Chapter 32

"It seemed I could only start from scratch." He mused inwardly.

A sudden inspiration struck Li Wu, and he muttered, "Why not try materializing the martial arts ** from film and television works from my past life?"

He acted as soon as he thought of it, immediately beginning to create a cultivation method based on the ** descriptions in his memories.

However, progress was extremely slow. At this rate, even the second generation of humans might exhaust their lifespans before it was completed.

Li Wu promptly decided to burn merit to enhance his comprehension.

As the merit burned, his thoughts accelerated by tens of millions of times.

Countless true meanings of martial arts flowed through his mind. Meridian diagrams, acupoint diagrams, and circulation routes were continuously deduced and reconstructed within his sea of consciousness.

The ** of every realm underwent countless refinements. Only after reaching perfection would he continue deducing the next realm.

Five hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, and Li Wu finally created the Martial Codex, which led directly to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

This Martial Codex combined the body-refining essence of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, the core principles of countless martial arts manuals he had read in his past life, and the true-meaning condensation methods contained within the Martial Dao Heavenly Stele.

It was named the Martial Codex because it encompassed everything, covering fist techniques, sword arts, saber arts, hammer techniques, and all other kinds of martial arts.

The Martial Codex was divided into the following realms:

Body Refining Realm: Nine levels, tempering the physical body and enhancing strength and defense. It corresponded to the Earth Immortal realm of the prehistoric world.

Qi Refining Realm: Nine levels, opening the dantian and condensing Spiritual Energy. It corresponded to the Heavenly Immortal realm.

Golden Core Realm: Condense qi into a core and temper it through nine revolutions, allowing one to attain the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.

Upon completing the core, this realm was equivalent to the Mysterious Immortal level of the prehistoric world.

Acupoint Realm: One had to open at least three hundred and sixty-five acupoints within the body. Each acupoint contained a Golden Core. The more acupoints one opened, the stronger one became and the greater one's potential. This realm was comparable to a Golden Immortal of the prehistoric world.

Golden Body Realm: Fuse the Golden Cores within the acupoints with the physical body to forge a supreme golden body. It was equivalent to a Grand Unity Golden Immortal in the prehistoric world.

Martial Intent Realm: Condense the true meaning of martial arts and communicate with heaven and earth, nearly equivalent to grasping a law. Therefore, Martial Intent Realm cultivators often possessed combat power exceeding Grand Unity Golden Immortals who had yet to comprehend laws.

Li Wu had yet to complete the deduction of the later realms. Time was limited, and the existing cultivation system, which could reach the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, was already sufficient for humanity's long-term cultivation.

After creating the Martial Codex, Li Wu transmitted his voice throughout the entire race. "Today, I, Li Wu, Clan Leader of humanity, have comprehended martial arts. One month from now, I will preach outside the Ancestral Hall. Any human may come and listen!"

His voice boomed like thunder, spreading in every direction.

"That was the Clan Leader's voice! I never imagined that after a thousand years of seclusion, the Clan Leader would create a path of cultivation for humanity!" a first-generation human said in shock.

"The human Clan Leader? Is he the Clan Leader who brought fire to our people, built homes, and made clothing? I can finally meet him!" a second-generation human cried excitedly.

"Yes! With the Clan Leader teaching martial arts this time, humanity's strength will surely soar!" said a fifth-generation human delightedly.

For a time, all of humanity rejoiced, and Li Wu's achievements were once again widely praised.

On a distant mountain peak, Daoist Jinlian, Sanxiao, and Zhao Gongming also heard Li Wu's voice.

"This Li Wu truly is extraordinary. He actually managed to create martial arts," Bixiao sighed.

"To create something from nothing and establish an entire lineage is indeed extraordinary," Yunxiao agreed.

"If only I could create a path of my own," Qiongxiao thought wistfully.

Daoist Jinlian looked at Sanxiao and was rendered speechless. He suspected that they were praising Li Wu so highly because they knew Li Wu was Li Peng's avatar.

"Isn't your flattery a little too obvious?" Daoist Jinlian asked with a look of disgust.

"Is it? We're only telling the truth." Bixiao widened her eyes, looking utterly innocent.

Yunxiao and Qiongxiao also nodded solemnly.

Clearly, after spending so long with Daoist Jinlian, Sanxiao were no longer as innocent as before and had gradually begun developing a devious streak.

One month later, several million humans gathered outside the Ancestral Hall.

Once Li Wu saw that everyone had arrived, he emerged from the Human Ancestral Hall and ascended the platform. Looking at humanity, whose numbers had expanded several hundredfold, a wave of gratification rose in his heart.

He then sat cross-legged upon the ** and began imparting martial arts to humanity. As he explained, a rain of flowers fell from the heavens, golden lotuses surged from the earth, and countless strange phenomena appeared. Martial arts had filled what the Heavenly Dao lacked, so the Heavenly Dao manifested these phenomena to celebrate the birth of martial arts.

