《Immortality starting from avoiding misfortune and seeking good fortune》 Chapter 1: Fate of Great Blessings **Chapter 1: Fate of Great Blessings** Wei State, Yunze Prefecture, Tonghe County, Osmanthus Village. A small brick house stood with mottled exterior walls made of mud bricks and topped with a gray-tiled roof. Inside, it consisted of three bedrooms and two living rooms. This house, about 100 square meters in size, was typical of the area, with similar old brick-and-tile homes scattered throughout Osmanthus Village. Despite its modesty, it had taken the Xiao family¡ªa lineage of fishermen¡ªgenerations of hard work to build. "The family has nothing but four bare walls," Xiao Fan murmured as he surveyed his surroundings. His home was sparsely furnished: a bed, a table, and a few stools. The starkness reminded him of how poor he was, and he let out a heavy sigh. A few days ago, Xiao Fan had suffered a high fever that unlocked the memories of his previous life. At first, he dismissed the notion as impossible, but after observing the unfamiliar world around him for several days, he could no longer deny it¡ªhe had been transported to a different world. The memories from his past life, however, had only resurfaced recently due to some mysterious delay. In his previous life, Xiao Fan had been young and ambitious, holding a bachelor''s degree and earning an annual salary of RMB 60,000 in education and training. To supplement his income, he worked as a Didi driver at night and took on occasional freelance jobs. Despite his determination, his efforts ultimately wore him out. Tragically, the entire industry he worked in collapsed unexpectedly, leaving him unemployed overnight. The company bosses transitioned to driving Didi themselves. Adding to his misfortune, he had invested in an unfinished housing project and purchased crude oil stocks, only to lose everything. The money he had earned was insignificant compared to the debts that would haunt him for lifetimes. After drowning his sorrows in alcohol one night, he woke up in this strange new world. Reflecting on his past, he regretted heeding the advice of a so-called wealthy man, who claimed courage outweighed degrees from prestigious universities. That man became the richest person alive while Xiao Fan faced utter ruin. ''But this new life might be even worse,'' Xiao Fan thought grimly, piecing together the memories in his mind. He had landed in Wei State, a feudal dynasty. Nearby was the expansive Yunmeng Lake, a source of livelihood for thousands of fishermen. Xiao Fan belonged to this fishing community. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The life of a fisherman sounded appealing¡ªspring fishing, autumn harvests, summer raising, and winter battles. Yet the reality was far harsher. Expenses for firewood, rice, oil, and salt piled up, and the fishery tax was higher than the agricultural tax. Additional extortionate fees, gang oppression, and berthing charges added to the burden. Illness was catastrophic. Unlike his previous life, where modern systems allowed people to survive even with debts, this world offered no safety nets. Xiao Fan wondered how he could survive. "Brother Xiao!" A soft, pleasant voice broke his train of thought. A young girl, about sixteen or seventeen, emerged from the house. She wore a linen headscarf and had a natural, unspoiled beauty. Her large, expressive eyes and flawless skin made her look ethereal. Though clad in a thick skirt, her curvaceous figure was evident. Despite her youth, she carried an air of maturity. She struggled to carry a wooden bucket filled with water into the house. This girl was Mu Qingyao, Xiao Fan''s child bride. "Why didn''t you call me for such heavy work?" Xiao Fan hurriedly took the bucket from her hands and placed it on the ground. His expression softened as he gazed at her. During his illness, Mu Qingyao had cared for him diligently, saving his life. "It''s fine, Brother Xiao. You''ve just recovered from a serious illness. Leave these small tasks to me. After all, it''s just the two of us now," Mu Qingyao replied, brushing the sweat from her forehead. Her gaze was filled with affection and dependence. Sold to the Xiao family as a child bride, Mu Qingyao had grown up as Xiao Fan''s childhood companion. Despite their circumstances, the Xiao family had treated her kindly. However, tragedy struck a few months ago. Xiao Fan''s parents, overburdened by work, had fallen ill and passed away one after the other. Now, only Xiao Fan and Mu Qingyao remained to support each other. At just sixteen years old, Mu Qingyao had taken on the responsibility of running the household, including cooking, cleaning, and other chores. Yet she bore these burdens without complaint, finding joy in their simple life together. Unfortunately, in a world as harsh as theirs, even the desire for an ordinary life was an unattainable luxury. "Is there any rice left at home?" Xiao Fan''s stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger. "Yes, we still have enough for three days," Mu Qingyao replied. "But I heard the Dragon King Gang plans to increase their fees by 30%. The villagers are already grumbling about it. If we pay, we''ll be left destitute," she said, her voice trembling with frustration. The Dragon King Gang was a powerful local gang that controlled the fishing industry in the region, extorting money from more than a dozen villages around Yunmeng Lake. Refusal to pay their exorbitant fees meant certain ruin. As Xiao Fan''s face darkened, his eyes fell on the water bucket. His reflection shimmered in the rippling surface. Suddenly, a golden light flashed between his eyebrows, and a mysterious message entered his consciousness. [Fate: Fate of Great Blessings] [Effect: If You Survive a Catastrophe, You Shall Be Blessed.] "Fate?" Xiao Fan murmured, stunned. Everyone in this world was said to have a unique fate, which shaped their destiny. Yet his fate seemed extraordinary¡ªone of the rarest kinds. Could this be the change he so desperately needed? Before Xiao Fan could explore this revelation further, he heard frantic footsteps outside the house, followed by loud shouts. --- Chapter 2 [Chapter 2] "The people from the Dragon King Gang are here." Mu Qingyao''s face turned pale at the voice. She instantly knew what had happened. After all, people from the Dragon King Gang came almost every month. It was impossible for her not to be familiar with them. "You go back inside the house," Xiao Fan said to Mu Qingyao. He knew that everyone in the Dragon King Gang was a ruthless killer. If Mu Qingyao was seen, who knew what might happen? The saying "beauty brings disaster" was eternal, after all. "Alright," Mu Qingyao nodded without hesitation and obediently hid in the room. Originally, paying the monthly protection fee was handled by Xiao Fan¡¯s parents. But since they had passed away, the responsibility now fell to him. Boom! The ajar wooden door of the brick house was kicked open arrogantly. A tall, burly, middle-aged man in his thirties, with a rugged beard and a muscular frame, barged in. Three equally imposing men followed behind him. Their eyes gleamed with a sinister light, and their presence exuded the cold aura of men who had taken lives. Their physical strength far surpassed that of ordinary fishermen. "Kid, you¡¯re bold. You knew we were coming, yet you still dared to close the door. What¡¯s the matter? Trying to avoid paying your dues?" The middle-aged man glared at Xiao Fan fiercely, his presence emanating malice. His name was Zheng Wenbing, nicknamed ¡°Master Bing.¡± He was a notorious leader of the Dragon King Gang, responsible for collecting payments in Osmanthus Village. Many fishermen had suffered severe beatings at his hands. "Master Bing, how would I dare refuse to pay?" Xiao Fan said, taking a deep breath. "I¡¯ve just recovered from a serious illness and didn¡¯t have time to greet you. The money has been prepared for a long time. Please, accept it." From his pocket, Xiao Fan pulled out a small cloth bag filled with copper coins¡ªthe last of his family¡¯s savings. Zheng Wenbing smirked. "Oh? You¡¯re awfully compliant. I heard your parents passed away a few months ago, and the funeral must have cost you a fortune. Yet here you are, still able to pay up. Did you strike it rich by catching treasure fish?"Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Xiao Fan. Treasure fish were rare, highly prized creatures from Yunmeng Lake, with every part of their body worth a fortune. One fish could fetch at least ten taels of silver, enough to support a family for a year. But they were so scarce that catching one was almost a miracle. Xiao Fan shook his head quickly. "How could that be? With my skills, even if I encountered a treasure fish, I wouldn¡¯t be able to catch it. This money is simply the result of years of frugality." Feigning fear, he added, "If I ever caught a treasure fish, I¡¯d sell it to the Dragon King Gang immediately. I¡¯d never dare to keep it for myself." Xiao Fan¡¯s performance was flawless. He knew this wasn¡¯t an ordinary feudal dynasty¡ªthis was a world where warriors with extraordinary powers existed. Stories of warriors leaping over walls, wielding superhuman strength, and becoming invulnerable to weapons were common. The most powerful could fight armies singlehandedly and emerge unscathed. Zheng Wenbing himself was a warrior, capable of overpowering dozens in close combat. Even his henchmen could fight ten men at once. Facing such power, resistance was futile. "Good. You¡¯re smart to know your place," Zheng Wenbing said, glancing around the shabby house. His suspicion eased. A family as poor as this couldn¡¯t possibly be hiding a treasure fish. "This 800-mile Yunmeng Lake belongs to the Dragon King Gang," Zheng Wenbing declared arrogantly. "All fish caught here¡ªordinary or treasure¡ªmust be sold to us. Anyone caught hiding treasure fish will be executed." Xiao Fan nodded submissively, knowing this was the reality. The Dragon King Gang ruled Yunmeng Lake with an iron fist, demanding taxes and fees from all fishermen. Even the prices for their catches were dictated by the gang, leaving fishermen with barely 20¨C30% of their earnings. "If everyone was as cooperative as you, our work would be much easier," Zheng Wenbing said with a smug grin. "If anyone dares trouble you, just mention my name." Xiao Fan forced a polite smile. He knew better. The Dragon King Gang was diligent in extorting money but would vanish at the first sign of real trouble. Counting on their help was as futile as hoping fish would leap into his boat. After making his empty promise, Zheng Wenbing and his men left. They had other fishermen to shake down. As their footsteps faded, Mu Qingyao cautiously emerged from her hiding spot. "Brother Xiao, are they gone?" she asked nervously. "They¡¯re gone," Xiao Fan replied. Yet deep inside, he was seething. Being bullied like this ignited a fury within him. In his previous life, he¡¯d never endured such humiliation. Though he remained calm outwardly, he vowed to settle this debt one day. "But what do we do now?" Mu Qingyao said, her voice heavy with worry. "That payment took everything we had. We only have enough rice for three days. If we don¡¯t earn more, we¡¯ll starve." Xiao Fan was about to respond when a sudden message echoed in his mind: [You handed over the money willingly, satisfying Zheng Wenbing. He now sees you as harmless and obedient. By avoiding disaster, you have earned an eighth-grade opportunity and 100 luck points.] "What?!" Xiao Fan¡¯s mind raced. He recalled his unique destiny¡ªa fate said to bring great blessings after surviving calamities. Could this be what it meant? Endure a crisis and gain a reward? But what was this "eighth-grade opportunity"? And what could he do with luck points? --- Chapter 3 [Chapter 3] At this moment, Xiao Fan sensed a light spot appearing deep within his consciousness. As he focused on it, his mind touched the light spot, and a stream of information flowed into his awareness. ¡®At midnight, go to the osmanthus tree 300 meters from the entrance of Osmanthus Village. Dig beneath the tree, and you will obtain the eighth-grade opportunity without any risk.¡¯ Xiao Fan immediately understood. His destiny would grant him opportunities as long as he could survive calamities. These chances were safe, but the timing was specific¡ªmidnight. Venturing out earlier could be dangerous; being discovered by other villagers might create unforeseen troubles. Even though he was eager to uncover this eighth-grade opportunity, Xiao Fan knew he had to wait until late at night. As for the luck points? He hadn¡¯t figured out their purpose yet. ¡®Is this what they mean by "surviving a catastrophe leads to blessings?"¡¯ Xiao Fan thought, taking a deep breath. He began to realize just how powerful this destiny was. In this world, hard work alone didn¡¯t guarantee success. Misfortune could strike endlessly¡ªwhen it rains, it pours. His previous life had proven this; there seemed to be no limit to a person¡¯s suffering. But if calamities could bring rewards, perhaps he had a chance to turn things around. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder: ¡®What exactly is this eighth-grade opportunity? Can it help me change my fate?¡¯ Before he could think further, a piercing scream shattered the night¡¯s silence. It was followed by the sound of a fierce struggle and desperate cries for mercy. The chilling noise sent shivers down his spine. "What¡¯s happening?" Mu Qingyao whispered in terror, her face pale. She looked to Xiao Fan for reassurance¡ªhe was her only hope. "Stay here. I¡¯ll go see what¡¯s going on," Xiao Fan said. He stepped outside, joining other villagers who had emerged from their homes, equally alarmed. "Uncle Fugui, Uncle Ziqiang," Xiao Fan greeted his neighbors. "Do you know what happened?" The villagers, all from Osmanthus Village, were familiar faces. Song Fugui, a weathered fisherman in his forties with dark skin and a lifetime of hardships etched on his face, spoke first.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. "It¡¯s Lao Meng¡¯s family," Song Fugui said grimly. "The Dragon King Gang raised the fees by 30%. Lao Meng didn¡¯t refuse to pay but made a few complaints. Those beasts beat him half to death and robbed his house." Hearing this, Xiao Fan felt a chill. He turned to see Meng Da¡¯s home in the distance, its door wide open. Inside, chaos reigned. Tables and chairs were shattered, pots and pans smashed, and the wooden door had been kicked to pieces. Lao Meng, a man in his forties, lay on the ground, his face bloodied and swollen. He was curled up like a shrimp, moaning in pain. Nearby, his son Meng Tie, a young man of twenty, lay with a broken arm, his face contorted in agony. Meng¡¯s daughter-in-law sat weeping softly, a red handprint visible on her cheek¡ªa mark of violence. The villagers looked on with sympathy but did nothing. "They complained a little, and look what happened," Song Fugui muttered, his voice heavy with sorrow. But his wife, Liu Zhuzhu, immediately silenced him. "Quiet!" she hissed, pulling on his sleeve. "If the Dragon King Gang hears you, you¡¯ll be next!" Liu Zhuzhu was visibly anxious, glancing around nervously. Stories of villagers being beaten or robbed for speaking ill of the gang were all too common. Realizing the danger, Song Fugui clammed up, relief washing over him when he saw no gang members nearby. Xiao Fan clenched his fists. Beaten half to death for a complaint? The cruelty of the Dragon King Gang was beyond words. He quickly pieced things together. Zheng Wenbing and his men had likely come to Guihua Village to establish dominance. The sudden fee hike had angered the villagers, and complaints were spreading. The gang needed to set an example. Lao Meng, unfortunately, became their "chicken to scare the monkeys." "If I hadn¡¯t paid immediately," Xiao Fan thought grimly, "I might have been the one left lying in a pool of blood." Looking back at Meng Da¡¯s wrecked house, Xiao Fan felt both anger and helplessness. He wanted to help, but his family had nothing to spare¡ªnot even food for themselves. Kindness is a luxury only the rich can afford. In this dog-eat-dog world, merely refraining from evil was enough to make someone a "good person." "Why would the Dragon King Gang raise the fees?" Xiao Fan asked aloud. "They¡¯re already collecting so much. Isn¡¯t this excessive?" Zhao Ziqiang, a carpenter from the village, answered, "It¡¯s because of the emperor¡¯s elixir." "Elixir?" Xiao Fan frowned. "The emperor is trying to refine the elixir of immortality," Zhao Ziqiang explained. "He¡¯s demanding medicinal herbs and raising taxes across the land. Officials are exploiting this to collect even more from the people." "And the Dragon King Gang?" "They¡¯re taking advantage of the chaos to demand more as well. The burden is falling harder on us villagers," Zhao Ziqiang sighed. Song Fugui added bitterly, "The northern regions have been plagued by drought for years. Crops have failed, and countless refugees are fleeing south. Instead of providing relief, the emperor¡¯s raising taxes and draining us dry." "I¡¯ve heard rumors of rebellions in other provinces," he continued. "They¡¯re attacking cities and trying to overthrow the court. Who knows how long it¡¯ll be before they reach Yunmeng Lake?" The weight of the villagers¡¯ words hung heavy in the air. ¡®It¡¯s better to be a peaceful dog than a human in times of chaos.