Transmigration? Infinite Realms?

Three days later.

At the Wu Family Fortified Village's training ground.

Wu Ming faced a wooden post, chest tucked in and back straight, and threw a punch. "Five hundred and seventy-three!"

The post thudded under his blows. Deep dents even appeared in its thick, tightly packed grain.

The maids and servants nearby were practically dumbfounded.

When had their young master ever taken anything this seriously?

Wu Ming, however, was completely focused, sweating buckets as he continued.

He was a realist. Now that he'd confirmed he had transmigrated and couldn't go back, he could only accept his fate.

But accepting his fate didn't mean courting death! If he wanted to keep living—and live even better—he had to rise above everyone else.

He could keep playing the wastrel by relying on his sister, of course. But what if his secret came out one day?

Wu Ming had never liked placing his hopes in other people, so he intended to make full use of the assets he had.

And Great Zhou, where the Martial Arts could reach the divine, Daoist Arts could ascend to immortality, and even the unorthodox Schools of Miscellaneous could lead to longevity through their three thousand paths, had given him plenty to look forward to.

In his previous life, everyone's lifespan was equal, so he'd been content to live an ordinary life.

But here, it seemed he could pursue longevity—even eternity?

"One thousand three hundred and eleven!"

"One thousand three hundred and twelve!"

"Ha!"

Wu Ming gave a low shout and suddenly punched, smashing his fist hard into the wooden post.

Crack!

Amid the loud report, the wooden post—specially made for martial training and as thick as a man's thigh—snapped cleanly in two, drawing gasps from the maids.

"Young Master Ming! Allow me to wipe your sweat!"

A maid in a lotus-green dress came forward, swaying gracefully and smiling sweetly, her eyes practically sparkling.

"No need. I'll do it myself!"

Wu Ming took the towel and wiped away his sweat. Inside, he nodded. At last, I've picked up my old skills again!

Though Great Zhou had three thousand paths, each unfathomably wondrous, the most widely practiced was the Martial Arts.

After all, its entry requirements were the lowest and it consumed the fewest resources. It was only natural that Martial Arts had spread more widely than the Daoist, Legalist, and other traditions.

Wu Ming had originally wanted to learn Daoist Arts from his sister, but although humans were the foremost of all living things, Daoist Arts demanded far too much. With his pitiful talent, he'd never amount to anything even if he studied until he died. He could only take the path with the lowest talent requirements: Martial Arts.

"The Martial Arts has nine layers of Body Refinement: Heart Settling, Skin and Flesh, Sinews and Bones, Internal Strengthening, True Qi, Innate, External Gang, Internal Gang, and Extreme Transformation!"

"My former self reached the fourth layer, Internal Strengthening. His sinews, bones, skin, and organs had all been thoroughly tempered, and his Qi and Blood were as strong as they could get. He was just a hair's breadth from producing Internal Breath and breaking through to the fifth layer, True Qi Realm!"

Whatever path one followed, it always began with settling the mind and establishing an unwavering resolve, then practicing according to its methods and progressing step by step.

According to Wu Ming's memories, the former wastrel had struggled terribly at this stage.

Fortunately, his sister had put him under intense pressure, and he'd just barely made it through. Then, after gathering a wealth of precious medicinal herbs, he'd finally honed his foundation to perfection.

After several days of hard training, Wu Ming had at last fully inherited his predecessor's abilities. He'd even gained a better command of his body and control of his strength than that useless wastrel ever had.

"Young Master Ming, someone sent by the Eldest Miss is here!"

A young servant hurried over and reported with a bow.

"Oh? I'll go greet him myself!"

Delighted, Wu Ming followed the servant to the fort's entrance, where he saw a middle-aged man in black martial attire, with a hooked nose and an age somewhere in his thirties or forties.

"You're Young Master Wu Ming?"

The man with the hooked nose bowed slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping over Wu Ming. "Taut skin and flesh, sturdy sinews and bones... Not bad, not bad. I am Feng Han. I came at the behest of Miss Wu Qing. Besides clearing away obstacles for you, I'm also here to personally instruct you in martial arts..."

So strong!

