Scrape | 28 |
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Id | 2,622 |
Active | 1 |
Created Epoch | 1,740,355,206 |
Modified Epoch | 1,740,521,877 |
Scrape Epoch | 1,740,355,682 |
Created | 2/23/25, 6:00 PM |
Modified | 2/25/25, 4:17 PM |
Status | completed |
Notes | |
Dataset External No | 2622 |
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2688926 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 5/3/25, 12:10 PM | 1740356642 | 1746292253 | 2622 | nordastro.com | Learn more | IMAGE | #1 Personalized Astrology Book | https://nordastro.com/start?qz=na1&locale=EN_US | 3.8747147444381E+14 | Nordastro | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465440445_2332225843783298_3175356712100923524_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7J0PTd-l4z4Q7kNvgGv7J_l&_nc_oc=Adjt00k4v8F_zWaoW_OeKlEG3a5vlA-MDzRM4tkeqQUV0_0RrjltClB2CPL5VAC0iWiKCOCKYCb_nyUW13HJcHwT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AO7771RSA_XvRC_pkvh33gZ&oh=00_AYBO--hzkigLTHT6qV_wfLkUiqsyfIR9naFWJfl5JlSytQ&oe=67C18410 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | đŽ By completing the QUIZ, you will receive your personalized analysis, which includes: â The zodiac sign and personality type of the partner you will marry đşď¸ Your life path prognosis đ¸ Career & success guidance to attract money â Personalized birth chart analysis | Nordastro | 11876 | https://www.facebook.com/61562597241042/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688959 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 5/3/25, 12:27 PM | 1740356657 | 1746293233 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481199351_631294252817386_4033312216335900596_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z4a_9_KHr-wQ7kNvgGcSM9S&_nc_oc=AdjLiRglnQ8j5KU6ZqgwkryP_kAngsQMKKFMBC_2itSI6bMOsikq2xCkga6HJuZB2jkJAv6-RVq1HIzzXR7y_mzM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYBZ8SxXeucWMmCUm4NSbKFDwhC7uMwoW3QEJ_PQ67uWPA&oe=67C175DD | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688941 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/4/25, 1:07 AM | 1740356648 | 1749017269 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481197891_599357726350638_8785317293523010049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OWOmFDETKjkQ7kNvgGJ0lN3&_nc_oc=Adgc6RKAEhHlcBK5opbFKpn2YprPZostu3ghQwdy1NShEUEMXRhOZzL7lN8kNdmFdgaBKmOZCCwhnbg_KiNq_DEV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYBmMpzSXAWWp3luCeXeM6XkjwBZrPzGQvmulF3d212JEg&oe=67C184EC | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688942 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 4/22/25, 2:20 AM | 1740356648 | 1745306454 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480609696_8687179541381829_694386605723478742_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jNBsjs-1ZI4Q7kNvgF5kpMt&_nc_oc=Adix_2QFS7Qkzrp9MkMe3oDKdptvWlso8zXnHiD3hQkXmSoN2Shjz4i0xHy3guOfUYVA6hnqYhEJofI5ZyB_qZVW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYDHfJog_58sqJkskaZqsA9jN4F3JcLCAeC8cyv3oWe78g&oe=67C18BA0 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688957 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/5/25, 4:57 PM | 1740356657 | 1749160642 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480821963_630001846418909_5961892519665995438_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8w9BGfGV7yUQ7kNvgF_fYQh&_nc_oc=AdhZUWv3PUyy4yU-oIGR-Q9Ft7cx4QbsLrgFZjF7a1D_Lt6tm_C5afi4mlfVbBM0jzsUON3w2tP10xCzfN0VbMnB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYDde0waO1n1-yvOvpT3AvKR9ByIemDvzS5cm2F0usGDKA&oe=67C18A34 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688928 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 5/3/25, 9:16 PM | 1740356642 | 1746324978 | 2622 | mypetcanvas.com | Shop Now | DCO | Transform Your Pet's Photo into Vibrant Art! | Trusted by Over 12K Pet Parents | https://mypetcanvas.com/products/basquiat-canvas | 1.0388033180679E+14 | My Pet Canvas | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453017146_422292733458631_8129222518644715058_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DMhpmzWAbHoQ7kNvgH-0oQT&_nc_oc=AdgP8StP02nenG9-tDOio3O1MZjUy2vA5RwNJJ0dghH-488wjVs4hQaGthniddcRo0PK4043QlQuUDZBIvmYijEa&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AO7771RSA_XvRC_pkvh33gZ&oh=00_AYCpRLSY0cTHnQt0vOkDWt0-5X71muPiCH0amdS48R8mUQ&oe=67C19124 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | đś Surprise your loved ones with a personalized portrait of their furry friend! Each canvas is a unique work of art, created with love and attention to detail. Order now at mypetcanvas.com | My Pet Canvas | 1540 | https://www.facebook.com/mypet.canvas.official/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688935 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/13/25, 7:06 AM | 1740356647 | 1749816395 | 2622 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đAttention! Do not read in publicďźđ | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16865&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.1900405462262E+14 | Galaxy in the Story | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473253369_571657389039356_7312257920811038889_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=odbv9NoRMOkQ7kNvgHXlh8L&_nc_oc=AdjKymQ7YigA6yi1mm91jcAbtIEM3K114M0fd6H0R5LHjwF8ICTGRBlU-A5fcEO--LZQTyXov8in5qGN_yiPmBIo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYDfRKZODoSBMU0NagY0hh4w-eve7v9TyYJ_W0VgHKKU4w&oe=67C178CF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Killian arrived late after my grandmother's funeral because he needed to be there for his first love. He looked like he ran in his wolf form. His hair is a mess, and his tie is not even tied properly. He was breathing so fast that he couldnât even speak. My face turned blank as I locked gazes with him. âAstrid, I couldnât leave early because I had something I needed to take care of.â My fists balled up at my sides as I narrowed my eyes at him. âWas there anything else more important than to be on your mateâs side at the time that she needed you the most?â I shot back at him. His eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment, a shadow of remorse flickered across his gaze âIf only you hadnât stopped me that night, I would have still met my grandma while she was still alive.â Killianâs grip on the bouquet tightened when he heard my words. âI had no idea Iââ âI kept telling you that my grandmother needed me!â I yelled, interrupting him from his words. âAll you cared about is Giselle who is pre9nant with your child.â I blurted out finally releasing all the emotions that I have buried down long enough. Killian could not say a word. My heart which has always been heavy, felt lighter than it was after I finally told him the things that Iâve been wanting to tell him. I glanced at him in surprise when he suddenly crouched down and placed the bouquet of flowers that he brought on the ground where my grandmother had just been buried. âI only came here to pay my respects to your grandmother. Iâm sorry if I was late, that was out of my control,â Killian replied like he didnât just hear the rest of the words that I said. My breath turned shallow and my heart burned more in anger at his heartlessness. Unable to control myself anymore, I picked up the flowers and thrashed them on Killian until the flowers were all shredded into pieces. âYou are here to pay respect?!â I screamed at him. I threw what was left of the flowers to the ground. âIâm tired of this. If you canât give me respect, I should at least give myself some respect,â I spoke in a weak voice as I collected myself together. âLetâs just stop this joke and get a divorce,â I spoke firmly, looking at Killian directly in his eyes. | Galaxy in the Story | 2404 | https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688945 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/7/25, 1:55 AM | 1740356652 | 1749279315 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480612723_2561827867341487_7784398194269084821_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JGDUdGRriz8Q7kNvgHj32-9&_nc_oc=Adh1Vniq2uhNzR6_gkalh8laPNw-t5qHfHSwzpFwiVf2ovlY4gIuWUZ0PG2Ac4rr5jmsq5kBmFxIu_YoUu1lQR-o&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYDop_bqED1KMP5EwxBHE0NPhwN_38u4P9E5GDnjGfhTmg&oe=67C1A106 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688937 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/7/25, 2:24 AM | 1740356647 | 1749281055 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480740718_616696284314023_3396231536242328707_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-LjZUskAIWwQ7kNvgGKHSqq&_nc_oc=Adj1_Iq682G3dA8mQK-t_BoLeh96oqCN_2Ex39MonSueJ-IosC09qyHW2-CoYB3mRlgChVVyoZqRBjeaT7ksUZ-2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYC9qz8UNSGFF-Ucmi40RML9C_090Q3TetHhTCrJfU9Yxw&oe=67C1A729 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688929 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/7/25, 2:56 AM | 1740356642 | 1749282979 | 2622 | mypetcanvas.com | Shop Now | DCO | Transform Your Pet's Photo into Vibrant Art! | Trusted by Over 12K Pet Parents | https://mypetcanvas.com/products/basquiat-canvas | 1.0388033180679E+14 | My Pet Canvas | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453017146_422292733458631_8129222518644715058_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DMhpmzWAbHoQ7kNvgH-0oQT&_nc_oc=AdgP8StP02nenG9-tDOio3O1MZjUy2vA5RwNJJ0dghH-488wjVs4hQaGthniddcRo0PK4043QlQuUDZBIvmYijEa&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AO7771RSA_XvRC_pkvh33gZ&oh=00_AYCpRLSY0cTHnQt0vOkDWt0-5X71muPiCH0amdS48R8mUQ&oe=67C19124 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | đś Surprise your loved ones with a personalized portrait of their furry friend! Each canvas is a unique work of art, created with love and attention to detail. Order now at mypetcanvas.com | My Pet Canvas | 1540 | https://www.facebook.com/mypet.canvas.official/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688932 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/7/25, 1:19 AM | 1740356643 | 1749277171 | 2622 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đAttention! Do not read in publicďźđ | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16865&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.1900405462262E+14 | Galaxy in the Story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472231372_2275238336180260_790023172920814453_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8V5Ef9hFEMUQ7kNvgEZHLZp&_nc_oc=AdiMik-RFni_ih3eL2Jl7RQhn9D0qQa__sjAO-v_LrToU7CMt2zvzSn8rGJ5zHrTDmUaQ3B3Nlxm9a8d5PC8K91F&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYB3p7oPYFCBZEY_0PZtvHcRWLgRMuzwXuhrH7JRBwUnxg&oe=67C19057 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Killian arrived late after my grandmother's funeral because he needed to be there for his first love. He looked like he ran in his wolf form. His hair is a mess, and his tie is not even tied properly. He was breathing so fast that he couldnât even speak. My face turned blank as I locked gazes with him. âAstrid, I couldnât leave early because I had something I needed to take care of.