warning! Chapter 10: A warning! ¡°I just saw her crying outside. They didn¡¯t take her with them?¡± Luo Ling looked around, but aside from Mother Yi, he saw no one else. The entire orphanage had gotten oddly quiet. ¡°Take her! To where? She is only nine years old.¡± Mother Yi shook her head. ¡°The sect won¡¯t accept them until they are sixteen years old at least.¡± ¡°Sixteen? Then what¡¯s the point of the talent assessment being done now?¡± Luo Ling wondered out loud. ¡°The sect is a place to groom talented cultivators, not a kindergarten.¡± Mother Yi shook her head. ¡°The purpose of talent assessment is indeed to find children with potential. However, whether they are qualified to join the sect will depend on their efforts in the coming seven years.¡± Luo Ling furrowed his brows and appeared confused, not understanding what she meant. But Mother Yi didn¡¯t explain herself and brushed past him, walking away. She didn¡¯t even answer his earlier question on Xiao Ru. This left Luo Ling, who wanted to know about the selection procedure, a bad taste in his mouth. He shrugged and returned to his room after lingering around the door for some time. He was not interested in knowing what made a little girl cry anyway. -~X~- It was still early to tuck in. Luo Ling blew off the candle and sat cross-legged on the bed. Before he called it a day, one last thing needed to be done in his daily training routine: Meditation. For a Martial Master, meditation is the way to increase their mental force and then refine their bodies with it. But Luo Ling had not reached that stage yet. For a second-rate martial artist like him, meditation only served one purpose¡ª practicing self-control. As he had already walked through that path once, Luo Ling knew the troubles he would face when he stepped into the Martial Master realm in the future. It takes hours to refine one¡¯s body with mental force¡ª an agonizingly slow process. The practitioner must stay idle throughout the process without even flinching a muscle. If they do, then, they would have to start over again. Back then, Luo Ling spent more than a year just to pass through the first hurdle of the Martial Master stage because he could not sit still for more than a few hours. This time around, he didn¡¯t want a repeat of what happened back then. Luo Ling was determined to accomplish all stages of the Martial Master realm within a year or less. For this lofty goal, he was doing his best to teach himself patience. Breath in. Breath out. Luo Ling echoed in his head with his eyes closed. His chest rose and fell rhythmically as he concentrated all his focus on an imaginary dot inside his mind. Since he had yet to awaken his mental force, he didn¡¯t have a solid target to focus on. He didn¡¯t enter his inner world as there was no meaning in doing it. Time passed with a languid crawl, and after two hours of unwavering meditation, Luo Ling felt a growing numbness in his back. His eyes grew heavy, the weight of the day¡¯s relentless training finally pressing down upon him. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Letting out a yawn, he loosened his body and laid down comfortably. Within a few minutes, he was out like a light. -~X~- Luo Ling welcomed the next day with a determined look. Getting off the bed, he beelined to the backyard of the orphanage, hoping to get his morning routine done before the kids awoke. He dreaded the inevitable chaos that would ensue and had no desire to face a horde of whining brats so early in the day. Today, Luo Ling decided to go out into the forest to hunt. The meals he had in the village didn¡¯t have the necessary nutrients he needed. Besides, he was also running low on money. Luo Ling completed a round of the Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Technique, gaining a point in proficiency. While the improvement wasn''t drastic, he didn¡¯t mind. Even the smallest droplets can fill a bucket given enough time, and he had all the time in the world. His other morning routines were a quick affair. Thanks to the body-forging exercise, his metabolism had far surpassed an average human¡¯s, resulting in a better breakdown of food. Luo Ling¡¯s body hardly had solid waste to excrete these days. Back in his room, Luo Ling dressed in tight-fitting clothes and secured his ankles and wrists with strings. The forest was teeming with insects, many of them poisonous, and he couldn''t risk them getting to his vulnerable organs. If even one managed to infiltrate his body, nothing but a slow and horrible death would await him. Luo Ling had witnessed such things happening many times in his life, both in Murim and here. Needless to say, he had developed a healthy fear of them. Next, he picked up his trusty bow and the quiver with metal-tipped arrows from under the bed. He usually had them hidden so the kids in the orphanage wouldn¡¯t stumble upon them by accident and hurt themselves. Buckling up the quiver to his back, he slung the bow over his shoulders. The stone dagger was strapped to his belt, carefully hidden away from sight. Luo Ling treated it as a sort of hidden weapon for emergencies. Looking down at his getup, Luo Ling nodded in satisfaction. He appeared presentable as a proper hunter. Now, it¡¯s time to hunt. -~X~- At the towering gates of the village, Luo Ling met a familiar man whose shiny bald head and unkempt beard stood out like a sore thumb. Gatekeeper Daluo cut a valiant figure as he patrolled the entrance. Luo Ling¡¯s appearance immediately grabbed his attention and he flashed a smile. In response, Luo Ling acknowledged him with a nod before continuing on his way. ¡°Wait a second, Ling.¡± Suddenly, gatekeeper Daluo¡¯s raspy voice echoed, stopping Luo Ling in his tracks. ¡°Yes? Is something the matter, gatekeeper Daluo?¡± Luo Ling said, raising his eyebrows. The burly man jogged over, wearing a solemn face. ¡°Be careful when you are in the woods. Rumors of a man-eating beast are circulating among the hunters in the village. A few people have already fallen prey to it.¡± Gatekeeper Daluo cautioned. Luo Ling pulled a frown, furrowing his brows. Man-eating beasts were usually more ferocious and powerful than their regular counterparts. Since they hunted humans, who were known for their intelligence, these beasts possessed ample cunningness. ¡°What beast it is?¡± He inquired. While dangerous, Luo Ling had confidence that with his experience and strength as a 2nd-rate martial artist, he could protect himself against any maneater. Knowing about the beast would make it easier to defend himself. However, to his disappointment, gatekeeper Daluo shrugged his shoulders in response. ¡°I don¡¯t know. No one got a good look at it and those who did are no longer among the living. Some claim it¡¯s a wolf and others insist it¡¯s a leopard. Either way, the truth remains that it¡¯s a cunning son of bitch.¡± The gruff man cursed, scratching his neck in annoyance. It could be seen how he was affected by the sudden appearance of this unnerving beast. ¡°Ling, how about refraining from going there for a few days? Lord Chief has already requested help from the cultivators in the city.¡± He advised good-naturedly. Luo Ling took a deep breath and shook his head, wearing a bitter smile. ¡°I have run out of my supplies and money, gatekeeper Daluo. My training demands a high-nutrition diet which the orphanage couldn¡¯t provide. They are not having it easy either. I have to go no matter what.¡± They both went silent, each occupied with their thoughts. A moment later, this silence was broken by a deep sigh. Gatekeeper Daluo¡¯s massive hand squeezed Luo Ling¡¯s shoulders softly. ¡°I hope you bring back some good games today, Ling. I¡¯ll be buying them no matter the price.¡± 11. Hunting Ground Chapter 11: Hunting Ground Gatekeeper Daluo¡¯s warning was still fresh in his mind when Luo Ling neared the edges of the Hundred Beast Forest. After hunting for more than half a year, he had already noticed the difference between the animals of this world and Murim. The beasts in the Hundred Beast Forest were way stronger. Even a rabbit you would randomly see jumping around in the forest could rival the strength of a well-fed hunting dog from Murim. Luo Ling was taken aback when he discovered this. If a small critter was already this powerful, what about those bigger ones, like wolves or tigers? Wouldn¡¯t they be able to rival martial masters or grandmasters? A shiver ran down Luo Ling¡¯s spine when he thought about this possibility. He vowed not to mess around with those bigger animals until he was a second-stage martial master. -~X~- Luo Ling expertly navigated the dense foliage, sneaking toward a new hunting spot¡ªa clearing dotted with rabbit burrows. He had discovered that place a few days ago by accident while tailing that red-eared rabbit. Hundred Beast Forest was a dangerous place. It was said that even cultivators with godlike abilities had lost their lives in these ominous woods. If those who could soar through the sky had met their end here, what chance did he, a weak and small child, have? For this reason, Luo Ling had been sticking to the edges of the forest, hunting only the critters. Finding small animals weak enough for him to hunt in such a big forest was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Many roamed in groups of ten or more, but Luo Ling would never mess with them. With this strength, he could deal with five animals at most. Any more and it was no different from asking for trouble. Adding to these difficulties, the constant fear of meeting bigger beasts further impeded his efficiency at catching meaningful prey. But the discovery of this rabbit habitat came right on time. It was like someone giving him a pillow just when he was feeling sleepy. He would no longer have to scour the forest like a mouse, hiding in the dark while fearing stronger beasts. From now on, he could camp near these burrows and hunt the rabbits who came too far from their habitat. He¡¯d no longer have to waste an entire day to catch a single prey. With his improved eyes, Luo Ling found his hunting place while he was still quite far from the clearing. The hidden benefits that came with Archery¡¯s level-up were quite few and until now he only found about three. Sharpened eyes, defined back strength, and improved lungs. He could now hold his breath for several minutes. Coincidentally, it complimented his Martial arts progress. Three stages before the martial master, namely from third-rate martial warrior to first-rate martial warrior, each focussed on an aspect. A third-rate martial warrior builds up his strength, while a second-rate martial warrior trains his stamina. And finally, a first-rate martial warrior works on his speed. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Luo Ling was presently a second-rate martial warrior, meaning he should be training to build his stamina. When Archery level-upped, the [Records of Toil] modified his body to properly use bows and arrows. As a side effect, his stamina received a huge spike. He could now perform Iron Muscles Steel Veins at least ten times per day without stunting his body. If he could earn ten points per day, he would become a 1st-rate martial warrior way sooner than his previous estimations. ~-X-~ Luo Ling took out his bow and nocked an arrow. He had already found his prey¡ª a fat white rabbit jumping away from one of the burrows near the edge of the clearing. Since they were not red-eared rabbits that he hunted the day before, he did not need to be so cautious. With a dense bush masking his figure, Luo Ling made his preparations. The taut string was pulled to its limit and the bow curved into a semi-circular shape. Due to his improved shoulder and arm muscles, the former transcendent found it much easier to operate the bow. He waited patiently as the critter hopped further away from the clearing. These rabbits were strong enough to match an adult hunting dog from his previous life. He could handle a few rabbits at a time with his current abilities, but any more than that would be impossible. If he barged in like a fool and got himself surrounded by a few dozen animals, he would have no one to blame for his miserable death. Hunting like a proper hunter was the way to go. The metal tip of the arrow shined under the dim light filtered through the dense leaves of the towering trees. Luo Ling¡¯s eyes narrowed with concentration, watching every move of the rabbit while waiting for the right opportunity to shoot. The opportunity came when the rabbit stopped by at a tree¡¯s foot. Then, Luo Ling¡¯s arrow tore through the air, and its speed was much faster than he expected. Before he could blink, the arrow had reached its target and finished pinning the rabbit into the tree. Moreover, it penetrated to its tail end. Luo Ling was startled. He had not expected the arrow to carry so much force. But after thinking about it, he realized why it happened. It was a result of the combination of Penetration and his natural arm strength. He was no longer the same person he was two days ago. He had grown stronger. Luo Ling calmly put away the bow and inched towards his prize. He made sure no other rabbits or animals were around before coming out of the bush. The distance between his hiding spot and his prize was a little far and he had to make a detour to reach there. Several minutes later, Luo Ling wrapped the rabbit in a thick layer of leaf and proceeded to walk away. He would have to find a safer place to skin it. ~-X-~ ¡°That¡¯s a big rabbit you hunted, Ling.¡± Gatekeeper Daluo exclaimed when Luo Ling showed him the pelt. ¡°Your bullshit luck makes one green with envy.¡± The bald guard shook his head, throwing an envious look at the nine-year-old kid before him. ¡°It''s not that I am lucky, you are just too unlucky. I think all your luck had vanished together with your hair, gatekeeper Daluo.¡± Luo Ling retorted with a grin, combing a few fingers through his hair provocatively. ¡°Brat, what do you know? A bald head is a sign of strength.¡± Daluo puffed his chest with pride. Then, he coughed into his hands and rummaged through his money pouch. Taking out a bunch of iron rings, he handed them over to Luo Ling. ¡°Here, seven iron rings. Not a penny less. As promised, I paid you one ring higher than the market price. Now, scram!¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Luo Ling stored the handful of iron rings in the cloth pouch attached to his waist. He didn¡¯t count them, having full trust in the bald man in front of him. ¡°By the way, do tell me if you hear anything more about this man-eater.¡± Luo Ling requested. Although he didn¡¯t find any traces of any ferocious animal while he was hunting, it didn¡¯t mean there was none. Since a rumor was spreading among the community of hunters, Luo Ling believed in the existence of this ferocious beast. After all, hunters were not a gossipy bunch. They would not lie about something this serious. 12. Archery (Houtian III) Chapter 12: Archery (Houtian III) Since his hunt lasted only a few hours, Luo Ling was back in the village before it was time for lunch. He dropped by the village market and bought the necessary herbs and condiments to marinate the flesh. After purchasing a few stuffed meat buns from Madam Wei¡¯s, he went to his secret training spot behind the village. Since he had so much free time, Luo Ling planned to upgrade Archery again. After all, he only needed to shoot the arrow a thousand times. He immediately put his plans into action. Drawing his training bow, he squinted and carefully aimed at the distant wooden target. With a steady breath, he released the arrow, watching as it pierced the thick board, leaving a tiny pinhole in its wake. Such an outcome didn¡¯t make Luo Ling happy though. One arrow was enough to punch a hole in the target board¡­ then, at this rate, perhaps a little less than twenty arrows would be enough to decimate it. He might run out of target boards before he could finish shooting off a thousand arrows. The outrageousness of the Penetration (Rank 1) could be seen from this. A disadvantage of growing strong appeared under such strange circumstances, rendering Luo Ling speechless. But, despite his annoyance, Luo Ling could not be happier. If a dull-tipped and weak bamboo arrow could already punch a hole through a thick wooden board, imagine the kind of destruction a sharpened metal-tipped arrow was capable of! Amidst such ¡®concerns,¡¯ Luo Ling loaded another arrow into his training bow and shot. This time, he used much less strength than the previous attempt, and the arrow didn¡¯t even hit the target board before losing momentum. Eyes closed, he took a quick peek at his inner world and was relieved to find proficiency going up by one. It became clear that whether the arrow hits its mark or not doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is if it was shot. Luo Ling didn¡¯t stop there. With a sudden burst of inspiration, he began conducting a few experiments. Half an hour later, exhausted, he flopped on a polished tree stump. But the shine in his eyes could not be concealed. The labor he did a while ago bore some unexpected results. It went without saying that to gain proficiency in Archery, he had to shoot arrows continuously. This was not only time-consuming due to the limited arrow supply, which forced him to retrieve them repeatedly after use, but also physically demanding, as using the bow drained considerable stamina. However, from the earlier experiments, he had discovered a few new ways to accumulate those points more efficiently. Luo Ling picked up an arrow from the quiver and held it between his index, middle, and thumb fingers before throwing it haphazardly. The bamboo piece made a weak arc in the air and plunged to the ground next to his feet. It didn¡¯t even cover more than a few inches before losing all its momentum. On the [Records of Toil] the proficiency counter for Archery went up by one. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. A smile formed on Luo Ling¡¯s face. Thanks to his zealous efforts, he found a way to ¡®cheat¡¯ in the training process. By replacing the ¡®bow¡¯ with his hand, he shot the arrow. The [Records of Toil] accepted it as a successful attempt and awarded him one proficiency point. With almost no energy consumption, he achieved the same result as fully pulling a bow and firing at a target with all his might. He could do this all day without breaking a sweat and might even attempt it inside his room in the orphanage. But there was a price he had to pay to abuse this shortcut. The Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Technique could no longer obtain any benefits. After all, one has to lose some to gain some. Luo Ling was unbothered, however. He was only nine years old and had a long time to train his body. Even if he rushes to the martial master stage, he would still fall short compared to martial masters who were in their twenties. The only reason he wanted to become a martial master so early was to accumulate mental force, the core energy of a Murim martial artist. The sooner he becomes a martial master, the sooner he can begin training with mental force. In this unfamiliar world, he would not feel safe until he had some sort of self-preservation capabilities. On the contrary, mastering the Archery would directly increase his combat output. At Houtian I, Archery gave him Penetration (Rank 1) which could ignore enemy defense. In the Murim world, his current battle prowess could probably stand toe to toe against a Stage-2 martial master. What would happen when he upgrades Archery again? Houtian III¡­ what kind of gift he¡¯d receive? He couldn¡¯t help but look forward to it. ~-X-~ Repetition was not something new to Luo Ling. Martial artists trained mostly by repeating their techniques again and again until they received enlightenment and mastered them. The more you perform the technique, the more familiar you¡¯ll become with it. The words, repetition make perfection, was not some empty talk, after all. He did it in the Murim world and also in this world. Especially after obtaining [Records of Toil], repetition had become the sole training method. Pick. Adjust. Throw! Luo Ling followed this rhythm as he ¡®shot¡¯ the bamboo training arrows. Thanks to his ¡®laborious¡¯ efforts, the proficiency points for Archery accumulated at the speed of light. Only a few more shots left before he hit the target¡ª 1000. In the end, that moment didn¡¯t take long to arrive. Five minutes later, when he shot the final arrow, suddenly a familiar pain emerged from the depths of his body. His eyes felt like someone poured hot oil on them, and his body, especially his upper body, endured a throbbing pain as though something was ¡®squeezing¡¯ him. Luo Ling nearly screamed as the pain became unbearable, especially in his eyes. He nearly gouged them out just to stop the inhuman pain. It was like someone trying to scoop his eyeballs out with a dulled rusty soon. After persisting for what felt like an eternity, the hellish pain vanished as if they were never there. Laying on the ground spread eagle, the former martial god heaved deep breaths as he recovered from the exhaustion. Drenched in sweat and tears, the former martial genius cut a sorry figure and if one were to squint their eyes, they would even notice a wet spot on his dark-shade pants. With that kind of inhuman pain torturing his body and tasting his willpower, how could he still have body control? Lucky for him, no one was around to notice this embarrassment. Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but frown. The pain this time was many times more than last, especially around his eyes. Did his eyes evolve? But he couldn¡¯t tell the difference since his visuals were still the same as they were before the upgrade. But he didn¡¯t dwell on it and sunk his consciousness into his inner world. The golden-bathed world, his eyes were drawn to the towering tablet that nearly touched the skies. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)] ¨C Proficiency: 201/500 [Archery (Houtian III); Penetration (Rank 1); Weakness (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 0/5000 13. Into The Forest Part 1 Chapter 13: Into The Forest Part 1 Weakness (Rank 1) When you focus all your concentration on a target, you¡¯ll have a chance to uncover its weak points. Projectiles hitting those weak points shall have their effects doubled. As usual, the description was brief. But, Luo Ling, as the true source of [Records of Toil]¡¯s creation, understood what the tablet was trying to tell. But because he understood the true potential of the new ability, he couldn¡¯t accept it as easily as he had done when Penetration first appeared. In Murim, martial arts were vastly developed to the point that they transformed from something that only strengthened the body to capable of performing extraordinary supernatural feats. Long leaps, attacking from several meters away, remotely controlling weapons, moving at a speed of sound, controlling certain elements¡­ all these were possible thanks to different and exotic martial techniques developed over several thousands of years of history. An ability that ignores defense was not something new to Luo Ling. People who practice Yin-elemental martial techniques could imbue their Yin mental force into weapons to achieve a similar result. Even he had done it with his [Light Wheel Swordsmanship] techniques in the past. Compared to this, the effects of Weakness were way too unbelievable. Hitting the weak points of a martial technique deals twice or ten times the damage¡ª this was common knowledge. Sometimes, there was even a possibility of the technique failing and backfiring on the user when these weak points were targeted. Once known where to strike, even an average 3rd-rate martial warrior grunt could kill a perfected(stage-1) martial master. However, finding those weak spots was what took up the skills. A martial artist would know where their technique¡¯s weak points lie and cover them up with other martial techniques so it would not be obvious. Unless their opponent was a talented martial artist who had experienced similar styles in abundance, it¡¯d be nearly impossible to notice those weak points. At least they were not something one would see just by squinting their eyes. But, what did he see here? This Weakness ability could tell him where the weakness lies of a target just by focusing!? As a competent and experienced martial artist, Luo Ling showed some skepticism. How could it be so easy? With full of doubt, he put this newly obtained ability into practice. Result? It was indeed that easy. The finger-sized hole on an opposite tree¡¯s trunk could attest to that. When he focused all his attention on that thick trunk, he noticed a dull orange glow towards the edge of the trunk. It took about five seconds for it to be visible. Still skeptical, he loaded an arrow and let it loose, aiming at the highlighted spot. Initially, Luo Ling assumed the arrow would only pierce a few centimeters into the tree''s trunk. After all, the tree he chose was so thick that he couldn''t wrap his hands around it. But to his surprise, the arrow didn¡¯t stop at the trunk¡ªit kept going until it punctured straight through to the other side. Luo Ling put down the bow and exhaled a deep breath. Strong! Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Weakness was too unreasonable of an ability and didn¡¯t agree with any martial arts logic he was aware of. The trunk of that tree boasted a toughness surpassing a Martial Warrior who practiced body-strengthening type manuals. Yet such sturdiness was unable to deter a mere dull-tipped bamboo-made arrow. That is to say, with the strength of a subpar 2nd-rate Martial Warrior, he could kill a well-trained Shaolin monk at Martial Master from his previous life who was adept in body strengthening. Luo Ling snickered, imagining the looks on those bald donkeys'' faces when they heard about his newfound ability. How would they react when their so-called "invulnerable" bodies were pierced by the arrows of a mere second-rate martial warrior? Strength aside, Luo Ling found its weakness as well, a glaring one at that. First, time¡ª Weakness took about five seconds to materialize the weak point of the tree. It was only a motionless and unintelligent object, yet he had to focus for five seconds before he could see the orange glow. How long would it take to find the weak points of another human or a beast? Although he had yet to check it out, Luo Ling was sure it would be more than five seconds. Because it took so much time to manifest, this ability might only see its usefulness in ambushes. Second, energy¡ª after he shot the arrow and successfully exploited the weak point of the tree, Luo Ling felt slightly fatigued, like he just ran at his full speed for a few minutes. It should be noted that as a 2nd-rate Martial Warrior, his focus was on building his stamina. Moreover, when Archery evolved, it boosted his stamina by a huge margin. Yet, even with all these improvements, he still felt out of breath just after one usage. It was clear that he couldn¡¯t use Weakness as leisurely as Penetration. He had to be careful and sparingly use this ability. Although Weakness had its limitations, Luo Ling couldn¡¯t deny its potential. At the very least, he could contend against a real Martial Master with the strength of a 2nd-rate Martial Warrior. Strength breeds confidence. And Luo Ling had his boosted sufficiently. After Archery upgraded to Houtian III, he stopped training with it, stuffed his stomach with some steamed buns, and began working on the Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging exercise. While Archery improved his battle prowess, the body forging exercise was the true cultivation technique he had to practice to improve his martial warrior rank. It was more important. As he expected, because stamina had undergone a massive boost, he could repeat the exercise more than ten times. But Luo Ling stopped after ten rounds. He could not expend all his stamina because there was one last exercise left for him to do. Holding the handle of the heavy wooden sword designed to look like a long sword, Luo Ling began swinging it in a rhythm. He consciously avoided following any specific pattern of the many sword-martial cultivation techniques he knew as he wanted the tablet to register not a technique but the swordsmanship itself. The fruits earned from Archery were rather sweet, after all. ~-X-~ After the rabbit was roasted thoroughly, Luo Ling ate it for lunch. The abundant nutrients in its flesh would improve his muscle mass and physique after it was digested. Maybe, tomorrow, he would see some tangible improvements. Feeling stuffed, Luo Ling packed up his stuff and returned to the orphanage to sleep. His body was aching all over and he was thoroughly exhausted. Since there was nothing else for him to do, he might as well take a nap. Luckily, the orphanage had gotten quieter ever since those people from the sect visited. He didn¡¯t know what caused this change, but he was rather thankful for not being bothered by those snot-nosed brats for once. Luo Ling swore he¡¯d sleep like a log until dinner time. Unfortunately, fate had different plans for him. Bang!! BANG!! As the thunderous banging echoed through the room, Luo Ling awoke with a start, instinctively slipping a hand under his pillow to grasp his stone-sharpened knife. His eyes darted around the dimly lit space, muscles tense and senses alert. After a tense moment, he exhaled in relief upon realizing he was still alone. BANG! BANG!! ¡°Ling!! Wake UP!!!¡± Someone shouted from the other side of the door, and Luo Ling found this voice rather familiar. This pitched, raspy voice could only belong to one person¡ªgatekeeper Daluo. But the man had never visited him in the orphanage. After all, they were not that close. Why was he here so suddenly? With burning curiosity, Luo Ling walked to the door opened it, and nearly jumped out of his skin when a sweaty bald, unkempt-bearded face came too close for his comfort. He jumped back, flustered, and furrowed his brows, shooting a glare at the man. Before he could question the man¡¯s intention, gatekeeper Daluo¡¯s anxious voice poured out. ¡°Ling, come with me, quick! An important guest needs your help.