¡¯ Xiao Fan understood. When the world descended into turmoil, ordinary people suffered the most. --- Chapter 4 Chapter 4: Getting the Treasure "Is it the end of the dynasty already?" Xiao Fan was surprised when he heard this. After all, he had not awakened the memories of his past life before; he was just an ordinary villager living in Osmanthus Village. How could he know what was happening in the outside world? He hadn''t even been actively paying attention to it. Thus, his information was naturally not as up-to-date as that of Uncle Fugui, Uncle Ziqiang, and the other older villagers. Maybe his father and mother also knew about this but hadn''t told him. However, according to the history books he had read, this was already the scene at the end of the dynasty. If the rebel army comes to Yunmeng Lake, these small fishing villages could easily turn into scorched earth. No one knows how many lives would be lost in that event. And leaving Osmanthus Village was impossible. To be honest, a small fishing village like Osmanthus Village was already quite good; at least there were countless large fish in Yunmeng Lake. There was water and fish, making it relatively easier to survive. If you went to the northern lands, where there have been years of drought, crop failures, and dried-up rivers, it would be catastrophic. There could be heartbreaking instances where children were exchanged for food, or worse, bodies dissected for cooking. Therefore, even if the Dragon King Gang increased the monthly taxes and made life very difficult, the fishermen had no intention of leaving. Thinking of this, Xiao Fan stopped reading. Although Uncle Meng''s family was in a dire situation, he felt that even if he wanted to help, he was powerless. After all, his family only had three days of rations left; how could he do much? He also returned to his home. "Brother Xiao, Uncle Meng and the others are okay, right?" At this time, Mu Qingyao knew that the accident involved Meng Da''s family, but she didn''t know the specifics of their situation. "It''s nothing serious. They just got beaten up; it''s not life-threatening." "But I guess they won''t be able to get out of bed for at least half a month." Xiao Fan shook his head. For the Meng family, this was undoubtedly a disaster. If they had to stay in bed for a month, they wouldn''t be able to go fishing, which meant they''d be left with nothing. If they ran out of food, they might starve to death next month. This is the reality for fishermen in this era. If you are not careful, it can lead to calamity. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. "Fortunately, we also paid the test fee; otherwise, we might have followed in Uncle Meng''s footsteps." Mu Qingyao looked frightened. She didn''t expect the Dragon King Gang to be so ruthless. "It''s okay. As long as I''m here, everything will be all right." Xiao Fan comforted her and reached out to gently touch her little head. "Yeah." Feeling the warmth of his big hand, Mu Qingyao blushed and looked at Xiao Fan with watery eyes. She didn''t know why, but even though she knew there was chaos outside, she still felt at ease inside. There was a man at home; it felt safe. Gululu~~ At this moment, Xiao Fan''s stomach gave a low growl. Hearing this sound, Mu Qingyao teased playfully, "Listen to that, Brother Xiao, are you hungry too? I''ll cook for you." Then she ran to the kitchen and got busy. "I''m here to help you too." Xiao Fan walked over. "No, the kitchen is a woman''s place; you''re not allowed to come." Mu Qingyao playfully pushed Xiao Fan out of the kitchen. After a while, she was busy lighting the fire and cooking. Under the sunlight, her delicate and pure face, along with her graceful figure, looked particularly enchanting. Seeing Mu Qingyao bustling about, Xiao Fan felt very emotional. In his previous life, he probably would never have been able to marry such a woman. It didn''t take long for Mu Qingyao to finish her work. On the black wooden table, there was a cooked snakehead, steaming and fragrant. Aside from that, there were only wild vegetables and sorghum flour cakes; nothing more. Fortunately, this was a fisherman''s house, so eating fish was relatively easy. If they were farmers, they would likely only eat some wild vegetables and flour, which would be quite sparse. "As expected, it''s not very delicious." Xiao Fan took a bite. Apart from the snakehead, the other dishes were a bit hard to swallow. Even though Mu Qingyao''s cooking skills were exceptional, if the ingredients weren''t good, it wouldn''t matter how well they were made. The wild vegetables were a bit choking and tasteless¡ªjust enough to keep him from starving. For someone who came from a world of abundance, it was indeed uncomfortable. When had he ever eaten such poor-quality food? In his previous life, this would have typically been used to feed chickens. But in this era, that was the staple diet for ordinary people. Despite this, humans are incredibly adaptable creatures. A few days after awakening to his past memories, he had become accustomed to this food. After all, there''s nothing he can do if he is not used to it. This was the food of the poor. If he didn''t eat it, he''d starve. ... Time flew, and soon it was late at night, nearing the third watch. Mu Qingyao was already asleep. The whole of Osmanthus Village was silent, except for the occasional chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves. It was so dark everywhere that one couldn''t see their fingers in front of them. After all, there were no light bulbs in this era, and the poor couldn''t afford candles. Everyone typically went to bed by 7 p.m. At this time, Xiao Fan got up, picked up the iron shovel, and carefully walked out of the house. Following the instructions from the point of light in the depths of his consciousness, he arrived about a hundred meters from the entrance of Osmanthus Village and quickly found the osmanthus tree. However, this osmanthus tree looked no different from the others, and there was nothing suspicious about it. He held the shovel in his hand and began to dig into the soil beneath it. After a while, Xiao Fan''s iron shovel hit something hard beneath the ground. "Is there really a treasure?" Xiao Fan was immediately overjoyed. Initially, he had some doubts about the message from his consciousness, but now that he had found something, it confirmed that it was indeed true. With this in mind, he dug into the soil vigorously. In just a few breaths, he unearthed an ancient wooden box from beneath the dirt. Originally, the wooden box had a lock on it, but it had long since rusted from age. With just a gentle pull, the lock came off easily. Then he couldn''t wait to open the ancient wooden box. "No way, there is actually money in here? A full twenty taels of silver!" Xiao Fan saw the silver in the wooden box for the first time and was absolutely ecstatic. He knew what twenty taels of silver represented; it was a huge sum. A fishing family wouldn''t know how many years it would take to accumulate twenty taels. If it were just for food, drink, and basic necessities, twenty taels of silver would cover expenses for two or three years, eliminating the need for him to fish at all. If this little fortune were discovered by others, it was hard to say how much evil it could cause. It could even lead to death, as that was not impossible. Originally, he had been thinking about how to make money, but these twenty taels of silver could solve his urgent needs right away. "Huh? There''s another book here?" Xiao Fan took the twenty taels of silver and noticed a book in the wooden box. Perhaps this was the real treasure; the silver coins were just a bonus. --- PS: Read +20 advance chapters on my Patreon: [patreon.com/Thebeginning331] Chapter 5 Chapter 5: Soaring Snake Technique "This..." After just flipping through it, Xiao Fan was instantly confused because he couldn''t understand it at all. To him, the words inside were like ghostly drawings. In his previous life, he had a bachelor''s degree and was a teacher in education and training. He usually taught and educated people. But in this world, he had become illiterate. He could only read his own name. He couldn''t blame himself. In this world, how could the poor have the opportunity to learn to read? Only high-ranking officials and children from aristocratic families had the chance to learn writing. As for low-level professions like farmers and fishermen, just feeding themselves was exhausting. Even if they wanted to learn how to read, they couldn''t find a way. Layers of obstacles kept poor people trapped in poverty throughout their lives. There was no path to advance. Boom~~ At this moment, Xiao Fan unconsciously tapped the book with his hand, and a ball of golden light emerged from his body, instantly surrounding the book. The next second, the countless words and patterns in this book seemed to come alive, sinking into the depths of his consciousness, and then the book turned to ashes. Then he felt a golden light spot appear in the depths of his consciousness, which he tapped lightly. Suddenly, a curtain of light appeared in front of him. ¡ª [Name: Xiao Fan] [Fate: Great blessings all over the sky] [Effect: If you survive a catastrophe, you will be blessed] [Lifespan: 48] [Luck points: 100] [Kung Fu (Cultivation Method): Soaring Snake Technique (Incomplete), entry level (+)] [Skill: Fishing (Entry level (+))] [Realm: None] ¡ª Seeing these messages, Xiao Fan instantly understood that this ability came with his destiny and could help him better understand his current situation. "I can only live to be forty-eight years old?" Xiao Fan was speechless. Although he may not die young, he had anticipated living to seventy or eighty. But now it seemed he had overestimated his physical condition. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. As a son of a fisherman, he had been malnourished since childhood. He lacked sufficient food, warm clothing, and was exposed to wind and rain. He had no idea how many hidden dangers lingered in his body. It was just that he is still young, and these hidden dangers had not yet manifested fully. His parents were like this; they became ill from overwork and then died. If the situation continued like this, he might also follow in the footsteps of his parents. "If I want to solve this problem, I probably need to practice martial arts." Xiao Fan clenched his fists. There was no doubt that this martial arts technique, "Soaring Snake Technique," was his greatest gain. It was one of the top martial arts techniques in the world. The Soaring Snake is a legendary mythical beast that can soar high into the clouds and ride through the mist, omnipotent. This martial arts technique was created by imitating the Soaring Snake. Once perfected, the power of this technique would be unfathomable and astonishing. It was just that this technique was incomplete. If it were a complete technique, it was not just an eighth-grade opportunity. "This technique is so precious." Xiao Fan was very excited. He knew how valuable martial arts skills were in this world. Only wealthy families and martial arts schools could master them. Even if ordinary people wanted to learn, it was nearly impossible. Even if you managed to join a martial arts school, you had to spend a fortune, work for the master, and be loyal for over ten years or even decades to gain a semblance of true inheritance. Joining a big family meant working as a servant to learn martial arts skills. The existence of martial arts severely limited the possibilities for countless ordinary people to advance further. If this technique were to be leaked, it would undoubtedly cause a massive disaster, making it impossible for him to keep it a secret. Fortunately, the mysterious power he had just used turned this secret book to ashes. In this way, no one could find this technique but himself. And he gained such enlightenment that he instantly learned the written language of this world. Although he was not very proficient, he was no longer illiterate. "Now I have two abilities that can be improved." "One is the Soaring Snake Technique, and the other is my fishing skill." "And there are + signs next to them, which means I can spend my luck points to improve them." "So this is the function of luck points?" Xiao Fan clenched his fists. Now he finally understood the role of Luck Points: consuming them could improve the level of his skills and enhance his own capabilities. It could be said to hold endless mysteries. Others need to work hard to improve, while he only needed to spend Luck Points. This effect was truly incredible. After all, his destiny was full of blessings; he lacked everything except luck. "But luck is not so easy to obtain." The so-called survival during calamity meant that only by surviving could he gain luck. "If I can''t make it through, I might die." "But if I can get through it, I will obtain luck and opportunities." "I am in chaotic times now, and disasters are everywhere." Xiao Fan thought that the way for him to gain luck points was very simple: living quietly was enough. This was indeed difficult for ordinary people in this world. Simply surviving was a formidable task. "In other words, as long as I keep a low profile and stay cautious, I can naturally survive many disasters and gain luck points." "Then I will use the mysterious energy of the luck points to enhance my own strength." "I survived the Dragon King before. I got a hundred luck points from one of their gang''s killings." "These luck points could improve many of my abilities." Xiao Fan contemplated how to enhance his abilities. Improving his fishing skills would enable him to catch more fish, thus earning more money and allowing him to become a respected fisherman in Osmanthus Village. If he could catch precious fish, he wouldn''t have to worry about food. But after seeing what happened today, he realized that in troubled times, power was of the utmost importance. So what if he became the strongest fisherman? He would still be exploited by the Dragon King Gang. Even the fish he worked so hard to catch could end up being someone else''s windfall. If he had absolute strength, how could the Dragon King Gang dare to treat him harshly?! Once his opponents dared to attack him, he could strike back and defeat them. But without strength, one could only submit, bow their head, and grovel. Therefore, he had only one choice from the start: to enhance his martial power. "In this case, there is nothing more to discuss." "Let''s get started with the Soaring Snake Technique." Xiao Fan took a deep breath and clicked the + sign next to the Soaring Snake Technique. Suddenly, all the luck points disappeared in an instant, and the hundred luck points were completely consumed. --- PS: Read +20 advance chapters on my Patreon: [patreon.com/Thebeginning331] Chapter 6 Chapter 6: Skin Tempering Realm Warrior Boom~~ In an instant, Xiao Fan felt a mysterious airflow coming from the depths of his consciousness, containing incredible energy that quickly spread to every inch of his skin. There seemed to be snake-shaped air currents swimming in every corner of his body. With every breath, his skin became smoother and tougher. One breath, one breath, one breath, one breath... This was the Soaring Snake Breathing Method recorded in the Soaring Snake Technique. Through the power of breathing, he could temper his body and achieve further evolution. Under the influence of this mysterious power, Xiao Fan entered a state of enlightenment. The top martial arts techniques that were originally difficult to understand now became clear to him in an instant. Strands of mysterious energy spread throughout the space under the influence of the breathing method. At this moment, Xiao Fan''s body seemed to be wrapped in a large white cloud, as though he was soaring into the heavens. These clouds also entered and exited his nostrils, mouth, and every pore of his body. It was as if he had transformed into an immortal. The sweet-scented osmanthus tree was also surrounded by clouds and mist. Fortunately, it was the third watch of the night, and all was quiet. There was no one around, except for the sounds of insects and the occasional bird. Otherwise, such a significant disturbance would surely attract the attention of the villagers. Xiao Fan didn''t know how long it lasted, but eventually, this vision came to an end, and he returned to a normal state. "Is this how I get started with the Soaring Snake Technique?" Xiao Fan looked at the panel on his body. ¡ª [Name: Xiao Fan] [Fate: Great blessings all over the sky] [Effect: If you survive a catastrophe, you will be blessed] [Lifespan: 60] [Luck Points: 0] [Cultivation Method: Soaring Snake Technique (incomplete), Level 1] [Skill: Fishing (entry level)] [Realm: Skin Tempering Realm (53%)] ¡ª "Haha, I really made a breakthrough! Now I have become a Skin Tempering Realm warrior." Xiao Fan clenched his fists, feeling very excited. He immediately noticed that the skin on his body had undergone earth-shaking changes. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Originally, due to sun exposure, rain, and years of hard work, his skin was dry and covered with scars, causing him to appear much older than his age. At only seventeen or eighteen years old, he looked as though he were twenty-seven or thirty. This was characteristic of all fishermen; they matured early and aged quickly. But now, after becoming a Skin Tempering Realm warrior, he felt as though he had shed his old skin. The skin all over his body was smooth, and the scars had completely vanished. More importantly, his skin had become incredibly tough, capable of withstanding knife and stick attacks. "The rumored skin-tempered warriors have skin as tough as cowhide and a strong resistance to blows." "Ordinary people''s fists cannot inflict much damage on them." "This special skin allows warriors to reduce a lot of damage." "Even some powerful skin-tempering warriors can withstand assaults from swords and sticks." "Even against the attacks of dozens of people, they can remain unscathed." Xiao Fan also understood why the Dragon King Gang was so fearless; they were all warriors. Even with only two or three members, dozens or hundreds of villagers from Osmanthus Village were no match for them. This represented an entirely qualitative change and improvement. However, martial arts techniques are also classified into low, medium, high, and top levels. If a martial arts technique is low-level, then the range of skin tempering won''t cover the entire body, but only certain limbs. It requires top martial arts techniques for skin tempering to encompass every part of the body. Regrettably, such top-notch martial arts techniques are extremely rare and can be counted on one hand. The Soaring Snake Technique is one of these top martial arts techniques. Its skin tempering range includes every corner of the body, allowing the warrior''s skin to undergo multiple transformations¡ªmuch like a soaring snake shedding its skin. "Now my strength is truly formidable." "One punch can exert at least three hundred kilograms of force." Xiao Fan clenched his fist, feeling that every part of his body was brimming with power. Although, as a son of a fisherman, he had worked hard every day, accumulating strength, he still fell short compared to a true warrior. Moreover, due to overwork, he had many hidden injuries and was susceptible to fatigue. But now, after learning the Soaring Snake Technique, his physical condition had improved tremendously. All the hidden injuries disappeared, and he felt incredibly energetic. It was precisely because of this that his lifespan had increased to sixty years. In other words, this improvement in cultivation had increased his life expectancy by twelve years. Although his one hundred luck points had been completely consumed, the results were well worth it. "It''s not just that my strength has improved." "My speed and explosive power have also increased significantly." Xiao Fan threw a punch, and his punching speed was more than twice as fast as before. Even though he was not proficient in any martial arts, relying purely on explosive power and speed meant that ordinary adult men could not compete with him. Even fellow Skin Tempering Realm warriors would struggle against him. After all, the Soaring Snake Technique is an top technique, allowing his body to be completely tempered. Other ordinary martial arts techniques lack such an effect. "I wonder what Zheng Wenbing''s strength is." Xiao Fan thought of Zheng Wenbing, the leader of the Dragon King Gang. He was undoubtedly a warrior, but he wasn''t sure whether Zheng Wenbing held a position in the Skin Tempering Realm or a higher realm. But now that his strength had greatly increased, even facing Zheng Wenbing wouldn''t frighten him as much. This confidence stemmed from his newfound strength. "It''s almost time; I need to head back." Xiao Fan glanced at the moon in the sky. If he lingered any longer, the villagers of Osmanthus Village might start rising, potentially discovering the situation and exposing his secrets. With this thought in mind, he hesitated, then waved the iron shovel in his hand, covering the original soil back in place. In no time, the area returned to its prior state. Even if someone looked closely, they would find no evidence of groundbreaking here. Then he took the wooden box and quickly returned home. Since it was already dark, no one noticed that Xiao Fan had been out. "This opportunity was truly fantastic." After returning home, his excitement finally settled, and he stored the wooden box away. The benefits derived from this eighth-grade opportunity were tremendous. Not only did he acquire twenty taels of silver, but he also received a top martial arts technique that provided him with the means to protect himself. There was hope for the days to come. --- PS: Read +20 advance chapters on my Patreon: [patreon.com/Thebeginning331] Chapter 7 Chapter 7: Money Can''t Be Revealed Early the next morning, the sun was shining brightly. After only three hours of sleep, Xiao Fan got up. Aside from being too excited to sleep, the most important reason was that he had mastered the Soaring Snake Technique and had become a Skin Tempering Realm warrior, which made him feel very energetic. Often, just a few hours of sleep could completely eliminate fatigue. At this time, Mu Qingyao also walked out of another room. She was wearing a thin skirt, standing pretty and charming under the gentle sunlight, her fair skin glistening like jade. She was only sixteen years old, but she had the allure of a mature woman. Her peach-like figure was simply mouth-watering. There was nothing she could do about it; she was simply talented. A truly naturally beautiful person, even in linen, could not help but exude charm and outshine others. "Brother Xiao, why are you up so early?" Mu Qingyao looked at Xiao Fan, a bit surprised. She had originally thought that Brother Xiao would sleep a little later today, especially after recovering from a serious illness, but she was surprised to see him up so early. "Isn''t there no rice at home?" "So, I got up early today and planned to go to Tonghe County to buy some food," Xiao Fan said, explaining his plans for the day. Originally, he didn''t want to go to Tonghe County. After all, it was a dozen or twenty miles from Osmanthus Village. For ordinary people, it would take at least two or three hours to get there, possibly a day for a round trip. And given the current chaotic situation, there might be thieves on the road. However, he had mastered the Soaring Snake Technique and become a Skin Tempering Realm warrior. As the saying goes, the talented are bold, so he figured it wouldn''t be a big problem to go to Tonghe County to buy some food. As long as he remained cautious, he should not encounter danger. After all, a Skin Tempering Realm warrior was considered a minor expert around here, while most people were just ordinary civilians. "It is true that there is no food at home." "But yesterday, we paid the dues, and there''s no money left at home," Mu Qingyao replied helplessly. Of course, she wanted to buy food, but without money, she couldn''t buy anything. "Who said there was no money?" "Look what this is." Xiao Fan smiled slightly, pulled out twenty taels of silver from his body, and handed it to Mu Qingyao. "What? This, this is twenty taels of silver?" "Brother Xiao, where did you get this from?" If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Seeing this, Mu Qingyao was completely confused; her beautiful eyes widened, and her heart raced. In more than ten years of her life, she had never seen such a large sum of money. Twenty taels of silver was enough for a family to live off for several years. Now to have it all at once was just too exaggerated. If this got out, who knows how many people in the village would be envious. It was even probable that various thieves would come to their home. "Don''t worry about it. I got it through legitimate means, so there won''t be any problems." "It''s a rare trip to Tonghe County. What do you want? If you want silk clothes, you can buy them too." Xiao Fan smiled. "No, money cannot be revealed." "Although I don''t know where you got all this money, if the people in the village find out, I''m afraid we won''t have any peace." "Others wear linen while I wear silk. Everyone would know that my brother is rich." "The gossip among the villagers is one thing. What I''m most afraid of is the bad guys from the Dragon King Gang." "If they know my brother is wealthy, they might come. Our family is enjoying the autumn breeze here," Mu Qingyao said seriously. As a girl, she naturally wanted to wear beautiful clothes. It was a pity that living in Osmanthus Village meant that was simply impossible. If you stand out, you will be targeted. There was once a family in Osmanthus Village that made fifteen taels of silver because they caught a treasure fish. The news spread quickly, and soon everyone in the