â My fists balled up at my sides as I narrowed my eyes at him. âWas there anything else more important than to be on your mateâs side at the time that she needed you the most?â I shot back at him. His eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment, a shadow of remorse flickered across his gaze âIf only you hadnât stopped me that night, I would have still met my grandma while she was still alive.â Killianâs grip on the bouquet tightened when he heard my words. âI had no idea Iââ âI kept telling you that my grandmother needed me!â I yelled, interrupting him from his words. âAll you cared about is Giselle who is pre9nant with your child.â I blurted out finally releasing all the emotions that I have buried down long enough. Killian could not say a word. My heart which has always been heavy, felt lighter than it was after I finally told him the things that Iâve been wanting to tell him. I glanced at him in surprise when he suddenly crouched down and placed the bouquet of flowers that he brought on the ground where my grandmother had just been buried. âI only came here to pay my respects to your grandmother. Iâm sorry if I was late, that was out of my control,â Killian replied like he didnât just hear the rest of the words that I said. My breath turned shallow and my heart burned more in anger at his heartlessness. Unable to control myself anymore, I picked up the flowers and thrashed them on Killian until the flowers were all shredded into pieces. âYou are here to pay respect?!â I screamed at him. I threw what was left of the flowers to the ground. âIâm tired of this. If you canât give me respect, I should at least give myself some respect,â I spoke in a weak voice as I collected myself together. âLetâs just stop this joke and get a divorce,â I spoke firmly, looking at Killian directly in his eyes. | Galaxy in the Story | 2404 | https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688936 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 5/3/25, 2:11 AM | 1740356647 | 1746256285 | 2622 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đAttention! Do not read in publicďźđ | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16865&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.1900405462262E+14 | Galaxy in the Story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471412396_900119832336335_6739113221612760215_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0Y3-m3uPPvIQ7kNvgHfXdDu&_nc_oc=AdhLYTdUjOv60C0gkqPoOfSGCIy40NT9C8_bM1B2D-h8cnBJYW9phfs-_yhsRwvnKU9vz1LyJ4IkQCG6zKsgMXwN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYBKyUlSOHfuRensaVkXNYvuXBmfd-9D406AQ9_IBcInOw&oe=67C18EBB | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Killian arrived late after my grandmother's funeral because he needed to be there for his first love. He looked like he ran in his wolf form. His hair is a mess, and his tie is not even tied properly. He was breathing so fast that he couldnât even speak. My face turned blank as I locked gazes with him. âAstrid, I couldnât leave early because I had something I needed to take care of.â My fists balled up at my sides as I narrowed my eyes at him. âWas there anything else more important than to be on your mateâs side at the time that she needed you the most?â I shot back at him. His eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment, a shadow of remorse flickered across his gaze âIf only you hadnât stopped me that night, I would have still met my grandma while she was still alive.â Killianâs grip on the bouquet tightened when he heard my words. âI had no idea Iââ âI kept telling you that my grandmother needed me!â I yelled, interrupting him from his words. âAll you cared about is Giselle who is pre9nant with your child.â I blurted out finally releasing all the emotions that I have buried down long enough. Killian could not say a word. My heart which has always been heavy, felt lighter than it was after I finally told him the things that Iâve been wanting to tell him. I glanced at him in surprise when he suddenly crouched down and placed the bouquet of flowers that he brought on the ground where my grandmother had just been buried. âI only came here to pay my respects to your grandmother. Iâm sorry if I was late, that was out of my control,â Killian replied like he didnât just hear the rest of the words that I said. My breath turned shallow and my heart burned more in anger at his heartlessness. Unable to control myself anymore, I picked up the flowers and thrashed them on Killian until the flowers were all shredded into pieces. âYou are here to pay respect?!â I screamed at him. I threw what was left of the flowers to the ground. âIâm tired of this. If you canât give me respect, I should at least give myself some respect,â I spoke in a weak voice as I collected myself together. âLetâs just stop this joke and get a divorce,â I spoke firmly, looking at Killian directly in his eyes. | Galaxy in the Story | 2404 | https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688940 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/4/25, 6:37 PM | 1740356647 | 1749080259 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480515656_1142930803696547_6625194286995141648_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9rl1jlv9CMoQ7kNvgFCIHCf&_nc_oc=Adhuav4Xj7OXgCqgn3NRdm9kxKLEy1Uh7yfnGVAf-w72fCN49vyW4pnqu7Ppm9yE_vUEV-aCFwWOJBoOew1DpUeB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYD7rUYmd49ojKenN4eQdWH9TYq1uwu1URaCkgB6H2Wuxw&oe=67C18E44 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688943 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 4/14/25, 7:51 PM | 1740356651 | 1744678272 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481255492_618549764104055_3975758122070824789_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t6COV5mc9YsQ7kNvgG7JUgT&_nc_oc=AdgHDd_HTu5PoJiVT1_HO_Ylgnt4qVfxzdtB5XUedIXrrOdwZE7B_Y5_ebAlLhaEciuZWWb-1U8H67tkiz8sZf9W&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYDUBUvj8r4djk_Wos3vXwZiP6OMgua0q9QusJpnZ4TquA&oe=67C17794 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688930 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 7/2/25, 7:47 PM | 1740356642 | 1751503630 | 2622 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đAttention! Do not read in publicďźđ | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16865&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.1900405462262E+14 | Galaxy in the Story | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471436633_1111178080715589_6348095694429870959_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ehg12wXkE-MQ7kNvgEae5I2&_nc_oc=Adjszzwkt2_P0ZdSlcRdWr4rMvUGOr80xfwYQktSxBC0E8J2_GK-8L3fNQJE1sO3YJSu9YqcCTXJIp8NRQYRdOSd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AO7771RSA_XvRC_pkvh33gZ&oh=00_AYBu_jkUDezo2YU0j-TlnvcmMPOciqm3GcZk54VzE94plw&oe=67C18D53 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Killian arrived late after my grandmother's funeral because he needed to be there for his first love. He looked like he ran in his wolf form. His hair is a mess, and his tie is not even tied properly. He was breathing so fast that he couldnât even speak. My face turned blank as I locked gazes with him. âAstrid, I couldnât leave early because I had something I needed to take care of.â My fists balled up at my sides as I narrowed my eyes at him. âWas there anything else more important than to be on your mateâs side at the time that she needed you the most?â I shot back at him. His eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment, a shadow of remorse flickered across his gaze âIf only you hadnât stopped me that night, I would have still met my grandma while she was still alive.â Killianâs grip on the bouquet tightened when he heard my words. âI had no idea Iââ âI kept telling you that my grandmother needed me!â I yelled, interrupting him from his words. âAll you cared about is Giselle who is pre9nant with your child.â I blurted out finally releasing all the emotions that I have buried down long enough. Killian could not say a word. My heart which has always been heavy, felt lighter than it was after I finally told him the things that Iâve been wanting to tell him. I glanced at him in surprise when he suddenly crouched down and placed the bouquet of flowers that he brought on the ground where my grandmother had just been buried. âI only came here to pay my respects to your grandmother. Iâm sorry if I was late, that was out of my control,â Killian replied like he didnât just hear the rest of the words that I said. My breath turned shallow and my heart burned more in anger at his heartlessness. Unable to control myself anymore, I picked up the flowers and thrashed them on Killian until the flowers were all shredded into pieces. âYou are here to pay respect?!