Chapter 9: What Is the Initial Realm?

What kind of martial art is this?

Shen Yi opened his eyes, as if shattering a bottleneck; powerful energy surged through his body, utterly surpassing human limits.

The previous Demon-Subduing Blade Technique and Cloud-Pushing Long Fist were speed-focused methods compiled by the Demon-Suppressing Office from martial arts across the land, already considered top-tier.

After completing all cultivation, his strength became like an ox’s, his speed like a flying thunderclap—leaving Shen Yi deeply astonished.

But this seventy-eight-character method made him feel an entirely new world, a strange sense of transcendence, as if he were ascending into some new form of existence.

“It’s no longer about excavating potential from within the body, but using external force to temper it.”

“Is the external force insufficient, hence the slow progress?”

Shen Yi understood its mechanism but had no good solution.

He had already noticed during prior speculation that the entire process of cultivating martial arts was intimately tied to his current state.

If he was correct, consuming a potent essence-rich elixir beforehand and then performing martial arts speculation would let the medicine’s power accelerate progress.

But where would such medicine come from?

His predecessor had seemed powerful, but was in truth a gambler who squandered all looted taxes and his salary at the gambling den; the money he had left barely sufficed until next month’s pay.

Moreover, each speculation took a full year; ordinary medicines had negligible effect—he needed true celestial treasures and rare herbs.

“Gambling addicts deserve to die… I’ll deal with it later if I get the chance.”

Shen Yi looked at his still-ample demon lifespan and confidently poured more in.

【Year 16: You exhausted all essence, nurturing every bone in your body.】

【Year 26: Essence insufficient, progress slow…】

【Year 38: Over half your bones have been nurtured, but collecting essence from ordinary food yields minimal results.】

Shen Yi’s expression gradually changed, his eyes growing tense.

【Year 52: After years of accumulation, your bone gates shattered; the upper scroll of the Wind-Thunder Scripture reached minor completion.】

Only when these words appeared did Shen Yi realize he had held his breath for so long he’d forgotten to breathe.

Yet the reward was exceedingly rich.

Not only had his body undergone tremendous change—his bones, buried beneath flesh and skin, now gleamed like gold and iron, unbreakable—but the transcendent sensation in his mind grew denser, sweet as honeyed sugar, irresistibly drawing him closer.

That wondrous realm was slowly unveiling its veil to Shen Yi.

He gritted his teeth and went all-in.

【Year 89: You’ve grown accustomed to slowly accumulating essence, year after year, day after day; your technique in nurturing the body with essence has become increasingly refined.】

【Year 106: One morning, you suddenly noticed a change in your skin, yet felt no surprise—everything felt natural, as if destined; the upper scroll of the Wind-Thunder Scripture reached great completion.】

This time, Shen Yi didn’t pause at all; he felt himself drawing ever closer to that realm.

He mechanically began pouring in demon lifespan.

Sinews, bones, flesh, skin—only the final barrier remained.

【Year 182: As usual, you cooked a meal, took a bite, and found it tasteless; suddenly, you sensed something far more delicious in the world.】

【That thing was everywhere, yet elusive.】

【You looked down at yourself and suddenly understood: true transcendence meant your plump duck leg had become a worldly, mundane thing.】

【After a century of nurturing, your body had become the perfect vessel for that elusive essence… the upper scroll of the Wind-Thunder Scripture reached perfect completion.】

Shen Yi closed his eyes; the realm seemed within reach, just one final step away.

The Initial Realm signifies a fresh beginning, a rebirth in this world under a new form.

But now, that final step refused to be taken.

Because the seventy-eight-character true words ended right here.

A sudden fire rose in Shen Yi’s heart—finish writing, you bastard! What’s this half-baked nonsense? After perfecting the mortal form, what comes next?

He leapt to his feet, then his expression changed slightly.

The transformation from his former weakness to the completion of the Demon-Subduing Blade Technique paled in comparison to this.

Shen Yi even felt a flicker of confusion—he merely lifted his hand slightly, yet it felt as if he could easily overturn the entire small woodshed.

Immediately after, like a waking vegetative patient, he began slowly performing rehabilitation movements.

Until Chen Ji called from outside: “Time to eat.”

The scent of steamed rice drifted from inside the room; Shen Yi frowned, two emotions warring in his mind—one was habitual hunger, the other a complete lack of appetite.

Eventually, the former won.

Shen Yi stepped quickly out the door.

This dwelling was extremely cramped; normally, the siblings cooked meals and ate them slowly in their rooms.

Today, with an extra person, Chen Ji had dug out a small table from somewhere and placed it on the tiny open space.

Shen Yi watched Chen Ji bring the food inside and close the door to Chen Jinyu’s room, unable to help muttering: “I’m really not that kind of person.”

“Not targeting you—she’s used to being alone.”

Chen Ji silently squatted back beside the table, serving Shen Yi rice and wiping his chopsticks.

As he spoke, the wooden door creaked open a sliver, revealing Chen Jinyu’s curious eyes peeking out.

“...” Shen Yi smirked.

“...” Chen Ji paused mid-pour, then sighed: “If you want to come out, come out.”

Chen Jinyu pushed open the door, holding her rice bowl, squatting beside the wooden table, lifting her lips shyly—quiet, yet sweetly charming.

She always obeyed her brother, unwilling to add further burden to someone already weary and anxious.

But that didn’t mean she had no thoughts of her own.

For instance, today’s actions of her brother would surely stir suspicion from his superiors.

If it were truly to guard against that womanizer, fine.

But in Chen Jinyu’s eyes, a man who, when helping his brother up from a tea house vegetable patch, noticed the faint disappointment in other girls’ eyes and willingly played the role of their brother—how bad could he really be?

Thinking this, she glanced curiously across—and met Shen Yi’s gaze.

They smiled at each other.

“Crack.”

Chen Ji gripped his chopsticks, grinning without warmth as he stared at Shen Yi.

You bastard! You’re not that kind of person? Ah! You’re not that kind of person?

“Eat.” Shen Yi looked away, somewhat exasperated.

He had only one year of lifespan left—how could he afford such thoughts?

He’d merely gained the Wind-Thunder Scripture, felt cheerful, and found the girl’s overly thoughtful yet feigned innocence amusing.

Even if he somehow extended his lifespan, and truly sought one… or several.

Shen Yi preferred women with fuller figures, slightly older, their eyes less naive and more alluring.

As he thought this, Shen Yi suddenly realized—wait…

Essence-refining body, mortal peak!

No longevity bonus? I could live two more years just doing tai chi in the park.

The next instant, information he’d overlooked in his obsession with the Initial Realm slowly surfaced.

【Remaining Lifespan: Twenty-One Years】

…

(End of Chapter)