¡± What? 14. Into The Forest Part 2 Chapter 14: Into The Forest Part 2 Luo Ling had never seen gatekeeper Daluo so animated, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet like an excited child. It was as if he could hardly contain whatever good news he was bursting to share. Daluo, who typically carried himself with the weight of years and experience, seemed to have shed all that in an instant. His usual gruff demeanor was replaced by almost youthful energy, as though something extraordinary had just happened, and he could barely keep it to himself. Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but feel his curiosity surge in response. What could have possibly occurred to make this hardened iron-faced gatekeeper, a man who had seen and done it all, act so giddy? ¡°Gatekeeper Daluo, what exactly is the matter?¡± With a lazy stretch, he allowed his muscles to unwind, letting out a yawn that felt as if it would expel the last remnants of sleep from his system. He cast a quick glance toward the window, where the sky was still bright. His frown deepened as he realized it was still far from evening. The day was dragging on, yet something unexpected had already disrupted his plans for a restful afternoon. He had hoped to sleep through until dinner, but clearly, fate¡ªor perhaps Daluo¡ªhad other ideas. He shot a nasty glare at the bearded man, his eyes narrowing with irritation. The nerve of this sweaty, unkempt brute to barge in and ruin his well-deserved rest! Luo Ling clenched his jaw, suppressing the urge to snap at him right then and there. This baldy better have a damn good reason for disturbing his sleep or there would be hell to pay! Either he didn¡¯t notice it or simply didn¡¯t care about the dagger-like glares Luo Ling was sending his way, Daluo wiped his sweaty face with the back of his thick, log-like, hands, unfazed. ¡°You remember I told you about how the village chief went to town to seek help from a cultivator? Well, guess what? He¡¯s back¡ªand he didn¡¯t come alone!¡± Daluo¡¯s voice was practically vibrating with excitement as he leaned in closer, his eyes wide with enthusiasm. ¡°He brought not one, but two cultivators with him!¡± The gatekeeper¡¯s voice had risen a notch, as if the mere thought of such esteemed guests was too thrilling to keep contained. His eagerness was palpable, and for a moment, it seemed as if he might burst from the sheer excitement of delivering this news. Luo Ling blinked, momentarily stunned as he took a few seconds to fully process what Daluo had just said. Cultivators, again? The word echoed in his mind, stirring a mix of confusion and suspicion. What was going on here? For six long months, he hadn¡¯t seen a single trace of these so-called ¡®immortals.¡¯ They were shrouded in mystery, so much so that even the locals seemed to know little about them. It had led him to believe that they were rare, almost mythical beings who only appeared in the most extraordinary circumstances. But now, in the span of just two days, there were suddenly four of them? However, after thinking about it, he realized it was not that they were rare, but there was no reason for him to encounter them in such a backward place. It was the same with martial artists of Murim world too. Usually, if they were not doing any missions outside the bounds of their schools, common people had no chance of seeing a competent martial artist. Luo Ling relaxed his overly imaginative mind. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. ¡°That¡¯s great news,¡± he said with a nod, his voice steady and calm. Luo Ling glanced briefly at Daluo, who was practically vibrating with excitement, but his own expression remained composed. ¡°Maybe now we can finally capture that man-eating beast killing our hunter brothers.¡± Though he acknowledged the significance of the cultivators'' arrival, his eyes didn¡¯t quite light up with the same enthusiasm as Daluo¡¯s. After meeting the two cultivators a few days ago, Luo Ling¡¯s initial impression had been quickly tempered by reality. He had anticipated encountering beings of otherworldly prowess, but what he found instead were individuals with their own set of flaws and quirks. They were not the infallible, mystical figures he had imagined. Of course, it was possible that these cultivators were not as accomplished as he had hoped. Luo Ling¡¯s mind drifted back to the awe-inspiring figure he had once seen¡ªa man who soared through the skies with the grace of a bird, defying the very laws of nature. The memory of that display of power was still vivid in his mind, a stark contrast to the more grounded and visibly flawed cultivators he had encountered recently. ¡°Do those cultivators need my help?¡± Luo Ling enquired, his brows furrowing. In response, Daluo let out a long, exaggerated sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as he shook his head. ¡°Hah! And here I thought I¡¯d finally see your surprised mug,¡± he said, his voice tinged with a mix of exasperation and amusement. He leaned back, a bemused smirk playing on his lips. ¡°You really are an uncute brat, you know that?¡± His words were laced with a playful sarcasm as if he had been expecting Luo Ling to react with more astonishment. The gatekeeper¡¯s expression was a blend of mock disappointment and care, revealing that despite his gruff exterior, he held a certain fondness for Luo Ling¡¯s unflappable demeanor. Shaking his head, he answered. ¡°Yeah. Because they are unfamiliar with this side of the Hundred Beast Forest, they need someone familiar with these woods.¡± ¡°Eh!?¡± Luo Ling exclaimed, raising an eyebrow in genuine confusion. ¡°Aren¡¯t there plenty of experienced hunters in the village? It shouldn¡¯t be my turn to be the guide, right?¡± He said it out loud, but his mind was already piecing together the likely reason why the task had landed in his lap. The sudden realization made him glance at Daluo with a knowing look. ¡°Heh! Why do you think?¡± Daluo winked, which sent shivers down Luo Ling¡¯s spine. A beefy man with an unkempt appearance trying to act cute¡­ the image was too ¡®unique.¡¯ Luo Ling bristled, his face flushing with irritation as he hissed through clenched teeth, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Gatekeeper Daluo, have you lost all your intelligence along with your hair?¡± His words were laced with sharp sarcasm as he growled, his frustration evident. ¡°You know perfectly well why they¡¯re going into the woods, and you still expect me to accompany them?¡± ¡°Calm down and listen to me first, brat.¡± Daluo dug into his ears, not caring about Luo Ling¡¯s anger. ¡°First, with those cultivators around, you¡¯ll not be in any danger. After all, they need your guidance to navigate through the forest. Even if things go south, they will make sure you are safe.¡± With his free hand, he showed two fingers. ¡°Second, your experience. You have been a frequent visitor to Hundred Beast Forest periphery for half a year. You know the ins and outs of those cursed woods better than some of those ¡®experienced¡¯ hunters.¡± Luo Ling noticed tangible sarcasm in Daluo¡¯s voice when he talked about those hunters. ¡°I believe, if things go south, even if those two cultivators didn¡¯t return, you will.¡± Daluo finished, showing great confidence in Luo Ling. ¡°You have too much faith in me, Gatekeeper Daluo,¡± Luo Ling said, his tone reproachful. Despite the sharp edge in his voice, his mind was already whirring like a cog in an engine, processing Daluo¡¯s reasonings. As he thought it over, he couldn¡¯t deny that the gatekeeper¡¯s words had some merit. Given his familiarity with the outer periphery of the Hundred Beast Forest, he could easily keep himself out of possible troubles. Unless it was someone whose abilities vastly outclassed his own, nothing could stop Luo Ling from escaping. It was worth a try, at least. But before he agreed, Luo Ling knew he needed to be certain of what he stood to gain from this arrangement. He wasn¡¯t one to leap into something without first weighing the benefits. ¡°What¡¯s in it for me?¡± he inquired, his tone sharp and calculating. Hearing this, Daluo couldn¡¯t help but snicker, a sly grin spreading across his face. He had expected nothing less from Luo Ling, whose thought process were far beyond his age. ¡°Well, have you ever heard of the Blood Refining pill?¡± 15. Into The Forest Part 3 Chapter 15: Into The Forest Part 3 ¡°Is he the one you talked about, Daluo? He is just a child.¡± Daluo looked sheepish under the scrutinous gaze of the middle-aged man perched upon a cushioned chair. Behind him stood a young man who didn¡¯t look a day older than fifteen. Luo Ling felt a heated gaze on him and tore his eyes away from the man in traditional white robes¡ªthe cultivator. When he followed Daluo in, this man threw him a casual glance. But that one glance made the hairs at the back of his neck stand up in warning. This man could probably kill him with a slap¡ª such a thought emerged in his head. Even without looking, Luo Ling knew who was the owner of those fiery eyes. Turning his head, he flashed a smile at the curious teen. The boy was taken aback at first but nodded his head nonetheless. ¡°Lord Ping, would a plebian like me dare to lie in front of you¡± Daluo¡¯s stocky arms shook animatedly as he hurriedly explained himself. Luo Ling¡¯s attention was drawn over by the conversation. He had to admit, despite his wretched appearance the unkempt baldy knew how to string his words together. Thanks to his concealed flattery, the gorgeously-dressed man relaxed his expression. ¡°Then explain yourself.¡± Lord Ping demanded. Luo Ling noticed the lack of reproach in his tone and sighed inwardly. He had underestimated the gatekeeper. The man he thought to be brash and brutish turned out to be sly as a rat. It was an eye-opener for the reincarnated martial god. ¡°He might be a kid, but believe me, Lord Ping, he¡¯s way ahead of those so-called hunters in the town. He knew those treacherous woods like the back of his palm. And his sense of direction is far better than mine.¡± Even with thirty years of experience in life, Luo Ling still struggled to hold a straight face as Daluo praised his abilities to the high heavens. Especially a few bits that were exaggerated like the tale of him escaping from a pack of wolves. Daluo¡¯s narration was so vivid that even Luo Ling nearly believed it. He had indeed made a successful escape from a rabid pack many days ago, but they were not wolves but wild dogs. There was a chasm of difference between them. As expected, the middle-aged man was sold to Daluo¡¯s tall tales. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect a child yet to hit puberty to be so brave,¡± the cultivator said, sounding impressed. ¡°Luo Ling, is it? Would you like to guide us to the forest?¡± Luo Ling didn¡¯t need Daluo¡¯s awkward winking to grasp the situation. He nodded with a decisive air. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Good. Tomorrow morning, we¡¯ll set out. Meet us here at dawn.¡± ~-X-~ ¡°This better be worth it, gatekeeper Daluo.¡± Luo Ling snapped as they walked out of the inn. ¡°I even agreed without stating my condition as per your request. If they insist on going to the inner parts of the woods, I¡¯m running.¡± Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Everyone knows danger lurks in the deeper parts of Hundred Beast Forest. Not to mention ferocious advanced beasts, there were even rumors of ghosts and undead floating around. If not because of the reward Daluo talked about on their way here, he¡¯d have never even approached the cultivators. ¡°Heh,¡± Daluo snorted in derision. ¡°You¡¯re giving those people too much credit, Ling.¡± Luo Ling waited for an explanation, but none came. Daluo had already turned and was walking away, heading in the opposite direction of the orphanage. Watching his broad back melting into the crowd gathered to watch the ¡®immortal,¡¯ Luo Ling recalled the bits of information about the reward. According to the gatekeeper, a Blood Refining pill could cleanse the internal organs and wash the meridians, strengthening them slightly. His chance of sensing the Qi would increase by a huge margin. It was because of such wonderous properties of the pill that Luo Ling agreed to take the risk. Or given his cautious personality, he¡¯d have never bit more than he can chew. Setting aside the meridian strengthening aspect, which was a foreign concept to the reincarnated martial god, just the internal organs strengthening was enough to push his Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging technique to the next level. Luo Ling could enter the first-rate martial warrior level much sooner and begin awakening his mental force. With the help of this pill, Luo Ling could save himself a month of ¡®hard work.¡¯ He was tempted. Luo Ling blinked, then tore his eyes away from the sea of people that quickly swallowed the hulking gatekeeper. Within seconds, even Daluo¡¯s shiny bald head had vanished from sight. He looked up at the horizon where the sun was gradually sinking into the arch between tall hills, bathing the sky in orange gold. The night was nigh, approaching with unstoppable momentum, but would still take some time before painting the world in inky darkness. After much deliberation, he trotted to the training ground. It was impossible to go back to bed and continue his napping. All semblance of sleepiness had left his body when it went into overdrive due to the gatekeeper¡¯s erratic knocking. His only hope remained to work out a sweat and tire himself out enough for sleep to reclaim himself. ~-X-~ The night passed uneventfully for the people of Five Fragrance Village. After the initial excitement of meeting an immortal died out, everyone went about with their lives. Luo Ling donned his usual hunting gear, secured his bow and quiver, and arrived at the designated place¡ª the inn. ¡°You came,¡± the youth he saw the day before was there to greet him with a nod. The middle-aged cultivator was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Master is cultivating. Please wait for a few minutes.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Luo Ling nodded in acknowledgment and leaned against a wall. Closing his eyes, he peered into his inner world. Yesterday, in the evening, he trained until he was tired and didn¡¯t have the time to verify his fruits of labor. Since his employer had not arrived yet, might as well get it over with. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)] ¨C Proficiency: 220/500 [Archery (Houtian III); Penetration (Rank 1); Weakness (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 1244/5000 Since he could not do the body forging exercise anymore that day, Luo Ling invested his efforts into archery and sword practice. Especially, Archery. And seeing huge numbers beside the proficiency made his lips stretch into content smiles. Last night, he shot arrows until his muscles screamed in protest, and thanks to that the body forging exercise benefitted a few tens of points. The ¡®cheat¡¯ method could grant him proficiency points for Archery but his main cultivation method didn¡¯t benefit from it. Only practicing in the traditional way could do that. Those massive numbers on the [Records of Toil] ignited Luo Ling¡¯s desire to train harder. Tangible benefits could make anyone put in more effort. If this continued, Luo Ling estimated he¡¯d step into the 1st-rate martial warrior stage in only fifteen days. ¡°Luo Ling, my master is here,¡± the youth¡¯s gentle whisper broke through Luo Ling''s concentration, pulling the reincarnated Murim expert out of his immersive inner world. Blinking, Luo Ling took in his surroundings. But aside from the youth, who stood as if in deep meditation, there was no one else in sight. Perhaps he noticed his confusion, the youth broke into a smile as he explained. ¡°Master just sent me a voice transmission. Oh wait, you don¡¯t know what a voice transmission is, right? Let me explain¡­¡± 16. Into The Forest Part 4 Chapter 16: Into The Forest Part 4 The youth, whom he had come to know as Li Hong, turned out to be a chatterbox. His mouth had not stopped flapping even for a second since they started the journey. But Luo Ling didn¡¯t find it annoying. He was rather thankful to the youth as his incessant chattering filled the gaps in information he had about this world. His greatest harvest was the knowledge he obtained about cultivators and the so-called Qi. Voice Transmission, after understanding its characteristics, turned out to be a familiar trick to the transmigrator. After a martial artist achieves the second stage of Martial Master, and their body has an abundance of mental force -also known as Inner Breath- they¡¯d be able to touch upon some auxiliary techniques. Using Inner Breath to relay a message directly into the ears of a target to avoid eavesdropping¡ª the martial artists in Murim called it Whisper Technique. The cultivators employ a similar method, replacing the role of Inner Breath with Qi. Speaking of Qi, Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but ponder on this subject. Li Hong explained it as the essence of existence itself. Everything he sees and feels, be it living or non-living, is made up of Qi. In contrast, Inner Breath could only be generated by a being with a soul. Cultivators train by absorbing the Qi from around them, using it to modify and elevate their essence of life. But martial artists had to train rigorously and stimulate their mind and body again and again to increase their Inner Breath. After getting a detailed explanation of Qi from Li Hong, Luo Ling had to begrudgingly admit that it was far above Inner Breath in both versatility and raw power. Immortal Path appeared to be superior to Martial Path in every way possible. Much to Luo Ling¡¯s regret, their idle chatter came to an end as they arrived at a clearing. The ground was littered with broken, misshapen wooden pillars, and dry leaves blanketed what appeared to be the torn remains of a tent. Many animal bones of all sizes were haphazardly strewn across the area, painting a grim picture. ¡°Is this the place where it first appeared?¡± The middle-aged cultivator asked as he eyed the clearing marked with obvious human activity. ¡°Yes, Lord Ping,¡± Luo Ling replied, scanning his surroundings vigilantly. This clearing was unofficially called Gathering and used to be a place for the hunters from the village to field dress their prey. Professional butchers among these hunters would help others prepare their hunts for a price, after all, not all parts of an animal they caught were useful. Instead of taking back the entire thing, they¡¯d rather only carry the valuable parts. From morning to evening, the Gathering would always see a rush of activity. Yet, today, even though the sun had already risen to the sky, not a soul was present. According to Daluo, that maneater beast attacked the unsuspecting butchers when they were busy and left only half-eaten corpses behind for returning hunters to recover. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Even though hunters had stopped coming here for a few days, Luo Ling could still smell the thick metallic scent unique only to blood. Although, with his current capabilities as a 2nd-rate Martial warrior, he could not tell whether the scent was from a beast''s blood or human blood. And he was not the only one who noticed this strangeness. ¡°Such thick resentment,¡± Lord Ping grumbled, knitting his brows with a thoughtful look. ¡°It is impossible for wild beasts without proper sentience to be capable of this.¡± ¡°It could belong to those humans who were killed.¡± Li Hong said, drawing upon the most logical conclusion he could think of. Luo Ling distanced himself from the surrounding bushes growing up around the edges of the clearing and stood closer to Li Hong. The dense shrubbery was a perfect cover to hide a predator. If something was lurking in these carpets of dense green, and decided to ambush, he might become the first one to fall victim. He¡¯d rather not be that unlucky sod. He''d not have cared if he still had the capabilities of his previous life even if hundreds of maneaters showed up. Unfortunately, he was only a 2nd-rate martial warrior trash. Luo Ling preferred to work according to circumstances rather than holding on to unreasonable hubris. People who kept clinging to their past achievements and were unwilling to adapt often died in the cruelest ways possible. He¡¯d not be like them. ¡°Indeed.¡± Lord Ping nodded his head in agreement with the youth. ¡°It¡¯s the work of a panther species. Only the beings killed by tigers or their variants would leave behind such dense resentment.¡± The capable-looking cultivator¡¯s grave tone startled Luo Ling, and a sense of dread began to settle in his heart. ¡°Master, could it be a tiger spirit?¡± Li Hong guessed, his voice trembling when he spoke¡ª a clear indication of fear. ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Lord Ping debunked the youth¡¯s guess with a shake of his head. He was much more knowledgeable and could easily pick up on clues missed by the youth. ¡°Although there is resentment, I don¡¯t feel a shred of demonic Qi. That thing is not a demonic spirit¡­ for the time being.¡± ¡°For the time being¡­ Master, do you mean that this beast is about to enter demonhood?¡± Li Hong whipped his head at the middle-aged man, seeking confirmation. ¡°Seems so. Otherwise, I don¡¯t see how a mere beast without spirituality could stimulate such dense negative emotions out of its victims.¡± Luo Ling was genuinely confused by the two cultivators'' exchange of words. Demons? Resentment? What¡¯s going on here? He understood the meaning of those words individually, but together, they didn¡¯t make sense to him. Just when thought he managed to make some sense of this brand-new world, stranger things popped out and slapped his cheeks silly. It was frustrating. He needed to get answers. The transmigrator cleared his throat and leaned closer to the youth, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper as he asked, ¡°Brother Hong, what is a demon?¡± A few seconds of silence lingered in the clearing. Luo Ling felt his cheeks burn with shame, thinking he had been ignored. Perhaps it was not the right time to ask questions. ¡°Wild animals, after enlightenment, gain sentience and begin to absorb the Qi from the air. We call that process, demonization. After demonization is successful, they are no longer wild beasts, but are called demons.¡± Luo Ling stopped shifting from one foot to the other awkwardly and listened intently as the gentle voice of the middle-aged man flowed out. Lord Ping folded his hands behind his back and gazed into the depths of the dense woods of Hundred Beast Forest. ¡°Usually, the enlightenment of sentience is a prolonged process, taking anywhere from ten to twenty months to complete. But...¡± Lord Ping trailed off, narrowing his eyes at something in the distance. ¡°But that process could be sped up by consuming the flesh and blood essence of a sentient creature. Since these beasts couldn''t kill a demon because of the humongous power gap, humans are their favorite alternative.¡± He turned around and threw Luo Ling a glance devoid of any emotions. ¡°It is necessary that we kill that beast before it claims the lives of any more unsuspecting humans. Therefore, kid, are you willing to lend us a hand?¡± Luo Ling felt a chill rush down his spine. The look on the cultivator¡¯s face didn¡¯t bode well with him. 17. Into The Forest Part 5 Chapter 17: Into The Forest Part 5 Luo Ling instinctively reached for his back, brushing a few digits along the outline of the dagger tucked away under his shirt. ¡°May I know what you are implying, Lord Ping?¡± He inquired. The lord smiled, ignoring Luo Ling¡¯s obvious uneasiness. ¡°Beasts that are about to demonize have impeccable sense towards dangers. We¡¯ll never find it if search blindly.¡± Lord Ping said. ¡°But a beast yet to complete its demonization lacks adequate intelligence and is highly susceptible to traps.¡± The cultivator paused and rummaged into his sleeves. ¡°As a hunter, you should know how to catch prey, right?¡± He chuckled much to Luo Ling¡¯s annoyance. ¡°I am just a weak mortal. I¡¯ll die.¡± Luo Ling said, spreading his hands wide. His eyes narrowed. Before fully understanding the maneater, he had confidently assumed he could escape if he ever encountered it in the wild. Now, he was having second thoughts. The strength of a 2nd-rate martial warrior might just be not enough to ensure his safety against this scourge. With Penetration and Weakness working in tandem, he might be able to kill the beast, but would it really stand still and let him use all his abilities? Going by Lord Ping¡¯s description, the beast sounds like it could rival a martial master. Aside from his attack power, Luo Ling was grossly outclassed in every other aspect. Since it was a matter of life and death, he was not ashamed to admit his weakness. ¡°You are rather calm for someone talking about death,¡± Lord Ping quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Are all nine-year-olds in your village like you?¡± Luo Ling shrugged his shoulders. ¡°Maybe¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± He spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t interact much with kids of my age.¡± It was difficult for Luo Ling to show fear or any other extreme emotions on his face. His memories of past life would not allow that. Being a top martial artist in Murim, not to mention losing his life to a heart-wrenching betrayal, Luo Ling had experienced too much. The experience of despair when losing oneself in an all-consuming void while death approaches could make anyone develop a trauma. If given a chance at a second life, many would coop up in the safety of their comfort zones, never to leave again. But Luo Ling was not like them. If he was, he¡¯d not have made regular runs into the Hundred Beast Forest for the past six months. He was a warrior. He was raised to face his fears and surpass them. ¡°You are an interesting kid, Luo Ling.¡± Lord Ping laughed softly. Off to his side, Li Hong was watching the tirade with interest. Either due to his uninterest or due to his respect for the man, he had not interjected ever since the middle-aged cultivator started talking. ¡°Take this,¡± the cultivator threw something, and instinctively Luo Ling caught it between his index and middle fingers. ¡°This is?¡± This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Luo Ling questioned, eying the yellow paper stuck between his digits. Red squiggly lines outlined the parchment and a character for ¡°Shield¡± was drawn in the middle with beautiful strokes. ¡°Hong, help your little friend.¡± Lord Ping instructed and turned his back towards them. ¡°Yes, master.¡± Li Hong said with a bow. He whipped his head at Luo Ling and pointed a finger at the yellow paper. ¡°What you holding is called a Talisman. Talismans are a product of Array Studies¡­ err,¡± Li Hong stopped himself from going into a long-winded rant about arrays after noticing Luo Ling¡¯s clueless face. He cleared his throat and rephrased his wording. ¡°All you need to know is that by slapping that paper on your body, you can create an invisible shield capable of enduring an all-out hit from a Foundation Establishment beginner.¡± ¡°Are you serious?¡± Luo Ling exclaimed. ¡°This flimsy paper can block an attack from someone in Foundation Establishment?¡± He eyed the talisman with a mix of surprise and disbelief. ¡°Unbelievable.¡± From Li Hong, he obtained a detailed analysis of various stages in cultivation. Foundation Establishment had six sub-stages and were grouped into three parts¡ª Early, Mid, and Peak. If their strength were to be compared with martial artists of Murim, Luo Ling was sure they could easily match Martial Grandmasters in raw power alone. Now he was being told that a piece of paper could protect him from an all-out attack by a Martial Grandmaster! It was no wonder he found it hard to believe. ¡°Slap it on your chest and let me hit you. You will then know if it¡¯s true or not.¡± Li Hong grinned, displaying his rows of pearl-white teeth. Luo Ling took his words with a pinch of salt. Still, he did as was told. When the piece of paper came in contact with the skin of his left hand, it caught fire out of nowhere and burned to ash before Luo Ling could even register the heat. He threw that hand anxiously purely out of instinct. But even after several seconds, no pain was felt. ¡°Wha-¡± Li Hong¡¯s peals of laughter reminded the transmigrator he was not alone. Although he felt embarrassed, he didn¡¯t show it on his face. Instead, he stretched his left hand at the youth. ¡°Is that it?¡± He asked. From the youth¡¯s description, he thought he would feel empowered after activating the Talisman. But he felt no different from before. Was he being duped? ¡°Well,¡± Li Hong¡¯s smirk raised a few warning flags in Luo Ling¡¯s head. He took a step at the transmigrator and rushed at him with his right hand raised, ready to throw a hook. Luo Ling saw the incoming fist and already found a way to dodge it. But his body was too slow to obey his brain¡¯s commands. He had not expected the chatterbox youth to have such capabilities. Li Hong¡¯s fist came closer to his face and Luo Ling braced himself to endure the impact. There was no time to put up a defense. However, just when those knuckles were a few inches from making contact with his poor face, something astonishing happened. Li Hong¡¯s fist froze in its place as if something was blocking it. Countless ripples spread out in midair with his fist as the epicenter, undulating like a surface of water disturbed by a pebble. ¡°See?¡± The youth snickered. ¡°Even with my peak Prenatal stage cultivation, I could barely ripple the barrier. You should trust my master.¡± ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough talking.¡± Lord Ping interjected. ¡°Luo Ling, since you¡¯ve already used the talisman, we should hurry. Its effects will only last for an hour. We have to capture the beast before that.