"What kind of martial art is this?"
Shen Yi opened his eyes, feeling as if he had broken through some kind of bottleneck.
A powerful force surged through his body, far exceeding the limits of a normal human.
The Demon-Slaying Saber Technique and the Cloud-Parting Long Fist he had practiced before were already considered top-tier martial arts, created by the Demon-Suppression Bureau by compiling the best techniques from across the land.
After mastering them, he had gained the strength of an ox and the speed of a thunderbolt, which had left him in awe.
But this short, seventy-eight-character technique opened up a whole new world for him.
It gave him a sense of transcendence, as if he was on the verge of becoming something entirely new.
"It’s no longer about digging deep into the body’s potential, but using external forces to refine it."
"External forces are insufficient, so progress is slow?"
Shen Yi understood the principle but didn’t have a good solution.
During his earlier deductions, he had realized that the process of practicing martial arts was closely tied to his current state.
If he could consume a potent elixir rich in vital essence before practicing, he might be able to speed up his progress.
But where could he find such an elixir?
His previous self might have seemed impressive, but in reality, he was a gambler.
All the wealth he had extorted from the people, along with his salary, had been squandered in gambling dens.
He barely had enough money to last until the next payday.
Moreover, each deduction session cost him a year of his life.
Ordinary medicines would have little effect; only true treasures of heaven and earth would be useful.
"That gambling dog really deserves to die... I’ll think about it later if I get the chance."
Looking at his still abundant demon lifespan, Shen Yi felt confident and continued to pour his energy into the technique.
[Year 16: You exhaust all your vital essence, nurturing your bones.]
[Year 26: The medicinal power is insufficient, progress is slow...]
[Year 38: Half of your bones have been nurtured, but gathering vital essence from ordinary food yields minimal results.]
Shen Yi’s expression gradually changed, and a hint of tension appeared in his eyes.
[Year 52: After years of accumulation, the bone barrier is broken.
The first part of the Wind and Thunder Scripture has reached minor mastery.]
Only when these words appeared did Shen Yi realize he had been holding his breath for so long that he had forgotten to breathe.
But the rewards were substantial.
Not only had his body undergone a massive transformation, with his bones now as strong as gold and iron, but the sense of transcendence in his mind had also grown stronger, like a sweet honey that irresistibly drew him closer.
That mysterious realm was slowly revealing itself to him.
Gritting his teeth, Shen Yi decided to go all in.
[Year 89: You’ve grown accustomed to slowly accumulating vital essence, year after year, day after day.
Your skill in nurturing your body with vital essence has improved.]
[Year 106: One morning, you suddenly notice a change in your skin, but you feel no surprise, as if it’s only natural.
The first part of the Wind and Thunder Scripture has reached major mastery.]
This time, Shen Yi didn’t even pause.
He felt he was getting closer and closer to that realm.
Numbly, he continued to pour his demon lifespan into the technique.
Only one barrier remained for his muscles, bones, and flesh.
[Year 182: As usual, you cook your meal and take a bite, but it tastes bland.
You suddenly feel that there’s something far more delicious in the world.]
[That thing is everywhere, yet elusive.]
[You look down at yourself and suddenly understand.
Transcendence means that even the juiciest duck leg in your hand has become a mundane object.]
[After over a century of nurturing, your body has become the perfect vessel for that elusive thing...
The first part of the Wind and Thunder Scripture has reached perfection.]
Shen Yi closed his eyes.
That realm seemed within reach, just one step away.
The Initial Realm represented a new beginning, a chance to live again in this world in a completely different form.
But now, that final step seemed impossible to take.
Because the seventy-eight-character mantra ended right here.
A surge of anger rose in Shen Yi’s heart.
Why didn’t you finish it?! What kind of half-baked technique is this? What am I supposed to do after reaching the peak of mortal form?
He abruptly stood up, but as soon as he tried to take a step, his expression changed.
The transformation he had experienced after mastering the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique paled in comparison to what he felt now.
Shen Yi even felt a bit lost.
Just lifting his hand slightly felt like he could easily overturn the small wooden hut.
Then, like a person waking from a coma, he slowly began to move, as if relearning how to use his body.
Just then, Chen Ji’s voice called from outside: "Time to eat."
The aroma of steamed rice wafted from the room.
Shen Yi frowned, two conflicting emotions battling in his mind: one was his habitual craving for food, while the other was a lack of appetite.
In the end, the former won.
Shen Yi quickly stepped out of the room.
The living space was indeed cramped.
Usually, the siblings would cook their meals and eat them slowly in their rooms.
But today, with an extra person, Chen Ji had dug out a small table and set it up in the tiny open area.
Shen Yi watched as Chen Ji brought the food into the room and closed the door behind Chen Jinyu.
He couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless.
"I’m really not that kind of person."
"It’s not about you. She’s used to being alone."
Chen Ji silently squatted by the table, serving Shen Yi’s rice and wiping his chopsticks.
As they spoke, the wooden door creaked open slightly, revealing Chen Jinyu’s curious eyes peeking out.
"..."
Shen Yi pursed his lips.
"..."
Chen Ji paused briefly while serving the rice, then sighed.
"If you want to come out, just come out."
Chen Jinyu pushed the door open, holding her bowl, and squatted by the table.
She shyly smiled, her quiet demeanor tinged with a hint of sweetness.
She always listened to her brother, not wanting to add to his already heavy burdens.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t have her own thoughts.
For instance, today, her brother’s actions would surely create a rift with his superior.
If it were truly to guard against a flower thief, that would be one thing.
But in Chen Jinyu’s eyes, someone who had noticed the slight disappointment in the eyes of other girls when her brother helped her up in the tea garden, and who had temporarily taken on the role of their brother, couldn’t be that bad.
Thinking this, she curiously glanced at Shen Yi, just as his gaze met hers.
The two of them smiled at each other.
"Crunch."
Chen Ji clenched his chopsticks, forcing a smile as he glared at Shen Yi.
You scoundrel! What kind of person are you? Huh? What kind of person are you?
"Let’s eat," Shen Yi said, retracting his gaze, feeling somewhat helpless.
With only one year of lifespan left, how could he afford to entertain such thoughts? He was just in a good mood after mastering the Wind and Thunder Scripture, and he found the girl’s thoughtful yet seemingly innocent demeanor amusing.
Even if he were lucky enough to extend his lifespan in the future, if he were to find someone—or several someones—he would prefer those with fuller figures, slightly older, with less innocence and more allure in their eyes.
At this thought, Shen Yi suddenly realized something.
Wait...
Refining the body with vital essence, reaching the peak of mortal form!
Doesn’t this extend lifespan? Even practicing Tai Chi in the park can add a couple of years to your life.
In the next moment, the information he had overlooked in his obsession with the Initial Realm slowly surfaced.
[Remaining lifespan: 21 years.]
...
(End of Chapter)