village knew about it. That night, they were robbed, and in the chaos, five family members were killed. Their entire household was wiped out. What should have been a joyous occasion turned into a disaster. Sometimes suddenly getting rich might not be a blessing but the start of catastrophe. This incident left Mu Qingyao with lingering fears and created many shadows in her heart. "Well, you''re right. We need to keep a low profile." Upon hearing this, Xiao Fan nodded in agreement, realizing he almost ruined the matter. Although being generous to his wife was normal, sometimes it was better not to flaunt. Fortunately, Mu Qingyao reminded him in time; otherwise, he could have attracted unwanted trouble. In troubled times, no amount of caution was too much. Xiao Fan felt a warm glow in his heart. This child bride was indeed a virtuous wife. "But Brother Xiao, why not buy food from the fish farm instead of going to Tonghe County?" "The road to Tonghe County is too far." "And I''ve heard there might be thieves on the road." Mu Qingyao expressed concern for Xiao Fan''s safety on the journey. In fact, there is also a large market near Osmanthus Village¡ªthe Fish Farm. After fishermen from over a dozen nearby fishing villages catch fish, they bring them to sell at the fish farm. Of course, they sell not only fish but also a variety of grains, vegetables, and daily necessities. Many fishermen buy various daily essentials here. "The food at the fish farm is too expensive. It''s cheaper in Tonghe County." "And I need to buy a lot of food. It wouldn''t be suitable to purchase everything at the fish farm." Xiao Fan replied solemnly. It''s not that he didn''t want to go to the fish farm; rather, the fish farm was controlled by the Dragon King Gang, and everyone there was affiliated with them. What made things worse was that the prices for food and vegetables sold there were 20 to 30% higher than in Tonghe County. It was as if the Dragon King Gang was taking advantage of everyone, from birth to death. Yet nearby fishermen had no choice but to buy from the fish farm. After all, the fish farm was very close to the village, while Tonghe County was too far. If they encountered gangsters on the road, everything could be ruined. For safety''s sake, most fishermen would rather buy food at the fish farm and endure the exploitation from the Dragon King Gang. But he didn''t want to put up with that any longer. Xiao Fan would rather head to Tonghe County than be exploited by the Dragon King Gang. He refused to let them take another penny from him. "Rest assured, you don''t need to worry about my safety. I''m already a warrior," Xiao Fan stated straightforwardly. Although becoming a warrior was a secret, Mu Qingyao was his wife, living with him day and night. It would be impossible for her not to notice changes in him. It was better to confess than to have the truth exposed later. He also trusted Mu Qingyao because they shared a life together. Moreover, she wasn''t the type to gossip; she was someone who could keep a secret. So, he spoke plainly to reassure her. "What? My brother became a warrior?" Mu Qingyao''s beautiful eyes widened as she looked at Xiao Fan in disbelief. Though she lived in Osmanthus Village, she understood what warriors represented. After all, the Dragon King Gang was so brazen, relying solely on the might of warriors. It was easy to imagine how difficult it was to become a martial artist. Several people in Osmanthus Village had entered martial arts schools to learn, but none achieved anything noteworthy because martial arts required talent. Without adequate talent, it was impossible to even start. So she wondered when the man in her family had become a warrior. --- PS: Read +20 advance chapters on my Patreon: [patreon.com/Thebeginning331] Chapter 9 Chapter 8: Tonghe County "Look." Xiao Fan didn''t waste any time. He went directly to the kitchen, took a kitchen knife, and slashed the skin of his arm. But it left only a white mark; he was unscathed. Seeing this scene, Mu Qingyao''s heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She almost thought her man was committing suicide. "As hard as cowhide, this is a warrior in the Skin Tempering Realm." "Brother, have you really become a warrior?" Mu Qingyao was surprised and delighted. She grabbed Xiao Fan''s arm, immediately scratching and squeezing it, feeling that the skin was as tough as cowhide. Ordinary swords fell upon it without leaving a mark. This is a unique characteristic of Skin Tempering Realm warriors: strength beyond that of ordinary people. "Yeah, don''t worry now." "But this is a secret. Don''t tell anyone else so as not to cause trouble." Xiao Fan reminded her. "Yes, I know." Mu Qingyao was overjoyed, her pretty face flushed, and her heart filled with joy. She never expected that her brother would become a warrior. The status of warriors in this world is incredibly high. Even warriors in the Skin Tempering Realm are considered superior to others. If his strength were exposed, it would be enough to inspire awe. If Uncle Meng''s family had warriors yesterday, how could Zheng Wenbing dare to take advantage of them? "Then I''m leaving." "Stay well at home and don''t go out unless necessary." "It''s been very chaotic lately," Xiao Fan warned. He was also concerned about what might happen to Mu Qingyao at home alone, so he reminded her to be careful. After all, he would not be home and didn''t know what might occur while he was in Tonghe County. "There''s a cellar at home." "If something happens, I''ll hide in the cellar as soon as possible." Mu Qingyao nodded. "That''s good." Xiao Fan knew that Mu Qingyao was a very cautious woman, so there shouldn''t be any significant problems. After saying these words, he took some silver and walked towards Tonghe County. ... In just an hour, Xiao Fan arrived in Tonghe County. Since he had been to Tonghe County with his father before, he was already familiar with the layout. Along the way, he passed through many barren mountains and ridges. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. He understood why the villagers of Osmanthus Village were reluctant to go to Tonghe County. There aren''t many people on this road, and mountains and dense vegetation surround it. If something goes wrong, the body could easily be left in the wilderness. Even if he asked for help, no one might come to save him. "I didn''t expect that the Soaring Snake Breathing Technique could actually enhance physical strength," Xiao Fan mused. After being promoted to the Skin Tempering Realm, he possessed incredibly strong physical strength. Even first-level athletes from his previous life couldn''t compare to him. He ran at full speed and soon covered a distance of twenty miles. After arriving in Tonghe County, his endurance was still high, and he could scarcely feel breathless. If it had been before, it would have taken him at least two or three hours to arrive, and he would have felt very tired. After paying the entrance fee, Xiao Fan entered Tonghe County with ease and was not stopped by the soldiers at the city gate. After all, someone like him, a poor-looking individual, wouldn''t appear to have much money. Even if he were pressed, it wouldn''t be worth squeezing out a few ounces of oil. "It seems that the victims from the north haven''t started to affect this place yet." Xiao Fan took a closer look at the situation in Tonghe County. Everything was still the same as before. The prices of various commodities had not yet started to rise, and they maintained a balanced state for the time being. But he knew this was just a temporary state. Once a large number of disaster victims arrived from afar, Tonghe County might fall completely into chaos. By then, let alone soaring prices, even those with money might struggle to buy food. The residents living here were unaware of these impending troubles, so they couldn''t imagine what was coming. But that was a good thing. It meant he still had time to prepare. Should chaos truly erupt, buying food would not be so easy. "Sure enough, I still have to go to Tonghe County to buy food." "The prices here are much cheaper than at the fish farm." Xiao Fan arrived at a market in Tonghe County, filled with various stalls and shops. Items like soybeans, cucumbers, and rice were priced more than 30% cheaper than at the fish farm, with some even 50% cheaper. Compared to the fish farm, the prices were practically a steal. It was clear how ruthlessly the Dragon King Gang exploited the fishermen. They wanted the fishermen to become the "moonlight tribe," leaving them with nothing. Thinking of this, he felt even more animosity toward the Dragon King Gang. This gang was a cancer in Yunmeng