The humans below were drawn in by the true meaning within Li Wu's teachings and entered deep states of enlightenment one after another. The falling Heavenly Flowers and golden lotuses fused into their bodies, helping them rapidly break through their realms.

Ten years later, Li Wu's first sermon came to an end. This time, he had only taught up to the Acupoint Realm and had not covered the Golden Body Realm or Martial Intent Realm. Humanity's cultivation was still too shallow; teaching too much would only make it difficult for them to comprehend. Imparting the teachings in stages was more conducive to their gradual understanding.

At this moment, every human present had broken through the Body Refining Realm and entered the Qi Refining Realm. Some among the first-generation humans had even reached the Golden Core Realm. Their rapid progress was due both to accumulated foundations finally erupting and to the bloodlines of the two saints, Nuwa and Li Peng, flowing through them. With the guidance of martial arts, their swift breakthroughs were only natural.

Li Wu was deeply satisfied with humanity's progress. He said to them, "Go back and cultivate diligently for now. A thousand years from today, I will preach here once more."

As his words fell, everyone gradually awoke from their enlightenment and thanked him in unison, "Many thanks to the Clan Leader for bestowing this method!"

Li Wu nodded, then proclaimed to the heavens, "Heavenly Dao above, today I, Li Wu, Clan Leader of humanity, establish the martial arts lineage. May the Heavenly Dao bear witness—martial arts, arise!"

In an instant, Golden Merit Clouds filled the sky and gathered above Li Wu's head. By rough estimate, the sheer amount of merit was comparable to when Nuwa had created humanity.

Heavenly Dao merit descended with a roar. Seventy percent went to Li Wu, twenty percent fell upon the Martial Dao Heavenly Stele, and the remaining ten percent was distributed among those present.

The instant the merit entered his body, Li Wu's cultivation soared rapidly: Golden Core Realm, first Golden Core revolution, second revolution, third revolution...

Boom!

A vast aura burst from Li Wu's body as he stepped into the Acupoint Realm.

Endless energy began opening acupoints for him. One, two, three... until there were twenty-nine thousand eight hundred acupoints!

Boom—

All the acupoints resonated with one another, and the Golden Cores within them linked into a single line.

In an instant, Li Wu's bones, tendons, flesh, skin, and blood were continuously strengthened.

As his physical body strengthened, endless Spiritual Energy surged madly into him.

After three days and three nights, Li Wu's physical transformation was complete.

At that moment, a domineering intent that proclaimed his supremacy over all things erupted from him.

Li Wu instantly entered the Martial Intent Realm.

Bolstered by merit, his martial intent rose rapidly and soon reached its limit.

As for how to break through to a higher realm, Li Wu had yet to comprehend it.

The reason he could use merit without restraint to raise his cultivation was that he had created the Martial Codex himself and understood everything within it perfectly. He merely lacked the time to increase his strength.

Moreover, Li Wu was Li Peng's avatar and already possessed the comprehension of a Hunyuan Tai Luo Golden Immortal.

If he cultivated the immortal path, his advancement would be even faster, but his limit would only be the Quasi-Saint Late Stage.

Martial arts were different. They did not place high demands on talent. Diligence and comprehension were what mattered, while aptitude ranked only third.

After his strength reached its limit, Li Wu discovered that nearly half his merit remained. He could only store it within the merit halo behind his head.

If he kept all that merit as a protective talisman, there would be very few people in the prehistoric world who dared kill him. Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun would have to weigh the cost.

If an ordinary saint killed Li Wu, immense Karmic Debt would surely drag them down from their Saint Position.

But saints were rational. Li Wu's cultivation was still low, and sealing him would be enough.

Therefore, merit protection could only ensure he would not die; it was not enough to let him roam freely across the prehistoric world.

This showed that only one's own strength was fundamental.

Time flowed on, and ten thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

During those ten thousand years, Li Wu's second sermon had long since ended.

By now, among the first-generation humans, some with outstanding talent and comprehension had cultivated martial arts to the Golden Body Realm, while most of the remaining first-generation humans were still lingering in the Acupoint Realm.

Of course, aside from the first-generation humans, a small number of later human descendants with good comprehension and a willingness to work hard had also reached the Golden Body Realm.

However, there were extremely few who could reach that realm. To this day, there were only two.

Within Three Immortal Island, Li Peng and Nuwa remained in seclusion, stabilizing their cultivation, and paid no attention to the affairs of the prehistoric world.

One day, as Li Peng cultivated in seclusion on the island, the system's voice suddenly rang out:

"Ding! Detected that Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi are besieging Kunpeng to seize the Primordial Violet Qi. Please make a choice!"

"Choice One: Remain indifferent and allow Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi to besiege Kunpeng and seize the Primordial Violet Qi. Reward: one hundred thousand years of cultivation and one random Low-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure."