¡± With his protection guaranteed, Luo Ling had no reason to refuse. Besides, Lord Ping had also promised to double his rewards after they succeeded in killing their prey. And even if he wanted to refuse, he had already used the talisman. There was no going back. ¡°Understood.¡± Luo Ling inhaled a deep breath and a sharp glint appeared on his eyes. ¡°What should I do?¡± ¡°Take this,¡± Lord Ping handed the transmigrator a black pellet the size of a praying bead. ¡°When I say, crush the pellet and smear the substance anywhere on your skin.¡± ¡°What does this do?¡± Luo Ling asked, eyeing the pellet that bore a stark resemblance to goat poop. He scrunched up his face at the thought of letting it touch his body. ¡°Looks like goat poop, does it not?¡± Li Hong leans over and whispers, his words were meant for only his ears. ¡°Scram!¡± Lord Ping flicked at the youth¡¯s forehead and sent him flying out of the clearing. The poor boy crashed into the bushes, his groans of pain and discomfort barely reaching Luo Ling¡¯s ears. ¡°That¡¯s a product popular with professional hunters who hunt demons.¡± Lord Ping explained. ¡°It will enhance the scent of the bait. By smearing on your skin, your human scent will be magnified countless times. Even if it had some rudimentary intelligence, the beast would be unable to hold itself back from rushing here.¡± Luo Ling nodded his head. He understood the plan. ¡°Great.¡± The middle-aged man nodded his head. ¡°Now count up to ten and crush it.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Luo Ling braced himself. Danger and rewards go hand in hand. Unless he was willing to take risks, his opportunity would never come. 18. Into The Forest Part 6 Chapter 18: Into The Forest Part 6 Luo Ling clutched the bow in hand with an arrow nocked as his eyes vigilantly jumped around from bushes to trees. Even the slightest rustle of the leaves was not missed. Being a bait was not a good feeling. Luo Ling much preferred to be the hunter instead. Lord Ping and his apprentice had hidden themselves in the woods, laying in ambush for the maneater. Luo Ling attempted to sense their presence but came up short. Without the aid of Inner Breath, he was just like any other mortal¡ªalbeit one with a touch more strength. The capabilities of a 2nd-rate martial warrior were far from enough. One breath. Two breaths¡­ Ten breaths¡­ Luo Ling counted the numbers in his heart, keeping track of the time elapsed since the pellet was used. It would not do much as his only intention was to keep himself on edge. On a tree in the distance, Luo Ling noticed something different. He squinted, focusing his sharpened vision on that flitting outline hidden among the dense leaves, but could not have a clear picture due to poor lighting. There was something in that tree, hidden away from plain sight. The transmigrator could swear it was glaring at him. The palpitations in his heart were not to be ignored. Luo Ling partook in many battles in his previous life. He crawled his way out from the sea of corpses and made a name for himself in the Murim as the youngest transcendent. His skills were honed into perfection through regular brushes with death. After transmigration, he lost all his hard-earned abilities and only the sixth sense of danger remained. But Luo Ling could not be happier for it. How many times had it saved his ass in these six months? Too many times to count. ~-X-~ The branches shook and leaves rustled as something heavy shifted within. At first, it was only one tree. But soon, another next to it had its branches rattle. Then another. And another. Something was shifting among the branches and it was coming his way. Luo Ling pulled the string of his bow to its limits and aimed at one of the trees rooted on the edge of the clearing. Given the course the stalker had taken, it would eventually step on it. With the talisman defense in place, he didn¡¯t have to worry about personal safety anymore. Luo Ling toyed with the idea of shooting a warning shot. It might force the beast out into the open. But after thinking for a moment, he abandoned it. There was a plan in motion with him as the bait. He would not take any risky chances. It¡¯s here. Get ready. A gentle voice whispered into his ears. The man in the child¡¯s body bobbed his head; he already knew. Grrrr!! A deep, animalistic growl slithered out from between the leaves, raw and menacing. And that was all Luo Ling needed to accurately pinpoint the beast¡¯s position. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. His grip eased on the string, and the arrow sprang forward, disappearing into the tangled embrace of leaves. Penetration reduced the air resistance the arrow would face; hence the overall momentum was not affected much. In the blink of an eye, the metal-tipped reed disappeared into the veil of greens. Grahhh!!! A rumble erupted from the beast, its roar climbing into a pained shriek. The arrow had found its target, but whether it had done any real damage was still unclear. Luo Ling was not about to wait and find out. Another arrow was taken out of the quiver and nocked on the bow. Penetration and Weakness were not the only rewards he obtained from upgrading Archery. Knowledge of proper ways to handle a bow in different situations also appeared in his head in the form of memories. Some even assimilated into his muscles, becoming a part of his reflexes. The branches squealed and groaned, then snapped with a sharp crack as a shadowy mass hurtled toward Luo Ling. Without hesitation, the transmigrator was on the move¡ªstanding still when hunting a predator was a misstep for the naive. He had long past his naivety. Another arrow was shot at the beast, and this time, Luo Ling aimed for its eyes. With the beast now exposed, Luo Ling finally got a clear view. As the cultivator had predicted, it was a panther cloaked in midnight-black fur, its eyes burning a vivid blood-red. There was a chilling glimmer of intelligence lurking in those predatory depths. The arrow sailed close to the beast¡¯s eyes, narrowly missing its mark. This beast''s fleshy body seemed more durable than he had expected; even with 10% ignore defense, all that was left behind was a thin paper cut. And its reflexes were nothing to scoff at. Luo Ling was caught off guard, but his years of experience took over, preventing a rookie mistake. In an instant, he dropped low and rolled swiftly to his left, hugging the ground as he moved out of danger¡¯s path. Grr!! The maneater growled in fury, its nimble legs coiling tightly, poised for another pounce. A sinister black gas began to seep from its skin, sending alarm bells ringing in Luo Ling¡¯s mind. In one lunge, the beast was already on him, its sharp canines barely a few inches from his face. Countless ripples dispersed on the surface of the invisible shield as it faithfully served its purpose. The panther was not big, barely reaching up to the size of an adult¡¯s waist. But that tiny frame hid power disproportional to its body mass. Its mouth reeked of human blood, and Luo Ling¡¯s heart sank into the pit. Anger boiled in his heart; the audacity of this beast! But only anger would not achieve anything. Even his arrows imbued with Penetration that was supposed to ignore ten percent of defense could not cut a wound on its skin, let alone his melee attacks. Luo Ling pinned his hopes on Lord Ping¡ªthe cultivator who hatched this plan. And the man didn¡¯t disappoint him. From beyond the dimly illuminated bushes, a reflective object cut in. But Luo Ling accurately saw what it was¡ªa sword. A sword without a hilt. Confusion had room in between a life-and-death struggle. Even though he had a bellyful of questions, Luo Ling focussed on the matter at hand. The protective talisman was holding out well, but for how long? Reaching for his back, Luo Ling pulled out the sharpened stone knife. However, in the next moment, Lord Ping proved his trustworthiness as the flying blade made an arc in mid-air. The blade traced a shimmering trajectory, its edge flashing brilliantly as it approached the beast. The panther''s eyes widened in a moment of startled recognition, just as the blade''s deadly arc met its target. In a heartbeat, the flying weapon darted past the beast¡¯s neck, its razor-sharp edge slicing through its neck like a hot knife through butter. It all unfolded in an instant. One moment, the beast was a picture of feral rage, its growls echoing through the forest as it battered against the invisible shield with relentless fury, its claws and teeth clashing in a frantic symphony of desperation. Then, in a heartbeat, the tableau shattered. The beast''s immense, sinewy form twisted violently as if in slow motion, its powerful body collapsing to the ground in a dramatic cascade of crimson. Blood erupted from the wound in a fierce spray, painting the earth in a grim, splattered testament to the fatal blow. The beast''s head, severed from its muscular neck, tumbled away with a sickening finality. It rolled across the forest floor, its eyes wide in a frozen expression of surprise and pain, before coming to rest a few steps away¡ªan eerie and silent testament to the swift end of its reign of terror. The scene was left in stark contrast: the air, once thick with the beast''s menacing growls, now lay still and heavy, marked only by the quiet aftermath of sudden and decisive action. The forest, a witness to the beast''s dramatic fall, seemed to hold its breath in the wake of the violent spectacle. ¡°And done. Ling, let¡¯s go back.¡± Luo Ling broke away from his stupor as Li Hong¡¯s upbeat tone tore through the uncomfortable silence settled down following the demon¡¯s demise. He was still in disbelief at what transpired at that moment. The animal he barely wounded after risking his life died just like that!? Is this the power of a cultivator? 19. A Generous Gift Chapter 19: A Generous Gift The fight ended in the blink of an eye. The demonized beast died even before Luo Ling could see a cultivator¡¯s means. He was not surprised with the flying sword that beheaded the maneater. If these cultivators could step on it and fly, then they could very well use it to kill from a distance. What he wanted to see were the ¡®spells¡¯ he heard so much about from the villagers and Li Hong. Luo Ling spared a thoughtful glance at the beast¡¯s bisected remains. From their brief clash, the transmigrator realized that the failed demon''s strength nearly rivaled that of a Stage-3 Martial Master¡ªjust a step away from reaching the Grandmaster level. That is to say, perhaps, even a Grandmaster was not enough to make Lord Ping reveal some of his cards. ¡°Hey! What¡¯s up with you?¡± Luo Ling nearly slashed with his knife before he realized the hand wrapped around his neck belonged to Li Hong. He breathed a sigh of relief and returned the knife to its rightful place. ¡°Li Hong,¡± Luo Ling chewed his words through gritted teeth. ¡°Please warn me when you are around. Don¡¯t startle me like this.¡± The youth laughed it off with a shake of his head. ¡°Sure sure, I will. By the way, Master is amazing, isn¡¯t he?¡± Luo Ling, displaying his exasperation, shook his head and begrudgingly accepted the shoulder hug. He was also secretly amazed at the youth¡¯s strength. He tried to move away from the necklock discreetly but failed to do so even after using all his strength. ¡°What is Lord Ping¡¯s cultivation realm?¡± Luo Ling asked after giving up resistance. Since he could not fight it, might as well accept it. The cultivation realms, according to Li Hong¡¯s knowledge, were: Prenatal Breathing, Foundation Establishment, Qi Refining, and Core Formation. There were more stages, but he knew up to these. He wondered what stage the middle-aged cultivator had achieved to command such awe-inspiring strength. ¡°Master¡­ probably have broken through to Core Formation realm.¡± Li Hong¡¯s answer was full of uncertainty. ¡°He never reveals his tail, like a cunning fox.¡± Before Luo Ling could respond, the youth beside him cradled his head and screamed in pain. He could swear there was a comical lump growing on the forehead of the raven-haired boy. ¡°Ouch!! Master, can you not eavesdrop on your disciple? It¡¯s breaching my privacy.¡± ¡°Then stop messing around.¡± Lord Ping revealed himself from behind a tree, his hands folded behind his back. ¡°As for you, Luo Ling.¡± Luo Ling perked up when his name was called. ¡°You¡¯re valiant for a mortal without any cultivation.¡± The middle-aged cultivator¡¯s eyes flashed with approval. ¡°Thank you, Lord Ping.¡± Luo Ling bowed. Martial artists respect the strong. Lord Ping had shown his extraordinary prowess by beheading a beast on which he could barely leave a scratch. Granted he was only a 2nd-rate martial warrior now, a far cry from the peak power he achieved in his previous life. But Luo Ling liked to live in the present. Lord Ping was deserving of his respect. ¡°Initially, I promised a Blood Refining pill as a reward for this task,¡± Lord Ping said, drawing closer. ¡°And I also offered to double that reward if you agree to my plan.¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. His words flow naturally, and Luo Ling wondered where he was going with this. Patient; he waited for him to finish because the cultivator seemed like he had more to say. ¡°But, your display of courage pleased me.¡± Lord Ping once again dipped his hand into his sleeves, rummaging around, as if looking for something. Luo Ling was half convinced the cultivator had a hidden pouch in his sleeves. He had already witnessed the man take out things from inside twice. ¡°Here,¡± he said, handing out a brown hard-covered book and a small palm-sized clay bottle. ¡°Take it as a gift from me.¡± ¡°Wow! Master, is that a cultivation technique?¡± Li Hong exclaimed dubiously. He leaned over Luo Ling¡¯s shoulders and nudged at him. ¡°Ling, open the book.¡± Luo Ling suppressed his excitement. Even though he led matters of cultivation to rest after discovering his low potential, he still harbored thoughts about embarking on this illustrious path. Longevity and immortality, who would not want it? He had the confidence to find a way to upgrade his talent after achieving Martial Transcendent but that¡¯d probably take a few years. Distant waters can¡¯t quench immediate thirst. Luo Ling opened the book, welcomed by the pleasant scent of fragrant ink. The name of the book was revealed in glaring, bold, and artistic calligraphy. Art of Meridian Mending ¨C Vol 1 ¡°Oh, it¡¯s this technique,¡± Li Hong sighed, sounding like a deflated balloon. ¡°What this about?¡± Luo Ling had already gotten a good grasp on the youth¡¯s personality. He was talkative and may appear friendly, but not many things could enter his eye. Take the corpse of the demonized beast, for example. Although Luo Ling didn¡¯t know if it was edible, he was still planning on skinning it and taking the carcass for sale. At the very least, it¡¯d fetch a couple of Bronze Marbles. A bronze marble was not a small amount. An average family of three could live a month in lavish: buy new clothes every week, have meat in their every meal, and still have some spares to go about. If they lived frugally, that family could sustain themselves for years. In the Five Fragrance Village, those hunters could kill to get their hands on this carcass. Yet, the two cultivators had not shown a shred of interest in it. He could understand Lord Ping as the man could easily produce a Blood Refining Pill for reward, which according to Daluo, costs ten times the hide of the red-eared rabbit he sold. But why¡¯d this Li Hong also show such disdain towards it? His mannerisms matched that of a scion of an affluent family. Secretly, he was glad he didn¡¯t have to share this money. The current him needed all the money he could get. He could upgrade his gears, and even afford those expensive herbs for a medicinal bath. ¡°This technique comes under the category of body forging and has three volumes. Practicing every volume to its perfection would upgrade your meridian coil by one level.¡± Li Hong explained, shaking his head. ¡°But, even though it¡¯s a body forging manual, it doesn¡¯t provide any strength boost. And it''s really hard to master. In my opinion, it¡¯s a complete sham.¡± Luo Ling filtered out the later parts of the youth¡¯s speech. His focus stayed on the first half. The technique could upgrade meridian coils? Wasn¡¯t that what he needed the most? Why did he decide to shelve the idea of cultivation for later? Wasn¡¯t it because he possessed a low-mortal-grade meridian coil, deeming him ineligible for the Fragrant Crown Sect? Although Luo Ling had yet to figure out the connection between the grade of a meridian coil and their cultivation potential, he understood the importance of having a better talent. A technique that upgrades the said talent, how could he not treat it as a treasure? Luo Ling offered a respectful bow to the middle-aged cultivator. ¡°Thank you for the generous gift, respectable lord.¡± The man had given him exactly what he needed most at that moment. Luo Ling didn¡¯t concern himself with the demerits or limitations of the technique. He had his martial arts, and if Li Hong¡¯s words held any truth, as a Martial Transcendent, he¡¯d be able to stand toe-to-toe with a Qi Refining stage expert. That was more than enough for now. The scholarly-looking cultivator acknowledged his bow with an approving nod. ¡°You are sensible, unlike my disciple. But what he said is true. This body forging technique will not provide you with any additional strength or fitness. However, it will give you what you need the most.¡± Li Hong pulled his face into a mask of displeasure but was ignored. Luo Ling could tell the man had more to say, so he kept quiet to listen. No one liked to be interrupted in the middle. ¡°I¡¯m giving you a chance, Luo Ling,¡± he said. ¡°If you can master this first volume within six months, I¡¯ll give you both the second and third volumes for free. But if you can¡¯t, then no need to approach me.¡± His words thundered in Luo Ling¡¯s ears. It was a challenge and might be a veiled test for him. ¡°I¡¯ll do it, Lord.¡± Luo Ling announced with brimming confidence. With [Records of Toil] aiding him, if he could not master first of the three halves of a technique within three months, he might as well just give up on getting stronger and start farming. 20. Friend Chapter 20: Friend Luo Ling wrapped the panther carcass in a bedroll of leaves and tied it up in a tight knot with some vines. It¡¯d take at least an hour to remove the skin and Lord Ping would not wait that long. He also could not take the corpse to the village as it might attract some less-than-savory attention. After all, few could resist the allure of the bronze marbles. The best he could do at the moment was to hide the body and return after escorting his clients back to the village. Luo Ling stacked the headless body of the panther in three layers of blanket made from leaves. He hoped it was enough to mask the bloody scent. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Li Hong asked, curious. He stood at a safe distance from Luo Ling and observed intently. ¡°This beast''s corpse is a trove of treasure. I¡¯m planning on coming back later to skin it.¡± Luo Ling said, tying the vines into a tight knot. His face scrunched up in strain as he had to use a great deal of his strength. ¡°It¡¯s just a failed demonized beast¡ªbarely worth anything, right? What makes it valuable to you?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Luo Ling said, choosing his words carefully. ¡°What seems like scraps to some can be a fortune to others. The skin and meat alone could fetch a few bronze marbles. For mortals, even a single bronze marble can mean comfort¡ªmaybe not much to you, but enough to change our lives, even if only for a little while.¡± Luo Ling tried his best to explain the importance of the beast carcass without degrading himself too much. Even if he had accepted his status as a member of the bottom rung of society, he still didn¡¯t want to lose the basic bit of pride he had as a peak expert in his previous life. ¡°Ah!¡± Li Hong exclaimed. He poked a finger towards the leaf-wrapped corpse. ¡°So, this corpse is important to you and you want to hide it from others, right?¡± ¡°You can say that.¡± Luo Ling bobbed his head in agreement. The youth understood, and that¡¯s enough. He didn¡¯t feel like explaining further. ¡°I see.¡± Luo Ling zoned him out of his mind and busied himself into thinking of ways to hide the scent. Even with layers of leaves, some perceptive animals could still sniff out the bloody scent. If even a scratch appears on that velvety black fur, the transmigrated martial transcendent would feel his livers hurt. ¡°Hey, you could use this.¡± Luo Ling turned around, feeling a quick pat on his left shoulder. And once again, he had to fight the instinctive urge to brandish his knife at whoever was behind him. He gritted his teeth but decided against reminding the youth. Clearly, the brat didn¡¯t take his words to heart. Blissfully unaware of his plummeted status in the younger child¡¯s heart, Li Hong offered a pair of parchments¡ª one green and the other yellow. He looked pleased with himself as he pushed them at Luo Ling. ¡°What are they?¡± Luo Ling questioned, intrigued. He could tell they were talismans as their appearance bore a resemblance to the one Lord Ping gave him. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Even the middle-aged cultivator had his head turned in their direction, apparently interested in what his disciple was up to. ¡°This one is a Masking Talisman,¡± Li Hong said, slightly pushing out the green talisman. Then, he pointed at the yellow one, ¡°And this one is a Tracking Talisman.¡± He allowed a smirk on his face and puffed his chest proudly. ¡°Mom said to always help my friends in their time of need. Here, rip the green one slightly and stick it on that thing.¡± Luo Ling didn¡¯t accept them outright but chose to peer into the youth¡¯s eyes. It was said that eyes are gateways to the soul and a person¡¯s true intentions are often projected in their eyes. Friend? The word felt foreign¡ªwould a cultivator, born into privilege and power, truly see him as an equal? Luo Ling''s mind wrestled with the idea; disbelief weighed heavy. The people in the village always talked about how cultivators were a proud bunch and would rarely put the mortals in their eyes. This evaluation had proven itself after he met those two disciples from the Fragrant Crown Sect. Although they masked it well, Luo Ling still noticed the veiled disdain in their attitudes when they were interacting with Mother Yi. And this Li Hong, a disciple of someone like Lord Ping who could be as strong if not stronger than a martial transcendent, thought of him as a friend? To be honest, Luo Ling found it hard to believe. ¡°Hey! What with that face?¡± Becoming aware of Luo Ling¡¯s morphed facial expression, Li Hong protested. ¡°You¡¯re brave, smart, and even Master sees it. You¡¯re different from the people in the town¡ªthey¡¯re not worth my time. Why wouldn¡¯t I consider you a friend?¡± Luo Ling suddenly came to a realization. He had been thinking too much. Li Hong was a cultivator, and that¡¯s true. But it was also a fact that he was only a child with a good upbringing, if not a little sheltered. Perhaps he was not yet corrupted by the hubris. The few cultivators he met until now were all grown men. They had seen the world and knew the workings of society better than a na?ve child. They knew their worth better, thus drawing a clear line between them and those with less importance. This Li Hong, if he ignored his gorgeous clothing and slightly pumped-up attitude, didn¡¯t seem to be much different from the children in the orphanage. Luo Ling¡¯s worldview was refreshed again. ¡°Thank you.¡± Luo Ling pulled his lips into a smile. A genuine smile that he had not shown to anyone else after coming to this world. A friend¡­ maybe¡­ -~X~- Their return garnered everyone¡¯s attention. The mass of expectant hunters and the village chief stood by the gate and welcomed them with large smiles on their faces. Lord Ping took it upon himself to let the masses know about his success in subduing the maneater. This earned him a round of applause as well as slogans of praise and worship. Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but doubletake at the zealous masses. He finally witnessed the popularity these cultivators enjoyed. Not even the martial artists of Murim were this revered by the common masses. The village chief and the hunters'' leader respectfully escorted Lord Ping and his disciple back to the inn with great fanfare. Luo Ling sneaked away taking advantage of the crowd. Although he had a Masking Talisman hide its scent, Luo Ling still wanted to get it done with soon otherwise he¡¯d not feel at ease. He didn¡¯t take the direct road back to the spot where he had hidden the body. Daluo was blissfully unaware that his shameless advertisement to Lord Ping was mostly the truth; the transmigrator knew the outskirts of the woods like the back of his palm. Luo Ling expertly trod the winding mud roads, his every step measured. His bow was held snug, an uneven stick acting as its arrow, and pulled to the limit. He broke that thing from a tree branch he crossed on the way. His footsteps abruptly stopped, and he spun around swiftly, a full one-eighty. With a precise flick of his fingers, he released the tension on the taut string. The makeshift arrow whistled through the air, slicing its way into the dense bushes several meters ahead. ¡°What the hell!?¡± The scream of pain had a gruff undertone and indistinctively belonged to a male, hidden behind the veil of the dense foliage, his identity was still unknown. But Luo Ling didn¡¯t care. ¡°Leave,¡± he warned. ¡°Or next time it¡¯ll be a real arrow.¡± 21. Greed Chapter 21: Greed The intense atmosphere persisted for what felt like an eternity. The bushes rustled violently, leaves shivering and parting as a head pushed through. A dark brown turban was wound tightly around his head, the fabric stained and frayed at the edges. His skin was light-tanned, toughened by sun and grit, stretched over a squarish face that seemed chiseled from stone. He had his palm pressed firmly against his forehead, but it did little to stanch the flow of blood. It seeped through his fingers, drawing a thin, crimson line down the back of his hand before dripping onto the ground below. Luo Ling ignored the scathing glare thrown his way, his expression calm and detached. He focused instead on the blood flowing through the gaps of the man¡¯s fingers. The wound wasn¡¯t light¡ªif the blood dripping freely was any indication. It puzzled Luo Ling. It had been just a stick, a simple thing snapped from a random branch. Yet it had struck like a hammer, splitting skin and drawing blood as if it were a weapon forged for that purpose. Had he misjudged his own strength? It seemed that crude branch had packed far more punch than he ever intended. Perhaps, he had been underestimating Penetration a little too much. ¡°Brat,¡± He hissed, his words carrying the intense hate he felt for Luo Ling. ¡°You got some nerve to shoot an arrow at me. Do you know who I am?¡± ¡°A rat.¡± Luo Ling answered naturally, without missing a beat. ¡°And perhaps a pervert too. After all, which adult would sneakily tail a child in the woods?¡± ¡°Pervert¡­? What?¡± The man¡¯s brow furrowed; his anger momentarily replaced by confusion at Luo Ling¡¯s casual jab. He spat at the ground with a harsh sneer, eyes narrowing as if trying to pierce through Luo Ling¡¯s calm fa?ade. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to argue with a snot-nosed brat like you,¡± he snarled, the impatience in his voice sharpening every word. ¡°You must know where that lord killed the maneater; take me there.¡± Luo Ling blinked and his lips curled into a sneer. ¡°I see. I see. So that¡¯s what you are after.¡± His eyes hardened into a glare. Unfortunately, he had not yet awakened his mental force and could not project his killing intent outwards. ¡°Leave. That thing is mine.¡± ¡°Brat, don¡¯t get ahead of yourself,¡± the man growled, his voice rough like gravel grinding underfoot. His gaze turned predatory, eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. ¡°You either obediently take me to where the corpse is, or my boss will come to meet you in person.¡± The threat hung heavy in the air, the man¡¯s anger morphing into a twisted smirk that spread across his face like a slow-oozing stain. ¡°And he won¡¯t be kind just because you¡¯re a kid.¡± ¡°Oh no! I am so scared!¡± Luo Ling smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he faked a shiver, putting on an exaggerated performance of terror. ¡°What do I do? A big bad man will come after me because I beat up his dog.¡± He spat on the ground in front of the man, the insult landing with a wet smack. The man¡¯s face flushed with anger, the vein in his forehead pulsing visibly, but Luo Ling didn¡¯t miss a beat. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Are you not ashamed to be bested by a child?¡± Luo Ling¡¯s smirk widened; his tone sharp as a blade. ¡°And now you¡¯re threatening me with numbers? Pathetic. Man, if I were you¡ªand as an adult, I was beaten up by a child¡ªI¡¯d probably jump off a cliff.¡± He delivered the words with casual cruelty as if they were a simple observation rather than a cutting remark. The man¡¯s face twisted in a mix of rage and embarrassment; the sting of Luo Ling¡¯s taunts was more painful than the wound on his head. If not for the throbbing wound on his forehead¡ªa stark reminder of the kid¡¯s unexpected strength¡ªthe man might have lunged at Luo Ling with his fist raised. Luo Ling¡¯s keen eyes caught the flicker of fury in the man¡¯s expression, and he couldn¡¯t help but snort. ¡°Shame! Shame!¡± Luo Ling taunted, his voice cold and mocking. ¡°Leave before I poke a hole through your head.