Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

But what realm lies beyond the Opening Meridian Realm? The book didn't specify, so Shen Chu had no way of guessing.

Thinking back on everything that had happened, Shen Chu couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of urgency.

With his current strength, he might still be able to protect himself in a small place like Changping County.

However, it's not quite up to par in a large city like Qingyang County.

Not to mention behemoths like the Red Lotus Cult and Mist Peak...

Thinking of this, Shen Chu couldn't help but feel somewhat fortunate.

Fortunately, I worked very hard, which allowed me to glimpse things that ordinary people could never know in their entire lives.

If you can't control your own destiny after transmigrating to this fantasy world, then you've wasted your time.

If the opportunity arises in the future, I might be able to consult with Miss Situ or Miss Li.

Since they are from the so-called academy, their knowledge should be much broader than that of ordinary people, and they might be able to answer some of his questions.

After flipping through a few more books, Shen Chu had a complete understanding of it.

He stood up, put all the books back in their places, cleaned the desk, and then left the study.

After returning to his room, he went straight to bed.

He then closed his eyes, and with a thought, brought up his system panel.

A pale blue light screen slowly unfolded in the field of vision, displaying three lines of professional information clearly before the eyes.

Shen Chu's gaze swept back and forth between the three lines of information.

The professions of "Swordsmith" and "Cultist" are quite different. The former requires long-term, arduous practice and is difficult to advance rapidly in a short period of time; the latter requires slaying demons to accumulate progress, which is something that can only be encountered by chance.

The class with the best chance of achieving a breakthrough right now is the [Martial Artist] class.

If he can advance from the late stage of the Bone Forging Realm to the Great Perfection Realm, his strength will reach another level.

He then focused his attention on his body, sensing the primordial energy lurking deep within.

Ever since this energy was implanted into my body by the strange man in the green robe, it has been lying dormant quietly. Apart from bringing a warm sensation as it flows through my body, its presence is usually undetectable.

He thought for a moment, then tried to use the system panel to guide it, to see if it could circulate along the meridians.

Unexpectedly, a new message appeared on the system panel:

[Increased activity of Primal Qi: Body tempering efficiency +7%.]

Shen Chu was slightly taken aback, then her heart leaped with joy.

He couldn't control this primordial energy as easily as he could manipulate his own strength, but with the system's assistance, he was able to indirectly mobilize it to aid his cultivation!

Although a 7% improvement isn't a huge amount, for someone stuck in a plateau, every bit of progress is precious.

He tried to increase the output of his mind, wanting to make the Yuan Gui Qi more active, but the Qi was like a lazy loach, no matter how he tried to drive it, it refused to move an inch.

He tried several more times, but the energy remained unmoved, and he finally had no choice but to give up in frustration.

It seems that with his current abilities, this is the most he can do.

Shen Chu sighed, opened her eyes, and murmured to herself, "If only someone could give me some pointers..."

Naturally, Shen Chu thought of Miss Li, whom she had never met.

Miss Situ looks to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, yet she already possesses considerable cultivation and insight. As her senior sister, Miss Li must be even more extraordinary.

If he has the opportunity to ask her for advice when they meet tomorrow, perhaps she can help him resolve his confusion about cultivation.

Just as she was pondering this, Li Chengwen's loud voice came from outside the door: "Shen Chu! Come out and eat! I've had a feast prepared today, come on in!"

Shen Chu snapped out of her thoughts, got up, pushed open the door, and went out.

A round table had already been set up under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, on which were laid out seven or eight dishes in abundance.

It is exquisitely crafted and has an irresistible aroma that makes one's mouth water.

Li Chengwen was busy setting out the bowls and chopsticks when he saw Shen Chu come out. He waved to him, then turned and called out solicitously to the woman, "Madam Hu, Hu Bai, please come and sit down, the food won't taste good if it gets cold!"

Shen Chu was speechless upon hearing this.

This fat guy really isn't afraid of people recognizing him.

They even managed to find out other people's names!

The boy and woman followed Shen Chu all the way, and only then did Shen Chu learn that their surname was Hu.

At Li Chengwen's repeated invitations, Madam Hu approached somewhat shyly. She sat down gently at the table and whispered:

"Young Master Li, you're going to too much trouble. We can just have something simple to eat; there's no need for all this."

"No trouble at all! You are our guests, how could we possibly neglect you!"

Li Chengwen grinned from ear to ear, placing a piece of braised pork into her bowl as he spoke, "Try this, the braised pork at this restaurant is the best in Qingyang County!"

Sitting next to Madam Hu, Hu Bai looked at Li Chengwen's obsequious manner with an extremely cold expression, his eyes filled with undisguised vigilance and rejection.

Shen Chu saw all of this, but had no intention of getting involved.

He sat down at the table, silently picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat.

His mind was still on his cultivation insights from earlier. While chewing his food, he repeatedly pondered the characteristics of that primordial energy.

The meal was finished in this subtle atmosphere.

After the meal, Xu Zhibao suddenly showed up at the door.

He came at Li Chengwen's invitation.

Li Chengwen felt that since everyone was in Qingyang County and had gone through hardships together, they should sit down and catch up.

Xu Zhibao declined the dinner invitation due to other commitments, but still made time to visit the courtyard that evening.

Shen Chu could tell that his visit was not a pretense to reminisce, but rather a pretext to inquire about the situation.

Xu Zhibao chatted with Li Chengwen for a while, but Li Chengwen only felt bored, so he called Shen Chu to keep him company, while he went to Madam Hu's side to make his presence known.

The servants, being tactful, finished brewing the tea and went directly to their quarters, leaving the courtyard as a private space for them to talk.

Seeing that Li Chengwen wasn't responding, Xu Zhibao felt somewhat helpless.

He then picked up the teacup, gently blew on the steam, and through the rising vapor, his gaze fell on Shen Chu's face. Suddenly, an idea struck him: "Master Shen, I heard from Young Master Li that you possess martial arts skills and are even highly regarded by Miss Li's fellow disciples. May I ask which master you studied under?"

This idiot really has no sense of propriety when it comes to his words...

Shen Chu sighed inwardly. Fortunately, he had known that someone would ask this question, so he calmly repeated his original statement.

"I never knew Master Shen had such talent. Truly, heroes emerge from among the young..."

Xu Zhibao was somewhat surprised to hear this. He stared at him for a moment, seemingly trying to determine the truthfulness of his words, but ultimately did not pursue the matter further. He simply sighed meaningfully.