Lake. He couldn''t fathom how many fishermen were exploited by them and how many families were ruined. "I can''t buy too much food." "If I buy too much, it not only becomes hard to transport, but it will definitely attract attention." "I might even attract gangsters." "Buy a small amount of food at a time¡ªdozens of kilograms will suffice." "Then buy it every day, in small quantities and multiple times, and be cautious." "Spend most of the money and exchange it for food." Xiao Fan considered his plan, understanding that in the last years of the dynasty, money was the least valuable resource; food was the true currency. When people truly starve to death, money cannot be used as food. Besides, when stored properly, food could last more than two years, or even three. So he didn''t need to worry about the food he bought going bad. With this in mind, he began shopping in the market. ... But what Xiao Fan didn''t know was that a man in a black vest had accidentally spotted him. He was a member of the Dragon King Gang and one of Zheng Wenbing''s subordinates. "Huh? Isn''t this kid the poor fisherman from Osmanthus Village? He actually still has money to come to Tonghe County to buy food?" "It seems this kid lied last time. There may be a lot of money left at home." "These fishermen may look poor, but they could be hiding a lot of wealth." The man in the black vest''s eyes glinted with malice, and various evil plans began to form in his mind. Without hesitation, he turned left and right and soon arrived at Baihua Building in Tonghe County. Zheng Wenbing, the leader of the Dragon King Gang, was enjoying himself there. After all, he had collected a lot of money from Osmanthus Village and other places, taking the opportunity to loot along the way. The Meng family was just one of his many victims. Too many fishermen had been savaged by him. Now, after pocketing a large sum, he couldn''t wait to come to Tonghe County to indulge himself and enjoy the luxuries of life. In short, the money he collected basically funded his escapades with women. "Xiao Wu, why did you take so long? I''ve been waiting for you," Zheng Wenbing laughed as he spotted the man in the black vest. "Master Bing, you probably don''t know who I just saw." "Xiao Fan, the fisherman from Osmanthus Village, seems to have come to Tonghe County too." The man in the black vest quickly relayed what he had seen, adding that the boy was supposedly very wealthy and was buying a lot of food. "Damn it, I knew there was something off about that kid." "You''re right to point out that he took the initiative to hand over money. It seems he got rich after all." "If you hadn''t noticed this kid coming to Tonghe County, I would''ve been ensnared in his trap." "But this is a good thing. Fishermen generally don''t have much money; how can we make a fortune?" Zheng Wenbing sneered, his eyes gleaming with a hint of cruelty that sent shivers down the spine. --- PS: Read +20 advance chapters on my Patreon: [patreon.com/Thebeginning331] Chapter 10 Chapter 10: Revenge "You, you!" The strong man in the black vest widened his eyes, feeling severe pain coursing through his body¡ªpain he had never felt before. He stared at Xiao Fan in disbelief. The kid in front of him was just an ordinary fisherman, weak and easily bullied. He hadn''t taken him seriously before. He had originally thought he could bully him like he had before. But in the blink of an eye, the kid had stabbed him to death with a backhanded knife. He opened his mouth, intending to utter something. But the intense pain spread throughout his body, leaving him speechless. With a thud, his body hit the ground heavily, kicking up dust all around him. His eyes were wide open, appearing to stare death in the face. "What?!" Seeing this scene, Zheng Wenbing and two of his men''s pupils shrank. They had not expected such a rapid change. In an instant, one of their companions had been killed. The kid in front of them seemed to have transformed from a sheep into a hungry wolf; it was chilling. "Why are you forcing me?" "You are living well; why do you come here to die?" Xiao Fan held a sharp silver dagger in his hand, dripping with blood. He radiated a terrifying murderous aura, his eyes cold and emotionless, like a poisonous snake awaiting its prey. "Looking for death." The two men next to Zheng Wenbing were furious. They were not intimidated by Xiao Fan; instead, they were extremely annoyed. It was outrageous that a mere fisherman dared to kill one of their own. They pulled out sharp black knives from their bodies and rushed toward Xiao Fan, intent on chopping him to death. "Your speed is too slow." Xiao Fan regarded the two strong men indifferently. After practicing the Soaring Snake Technique, he found that not only had his strength and speed improved, but his five senses had also sharpened remarkably, especially when faced with danger. In his view, the movements of these two men appeared to be in slow motion. Martial arts, at its core, is simply about speed and strength. As long as you master these two elements, you can achieve the strongest martial arts¡ªno need for all the extra flourishes. Whoosh! The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. In an instant, Xiao Fan stepped forward, dodging with ease, and effortlessly evaded the strikes of the two men. He slashed at the throats of both assailants. It was like killing a chicken¡ªlightly wiping the neck. Blood sprayed from their throats as if it were free. "Uh...uh..." The long black knives fell from the hands of the two strong men as they clutched their bleeding necks, desperately trying to stop the blood flow. Unfortunately, it was futile. They stared at Xiao Fan, terror-stricken, but due to the air leaking from their necks, they could not utter a sound before they fell to the ground, lifeless. "You are no ordinary person; you are a warrior." "A warrior in the Skin Tempering Realm." "When did you, a mere fisherman, learn martial arts?" Zheng Wenbing looked at his three loyal men in disbelief. In the blink of an eye, three of his men had been killed by this boy. This was clearly not something ordinary people could achieve. In other words, this kid was definitely practicing some kind of martial arts. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to possess such power and speed. "You talk too much." Xiao Fan ignored the two dead strong men and walked directly toward Zheng Wenbing. This time, it was a matter of life or death. His intuition told him that Zheng Wenbing was no match for him and he could definitely win. "It''s ridiculous! Do you still want to kill me?" "Although I don''t know where you learned your martial arts..." "But I am Zheng Wenbing, a Skin Tempering Realm warrior who has practiced Iron Sand Palm for more than ten years." "How can you¡ªa kid of 17 or 18¡ªcompare to me?" "Let me show you what a truly powerful warrior looks like." Zheng Wenbing sneered. He circulated the qi and blood in his body; his muscles swelled, and his hands appeared to be made of steel. Relying on the Iron Sand Palm, he had become a small leader of the Dragon King Gang. No one could fathom how many untouchables he had killed with his hands. Boom! In an instant, he lunged forward and slapped Xiao Fan with his palm. This strike was powerful, containing a hundred catties of force. If it struck an ordinary person, it would be enough to break bones and shatter lungs. His palms were his most powerful weapons. Whoosh! Xiao Fan suddenly moved, unleashing a terrifying explosive force. He kicked off the ground, bouncing away like a snake at an extreme speed. Before Zheng Wenbing could react, Xiao Fan appeared behind him and stabbed backward, the dagger effortlessly piercing through the hole in his back and directly into his heart. "Impossible." Zheng Wenbing lowered his head in disbelief, staring at his pierced chest. How could a fellow warrior in the Skin Tempering Realm experience such a colossal difference in strength and speed compared to the boy before him? It was simply on another level. At this moment, a sharp pain spread throughout his body, unlike anything he had felt before. "Help! Save me!" Zheng Wenbing raised his head, looking at Xiao Fan in horror, regret swirling in his gut. If he had known the man in front of him was so powerful, he wouldn''t have provoked him, even if it meant death. Who would have thought this fisherman, who had been bullied by others, could turn the tables and kill him with a mere backhand? But it was too late to say anything. Xiao Fan remained silent, merely observing his adversary. He understood clearly that Zheng Wenbing wasn''t begging for mercy; he was simply afraid of death. If the circumstances had been reversed, the