The Martial Saint Started from Scavenging

Ye Sheng stared at the smoky palm print on the wall, clenching and unclenching his fist, the burning sensation still lingering on his fingertips.

He turned and walked to the door, then pushed it open.

A breeze from the river blew in, dispersing the medicinal fragrance and stuffy smell from the room.

Before dawn, the river in the distance was shrouded in mist.

Ye Sheng took a deep breath and felt that the blood and qi in his chest were more than twice as strong as before.

He closed his eyes, and a thought flashed through his mind.

Deep within his dantian, a wisp of pale golden internal energy flowed slowly, like a gentle little snake, moving throughout his body according to his will.

Arms, legs, back...

Wherever he went, his muscles would get slightly warm, brimming with a burst of power ready to be unleashed.

This is the difference between a martial artist and a mere warrior.

A mere brute can only rely on brute force and skill, while a martial artist can mobilize internal energy, imbuing every punch and kick with destructive power far exceeding the limits of the physical body.

Ye Sheng opened his eyes and his gaze fell on the crooked tree in the courtyard.

The tree was as thick as a bowl, and it was his target for practicing his sword skills; its bark was covered with knife marks.

He walked up to the tree and got into position.

This time, he didn't use a knife. He simply raised his right fist and slowly threw it out.

The fist pierced the air with a low, muffled thud.

"Bang!"

The fist slammed solidly into the tree trunk.

The tree trunk shook violently, and withered leaves fell in a flurry.

Ye Sheng withdrew his fist and looked down.

A large section of the bark was sunken in, and the wood fibers had cracked open, revealing the blackened heartwood inside.

He looked at his fist again. The skin was slightly red, but not broken, not even a scratch.

Internal energy protecting the body, truly formidable.

"elder brother?"

Ye Kai's voice came from behind, tinged with surprise.

Ye Sheng turned around and saw his younger brother leaning against the door frame, staring wide-eyed at the tree.

"You...when did you become so amazing?"

Ye Sheng went over and helped him up.

"Don't move around too much these past few days, your leg isn't fully healed yet."

He helped Ye Kai back into the house and let him sit on a straw mat.

"Brother, are you going to become a martial artist?" Ye Kai's eyes were full of admiration.

Ye Sheng didn't say anything, he just smiled.

Become a martial artist?

He can now be considered to have stepped into the threshold of martial arts.

[Internal Breathing Technique] Beginner: Condensing the first trace of internal energy is the mark of a martial artist.

But he also knew that his martial arts skills were largely unreliable.

That trace of internal energy was too weak; it was only enough for him to throw a few punches.

Moreover, he relied on external substances like Qi and Blood Pills to forcefully cultivate his Qi, so his foundation is unstable.

Ye Sheng remembered Liu the Cripple's words very clearly, but he had no regrets.

After all, Yun Zhonghe, the Blood Pact Merchant Guild, the Garrison Command, Wang Laizi... these potential threats will not let him off just because his foundation is unstable.

He must seize every opportunity to become stronger, even if it means drinking poison to quench his thirst.

"Brother, what are you planning to do next?" Ye Kai asked.

Ye Sheng was silent for a moment, then said, "Keep practicing."

He glanced at the small porcelain bottle; there were still eight Qi and Blood Pills inside, enough for him to make another surge.

Over the next few days, Ye Sheng completely forced himself into a state of "seclusion".

Aside from cooking and preparing medicine for Ye Kai, he spent all his time in arduous cultivation.

During the day, practice stance training and basic sword techniques to solidify your foundation.

In the evening, I would take Qi and Blood Pills to accelerate my progress in the [Internal Breathing Method].

Each Qi and Blood Pill he swallowed was like a living hell. The tearing pain nearly made him faint several times.

But he gritted his teeth and persevered.

One, two, three...

By the fifth pill, Ye Sheng was already able to control the violent medicinal power quite skillfully.

Although the process is still painful, at least it won't be like the beginning, where I almost burst.

The panel in front of him was growing at an alarming rate.

[Internal Breathing Method: Beginner 1/500 → 87/500]

[Standing Posture: Beginner 23/500 → 45/500]

[Basic Knife Techniques: Beginner 67/500 → 103/500]

Especially in the basic sword techniques, once you start learning the internal breathing method and have the support of internal energy, your progress will be rapid.

Ye Sheng could clearly feel that his understanding of the knife had reached a new level.

The "momentum" brought about by the initial condensation of the sword intent also became more solid.

That night, Ye Sheng swallowed the last Qi and Blood Pill.