"Choice Two: Save Kunpeng and help him become a saint. Reward: one million years of cultivation, one random High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, and Kunpeng's favorability +20."

"Choice Three: Seize the Primordial Violet Qi belonging to Kunpeng. Reward: one Hunyuan Limitless Grand Unity Golden Immortal strength experience card for one day."

"Please make a choice!"

Li Peng was stunned when he heard the system. He had not expected that cultivating in seclusion at home could trigger a choice mission.

But a mission meant rewards were available.

Without hesitation, he began examining the three options.

He first ruled out Choice One. Although he could obtain one hundred thousand years of cultivation and a Low-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure for free, Li Peng did not care about such a paltry reward.

Next, he looked at Choice Two. Such a difficult and complicated task only offered one million years of cultivation and a High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure. It was simply not worth it, so he immediately ruled it out as well.

As for Kunpeng's favorability +20, Li Peng cared even less. People's hearts changed easily, and such a little favorability was useless. If it could make Kunpeng submit, he might consider helping.

In the end, Li Peng's gaze settled on Choice Three.

Seizing the Primordial Violet Qi actually rewarded a Hunyuan Limitless Grand Unity Golden Immortal strength experience card!

That was equivalent to Heavenly Dao-level power. Even if it only lasted one day, it was undoubtedly a trump card that could save his life at a crucial moment!

At that thought, a glint of greed flashed in Li Peng's eyes. Whether it was the Primordial Violet Qi or the Hunyuan Limitless Grand Unity Golden Immortal strength experience card, both were things he had long dreamed of obtaining.

Therefore, he would absolutely not let this opportunity slip away.

With a thought, Li Peng tore through space and headed directly for the North Sea.

Moments later, he appeared above the North Sea.

The instant he arrived, Li Peng sensed waves of dense heaven-and-earth Spiritual Energy fluctuations.

"They've started fighting already?" he wondered inwardly.

He immediately hid within the layers of space and rushed toward the source of the fluctuations.

Before long, Li Peng caught sight of Di Jun's group.

At this moment, Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi had led three hundred and sixty-five demon generals to form the Minor Zhou Tian Star Formation, trapping Kunpeng within the **.

Kunpeng's hair was disheveled, and his body was covered in wounds. He had clearly been seriously injured.

"Kunpeng, hand over the Primordial Violet Qi and submit to my demon race. I will spare your life today," Di Jun said calmly.

Sensing the domineering pressure emanating from Di Jun, Li Peng was shaken. He had not expected Di Jun to have abandoned the Three Corpses path and instead switched to cultivating the Emperor Law.

Judging from Di Jun's current Quasi-Saint Late Stage cultivation, he had comprehended more than seventy percent of the Emperor Law.

"Did the Heavenly Dao give Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi some kind of cheat? Otherwise, how could their cultivation have risen so quickly?" Li Peng thought in shock.

But on second thought, the demon Heavenly Court now lacked top experts such as Kunpeng, Fuxi, and Nuwa. If Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi were not strengthened further, the demon race would likely be suppressed by the Twelve Ancestor Witches.

If the Heavenly Dao wanted the witch and demon races to destroy each other and withdraw from the prehistoric world's stage, it naturally had to make arrangements.

Just as his thoughts ran wild, a grief-filled and furious roar rang out:

"Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi! You want to steal my chance to Achieve Dao, and you want me to submit as well? Bah! Are you still dreaming?"

Li Peng was startled when he heard that. In the prehistoric history he remembered, Kunpeng had always feared death. First, he had been beaten into submission by Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, handing over a wisp of his origin soul to join the demon race. Later, during the decisive battle between witches and demons, he had fled with the River Diagram and Luo Book.

How could someone who cherished his life so much be so unyielding now?

Could the Primordial Violet Qi embolden one's courage and strengthen one's backbone?

Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi merely sneered in silence.

"Since you refuse the wine of respect and insist on drinking the wine of punishment, don't blame us brothers for showing no mercy," Eastern Emperor Tai Yi said coldly.

The moment Eastern Emperor Tai Yi finished speaking, Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the three hundred and sixty-five demon generals simultaneously activated their mana. In an instant, the starlight of the Minor Zhou Tian Star Formation flared brilliantly, and its power abruptly increased severalfold. Light from the countless stars descended from the nine heavens, blasting toward Kunpeng like a torrential rain. Kunpeng struggled desperately, constantly facing peril. At first, he could barely hold on, but as time passed, he gradually became unable to keep up.

"Hand over your origin soul and submit to the demon race, and you may be spared!" Eastern Emperor Tai Yi's eyes gleamed with cold light as he stared arrogantly at Kunpeng.

The three hundred and sixty-five demon generals burst into laughter. Seeing even mere Grand Unity Golden Immortals daring to mock him, Kunpeng felt that he had never suffered such humiliation in his life, and fury surged within him.