Feng Han's glance made every pore on Wu Ming's body tighten. He was startled. At least Innate... No, perhaps an External Gang or Internal Gang expert! My sister really spared no expense. I wonder how she managed to recruit him...

Out loud, he said modestly, "Master Feng, you're too kind. Please, come inside and rest. As for that trouble... perhaps there's no need to—"

Wu Ming had only made it halfway through his sentence when Feng Han waved a hand and turned to look toward the end of the road.

Thud, thud!

A black speck raced closer, growing larger until it took the shape of a man, seemingly carrying something. He came hurtling toward them faster than a galloping horse.

"You're Wu Ming?"

The newcomer stopped abruptly, sending dust billowing into their faces. He held his nose high, radiating arrogance. "Did you send this old dog?"

Thud!

With a casual toss, he flung Steward Wu—unconscious and with all four limbs broken—onto the ground like a piece of garbage.

Wu Ming fell silent. Seeing the usually respectful Steward Wu reduced to this was hardly pleasant. He asked, "I told him to be humble and courteous, and that I wouldn't pursue Ghost Hand Lao Liu's death any further. Why keep harassing us? Is this about Miss Yun?"

Ghost Hand Lao Liu had been the previous Wu Ming's vicious attack dog, with a long trail of Vengeful Spirits behind him. He'd deserved his death, and the current Wu Ming had no particular need to avenge him. But the man before him clearly saw things differently.

"That cheap woman?"

A sinister look crossed Lin Qi's face. "She actually dared to throw herself into another man's arms! I've already killed both her parents. Today, I'll make sure she... dies!!!"

"If someone touches one of my dogs, I'll slaughter their whole family! If you touch my woman, I'll slaughter your entire fort!"

Wu Ming rolled his eyes at the Dragon Pride-style declaration.

Then he knew there was nothing more to discuss between them. He turned his head and said, "Attack!"

The fort's martial arts instructor immediately let out a shout and charged with a group of guards.

The instructor had trained his True Qi and was renowned throughout the county. The guards beside him were all burly men, their sinews and bones crackling.

"Hmph! Insects!"

Lin Qi sneered. A streak of green light appeared in his hand and swept around in a sudden arc.

The fifth-layer instructor and the guards all froze. Lines of blood appeared between their brows and across their throats, and they toppled over, dazed.

"Murder!"

The maids nearby collapsed in terror, and the crowd scattered like startled birds and beasts.

"Fine skill. Your Gang Qi balances hardness and softness. You're at least an eighth-layer Internal Gang expert. I am Feng Han. I accept your challenge!"

Whoosh!

As he spoke, Feng Han turned into a streak of black, leaping into the air. His long hands glinted like tempered iron as he suddenly raked them down.

"Thirteen Eagle Claw Strikes!"

Hiss, hiss!

Streams of Gang Qi shot outward, sharp and fierce, bending and straightening at will. His cultivation was at least at the Internal Gang level.

"So there's another expert?"

Lin Qi seemed surprised. "I'll deal with that lying old dog of a steward later!"

He showed no fear. The green light in his hand drew together and formed a Refined Steel Finger-Wrapping Soft Sword. In an instant, it blurred into three sword shadows. "Light Splitting Sword Technique!"

Wu Ming slowly retreated, seething inside. If only I'd called up the militia and brought out the crossbows... Even an Extreme Transformation Expert could have been driven off!

As a fortified village built to shelter commoners in a Chaotic World, this place was no easy target. Properly prepared, its defenses and armaments could even withstand an army's siege.

But Wu Ming was a wastrel. There was no way he could summon the militia in peacetime and disrupt the farming season. Outsiders would only think he'd gone mad.

Watching Feng Han fight Lin Qi, the two seeming evenly matched, Wu Ming's heart sank further.

He couldn't use a single martial technique before, and now he's surpassed the Internal Gang level?

How could he improve so quickly? Something's clearly wrong! If Feng Han hadn't been brought here, no one in the fort could have stopped him! I'd be dead today!

Wu Ming felt both frustrated and relieved as he retreated into the fort. His right hand quietly slipped inside his robes and put on an object.

"Where do you think you're going, little dog?"

