Martial Artists Are Also Defenders of Home and Country!

As Su Ye understood it.

More than 300 years ago, Blue Star's development had been much the same as Earth's in his previous life, with technology as its primary direction.

But one day, a calamity struck.

Blue Star was plunged into darkness for a full half hour. Some scientists claimed it had been a peculiar total solar eclipse. Some passersby saw two terrifying dark beastly shadows blotting out the sky and sun. Others described seeing other bizarre, fantastical worlds.

There had been no shortage of conjectures and theories, and in the end, no conclusion was reached.

But once Blue Star regained its light, it ushered in the "Spiritual Energy Revival," and countless beasts and plants mutated.

Domesticated chickens and ducks turned into bloodthirsty Demon Beasts several people tall, ravaging farms. Fish in the water shed their scales and grew vicious fangs and wings, slaughtering fishermen.

There were even packs of gray wolves assaulting cities and flocks of birds mutating, causing the deaths of tens of thousands!

The entire world seemed to have descended into chaos in an instant!

Many dangers even came from within the cities, severely restricting humanity, which possessed immensely destructive weapons but lacked mobility and individual destructive power!

According to incomplete statistics, that year... a full third of the global population died!

In the end, it was the revival of martial arts, and the emergence of Martial Artists, that stemmed such a desperate situation.

Yet even now, humanity had failed to reclaim its position as Earth's dominant species. Instead, humans and Demon Beasts shared Blue Star, while cities required the protection of Formation Arrays to guard at all times against Monster Tides attacking them.

Even so, humanity still faced the threat of Demon Beasts at every moment.

That was why Martial Artists held such lofty status!

Martial Artists were also defenders of home and country!

Su Ye looked at the blue barrier and took a deep breath as countless fragmented images flickered through his mind.

Perhaps because his body had been too young and underdeveloped during that Monster Tide eighteen years ago, he retained few memories of it.

Yet the few scenes he remembered—severed limbs, blood staining everything red, endless wails of agony—were like a living hell... That disaster had taken the lives of nearly ten thousand people in Shenyun City!

"Strength."

"Become stronger!"

Su Ye drew in a light breath and shifted his gaze from the blue light that seemed to cover the entire city to his tightly clenched fist.

His yearning for strength—wasn't this external danger one of the reasons behind it?

He had been one of the lucky survivors of that Monster Tide eighteen years ago, but what if he had to experience it again?

A trace of worry flashed through Chief Steward Su Ying's eyes. It seemed directed at Su Ye, yet also like he was speaking to himself.

"Humans aren't the only ones evolving and growing stronger. All kinds of Demon Beasts are changing too. In recent years, there have been more and more Demon Beasts gaining intelligence."

"I hope nothing happens."

"Thank you for the reminder." Su Ye nodded, then left.

A quarter hour later.

Su Ye took out his key and opened the door, and the scents of all kinds of dishes rushed into his nose.

Looking closely, he saw four dishes and a soup laid out on the table.

Beef, shrimp, black-boned chicken, and dragon bone kelp soup.

"Eat something good during this period."

"Son, you've worked hard too! Build yourself up!"

"Eat as much as you want. There'll be more tonight."

Wang Yuerong came out carrying a bowl of vegetables, a smile on her face.

Warmth surged through Su Ye's heart.

Given his family's circumstances, such extravagance would have been impossible on ordinary days unless it was a holiday.

"Mom, I'll get into the Martial Arts Class."

"You child, why put so much pressure on yourself? It'll be good if you get in, but it's nothing if you don't. How did that saying go? All roads lead to Rome."

Returning to his room, Su Ye took a nap at noon.

After waking, he began tempering his bones in the cramped room with the Tiger Form Bone Forging Method!

Martial cultivation could not be delayed for even a moment!

The two Martial Bones within his body cracked like thunder, roaring like tigers as they supplied Su Ye with an endless stream of power like an engine!

"With my current strength, I can practically compare to the famous boxing champions from my previous life."

"And this is only two Martial Bones!"

"When the Tiger Form Bone Forging Method reaches mastery, it can temper a full forty-nine Martial Bones!"

"How terrifying will that be?"