attitude would have been different. Boom! With a final gasp, Zheng Wenbing collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide open, filled with endless remorse and unwillingness. He had never imagined that what began as an ordinary robbery would cost him his life. At that moment, all four members of the Dragon King Gang who attempted to rob and kill Xiao Fan lay dead on the ground. "I don''t feel fear or panic." "I''m just calm." "Is this the effect of the Soaring Snake Technique?" Xiao Fan felt very calm. As he executed the Soaring Snake Breathing Technique, he had entered an incredibly tranquil state¡ªlike a snake preying on its victim. This state was why he could remain composed during the battle and find openings to deliver decisive blows. Even after killing the enemy, he felt no remorse, as if he had merely hunted prey. He couldn''t discern whether this was a good or a bad thing. Yet, thanks to this state of mind, he had succeeded in eliminating the four Dragon King Gang members. So surviving was only natural. To be honest, in this dangerous world, one must be ruthless to live a better life. There are indeed people with good intentions, but most of the time, they all end up perishing. --- PS: Read +20 advance chapters on my Patreon: [patreon.com/Thebeginning331] Chapter 11 **Chapter 11: God is Good, Another Eighth-Grade Opportunity** "No way, these guys actually have so much money on them?" "A full thirty-five taels of silver." Xiao Fan stepped forward and searched the belongings left behind by Zheng Wenbing and the others, discovering a full thirty-five taels of silver¡ªa huge sum of money. Even if they were members of the Dragon King Gang, it was impossible for them to earn such a large amount. There is no doubt that Zheng Wenbing and his companions must have plundered the wealth of the fishermen to acquire this money. It hadn''t been long since they had collected the money, so there were only thirty-five taels left. Had it been a while longer, according to their lavish spending habits, it would have been all spent long ago. "Get rich." Xiao Fan was very satisfied. If he used all the money to buy food, it would cover his and his wife''s living expenses for several years, and they would live relatively luxuriously. Even if he didn''t go fishing and just sat there eating nothing, he could still survive for a long time. He has to say that Zheng Wenbing and his crew have brought him great gains. No wonder there are so many people in this world who are willing to take risks. Once successful, the rewards are truly great. However, the risks involved are very high. If you encounter a tough problem, it can lead to a dead end. At this moment, a message came from the depths of his consciousness: "You spent countless hardships, fought to the death, defeated the strong with the weak, and killed four members of the Dragon King Gang. After surviving a killing calamity, you obtained an eighth-grade opportunity and one hundred and fifty luck points." Perceiving this message, Xiao Fan immediately knew that his fate was at work. After surviving this disaster, his luck had skyrocketed. "Is it an eighth-grade opportunity?" With a thought, Xiao Fan clicked on a chance spot in his sea of ??consciousness, and then a stream of information poured in. "Three days later, at noon, go to the reed area of ??Yunmeng Lake to obtain an eighth-grade opportunity." Upon sensing this message, Xiao Fan immediately recognized the location. It was a lake near Osmanthus Village, full of reeds, but basically deserted. After all, there are very few fish in that area. The fishermen naturally don''t want to go to a place like that. They are busy making a living, so why would they bother? However, if he went to that location at noon three days later, he could actually obtain an eighth-grade opportunity, which made him very eager.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. The previous eighth-grade opportunity had benefited him greatly, and he was curious about what kind of opportunity this one would be. "Oops, a wolf is coming." At this moment, Xiao Fan''s expression changed as he heard the howling of wolves coming from the jungle in the distance. His heightened senses reminded him that he was in great danger, every pore on his body alert. He knew that many wild wolves lived in the nearby mountains and forests. Some fishermen passing through here occasionally encountered wolves and were eaten by them. If he were surrounded by wild wolves, he would be in serious trouble. Whoosh! Thinking of this, Xiao Fan did not hesitate. He took the thirty-five taels of silver from Zheng Wenbing, grabbed the food packed in sacks, and immediately ran toward Osmanthus Village. He didn''t even have time to deal with the corpses left behind. However, the sudden arrival of these wild wolves could be a blessing in disguise, as they might help him deal with the four corpses. In this way, he saved a lot of effort in disposing of the bodies and erasing any traces. After running for an hour, Xiao Fan finally saw the familiar houses of Osmanthus Village and breathed a sigh of relief. At least he would not encounter any danger upon returning here. Boom~~ At this time, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and heavy rain began to fall. The rain poured down, like water splashing, continuously washing the earth. Not long after Xiao Fan left, a dozen wild wolves emerged from the jungle. They caught the scent of blood and saw the four human corpses on the ground. Each wolf''s eyes glowed green as they rushed forward excitedly, biting fiercely, their jaws staining with blood. They regarded the flesh as today''s dinner. Simultaneously, heavy rain fell, washing away all traces on the ground. Whether it was footprints or blood, all disappeared without a trace under the deluge. It seemed as if a mysterious force had erased these traces. But Xiao Fan was unaware that such a thing had happened. He simply felt lucky. The moment it started pouring heavily was right after he returned to Osmanthus Village. If he had been a bit later, he might have been a drowned rat. ... Osmanthus Village, inside the Xiao family''s tiled-brick house. It was already evening now, with the sun setting in the west. Mu Qingyao had prepared the meal, and steaming food was placed on the table, but she hadn''t taken a single bite; instead, she stood up from time to time, looking out the window. Obviously, she was waiting for Xiao Fan to return. She knew that Xiao Fan was now a warrior in the Skin Tempering Realm, and his strength had greatly increased. But the outside world was chaotic; who knew what could happen? Every time he went out, it was essentially a risk. Before Xiao Fan arrived, she remained very worried, even feeling panicked. Dong dong dong!!! At this moment, there was a rhythmic knock at the door. The door had long been locked by Mu Qingyao. It could only be opened from the inside. "Who is it?" Mu Qingyao did not open the door but picked up the sharp silver kitchen knife in her hand, remaining vigilant. She knew that sometimes the person knocking might not be her own man; it could also be a stranger. If she opened the door hastily, who knew what could happen? Sometimes, some gangsters might pretend to be villagers to deceive individuals into opening the door. Once the door was opened, it might lead to disaster. "Yaoyao, it''s me." Xiao Fan''s voice came from outside. "Yes, brother." Hearing this, Mu Qingyao was immediately overjoyed. No matter how cautious she was, she still didn''t rush to open the door. Instead, she peered through the peephole of the wooden door. Then she saw Xiao Fan''s figure and the large bag of grain he was carrying, along with a lot of firewood, rice, oil, and salt bought from Tonghe County. Seeing this, she quickly opened the door, welcomed Xiao Fan in, and then hurriedly locked the wooden door. "It''s great that you''re finally back! Do you know how worried I''ve been about you?" "But why is there blood on you?" Mu Qingyao was overjoyed, but immediately noticed the blood staining Xiao Fan. This both surprised and concerned her; it was truly unbelievable. There was no doubt that this journey had not been as safe as imagined. "It''s okay, it''s just that I encountered some robbers on the road, and I killed them." Xiao Fan said lightly, without intending to elaborate on what had happened. After all, the matter of him killing Zheng Wenbing''s men was quite severe. If it were exposed, it would surely provoke the wrath of the Dragon King Gang. Even though Mu Qingyao wouldn''t disclose it, knowing would still certainly cause her great worry. --- PS: Read +20 advance chapters on my Patreon: [patreon.com/Thebeginning331]