The violent effects of the drug exploded within him; he had grown accustomed to the pain.

With his eyes closed, he meticulously circulated the [Internal Breathing Technique], guiding the medicinal power to gradually condense it into internal energy, which then flowed into his dantian.

After an unknown amount of time, when the last trace of medicinal power was refined, Ye Sheng suddenly opened his eyes.

He felt that the internal energy in his dantian had grown from as thin as a hair to as thick as a chopstick.

Although it is still not very profound, it is more than ten times stronger than when I first started.

[Internal Breathing Method: Beginner Level 145/500]

Ye Sheng stood up and walked into the courtyard.

The night was as dark as ink, and the stars shone brightly.

He drew his machete and assumed a fighting stance.

This time, he wanted to test just how powerful his swordsmanship was when enhanced by internal energy.

劈!

With a single slash, a faint golden light shimmered on the blade. That was the manifestation of internal energy adhering to the edge.

The blade sliced ​​through the air with a sharp, piercing sound, as if it were tearing something apart.

砍!

He swept his blade across the ground, leaving a trail of afterimages.

The crooked tree was cut in half by this stroke. The cut was as smooth as a mirror, and wisps of smoke were still rising from the edges.

Ye Sheng sheathed his sword, looked at the fallen tree, and a look of shock flashed in his eyes.

This is the power of internal strength.

With the addition of internal energy, the same sword technique becomes at least three times more powerful.

Moreover, this was only when he had just started learning and his internal energy was weak.

If one's internal energy becomes profound and condenses into a powerful aura in the future, how terrifying would its power be?

Ye Sheng took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement.

He turned and went back into the house, glancing at Ye Kai.

My younger brother is sleeping soundly, his breathing is steady.

Ye Sheng sat down by the fire, opened the panel, and examined it carefully.

Name: Ye Sheng

[Skill: Activated to level 6]

[Standing Posture: Beginner Level 45/500]

[Basic Knife Techniques: Beginner 103/500]

[Internal Breathing Method: Beginner Level 145/500]

[Herbal Identification: Beginner 21/100]

[Scavenging: Proficient 41/500]

[Literacy: Beginner Level 43/100]

Their strength has improved significantly.

But Ye Sheng knew that this was far from enough.

Although he is now considered a martial artist, he is only the weakest beginner-level martial artist.

Ship gang elites like Zhang Hu are all Bone Forging Realm martial artists.

As for Yun Zhonghe, a steward of the Qingyun Sword Sect, his strength is even more unfathomable.

Ye Sheng clenched his fists; he had to keep getting stronger.

But we've already used up all the Qi and Blood Pills, what should we do next?

He looked at the old ginseng root and the remaining astragalus root in the corner.

These things, while not as potent as Qi and Blood Pills, are gentle and can be taken long-term.

Moreover, he had an even bolder idea.

Ye Sheng took out the jade token of the Qingyun Sword Sect from his pocket. The jade token was warm and smooth, and gleamed softly in the firelight.

Yun Zhonghe said that if he changed his mind, he could take this token to the Qingyun Sword Sect to find him.

Ye Sheng had never considered this idea before.

Because he was a wandering scholar, without any official status or roots, how could a major sect like the Qingyun Sword Sect possibly accept him?

But now, he has changed his mind. Yun Zhonghe's two appearances are no coincidence.

That person was clearly after him. Since he couldn't avoid it, he might as well take the initiative.

Moreover, if they could join the Qingyun Sword Sect, he and Ye Kai would be able to completely shed their status as outsiders.

By then, Wang Laizi, Zhao Hu, and their ilk will be no threat.

As for Yun Zhonghe's purpose...

Ye Sheng's eyes were icy cold.

there is always a solution to a problem.

He now possesses internal energy, and his strength is vastly different from before.

Even if there is real danger, we are not without the ability to fight back.

Thinking of this, Ye Sheng carefully put away the jade pendant.

He made his decision.

Once Ye Kai's leg is better, he will take his younger brother to the Qingyun Sword Sect.

But before that, there was one more thing he had to do.

Wang Laizi.

These past few days, Ye Sheng has been in seclusion cultivating, and that bastard has quieted down quite a bit.

But Ye Sheng knew that it was just the calm before the storm.

Wang Laizi will not let this go easily.

Instead of waiting for him to cause trouble, it's better to take the initiative and solve the problem once and for all.

Ye Sheng stood up and walked to the door.

The night was deep, and the river was turbulent.

He gripped the machete, his eyes cold.

Tomorrow, I'll settle this trouble.