Su Ye's eyes shone brightly. His fingers formed claws, and his body bent slightly, like a tiger preparing to pounce!

"This is martial arts!"

"Forty-nine Martial Bones? No, perhaps with only ten Martial Bones, paired with suitable martial techniques, I'll truly be able to hunt a fierce tiger!"

At the thought that he only needed to complete thirty-two full movements before using the Manifestation Talisman to temper another Martial Bone, endless passion surged within Su Ye.

First form, Hungry Tiger Pounces on Mountain!

Second form, Tiger Claw Splits Stone!

Third form, Tiger Roar Shakes Mountain!

Each movement was simple and easy to learn, yet extraordinarily exhausting.

"It's just like Russian push-ups. Your brain learns it, but your hands don't work that way."

Su Ye suppressed his stray thoughts and carefully performed each movement.

Only when the sky gradually darkened, the blazing sun sank below the horizon, and the City Protection Blue Light shone through the window into the room like elves did Su Ye stop.

In his mind, the Manifestation Talisman swayed gently, flashing with Purple Light.

[With the tiger as form, tempering bones a thousand times, Tiger Form Bone Forging Method progress +1!]

[Tiger Form Bone Forging Method (3/49)]

Su Ye was drenched in sweat, yet he only felt strength flooding through his entire body, leaving him incomparably exhilarated!

If this had not been an apartment building with poor soundproofing, Su Ye would have nearly been unable to stop himself from letting out a long howl!

His eyes gleamed, his entire body burning hot as he fully experienced what it meant to be brimming with youthful vigor.

At that moment, he had the illusion that he could wrestle a fierce tiger with his bare hands!

"Heaven Rewards Diligence!"

"The third Martial Bone is complete!"

Su Ye's heart surged. Though his entire body ached as if he had run a marathon, that surging power filled him with delight!

He picked up a tissue beside him to wipe away his sweat, but accidentally tore it to shreds.

Su Ye froze briefly, then shook his head and muttered to himself.

"This is the importance of visualization!"

"Only a heart vast enough can command power strong enough."

"Power without restraint is nothing but pure destruction."

After slightly calming the turmoil in his heart, he carefully controlled his strength and wiped away his sweat.

Then Su Ye sat on a black yoga mat, closed his eyes, and began to visualize.

He observed the intent and scenery of all things, strengthening the power of his mind.

[Azure clouds stretch thickly, qi moves with force, Azure Cloud Breathing Technique progress +1!]

[Azure Cloud Breathing Technique (3/100)!]

The next morning.

Vast Sea Sword Hall.

Su Ye, whose entire body was sore and aching, yawned and shook his head helplessly.

"Sure enough, martial cultivation requires a balance between work and rest."

"I can't overdo it all at once. I trained a little too fiercely yesterday."

"I hope Zhang Yuan's Qi Recovery Pill gives me a pleasant surprise."

The moment he stepped onto the somewhat worn wooden floor, he noticed every student in the hall focusing their gazes on him.

Many wore strange expressions, seemingly surprised.

They had not expected Su Ye to return to Vast Sea Martial Arts School after what happened yesterday.

Just how thick was this guy's skin?

One student nearly six feet three inches tall stood very close to Su Ye and let out a low snort.

"You really think this will attract Coach Li's attention?"

"You can't even figure out your own place. You're nothing but a clown seeking attention!"

Li Aoxue's gaze also snapped toward Su Ye, carrying a trace of coldness.

But after her eyes met Su Ye's, her gaze casually drifted away, as though she were ignoring him.

Su Ye merely smiled faintly. Without paying attention to anyone else, he picked up a wooden training sword and went to a corner to begin practicing.

Right and wrong, truth and falsehood—once his Extreme Shadow Swordplay reached mastery, everything would naturally become clear!

With one swing of his sword, afterimages suddenly appeared, like ghosts and phantoms!

[Extreme Shadow Swordplay, progress +1]!

[Extreme Shadow Swordplay, progress +1]!

"With this progress, if I work harder these next two days, along with the Qi Recovery Pill Zhang Yuan brings..."

"The day after tomorrow..."

"No, tomorrow, I might even reach the highest Extreme Shadow realm!"