Chapter 1: Ling Xian
Ling Xian's greatest wish is to cultivate to the fourth level of body refinement, becoming a third-rate expert to serve the court. In this way, although he cannot bring glory to his ancestors or revive his family, the salary of a seventh-rank Zhechong General would still allow his clan to have a full meal.
... ...
Running fast can easily lead to falling, yet following my older siblings, I began to practice martial arts in this training ground
Mount Luoyun covers a vast area, with one hundred and eight families scattered throughout, among which there are not a few fallen households
The arrangement of the furniture is extremely exquisite; although it is quite worn, it still exudes an air of grandeur.
In chaotic times, strength is paramount. A high-ranking martial artist possesses the power to withstand thousands, and wealth and glory are easily within reach, even for the emperor of the martial kingdom. Such a formidable force as the Falling Cloud Mountain is treated with the courtesy befitting a distinguished guest.
The Ling family of Qinghe County was once able to be on friendly terms with the royal family, receiving the title of a noble of a different surname, with hereditary rights that were unbroken, and was renowned as the foremost family in the martial nation.
However, it has now fallen into such disrepair that it can barely afford to eat.
Through the path of martial arts, diligence can compensate for lack of talent. As long as one puts in the effort, an iron pestle can be ground down to a needle, and dripping water can penetrate stone. Even a clumsy bird can fly early if it works hard. With effort, our Ling family will surely rise again.
Ling Tianxiong's expression suddenly changed, his face clouded as if a storm were approaching
Desolate and ancient, everything is constructed from gray oak stone, exuding a sense of weightiness. Although weathered to an extreme, it still appears grand and imposing
not yet a third-rate expert
Only the piece of land on the southern slope, due to its proximity to the water source, remained unaffected by the disaster and is also the most important granary of the Ling family
Whether the clansmen can satisfy their hunger depends entirely on this. Upon hearing that they have been mistreated, how can Ling Tianxiong remain calm: "Take me there."
Ling Tianxiong furrowed his brows; the training grounds were a place where ordinary clansmen were not permitted, for fear of disturbing those practicing martial arts. Could it be that something significant had occurred
Everyone shares the same ancestor and is connected by blood as family
This is actually not Earth; I never expected to be struck by the legendary meteor. If I had such luck in the lottery, I would have long since become a wealthy person. " Ling Xian's expression was tinged with self-mockery.
In the square, a boy and a girl emerged in response, both around the age of fifteen or sixteen, with a hint of resemblance between them, suggesting they were likely a pair of siblings. They left the school grounds and ran towards the backyard.
In the fourth layer of body refinement, each punch possesses the strength of a thousand pounds. In battle, one can stand against a hundred, contending with a hundred elite soldiers. If one is brave and diligent, and advances to the fifth layer, their strength will soar, doubling to two thousand pounds. At this point, one can be considered a second-rate expert. If serving the country, one may be appointed as a fourth-rank Mingwei General, with authority equivalent to that of a prefect, a supreme figure over a thousand miles.
What?
As expected, many young men turned their gazes this way, their fists and feet becoming slack.
It is all due to that detestable curse
He has just turned seventeen this year, and after the passing of his father, he was hastily thrust into the position of clan leader
Ling Tianxiong thought of this, his heart aching like a knife. His elder brother had already passed away, and now he was the foremost expert of the Ling family, yet he had only reached the third level of body refinement.
This young man, also named Lingxian, tragically passed away in his sleep due to excessive grief over his father's unexpected accident, which seems rather coincidental.
However, Ling Tianxiong showed no disdain and stepped forward to grasp the hand of an elderly farmer
Listening to the tender and childlike voice, filled with anticipation and curiosity, the middle-aged man Ling Tianxiong felt an unbearable pain in his heart. Which of the other aristocratic youths was not accustomed to a life of luxury, with fine clothes and abundant food, traveling in carriages and horses, and being attended by beautiful maids? Delicacies from mountains and seas were merely commonplace, and in addition to their cultivation, they had access to various miraculous elixirs for body refinement.
Third Uncle, what is the Supreme of a Thousand Miles?
At that time, it is unknown how much manpower and resources were utilized to accomplish such a miracle
Where am I?
The outside world is not mentioned, but Luoyun Mountain is a renowned paradise in the Martial Kingdom, stretching for 800 miles, rich in vitality, and is a coveted treasure land for martial artists.
For the once illustrious first family, this was such a humble request, yet now it has become an almost impossible task
The Ling family, once on brotherly terms with the royal family, holding titles of nobility through different surnames, with hereditary privileges that were unchallenged, has now fallen to the point where they can no longer afford even a meal
His gaze became incredibly complex, and he finally整理出了 that memory that should not belong to him
After taking just two steps, it seemed that he thought of something again: "Lingfeng, Lingyu, you go find the clan leader"
... ...
Wu Guo
In the training ground, a stern-looking middle-aged man is urging the young disciples to practice martial arts. His expression is extremely serious as he explains the principles of martial arts, while also encouraging everyone: "In martial arts training, the body is fundamental, hence it is referred to as body refinement"
Primarily to appease, bestow official positions and salaries, allowing the sects and families here to attain the utmost nobility
Indeed, these are all members of the Ling clan, but they are unable to practice martial arts, hence they engage in agriculture. The elder at the forefront is not actually Ling Tianxiong's great-grandfather, but is simply referred to as such according to the generational hierarchy within the clan
Even the core disciples, in addition to practicing martial arts, must also fetch water and fertilize the fields to support the food production at home
So... can he eat meat at any time?