â I screamed at him. I threw what was left of the flowers to the ground. âIâm tired of this. If you canât give me respect, I should at least give myself some respect,â I spoke in a weak voice as I collected myself together. âLetâs just stop this joke and get a divorce,â I spoke firmly, looking at Killian directly in his eyes. | Galaxy in the Story | 2404 | https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688963 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/9/25, 5:19 PM | 1740356658 | 1749507598 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480519410_647037101217747_7420665019058208806_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8WlJfO_lMOcQ7kNvgGjxpux&_nc_oc=Adh3ZF3qR44yCOxf_jd5jbb5ph7eAcxQubtUBpFHxp3DP8L2qer2Ymi-VvMKCVt082rES-HvFgb5qrh6AvSvJYRw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYA3azgeAifOIlaAEt6PoK0w34hFw7mSXKhmKqVyBmnRXw&oe=67C18B9F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688953 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/9/25, 8:22 PM | 1740356656 | 1749518577 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481143739_9676070469109984_3061841539092490721_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-SmPCaIueDgQ7kNvgG7yM6i&_nc_oc=AdhsxpEFf81f-c2gISz0KLvF6BOPU-nzagJfwu3KdyHwpXHaIYVURWQiznk2ij3WkPfqZqp0junHS9qwA1xna55C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYBssMJ5DD6PaTtG06p3EajWhy12lAVol3jaOB3jZlRRGA&oe=67C19C8D | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688946 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/4/25, 8:09 PM | 1740356653 | 1749085760 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480779227_601395442803082_2806782107440290020_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fhKRa5IT8KAQ7kNvgF7TI7C&_nc_oc=AdhZilqOq-xdx8c6piwmuAkaU1_mYrwKrGSfcqdzxlvOMr_GZ-Al3HrNeJKZpDAeQOyyzU5DmgWMkbPRbsJmeCLD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYC3cmsgeo8X977w-Z9Yh2hJGh5q-98eLaOKbLOGhtsgKQ&oe=67C18A93 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688949 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/10/25, 9:24 AM | 1740356655 | 1749565477 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481141195_1193595008796882_8402466943886176548_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZpsG_VVsqAcQ7kNvgHooT3D&_nc_oc=AdgG9i1tQ7ohAwPGnDG3zY0wGKMz0feiqvkK4XAH9Cv_t9h53KXDFjpUk887FTfbsNM_NXfDwYdVnVm5Zevb4CEv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYCC_CB-fH6EQZgfBcmdzf6jMFCcz3CdD5qFoYb9QXzhuA&oe=67C1A975 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688938 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/10/25, 8:56 PM | 1740356647 | 1749606974 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480877836_1019591010217400_5771902006701101128_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xKk63CEFVBcQ7kNvgGWw4ZK&_nc_oc=AdiIJhpC4AcYU4xT9m87I23U9rC88gUaRwGA5lS53gSMHKviEqc4HveHRpbbGxh76QyQoBWdKzg8usqPyq5UBBUD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYDVwBjLAqlWcCzjXVuhQqgGfz0QpHwSShPr0CFtVRxQEw&oe=67C1A193 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688947 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/10/25, 8:45 PM | 1740356653 | 1749606322 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480914633_1139027400813280_3534583687860873754_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dfn0_D_ZzBcQ7kNvgFhuqnE&_nc_oc=AdgoxjUsXED8ISt8T4SsfbebaBWYUqn1aS7-a9-0EeFSmlZQ4rQ4A8FCIqwNBKA9-7DB7P8AgcpV7xkrpWCQKBuq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYCKSEIyJ-deajqATvQoisWEAVdC94JtK7fxussaYFxw2w&oe=67C17F6E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688961 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/12/25, 2:40 AM | 1740356657 | 1749714048 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480840238_1156946932799771_3080522547222437124_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qQQxJLL--RsQ7kNvgG-yhM0&_nc_oc=AdjyziAWbqzkQO7Uu4cXYsu7BFoI0WClFcLm-Eiso7BxIIiXjC6JapC_-1LrrPyQs2eYWaqUqqpW2aTVhCwM25ir&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYAwADalJnjO7ENrb5YjPMCxda-Robxkw6fmRn0TStuVSQ&oe=67C17608 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688934 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 4/20/25, 2:18 PM | 1740356647 | 1745176713 | 2622 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đAttention! Do not read in publicďźđ | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16865&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.1900405462262E+14 | Galaxy in the Story | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473569160_914229994248324_6519465248164593127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gHLoEx6Ca8oQ7kNvgHRmw6z&_nc_oc=AdgldCCk-81pmN8ZidWXO3s9OmH1fTZ2lx1McaT0XalqgJmURNsJdlghOJ8NLGbVXaA6Nvzs_zOy2QdNKo-2HB7L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYA8WKMEA35f7lZZ2h9dwtGvrYbqsMZgYrziwdV98LPI1w&oe=67C18C45 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Killian arrived late after my grandmother's funeral because he needed to be there for his first love. He looked like he ran in his wolf form. His hair is a mess, and his tie is not even tied properly. He was breathing so fast that he couldnât even speak. My face turned blank as I locked gazes with him. âAstrid, I couldnât leave early because I had something I needed to take care of.â My fists balled up at my sides as I narrowed my eyes at him. âWas there anything else more important than to be on your mateâs side at the time that she needed you the most?â I shot back at him. His eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment, a shadow of remorse flickered across his gaze âIf only you hadnât stopped me that night, I would have still met my grandma while she was still alive.â Killianâs grip on the bouquet tightened when he heard my words. âI had no idea Iââ âI kept telling you that my grandmother needed me!â I yelled, interrupting him from his words. âAll you cared about is Giselle who is pre9nant with your child.â I blurted out finally releasing all the emotions that I have buried down long enough. Killian could not say a word. My heart which has always been heavy, felt lighter than it was after I finally told him the things that Iâve been wanting to tell him. I glanced at him in surprise when he suddenly crouched down and placed the bouquet of flowers that he brought on the ground where my grandmother had just been buried. âI only came here to pay my respects to your grandmother. Iâm sorry if I was late, that was out of my control,â Killian replied like he didnât just hear the rest of the words that I said. My breath turned shallow and my heart burned more in anger at his heartlessness. Unable to control myself anymore, I picked up the flowers and thrashed them on Killian until the flowers were all shredded into pieces. âYou are here to pay respect?!â I screamed at him. I threw what was left of the flowers to the ground. âIâm tired of this. If you canât give me respect, I should at least give myself some respect,â I spoke in a weak voice as I collected myself together. âLetâs just stop this joke and get a divorce,â I spoke firmly, looking at Killian directly in his eyes. | Galaxy in the Story | 2404 | https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688950 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/7/25, 12:11 AM | 1740356655 | 1749273086 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481214945_929000405889733_2568925005619268255_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yr-Q_doFgkAQ7kNvgFrjM6J&_nc_oc=AdgHG81ZChovAhxfHKiGGMGzv8nZ6njIsQia0IMyaDv_BxoFWpUoZRJS07Glw1ZgLmEntfhcquFFvRHOzJVJBe7e&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYBMOJLIkp6HAMijDkmaS_ID8YFvtHg4UXMbO870SGuNlw&oe=67C18259 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688955 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 4/21/25, 11:27 AM | 1740356657 | 1745252870 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480593872_659775413386823_8051854733067749558_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ia-Ju5Vc_okQ7kNvgGwUl4L&_nc_oc=AdjSUYle39YyUzccBlETs6buDm1lwdbebrQsUJNvJQXq9Z5scavdLLjwT0Jt8sJzyMHyK5KJebErBjzXiHfs_Psa&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYDDCfTXwgfUAiBiSz2yJp9mfd8UsB89Yf4wMdXgM0cxOw&oe=67C18760 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688954 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/7/25, 3:07 AM | 1740356656 | 1749283660 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480785560_1693348214951519_561313873062933576_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8ukzBdCAhL0Q7kNvgFdH1X9&_nc_oc=Adh8-hJHOkwrAraBnN0woKW1nMTwnJ7ebJC-VxejG97NbDxOYdYFhfneAw7PzAZiUQk3M5XFd6Edm4TcQkOf7tkE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYBU87C8x9DAjTMTj2xYv_zV8pNymlAxlb9-5vMJ7XxlTw&oe=67C18755 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688933 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/12/25, 7:46 PM | 1740356643 | 1749775598 | 2622 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đAttention! Do not read in publicďźđ | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16865&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.1900405462262E+14 | Galaxy in the Story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471510284_1123968585334988_567416444404452472_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bUpm-8RpFmoQ7kNvgGvu-Bg&_nc_oc=AdjR3vQDzcEgJD0MkN42JpngOb4VeO3GPJlnnAWJZm5FuSO3MKVlcIZMrezqAr3JmyWBu_F0WGHRNkNkYSSTsQEI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYCDgyS760qJlzt2Sf17YQsuxfWNMtVZLr1E9CREyQYfcw&oe=67C1A952 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Killian arrived late after my grandmother's funeral because he needed to be there for his first love. He looked like he ran in his wolf form. His hair is a mess, and his tie is not even tied properly. He was breathing so fast that he couldnât even speak. My face turned blank as I locked gazes with him. âAstrid, I couldnât leave early because I had something I needed to take care of.â My fists balled up at my sides as I narrowed my eyes at him. âWas there anything else more important than to be on your mateâs side at the time that she needed you the most?â I shot back at him. His eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment, a shadow of remorse flickered across his gaze âIf only you hadnât stopped me that night, I would have still met my grandma while she was still alive.â Killianâs grip on the bouquet tightened when he heard my words. âI had no idea Iââ âI kept telling you that my grandmother needed me!â I yelled, interrupting him from his words. âAll you cared about is Giselle who is pre9nant with your child.