In the mountains, there are no calendars, and the cold passes without knowing the year.
Five years later, in the wilderness.
Under an ancient banyan tree, a man stood steady, adopting the starting stance of Xingyi Fist.
It was summer; the night was clear with sparse stars, a cool breeze wafted by, and dried leaves swirled downwards, but as they neared his body, they suddenly got a jolt and scattered away.
The falling leaves swirled, and his robust figure cast a shadow under the moon, exuding a majesty akin to towering mountains, as if a dragon and tiger lay hidden within, harmoniously balancing strength and softness, stepping steadily on the earth and sky.
Dragon, tiger, monkey, horse!
Alligator, chicken, swallow, sparrowhawk!
Snake, crane, bear, eagle!
Chop, crash, drill, explode, transverse!
Metal, wood, water, fire, earth!
One punch after another, one form following the other, with a careful ear, you could hear the sound of tides surging; under the moon, surging energy became faintly visible, and the falling leaves, before touching his body, shattered under an invisible force.
A harmonious balance of strength and softness, motion and stillness as one.
Effortless like flowing clouds and water, producing natural rhythm by heaven's design.
Shen Hex was immersed, his movements increasingly faster, the fists more fierce, with his blood and energy rushing within his body, like a hundred rivers converging into the sea, heading straight to the Dantian, wanting to break through obstacles, unlocking the treasury of the body.
"Pa!"
A light sound exploded, it turned out to be a falling leaf that landed atop his fist, shattered instantly from the impact of the force, turning into dust in a blink.
But after that strike, Shen Hex's movements gradually slowed, and the raging blood energy within him calmed, ultimately settling from a surging river to a gentle trickle, as his fist technique and stance retreated.
"Hoo!!!"
A mouthful of turbid air was exhaled, Shen Hex retracted his fists, his inner strength dispersed, yet a piercing pain came from his Dantian, causing him to sigh quietly, feeling helpless.
He had failed, failed once again!
Five years ago, after killing and setting fires, leaving Hejian Prefecture, he plunged into this deep forest.
To ordinary folks, the deep forest is extremely perilous, but to him, armed with certain martial prowess and the rich knowledge of a transmigrator, it was a haven akin to a paradise.
For five years, he built a hut and lived there, practicing Xingyi Fist diligently day in and day out.
Thus, as five years passed, his efforts paid off and he developed inner strength.
But...
Shen Hex shook his head and opened the professional panel.
Gouwa (Shen Hex)
Profession: Martial Artist.
Professional Rank: Tier One, Level Six.
Professional Talent: Static Posture.
Professional Skills: Xingyi Fist (Tier One, Level Six)
Professional Items: None.
Universal Skill: Yuan-Devouring Skill.
…
In five years, relying on the experience gained from training, he raised his martial artist profession to Level Six, and practiced Xingyi Fist to develop inner strength.
But that's where it stopped!
Shen Hex had to admit, his martial arts talent was quite ordinary, even with the bonuses from the martial artist profession, five years of hard practice only led to these results, now he's hit a bottleneck, stuck at inner strength, unable to move further and open the Dantian to refine true Qi.
In the real world, this kind of bottleneck is nothing, there are many ways to solve it, such as taking relevant medicines, seeking instruction from high-tier professionals, or simply using professional experience to forcibly break through.
But in this world, Shen Hex lacked such conditions, to break through this bottleneck, he either had to grind painstakingly like water wearing down rock over time, or...
"It's time!"
Shen Hex murmured, turned around, and headed towards his self-built bamboo hut.
In the bamboo hut, the firelight flickered dimly, Shen Hex went to the stove and lifted the lid, immediately releasing a rich fragrance, revealing a bowl of meat steamed over a low flame, simmered for an unknown duration.
Ignoring the scalding heat of the porcelain bowl, Shen Hex lifted it straight out, and scooped a huge bowl of rice along with it, paired with a few small dishes and this bowl of tiger meat, and began to devour it heartily.
Over these five years, besides martial arts practice for strengthening, he often fought tigers and leopards, battling fierce beasts, which was both a practical combat experience and an increase of his protein sources, further playing into the uses of Yuan-Devouring Skill.
This bowl of tiger meat, in fact, was a trophy from a fight with a fierce tiger a few days ago, the bones and meat have excellent nourishing effects.
The path of martial arts values talent, but even more so resources. Without sufficient resources, even if your talent is extraordinary, it's hard to achieve much for energy conservation after all, no one can survive just by drinking the northwest wind, let alone practicing martial arts for strengthening.
Shen Hex placed a piece of tiger meat into his mouth; not only did the meat release a rich aroma, but also a hidden medicinal scent, the two flavors blended together, dissipating thoroughly as it chewed in his mouth, satisfying the appetite while nourishing the body, enhancing energy and blood.
Compared to the original residents of this world, who are still in a feudal stage, as a transmigrator, he not only has the advantage of a professional panel as a cheat, but also a broad vision and extensive knowledge, standing atop the shoulders of countless giants of an era, overlooking this world.
Therefore, he can transform the deep forest into a paradise of seclusion, turning fearsome venomous snakes and beasts into resources for martial arts, while also gathering materials in these mountains to concoct medicines, be they pills or poisons, whether they save or harm.
These medicinal recipes for elixirs, he had downloaded by spending money online in the real world, thoroughly verified their efficacy before using them on himself, which turned out to be quite effective.
Unfortunately, the materials required for "Qi Condensing Powder" couldn't be found in the mountains, and he himself hadn't taken on professions like Pharmacist or Pill Master, so he couldn't surpass the bottleneck by using medicines to refine true Qi.
Despite this, with ample nourishment from medicinal meals, alongside the effects of Yuan-Devouring Skill and the persistence of Xingyi Fist, he managed to maintain vigorous bodily vitality and a well-cultivated level of inner strength.
Thus, he is incredibly confident that in this world without other professionals, he could claim to be the best under true Qi, or even fight opponents above his level and withstand a True Qi Master.
Thusly…
A moment later, the bowl of tiger meat, the entire pot of rice, and all the small dishes were completely devoured. Half-full, Shen Hex stood up, beginning to pack up his things.
He is ready to leave the mountains!
As his level increased, the training experience gained from martial arts could no longer meet his needs; if he continued to practice in his own world, who knows when he would achieve true Qi.
Therefore, he planned to exit the mountains, obtaining experience through "martial combat" to break through the bottleneck, increase his level, and lay a path for future professional advancement.
Even though he hadn't developed true Qi, only possessing inner strength cultivation, the risk of venturing into Jianghu is immense, but nothing in the world is perfect, and some risks must be taken nonetheless.
Worldly winds to emerge from our generation, once the Jianghu awaits, the years press forward.
In laughter talks of imperial maps and hegemonies, life is but a fleeting drunkenness.
Jianghu, what is Jianghu?
Wulin, what is Wulin?
Shen Hex can't quite say, but he feels since he has arrived, it's necessary to let this world know what a transmigrator is, urge some people, some affairs, to make a little change.
Otherwise, how to be worthy of this one life in this world?