SWNOVELXO Chapter 102:
Chapter 102: Martial Arts and Demons:
The pungent smell of blood filled the air. It was thick and acrid, and traces of dried blood were scattered everywhere. Fragments of shattered swords reflected bright white light in the sun.
Many of these shards were deeply embedded in the trees lining the road, while others lay half-buried in weeds, carried there by wind and sand.
Xu Xi walked along the gravel path, but the farther he went, the more desolate and bloodstained the road became. It was as if a fierce battle had taken place here.
Frowning, he slowed his steps. “What happened here?”
Recalling the hurried figures he had seen earlier, galloping on horseback, Xu Xi guessed that some kind of conflict or war might be unfolding ahead.
“Is it between people, or something else?”
[On your way to find the town, you discovered traces of a fierce battle.]
[You became cautious and slowed your progress. At the same time, you picked up a usable knife from the roadside as a precaution.]
[You walk slowly.]
[You keep moving.]
[Persistence is being activated… Qi and blood are rising to the sky, being activated…]
[Your persistence has increased your endurance. Your abundant qi and blood protect you from hunger-induced weakness, and your speed improves slightly.]
After 45 minutes of cautious walking, Xu Xi arrived at a small town.
[You inquired about the situation and learned that this is Qingniu Town, located on the outskirts of the “Daqian” region, bordering the demon-infested Shiwan Mountain.]
[The traces of blood and destruction you noticed were the result of a battle between demons and warriors. This was a terrifying wave of demons that had destroyed much of Qingniu Town, killing many mortals in brutal ways. The rich smell of blood you sensed was the aftermath of this carnage.]
Tearing sounds rang out in the distance.
The battle between warriors and demons was ongoing. A muscular man with a bare upper body leaped into the air, his sword slashing with a sharp roar. The arc of his blade gleamed in the sunlight as it severed the neck of a horned tiger, sending its bloodied head crashing to the ground.
“Good swordsmanship!”
“As expected of Master Ji! That tiger-slaying technique is unmatched!”
“Hahaha, you’re too kind!”
The warriors nearby clapped and cheered, their admiration evident. Many cast envious glances toward the man.
The warrior, clearly enjoying the praise, laughed loudly and charged toward another direction, his blade glinting.
This was the world of Qi and Blood Martial Arts. Most practitioners had bold and unrestrained personalities, and battle stirred their blood, driving them to tear their enemies apart with sheer violence.
Compared to immortal cultivators, who sought balance through spiritual practices, or magicians, who mastered the world through knowledge, these warriors seemed extreme. All their energy and skill were focused on strengthening their physical bodies.
“A body like iron and qi like a furnace. The concept is intriguing,” Xu Xi mused.
Despite his growing hunger, he observed for a while before stepping into Qingniu Town.
Before entering this simulation, Xu Xi had prepared himself thoroughly with various training methods, including those from the martial arts system. He had memorized exercises for both cultivation and life-or-death combat. However, before he could begin practicing, he needed a safe place to stay and a deeper understanding of this world.
…
[You took an important first step.]
[Qingniu Town, ravaged by demons, is in need of labor. Using your strong and healthy body, you secured your first earnings through hard work.]
[You purchased food, ate heartily, and eliminated the hunger plaguing your body.]
[Following your plan, you quietly accumulated money while learning about the Daqian Empire from locals.]
[At the same time, you began to study Daqian’s written language and read ancient texts on your own.]
[Persistence activated…]
[Your persistence paid off. After a month of diligent study, you gained a basic understanding of the mainstream and ancient characters of the Daqian Empire.]
[Now, you have a foundational understanding of this world.]
This world was boundless and vast. Humanity had tempered its existence through generations of Qi and Blood Martial Arts, carving out a safe haven for their race.
[Daqian was born.]
The Daqian Empire was a powerful empire that ruled over humanity’s territory, maintaining stability and order. Under its governance, the human race thrived, free from the darkness and hardship of ancient times.
But outside Daqian’s borders lay the perilous Shiwan Mountains, home to countless demons and ghosts.
“As for Qi and Blood Martial Arts, its essence lies in life-or-death battles,” Xu Xi thought.
[The mountains are towering, and the peaks are treacherous.]
[Your Qi and blood potential surged, breaking through the mortal body’s first limit. Your muscles and bones roared, and you reached the first level of martial arts.]
[You spent all your savings to purchase medicine to strengthen your Qi and blood.]
[With a two-pronged approach, you made steady progress.]
After a year and a half, Xu Xi had saved a modest amount of wealth. He judged it was finally time to dedicate himself fully to the practice of Qi and Blood Martial Arts.
“Living here suits my needs for training,” Xu Xi thought.
Although mortals in Qingniu Town feared the demons from the mountains, Xu Xi was different.
He ran the true martial arts techniques he had exchanged for in the real world. Energy surged under his skin, circulating through his body in powerful waves.
[Following specific techniques, you prepared a dose of Qi and Blood Powder and a medicinal bath to enhance your body’s energy and blood.]
[Living near Shiwan Mountain, places like Qingniu Town face frequent demon invasions.]
“I have persistence and martial arts. Together, they create a powerful synergy. If I use them wisely, the rewards from this simulation will be significant,” Xu Xi reflected.
[The Shiwan Mountains are an absolute forbidden zone. Even martial arts masters at the immortal realm dare not enter lightly, as the demons within are endless and indestructible.]
For now, Xu Xi chose to remain in Qingniu Town.
[You worked daily, earning money through labor. Your persistence and dedication impressed the locals.]
[Practicing fists and kicks consistently, you developed a deeper understanding of their techniques. Your body began to internalize the movements, forming muscle memory.]
[Day after day, month after month…]
Living in a remote place like Qingniu Town was inherently dangerous. Old and young alike longed to escape to the safer regions deeper within Daqian. However, strict government regulations prohibited the people from moving freely.
[Your long-term labor improved your physical fitness, allowing you to delve further into the essence of Qi and Blood Martial Arts.]
For Xu Xi, this was just the beginning.