â I blurted out finally releasing all the emotions that I have buried down long enough. Killian could not say a word. My heart which has always been heavy, felt lighter than it was after I finally told him the things that Iâve been wanting to tell him. I glanced at him in surprise when he suddenly crouched down and placed the bouquet of flowers that he brought on the ground where my grandmother had just been buried. âI only came here to pay my respects to your grandmother. Iâm sorry if I was late, that was out of my control,â Killian replied like he didnât just hear the rest of the words that I said. My breath turned shallow and my heart burned more in anger at his heartlessness. Unable to control myself anymore, I picked up the flowers and thrashed them on Killian until the flowers were all shredded into pieces. âYou are here to pay respect?!â I screamed at him. I threw what was left of the flowers to the ground. âIâm tired of this. If you canât give me respect, I should at least give myself some respect,â I spoke in a weak voice as I collected myself together. âLetâs just stop this joke and get a divorce,â I spoke firmly, looking at Killian directly in his eyes. | Galaxy in the Story | 2404 | https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688958 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 4/22/25, 1:01 AM | 1740356657 | 1745301667 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480789218_945714814372030_8299520241108094133_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CK2nodMZ2z4Q7kNvgEVO0Mm&_nc_oc=AdjcHsZ9PDmfktToM_gV5AmpyYhdnlQkoM0e4dXKdxolBJ9xDzu_fMS4fojWZqKe5hjsubNcjbxFWVVIxaKlNRoy&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYAWde3MxN-PpJzgRo-tao3TbMhW8VJbl9VBxeGTccGZyQ&oe=67C1881E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688931 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 4/22/25, 2:20 AM | 1740356642 | 1745306453 | 2622 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đAttention! Do not read in publicďźđ | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16865&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.1900405462262E+14 | Galaxy in the Story | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471436633_1111178080715589_6348095694429870959_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ehg12wXkE-MQ7kNvgEae5I2&_nc_oc=Adjszzwkt2_P0ZdSlcRdWr4rMvUGOr80xfwYQktSxBC0E8J2_GK-8L3fNQJE1sO3YJSu9YqcCTXJIp8NRQYRdOSd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AO7771RSA_XvRC_pkvh33gZ&oh=00_AYBu_jkUDezo2YU0j-TlnvcmMPOciqm3GcZk54VzE94plw&oe=67C18D53 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Killian arrived late after my grandmother's funeral because he needed to be there for his first love. He looked like he ran in his wolf form. His hair is a mess, and his tie is not even tied properly. He was breathing so fast that he couldnât even speak. My face turned blank as I locked gazes with him. âAstrid, I couldnât leave early because I had something I needed to take care of.â My fists balled up at my sides as I narrowed my eyes at him. âWas there anything else more important than to be on your mateâs side at the time that she needed you the most?â I shot back at him. His eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment, a shadow of remorse flickered across his gaze âIf only you hadnât stopped me that night, I would have still met my grandma while she was still alive.â Killianâs grip on the bouquet tightened when he heard my words. âI had no idea Iââ âI kept telling you that my grandmother needed me!â I yelled, interrupting him from his words. âAll you cared about is Giselle who is pre9nant with your child.â I blurted out finally releasing all the emotions that I have buried down long enough. Killian could not say a word. My heart which has always been heavy, felt lighter than it was after I finally told him the things that Iâve been wanting to tell him. I glanced at him in surprise when he suddenly crouched down and placed the bouquet of flowers that he brought on the ground where my grandmother had just been buried. âI only came here to pay my respects to your grandmother. Iâm sorry if I was late, that was out of my control,â Killian replied like he didnât just hear the rest of the words that I said. My breath turned shallow and my heart burned more in anger at his heartlessness. Unable to control myself anymore, I picked up the flowers and thrashed them on Killian until the flowers were all shredded into pieces. âYou are here to pay respect?!â I screamed at him. I threw what was left of the flowers to the ground. âIâm tired of this. If you canât give me respect, I should at least give myself some respect,â I spoke in a weak voice as I collected myself together. âLetâs just stop this joke and get a divorce,â I spoke firmly, looking at Killian directly in his eyes. | Galaxy in the Story | 2404 | https://www.facebook.com/61555427913037/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688960 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/12/25, 8:02 PM | 1740356657 | 1749776555 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480575912_641698605069791_8525823138093628764_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yllA3McuoKcQ7kNvgFQ4Xpv&_nc_oc=Adhjk1-vKqVgLetR3bOeu5zI2mubuY9KZKc_KL94Rgp6jaJ5z4uYJFFHlfaLXYCSEpcK-Jjkzm5gvZUScQdnAR9N&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYDS9IC8UUw2X9y87dTe3Q3nosJWmEAFtUZJvGUvCqnipw&oe=67C1A720 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688962 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 4/22/25, 2:20 AM | 1740356658 | 1745306457 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481071403_562304640195341_6426322036501802512_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Lfn4bC54p0QQ7kNvgGmeZeC&_nc_oc=Adi4XNWW7r0ySakNhs9D6XA4qJe3QeJTVFrs2K93R_BsXTYsZals5AiDv2_jiSB9dPbQAPBBx0GMBL94tP-pQXhP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYC3Y92wWstE71J_QRF6b-yZzNkSPMNe5jpKXngepEUTmg&oe=67C182CB | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688944 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/7/25, 4:08 AM | 1740356652 | 1749287339 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480798517_1050750077099527_5476441799154813115_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QLiI3HDPMSwQ7kNvgGyHRi6&_nc_oc=AdjcxSmUymxNJAkAHGf2Ho37EMjJZNahv2BNuu8uKWjTb6SmzIQL5ZicwGkBLtp_KO24vzVSUS6-nBAiwp8g8LdK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYCtYuXxBzTDm-NTN4COcH8IrsmTj4YMHpsFDYTNHrRVFQ&oe=67C18150 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688956 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/7/25, 12:10 AM | 1740356657 | 1749273044 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480962117_1313955389848518_2641714464738728275_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m2l8jU8aW84Q7kNvgE25oGI&_nc_oc=AdhSdf2A_B2OqwIg92U0lXsbgA-sYYWME2k10_q4ilShcka6Qn_GhPNNsy8g0H0Cd1kP8KbatWiGDI6n41uzxlVA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYCM7EzOsPw8UnAq1qJWOvVL7qSjfv1Jg776GnYgb5MBNA&oe=67C17EC7 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688927 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 4/22/25, 10:40 AM | 1740356642 | 1745336444 | 2622 | nordastro.com | Learn more | IMAGE | #1 Personalized Astrology Book | https://nordastro.com/start?qz=na1&locale=EN_US | 3.8747147444381E+14 | Nordastro | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465440445_2332225843783298_3175356712100923524_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7J0PTd-l4z4Q7kNvgGv7J_l&_nc_oc=Adjt00k4v8F_zWaoW_OeKlEG3a5vlA-MDzRM4tkeqQUV0_0RrjltClB2CPL5VAC0iWiKCOCKYCb_nyUW13HJcHwT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AO7771RSA_XvRC_pkvh33gZ&oh=00_AYBO--hzkigLTHT6qV_wfLkUiqsyfIR9naFWJfl5JlSytQ&oe=67C18410 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | đŽ By completing the QUIZ, you will receive your personalized analysis, which includes: â The zodiac sign and personality type of the partner you will marry đşď¸ Your life path prognosis đ¸ Career & success guidance to attract money â Personalized birth chart analysis | Nordastro | 11876 | https://www.facebook.com/61562597241042/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688951 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/14/25, 1:08 AM | 1740356655 | 1749881292 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480731109_1326070105109843_2324032439516306433_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=armz9omHnMQQ7kNvgEqhczI&_nc_oc=AdhtpyTRBKrIP03avthusCsw5PkK5U1RT3PbdY2zNk9_pbZfwK3ae075EItJpOALnVPQ8DCzdofp7d4IZT6ZWnI_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYBH_Pz68F7BavoZdCK8OV6Xp2ike0N-LSd9ftQ7T705VA&oe=67C18CC5 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688948 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/14/25, 12:07 AM | 1740356654 | 1749877675 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | VIDEO | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481283553_1133788864900476_6091464026781961598_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R1ucmfS6JRcQ7kNvgHZbHQY&_nc_oc=AdiEwmtX4JdRqP57cQmJueM6rgy92mWH_rczD9wdN8AeRwyswWTTQGh62Nyd9ZEFeQYyiHsWJhbiId_UbDMfu5Ej&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYDe3Tv6hpFOn4ARlFEHELQqIOwdCcxngQ9OItGEIDG_gA&oe=67C1A6CF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688939 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 6/14/25, 1:52 AM | 1740356647 | 1749883953 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480958416_1427236055261767_1835072792517265008_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OVdUUCW82QsQ7kNvgEyeAwy&_nc_oc=Adiy8RjljPS21bKeNKukDENeHMGfqhhpLM-CXU1LTB5tiObw__3nS-0HjLSmeBiRiqNUxJuI4i2FvZI05mqmu9Bc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Aj7pGuEfFpRYk3SxxDUKfSM&oh=00_AYBCah-mDWyCX2qlEtchjlo5IAfFlANCiuUOD7cMrUbuFA&oe=67C184BD | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2688952 | 1 | active | 2/23/25, 6:24 PM | 5/1/25, 6:38 PM | 1740356656 | 1746142688 | 2622 | herfv.com | Learn more | IMAGE | đRead the next chaptersđ | https://herfv.