Invincible Under Heaven

Bet

The social structure of the Great Zhou dynasty remains at the stage of the Song and Ming periods.

However, with the existence of martial artists and true ki—these extraordinary powers—productivity is noticeably higher.

Although the city streets are not exactly clean, they are nowhere near muddy enough to cover you in filth just by stepping outside.

"Lijiang is the capital of Jiangzhou, with a population of around six hundred thousand. There are more than a dozen such cities of this scale in the Zhou dynasty... Judging by architecture, sanitation, and daily living, its development is on par with the 18th century."

Li Xian walked down the street, digesting fragments of memories about clothing, food, housing, and transportation from Li Xian's past.

There were no cannons or firearms in those memories; the productivity gap brought by technology was made up by martial artists.

As Li Xian observed, he paused in front of a stone bridge.

Suddenly, memories belonging to Li Xian kept flashing in his mind.

It was a torrential rainy night.

Li Xian was chasing after a carriage, crying out.

"Yanran, how will I live without you, yanran?"

When he reached this bridge, a shadowy figure darted out and kicked "him" into the river.

The river water was icy cold, numbing to the bone.

When "he" woke up again...

He had become Li Xian.

"Li Xian" died.

...

"There will be an explanation for this."

Li Xian withdrew his gaze, crossed the stone bridge, and walked another hundred meters, soon arriving outside Youlong District.

Upon entering the market district, not far from the decorative archway, a large courtyard immediately caught his eye.

The sign for Longquan Martial Hall was clearly visible from dozens of meters away.

Li Xian stepped inside, just in time to hear a woman's voice echoing: "Bones and tendons are the foundation of strength. Only by infusing strength throughout can you forge iron bones and steel tendons, overturn a charging horse, capture a tiger or leopard with your bare hands!"

As he entered the courtyard, he saw a young woman around eighteen or nineteen years old, standing over one meter seventy tall, with a slender figure and a healthy complexion.

She was instructing several disciples of similar age.

"To practice martial arts, developing visible strength is more crucial than eating. Train diligently! Only after eating and drinking your fill can you study and practice hard, mastering your strength! As long as you have chicken, duck, beef, ginseng soup, and medicinal meals every day, then train with a superior style—building strength is easy!"

Her expression was indifferent, "No one is so dull-witted as to not grasp the concept of strength by the age of fifteen or sixteen. So, achieving visible strength is nothing special; only when your strength infuses your bones and tendons, forging and reshaping them, can you lay a real foundation with martial arts."

As she spoke, her gaze landed on Li Xian, who had entered the courtyard.

"What is it?"

"Li Xian, requesting an audience with Hall Master Zhou Juechen."

"You want to see my master?"

The woman glanced coldly at him, then pointed to a table near the entrance, "Register and line up."

Li Xian was somewhat confused.

At that, one disciple beside him laughed lightly, "Do you think Hall Master Zhou is just an ordinary instructor? Think you can see him anytime you want? Do you even know the value of a Martial Artist at the fifth stage—one who has refined their blood and cleansed their marrow? He ranks among the very top in Lijiang City and is famous throughout the martial world!"

Another chimed in, "Since the hall opened less than a month ago, at least several hundred notables and wealthy merchants have visited. If he had to meet every one of them, when would he ever get to train? Go stand in line, you."

At that moment, the young woman instructing the group seemed to recall something, "Hold on, Li Xian? Li Xian, student of Master Zhou, known as one of the Four Luminaries of Lijiang?"

She stared closely at Li Xian.

The Four Luminaries of Lijiang?

The original owner did have such a nickname.

"I've seen you before."

By now, she had recognized him, and her tone softened slightly, "Come inside and wait. I'll go inform my master."

"Thank you."

Li Xian cupped his hands and followed her.

Among the few memories he had, Li Xian was indeed considered a man of literary talent.

His teacher, master Zhou, was a renowned Confucian scholar throughout the Zhou dynasty.

Hearing his name, the mocking attitudes of the apprentices shifted subtly.

"It's really him? Student of Master Zhou from Songfeng Academy!"

"I heard he was expelled by Master Zhou for agreeing to become the Dingfeng Marquis's live-in son-in-law. Is that true?"

"That can't be! He was the top scorer in the Prefectural exam, and officials said he has the potential of a provincial champion. Why would he marry into a noble family and ruin his future?"

They whispered among themselves, watching the distinguished figure as he entered the courtyard.

Meanwhile, the young woman quickly arrived at the study, knocked on the door.

"Hongyu? Come in."

A voice answered from inside.

As Hongyu pushed the door open, she saw Zhou Juechen, who appeared to be only twenty-eight or twenty-nine, casually tossing several invitation cards onto the desk.

All the invitees were prominent families of Lijiang.

"Perfect. Swordsage Guang Yuanzi will soon invite Jiangzhou's heroes to sword contest at Mount Canglang. Watch over the martial hall for me for a while."

"Understood."

Hongyu nodded, then added, "Master, student Li Xian requests an audience."

"Li Xian? The favorite student that Third Granduncle always talked about?"

Zhou Juechen leaned forward, surprised.

"The one who was to marry into Dingfeng Marquis Residence?"

"That's him."

"Heh? Then I've got to meet him."

Zhou Juechen snorted, "I really want to see what kind of fool this number-one idiot looks like. Everyone knows that the marquis's daughter is just marrying for appearances, using him as a backup, and he still willingly ran over. It made Third Granduncle lose his appetite from anger."

"He comes from humble origins and has limited exposure to the upper echelons. He's been infatuated with the marquis's daughter since she studied at the academy. So when he heard the marquis was seeking a son-in-law, of course he was the first to volunteer..."

