Chapter 1, Li Yan

"Hmph, knowing full well that your health is poor and your skills are lacking, yet you still choose to engage in conflict with others, truly a case of bringing suffering upon yourself." The door was pushed open, and a tall man walked in, coming to the bedside and sternly admonishing Li Yan.

The rising sun streamed through the window, illuminating a room in the Li family's inner courtyard, which had been dimly lit, suddenly becoming bright.

"Yan'er, are you awake?" Upon hearing the call, the woman turned her head first. Seeing Li Yan open his eyes, she immediately walked over with joy and softly called out.

"Drink, drink!" In the night, Li Yan, bare-chested, with two heavy black iron rings on his arms, squats in a horse stance, continuously throwing punches with his arms.

"Hmph, is it just because I started cultivating a few years later than you? It won't be long before I surpass all of you." Li Yan gritted his teeth, then struggled to get up from the bed and quietly slipped out.

Li Yan has been without parents since childhood, raised by his uncle and aunt. He is evidently somewhat fearful of his usually stern uncle. Upon hearing his words, Li Yan immediately shrank his neck, yet stubbornly retorted, "Who told those people to scold me as a waste, and say that I am a disaster, a wild child without a mother!"

The woman, dressed somewhat simply, appeared to be around thirty years old. Her cheeks were slightly beautiful, giving off a gentle and soft impression. She was none other than Li Yan's aunt, Yin Yulan

Li Yan was born with a hidden ailment due to his condition in his mother's womb, resulting in a congenital deficiency in his health. As a child, he would faint whenever he became overly excited. Because of this, Li Yan started his cultivation much later than his peers. While other children began their training at the age of 8 or 9, Li Yan, now 15, has only been practicing for a little over six months. Consequently, his cultivation level is naturally inferior to that of other children his age, which often leads to him being bullied within his family.

An hour later, Li Yan removed the iron ring from his wrist and walked to a tree that could be embraced by a person. He began to strike the tree with his fists. With each blow of his flesh against the tree, the pain transmitted to his hands would cause Li Yan to furrow his brows, yet he still endured the pain and continued to punch the tree. On the tree, the area where Li Yan struck was marked by a large number of pockmarked scars, the traces of which were layered in both new and old, clearly indicating that they were not created in a single instance.

Aunt!" Looking at the figure by the edge of the bed, Li Yan quickly gathered his spirits and called out softly

Ah, in fact, the events of that year were not as you know them. Second Brother and our lineage were actually framed by others. Our current plight is not solely due to the relationship between that couple

Hmph, Li Jin, remember this: if I don't beat you into a pig's head next time, I won't call myself Li Yan!" After the Li Ling couple left, Li Yan raised his head and said fiercely to the ceiling

In the room, on the bed, a boy who appeared to be no more than fourteen or fifteen slowly opened his eyes. With a strong effort, he sat up, and this movement also stirred the young and beautiful woman who was leaning on the edge of the bed.

The so-called body refinement, simply put, is the process of tempering one's body through various methods, making the flesh and blood within the body denser and more powerful. When the body is strengthened to a certain level, the meridians hidden within the flesh and blood will emerge. At this point, one can subtly sense the primordial energy in the world, absorb it, break open the gate of the dantian located below the abdomen, and activate the dantian. Only then can one transform the primordial energy of heaven and earth into one's own vital force, thus truly becoming a martial artist. The meridians hidden within the flesh and blood will emerge, allowing one to subtly sense the primordial energy in the world, absorb it, break open the gate of the dantian located below the abdomen, and activate the dantian. Only then can one transform the primordial energy of heaven and earth into one's own vital force, thus truly becoming a martial artist.

"No, it was your uncle who carried you in." A trace of fatigue crossed Yin Yulan's beautiful cheeks as she extended her right hand to touch Li Yan's forehead, softly saying, "Moreover, you have been asleep for a whole day and night."

After another hour, Li Yan lay on the ground, gasping heavily. His exposed skin was all swollen and red. He was currently at the third level of the Body Refinement Realm, still in the stage of tempering his flesh and blood. Therefore, his daily training consisted of weight-bearing exercises, striking, or using his body to collide with hard objects such as trees and rocks

This man is Li Yan's uncle, Li Ling. His physique is somewhat frail, and there is a hint of pallor between his brows, giving the impression that he may be unwell. Although his tone is stern, his eyes are filled with kindness.

This matter is quite complex; Yan'er is the greatest victim. Moreover, I am not like my father; my dantian has already been damaged, rendering me a useless person. No matter how much I try to heal, it will be of no avail, and I will never be able to restore my previous cultivation. " Li Ling shook his head, gave a self-deprecating smile, and said, "From now on, you should give all the medicinal materials for my healing to Yan'er. He has also embarked on the path of cultivation, and that will be somewhat beneficial for his body."