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=18712&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.8904860430274E+14 | Fantasy Hero Country | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480614308_2770278719794475_7655410095435315089_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZAqviZukoxQQ7kNvgFJjfOO&_nc_oc=AdgwY-zQy1_Yd6So_lEIcydeIf8FKhjLiK7Kl6b4gxN8n4wxhRa23-DHU6Kb5se4xa4AEqsxhXD7Yvii68tJWFRd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AK-lpNG4M0JwBQtkezzdTuq&oh=00_AYADM-NNlTvxwEaoCz-uFy7x2b4BbNMBJTZ_JLXRDkVbDQ&oe=67C1A889 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Two brothers were leisurely walking along the riverbank, enjoying the quiet night. Suddenly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching them. As cultivators of the martial path, they recognized the footsteps as those of a young child. Before long, Gyu and Gwei saw a tired five-year-old child. The exhausted child, taking irregular breaths, remained frozen in place upon spotting them. He then immediately prostrated himself before Gyu and Gwei. "Sir... Please help my mother!" The child said while repeatedly bowing to Gyu and Gwei. The two of them exchanged glances. Gwei stepped forward and approached the child. "What is your name, young one?" "My name is Tian, Sir," the child replied quickly. "What's wrong with your mother?" "My mother won't wake up. She's been in bed since yesterday, and her body is cold and stiff!" Tian explained with a worried expression. "Please help my mother. I promise to be your servant forever, as long as you check on my mother's condition!" he declared firmly. Moved by the determination of the young child, Gyu and Gwei agreed to his request. Gyu picked up the child and carried him. "Where is your home, child?" Tian pointed in a direction, and Gyu, carrying Tian, and Gwei leaped in the direction indicated by the young boy. Soon, they arrived at a ramshackle hut near a small river. They hurriedly entered the hut. Gwei, also a medic, immediately examined the woman lying motionless on a wooden pallet in the small room. In truth, even without Gwei's examination, they could tell that the woman had lost her vital signs. As cultivators, they could sense that the woman had passed away. However, to give the young child some time to realize and accept the cruel fact, Gwei followed the child's request to examine his mother. "Come here, child," Gwei called the young boy closer. "Can you check if there's breath coming from your motherâs nose?" Tian promptly directed his finger under his mother's nostrils. "There's none, sir!" he replied quickly. "Now, get close and put your ear to her chest." "Do you hear or feel her heartbeat?" Gwei asked. "No, sir," replied Tian, his head still resting on his mother's chest. "Sorry to say so, but your mother has passed away, child." Gwei explained calmly. Gwei didn't want to sugarcoat the situation for the child. He wanted him to accept the reality and be strong in this harsh world. Hearing Gwei's words, Tian fell silent and stared idly. After a few breaths, Tian nodded in understanding. Tian looked back at his mother, hugged her lifeless body, and then took two steps back. He performed three bows in front of his mother's body. Afterward, he turned to Gwei and Gyu, and prostrated himself before them. "Thank you both for checking on my mother!" he expressed his gratitude. "As promised, I will serve you as your servant," Tian added firmly. Gyu and Gwei were taken aback by the five-year-old's determination. They hadn't expected such a declaration from him. "We didn't help because we expected something in return. There's no need for you to become our servant. It's only natural for people to help each other," Gwei quickly replied. "Sir, my mother used to say that a man should never break his promises and oaths," Tian insisted. "I promised to be your servant, and I kindly ask that you accept me as your servant in return. I have nothing to offer, so please accept me as payment for your services," he said seriously. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances, surprised by the determination and strong-willed nature of the young child. "Very well, if that's what you want. You will be our servant until we believe your debt is paid," Gyu exclaimed. "Thank you. I will not disappoint you," Tian said with gratitude. "May I request some time to take care of my mother's body? My mother once said that if she passed away, she wanted her body to be cremated, and her ashes to be scattered in this river." Tian requested straightforwardly. "Yes, take your time," Gwei replied, offering a small smile to Tian. Tian immediately left his home. "Why did you agree to make the child our servant, brother?" Gwei asked his older brother. "This child has strong principles and a strong will. The more we refuse, the more we'll challenge his principles. Besides, I already told him he would be our servant until we feel he's paid his debt," Gyu explained. "This child is not as simple as he appears. I just wanted to evaluate his character and determination. Do you understand, brother?" "I understands your point, brother," Gwei replied. "Good. Let's observe what the child is doing," Gyu said. Gyu and Gwei watched as Tian, without any light source, easily reached the edge of the forest. In the dark night, they could see him gathering dry sticks by the river's edge. His thin body carried the sticks by tying them to himself, and he dragged them towards his hut. "This child has a strong memory. His maturity doesn't match his age," Gyu noted. "True, as long as we guide him properly, he can become someone great," Gwei added. "Although he may not be a genius, individuals like him can surpass even geniuses," Gyu stated. "Like a rough stone, with proper polishing, even a worthless stone can become valuable. Don't forget, even diamonds start as ordinary rocks," Gyu explained with a broad smile. "You're right, brother. This child has the potential to grow," Gwei said with enthusiasm. "Yes, that's correct!" Gyu agreed confidently. Towards morning, Tian stood in front of the wooden mound, which was ready to be lit to cremate his mother's body. It was the last time Tian would see her. He hugged his mother's body for the last time, then removed a necklace from her neck. The necklace had an octagon-shaped pendant with the inscription "Tian" on the back and a carving of a burning dragon on the front. Tian prayed, âMother, rest in peace in heaven. I promise to fulfill all your wishes and aspirations. Please protect me from up there.â Then, Tian put on his mother's necklace and began lighting the fire to cremate her. Gyu and Gwei sat cultivating in Tian's hut after observing him all night. Gyu slowly opened his eyes. Gyu said, âBrother, please take out the books from your storage bag. I want to assess the boy's abilities and will.â Gwei responded, âEverything, brother? Okay.â Gwei then took out a pile of books from his storage bag. Dozens of books about medicine were scattered on the wooden table in front of them. Gyu then called Tian into the hut. âBoy, can you read and write?â Tian replied, âYes, Sir.â Gyu said, âGood. In that case, copy this book.â He handed Tian two books, one blank and one Basic Cultivation book. âIf youâre hungry, thereâs dry bread in that basket. We will be meditating from now on, so donât disturb us. You can continue your work now.â Tian nodded in understanding and began copying the book given him. Though curious about the food and books, Tian kept his questions to himself due to Gyuâs instructions. Within time, Tian finished copying the book. With great curiosity, he started reading the books before him. He read through the basics of treatment, different types of treatments, medicinal plants, acupuncture techniques, and many other subjects. Tian only needed to read each page once to remember everything. Over the course of three days and nights, young Tian devoured all the books, which took Gwei years to memorize. Tian was so engrossed that he only took brief breaks. He stopped reading when he felt hungry and sleepy, eventually falling asleep soundly in his chair. Gyu and Gwei, who had been observing Tian during their meditation, opened their eyes once he had fallen asleep. Gyu said, âThis child is incredibly smart. He has an exceptional memory. Now Iâm fully convinced of my assessment.â âGwei, try testing Tianâs memory skills tomorrow morning,â Gyu added. Gwei replied, âOkay, brother. Iâm also very curious about his abilities.â The next morning, Tian, who had just woken up, was shocked to find that the books he had tidied up had disappeared without a trace. He also realized that Gyu and Gwei had finished meditating. âGood morning, Sir.â âSit down,â Gyu ordered. He then took out food from his storage bag. Seeing the food come out of the tiny piece of cloth, Tian gasped in amazement. âSir, what is this?!â The size of the cloth and the size of the food that emerged from it didnât match at all. It was as if seeing a dinner table been extracted from a mouse hole. âJust eat first,â Gyu said. Tian quickly finished his food, eager to get answers about what he had seen. Gyu and Gwei, seeing Tianâs behavior, burst out laughing. âLook at you, kid. You said you wanted to be a servant, but now your curiosity has made you forget all about that,â Gwei said. Gwei then explained to Tian about the storage bag, its function, and how to use it. He also explained that besides storage tools made from special leather, other storage tools could be bracelets, rings, or necklaces. The dimensions of the space inside varied. Gwei elaborated that only cultivators could use these storage devices because they required Qi to open them. Qi, or energy, was essential for improving physical health and utilizing one's potential. To truly experience this energy, one must train their breath and physical body, cultivate Qi, and reach optimal energy levels and spiritual life. Gwei explained that humans could store Qi within themselves, and those who did so were called cultivators. Qi was normally stored in oneâs dantian, and its capacity increased with the cultivator's realm. Gyu said, âTian, youâve read and copied the basic cultivation book. Explain its contents to us.â Tian nodded and proceeded to explain the bookâs contents, starting with the basics of cultivation and the division of realms from lowest to highest. âEach realm are divided into three levels: initial, intermediate, and final.â âThe are 9 Realms in total, which are Black, Fighter, Earth, Earth King, Emperor, Sky, Tianzun, Saint, and Immortal.â âBone levels consist of five stages, which are Bronze Bones, Iron Bones, Golden Bones, Diamond Bones, and Dragon Bones.