"He didn't have access to insider information? I don't believe Third Granduncle never warned him!"

"He was just too infatuated."

"What's the use of infatuation? At the last banquet, I saw Lady Liu of the marquis's house and Young Lord Yan being all lovey-dovey. Hmph! Do you think this prodigy, this lovesick fool, even knows about that? Maybe I should tell this 'Marquis's son-in-law' the truth and help Third Granduncle vent his anger?"

Zhou Juechen was begrudgingly disappointed.

But Hongyu's expression grew solemn, "This matter involves the marquis's daughter, the prince's heir, and... a prodigy who has 'leapt through the Dragon Gate' to become a future immortal. If Master wants to expose this, the risk is huge."

When Hongyu mentioned Dingfeng Marquis Residence and the prince's son, Zhou Juechen remained indifferent, but once she said "future immortal," the greatly-renowned fifth-stage martial artist of Lijiang grew visibly apprehensive.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Fine, bring him in."

He leaned back, "I want to hear what he has to say for himself."

Soon, hongyu led Li Xian into the study.

Zhou Juechen gave him a once-over.

The youth certainly looked impressive.

To be called one of Lijiang's Four Luminaries, he had to have both literary prowess and a distinguished appearance.

Pity about his foolish head.

Martial artists rarely beat about the bush.

Before Li Xian could speak, Zhou Juechen said bluntly, "If you've come to beg on my Third Granduncle's behalf, don't bother. Just go back where you came from."

"Third Granduncle?"

Li Xian was confused.

But he was not a man for social niceties or pointless speculation—he cut to the chase, "That's not why I am here. I came to ask Hall Master Zhou for guidance on blood-refining and marrow-cleansing. Whatever the condition, please state it."

After a moment's thought, he added, "If Hall Master Zhou could also offer some tips about the 'Grand Circulation without Leakage' or 'Refining Void into Reality', that would be even better."

"You want to learn about blood-refining and marrow-cleansing?"

Zhou Juechen was briefly stunned.

Then his face filled with disbelief, "And the 'Grand Circulation without Leakage', 'Refining Void into Reality'?"

"Yes."

Li Xian nodded.

Sometimes all you can do is laugh.

Zhou Juechen was laughing in exasperation, "Do you, a bookworm... scholar, even know what blood-refining and marrow-cleansing means? Do you have any idea what 'Grand Circulation without Leakage' and 'Refining Void into Reality' are?"

"I do."

Li Xian answered honestly, "There are nine stages in martial arts. The fifth stage is blood-refining and marrow-cleansing, where you transform the body by driving the flow of blood through technique and breath. The sixth stage, 'Grand Circulation without Leakage', is realizing the concept of unity, making your ki and blood inexhaustible. The seventh stage, 'Refining Void into Reality', is mastering the flow, using the false to enhance the true, and cultivating true ki."

Afterward, he realized this must sound incredibly arrogant to Zhou Juechen, so he explained, "I'm already quite familiar with visible strength, bones and tendons, and internal training of the viscera. I also have ideas about blood-refining and marrow-cleansing, though I need to verify if it can really work. That's why I came to Longquan Martial Hall for guidance from Hall Master Zhou."

Zhou Juechen felt worn out listening to such a serious academic discussion of martial arts.

A layman wouldn't understand the field.

Did Li Xian really believe that just because he excelled in studying, he could have genius in martial arts as well?

Standing beside him, hongyu noticed her master's embarrassment and quickly interjected, "Young Master Li, martial arts are not as simple as you think. You must pass three major trials to succeed: money for large amounts of tonic herbs, social standing to acquire martial techniques, and the perseverance and endurance through the pain of reshaping muscles and bones."

She stated directly, "The first two trials aren't difficult for you, but the third... the pain of stretching tendons and bones is not something most can bear."

"I know,"

Li Xian nodded. "That's not a problem for me."

After forming a foundation of ki, there was nowhere to go. Once one stood at the summit and lost to a child's single blow, that was the real hardship.

"Ha! What a bold 'not a problem'!"

Zhou Juechen finally understood what it meant to have a wooden brain.

Now he also felt the urge to clench his fist as Third Granduncle supposedly had.

Especially when he thought about Li Xian abandoning his bright future to become the Dingfeng Marquis's live-in son-in-law; it made the hall master even angrier.

Without warning, he opened a drawer and took out a booklet, slapping it on the table, "So, you already have a grasp of the initial four realms? And some ideas about blood-refining and marrow-cleansing? Here, this is my cultivation method from visible strength to blood-refining and marrow-cleansing. It's full of experience for a flawless flow of energy! Read it carefully! Memorize it! I want to see what you can actually accomplish!"

Li Xian's eyes lit up as he stepped forward to take it, "Thank you."

Hmm?

You're really taking it!?

"Hold it!"

Zhou Juechen pressed a palm on the booklet. "If you actually succeed, I'll give you this 'Five Elements Method' for free! But if you learn nothing, then what?"

"I'll pay you double whatever it's worth."

Li Xian replied as a matter of course.

"As a martial artist gone through Marrow Cleansing, do I care for your money?"

Zhou Juechen held up three fingers. "Three months! I'll give you three months. If you can't make any progress in that time, you will honestly cancel your engagement, apologize to my Third Granduncle, and return to your books!"

Three months to achieve blood-refining and marrow-cleansing?

It's quite difficult!

But...

It's not entirely impossible.

Besides, isn't life more fun with some challenge?

"Deal."

Li Xian nodded.

Zhou Juechen let go and reclined in his chair, "Hongyu, take him out, give him several rounds of 'Eight Treasures Broth', and then train him fiercely—push him to the limit."