Seeing his real target flee, Lin Qi grew anxious. The fort was surrounded by high walls and deep moats; he wasn't confident he could find Wu Ming and kill him at once.

"Consider yourself honored! You're the first person to force me to use a secret technique!"

He gritted his teeth, his face flushed red. The soft sword flickered like a serpent in his hand, and its hazy green Gang Qi suddenly stretched three feet farther.

Squelch! Caught off guard, Feng Han took a sword thrust to the shoulder. He groaned and fell to the ground.

"Give me your life!"

Lin Qi staggered, his face turning deathly pale. Then he hurried forward, looking at Wu Ming, who had fallen in a heap. A gleeful smile spread across his face. "Hahaha... Little dog, get down on your knees and kowtow. Maybe I'll let you die quickly!"

"What are you doing? Don't come any closer! I... I have a very, very powerful sister... She won't let you get away with this..."

Wu Ming seemed terrified. He scrambled clumsily, as though about to kneel. Then his expression suddenly hardened, and he threw a punch.

Thud!

Lin Qi caught the fist squarely in his palm and laughed. "Despair! You think I didn't see your little trick? I wanted to give you hope, just so I could make you despair... Aah!!!"

In the blink of an eye, Lin Qi screamed. His palm was burning.

Wu Ming didn't let the opportunity slip away. His flame-wreathed fist slammed into Lin Qi's cheek.

"Flying Eagle Raking Claw!"

At that moment, Feng Han, who had been lying on the ground, gathered his strength into his right hand and sent an iron claw flying. It struck Lin Qi squarely in the back, spraying blood everywhere.

Thud!

Lin Qi fell to the ground. The flesh on his face had been scorched black and torn open, and a large pool of blood spread beneath him.

"Pant, pant..."

Wu Ming panted as he lowered his right fist, the Fiery Red Thumb Ring on it. He stared blankly at Lin Qi, who lay on the ground. "Haven't you heard? The more you show off, the harder the lightning strikes?"

"Avenge him!"

A wise man never stood beneath a wall on the verge of collapse. Wu Ming didn't step forward to claim the kill. Instead, he backed away quickly and gave the order.

Though Lin Qi looked like a dead dog, he might still have some desperate move or hidden trump card.

"Yes, sir!" A few servants had enough courage to beat a drowning dog, and immediately rushed forward.

"Too bad!"

But Lin Qi, lying on the ground, suddenly gave a loud shout. He sprang up like a carp, a layer of green light enveloping him as his flesh rapidly healed. With a sweep of his palm, he sent several servants flying, spitting blood, then charged toward Wu Ming. "Die!"

Everything had suddenly gone awry!

Who could have imagined that Lin Qi, who'd been like a dead dog moments earlier, would suddenly become so fierce again?

"You're still alive? So the protagonist really does have a cockroach's life. But even so, dreaming of taking my life!"

Wu Ming's entire body tensed, ready for one final desperate fight!

"Ha! Give me your life!"

Just then, a woman's sharp cry rang out. Amid the rolling waves of sound, a ring of black light hurtled through the air and struck Lin Qi in the waist.

Crack!

Lin Qi's face twisted in disbelief. Suddenly, he was cut in half at the waist, his upper and lower body splitting apart.

"How... could this be..."

His lower half still crawled across the ground as he spat blood. "...I got a Great Opportunity and transmigrated here from the Outer Heavens. I have Great Fortune. I'm the protagonist!!! How could I die here? At the hands of a native, no less?"

Lin Qi gave Wu Ming one resentful glance, then breathed his last.

His body had been split in two. He was well and truly dead.

Wu Ming stared blankly. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of something emerald-green rolling off Lin Qi.

A thought stirred. He hurried over and scooped it up.

"Hm?"

The object felt warm to the touch. It was a jade pendant of lush green, with what seemed like golden stars drifting within.

Wu Ming was about to take a closer look when his vision suddenly went black.

Just before he lost consciousness, a mechanical, monotonous voice reached him. "Main God Hall activated! Reincarnator, prepare yourself!"

"Damn! So it's not a transmigration story—it's an infinite-reincarnation one!"

That thought turned in Wu Ming's mind. He seemed to glimpse a beautiful figure rushing toward him, then sank completely into darkness.