â Gyu nodded with a smile. Tian then continued. âThere are 5 levels of alchemists too. Level 1 is called Advanced Alchemist, Level 2 Silver Alchemist, Level 3 Gold Alchemist, Level 4 Master Alchemist, and Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist.â âA Level 1 Advanced Alchemist can make special pills for the Black Realm. Level 2 Silver Alchemists can make pills for the Fighter and Earth Realms. Level 3 Gold Alchemists can make pills for the Earth King and Emperor Realms. A Level 4 Master Alchemist can make pills for the Sky and Tianzun Realms. And a Level 5 Grandmaster Alchemist can make pills for the Saint and Immortal Realms.â Gyu and Gwei smiled happily at the five-year-old boy's explanation. Gyu said, âWell done. Youâre indeed a smart child.â âYour debt is paid. We now free you from our servant status,â Gyu added. Tianâs eyes sparkled. He bowed deeply to Gyu and Gwei and thanked them. Gwei said, âFinding you has been a stroke of luck for both of us. If you wish, weâre willing to teach you, even though both of our realms are only at the late Fighter stage.â Tian was overjoyed by their offer. Without hesitation, he kowtowed three times to them. Tian had intended to become a cultivator from the beginning, driven by a promise to his mother. He wanted to become strong to fulfill that promise and achieve his mother's unfulfilled wishes. Gyu said, âFrom now on you can call us Master Gyu and Master Gwei. We will teach you the skills and knowledge we have. Even though our knowledge is not advanced, it will at least serve as a foundation for you to survive.â Gwei added, âMoreover, the most important thing is to use the knowledge you gain from us in the path of virtue and truth. Always remember that every human being is equalâthere is no difference. Be fair to everyone, uphold the truth, be firm according to the circumstances, and stand on your own feet. Be a useful person and don't let yourself be used or manipulated by evils. A great person is one who works hard and continually challenges themselves to progress and rise to the top, whether in the path of martial arts or medicine.â âDo you understandâ Gwei asked. Tian bowed, âI understand your words, Master, and I promise, in the name of heaven and earth, to do my best.â A deafening sound of thunder followed. Gyu and Gwei exchanged glances before looking back at Tian. Gyu muttered to himself, âThis child is blessed by heaven. His words have been heard by heaven.â Gyu then said, âYour promise is heard by heaven, son. Even heaven remembers your promise, so always keep it in mind and make it the principle of your life. Understand, son?â Tian replied, âYes, Master.â Gyu continued, âEven though we are now your masters, we will not make things easy for you. We will only guide you, the rest depends on your own abilities. In the morning, you will train with me, and in the afternoon, you will train with Master Gwei. Prepare yourself well, we will start practicing tomorrow.â âYes, Master,â Tian responded, nodding and saluting with cupped hands. Meanwhile, Gyu and Gwei introduced their backgrounds. Gyu and Gwei described their home continent, which was divided into five parts: the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Northern Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Central Continent. âAmong these, the Central Continent is the strongest, as the most powerful cultivators are found there. The Northern Continent is the second strongest and consists of two empires, with five kingdoms under these empires and four major sects within them. The Southern Continent has three empires and three large sects. The Western Continent also has two empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Eastern Continent is composed of three empires, four kingdoms, and four sects. The Central Continent, however, has only one empire, five kingdoms, and ten large sects.â It turned out that Gyu and Gwei were part of the core family of the Guan Nobles, who were nobles in the Han Kingdom. They were currently on a mission from the Han Kingdom to find some medicinal plants in the Sun Kingdom, where Tian currently lived, specifically in the City of Leaves. The Sun Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were allies, so they had no difficulty entering this area. Gyu said, âTian, now you know where we come from. We wonât be here for long, so make the best use of the time we have. What we will teach you is only basic knowledge to lay the foundation for your cultivation. The development will be up to you. You must study hard and improve yourself, as life outside is very toughâthe strong prey on the weak, and everyone looks out for their own benefit. So donât be naive.â Gyu then took out a book from his storage bag for Tian to study. The book Tian received covered the knowledge of breathing and physical training for bone and muscle development. Breathing techniques were the foundation of cultivation, enabling one to absorb Qi from nature, which was then stored in the dantian. However, before progressing in that direction, Tian needed to undergo physical training as the initial preparation for opening his dantian. The next day, Gyu instructed Tian to begin his physical training. The first task was to run across a river that was knee-deep for an adult and 30 meters wide. Tian had to cross it 20 times. Next, he was required to carry a river stone weighing five times his body weight to the side of his hut. After that, he had to assume a horse stance facing the sun and continue with punching and kicking movements. The training pushed Tianâs body to its limits, promoting the development of his muscles and bones. In the afternoon, Tian trained with Master Gwei. Master Gwei taught him about medicine, acupuncture, reflex points, pulse examination, and surgery. Master Gwei also covered the basics of alchemy, explaining that medical knowledge was foundational for becoming an alchemist. Tian, having memorized the theoretical aspects of medicine, was then trained in practical applications, such as concocting medicine, cooking medicine, and combining medicinal herbs with poisons. Gwei advised, âTian, you must remember to always look forward and not rely solely on the books you read. Books are based on the experiences and work of others and cannot always serve as a benchmark. Problems cannot always be solved with a single approach. Other methods may be necessary, too. Similarly, in treatment, we should not rely on just one drug but consider other possible drugs that may affect the duration or process of healing. Do you understand?â Tian nodded, âI understand.â He then asked, âMaster Gwei, are you also an alchemist?â Gwei sighed, âUnfortunately, I have not yet become an alchemist. It is very difficult to achieve that status. I havenât been able to refine pills well, and I always fail the alchemist exams. I hope you can become an alchemist because I see great potential in you. But ultimately, itâs up to you. Donât follow othersâ wishes, pursue your own goals and achieve them. For us masters, seeing you succeed and even surpass our abilities would bring great joy. Mastersâ expectations are similar to parentsâ expectations, so donât let it become a burden. Strive to achieve what you wantâthatâs enough.â Tian absorbed all his masterâs advice and said, âYour instructions will be remembered, and I will practice diligently.â During the first week of Tian's rigorous training, he endured it with unwavering determination, never once complaining. As the days passed, his body slowly began to adapt to the demanding regimen set before him. In the second week, Gyu intensified Tian's training, pushing him even harder. Just as Tian had grown accustomed to the previous level of exertion, he found himself facing even greater challenges. His muscles and bones were pushed to their limits, and he was tasked with running while carrying a stone three times his weight and scaling trees with a burden equal to three times his own. The third week brought yet another addition to Tian's training under Gyu's watchful eye. This time, he was required to endure prolonged periods in the water, testing his survival skills. In the fourth week, Gyu raised the bar once more. Tian was tasked with performing push-ups while carrying a load equivalent to ten times his body weight. Throughout this grueling month of training, Tian never once voiced a complaint or refused any of his masters' demands. His body grew accustomed to the challenges posed by Gyu and Gwei's training. Tian soon realized that Master Gyu focused on honing his physical strength, while Master Gwei concentrated on nurturing his mental prowess. In the following month, there were no additional training segments from Master Gyu. However, this time, Master Gyu imposed a stricter deadline, requiring Tian to complete his training by noon. Tian had to double his efforts, yet he complied without much objection. During the third month, Gyu introduced skill training to Tian. Each morning, Tian practiced physical conditioning and body strengthening. He quickly absorbed and replicated his master's lessons with precision. Meanwhile, Master Gwei intensified Tian's mental training, pushing his Panca Indra abilities to their limits. The focus of Master Gwei's training was on developing Tian's abilities to touch, sense, see, and hear, essential skills for a physician. Additionally, Master Gwei trained Tian in the art of using the flying needle acupuncture technique, a technique passed down through the Guan family. Three months of relentless training transformed Tian. The once slender and frail child had grown more robust, resembling a seven-year-old boy in physique. Mentally, Tian, with his high intelligence and Master Gwei's guidance, had advanced to a level akin to a twelve-year-old. "Come here, my child," beckoned Gyu and Gwei. Tian approached his masters with respect. "Tomorrow, we shall embark on a new phase of training. You will begin to cultivate your natural instinctive sensitivity, a skill that cannot be taught but only arises and flourishes in moments of desperation or near-death experiences. Are you prepared? And now, would you like to initiate the opening of your dantian, my son?" Tian replied, "Master, I trust