The remaining tribesmen have only two meals a day, and can taste meat only twice a month
A soft, childlike voice entered my ears, belonging to a little one who was merely three years old, with a round face and a sturdy build, truly adorable
As Ling Tianxiong thought of this, the sound of hurried footsteps reached his ears. He looked up and saw several clansmen running over, their faces pale and flustered.
Qinghe County, Luoyun Mountain
The path of martial arts requires focused concentration, with the mind wandering freely and undistracted
Although it has not reached the point of being unable to fill one's stomach, it is merely a struggle to make ends meet
Suppressing the gloom within, a hint of a smile reappeared on his face, encouraging everyone: "The so-called Supreme of a Thousand Miles is because a single jurisdiction encompasses a thousand miles. If one can become a second-rate master and be conferred the title of General Mingwei, one can enjoy the same rights as the governor. In this thousand-mile territory, one can have the final say, a single word can determine victory or defeat, a single phrase can decide life or death, turning the palm to summon clouds and flipping it to bring rain, hence the title of Supreme."
Ling Xian let out a loud roar, then lay back down, trembling all over. After a long while, he finally calmed down.
The Ling family today is no longer what it used to be; not only has their wealth and glory faded like a fleeting cloud, but they are even on the verge of facing hunger.
Ah ... ...
Ling Xian整理记忆,发现这个世界与地球有太多的差异,没有科技,但武学却兴盛以极,如果一定要说,与古代有几分相似,但更加的光怪陆离,不仅有着各种难以想象的怪物,还有白日飞升的天仙之说
It is all because of that curse that has lasted for a thousand years
There were six individuals, evenly split between men and women, all dressed in patched clothing, appearing travel-worn, with sallow faces, and covered in dirt from head to toe, giving them a very unkempt appearance
The primary source of income for the household relies on farming, producing grains to meet the needs of the clan
In times of turmoil, thieves rise across the land, and human life is as insignificant as grass. Numerous gangs and factions abound in the rivers and lakes, and extraordinary individuals are countless, with occasional tales of celestial beings ascending to the heavens in broad daylight
Ling Xian awoke from his dream, looking around in confusion, only to be astonished to find that this was no longer the back mountain of the school, but rather a room with an ancient and elegant style.
Ye Tianxiong let out a cold snort and recited the general principles of the Ling family's martial arts training. The young men felt a shiver in their hearts and quickly focused their minds, dedicating themselves to their martial arts practice
To the west of this sprawling mountain range, where the trees tower densely and the flowers and grasses intertwine, there lies a vast open space, filled with bizarrely shaped rocks, upon which stands a massive structure
Moreover, being stuck at this bottleneck for a long time, a slight deviation can lead to a significant error. If one can advance to the fourth level of body refinement and be conferred the title of a seventh-grade General of the Folded Charge, although it may not be sufficient to revitalize the Ling family, the salary obtained would be enough to purchase a large quantity of food, ensuring that the clan members do not suffer from hunger.
Ling Xian silently murmured
The middle-aged man sighed; the Ling family descendants were diligent and hardworking, devoid of any frivolity typical of aristocratic youths. They practiced in the harshness of winter and the heat of summer, yet...
He wanted to push himself up from the bed, but the world spun around him, and a torrent of memories surged into his mind like a flood breaching a dam.
As dawn was just breaking, the sun had only just risen above the horizon, not yet having the chance to cast its first rays of light upon the clouds
Oh, this world ... ...
Ling family, training ground
It is ! ''
The sound echoed in the training ground, while the young disciples of the Ling family formed a square formation, their punches generating a powerful wind as they practiced martial arts and attentively listened.
Meat can only be consumed once every ten days, and each person is allowed only 200 grams of meat, which is a privilege reserved for those who practice martial arts.
The family to which I belong was once the most distinguished family in this world, without exception. Unfortunately, times have changed, and now we have fallen into such destitution that we can hardly afford to eat.
Ling Tianxiong quickly stepped forward to greet him
However, farming is inherently laborious, and unfortunately, the weather has not been favorable. Even in the mountains, there has been a severe drought, resulting in significant reductions in the yield of several plots of land belonging to the Ling family
At this moment, the elder at the forefront was filled with anxiety, tears streaming down his face as he wished to kneel down: "Great... Great Elder, the Chen family, the Chen family has sent someone to ruin the land of our Nanpo..."
"Fourth Grandfather, what is the matter?"
Well, that being said, it may be somewhat exaggerated, but the reality is not much better.
The Ling family precepts emphasize kinship and mutual affection among family members, advocating for equality among all. It is those ordinary family members who voluntarily tighten their belts and make sacrifices, striving to provide as many resources as possible for martial arts training, with the hope of one day revitalizing the family.
Cultivator
The Ling family values friendship and equality, with no distinction in status between the core disciples of martial arts and ordinary farmers
Unfortunately, circumstances change with time, and the splendor of those years has faded into the long river of history
The body refinement is divided into nine levels, and with each level attained, there is a significant leap in strength. If one can break through to the fourth level of body refinement, they can become a third-rate expert, traversing the martial world, dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, becoming a distinguished guest of various sects. If one is willing to serve the court, they can be granted the title of a seventh-rank General of the Imperial Guard, with authority equivalent to that of a county magistrate, enjoying great prestige.
Unfortunately, such miraculous existences are exceedingly rare, yet the marvel of martial arts is truly breathtaking
In this world, power is paramount; only by mastering martial arts can one protect their kin
However, there are exceptions to every rule
Numerous martial arts sects, both large and small, are situated here, and there are countless prestigious families, said to number as many as one hundred and eight.