"Then you should rest well. Your uncle and I will come to see you later," Yin Yulan said softly, and then she took Li Ling and walked out.

Ah! Upon hearing Li Yan's words, Yin Yulan let out a long sigh, her face revealing a deep sorrow. However, she did not comfort him; instead, she gently patted Li Yan's head and said softly: "You are not in good health, and you started your cultivation late. Your cultivation level is the lowest among your peers, so in the future, do not engage in fights with others so easily."

The path of martial arts begins with the refinement of the body. The human body is the starting point of everything, and the cultivation of a martial artist is rooted in oneself. Therefore, the first realm of a martial artist's practice is also known as the realm of body refinement

"What is the reason for that?" Yin Yulan asked in a low voice

Um ... ...

Western Xinjiang, a remote small town in the northern region

The Body Refinement Realm is divided into nine levels. The first three levels focus on tempering the flesh and blood, enhancing the physical constitution, and maximizing the power of the flesh and blood. The fourth to sixth levels involve refining the bones, which aims to strengthen the skeletal structure. Upon reaching the seventh level, the meridians within the body gradually emerge from the flesh and blood, giving rise to a sense of Qi within the body. At this stage, one can absorb the primordial energy from the heavens and the earth into the body, resulting in a significant leap in overall physical capabilities, with notable improvements in both strength and speed. After reaching the seventh level, the meridians within the body will slowly manifest from the flesh and blood, leading to the emergence of Qi, allowing for the absorption of the primordial energy from the environment, thus achieving a remarkable enhancement in physical abilities, both in terms of strength and speed.

I also know that Yan'er is innocent, which is why I have treated him like my own son all these years. However, sometimes when I think of your health and our current situation, I cannot help but feel resentment towards that couple.

After resting for a while, Li Yan stood up, picked up the clothes that had been thrown aside, put them on, and then suddenly stepped forward, unexpectedly launching himself towards another large tree.

"It was because of them that our lineage was forced to end up here, and you and father have had all your cultivation abilities wasted, and now neither of you has recovered. Shouldn't I resent them for this?" Yin Yulan said loudly, her tone somewhat agitated

Bang! Li Yan crashed heavily into the large tree, causing the tree, which required a person to embrace it, to shake violently. After the impact, Li Yan staggered back a dozen steps, rubbed the area where he had collided with the tree, and then suddenly charged forward again, using another part of his body to collide with the large tree.

"A day and a night? Is that really so long?" Li Yan was taken aback for a moment, and then he noticed the trace of fatigue on Yin Yulan's face. His heart ached, and he immediately said, "Auntie, you haven't had a good rest these past two days, have you? Now that I am awake, you should go and rest."

On the other side, Li Yan took advantage of the darkness to venture alone into the forest on the back mountain. He had to seize the time to cultivate. Although Li Jin was extremely detestable, that guy's cultivation level had already reached the fifth stage of body refinement. This achievement, while considered among the bottom tier among his peers in the Li family, was indeed much stronger compared to his own cultivation, which had just reached the third stage of body refinement, as he was still a sickly weakling.

It was only after another hour that Li Yan stopped striking the tree. He then sat down heavily on the ground, gasping for breath. At this moment, the backs of his hands were already swollen, and he was drenched in sweat, unsure whether it was from pain or exhaustion

I understand!" Li Yan replied, then lowered his head and fell silent

This matter has already passed, so let us not bring it up again. Li Ling waved his hand and then said, "Yulan, regardless of the circumstances, Yan'er is innocent"

"Auntie, how did you end up here!" Li Yan exclaimed upon seeing the beautiful woman beside him, then shook his head. "I remember this morning, I got into a fight with that bastard Li Jin, and after returning, I fainted in the courtyard. Did you carry me in?"

Li Yan is an outgoing person who enjoys making friends. However, due to starting his cultivation late and having low abilities, in his family, only those with low cultivation or dull talents, who cannot embark on the path of cultivation, are willing to associate with him. Today, Li Yan was practicing with some friends outside, and after finishing, he was preparing to head home when he encountered a few individuals with whom he had a poor relationship. Initially, he did not want to pay them any mind, but he could not resist their deliberate provocation and insults. Being young and impetuous, Li Yan naturally could not hold back and retaliated. The outcome was clear; he was soundly beaten and fainted upon returning home.

However, Li Yan believes that as long as he gives himself time, he will surely surpass all his peers, because since he embarked on the path of cultivation, he has been more diligent than anyone else

In another room, Yin Yulan pulled Li Ling's hand and walked in. As soon as the latter entered the room, she shook off his hand and then said in a low voice: "Do you also harbor resentment towards Yan Er's parents in your heart?"