your judgment, and while I feel my body is ready for the dantian opening, I sense that the timing may not be ideal. I believe my body has not yet reached its peak." Gyu and Gwei smiled with pride, grateful to have Tian as their disciple. They considered him a true genius. His dedication was remarkable, especially considering the challenging training meant for Black Realm cultivators, which often required two years to complete. Yet, Tian, at the tender age of six, had accomplished it in just three months. In their eyes, the countless self-proclaimed cultivation geniuses, whether young masters, noble descendants, or sect disciples, were mere pretenders. Most of these so-called geniuses owed their success to abundant resources, pills, and family support. Tian was the real deal, one in ten thousand who walked the path of martial dao with sincerity. "You've made a wise choice, Tian. Do what you believe is best for yourself, for only you truly understand your own capabilities," encouraged Gyu and Gwei. "Tian, we have summoned you here because we have decided to resume our mission soon. We have lingered here for too long," said Gyu with a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, my child, due to the perilous nature of our mission, it is unlikely that we can take you with us," added Gwei. Tian didn't want to part ways with his beloved teachers, but he understood that this might be the destined path between him and the men he considered his father figures. KneeIing before his masters, Tian expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Master Gyu, Master Gwei, I understand and appreciate all you have done. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and granting me a second chance at life." I promise to make you proud and fulfill your wishes. I vow to meet you in the Kingdom of Han in the future. Please accept my respect." Tian paid his respects by prostrating himself three times before Gyu and Gwei. "Come here, my son," Gwei said, embracing Tian. "Stay strong, follow your path, and keep your heart steadfast. Remember that every effort you put forth will yield results. This is a gift from us to you." Gwei handed Tian a storage bag and continued, "Take good care of it. Inside, you'll find some small gifts." He then presented a token to Tian, saying, "Keep this token as a reminder. When the day comes for you to visit the Kingdom of Han, return it to us. It will always connect you to us." "Thank you, Masters, for everything," Tian replied with gratitude. Gyu also handed Tian two books and a small sword. "This sword is now yours, and within this book lies the knowledge of a Black-level sword technique. Study it hard. The other book contains advanced techniques and punches. Given your intelligence, I believe you can develop these Bronze-level techniques to even greater heights." Tian accepted these gifts from his masters with gratitude. "Take care of yourself, my son. Always remember, you have a place to call home with us." And with heartfelt farewells, Gyu and Gwei left Tian. Tian began to enter the Red Forest to start his training. After Master Gyu and Master Gwei left, Tian has been training in this forest to hone his instincts. Apart from honing his instincts, Tian also honed the skills on how to survive. Tian had been told that before he successfully opened his dantian, he could only live on the edge of the Red Forest because the center was inhabited by spirit animals and fierce beasts. Beasts themselves were also divided into several levels or realms, and their realm of strength was almost the same as the realm of cultivators. Beast realms were also divided into nine stages, and also started from the lowest level of Black Realm to the highest leve of Immortal Realm. Upon arriving at the edge of the Red Forest, Tian heard a suspicious sound from the direction of the bushes. Tian's five senses suddenly became sensitive. Tian walked warily, and after only taking a few steps, a beast appeared from behind him. It ran quickly, trying to pounce on Tian. Tian reflexively avoided, jumped, and rolled to his right. Just as he was about to get up, he felt the danger coming at him from behind again. Tian rolled again and jumped forward. After there was some distance between Tian and the beast, Tian could clearly see the beasts in front of him. They were two young beasts, which seemed to be still learning how to hunt preys. Perhaps if they were adult beasts, Tian would have been killed by them already. Tian who didn't have any experience in dealing with this situation subconsciously moved back and ran. The two beasts chased after him, flanking him from behind both on the right and left. Tian dodged again quickly when he felt an attack from his right. Tian turned his head and saw the beast on his right jumping towards him, trying to tear his body with its claws. Tian was forced to jump to avoid being attacked by the beast. He managed to avoid it. Tian then felt an attack coming from his left. Tian ducked to avoid the claws that were trying to hit his head. Then as fast as lightning, Tian tried to run in the opposite direction. Scared and unexperienced, Tian was currently only following his instincts. The intelligent Tian disappeared, replaced by a Tian who was frightened and running for his life. His fear even made him forget what he had learned. With cold sweat dripping all over his body, Tian ran in no particular direction to avoid the two predators. By now, Tian still hadnât realized that he had managed to avoid these two beasts again and again. His body moved naturally and avoided reflexively based on the sensitivity of his five senses. And without his realizing it, Tian had begun to develop sharp instincts. However, just as the attack and dodge game continued, one of the beasts finally succeeded in landing a cut on Tian's left shoulder and cornered him against a large tree. Blood dripped from Tianâs shoulder. The two beasts quickly blocked Tian's escape path, preparing to start their final attack. Feeling cornered and unable to escape, Tian subconsciously glared at his potential predator. Tian was panting with sweat the size of corn dripping from his face. The blood flow felt like it was flowing rapidly to his brain, and breaking through the cells and nerves in his brain. Suddenly, his body responded to impulse signals from the brain working in his subconscious mind which ordered his body to form a self-defense stance. Yes, his survival instinct grew and subconsciously took control. Meanwhile, the two impatient beasts jumped while opening their jaws ready to pounce on Tian's body. When Tian and the two predators were only half a step apart, Tian reflexively lowered his body slightly and his right hand automatically hit the jaw of the beast on the right. After that, Tian did a spinning kick towards the beast on the left. BOOM! Tianâs punches and kicks came in hard which made the attacks of the two beasts fail completely. The two beasts fell backwards and hit the tree. BOOM! BOOM! The sound of the two beasts hitting the big tree vibrated at the same time. And this brought Tian back to full consciousness. Tian grinned excitedly. Although feeling exhausted, Tian had now started to control his fear and was able to think clearly. Tian quickly climbed high up a towering tree, and took out the sword Master Gyu had given him. While sitting on a branch high above the ground, Tian made a big hole the size of himself. Yes, Tian apparently made a resting place for him in the tree. Meanwhile, the two beasts that had previously tried to climb the tree apparently failed to follow Tian's footsteps. The two beasts then attacked blindly towards the tree trunk, but unfortunately the tree trunk was quite hard, making it difficult for them, plus both of them were exhausted after chasing Tian all day. Finally, both of them left Tian. Then Tian entered the tree hole. Due to exhaustion, Tian finally fell asleep. "Just wait, I'll deal with you stvpid beasts later." Tian frowned and promised in his dreams, as the pain from the wounds continued to haunt him. Feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder, Tian jolted awoke. He sat up and retrieved his storage pouch. A smile formed on his face as he looked inside. It turned out that Master Gwei had provided him with a variety of herbs. It seemed that Master Gwei had anticipated what Tian would go through during his training. Tian took out a healing ointment and applied it to his shoulder wound. The pain quickly subsided, and the open wounds healed rapidly. Next, Tian grabbed a piece of dry bread and ate it hungrily. After satisfying his hunger, he examined the contents of his storage pouch once more. Inside, he found two sets of acupuncture needles, more healing ointment, a tool for concocting medicine, various medicinal plants, a basket of bread, some dried meat slices, and two leather pouches filled with water. Additionally, there were several books on medicine preparation and pill refinement techniques. Tian placed all these items back into his storage pouch. He assumed a seated position and began meditating, attempting to align his body and mind. Tian reflected on the events of the previous day, recalling his near-death experience and his own shortcomings. He recognized his own foolishness, fear, and lack of self-confidence. Now, Tian resumed his training with newfound confidence. He realized that his survival the previous day was not solely due to luck but a result of the training he had undergone. Tian could evade, flee, and even fight back, showcasing his physical strength. During that critical moment, he had relied solely on his instincts. Tian began his physical training once again, just as he always did. He trained in an open area, ready to anticipate attacks from the beast creatures. After a short while of training, Tian heard distant sounds. He looked and saw the two beasts that had attacked him the previous day. Tian grinned, saying, "My training partners have returned at last." Without wasting time, the two beasts charged toward Tian from different directions, prepared to pounce. However, this time, Tian was ready to face them head-on. As the two beasts closed in, Tian leaped and counterattacked both of them, landing several blows on each. Receiving