Ignisport, the Morgan Family is a true behemoth of a family, unmatched by any others.
The Lawson Family was originally an unknown small family in Ignisport, but later, due to Penny Lawson marrying the then Morgan Family Head Victor Morgan, the Lawson Family rose rapidly, growing increasingly powerful by relying on the Morgan Family's influence.
Marshall Morgan remembered that during that time, the Lawson Family treated Penny and him exceptionally well.
However, after Victor had his incident, the Lawson Family's attitude towards the mother and son changed, especially after Marshall's grandfather passed away, and his uncle took charge of the Morgan Family, becoming more and more distant, to the point of ignoring them.
The warmth and coldness of human relationships, that's reality.
In the courtyard of the Lawson Family.
Penny Lawson knelt there, her entire body trembling slightly.
Surrounding her were many Lawson Family juniors, pointing and talking.
Above the courtyard, a portly middle-aged man looked indifferently at Penny and said, "Little sister, how long do you want to kneel here, aren't you ashamed?"
He was Penny Lawson's eldest brother, Ford Lawson.
"Eldest brother, I beg you, it's been so hard for Marshall to cultivate True Qi. He's your own nephew, please give him one or two Cultivation Techniques!"
Penny Lawson tearfully pleaded.
"Little sister, let me tell you something you won't like to hear. Marshall has been weak and sickly since childhood and unable to awaken his bloodline. Even if by chance he cultivated a trace of True Qi, what's the use? He won't achieve anything significant in the future, it's better for him to live as an ordinary person and finish his life in peace."
"Besides, let me tell you, the Grand Elder of the Morgan Family has already talked with me, asking me to know my place. Little sister, I'm also in a difficult position here, helping you means offending the Grand Elder."
Ford Lawson said indifferently.
"Eldest brother, I beg you, I don't expect Marshall to achieve anything great. As long as he can become a Martial Artist and strengthen his body, I will be content. Eldest brother, I promise this will be the last time I beg you, I won't embarrass you again."
Ford Lawson frowned, pondered for a moment, then took out a booklet and tossed it in front of Penny, "For the sake of our many years as siblings, take this 'Sword Pulling Three Slashes.' It's not top-notch, but it's enough for Marshall. Don't bother me again."
"Mother!"
At this moment, Marshall Morgan and Autumn Adler arrived.
Marshall helped Penny up, feeling her body slightly trembling, obviously from kneeling for a long time.
"Marshall, thank your uncle." Penny looked deeply at Ford Lawson and said to Marshall.
"Thank him?"
Marshall's chest was filled with anger, "We don't need their charity, mother, let's go home."
Marshall didn't even glance at the Martial Technique, and supported Penny as they left the Lawson Family.
"No respect for your benefactor. Just because you luckily cultivated a trace of True Qi, do you really think you're a genius?"
"Just a waste."
The Lawson Family juniors all sneered sarcastically.
Marshall ignored them. Without strength, words mean nothing; saying more just invites more scorn.
But Marshall vowed, one day, he will make them all shut up with facts.
After leaving the Lawson Family, Penny sighed, "Marshall, you were too impulsive. That's a Martial Technique that could make you a Martial Artist. As long as you can become one, any humiliation I suffer is worth it."
Marshall stood up straight like a Divine Sword, his eyes resolute, "Mother, even without the Lawson Family's charity, I will become a Martial Artist, and a strong one in Martial Arts at that!"
Returning home, Marshall entered the Supreme Divine Temple and trained even harder.
After finishing a round of 'Flame Dragon Fist,' Marshall began to practice the 'Dragon and Snake Step.'
'Dragon and Snake Step' is a movement technique, very profound. Once mastered, one moves like a dragon and snake, swift as lightning.
With the help of the chanting in the temple, Marshall progressed rapidly.
After just two rounds of practice, he had reached the 'Initial Glimpse.'
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Marshall's body twisted like a dragon and snake, a sway of the waist, a stride crossed three meters.
A distance of more than three meters makes a 'zhang.'
"The Dragon and Snake Step reached the first level, the Initial Glimpse, one step can reach a 'zhang', at the second level, a stride can reach two 'zhang', with each breakthrough increasing a 'zhang' further, I still have far to go, continue."
In the next grueling training days, ten days passed.
In these ten days, Marshall managed to clear two more meridians, reaching the Peak of Middle Meridian Passage.
The biggest gain was in Martial Techniques.
Both 'Flame Dragon Fist' and 'Dragon and Snake Step,' reached the third level, fully mastered.
"Cultivating True Qi is still too slow, at this rate, breaking through three Divine Veins, who knows when it will happen."
Marshall pondered deeply.
To quickly clear the meridians and gather a Qi Vortex, entering the Warrior Realm, a lot of Dragon Tiger Pills are essential.
But each Dragon Tiger Pill costs a hundred silver, while he practically has nothing on him.
"Now I've reached the peak of Mid-stage Meridian Passage, both Martial Techniques are 'fully mastered', I have some self-defense power, I should try my luck at the Demon Beast Peaks."
The Demon Beast Peaks is a vast mountain range fifty miles from Ignisport, covering hundreds of miles, with towering ancient trees.
Numerous Spiritual Medicines grow within the range, attracting many Martial Artists from Ignisport to venture inside for herbs.
Of course, opportunities often come with risks; the range is home to many fierce beasts and even more powerful Demonic Beasts. Many Martial Artists perish to the Demonic Beasts each year.
Marshall didn't plan to delve deep into the Demon Beast Peaks; he just wanted to try his luck at the outskirts, sharpening his Martial Techniques along the way.
Finding an excuse, he told Penny Lawson briefly and set off towards the Demon Beast Peaks.
Two hours later, Marshall arrived at the foot of the Demon Beast Peaks, looking up, the peaks felt like a giant beast, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Without hesitation, Marshall plunged into the depths of the Demon Beast Peaks.
Roar!
After only a few miles in, a fierce beast lunged at Marshall.
It was a Strangled Neck White-browed Tiger, over a meter tall, three meters long, its fierce aura preceded its physical presence.
Marshall's eyes lingered intently, taking a deep breath, his body flickered, dodging to the side, then mobilized his True Qi, starting from his feet, moving through the waist and spine, harnessing the power of his whole body, he unleashed a punch.
Flame Dragon Fist.
Boom!
The punch solidly hit the tiger's neck.
The force erupted, sending the tiger tumbling away.
Roar!
The tiger, in pain, growled even more viciously, lunging again at Marshall.
Marshall executed the Dragon and Snake Step, twisting his body to evade the pounce, and unleashed another Flame Dragon Fist at the tiger's waist. The tiger was once again knocked away.
Marshall practiced the Divine-level Technique 'Battle Dragon True Technique,' the True Qi it cultivated flowed like a dragon through the meridians, with tremendous explosive power.
Though Marshall's realm was at the Peak of Middle Meridian Passage, the power he could unleash far exceeded typical levels of that stage.
With the Flame Dragon Fist, Marshall's punches had a force close to a thousand pounds.
The tiger, hit twice by Marshall, was gravely injured, blood dripping from its mouth.
Letting out a final roar, it turned to flee.
Marshall relentlessly pursued.
A few minutes later, the tiger dashed into a cave, and with a slight hesitation, Marshall followed in.
Inside, the tiger lay weak, blood still pouring from its mouth, on the brink of death.
"Huh? That's a Level 1 Lower Grade Spirit Grass, Silver Bell Grass!"
Suddenly, Marshall's eyes shone, spotting a Spirit Grass within a crevice of the cave, with nine leaves, each resembling a bell.
Spirit Grass is categorized into nine levels; each level further divided into low-grade, mid-grade, top-grade.
Level 1 Lower Grade Silver Bell Grass, containing abundant Spiritual Energy, valued at three hundred silver, equivalent to three Dragon Tiger Pills.
Not long after entering the Demon Beast Peaks, to have such a find, this trip was already worthwhile.
With a punch, he finished off the tiger, then pulled out a pre-prepared satchel to pack up the Silver Bell Grass.
"Big Brother Pike, do you really know a secret path to the Sand Snake Bandits' lair?"
At this moment, a voice suddenly drifted in from outside the cave.