¡± The man¡¯s face contorted with frustration; his pride wounded far more deeply than the injury on his forehead. With a final scowl, he turned and stormed off. Watching his retreating back, Luo Ling¡¯s smirk contorted into a frown. He had overlooked the possibility of greed triggering among the hunters. These bastards would even disregard his age and threaten him. The human heart is hard to fathom. Experience had taught Luo Ling that this encounter was far from over. Perhaps he would have to be careful when in the village and out in the woods from now on. Although Luo Ling boasted considerable strength for his age¡ªthanks to his status as a 2nd-rate martial warrior¡ªthe hunters who dared to venture into the woods were far from weak. They practiced a form of body tempering cultivation known as External Martial Arts. Luo Ling had witnessed its application and found it lacking. Its methods were straightforward and unrefined, with a low ceiling for potential. But still, those who had mastered this body-tempering art to a high enough level could hold their ground against a martial master for hours. His current self was far from a match against such people. ~-X-~ The wrapped-up carcass was hidden beneath the hollow bark of a tree. Even standing right next to it, Luo Ling could detect no trace of blood, thanks to the talisman¡¯s effectiveness. Its enchantment was so potent that it neutralized all scent, concealing the carcass¡¯s presence from even the most sensitive noses. The world of cultivation was far too interesting than he had anticipated. Talismans, demon beasts, pill connotations, flight, and immortality; all these were just a part of that world. From the depths of his soul, he felt the calling from this world. Cultivator, he had to become one. It took considerable effort to peel off the panther¡¯s skin. The stone knife struggled against the thick hide, making the process slow and grueling. After wiping the blood from the skin, Luo Ling carefully rolled it up using large leaves. When it came to the meat, he hesitated. The panther had been feasting on humans for days, and the thought of consuming flesh from an animal that had devoured human flesh made him uneasy. He might have missed an abundant source of nutrition, but Luo Ling felt no regret. The thought of consuming the flesh of an animal that had fed on human remains was too unsettling. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to do it, no matter how practical it might have been. For his return, Luo Ling took another path, fearing an ambush. Although it was not clear if that turban-wearing man was acting alone or under someone else¡¯s orders, it would not hurt to be extra careful. By the time he returned to the village, the noon sun was at its zenith, scorching the world below with its relentless blaze. The summer heat was unbearable, making the day seem even more oppressive. Daluo was absent from his post at the gate, but Luo Ling paid it no mind. He offered a casual greeting to the two guards on duty, who responded with brief nods. Their lack of familiarity meant there was no reason to linger. Without a prey to buy herbs for, Luo Ling bypassed the market. Instead, he stopped by Madam Wei''s for a batch of stuffed buns¡ªhis favorite treat. With the warm buns tucked safely away, he made a direct path to his secret training spot behind the village. He couldn¡¯t wait to learn the manual Lord Ping gifted. 22. Art of Meridian Mending Chapter 22: Art of Meridian Mending Luo Ling was a man of discipline and had great self-restraint. Even though he was eager to dive into the contents of Art of Meridians Mending, he kept his composure and started with the body-forging exercise. While Immortal Cultivation remained his ultimate goal, Luo Ling knew that for now, he had to focus on practicing Martial Arts and regaining his former Transcendent stage strength. The various stances of the Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging exercise were deeply ingrained into his muscle memory after doing it again and again for six months. Even without conscious control, Luo Ling could still perform all the stances with perfection. By the time Luo Ling completed the exercise routine for the tenth time, two hours had slipped away unnoticed. The sun was beginning its slow descent toward the west, signaling that the day was drawing to a close. Luo Ling took a swift glance into his inner world and felt a surge of satisfaction as he noted his body forging proficiency had climbed by ten points. At this rate, within the next few days, he¡¯d reach the level of a 1st-rate martial warrior, allowing him to finally tap into his mental force. He just had to be steady. No need to rush things. The steamed buns, devoured during the brief breaks between sets, had all but disappeared. It¡¯d only be a matter of time before hunger makes its comeback with a vengeance. ¡°I¡¯ll get something to eat first,¡± He mumbled, caressing his toned belly. Luo Ling decided to address his nutrition needs before moving on to the next set of exercises. After his meal, he planned to practice swordsmanship for half an hour, sharpening his movements and coordination while avoiding any known swordsmanship martial techniques. Following that, he¡¯d dedicate another half an hour to archery. -~X~- Like always, Luo Ling chose Madam Wei¡¯s eatery over the orphanage¡¯s cafeteria or any other place to have his lunch. It wasn¡¯t that her recipes were tastier than other eateries in the village, or that they satisfied his palate more, but mostly because her stall was closer to his training spot. Plus, the lady running it often scooped him a few extra helpings for free, which made it an easy choice for a quick meal. ¡°Here for your lunch, Ling¡¯er?¡± As soon as Luo Ling stepped through the door, a warm, familiar voice greeted him. An elderly lady, her hair completely white, emerged from behind the stove with a gentle smile. Her white apron was stained in oil, grease, and faded food colors. Luo Ling grinned as he nodded. ¡°Yes. Give me my usual, granny Wei.¡± ¡°Go and sit inside. I¡¯ll prepare your order.¡± As Granny Wei disappeared into the back room behind the smoldering stove, Luo Ling made his way to the dining area. He picked a table that looked relatively clean, brushing off a few stray crumbs before sitting down. The air smelled of freshly cooked food, a comforting scent that always seemed to linger in Granny Wei''s place. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. A few minutes later, his order was served. Two huge chunks of roasted pork leg, a steaming bowl of vegetable stew, and a basket of brown bread landed on the table¡ªa feast too large for a normal kid his age. But to Luo Ling, it was nothing more than a subpar replacement for the nutrition-packed wild game he was used to. He eyed the food with knitted brows, knowing it would all be gone in mere minutes. After draining the last few mouthfuls of the soup, Luo Ling stood and made his way to the counter, fingers already slipping into the folds of his training robes. His hand emerged with a small stack of iron plates; their metallic clink muffled against the cloth of his satchel. Without a second thought, he tossed them onto the table, the dull thud disappearing amidst the hub-dub of noises. As a regular at Granny Wei¡¯s place, Luo Ling knew the price of every dish by heart, from the roasted pork leg to the vegetable stew. The moment his fingers brushed the iron plates, he already knew exactly how much to leave behind. ¡°Wait, Ling¡¯er.¡± Just as Luo Ling reached the doorway, Granny Wei¡¯s voice called out from behind, halting him mid-step. He turned, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "Something wrong, granny?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, curiosity creeping into his tone. Did the prices rise again? The older woman waded through the crowd of sweaty men milling about, each coming and going in the bustling lunchtime rush. The restaurant was packed with laborers and farmers, their rough hands and sun-baked faces marking them as the hardworking backbone of the village. Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, Granny Wei took a few deep breaths to steady herself. "I have a little favor to ask," she said, her voice edged with a hint of hesitance. "Do you think you could help me with something?" Luo Ling cocked an eyebrow. ¡°Sure, if it¡¯s within my capability.¡± He didn¡¯t refuse immediately. Granny Wei had always been kind to him, often giving him extra on his orders. If her request wasn¡¯t too far-fetched, he was inclined to lend a hand. ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ve got some important guests to entertain,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m planning to cook something special for them. Could you help me out by hunting a few wild games? I¡¯ll pay a premium for them.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Luo Ling scratched his head, considering the request. ¡°Would wild rabbits work for you?¡± ¡°Only rabbits?¡± Madam Wei pulled her lips into a frown. ¡°Can¡¯t you get something bigger?¡± ¡°Sorry, granny. Because of the maneater situation, I¡¯d rather not go deeper into the woods.¡± Luo Ling smiled apologetically. Though he was keen to assist Granny Wei, Luo Ling wasn¡¯t willing to put his safety on the line. Lord Ping had slain the maneater, but the forest was vast, and he couldn¡¯t be sure there weren¡¯t more lurking in the shadows. The larger game Granny Wei was talking about typically roamed deep within the forest, near the edge of the outer periphery and into the middle section. He was not going that deep into the woods just yet. ¡°Why not ask the professional hunters?¡± Luo Ling asked. ¡°Them? Forget it. Last time, they sold me a domesticated goat and tried to pass it off as a mountain goat,¡± Granny Wei grumbled, shaking her head in irritation. ¡°Rabbits will do. Just bring me at least five.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± -~X~- Once Luo Ling returned to the clearing, he didn¡¯t dive straight into training. Instead, he settled onto a polished stump and carefully opened the body forging technique book gifted by Lord Ping. The book contained twenty pages, each one displaying a detailed illustration of a different sitting position. The diagrams were simple, yet precise, showing the exact way the body should be aligned for each posture. Beneath each image was a brief note, outlining how long to hold the posture and the specific benefit it promised. But honestly, Luo Ling found it hard to believe that sitting still in these odd positions could do anything to improve the grade of his Meridian Coils. They just seemed... too simple. He wasn¡¯t convinced by the logic that such passive exercises could bring any real progress. But he didn¡¯t doubt Lord Ping. There was no reason for such a prestigious man to play with the feelings of a child. If the man said it would work, then it had to work. Later that day, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of orange and pink. In that serene moment, a new entry blinked into existence on the [Records of Toil]. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)] ¨C Proficiency: 260/500 [Archery (Houtian III); Penetration (Rank 1); Weakness (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 1608/5000 [Art of Meridian Mending Vol 1] ¡ª Proficiency: 1/1000] 23. A Decision Part 1 Chapter 23: A Decision Part 1 On the polished stump, Luo Ling sat with his back perfectly straight, legs folded neatly, and his hands resting idly on his thighs. The stillness of his form contrasted with the faint evening breeze, which rustled through the nearby trees. One of the twenty positions in the Art of Meridian Mending focused on the right way to sit, a subtle adjustment that could awaken the spinal cord and engage the muscles along the back. It was all about finding that sweet spot where comfort met alignment, a position that promised to open the flow of energy through the body. Luo Ling had taken a liking to this position. It relaxed his taut back muscles from various strenuous exercises. He was lost in the vast golden expanse of his inner world, taking a moment to admire the progress he¡¯d made after the long hours of hard work. The changes glimmered with promise, a testament to every ounce of effort he¡¯d poured in. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Second Level)] ¨C Proficiency: 260/500 [Archery (Houtian III); Penetration (Rank 1); Weakness (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 1608/5000 [Art of Meridian Mending Vol 1] ¡ª Proficiency: 1/1000] After a few hours of grueling practice and stubborn persistence, he finally managed to imprint the Art of Meridian Mending into the [Records of Toil]. It had taken him twenty painstaking repetitions, but his sheer determination had paid off. With his goal for the day accomplished and the shadows of the evening starting to creep in, Luo Ling figured it was time he should go back and rest. It had been a long and strenuous day. Luo Ling stood up, stretching his arms overhead, a contented smile tugging at his lips as a series of satisfying pops echoed through his spine. Then, he collected his bow, arrows, the rolled-up panther hide, and the stone knife he had put aside some time to sharpen again, ready to return to the orphanage. The sky was dimming, the fading light casting long shadows as another day drew to a close. His secluded training spot, tucked far behind the village, lay at least a few minutes'' walk from the last house on that distant corner. One had to know where they were going to successfully navigate through the dense foliage that led to this clearing. There was no well-maintained road leading to this hidden site, and Luo Ling preferred it that way. The overgrown bushes and uneven terrain kept most people away, granting him the solitude he craved for his training. Several minutes into his walk, Luo Ling''s ears perked up at a sharp whizzing sound slicing through the air. It was a sound he''d become all too familiar with¡ª the unmistakable hum of something sharp, fast, and deadly. Experience gained from countless battles and duels in his past life kicked in immediately, helping him identify its source. A throwing knife. His body tensed as he reflexively shifted his weight, preparing to evade. But before his instincts could fully take over, his sharp eyes had already locked onto the incoming projectile. The knife glinted in the fading light, cutting through the air with deadly precision. In that split second, his mind raced. Too fast to dodge completely, he had no time for elaborate techniques¡ªonly raw reflexes now. Twisting his torso, Luo Ling shifted just enough to avoid a direct hit, hoping to lessen the impact. The sharp blade cut a line through his left hand¡¯s sleeve and went on headfast into a tree behind him. The sliced fabric made its slow, fluttering descent as if savoring the moment before finally settling on the dewy grass. By the time it landed, Luo Ling was already crouched behind the thick trunk of a tree, bow drawn tight, muscles coiled like a spring. His fingers curled around the nocked arrow, its tip glinting with intent. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Eyes narrowed, he scanned the surroundings, his body steady but his mind racing. On whose foot had he stepped on? The image of that turban-wearing man¡¯s bloodied face flashed in Luo Ling¡¯s mind, but he quickly shook it off. If the guy had such stealth skills that he could get a knife past Luo Ling¡¯s senses, then he wouldn¡¯t have been caught so easily last time. It could be another hunter. Luo Ling was willing to put his money on the so-called ¡®boss¡¯ the turban guy had used the name of to threaten him. But it didn¡¯t matter anymore. Luo Ling narrowed his eyes and controlled his breath. The knife was angled from his right side, meaning the man who threw it could be left-handed. Logically, nine out of ten times, a left-handed thrower would rush to their right-hand direction after the throw to hide. Luo Ling relaxed his grip on the bowstring, reached down, and picked up a pebble, slightly larger than a marble. It weighed about right for something he could use to make some noise. A heartbeat later, he flung the pebble behind him, the little stone whizzing through the air. Luo Ling kept his ears tuned in, straining to catch the sound of it hitting something. He wasn¡¯t disappointed as soon he picked up two distinctive rustles. Indeed, he had been right. His assailant was hiding somewhere to their right. Knowing where his enemy was, all Luo Ling had to do now was to lure them out to visibility. The transmigrator took a sharp inhale before breaking into a mad dash at a tree behind the one he was hiding in. A 2nd-rate martial warrior¡¯s vigorous blood and vitality surged, transforming him into a black blur that melted into the darkness of the evening. Two knives zipped through the air, one slicing past him with a whisper of missed opportunity, while the other grazed his scalp, severing a few strands of hair. Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but smirk. There they were, a figure hunched low among the thick bushes at the base of a sturdy tree, trying to blend in. Target acquired. All that was left was to pin them against the tree with an arrow. The bowstring hummed in anticipation as Luo Ling steadied his breath, lining up the shot. It was just him, the arrow, and the bush where he saw the person hiding. Luo Ling no longer hid. He blatantly revealed himself as he crept closer. At this angle, if that person wanted to attack, they couldn¡¯t do it without revealing themselves. It was a blatant challenge. A slight tremor in the leaves of the bush didn¡¯t escape Ling¡¯s keen gaze. With a swift flick of his fingers, the arrow flew into the thicket. The transmigrator followed closely behind. ¡°Ahhh!¡± It was a man¡¯s cry. When Luo Ling reached his destination, he found a burly figure sprawled on the uneven ground, clutching his knee. The arrow had found its mark, embedded halfway into the joint, and the man was writhing in pain. Without hesitation, Luo Ling kicked the man¡¯s hands away from his injured knee. In one fluid motion, he nocked and released two arrows in quick succession, each one aimed precisely at the man¡¯s wrist joints. The metal-tipped arrows buried themselves deep, dragging down and then pinning the man''s hands in a spread-eagle position against the ground, rendering him completely immobile. The final arrow nocked and aimed at the nose of the man. ¡°This is your only warning,¡± Luo Ling growled. ¡°I remember your face now. If anyone tries this stunt with me again, I¡¯ll track you down and kill you. Got it?¡± Luo Ling was in no mood to crack jokes like he had done with the turban man. He was more livid at himself than the man who attacked him. Someone followed him all the way to his secret training spot, stalked him long enough to accurately gauge his strengths and weaknesses, and then took advantage of it to lay an ambush. All this happened and yet he was none the wiser. It was a shame. A humiliation to his pride as a warrior. ¡°Who gives warnings like this?¡± The man with a balding head gritted through clenched jaws. ¡°And what makes you think you¡¯ll survive the next encounter? Brat, the things you have with you have already attracted a few eyes. Unlike me, they are strong with real skills.¡± Luo Ling smirked at the man¡¯s futile attempt to intimidate him. If he were any average nine-year-old with just a hint of maturity, the situation might have sent him into a full-blown panic. But Luo Ling was far from ordinary, and fear wasn¡¯t something he¡¯d entertain so easily. ¡°Stop spouting nonsense. With how precisely you threw those knives, you should be around the seventh stage of External Martial arts. Even if I can¡¯t beat a ninth stage, I can easily escape them.¡± Luo Ling¡¯s glare intensified. ¡°And then I¡¯ll track you down and kill you.¡± ¡°You are being unreasonable! Why would you want to kill me if others try something? I¡¯ve got no control over what they do!¡± the man all but screamed, tears streaking down his tanned cheeks. In that moment, the fear had completely taken over¡ªhe no longer cared if the one threatening him was a child. All that mattered was survival. ¡°Then you better think of a way to keep them off my back.¡± Luo Ling grasped the tail end of the two arrows pinning the man''s hands and gave them a sharp, unforgiving pull. ¡°And I¡¯ll take all those knives.¡± After wiping away the bloodied tips against the reeling man¡¯s shirt, he put them back into the quiver. As for the one going through his knees, Luo Ling decided against pulling it out. Then he panned the area to collect all three knives before disappearing into the darkness. He could already foresee a sleepless night. 24. A Decision Part 2 Chapter 24: A Decision Part 2 Luo Ling stood before a tightly shut door, feeling calm and composed. That brief tussle had his blood boiling, and it took him a while to regain tranquility. It had been a while since he last shed the blood of a fellow warrior, and though his composure had returned, the memory of that fleeting struggle lingered at the edges of his mind. A few moments later, the door clicked open with a faint creak, revealing Daluo''s surprised face peeking out. His brows shot up, eyes widening as he took in the sight of Luo Ling standing calmly outside. ¡°I am not really surprised you knew where I live,¡± he said matter-of-factly and opened the door wider before stepping out of the way. ¡°Come in. Let¡¯s talk inside.¡± Daluo lived in a thatched hut like most people in the village. It¡¯s a single-room house, but spacious. Since he was not married, the house was enough for him. Luo Ling sat on a worn wooden chair, his gaze sweeping curiously around the room. The house was modest, with simple furnishings and walls that had seen better days. ¡°This house is surprisingly well-kept and clean,¡± Luo Ling mumbled a praise. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect that from a brute like you.¡± "I¡¯ll take that as a compliment," Daluo said with a smirk, placing a glass of water on the worn-out table next to Luo Ling. He then settled onto the edge of the bed, the mattress creaking beneath his weight. "You came at an odd time, so all I have to offer is water." ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll help myself to a glass.¡± Luo Ling shrugged. He was feeling slightly parched after that quick but intense work. ¡°I am guessing, you are here to ask me about those pills, yeah?¡± Daluo asked. ¡°Mhm,¡± Luo Ling bobbed his head and finished the glass in one go. ¡°That and another matter.¡± And so, Luo Ling recounted the entire ordeal, starting from catching the turban man stalking him to the small fight he just had. By the time he finished his briefing, Daluo¡¯s expression had turned for the worse, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. ¡°Those damn pests,¡± he growled. ¡°They got some nerve trying to rob a child. Where do all their faces go?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that weird, if you think about it, Daluo.¡± Luo Ling remained calm; his expression unreadable. He had witnessed many such examples of betrayals in his past life. If a brother¡ªsomeone he had once trusted with his life¡ªcould drive a blade into his back without hesitation, what could possibly surprise him now? ¡°In front of tangible benefits, some moral code is easy to forget,¡± Luo Ling said, finishing a glass of water in one go. ¡°What I have is the skin of a semi-demonized beast and some valuable gifts from an illustrious immortal. It¡¯d be strange if they didn¡¯t harbor any ideas on them.¡± ¡°Indeed, you are not a regular little brat.¡± Daluo shook his head, no longer surprised by Luo Ling''s maturity. In this world, many children possess unique and hard-to-fathom talents, their abilities far beyond the norm. Compared to them, a child with advanced maturity hardly seemed remarkable. Special, yes¡ªbut in a world filled with prodigies, Luo Ling''s composed demeanor was just another part of the extraordinary fabric. ¡°So,¡± Daluo began. ¡°Want me to help you warn those hunters?¡± His eyebrows pulled up into a frown as he continued. ¡°Truth be told, it¡¯ll be a little difficult even for me to seek revenge for you. Those bastards are rather united when it comes to resisting authority.¡± But Luo Ling shook his head negatively at Daluo¡¯s offers. ¡°There is no need for that. I already found a scapegoat.¡± His lips split into a harmless grin. ¡°All I want your help with is to spread a rumor.¡± ¡°A rumor?¡± Daluo tilted his head, confused. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Luo Ling grinned and revealed the plan he hatched in his head. The more Daluo listened to the plan, the paler his complexion grew. He gave the nine-year-old a meaningful glance. ¡°If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d think you are actually some old monster who has taken over the body of a kid to live a second time.¡± This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Luo Ling¡¯s fingers on the glass trembled which was luckily out of the gatekeeper¡¯s sight, or he would have noticed something. The transmigrator had always suspected Daluo¡¯s identity, and it only grew after seeing the interaction between him and Lord Ping. He was not a fool. It was clear, that Daluo had some link to the cultivators, and probably also was one himself. Of course, all of these were conjectures in his head with no solid proof. But it doesn¡¯t matter. He didn¡¯t care. ¡°As if.¡± Luo Ling joked. Then, he took out a bottle of pills given by Lord Ping. ¡°Lord Ping gave me a few of these bottles as a gift. You can have this one.¡± Daluo didn¡¯t stand at on ceremony and reached out to take the bottle. He shook the translucent container and eyed the pills within. ¡°You know,¡± The bald man began. ¡°These pills have the miraculous effect of cleansing your blood and invigorating your muscles and tendons. Take one and you¡¯ll save weeks of hard work. This thing is a holy grail for them who follow the path of body cultivation.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Luo Ling hummed as he listened without disturbing. All the questions he had; he¡¯d ask them after Daluo was done with his explanation. Though, he couldn¡¯t help but think how familiar the pill¡¯s effects were. Martial artists would regularly indulge in medicinal baths¡ªspecial brews crafted with intricate procedures and a blend of precious herbs. After intense workouts, they would soak in these baths, allowing the medicinal properties to be absorbed through their pores. The brew not only healed internal wounds but also strengthened bones and muscles while invigorating the internal organs. It was a time-honored practice, essential to maintaining the body¡¯s peak condition and accelerating recovery after grueling training sessions. The Blood Refining Pill served a similar purpose to those medicinal baths, but its effects were far superior. While the baths relied on gradual absorption through the skin, the pill worked from within, swiftly circulating through the bloodstream to nourish and repair the body at a deeper level. Its potency was unmatched. ¡°Be careful, though,¡± Daluo warned, his tone grave. ¡°Your organs and muscles are not grown fully yet, so you should not take more than one pill a day. That burst of energy would become too much for your body to handle.¡± ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll be careful.¡± Luo Ling promised. His thoughts lingered around the identity of Daluo, but he didn¡¯t ask. After spending a little bit of time with him, he returned. Ever since he awoke in this village, he had never bothered with anyone or participated in power-struggling among the various groups. He had always been minding his own business, hunting in the wilds and using them to fund his martial training. But that didn¡¯t mean he was afraid of them. With his current prowess, he could easily deal with these so-called external martial artists. External martial arts were a set of exercising techniques to increase the strength of the fleshy body. At its peak, they could only exert the strength of a 1st-rate martial warrior. Luo Ling didn¡¯t even think of them as threats individually. But it was a different story when they were united. It was necessary to break their unity first by sparking an infight. Daluo¡¯s help was crucial for this stage. As for himself; since his secret training place had been compromised, Luo Ling decided to coop himself in the orphanage for a while. There was an open field behind the orphanage building, and he could use it for his training. -~X~- On the eve of daybreak, in the quiet yard behind the orphanage, Luo Ling stood in a horse stance, eyes closed, his breath steady and controlled. The early morning air was crisp, yet his chest rose and fell with a rhythm as natural as the breeze around him. Despite the tension in his legs and core, his entire demeanor remained calm, almost serene, as if the strain of the stance posed no challenge at all. Even in stillness, there was a sense of focus, like a coiled spring waiting to be released. Suddenly, a sharp ¡®pop¡¯ echoed from within Luo Ling¡¯s body, breaking the silence. Instantly, a familiar sensation surged through him. His heartbeat quickened, thudding in his chest as though trying to outpace itself, sending blood rushing through his veins like rivers in flood season. Beneath his pale skin, the dark lines of his blood vessels became starkly visible, pulsing with life, as if illuminated from within. Luo Ling¡¯s lips curled up into a pleased smile. Finally, he was here: First-rate Martial Warrior. Luo Ling¡¯s consciousness sank into the depths of his mind, into his inner world. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Third Level)] ¨C Proficiency: 0/999 [Archery (Houtian IV); Penetration (Rank 2); Weakness (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 3477/9999 [Art of Meridian Mending Vol 1] ¡ª Proficiency: 897/1000] For the past week, he had been cooped up in the orphanage, eating meals from the cafeteria, and spending all his time in the backyard. He had effectively transformed it into his private training field. Luo Ling had not gone out to hunt in the past week to play his part in the plan he hatched with Daluo. But his nutrition supply had not stopped thanks to the pills gifted by Lord Ping. In fact, due to the excessive energy of those pills, he managed to upgrade not only his martial arts cultivation but also Archery and the Art of Meridian Mending proficiencies. As an added benefit, Penetration grew by a rank. He could now ignore 20% defense of a target with his projectiles. But all these didn¡¯t make Luo Ling as happy as the prospect of him finally touching upon the Mental Force. From the day he started training, he had eagerly been waiting for this moment. At long last, he would no longer have to feel helpless in this dangerous world. ¡°Now, I no longer have to fear those damn hunters.¡± 25. Mental Force Part 1 Chapter 25: Mental Force Part 1 ¡°Which cultivation art should I learn?¡± After the initial excitement brought by the advancement had died out, Luo Ling began planning on his subsequent path ahead. Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise only had three levels which corresponded to the three stages before Martial Master. At the first level, the body-forging exercise focused on strength training. When a practitioner successfully learned to coordinate all their muscles and lift objects as heavy as an adult human, they attained the rank of a 3rd-rate Martial Warrior. Once this level was fully mastered, a 3rd-rate Martial Warrior could effortlessly lift objects more than twice the weight of an adult human. The second level of the Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise brought attention to stamina. When a 3rd-rate Martial Warrior¡¯s stamina outlasts an average human being while performing the same task at least two times, that¡¯s when they could announce themselves as a 2nd-rate Martial Warrior. While a 2nd-rate Martial Warrior might not always be able to defeat multiple 3rd-rate Martial Warriors at once, their endurance far surpassed them. In a one-on-one scenario, a 2nd-rate warrior could consistently outperform ten 3rd-rate Martial Warriors, sustaining their strength long after others had faltered. The third level of this body forging exercise focused on Speed, like any other body forging exercises out there in the Murim world. A 1st-rate Martial Warrior trained their speed, reaction time, and dexterity. And unlike a 2nd-rate Martial Warrior, a 1st-rate Martial Warrior could easily dispatch dozens of 2nd-rate Martial Warriors without breaking a sweat. All body-forging techniques circulating in the Murim world followed this progression, but the grade of each technique determined the ultimate upper limit a practitioner could achieve. The Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Technique was one of the higher-grade methods Luo Ling had learned from a Buddhist monk. This technique¡¯s upper limit offered him twice the potential compared to the one he had practiced during his Martial Warrior days. Thanks to that, he easily subdued the man who ambushed him near his training spot. Luo Ling knew that once he mastered the third level of this technique, he¡¯d be at least twice as fast as he had been when he was a Martial Warrior back in the Murim World. His current foundation was far sturdier than what it had been in his previous life. Having already tasted the sweetness of a higher-grade martial technique, Luo Ling naturally wanted to pursue the same for his Martial Master stage. Light Wheel Swordsmanship came to his mind in a flash. But he pushed it to the side for the time being. That was not the best Martial Cultivation technique he knew, but it was the most compatible with him. The martial school he attended followed the path of absolute strength, believing in brute strength triumphing over all tactics. But such brutish ways didn¡¯t appeal to Luo Ling. Thanks to his extraordinary talent, the school''s master made some sacrifices in exchange for a set of cultivation techniques from another martial school. And that was how Luo Ling got a hold of the Light Wheel Swordsmanship. ¡°Mountain Moving Fist¡­ is good, many times better than Light Wheel Swordsmanship, but I¡¯m not suitable for it. Practicing its Inner Breath Meditation could make my mental force robust and heavy. Mhm¡­ that¡¯s indeed a problem. I like mine agile and quick.¡± Luo Ling kept mumbling under his breath as he went through his memories for a suitable martial cultivation art. Many came to his mind, but none he was particularly satisfied with. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. After several minutes of fruitless wondering, he gave up, regretting that he had never sought out better martial cultivation techniques while he was at the peak of his power. He could have easily acquired a few exceptional ones. Since a martial artist could only practice one type of martial cultivation technique in their lifetime, Luo Ling had never bothered to seek another. How could he have known he¡¯d die one day and receive a second chance through reincarnation? ¡°Light Wheel Swordsmanship it is then,¡± Luo Ling chewed on his words, and his face looked determined. ¡°Eventually, I¡¯ll learn to cultivate immortality. It doesn¡¯t matter if I choose the same martial cultivation again.¡± Once his mind was made up, Luo Ling got down to work. Sitting down cross-legged, he closed his eyes and breathed in a specific pattern. Deep and slow inhale, then hold it in for a few seconds, followed by a quick and sharp exhale. In. Out. In. Out. The clock ticked away, and one second turned to one minute. Then ten. But Luo Ling was not aware of it. His entire focus was invested in maintaining this breathing frequency. His heartbeat skyrocketed, and his blood surged like a raging river during the flood as it coursed through his veins. It had been many years since Luo Ling was at this stage, and despite his familiarity with the steps, it felt like a novel experience. This accelerated blood flow went everywhere in his body, from the tip of his toes to the last of the nerves in his brain. Luo Ling persisted until he felt a hint of discomfort spreading through his body, particularly around his heart. Slowly, he shifted his breathing pattern back to normal, allowing the chaotic blood flow to gradually settle. Feeling faint, he dropped to the ground, hugging it without a care for personal hygiene. He failed to awaken Mental Force or Inner Breath, but it was all right. He was not disappointed. Stimulating the part of the brain, the Frontal Lobe, responsible for extraordinary power, Inner Breath, was not something that could be achieved in a single day. In his previous life, it had taken him fifteen days to awaken his inner breath. This time, Luo Ling was confident he¡¯d achieve it by the fifth day. With a wealth of experience and the knowledge of a former Martial Transcendent, he understood human anatomy down to the finest details. Unlike the last time, he was no longer a newbie to martial arts. A muffled thud caught his attention, and he opened his eyes. Tilting his head, he saw Xiao Ru stepping through the door into the backyard, dressed in her white training attire. ¡°You probably don¡¯t sleep at night, do you?¡± Even before she arrived, Xiao Ru¡¯s soft voice reached Luo Ling¡¯s ears, carrying her accusations. Luo Ling chuckled and turned his head away, opting to close his eyes and relax. ¡°I had a good few hours of sleep.¡± ¡°Yeah right,¡± She snorted. A brief moment of tranquility settled over the backyard, broken only by an awkward cough. Luo Ling opened his eyes, turning toward the girl with a faint smile. ¡°You can start whenever you¡¯re ready. I¡¯ll let you know if you make any mistakes.¡± ¡°Thank you, big brother Ling.¡± The girl¡¯s flushed face lit up. Luo Ling could tell she was doing stretching exercises just now. Luo Ling wasn¡¯t the first to claim the open yard behind the orphanage as his training spot. Long before he claimed it his, Xiao Ru had been using it for that very purpose. At first, they minded their own business, doing their respective sets without disturbing the other. But as days progressed, Luo Ling was unable to endure the obvious mistakes she was making and approached to correct her. From that day, when she practiced, she would often seek his guidance. Pleased by her diligence and willingness to learn, the transmigrator indulged her request. He would point out her errors, and oftentimes, correct them himself. Over the week, she had warmed up a lot and began calling him ¡®big brother,¡¯ an obvious improvement from the simple ¡®brother¡¯ she used to call him in the past. Half an hour later, she was lying flat on the ground, sweating and panting. Her chest rose and fell unevenly, and thick beads of sweat clung to her small face. Luo Ling looked down at her and shook his head. ¡°You really ought to work on your stamina, Ru,¡± he remarked in a tone gentle but firm. ¡°Half an hour of high-intensity training is all you can manage, and that¡¯s not nearly enough to reach the goal you¡¯ve set for yourself.¡± ¡°I am trying, big brother.¡± Xiao Ru pouted. Luo Ling¡¯s eyes switched to the sky and sought out the position of the sun. The day only just started, and it¡¯d be a long time before it was time for lunch. ¡°How many days have you got before your first inspection?¡± He inquired, settling his gaze on the girl on the ground. ¡°Tenth of the next month¡­ err¡­ fifteen more days.¡± Xiao Ru answered, parting an eyelid open to look at Luo Ling. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°I got a way to rapidly increase your stamina. But, it¡¯s a bit spartan. Want to try?¡± Luo Ling asked. ¡°What does spartan mean?¡± Luo Ling¡¯s lips split into a wide grin after hearing the girl¡¯s innocent inquiry. ¡°Well, spartan is¡­¡± 26. Mental Force Part 2 Chapter 26: Mental Force Part 2 ¡°How is this supposed to help me?¡± Xiao Ru asked, her brows knitting as she watched Luo Ling pack the sack tightly with sand. ¡°This,¡± Luo Ling replied, tightening the knot on the sand-filled sack, ¡°will build endurance.¡± He slung the sack over his shoulder with ease, demonstrating its weight. ¡°Carry it while you run. It''ll strengthen your legs, condition your core, and train your breathing. Only by pushing past your limits can you surpass yourself.¡± ¡°Sounds cool when you say it, but it looks heavy,¡± Xiao Ru mumbled, running her palm across the sack. ¡°Big brother, you sure I can carry that thing on my back and run?¡± ¡°Barely, yeah.¡± Luo Ling nodded, hopping where he stood to examine the weight. Then he threw the sack to the ground, kicking off the dust as it landed. He stretched, working out the kinks that had settled in his joints, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as each pop echoed like a small victory. With a swift motion, he drew a line in the dirt with his foot, then stepped forward in a straight line for a few meters before marking another. ¡°Pick that up, and hop over from that line to this,¡± Luo Ling said, pointing at the line he drew with his toe. ¡°Do not rest. Repeat it until you are ready to pass out.¡± ¡°That¡¯s more like torture than training, big brother.¡± Xiao Ru exclaimed, her lips quivering and legs shaking, already regretting her decision to ask for Luo Ling¡¯s help. ¡°This is the spartan training I talked about, Ru.¡± Luo Ling smirked. ¡°Now, if you want a quick progress, do what I said. You won¡¯t gain anything without working up a sweat for it.¡± Perhaps inspired by his words, the hardworking girl bent down to feel around the sandbag. Her thin twig-like arms circled around the bag as she tightened the grip. Her eyes, still holding a look of skepticism, zoomed on Luo Ling in the distance. ¡°Big brother, you absolutely sure this will work, right?¡± ¡°Yes. That¡¯s how I trained.¡± Luo Ling nodded, flexing his biceps as he encouraged the girl. He understood her feelings well. Carrying a sandbag that weighed one-third of your body while bunny-hopping a fifty-meter track was no easy feat. Just the mention of such a grueling exercise was enough to make most people throw in the towel. Yet, it was the most effective way to build stamina in the shortest amount of time. ¡°Oh... okay. I will believe you.¡± As the girl struggled to lift the heavy sack, Luo Ling strolled over to the bow and quiver brimming with training arrows. Fixing his gaze on the target drawn on a distant tree trunk, he nocked an arrow and drew the string back. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he took a steadying breath, aimed, and released the arrow, watching it fly toward its mark. The bamboo arrow sank soundlessly several inches into the tree trunk as if it were piercing through soft earth rather than hardened bark. Luo Ling clicked his tongue in mild frustration, glancing toward a nearby tree that stood adjacent to his target. Unlike the one he''d just used for practice; this tree was thicker but marked with a series of finger-sized holes. Penetration (Rank 2) brought a bittersweet feeling to Luo Ling¡¯s heart. On one hand, his combat power grew by a few notches. If he were to fight that semi-demonized panther again, his arrows would probably do some impactful damage to the beast, instead of simply bouncing off. But on the other hand, it made training that much harder. To fully capitalize on the benefits of his archery training and passively earn points for his body forging method, Luo Ling knew he had to train diligently and avoid shortcuts. Yet, his relentless practice resulted in temporary irreversible damage to the targets. At the rate he was creating those finger-sized holes, it wouldn¡¯t be long before he exhausted the available trees, well before he could amass the 999 points required to master the third level of body forging. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. At this rate, he would have no choice but to cheat. After all, he was still 6522 points short from leveling up the Archery. Within minutes, the quiver was emptied, the last arrow soaring into the distance. Luo Ling made his way toward the tree to retrieve the spent arrows but paused to check on Xiao Ru''s progress. Despite her labored breathing, she remained determined, bracing herself as she executed each hop. Her legs trembled with the effort, but there was a fire in her eyes that suggested she wasn''t about to give up, even though the exercise was clearly testing her limits. The transmigrator nodded in satisfaction, a sense of nostalgia washing over him. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this was how his master had felt when he trained him in his younger days. His thoughts drifted into the recesses of his memory, and the face of a man in his late fifties surfaced¡ªa rugged visage marked by years of wisdom and experience. The master¡¯s stern yet encouraging demeanor flashed before him, igniting a mixture of respect and longing for the guidance he once received. ¡°They say a tiger father won¡¯t sire a dog son. But master¡¯s son is even worse than a dog.¡± Luo Ling exhaled a sigh as he thought of the man who gave him everything he had. The man who saved his life, and pulled him out of hell known as hunger. ¡°Hnghh!¡± A throaty groan jolted Luo Ling back to the present, his gaze snapping to Xiao Ru, who was sprawled on the ground, her face pressed into the earth. The sandbag lay discarded nearby as if it had been carelessly tossed aside in her struggle. ¡°You all right, Ru?¡± He asked, walking over and poking the girl with his bow. The small body twitched in response, but no answer came. The girl seemingly didn¡¯t even have the energy to turn her head. ¡°Well, take rest for a while.¡± -~X~- ¡°Big brother, are you really sure it¡¯ll help me increase my stamina?¡± Luo Ling opened his eyes to find Xiao Ru''s dirt-caked face looming above him, casting a shadow that contrasted with the bright sky. Her cheeks were flushed crimson, a testament to her exertion, and sweat trickled down her forehead, mingling with the dust. He could see her legs trembling, betraying the immense effort it took for her to remain standing. ¡°Yes,¡± Luo Ling said, heaving himself off the ground into a sitting position. His own complexion was equally ragged, cheeks pallid with fatigue. The process of awakening his Inner Breath weighed heavily on him, and, at his age, the toll was even harsher. His inner organs, still not as resilient as an adult¡¯s, strained under the pressure, reminding him of their limits with each shallow breath he took. The silver lining, however, was that he¡¯d finally sensed the elusive ¡®wall¡¯¡ªthe barrier that kept his mental force contained. Now, he had a clear objective: to focus his willpower on this wall, shatter it, and in doing so, unleash his mental force for the first time. ¡°Try it for a few times, and you¡¯ll se¡ª¡± Luo Ling stopped in midsentence as his consciousness pulled into the depths of his mind, and appeared in the vast expanse of his inner world. The monolithic structure blazed with a fierce golden light, illuminating every shadowed corner of Luo Ling¡¯s inner world. Gradually, the light softened, settling into a warm glow, and as his vision cleared, a new entry gleamed in the Records of Toil. [Meditation (Houtian I)] ¡ª Proficiency: 1/100,000 Then, information on the new entry flooded into his head in the form of memories. The mystic art allowed the user to harness natural energy from the environment through controlled inhalation and exhalation, channeling it to stimulate, strengthen, and regulate the body''s internal energy. At higher levels, meditation could even serve as a substitute for food, replenishing energy directly from the natural forces around, reducing the body''s physical needs. Each controlled breath intertwined him further with the essence of the world, marking a seamless blend of the physical and ethereal. Currently, at Houtian I, Luo Ling could only replenish energy equivalent to the nutrients in a single kilogram of rabbit meat per hour¡ªa modest amount considering his intense regimen. Each training session demanded the energy of at least a whole rabbit. But what would happen when he upgraded Meditation to Houtian II? Would he be able to harness as much energy from breathing as he needed in training? Was it possible for him to become a machine that never gets tired? The potential hinted at by this new entry ignited Luo Ling''s heart with boundless anticipation, envisioning a future where he could surpass the limits of his previous self. But one fleeting glance at the ocean of proficiency points required for an upgrade extinguished his excitement like a bucket of cold water. Luo Ling¡¯s breathing steadied, each inhale cooling the fiery restlessness within. His gaze softened, settling into a focused calm as his mind whirred through the implications of Meditation. Pros and cons shifted in his mental landscape like pieces on a game board, each aspect scrutinized. The promise of replenishing energy was tantalizing, yet the time required to master it loomed large. The efficiency gains it offered in training could be immense¡ªbut only if he overcame the significant hurdles ahead. A hundred thousand was not a small number, and it was only at Houtian I. What would happen when he reached Houtian II? How many proficiency points would he need? Unlike the other entries on the Records of Toil, Luo Ling could tell that Meditation would take the longest to master. 27. Mental Force Part 3 Chapter 27: Mental Force Part 3 After exiting his inner world, Luo Ling sat down in contemplation. [Meditation] didn¡¯t appear out of nowhere. Although it caught him off guard, now that he thought about it, its entry on Records of Toil should have eventually happened. It was only a matter of time. [Archery] had already set a precedent. Whenever a skill was practiced to excess, the Records of Toil would capture and inscribe it. Luo Ling had deduced this pattern early on; the only unknown was the precise threshold. So far, he was approximating it in months. Just as with archery, meditation was something Luo Ling had practiced diligently for months. Initially, it served a simple purpose: to calm his mind, conditioning himself to endure the grueling hours of stillness as he refined his body through mental force. Unexpectedly, it appeared on his Records of Toil dolling out a powerful boost. That modest energy intake wasn¡¯t something to dismiss lightly. After all, it was being drawn from thin air itself. Practically free. Once he advanced this skill, its efficiency in absorbing energy would soar, transforming this humble trickle into a substantial potency. It¡¯s just that, the daunting amount of proficiency required to upgrade dampened his soaring mood. Settling into a cross-legged position, Luo Ling closed his eyes and let his breath flow, each inhale drawing warmth into his core. A gentle heat pulsed from his chest, spreading through every limb. With each exhale, that warmth transformed, weaving into his reserves, not only replenishing his stamina but soothing the strains his body endured from pushing his vitality to awaken mental force. The rate of restoration was slow, painfully so. But it was there. Luo Ling¡¯s consciousness sank into his inner world. He had to see how much proficiency he would be gaining after the successful completion of a routine. [Meditation (Houtian I)] ¡ª Proficiency: 25/100,000 Surprise filled Luo Ling¡¯s heart when he saw the numbers. It had already grown to double digits. Was it the result of a single breath? That¡¯s impossible. Records of Toil was born from his soul that ascended godhood, even if it was for only a few seconds. To some extent, he understood how it worked. And he was sure a single breath didn¡¯t gain him so many proficiency points. Then, from where did so many points come from? Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. Meditation is about breathing in a relaxed rhythm. But, does it have to be when he sits down cross-legged? Couldn¡¯t it be done through normal breathing, too? And so, he experimented to validate his conjecture. The result agreed with him. A complete cycle of breathing offers one proficiency point. On average, a person breathes about twenty to twenty-two thousand cycles daily. That was twenty-two thousand proficiency points obtained without even working for it. Furthermore, each cycle of meditation rewards five proficiency points. When all of them were combined, the previously daunting target of a hundred thousand points no longer seemed so insurmountable. In fact, it felt almost within reach. -~X~- ¡°Big brother, can you hear me? Hello!!¡± Luo Ling¡¯s pupils lazily moved, glancing at Xiao Ru who was waving her hand in front of his face. Only now he remembered he was not alone in the backyard and all his impulsive actions must have appeared weird in the eyes of the onlooker. Luckily, it was only a child. He could fool her without feeling shame. ¡°I can hear you. Sorry for my abrupt behavior, I just got a sudden inspiration and wanted to verify my guess,¡± Luo Ling veiled truth with lies, making it sound convincing to the young girl. ¡°Inspiration! Wow, big brother, you are so smart.¡± The child gushed, her round eyes sparkling with admiration. ¡°Mother Yi said only geniuses could gain inspirations out of mundane tasks. You must be a genius.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. Not a big deal,¡± Luo Ling waved her off and laughed. ¡°Anyway, as I was saying, try this exercise and you¡¯ll see improvement by the third day.¡± This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°But it¡¯s so hard,¡± Xiao Ru slumped on the dusty ground, her brows laden in thick beads of sweat. ¡°I can¡¯t believe those people from the Sparta kingdom consider this a warmup. Are they even humans?¡± ¡°Maybe, who knows? I¡¯ve never seen them. I only read about them in the books.¡± As he talked about Sparta, Luo Ling¡¯s mind drifted off into the memories of his past. Training was not the only thing he was invested in. In his spare time, he liked to spend time with books, reading about history and topics beyond martial arts. The Sparta Kingdom was a recurring name in the historical records of the mundane world, etched into the library shelves of the martial arts school. It wasn¡¯t their tactics or political influence that earned them a place there, but rather their unique, battle-hardened physique¡ªa natural gift that drew the attention of the Jianghu. With their fleshy bodies, without a shred of Inner Breath in their system, they could easily contend against even the Martial Grandmasters. It was said that they were blessed by the gods, but Luo Ling was disinclined to agree with such a claim. The existence of gods had never been proven in the Murim. On the contrary, Luo Ling believed it was their harsh training regimen that forced their Inner Breath to passively strengthen their bodies at the expense of its active existence. Honestly, Luo Ling wanted to cross blades with their warriors. Unfortunately, by the time he was born, that kingdom had long since vanished into the annals of history. Their disappearance had been an abrupt affair, leaving many puzzled. An entire island, their Sparta Kingdom, simply disappeared overnight without anyone noticing. Many claimed a few Martial Transcendents joined forces to eradicate them, but Luo Ling didn¡¯t believe such tall tales. Those Spartans minded their own business and never poked their noses where they didn¡¯t belong. Why would anyone want to find trouble with them? ¡°They must be brutish people, bald and oily, and taller than a house. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± Xiao Ru chattered, her tone betraying her frustrations. ¡°Big brother, I won¡¯t become bald and oily, right?¡± ¡°Then, you are okay with being taller than a house?¡± Luo Ling asked, suppressing his bubbling laughter. This girl was rather cute once you get past her emotional walls. Since he had never spent time with her that much, he never got to see this side of the seemingly reserved girl. ¡°NO!¡± She all but screamed. ¡°I don¡¯t want that either. People will think I am a monster.¡± ¡°But you can easily reach those unreachable shelves in the kitchen.¡± ¡°Oh, true. I can steal pickled carrots¡­ err¡­ I mean I can get those jars for the children without needing to bother anyone.¡± Xiao Ru seemed conflicted, weighing down the pros of cons of being as tall as a house. -~X~- While Xiao Ru trained on her own, Luo Ling decided to get his breakfast. He could no longer ignore his growling stomach. After brushing his teeth and getting cleaned, he changed into a fresh set of clothes before showing up at the orphanage diner. Mother Yi, being the kind matron she was, generously served him five steamed buns and two steaming boiled eggs. Of course, it might also be because she knew of his friendship with Lord Ping¡¯s disciple. Perhaps she thought she could use him to funnel some benefits from the exalted immortal. Luo Ling never questioned her intentions and enjoyed the generosity as they came. He didn¡¯t linger in the dining hall, preferring the solitude of his room over the rambunctious kids scourging the hall. When he stepped into his room, he almost got blinded by a burst of light reflecting off a shiny bald head. ¡°Gatekeeper Daluo,¡± Luo Ling said, carefully placing his breakfast on the table before addressing the grinning man in his room. ¡°How many times have I told you to wrap a bandana around your bald head? It¡¯s too reflective.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not bald. It¡¯s a fashion choice.¡± Daluo protested although the grin on his face didn¡¯t wane. ¡°Forget it, a little brat like you who has never stepped out of this backward place wouldn¡¯t understand. But I am not here to discuss my bal- smooth head.¡± Daluo eased into the only chair in the room, the ancient furniture groaning under his weight. The blady didn¡¯t care. ¡°Li Kai has disappeared from the village,¡± the burly man revealed. ¡°Oh.¡± Luo Ling bit into his steamed bun, savoring the crunch of the stuffed vegetables as their earthy flavors blossomed on his tongue. It wasn¡¯t quite up to Madam Wei¡¯s standard, but it was still satisfying, rich enough to keep his spirits high. ¡°Well, that fool simply proved that he got something extraordinary from me. Hopefully, no one will harbor any more designs on me. But¡­¡± Luo Ling narrowed his eyes. ¡°A mere skin of a semi-demonized beast and some pills shouldn¡¯t warrant flee from a well-connected hunter like him. What¡¯s going on here?¡± Li Kai was the one who had ambushed him¡ªthe same man later cast as a scapegoat in a larger scheme to keep hunters at bay. Luo Ling had arranged for Daluo to spread rumors, claiming that Li Kai had seized everything of value from him after the ambush. The lie was simple but effective; it made Li Kai a target while shielding Luo Ling, redirecting the prying eyes of the greedy bastards elsewhere. Ideally, it should have ended with a few minor skirmishes, and the issue would be laid to rest. But things didn¡¯t go the way he wanted. ¡°Someone spread the word that Li Kai obtained a cultivation manual from you which was gifted by Lord Ping. Not only those greedy hunters but a few¡­ obscure people also joined in the fun to besiege him. Perhaps he felt threatened, he ran away from the village for a while. Not even Turban knows where he went.¡± Daluo''s complexion looked grave. ¡°Ling, be careful from now on. Things have escalated out of hand and now some shady people have appeared.¡± ¡°These hunters surely have a rich imagination,¡± Luo Ling sneered. He gobbled up the rest of the buns while his mind went into overdrive, processing everything Daluo said. The fact that somehow those hunters hit the mark with him getting a cultivation technique surprised him. Even stranger was the fact that, after word of the manual had spread, no one came directly after him. It was as though he had vanished from their radar, while the rumor blazed on elsewhere. They can¡¯t seriously believe he hadn¡¯t even looked at the manual, can they? It seemed almost too na?ve. Normally, after a rumor like that, at least a few reckless types would¡¯ve come after him to try their luck, thinking he might have remembered the contents. ¡°Strange,¡± Luo Ling mumbled, and Daluo bobbed his head, echoing his statement. 28. Mental Force Part 4 Chapter 28: Mental Force Part 4 Daluo left after a brief conversation, leaving Luo Ling to his thoughts. Alone in the room, the former Martial Transcendent chewed on his food as his mind whirled at a breakneck speed. An animal is at its most dangerous stage when cornered. Even the docile rabbits bare their fangs when they have no other choice. Li Kai had become a cornered animal, relentlessly pursued¡ªnot only by fellow hunters but also by shadowy figures whose identities were as murky as their motives. As the one who¡¯d driven him to this brink of no return, Luo Ling was likely at the center of Li Kai¡¯s resentment. The man probably couldn¡¯t wait to tear him apart if the chance ever came. So, what to do? Luo Ling was well aware of how dangerous a man could become when stripped of everything to lose. Such men retaliated with a ferocity untethered by logic, willing to risk their lives in a blind drive to bring down the source of their misfortune. They were like a sword hanging at the back of your neck. The best way to deal with such people was to eliminate them before they could grow into someone who could threaten your daily life. Unfortunately, Li Kai was no longer in the village and his whereabouts were unknown. If he was still around, Luo Ling would have already made plans on offing him without arousing suspicion. ¡°But, I really dislike being used like some fool,¡± he grumbled, furrowing his brows. Those bunch of shady people used his name to fan the flames. Now, Luo Ling would bear the brunt of a desperate man¡¯s retaliation. Luo Ling curled his fingers into a tight fist, the veins appeared throbbing under his tender skin. In the silence of his room, a promise was made to himself. One day he¡¯d find them and when he did, he¡¯d gift them an arrow to their knees. Nothing less could appease this anger in his heart. For the time being, however, it was impossible to deal with this appalling situation. Luo Ling shoved the matter to the back of his mind, refocusing on his priorities¡ªnamely, amassing proficiency points for [Meditation]. Unlocking Inner Breath was what needed to be done first. -~X~- Three days went by uneventfully amidst Luo Ling¡¯s relentless efforts to awaken his mental force. He threw himself at [Meditation], zealously breathing in and out to accumulate the proficiency points. During this time, his only distraction was when dealing with Xiao Ru and meals. And, on the evening of the third day, his efforts finally bore the long-awaited fruit. With a sound like eggshells cracking, the barrier sealing his mental force splintered into fragments, scattering like dust in the air. A second after the disappearance of this barrier, Luo Ling¡¯s five senses enhanced to an astonishing degree. His nose picked up different scents around him, and the range of his olfactory organ increased twice. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. And it wasn¡¯t just his sense of smell that sharpened. His hearing amplified, capturing sounds from the entire room. He could pick up the soft, steady breathing from the adjacent room, signaling someone in a deep, restful sleep. His other senses had also heightened, though their impact would only become evident when truly put to the test. Luo Ling felt his glabella throb, pulsating in the rhythm of his heartbeat. At the same time, his frontal lobe sparked to life, functioning with newfound clarity. His heartbeat quickened, driving more blood to his brain, and in this rhythmic pulse, the blood itself seemed to transform¡ªcoalescing into invisible "drops" of mental force. This force held no tangible form or weight, only a subtle, potent presence that filled his mind. Luo Ling¡¯s body revealed physical signs as the nutrients and oxygen in his blood transformed into Inner Breath. Noticing his own condition, he promptly terminated operating the breathing exercise to awaken mental force, and his heart stopped pumping more blood into his brain than necessary. He collapsed onto the floor, chest rising and falling in erratic waves. His face, ghostly pale and worn, did little to hide the fierce gleam of triumph in his hollowed, dazed eyes. The symptoms¡ªan almost bloodless pallor and aching exhaustion¡ªwere the price of forcing Inner Breath to awaken prematurely. There was a reason why it had been advised to attempt awakening the mental force only after you went through puberty and your body had finished growing up. But for Luo Ling, this sacrifice was a mere pittance compared to the power now coursing through him. Desperate times call for desperate measures. In this unfamiliar world, without anyone looking out for him, Luo Ling had to toughen up and watch out for himself. He already experienced firsthand what a lack of awareness could lead to. Had Li Kai been slightly more capable, his corpse would have been rotting somewhere by now. Luo Ling brought his attention to the ten drops of Inner Breath swimming freely in his psyche. The martial artists of the Murim world measured the quantity of Inner Breath in Drops. A newly promoted Martial Master had an inner breath count ranging between twenty to thirty drops. Compared to them, despite also being a Martial Master himself, Luo Ling only had ten drops. This, however, didn¡¯t dampen his mood as it had been an expected outcome. Physically, he was only nine years old, after all. Drawing from his inner breath reserve, Luo Ling instantly expended two out of his ten drops, creating an invisible sphere that radiated outward with his glabella at the core. It expanded swiftly, phasing seamlessly through the room''s furniture until it reached its boundary, enclosing a two-meter radius around him. Loads of information flooded into his brain as all his five senses seemingly enhanced into a newfound state. He saw the dust particles flying in the air before they gathered into a layer on the floor and other surfaces. Heard the grinding noise of termites chewing on the delectable wood in the furnitures. Smelled the stench of his sweat-soaked clothes discarded on the chair. Felt the smoothness of the ground and the ruggedness of the poorly plastered roofs. He tasted the hairy¡­ ¡°Shit!!! Terminate terminate!!¡± Luo Ling promptly retracted a drop of his inner breath and terminated the sensory feedback associated with taste and touch. The mental force bubble shrunk by a meter. He had forgotten the accidents that could happen when letting your senses freely expand together with inner breath. Just now, he nearly ¡®licked¡¯ a spider crawling under his bed. A shudder ran down Luo Ling''s spine as he fought off the lingering disgust from almost licking a spider. The sight of its hairy legs was enough to unsettle him¡ªLuo Ling despised all kinds of bugs, especially the ones covered in bristles, like spiders and caterpillars. This disdain was one reason he never fully warmed up to the Formless Poisons School, despite their steadfast alliance with his own school. Their obsession with breeding grotesque insects had always struck a nerve in him. ¡°I¡¯m back to Martial Master now,¡± Luo Ling mumbled, his heart once again going deathly calm. His initial excitement was due to successfully recovering his inner breath, not becoming a martial master. He felt no joy at this achievement. He had been a Martial Transcendent for years before his eventual death, and even touched upon the final realm of the martial path¡ªthe Martial God. Compared to the reality-bending abilities he experienced as a God; a mere Martial Master stage was not worth writing home about. It was only a transitional stage and eventually, he would surpass it. 29. Mental Force Part 5 Chapter 29: Mental Force Part 5 After that little accident, Luo Ling practiced caution with his explorations. Of course, as a former martial transcendent, his familiarity with inner breath was outstanding; he took control of it in no time. With refined ease, Luo Ling directed the ten drops of mental force with a fluid grace that felt like an extension of his own body. By focusing all his inner breath in a straight line, he could stretch his perception to a remarkable fifty meters, surveying the area like an unseen sentinel. When spread out in all directions to form a protective sphere, however, the range condensed significantly. Yet, the sphere allowed him a more comprehensive awareness¡ªideal for sensing movement from any direction and detecting threats before they came close. In a battle, martial artists always had their perception spread out in a dome shape, covering all their blind spots. They would only stretch their Inner Breath in a straight line during a reconnaissance. Luo Ling¡¯s mastery over his inner breath was among the greatest in the Murim world. He could manipulate mental force in ways that went beyond the two default forms of perception. Meanwhile, he pushed his consciousness into the depths of his inner world. The vast expanse that housed his biggest secret, the Records of Toil, appeared brighter and more vibrant than what he remembered. Containing his excitement, Luo Ling''s gaze drifted toward the monolithic tablet looming within his inner world. He studied its structure, noting the subtle shimmer in the golden surface¡ªa luster that hadn¡¯t been there before. It wasn¡¯t just a figment of his imagination; the tablet had undeniably grown brighter, radiating a richness that hinted at an evolving power within. Moreover, an inexplicable connection had been established between his consciousness and it. However, he couldn¡¯t tell what this connection entailed for the time being. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Third Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 15/999 [Archery (Houtian IV); Penetration (Rank 2); Weakness (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 3,477/9,999 [Art of Meridian Mending Vol 1]¡ª Proficiency: 904/1000] [Meditation (Houtian II); Mental Force (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 14/1 Million Changes had occurred to some of the entries. The most obvious one was, of course, the increment of [Meditation] mastery. From Houtian I to Houtian II, the leap had been considerable and it brought the reward in the form of Mental Force. The day he awakened meditation as an entry, Luo Ling had already made his guesses. The martial cultivation method of Lightwheel Swordsmanship was divided into three sections; the meditation method, the sword practice method, and the visualization method. All three sections were to be practiced simultaneously to progress in cultivation as they each had their roles to play. To awaken his inner breath, Luo Ling only utilized the first section of the cultivation method, meditation. But his luck was good and Records of Toil registered [Meditation] at the nick of time, simplifying his practice to awaken mental force. Focusing intently, Luo Ling willed the Records of Toil to reveal more about the new ability awakened from [Meditation]. As if answering his silent request, the tablet shimmered, and then a brief explanation appeared in his mind. Mental Force (Rank 1) Obtain a weak Extra Sensory Perception. Automatically regenerate one drop of Inner Breath every hour and condense 1 drop of Inner Breath every day. Luo Ling absorbed the terse explanation, but his experience with the mental force allowed him to glean the full meaning behind it. Even so, a flicker of disbelief gnawed at him, and he found himself questioning if he might be dreaming.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. He was not surprised about the mention of weak extra-sensory perception. One of the characteristics of the Inner Breath or mental force is to awaken the supernatural perception of the martial artist. It was the following two lines that really made him gawk. After draining his reserves, he would regenerate a single drop of inner breath each hour. This slow, natural recovery ensured that, even without effort or the aid of supplements, his inner breath would eventually replenish itself. Ordinarily, inner breath would regenerate on its own, but never at such an exaggerated rate. The process was typically so agonizingly slow that a martial artist would be forced to meditate, drawing on their very blood and energy reserves just to regain what was lost. This effect of Mental Force (Rank 1) was already extraordinary enough, but it was still tame compared to the following perk. He could passively condense 1 drop of inner breath every day. The key word here was condense. Unlike mere regeneration, condensation signified an actual increase in inner breath capacity. This meant that, even without circulating the meditation sequence of Lightwheel Swordsmanship, he could continue expanding his reserves, steadily accumulating more inner breath over time. These two effects made Mental Force (Rank 1) a divine ability in his opinion. The negative effects of forcefully cultivating the meditation exercise of his martial cultivation technique could be seen in his malnourished appearance. In just a few breaths, his healthy and well-proportioned physique squeezed into something a child who had never eaten his fill would have. And this would become a common occurrence for as long as he continued practicing the meditation exercise. However, now, if he was willing to wait, in due time his inner breath count would continue to increase without harming his growing body in the process. Divine, indeed. Luo Ling¡¯s understanding of the Records of Toil and Martial God stage was refreshed once again. He suddenly realized that he didn¡¯t even understand a tiny fragment of the martial apotheosis he had achieved. Luo Ling dismissed these distracting thoughts, focusing instead on the proficiency points needed for his next upgrade. Judging by the boost he¡¯d experienced with [Archery] at Houtian II, the next level of [Meditation] promised a substantial reward. His excitement was quickly extinguished when he saw the required points¡ªone million. That was a staggering figure. To put it into perspective, the average human breathes about 17,000 to 24,000 times a day. At that rate, it would take him at least 50 days to fill up the proficiency passively. However, if he meditated actively, with a rate of 5 points per breath, it would still take him ten days of continuous practice to reach the target. But he was still human, with needs and limitations. It was impossible for him to sit still for days on end, doing nothing but meditate. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not in a hurry. I can take my time and grow.¡± Luo Ling swallowed the bitter pill and reasoned with himself. After a brief rest, he pulled himself up from the floor and sat cross-legged, his breathing pattern becoming gentler over the next few seconds. Because he had only used the sensory expansion for a few seconds, his inner breath wasn¡¯t significantly depleted. With a soft sigh, he deployed ten drops of mental force once again, but this time, it was focused on his body. As his supernatural sense penetrated his flesh, organs, and bones, a flood of information surged into his brain. He quickly sorted through it, comparing it to his memories of his body from the Murim World. A stark but only difference became apparent. A thin, almost ethereal pathway stretched across his body, winding through his muscles, organs, and bones. Along this path were tiny pores that connected to his skin. However, many of these pores were blocked, leaving only a scant few open. He didn¡¯t see the starting or ending point of this pathway, as though it was hidden somewhere even mental force couldn¡¯t reach. A flash of intrigue was revealed on his face. He was more than certain there were no such extraordinary pathways in his previous life¡¯s body. To a Martial Transcendent, their body was like an open book to them. Repositioning their internal organs was as easy as breathing, and regrowing limbs was only a matter of time. At their peak, they could even slow down their aging and live up to a thousand years. In his previous life as a fully accomplished Martial Transcendent, Luo Ling would have detected such a unique pathway if it had existed. But he hadn¡¯t. This suggested that the pathway was something unique to this world. ¡°Perhaps, this pathway is the so-called meridian coil,¡± Luo Ling mused, curious. Meridian coils were the most basic, and the most important factor to get started on an immortal cultivation journey. From what he observed, its grade decides whether someone could cultivate. After that, Luo Ling retracted his inner breath and released a sigh. There was nothing else to observe. Everything was good and growing, and he had no hidden injuries. All in all, he was a fit and healthy child. He did a quick tally of his mental force and found only four drops of Inner Breath remained. His liver hurt at this astronomical consumption. How draining was it to condense those ten drops of inner breath? His ribs were now showing through the skin. Still, it was a necessary step. Conducting a full-body scan was essential for planning his future training path. And besides, with Mental Force (Rank 1) it¡¯d only take six hours to get back all his invested inner breath. He could afford to wait. 30. Darkness Chapter 30: Darkness Deep into the Hundred Beast Forest, far beyond the border separating the outer periphery from the treacherous inner section, a disheveled figure staggered through the dense foliage. Their unsteady steps barely kept their stature from tumbling over. ¡°Damn you, bastards.¡± Venomous curses spilled out of Li Kai¡¯s bleeding, cracked lips. His red, almost bloodshot, eyes appeared unfocused as he supported his battered body with a stick. The past few days had been literal hell for him. First, he was betrayed by the very people he called brothers. They were together for decades, went through countless life-and-death struggles during their hunts, and endured thick and thin together. They were supposed to be his sworn brothers. Yet they believed the lie someone maliciously spread and turned on him for non-existent benefits. ¡°To think they are such backstabbing rats,¡± Li Kai fumed, his voice hoarse and brittle from days without proper hydration. He angrily kicked a stray bush out of his path, his frustration mounting. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and the fatigue of not having eaten a proper meal in days weighed heavily on him, each step a reflection of his dwindling strength. But he couldn¡¯t stop. The village and the outer periphery of the Hundred Beast Forest were no longer safe. Not only his so-called brothers were after his life, but the greedy ¡®fellow¡¯ hunters and some shady figures had also gotten involved. It was those men in black cloaks who made him flee the village. He didn¡¯t know their identities, but they were nonnatives¡ªthat much he was more than certain of. Five Fragrance Village was not that big. At its peak, less than five hundred people lived there. He could recognize a local¡¯s demeanor even if he didn¡¯t know them personally. Those people didn¡¯t exhibit such habits. He couldn¡¯t even escape to the town; the roads were blocked by the hunters. The only place that could be considered ¡®safe¡¯ now was the edge inner section of the forest. Catastrophic demon beasts rarely ventured toward its borders, while weaker creatures wouldn''t dare to tread beyond the line that marked the end of the outer periphery. In this twisted balance, the inner section became a paradoxical refuge¡ªdangerous by design, yet relatively secure. Every hunter in the village knew of this so-called ¡®heaven.¡¯ Yet, even if they discovered his presence here, none would dare to pursue him. The delicate equilibrium of this buffer zone was not something they had the courage¡ªor recklessness¡ªto disrupt. ¡°That damned brat! It¡¯s all his fault. I bet he was behind that illogical rumor,¡± He growled like a wounded beast. Li Kai was no fool. It became clear as the day why he was spared that evening. ¡°I underestimated that brat. Shit!¡± He ground his teeth, the muscles in his jaw tightening as Luo Ling''s cold, indifferent face flashed through his mind. The memory of those tender eyes, so devoid of mercy, sent a shiver coursing down his spine. That evening, he''d been paralyzed¡ªnot just by the boy''s strength, but also by the sheer disregard for life emanating from his youthful gaze. The image haunted him, a blend of confusion and fear gnawing at his thoughts. How could a child, barely out of his formative years, wield such an aura? That glare¡ªunyielding and deathly calm¡ªboth puzzled and horrified Li Kai. It wasn''t just skill; it was something far more primal, far more terrifying. It was as if he had stared into the void itself. What a weakling. Spooked by a mere child. Such a pathetic mortal. A disembodied voice that seemed to come from both a male and female echoed in his ears. Li Kai stiffened as a shiver rushed down his spine. He gritted his teeth as the voice broke into mocking laughter, sparing no effort to demean him. ¡°Shut up! Silence! Get out of my head. Get out!¡± Li Kai swiped his right hand before him as if to push away the imaginary person obstructing his path. He yanked out a rusty, chipped knife with a zagged blade from his waist and glared at it angrily. Its scarlet-colored blade had intricate patterns adorning the entirety of its surface.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. ¡°From the day I picked you up, my life has gotten upside down. Even my brothers want to kill me.¡± Li Kai¡¯s grip on the chipped knife tightened. With anger evident, he was all but ready to throw this cursed thing away. ¡°You claim to be an immortal artifact yet you can¡¯t even kill a few mortals.¡± How typical of a foolish human, blaming others for their failures. The disembodied voice thundered in his ears, reverberating through his skull like the pounding of a war drum. The sheer force of it sent a sharp, stabbing pain through his head, as though his very spirit had been seized and shaken. His knees buckled, and he tumbled forward, crashing into the earth. A mouthful of damp, gritty soil filled his mouth as he landed, its taste bitter and metallic against his tongue. Li Kai coughed violently, spitting out clumps of dirt as his trembling hands clawed at the ground. His body felt weak as if the voice had drained him of his will to stand. ¡°I am sorry. I apologize!! Don¡¯t shout. It hurts. Arrghh!¡± His voice cracked like a dry twig as he barely conjured enough strength to plead the voice to stop. His body lay limp against the damp forest floor, sprawled out like a discarded marionette with its strings cut. The cold, unyielding earth beneath him offered no solace. Two thin streaks of tears carved paths down his grime-covered cheeks, glinting faintly in the dim light filtering through the canopy above. I¡¯ll repeat it once again. If you wish to wield my powers, you¡¯ll have to unseal me first. Only your heart blood can do it since you don¡¯t have Essence Qi in your body. Only the lulling whispers of a voice whose gender couldn¡¯t be discerned, carrying both male and female tones, accompanied Li Kai¡¯s fading consciousness. Darkness welcomed him to its calming embrace. -~X~- The next day, as the sun began its steady ascent into the heavens, its golden rays spilled across the sky, painting the horizon with hues of amber and rose. The lingering chill of the night gave way to the gentle warmth of dawn, and the ever-present darkness retreated, vanquished by the light''s triumphant arrival. Luo Ling stood quietly amidst it all, his eyes half-closed as he welcomed the tender embrace of the morning sun. A soft smile graced his face, serene and genuine, as though the light carried with it a promise of renewal¡ªa fresh start, free from the shadows of yesterday. In the recesses of Luo Ling¡¯s mind, eleven drops of inner breath floated in perfect stillness, like stars suspended in the void. Overnight, without any effort on his part, an additional drop had appeared, quietly enhancing his reserves. The blessing granted by the Records of Toil was already proving its worth. Opening his eyes, Luo Ling exhaled softly, the cool morning air filling his lungs. With a subtle nudge of his toe, the stick lying by his foot sprang upward, caught deftly in his hand. Though it was nothing more than a crude piece of wood, its surface was polished smooth and bore a shape reminiscent of the saber he once wielded in the Murim World. Grasping the wooden sword in his left hand, Luo Ling positioned it near his waist, its tip angled slightly downward. His left foot slid behind him, grounding his stance, while his right foot stepped forward, balancing his weight. His right hand rested lightly on the hilt portion of the wooden replica, fingers curling in a loose grip. The stance was precise, honed through countless repetitions in his past life¡ªa perfect execution of a sword-drawing stance. The Sword Practice chapter of the Lightwheel Swordsmanship had three sections: Sword Drawing, Lightspeed Movements, and Cyclic Execution. As a sword art that primarily revolved around the concept of speed, all its forms were divergences of fast executions. The Sword Drawing section focussed on the lightning-fast unsheathing of the sword to dispatch a target, leaving it no room to put up a fight. This form was designed for one-on-one battles. Lightspeed Movements was an amalgam of lightness skill and adaptive combat, focusing on quick counters and escapes. This form was best suited for duels that didn¡¯t involve life-and-death battles and escapes during crucial times. The final section, Cyclic Execution, was the combination of Sword Drawing and Lightspeed Movements, designed exclusively to combat a group. It had the quickness of Sword Drawing and unpredictability of Lightspeed Movements. At its core, this section enabled a free switch between the two forms without loss of momentum. Luo Ling started with the Sword Drawing section. There was no particular order of priority between the first and second sections, but he chose Sword Drawing over Lightspeed Movements because his close combat was sorely lacking. The Lightspeed Movements section was renowned for its emphasis on agility and unpredictability, traits that granted overwhelming superiority in close combat. However, Luo Ling couldn''t help but scoff inwardly at its practicality in his current state. He was, after all, a mere nine-year-old child. What use was unparalleled speed when his strikes lacked the force? His punches, no matter how precise or swift, carried the impact of a feather brushing against a wall. At this stage, what he needed most wasn¡¯t agility or the ability to outmaneuver his enemies. It was raw, unbridled destructiveness. Without the power to crush his foes, no amount of footwork or clever techniques would bridge the gap between his potential and the dangers that lurked in the world. Power before finesse, strength before speed¡ªthese priorities would shape the foundation of his training. Luo Ling exhaled slowly, his grip on the wooden sword tightening. Destruction was the goal, and every swing would carry that intent. And then, he drew his sword. 31. Musings Chapter 31: Musings Luo Ling halted his swings and, with deliberate precision, mimicked the motion of returning a blade to its scabbard as he slid the wooden replica back to his waist. Though his face retained a calm, composed expression despite the sheen of sweat, the unsteady tremble of his legs revealed the depths of his exhaustion. Steadying his breath, Luo Ling cast a quick glance at the sky, his eyes tracing the sun''s position to determine the time. He had been at this since before dawn, and his stomach had already rumbled a few times to warn him about what he was missing. Just then, the wooden sword slipped from his grasp and tumbled to the ground. Luo Ling couldn''t even muster the strength to tighten his grip in time, his fingers betraying him at the last moment. As his gaze fell to the palms of his small hands, he was met with the sight of pinkish semi-hardened flesh. Unconsciously, the corners of his lips curved upward into a faint smile. Those callouses-in-the-making were more than mere marks¡ªthey were proof of his relentless effort, a quiet symbol of pride. How many times had he swung his sword for his palms to become like this? In the past few days, he practiced the Sword Drawing so many times that he had already lost count. Luckily, something else did it for him. His consciousness drilled into the depths of his inner world and his probing gaze swept over the magical tablet¡ªthe only linkage left of Murim World. [Iron Muscles Steel Veins Body Forging Exercise (Third Level)]¡ª Proficiency: 45/999 [Archery (Houtian IV); Penetration (Rank 2); Weakness (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 9,475/9,999 [Art of Meridian Mending Vol 1; Qi Refining Efficiency (Rank 1)]¡ª Complete Mastery [Meditation (Houtian II); Mental Force (Rank 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 100,037/1 million [Lightwheel Swordsmanship: Meditation (Martial Master Stage 1)]¡ª Proficiency: 14/1000 [Lightwheel Swordsmanship: Sword Practice (Basics)]¡ª Proficiency: 341/500 Many changes had occurred to the tablet, and a few new entries were also displayed. First and foremost, he had finished mastering the Art of Meridian Mending and obtained a blessing¡ª Qi Refining Efficiency (Rank 1). According to the tablet, at Rank 1, Qi absorption and assimilation efficiency improved by 10%. This got Luo Ling thinking. Li Hong had mentioned that mastering this technique to perfection would elevate the level of his meridian coils. He had started with low-grade Mortal level meridian coils, a disappointing limitation. Now, having mastered the first volume, his meridian coils had risen to mid-grade Mortal level¡ªa significant step forward. Yet, the improvement it brought was raising the efficiency of Qi refining by only 10% of the low-grade. The difference between low-grade and mid-grade Mortal level meridian coils was a mere 10%¡ªfar less than Luo Ling had hoped. No wonder the sect didn¡¯t accept cultivators with Mortal level meridian coils; the gap between low-grade and high-grade was too narrow. But now his thoughts turned to the second volume of the technique. If he mastered it, would it bring another 10% boost in efficiency, or perhaps something greater? He couldn¡¯t wait to try it. Although he had yet to begin his immortal journey, from these numbers he guessed that it¡¯d not be a smooth one. The essence of Immortal Cultivation lies in absorbing the Qi between Heaven and Earth to stimulate the evolution of both body and spirit. The goal was to fill up all the discrepancies in a mortal body to strive for divinity and achieve immortality.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Those were all Li Hong¡¯s words. He had not done his own research on the subject yet. Had he not seen immortals in action and met Lord Ping before, he¡¯d have taken Li Hong¡¯s words as fictitious, void of substance. To a martial artist who understood their bodies better than their own children, talking about bringing evolution and striving for immortality was nothing more than tall tales. Eventually, he would touch upon the secrets of immortal cultivation. It was one of his goals after coming to this world. He only hoped the Records of Toil would bring him as much help then as it was doing now. The older entries in his proficiency list had all shown progress, with Archery teetering on the edge of reaching Houtian V. Luo Ling felt a surge of anticipation at the thought. Would it enhance the blessings he already possessed, sharpening his already impressive ranged combat capabilities to an even finer edge? Or perhaps it would bestow an entirely new blessing, unlocking abilities he had yet to imagine? Either outcome was worth the wait. Further down the list, two new entries made his heart race in excitement. The two sections of Lightwheel Swordsmanship¡ªMeditation and Sword Practice¡ªhad successfully made their way onto the proficiency list. Unlike the body forging exercise, which appeared as a unified entry, these two sections stood separate, each claiming its own place on the list. This peculiar division was within Luo Ling¡¯s expectations. Despite coming under the umbrella technique of Lightwheel Swordsmanship, each section had a role to play with their own method of training. It was not a surprise that Records of Toil delegated them separate places on the list. Luo Ling squinted his eyes at the two entries, especially at their proficiency points. Lightwheel Swordsmanship: Meditation (Martial Master Stage 1) demanded an astronomical thousand points for progression. Yet, Luo Ling wasn¡¯t particularly daunted; it felt manageable in comparison to his progress in [Archery], which required nearly ten thousand points and he was already on the verge of filling it up. The process of accumulating points for Lightwheel Swordsmanship: Meditation, however, left Luo Ling scratching his head. To progress, he had to condense drops of inner breath, with each successfully condensed drop earning him a single point. Simply repeating the meditation method mindlessly wasn¡¯t going to work this time. With his current physical limitations, Luo Ling could safely condense just one drop of inner breath each day without risking harm to his body. Thankfully, the blessing of [Meditation], Mental Force (Rank 1), provided an additional drop daily, bringing his total accumulation to two drops per day. Although the pace felt painstakingly slow given the massive requirement ahead, it was safest. Luo Ling had no choice but to abandon his na?ve idea of blitzing through levels with the help of Records of Toil. This was something the tablet was unable to do. ¡°This is rather troubling,¡± Luo Ling mumbled, scratching his chin. ¡°What is?¡± Xiao Ru¡¯s soft gasps pulled Luo Ling from his thoughts, drawing his attention to the girl sprawled on the dirty ground. Her face was flushed, beads of sweat tracing paths down her skin as her chest rose and fell with each labored breath. She looked utterly spent. Nearby lay a sack of sand, its ropes worn from her relentless grip. Xiao Ru had been arduously following the spartan training plan Luo Ling had crafted for her. Despite all her incessant complaining, she never gave up and stuck to this exercise regimen. Needless to say, improvements could already be seen in her. ¡°Hmmm,¡± Luo Ling hummed, throwing a distracted glance at her. ¡°Nothing. Don¡¯t worry about it. Focus on your own things.¡± ¡°Stinky baldy!!¡± Ignoring Xiao Ru¡¯s weak retaliation, Luo Ling refocused on the matter at hand. Rapid accumulation of inner breath drops¡ªand, by extension, proficiency points for Lightwheel Swordsmanship: Meditation¡ªrequired a high-energy diet. Proper nourishment was crucial to sustain his body¡¯s demanding needs and fuel the rigorous process of condensing inner breath effectively. The food provided by the orphanage¡¯s canteen was far from sufficient to meet Luo Ling¡¯s escalating nutritional needs. Hunting in the forest might have been a viable alternative under normal circumstances, but the current tensions and the ominous atmosphere made it a dangerous gamble. If he were ambushed by a group of hunters, even if he managed to escape, he¡¯d undoubtedly sustain injuries that would hinder his progress¡ªa risk he couldn¡¯t afford to take. His only viable option was to rely on local eateries for meals, but that came with a hefty price tag. While the small fortune he had earned from selling the semi-demonized tiger¡¯s hide through Daluo provided some financial cushion, it wouldn¡¯t last long. At best, it could sustain him for a month, and after that, he¡¯d need to find another way to fund his appetite. ¡°It¡¯s money, huh? I miss being the favorite disciple of my master.¡± 32. Desperation I Chapter 32: Desperation I The lack of money was a looming issue, although for now, Luo Ling had enough funds to meet his energy requirements, allowing him to focus on his training without distraction. However, he couldn¡¯t afford to squander this buffer period. He needed to devise a stable source of income¡ªone that wouldn¡¯t jeopardize his safety or compromise the progress he had worked so hard to achieve. Maybe he should talk with Daluo; the bald gatekeeper might know something he could do. Narrowing his eyes, Luo Ling took a deep breath and heaved himself up. His body made a few satisfying pops, bringing a smile to his face. ¡°You¡¯re going back to training again?¡± Xiao Ru, who had yet to recover from her exhaustion nearby, exclaimed in shock when she noticed Luo Ling back on his feet. Although she was doing spartan training that tested her endurance and grit, it was a far cry from what Luo Ling put himself through on a daily basis. She had nothing but respect and awe for him. ¡°No,¡± Luo Ling shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m tired and hungry. I think I¡¯ll swing by Madam Wei¡¯s and then take a stroll around the village.¡± ¡°Bring me some lotus dumplings on your way back,¡± Xiao Ru toned, throwing an expectant glance his way. ¡°You¡¯ll get fat if you eat so much oily food all the time,¡± Luo Ling said, pointing at her flat tummy. A glint crossed his eyes as his lips pulled up in a teasing smirk. ¡°No, I won¡¯t. I¡¯m exercising a lot,¡± she hissed like an angry cat. ¡°Hah,¡± Luo Ling said, breaking into a series of chuckles at her expense. Shaking his head, he stumbled towards the building. ¡°Bring me! Please!!¡± Luo Ling raised a hand in a silent wave, his gaze fixed ahead, never glancing back. Without a word, he slipped into the barricaded bathroom built on the other side, adjacent to the backdoor of the orphanage. -~X~- Having scrubbed away the sweat and grime from his training, Luo Ling changed into a fresh set of clothes before heading to the canteen. Though referred to as a "canteen," it was more akin to a modest dining hall, furnished with five sturdy wooden tables arranged neatly in rows. At present, the hall was empty as it was way past the time for breakfast. He was not even sure if there would be any leftovers. Luo Ling was only there to try his luck. ¡°Good morning, Aunt Hui.¡± Luo Ling greeted the middle-aged caretaker behind the serving counter. The lady paused wiping away the wooden counter with a wet cloth, and looked up. Luo Ling smiled at her, followed by a nod. ¡°It¡¯s you, Ling,¡± she exclaimed, then furrowed her brows. ¡°I didn¡¯t see you here during mealtime. Did you get yours served by that girl, Ru?¡± The hardworking caretaker shook her head as though she recalled something. ¡°That can¡¯t be. I didn¡¯t serve her an extra portion. Don¡¯t tell me, you skipped again?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. I forgot to come here during breakfast,¡± Luo Ling said, scratching his chin. ¡°So, are there any leftovers for me to chow on?¡± As he said that, his eyes scanned the few steel containers behind her, lined up side by side against the wall.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. ¡°Well, yeah. There¡¯s enough to fill up a few brats. But¡­¡± Aunt Hui eyed Luo Ling¡¯s short stature, her gaze lingering around his abdomen for a few seconds. ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s enough for that pit you call stomach.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine by me. I don¡¯t mind being half full,¡± Luo Ling said, smiling. ¡°By the way, what did you cook for today¡¯s breakfast?¡± ¡°Fried dough sticks, two boiled eggs, and soy milk,¡± Aunt Hui answered, her back facing Luo Ling while she fetched him a plate and a cup. After a few minutes, she turned around with a plate of six fried dough sticks, a steaming cup of soy milk, and only one boiled egg. ¡°There was only one egg left.¡± ¡°Thank you anyway, Aunt.¡± ¡°Next time, at least tell me beforehand if you want to have breakfast later,¡± she said before returning to clean the counter with a wet cloth. ¡°I will.¡± Luo Ling promised while holding to the plate. ¡°By the way, what will be for today¡¯s lunch?¡± ¡°Rice, tofu, and meat.¡± Came Aunt Hui¡¯s response who didn¡¯t even bother to raise her head. ¡°Oh.¡± -~X~- Half an hour later, Luo Ling stood outside the orphanage¡¯s gate, caressing his stomach with a frown on his face. Although Aunt Hui had been generous with his breakfast, even refilling his soy milk twice, his stomach still felt empty as a pot. The awakening of inner breath not only opened up his combat flexibility but also improved his metabolism. Foods that used to keep him stuffed for hours now take half of that time to get digested. As he grew stronger, orphanage meals were getting less and less effective. As it stands now, they couldn¡¯t even make him feel full. Thinking of the surprising downsides of growing strong that kept popping up from time to time, Luo Ling brisked to Madam Wei¡¯s. There was already a queue waiting for him at the establishment and the wafting aroma of freshly baked buns made his stomach rumble. It was hardly a surprise to Luo Ling as this place had been the usual go-to for many people in this part of the village. Morning and noon were when this eatery saw its business booming. Soon, it was his turn. Luo Ling ordered five extra-large meat buns and a bowl of vegetable soup and Madam Wei¡¯s son, the only waiter in the restaurant, retreated into the kitchen to prepare his food. While waiting for his order to arrive, Luo Ling leaned back against his chair and scanned the dining room. Consuming a drop of his Inner Breath, he spread out his auditory senses to cover a dome-shaped area around himself. ¡°¡­heard? Apparently, elder Ling¡¯s daughter has eloped with someone¡­¡± ¡°I wonder when can I meet sir Pei¡± ¡°¡­y aunt doesn¡¯t like her. She has been urging my father to¡­¡± ¡°¡­ny news? Have you found him yet?¡± ¡°Yes, captain. We found his traces leading into the deeper parts of the woods.¡± ¡°Do you know¡­¡± The cacophony of noises buzzing in the background cleared up at once, and he could now hear people¡¯s conversations going around him. Despite the distance between him and the other patrons, their talks reached his ears with startling clarity, as though they were murmuring directly beside him. Every word, every inflection¡ªclear and vivid. Inner Breath was an excellent tool for reconnaissance as it expanded all basic senses far beyond their natural limits. Luo Ling caught the whispers coming from the few tables around him. Some of them carried news of spicey events going on in the village while others had mundane everyday talks. Though, he did catch a few strange lines mixed up in the bunch. It seemed that they were pursuing someone and that person had vanished from their radar. The gist of the conversation, from what little he heard, seemed like a brief report to the captain by a subordinate. Luo Ling furrowed his brows, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the edge of the table. The fragments of conversation he overheard seemed to resonate with an unsettling familiarity. The events they described eerily mirrored the situation he was tangled up in. His situation surrounding Li Kai. Were they talking about him? Even if they weren¡¯t, he saw no harm in making sure of it. As it was his inner breath, Luo Ling easily traced back those whispers to its origin. Consuming another drop of inner breath from his mental space, he focused his sight on the table where these talks were happening. Even though they were sitting on a table behind him, thanks to the extra sensory perception granted by Inner Breath he ¡®saw¡¯ the two people whispering about. Both wore black clothing that had them covered from neck to toe, leaving not an inch of their skin exposed to light. It was a strange choice of clothing, given that the climate was rather humid these days. The man called ¡®Captain¡¯ appeared to be in his mid-thirties. The look in his eyes spoke volumes about his ample experience in combat. The other man, who sat across from him, also seemed to be someone in his mid-thirties with a long, thin mustache and a deep scar on his chin. Luo Ling focused on their conversation and their hushed whispers entered his ears. 33. Desperation II Chapter 33: Desperation II The mental force was a unique wonder, an intangible yet powerful phenomenon born within the human body. Unlike the physical strength of muscles or the density of bones that provided stability, mental force existed on a higher, more elusive plane. It provided tangible benefits to its user¡ªenhanced perception, control, and even a bridge to supernatural abilities¡ªyet it itself lacked any discernible form. The two men, clad in outfits so out of place they might as well have been shouting their oddity, huddled close and exchanged careful whispers, not knowing that their every word slipped through the cracks of their secrecy and had already fallen into someone else''s ears. In Luo Ling¡¯s ears, the whispers wove a story of deceit. A shady plot unfurled, each word confirming what his sharp instincts had suspected all along. Those men weren¡¯t just bystanders to the chaos surrounding Li Kai¡ªthey were the architects. It was their handiwork, spreading the malicious rumor that Li Kai had somehow obtained a coveted cultivation technique from Luo Ling himself. Luo Ling kept his ¡®ears¡¯ glued on them, determined not to miss any important clues they might reveal. He had already confirmed their involvement with Li Kai¡¯s situation, but the heart of the matter¡ªtheir true motives¡ªremained a mystery. Regrettably, their discussion came to a halt after the relay of the brief report and the small talk that followed. Just then, a shadow loomed over Luo Ling¡¯s table, and the mouthwatering aroma of steamed buns filled his nose. ¡°Ling, move your hands, would you?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Luo Ling took his hands off the table and the middle-aged man, Madam Wei¡¯s son, tossed the dishes in his hands onto the grease-stained furniture. It seemed that after the previous patron had left, the table hadn¡¯t been cleaned properly¡ªleft with a sticky residue of old meals and half-wiped stains. The newly promoted martial master had already noticed the waiter¡¯s presence when he entered his extra-sensory dome. The man had been muttering curses under his breath at the patrons¡ªhim included¡ªand with his enhanced auditory senses, every word was sharp and clear. He didn¡¯t find it strange but was only surprised that waiters cursing at patrons was true even in another world. This made the corners of his lips pull into a small smile. How nostalgic. Luo Ling kept his ¡®ears¡¯ trained on the table where the two oddly dressed men sat, all while savoring his buns. Unfortunately, they didn¡¯t speak again, leaving him with nothing more to go on. Before long, they finished their meal and hurriedly left the eatery, vanishing into the bustling streets. Luo Ling eyed their retreating backs without a change in his expression. His savoring of the buns didn¡¯t stop either. In this brief eavesdropping, he confirmed two things; one, they had no malice towards him. They only took advantage of the rumor he had spread and added a few extra spices to make Li Kai¡¯s life a living hell. Second, they seemed not to have any personal vendetta against Li Kai. Luo Ling might be bad at reading through a person¡¯s character, but the cut-throat world of Murim had made sure he could at least tell when someone was harboring a killing intent. When talking about Li Kai, these two never showed a trace of murderous intent. It¡¯s almost as if they were only following orders. Things were getting more and more mysterious and Luo Ling was not liking this development.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. As Luo Ling swallowed the last bite of his bun, his resolve hardened. Tonight, he would track down Li Kai and finish what he had left undone. He now had a general idea of where the man had gone, and with his familiarity with the forest, there was no chance Li Kai could hide from him for long¡ªnot when he had the help of the Inner Breath. The reason why he didn¡¯t kill Li Kai was due to a few considerations and reservations. When he came to attack that day, the other hunters must have known about it and were paying attention. If he had killed Li Kai then he¡¯d have definitely attracted their ire. Even though Li Kai acted with the intent to kill, he had no choice but to spare his life because they were a group and he was alone. If he was targeted out of revenge, Luo Ling would never know peace again. He might not even get a good night''s sleep from then on. They could take turns to harass him and he, alone, had no way to resist. The odds were stacked against him. But now, the circumstances had shifted. Li Kai had been abandoned by the hunters, stripped of the only advantage that had kept him alive last time. This was his chance. From Luo Ling¡¯s estimation, it wouldn¡¯t be long before desperation drove Li Kai to lash out indiscriminately. As the one who started it, Luo Ling knew there was a chance the man would come for him, seeking revenge. Before that could happen, he¡¯d put an end to him and eliminate this growing threat. Luo Ling drained the last mouthfuls of soup in one smooth motion before setting the bowl down with care. His tender gaze belied the cold, sharp edge of his killing intent as they settled on nothing in particular. -~X~- Deep within the buffer zone between the inner section and the outer periphery of the Hundred Beast Forest, Li Kai cautiously parted the thick bush concealing the underground hollow at the base of a massive tree. His eyes scanned his immediate surroundings, wary of any threat. Though Li Kai had managed to find a relatively safe hiding spot, it was still within the bounds of the Hundred Beast Forest¡¯s inner section¡ªa domain teeming with demon beasts. This was a place where even exalted immortals tread with caution. Even the weakest of the demon beasts lurking here demanded the combined effort of several immortal sect disciples to subdue them. If one of these creatures were to discover him, there would be no escape, only a brutal and grisly end. A loud growl from his stomach shattered the silence, the sound almost mocking in the stillness of his refuge. The dizziness hit next, a disorienting wave that forced Li Kai to clutch the rough bark of the tree for support. His bony fingers grazed his hollowed abdomen, the sharp ridges of his ribs now painfully apparent beneath his thinning skin. Sunken cheeks and gaunt features spoke volumes of his starvation, while the scruffy beard and matted, bird''s-nest hair painted him as something more beast than man¡ªa shadow of the individual he had once been. Grabbing the rolled-up cloth beside him, which used to be his shirt not too long ago, Li Kai withdrew a dark-brown, finger-thick, root and shoved it into his mouth. His yellowed teeth, neglected and coated with the grime of days gone by, ground into the fibrous shoot with unrelenting force, as though venting his frustration on the pitiful excuse for sustenance. As the bitter juices flowed down his throat, numbing his taste buds in the process, the faces of everyone he once called friends and brothers flashed in his head. In those images, the warm smiles he once remembered were replaced by cold smirks and greedy looks. The veins of his hands throbbed as his grip on the shoot tightened. In the next frame, those images faded away, and only a bone-chilling gaze remained. Li Kai¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, and his chest rose and fell from rapid breathing. A cold voice, deep and raspy, spoke directly into his mind. That¡¯s right. It¡¯s all his fault. Your ¡®brothers¡¯ turned their backs on you because of him. He manipulated them. Li Kai grunted, biting onto the root in his mouth harshly. He didn¡¯t retort the voice, but deep in his heart, he agreed with it. Perhaps it noticed the shift in his attitude, the voice continued to echo. Kill him. Torture him. You want revenge, don¡¯t you? He is only a child. Even if he is strong, he¡¯s still na?ve. Didn¡¯t he let you go even after you attacked him? You can take advantage of it. Li Kai took out another shoot from the ¡®bag¡¯ made from his rolled-up shirt and put it in his mind. His bloodshot eyes seemed unfocused as he swayed back and forth. Revenge is within your grasp, weakling. Unseal me and I¡¯ll give you all the power you¡¯ll ever need. Are you willing to suffer like an abandoned dog while he enjoys the warmth of bed? The voice carried sweet promises and Li Kai¡¯s heart began to waver. ¡°With your power, can I kill that brat and all those bastards who cast me aside?¡± Hehe, yes. Yes, you can. I can even make you an immortal cultivator. ¡°¡­really?¡± 34. The Hunt I Chapter 34: The Hunt I After paying his well-spent coppers, Luo Ling took a detour to the stall that sells Xiao Ru¡¯s favorite dumplings on his way to the orphanage. He briefly considered visiting the local smithy to buy a bladed weapon, but after a thorough consideration, he changed his mind. Metal does not come cheap in the Five Fragrance Village. Even a small kitchen knife made crudely out of low-quality iron costs as much as a hundred iron rings, equivalent to one bronze marble. To put it into perspective, Luo Ling only got three bronze marbles for the semi-demonized carcass. Expecting a major secret, he did some inquiry, but the real reason for the inflated price was much simpler than expected. It turned out that there was a bandit nest somewhere near the village, nestled in the depths of the Hundred Beast Forest¡¯s outer periphery. Whenever the village merchants transported shipments of iron and other metals, they fell prey to ruthless ambushes. Many lost not just their goods but also their lives. The only road to the nearest city wound through this perilous stretch of forest, making the merchants easy prey for bandits. These brigands were like hyenas, drawn by the scent of opportunity, striking swiftly before vanishing without a trace. The merchants had their own guards, but they stood no chance against the skilled looters, often overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. In most cases, they abandoned their clients, fleeing to save their own lives. The village leader eventually took matters into his own hands, hiring a specialized delivery service staffed with cultivators. This move guaranteed the safe transport of metals but came at a steep cost, driving their prices up severalfold. Luo Ling still had a couple of iron-tipped arrows left in his quiver, and the few throwing knives he took from Li Kai were doing nothing but collecting dust under his bed. It was time he put them to use. As for when he¡¯d begin his operation, Luo Ling decided that the night would be the best time for a murder. -~X~- Luo Ling didn¡¯t train for the remainder of the day, opting to remain in peak health before going for the hunt. That afternoon, he could be found sitting cross-legged on the ground, eyeing all his weapons with an intense glare. The doors of his room were locked from the inside so no one would barge in unannounced¡ªespecially the children. Ten arrows and three knives¡ªLuo Ling reckoned they would suffice to take down a man whose training focused solely on external martial arts. With the edge his Inner Breath provided, he felt confident he could finish the job. Ideally, he would have prepared more tools, but his limited funds and the scarce availability of resources forced him to make do. His eyes narrowed into a determined glare. Li Kai has to die. He would not feel at ease otherwise. Exhaling a long breath, Luo Ling straightened his back and assumed a meditation stance. Rhythmic breathing circulated fresh air into his lungs, and proficiency points for the [Meditation] began to soar at a steady rate of 5 points every cycle. He could have focused on accumulating points for [Archery], which was already on the verge of an upgrade. Instead, Luo Ling opted for a more energy-efficient and leisurely approach.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Archery¡¯s progression gauge still required nearly five hundred throws to fill, making it a daunting task. By the time he completed it, his shoulder blades would likely ache from the strain. After the upgrade, at most, there would be a rank increase for either the Penetration or Weakness. Li Kai was only an ordinary man with some strength, so he didn¡¯t need much to finish him off. The upgrades [Archery] would obtain were completely unnecessary for the time being. He¡¯d rather meditate and regulate his emotions. As his mind calmed down, Luo Ling¡¯s thoughts delved into his martial training. Now that he awakened Inner Breath, he could be counted among the ranks of Martial Master. True martial cultivation begins from here. The three stages before this, from 3rd-rate to 1st-rate martial warriors, were merely preparatory stages where martial path practitioners lay their foundation for the future realms. After breaking through the martial warrior stages, further training involved methods of using Inner Breath to refine, control, and strengthen the body''s basic attributes. The human body has its limits. Once those limits were reached, further growth became nearly impossible through conventional training methods. To surpass this barrier, one would first need to shatter the natural limiter within their body. The Inner Breath served the purpose of a catalyst that a practitioner could use to shatter their natural limiter and unlock the potential for further growth. That was the essence of martial cultivation¡ªshattering the body¡¯s natural limits to unlock its true potential. The training manuals for the martial warrior stages were designed to guide practitioners to the absolute physical limit of their bodies in the shortest time possible. Only upon reaching this pinnacle could they begin to explore the secrets of unlocking their mental force. Although he had yet to master all three stages of the martial warrior realm, leveraging his prior experience in the martial path, he successfully awakened mental force and bypassed the need to master the 3rd-stage of the body forging exercise. In fact, he could even start training for Martial Master stages without worrying too much. But Luo Ling would not do so. Rather than ¡®would,¡¯ it was more accurate to say, he could not. The realm of the martial master had three sub-levels. Each such level, or Stages, as the martial artists in Murim called them, discussed the refinement of specific body parts with Inner Breath. During Stage One of the Martial Master realm, practitioners must accumulate inner breath to temper the flesh and bones of their limbs, specifically their hands and legs, with concentrated mental force. The benefits of this refinement extended beyond merely strengthening the bones and muscles; it also enhanced the coordination between mind and body. Furthermore, once a martial artist saturated their limbs with inner breath, they could channel mental force through them, amplifying their attacks when executing martial skills. The inner breath¡¯s potential only unlocks after the practitioner finishes refining their limbs and masters the first stage of the Martial Master realm. For Luo Ling, refining his hands or legs in a short time was out of the question. Besides, it was simply unattainable with only 11 drops of mental force at his disposal. Time crept by as Luo Ling meditated. The drowning sun gave way to the gentle but colder moon as night descended upon the Five Fragrance Village. After enjoying a hearty meal at the orphanage canteen, Luo Ling retreated to his room, his mind already focusing on preparations for the impending nighttime hunt. Luo Ling donned his usual hunting gear¡ªa pair of dark brown pants and a snug-fitting shirt of the same hue, tailored specifically to fit his smaller physique. To complete his preparation, he tightly secured cloth bands around his sleeves and leg hems. In the forest, while wild animals posed a threat, the danger from poisonous insects was even greater. He wasn¡¯t about to risk one slipping through an unguarded opening. Even though he had inner breath and could easily detect any danger coming too close, he still preferred to make extra preparations. Next, Luo Ling carefully slid the arrows into his quiver and strapped it securely to his back. Two of the three knives fit neatly into the grooves on the quiver¡¯s belt. These grooves had been there since the quiver was purchased, but until now, he had never owned knives to make use of them. After nearly half a year, they were finally serving their purpose. ¡°I¡¯m all set.¡± Luo Ling mumbled under his breath as if reminding himself. In the dim moonlight that spilled into the room, his gaze shifted. The usual veil of indifferent maturity gave way to a piercing coldness. The eyes of a warrior. A killer. On the face of a nine-year-old child, this gaze took on an unsettling, almost otherworldly air. 35. The Hunt II Chapter 35: The Hunt II The streets of Five Fragrance Village lay cloaked in silence, the stillness of the night wrapping around it like a heavy shroud. Beneath the pitch-black sky, the serene silver glow of the moon offered a faint light, just enough to outline the narrow paths winding between wooden houses and humble huts. Luo Ling¡¯s slender figure glided through the narrow streets like a shadow, seamless and soundless. The low visibility in the darkness of the night posed no obstacle to him. With the presence of inner breath in him, the world appeared as vivid and clear as it did in the daylight. Well, at least an area of five square meters around him. A newly promoted martial master wouldn¡¯t normally possess such vivid night vision. At best, they could make out blurry outlines of their surroundings. But Luo Ling was different. In his previous life, he had been a master of mental force, having honed countless support skills that relied on its power. One such skill was named Starry Night Pupils which gave its users perfect night vision by capturing and amplifying the refracted lights usually invisible to the naked eye. Luo Ling had only eleven drops of mental force to his name, barely enough to deploy this skill. Even so, he could only harness a quarter of its full potential. Fortunately, its consumption of inner breath was minimal, requiring just a single drop every two hours. With a passive mental force regeneration rate of one drop per hour, Luo Ling could maintain this skill indefinitely without feeling drained. Given his current reserve and level of body refinement, a few auxiliary skills like night vision were all his inner breath could manage for now. However, to Luo Ling, that much was enough. Night vision, combined with his extra-sensory perception, already put him leagues above a ninth-level external martial artist. Not to mention, the blessings obtained from upgrading [Archery]. Luo Ling was confident but he didn¡¯t let it get to his head. No martial artist had ever reached the level of a Transcendent without experiencing their fair share of bloody battles. He had learned, through bitter experience, never to underestimate an opponent. Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit. Luo Ling¡¯s destination was his previous training location. When he arrived, he was greeted with a thick carpet of bushes instead of the neat clearing once filled with his makeshift training equipment. In just a few days of neglect, the shrubs had crept in, blanketing the area in a tangle of green. Luo Ling clenched his right fist, digging his nails into his palm before relaxing with a few deep breaths. Then, he hit the road without sparing the clearing a second glance. The vegetation in this world grew at an astonishing speed, far faster than anything Luo Ling had encountered back in Murim. In just ten days, the clearing was overrun with brushwood and creeping vines, transforming it back to the wild, untamed state in which he had first discovered it months ago. Luo Ling¡¯s small yet resolute figure moved through the bush-packed ground, heading deeper into the overgrowth. After a few twists and turns, the towering walls guarding the village against the terrors of the Hundred Beast Forest came into sight. Once pristine and imposing, these walls had also succumbed to nature''s relentless advance. Thick vines snaked across its surface, climbing upwards before vanishing over the edge to the other side. Moss clung to the stones, wrapping the once-white structure in a lush green shroud, a testament to the untamed vigor. Luo Ling directed all eleven drops of his inner breath to heighten his senses, scrutinizing the vines closely. Though they seemed sturdy, he needed to ensure they could safely bear his weight. His perception darted between the thick leaves and tangled stems, searching for any lurking insects that might pose a threat. The insects of this world were not to be underestimated. Even a centipede could take the life of a bull, and he had seen it happen more than once. He didn¡¯t want them anywhere near him. Luo Ling identified a handful of grotesque insects concealed in tricky spots along the vines. Some resembled oversized centipedes, their segmented bodies wrapped around the weak branches, while others looked like hairy spiders with long, spindly legs. Regardless of their forms, he carefully noted their exact locations in his mind, ensuring to avoid those areas during his ascent. After making sure the bows and quivers were fastened snugly to him, Luo Ling grabbed onto a thicker vine and gave it an experimental pull. Noting their sturdiness and confirming their ability to support his weight, he began ascending. All eleven drops of inner breath were deployed, helping Luo Ling to pinpoint the grooves on the wall accurately he could nudge his toe in. Even though he had not mastered the body forging to its third level, the upgrades he had gotten from the first two levels gave him enough strength to support his entire weight with the toes alone. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. With the nimbleness of a monkey, he scaled the wall and in the blink of an eye, he was on the other side. Luo Ling didn¡¯t even spend that much stamina for the entire journey. The time he had for this personal operation was only a few hours. Before the break of dawn, he had to get back to the orphanage. Under the blanket of the night, he rushed through the winding path that led to the deeper part of the forest. Luo Ling had already memorized the woods around the village in vivid detail. He could draw a map from his memory alone and it¡¯d still have an accuracy rate of over 95%. From the conversations he had overheard, Luo Ling learned that Li Kai had supposedly fled into the deeper section of the forest¡ªa place considered taboo for mortals. The cloaked men had dismissed it as a dead end, deeming it too perilous to pursue further. But to Luo Ling, it was a lead. He now knew exactly where to begin his search for Li Kai. These unknown pursuers were outsiders, unfamiliar with the forest''s intricacies that the local hunters knew by heart. They were likely unaware of the buffer zone near the border separating the inner and outer periphery¡ªan area where dangers were almost non-existent. Had they known, they might not have abandoned their search so hastily. But Luo Ling knew. He was also aware of the small caves some hunters had dug up at the nook of thick trees. Perhaps because the night was still young, he didn¡¯t encounter any nocturnal animals on his way. His toes pushed against the ground, propelling his body along the winding path in the woods. Luo Ling had not yet started on lightness techniques and couldn¡¯t tread over falling leaves or walk on water like the experts of advanced agility techniques. However, this limitation did not deter him. By applying the same principles to solid ground, he was able to significantly boost his running speed, moving with an efficiency that belied his small frame. If it was during the daytime, Luo Ling¡¯s small figure would have appeared as nothing more than a black blur appearing and disappearing among the dense trees. In the blink of an eye, he was at the border that separated the outer periphery and inner circle. Concentrating all his inner breath into a straight line, he observed. Noting no strange presence, not even that of small insects, his confidence swelled. Although his actions were usually limited to the safer sections in the outer periphery, it didn¡¯t mean he had never been to this strange section of the forest. He had visited this so-called buffer zone more than once. Restraining his mental force, and surrounding himself with his extra perception senses, he took his first step. Luo Ling didn¡¯t rush in recklessly. The inner part of the Hundred Beast Forest had beasts twice the size of that semi-demonized tiger he met and was strong enough to uproot several trees with just a swing of their paws. He had encountered one such beast once. And despite it being so far away, his instincts screamed at him to vacate the place and run as far as possible. After that day, Luo Ling obediently limited his range of activities within the outer periphery and didn¡¯t overestimate himself. That day, he realized that past achievements meant nothing in the face of his current state and it was better to let go of this hubris before it took his life. Although he was being careful, Luo Ling still ran quite fast. He only had a few hours to track down and finish Li Kai off. -~X~- The first burrow was built quite close to the border, only a few steps in. Obviously, Li Kai would not be there. But Luo Ling checked it nonetheless. The next burrow was located a little deeper. These dug-ins were built by hollowing out trees that grew in tricky places, usually nestled between two other trees. It would not be easy for a massive beast to easily discover these burrows. The clock ticked away and hours passed while he searched. Luo Ling still had not found Li Kai. Furrowing his brows, he once again concentrated his mental force into a straight line and swept his surroundings, covering more distance this way. Yet Li Kai could not be found. Luo Ling frowned and thoughts about giving up emerged. He didn¡¯t have much time left. Besides, this inner section was not exactly a safe place. Then, he spent a few more minutes searching which was proven to be a fruitless endeavor in the end. That man had not occupied any of the burrows he knew. Luo Ling clicked his tongue in disappointment, and just when he was about to give up and call it a night, a certain object came to his mind. Rummaging into the hidden pocket in his hunting gear¡¯s shirt, he took out rectangular yellowed paper clutched between his index and middle fingers. The tracking talisman. Back then, Li Hong gave him two talismans as a token of friendship. He had only used the masking talisman and this, the tracking talisman, remained unused. Now was the time to use it. To activate the tracking function of the talisman, something had to be given as a sample. Luo Ling brought a knife he had confiscated from Li Kai. Then, he wrapped the paper around its blade portion before making a small rip at a corner of the parchment. After that, nothing seemed to happen. The paper was still wrapped around the tool. However, under his inner breath¡¯s observation, a different world was unfolding. Bright yellow light spots flickered to life from the parchment, resembling fireflies darting erratically in the dark. Under the enhanced clarity granted by his inner breath, Luo Ling discerned that these were not mere spots of light but minuscule characters, intricately shaped and brimming with energy. Each character seemed alive, pulsating faintly as though imbued with a will of its own. A string of the glowing characters merged into a flowing chain, snaking its way through the air before splitting into two. One chain coiled tightly around Luo Ling¡¯s hand; the knife it held gleamed faintly under its light. The other segment detached, condensing into a small orb that hovered effortlessly, pulsing with a soft, rhythmic glow. Then, the ball began to move. Luo Ling knew what to do now, and that was to follow the ball. Yet, he couldn¡¯t help but narrow his eyes in surprise when the ball, instead of going deeper into the forest, drifted in the opposite direction. Li Kai was not in the inner section of the forest, but somewhere outside. Luo Ling felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He hastily followed after the light ball as it guided him out of the inner periphery, and brought him closer to the road that connected the village to the town. As he had expected, Li Kai had plans of his own and already left the inner periphery. The ball swam closer and closer to the village¡¯s main entrance. Through his inner breath-assisted vision, Luo Ling discerned a silhouette emerging in the distance, faint but unmistakable, its movements subtle yet deliberate against the backdrop of the quiet night. He recognized that broad back. It was none other than Li Kai. 36. The Hunt III Chapter 36: The Hunt III Luo Ling froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing in disbelief as he spotted Li Kai striding down the road toward the village. Of all the places, why would he head back there? Anyone with even a shred of sense would avoid a village where every soul wanted their head on a pike. Yet here he was, walking with an unsettling calmness as if he didn¡¯t have a care in the world. Was he homesick or had he gone mad? Luo Ling¡¯s instincts screamed at him that something was off. While he didn¡¯t know Li Kai that well, the information he¡¯d gathered painted a clear picture of the man¡¯s character. Li Kai wasn¡¯t reckless. He was a man who knew how to weigh his options, someone who understood the value of retreat when the odds weren¡¯t in his favor. The only reason Luo Ling had bested him before was because Li Kai had underestimated him¡ªmistaking his young age for inexperience. But this? A man like that walking back to a village full of people who wanted him dead? This wasn¡¯t bravery. This wasn¡¯t desperation. This was something else entirely. Luo Ling nocked an arrow onto his bow and drew the string taut. An unsettling sensation prickled at the edge of his perception¡ªan indescribable shift in Li Kai¡¯s demeanor. If he had to put it into words, it would be that Li Kai no longer seemed like the man he thought he was. Without a word, he let loose the arrow and watched silently as it sailed in the cover of the night. The arrow whizzed through the air with precision. But just as it was about to find its target, Li Kai¡¯s body twisted unnaturally, bending sideways at an angle no human should be capable of. It was as if his bones had melted, his frame morphing with a snake-like fluidity. If he hadn¡¯t known better, Luo Ling would have thought Li Kai was a master of the deadly martial art: Way of the Gui Serpent. He had exchanged a few moves with Li Kai before and knew that man was not this capable. What changed? The arrow missed its mark and disappeared into the night. Luo Ling straightened his back and narrowed his eyes. His pointy glare did not leave Li Kai¡¯s strangely deformed body. ¡°Who?¡± It was a hoarse, scratchy voice, nothing like Li Kai¡¯s. As he straightened himself from the unnatural angle he had bent into to avoid the arrow, faint popping sounds echoed from his joints, adding an eerie edge to the moment. ¡°Who are you? Show yourself.¡± Li Kai demanded, turning around. Luo Ling narrowed his eyes and didn¡¯t make a sound, silently upping his guard. He had taken note of the abnormality that was the current Li Kai. A few things stood out as he observed him. First, the Li Kai before him seemed to have suffered some damage to his throat, making his voice hoarse and scratchy. The second, and more obvious one, the Li Kai standing in front of him seemed to have forgotten his battle instincts. Even a novice warrior would instinctively roll away when ambushed and seek cover. Yet the man before Luo Ling remained rooted in place, making no effort to hide and instead demanding the attackers reveal themselves. The Li Kai he fought that day was not this dumb. Nocking another arrow onto the bow, he aimed at Li Kai¡¯s chest. Luo Ling didn¡¯t know what had happened to this hunter and he didn¡¯t care. He was there to solve the problem that was Li Kai, not to uncover some mystery. Li Kai whipped his head where Luo Ling stood and made a mad dash at him. ¡°There you are.¡± His scratchy tone made the latter wince. However, Luo Ling had no time to care as Li Kai pounced at him, his right hand swinging a rusty knife with alarming speed. Luo Ling reacted swiftly, lightly kicking off the ground to dart out of the hunter¡¯s line of attack in a zigzag pattern, his movements precise and fluid.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Only after pulling as much distance as possible between them did he stop to observe. Li Kai was waving his hands wildly in the darkness, where Luo Ling had stood a few seconds before, his face twisted in anger. ¡°Where did you run off to, rat?¡± Luo Ling swiftly took cover behind a tree and furrowed his brows at the fumbling Li Kai. Was it a fluke? Li Kai seemed to know where he was and rushed over. Could he see in the dark as well? Do external martial arts have such a benefit? Luo Ling had never practiced the said martial arts nor had he ever enquired about the details. Hence, he was not clear about the more miscellaneous benefits it offered. But soon, Luo Ling fell into confusion. Li Kai didn¡¯t give chase. Luo Ling had purposely darted behind a tree, intending to use the uneven terrain to his advantage. If Li Kai had followed, it would have been the perfect opportunity to entangle him and gain the upper hand. Yet this plan fell through as the man, instead of following him, simply stood where he had been before and hurled insults. Surely, if Li Kai could see in the dark, he¡¯d have seen Luo Ling rushing behind the tree. Luo Ling understood his limitations. While he was quick, he hadn¡¯t yet reached the level where his movements were imperceptible. It was unlikely that Li Kai had missed it. And yet, he acted oblivious, like he had not seen anything. Could he truly not see in the dark? Or was this an elaborate bait to lure Luo Ling out? The uncertainty gnawed at him, but Luo Ling remained patient, silently observing, his expression unchanging. ¡°Where are you hiding, rat? Show yourself!¡± Li Kai¡¯s hoarse voice cut through the stillness, but Luo Ling didn¡¯t waver. He stayed rooted, waiting for the perfect moment. Finally, Li Kai turned his back, oblivious¡ªor pretending to be. It didn¡¯t matter. Luo Ling seized the opportunity he had been waiting for. The bowstring was pulled taut as Luo Ling took aim at the maddened hunter¡¯s back where his heart was supposed to be. But¡­ ¡°Found you! So that¡¯s where you¡¯re hiding.¡± Exactly as before, Li Kai spun around abruptly and charged at Luo Ling, his face twisted into a wide, frenzied grin. ¡°Tch!¡± Luo Ling clicked his tongue in mild irritation, his movements swift and fluid as he zigzagged deeper into the group of trees by the roadside. With the dome of inner breath enveloping him, he no longer relied on his eyes to navigate. The world around him was vivid in his perception, even in complete darkness. As he retreated, a familiar sensation coursed through him¡ª[Weakness] had activated. In his inner breath-assisted vision, the knife clutched tightly in Li Kai¡¯s right hand began to emit a faint, ominous glow. ¡°Huh!?¡± Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in momentary surprise. Luckily, his voice was soft and it didn¡¯t attract a reaction from the frenzied hunter. Weakness was a blessing he had gained upon upgrading [Archery]. Like Penetration, its inner workings were a mystery to him¡ªsomething beyond his comprehension. What he did know, however, was how to activate it and the subtle cues to look for when it sprang to life. By description, it was a blessing that revealed a target¡¯s weak spot when observed for a period. A human¡¯s weak spots were typically concentrated around the heart and head. Luo Ling had tested it on Xiao Ru before and confirmed its accuracy¡ªthese vital areas were always highlighted when [Weakness] activated. Now, Luo Ling couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªwhy was Li Kai¡¯s weak spot in that rusty knife? Why did none of his other body parts glow? What secret did it hold? Could striking the knife truly end the hunter''s life? The thought was intriguing, but Luo Ling dismissed it as quickly as it came. He wasn¡¯t one to abandon proven facts in favor of an unknown variable, no matter how compelling. Humans died when their hearts were destroyed. That was an undeniable truth he could rely on. Thus, even as [Weakness] highlighted the knife as a vulnerable spot, Luo Ling decided to stick to what he understood. He¡¯d aim for the heart, the one place he knew for certain would bring this fight to an end. On a side note, Luo Ling now had a solid guess about how Li Kai was pinpointing his location so accurately. The hunter¡¯s movements, erratic as they seemed, followed a pattern. It wasn¡¯t random intuition or mere luck guiding him¡ªthere had to be more to it. He just needed one more experiment to turn his guess into a fact. Nimble fingers held the string taut, pulling it back with practiced precision. The bow curved gracefully into a half-moon, steady and ready to strike. The arrow sitting upon it lacked the metal tip that Luo Ling¡¯s usual hunting arrows had. He had a limited number of those arrows and couldn¡¯t use them randomly. As Luo Ling had anticipated, the instant he took aim, Li Kai locked onto his location and charged in his direction. The corners of Luo Ling¡¯s lips curled into a faint smirk as he effortlessly slipped out of sight, vanishing into the shadows. ¡°Slippery bastard!¡± Li Kai snarled; his voice laced with frustration. ¡°When I catch you, you¡¯ll regret the day you were born!¡± Luo Ling made a wide detour, circling around Li Kai, and silently returned to the road. His suspicions were all but confirmed¡ªLi Kai¡¯s uncanny ability to locate him, even in total darkness, was tied to some form of emotional or intent-based perception. Whatever transformation Li Kai had undergone, it had granted him an acute sensitivity to emotions, particularly negative ones. Anger, hostility, fear¡ªthey were like beacons in the dark, guiding him to his prey. Understanding this, Luo Ling adjusted his strategy. With calm precision, he replaced the practice arrow on his bowstring with a hunting arrow, its metal tip gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Now that he knew the root of Li Kai¡¯s newfound abilities, all that remained was to exploit the gaps in his perception and finish the task he had set out to accomplish. 37. The Hunt IV Chapter 37: The Hunt IV Martial artists were excellent at controlling their emotions and intentions thanks to their superb mastery over inner breath. Inner Breath was a mysterious and profound force, originating deep within the recesses of a martial artist¡¯s brain. Its connection to the mind granted it a unique bond with moods and emotions, enabling practitioners to maintain an unparalleled level of control over their mental states. However, this intricate application of Inner Breath¡ªto regulate emotional fluctuations and maintain absolute mental clarity¡ªwas not within the reach of beginners. It required an advanced mastery that only martial artists at the level of martial grandmaster or Transcendent could hope to achieve. To Luo Ling, however, this limitation didn¡¯t apply. He had reached the apex of the martial path, and his mastery over Inner Breath reached unparalleled heights, transcending the limitations that bound ordinary martial artists. He had uncovered every nuance and hidden intricacy of this profound force, leaving no secret unexplored. Although he was starting over again after his reincarnation, his experience with the mental force would not go away. Four drops of inner breath were drawn from his reserves, and his sensory dome sunk by two square meters. Luckily, Li Kai¡¯s position was still within this new shrunken range. Those four drops merged into a bigger drop and then stretched into a thin curtain of mental force which then proceeded to wrap around his head. A bead of sweat dribbled from his forehead as this delicate manipulation of his inner breath tore at his mental stamina. Luo Ling wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve, his expression calm. Without hesitation, he raised his bow, the string creaking slightly as he pulled it taut. The tip of the arrow perfectly aligned with Li Kai¡¯s figure. His breathing slowed, each inhale and exhale measured and steady. Every muscle in his body was taut, ready to release the stored power in an instant. In this fleeting moment, the world around him seemed to fade, leaving only him, the arrow, and the hunter-turned-prey. Li Kai showed no visible reaction. Even when the arrow was ready to be released, his expression didn¡¯t change. Luo Ling¡¯s brows relaxed as his conjecture was proven true. The curtain of mental force successfully blocked his emotional fluctuations, preventing them from being sensed. This also revealed the secrets of Li Kai¡¯s apparent ability to see in the dark. Luo Ling released his fingers, and the bowstring snapped back into place with a resonant twang. The arrow shot forward, cutting through the air with lethal precision. ¡°Guh!¡± Li Kai let out a surprised gasp as the arrow struck true, its razor-sharp tip slicing cleanly through his back and bursting out of his chest with sickening precision. A hole no wider than a pinky finger now punctured his torso, its edges rimmed with crimson. It was dead-center¡ªexactly where his heart should have been. Luo Ling didn¡¯t look relaxed. Li Kai had not fallen despite the fatal damage he had taken. The hunter rubbed his fingers around the edges of the hole in his chest, his brows pulled together as though he couldn¡¯t believe he had been wounded.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Another arrow was loaded onto the bow, and Luo Ling was readied his second shot. The fact that Li Kai hadn¡¯t dropped dead on the spot was a wonder, but the former martial transcendent shoved the thought aside. Whatever the reason, it could wait. Right now, his only concern was ensuring Li Kai stayed down¡ªpermanently. With a sharp hum, the arrow leaped from the bowstring, cutting through the air like a predator on the hunt. In the blink of an eye, it tore through the hunter''s neck, and its remaining momentum drove him staggering several steps backward. Li Kai opened his mouth to scream yet no voice came save for a few throaty noises. Blood gushed out of that pinky-sized hole, drenching the shirt he wore red as a strong metallic scent filled the air. The village fugitive stumbled a few steps and slumped on his ass, unable to keep his balance. Just then, another arrow lodged deep into his skull, dragging his head back and pinning him against the tree stump behind. Luo Ling narrowed his eyes, remaining hidden in the shadows. Despite two arrows embedded in the most lethal points of the human body, Li Kai still clung to life. His hands fumbled around the arrow lodged in his skull, desperately attempting to yank it free¡ªbut to no avail. He found Li Kai''s unnaturally strong vitality baffling. External martial arts didn¡¯t bestow such resilience upon their practitioners¡ªof that, he was certain. Otherwise, during their last encounter, Li Kai wouldn¡¯t have been so easily overpowered by him. So, what brought this change? And why did Li Kai appear dumber than he used to be? Was there a connection? Luo Ling¡¯s guts told him there was one. The rusted knife, still clutched tightly in Li Kai''s fingers, glowed faintly with a red outline under the lingering effect of Weakness. Luo Ling''s eyes narrowed, his suspicion growing as he studied the weapon from afar. There was something deeply unsettling about it. However, instead of recklessly approaching to inspect it up close, he maintained a safe distance, carefully observing for any further anomalies. In the following minutes, Li Kai¡¯s movements slowed down considerably. His body, though unnaturally resistant to pain and able to dismiss what should have been fatal wounds, was not immune to the effects of blood loss. The crimson tide steadily drained his strength, leaving him barely able to twitch his fingers. No one knew the workings of human bodies better than marital artists. People who have reached the 3rd stage of Martial Master and completed the refinement of internal organs with their inner breath could remain alive even after they took an arrow to their heart. As a martial transcendent in his previous life, Luo Ling had extensive experience with such abilities. Li Kai''s strong vitality was nothing to write home about compared to many strange abilities he had seen in the past. -~X~- Luo Ling stepped forward cautiously, his every movement deliberate as he approached the fallen hunter. With a swift motion, he kicked the rusted knife out of Li Kai''s limp grasp, sending it skidding across the ground. The once-tenacious hunter lay in a growing pool of his own blood, his skin pale and lifeless. Luo Ling wouldn¡¯t get close until he was absolutely certain. Only after the faintest flickers of vitality had drained from Li Kai''s body did he step closer, his bow still in hand, ready for any last-ditch surprises. The hunter whose existence threatened his peaceful life had been put down which meant he successfully achieved what he had set out to do that night. Luo Ling collected the arrows he had already shot, and yanked out the one lodged into Li Kai¡¯s skull, wiping away blood and gore sticking to the metal tip against his clothes before returning them to his quiver. Just then, a glint of light snagged Luo Ling''s attention. A few yards away, the discarded knife lay half-buried in the dirt, catching the dim moonlight like a forgotten relic. The rust clinging to its blade made it look worthless¡ªa piece of trash no one would bother with. But Luo Ling knew better. His Weakness had marked that blade as Li Kai¡¯s sole vulnerable point. For all he knew, Li Kai¡¯s extreme vitality and loss of intelligence might be related to this knife. Luo Ling contemplated on whether he should pick it up or not. Strange relics often bring unforeseen troubles as they carry polluted mental force of their previous users. He was not curious enough to investigate the changes of Li Kai and there was no need for him to take such risks. The last thing he wanted was to have his newly congealed inner breath contaminated by some strange foreign intents. Luo Ling''s sharp gaze swept over his surroundings. Only when he was certain that no trace of his presence remained¡ªno footprint, no disturbance¡ª that could potentially guide someone to him did he slip into the night like a phantom.