this unexpected counterattack infuriated the two beasts, and they blindly pursued Tian, who intentionally fled to enhance his speed and agility. Tian ran toward the trees, employing zigzag movements to dodge their attacks repeatedly. His evasive maneuvers frustrated and further enraged the two beasts. In addition to running and evading, Tian occasionally launched counterattacks, successfully landing multiple punches and kicks. For half a day, Tian engaged in a fierce battle with the two beasts, culminating in their retreat due to numerous bruises and injuries. Tian remained uninjured, his breathing steady and regular. Tian chose not to finish off the two beasts, at least not yet. He lacked the confidence to do so. After the two beasts fled, Tian began to explore his living area, scouting within a 300-meter radius. He recalled a book he had read about battle strategy, emphasizing that in a battle, understanding one's opponent and the terrain would greatly increase the chances of victory. One month passed, and Tian had gained a good understanding of the terrain and the beasts within his territory. He made these beasts his daily training targets, and occasionally, he was counterattacked by groups of beasts. Tian had begun to use his experiences as valuable lessons. Thanks to this, his childish behavior gradually disappeared, and he matured quickly. Three full moons passed without notice. Tian's physical condition had improved significantly. Besides his physical training, the nutrients from the beast meat he consumed and the medicinal herbs he took for muscle and bone strengthening contributed to his growth. His body no longer resembled that of a typical child his age. Six months had elapsed, and Tian felt that his body was in optimal condition for opening his dantian. Through several life-or-death battles with the local beasts, he had sensed that the barrier covering his dantian had become thinner. He believed that soon enough, he would open it naturally, without force. Tian had no intention of following the usual methods described in books for dantian opening. He planned to take a different path and open his dantian as naturally as possible. To achieve this, he intended to use the fire-elemental beast core as the foundation. His goal was clear: to fulfill his dream of becoming a true alchemist. Alchemists used fire as their "weapon" in the pill refinement process. From his experiments, Tian hoped that his dantian would be more receptive to the fire element's Qi, leading to a transformation of his dantian into one imbued with the fire element. Tian found himself inside the cave of a Fire Tiger beast, which he had managed to defeat after a long and exhausting battle. Tian retrieved the Fire Tiger beast's core and, after a moment of composure, began absorbing the Qi from it. Gradually, red Qi flowed into his body, penetrating his dantian effortlessly. His dantian, which had been empty and the size of a marble, expanded to the size of a ping pong ball as it was filled with the fiery Qi. Slowly, it continued to expand until it reached its maximum size, glowing with a bright red hue. As the primary dantian absorbed the fire Qi, it, in turn, distributed energy to every major meridian in his body. "BOOM!" An explosion of energy emanated from Tian's body, signifying the successful opening of his dantian. "Hahaha... it worked! My experiment succeeds!" Tian exclaimed joyfully. While most cultivators had yellow, marble-sized dantians, Tian's was different. It was bright red, the size of a ping pong ball, and had dots of fire essence within it. Moreover, his meridians had expanded, providing larger storage and better circulation for his inner energy. "One experiment down!" Three years had passed since Tian had been living in the Red Forest. Currently, he resided in the deepest region of the forest, known for being inhabited by Mid and High-level Martial Realm beasts. The central area of the Red Forest was dominated by Earth-level and Earth King-level beasts. Living in the forest had heightened Tian's sensory perception and instincts. He had finished off dozens of Low and Mid-level Martial Realm beasts, gaining various benefits from their carcasses. Tian obtained body parts such as gallbladders, claws, bones, and hearts from these beasts, which he dried and turned into powders for medicinal use. The elemental cores of the beasts, comprised of various elements, were stored for refining pills. Their meat provided Tian with sustenance, as it was rich in Qi and nutrients, making it ideal for cultivators. Tian also improved his medical skills during this time. He practiced herbal medicine, acupuncture, and even surgical techniques. Surprisingly, he found that the meridians of animals and humans were fundamentally similar, differing only in their positions. Currently, Tian was in the Mid-level Martial Realm, but his bones had already reached the Gold level. He didn't rush to advance his cultivation realm further. Tian intended for his cultivation to progress naturally, aligned with the foundation of his body. Balanced cultivation offered significant advantages in terms of strength release. Tian could still hold his own against Higher-level beasts due to his balanced approach. He trained his physical body diligently with weights adjusted to his level, consuming both beast meat and medicinal herbs to elevate his bones to the Gold level. In terms of alchemy, Tian had limited knowledge and could only create basic pills. However, these pills, the product of his own experimentation, maintained their healing properties, albeit at varying levels of effectiveness. Tian's approach to medicine differed from the norm. He dried medicinal plants using his own Qi, preserving their potency. Only after this process did he shape them into pills. He gained the confidence to create more pills after repeated comparisons and experiments. Living in the forest for three years provided Tian with a wealth of experiences that he wouldn't have acquired in a conventional life. Although the Red Forest followed the law of the jungle, Tian adhered to his own principles. He didn't provoke or attack beasts unprovoked. However, if being attacked first, he didn't hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle. Over time, the forest's inhabitants indirectly accepted his presence. While Martial Realm beasts lacked high intelligence, they possessed strong instincts. Tian's frequent battles and assistance to injured beasts in the forest had established his reputation. Even though the beasts lacked high intelligence, they remembered his acts of kindness. The wounded beasts he helped would sometimes visit his cave to leave freshly hunted prey as a form of gratitude. As a result, Tian wasn't surprised when he occasionally found fresh animal carcasses outside his cave after waking up from meditation. While Tian was conducting physical training in his cave, he sensed a gathering of beasts not far from the cave's entrance. Their auras indicated that they were Martial Realm beasts, but Tian's instincts detected no hostile intent. "What do they want?" Tian wondered. He focused his kilIing intent on the beasts, but they remained still, showing no signs of aggression. Curiosity piqued, Tian emerged from his cave. There were twelve silver wolves standing about twenty meters from the cave's entrance. Tian recognized this pack of silver wolves. They controlled the southern territory near his dwelling. Some time ago, Tian had saved a young injured silver wolf from another beast's attack. Tian simply stood there, observing the pack. He didn't know how to communicate with them. Soon, two Martial Realm silver wolves cautiously approached Tian, but they showed no intent to attack. Tian felt slightly uneasy as he wasn't confident in facing two Martial Realm beasts simultaneously. However, the wolves didn't display any aggression, and their Martial Realm auras remained concealed. Tian decided to observe further. The two wolves nodded their heads, and Tian returned the gesture. One of them slowly approached Tian and then lay down about a meter in front of him. The pack's leader, who was behind the two wolves, followed suit, lying down as well. The other ten wolves did the same. Tian understood that they were requesting his assistance. He carefully approached the injured wolf and examined its hind leg, discovering a wound from a venomous fire cobra's bite. "It's a bite from a fire cobra," Tian muttered. Using his acupuncture needles, Tian applied several needles around the wound, and then he drew his sword. Before proceeding, Tian glanced at the wolf, saying, "You may not understand what I'm saying, but at least I'm telling you that I'm going to cut your wound with this sword." "Hopefully, the beast understands," Tian thought. The wolf nodded. Tian proceeded to make an incision on the wound. Initially, black blood flowed out, but after a while, it turned red. Tian quickly applied medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and let the wound heal. He also removed the acupuncture needles, which had served to numb the area. Tian took out three pills from his storage pouch and placed them on a leaf. "Eat these," Tian said. The wolf saw the three pill-sized objects and consumed them without hesitation. Soon, its aura, which had been Martial Realm-level, changed. Initially red, it slowly merged with the silver aura, ultimately settling down and stabilizing. The pills Tian had given were dantian-cleansing pills that he had created. Their purpose was to cleanse the dantian. Besides poisoning their victims, fire cobras, like the fire elementals, released Qi that disrupted their victims' dantian flow, leading to a decrease in cultivation level or even the destruction of the dantian. The wolf stood up abruptly and distanced itself from Tian and the rest of the pack. Suddenly, its Martial Realm aura flared, and it let out a long howl. A silver bolt of lightning struck the silver wolf. Tian and the other wolves were sent flying backward from the shockwave as the wolf's aura transformed. "Earth-level!" The silver wolf beast had just ascended to a higer Realm! | Fantasy Hero Country | 2274 | https://www.facebook.com/61561117201220/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete |