Martial Immortal System

In the Martial Immortal Empire, Luoyun Prefecture, Qianshan City, within the Zhang Family's martial arts training grounds!

"Hah, hah, hah..."

Under the morning sun, a nimble youth in a green training robe was exhaling and vocalizing, practicing his punches meticulously. Though it was barely dawn, the youth was already covered in glistening sweat, clearly having trained for a considerable time.

Two tigers fighting for dominance, a crouching tiger pouncing, a hungry tiger hugging a rock, moving stones to find a path...

The youth leaned forward, his back and arm muscles bulging powerfully. He assumed a tiger-like stance, his claws moving in rapid succession. He executed a Tiger Form Fist from the Five Forms Fist, the air whistling around him, demonstrating astonishing strength.

It was a beautiful, vibrant training scene, but it was immediately shattered by the arrival of two yawning youths, one fat and one thin.

The fat youth spotted the training youth and immediately began to mock him loudly, "Isn't this Zhang Yunhao, the one who's supposed to become a Martial Immortal? You're the future Martial Immortal, so why do you still have to train so hard?"

"What future Martial Immortal? You were praised so much when you were little, we thought you were amazing. But you still haven't broken through to the True Qi Realm, you're just wasting our Zhang Family's cultivation techniques and elixirs. You're a disgrace to our Zhang Family."

The thin youth said sarcastically, "Someone like him, a cripple, becoming a Martial Immortal would mean the world is going to be destroyed, right? You're incompetent, and on top of that, you brag. Don't you even know what you're like?"

"He really is a disgrace to our Zhang Family."

The fat youth nodded first, then seemed to say with great kindness, "Zhang Yunhao, you're very diligent, but that just proves your talent is extremely poor. Just accept your fate. You're destined to be a menial laborer. No amount of effort can change that, haha!"

The youth practicing his punches, Zhang Yunhao, ignored them. He had heard such words countless times over the past few years; his heart was as still as water, and it didn't affect his punches—How can a sparrow understand the ambition of a swan!

He, Zhang Yunhao, was destined to become a Martial Immortal.

The fat and thin youths were accustomed to Zhang Yunhao's silence, as it was always like this. If the situation weren't special today, they wouldn't even bother mocking him.

The fat youth clicked his tongue and said, "Speaking of which, you only have a few more days to train. In three days, you'll be eighteen. According to family rules, those who haven't broken through to the True Qi Realm will be expelled. Our Zhang Family doesn't support cripples."

"Those who are expelled will either become cannon fodder to be ordered around and fight others, or they'll work in shops, bowing and scraping to everyone."

The thin youth also sneered, "Zhang Yunhao, in three days, you'll truly be a menial laborer!"

Zhang Yunhao acted as if he hadn't heard them, his fists as steady as ever.

"Hmph, let's see if you can still be so calm in three days?"

The fat youth snorted coldly and stopped paying attention to him. Thinking of something, he turned to the thin youth and said, "Oh right, in three days is also the time to sign up for the clan competition. This time, it will determine the quota for the Heavenly Fist Sect. Who do you think will win?"

The thin youth said with jealousy and dissatisfaction, "Besides the Fifth Young Master, is there anyone else? He's the Great Elder's son. Those who dare to compete with him aren't as strong, and those who are stronger don't dare to compete with him. Sigh, I wish I were the Great Elder's son too."

Hearing this, Zhang Yunhao's eyes flashed, and a fervent look filled his eyes: "That quota for the Heavenly Fist Sect will only be mine. I should be able to make it in time."

In fact, Zhang Yunhao was different from others because he remembered his past life!

In his past life, Zhang Yunhao was a student who died saving someone after being hit by a car. He then transmigrated to this world of Martial Immortals, where martial arts could lead to immortality, and one person could fight an entire city.

At that time, Zhang Yunhao was ecstatic. After all, he got to live a second life. Even more happily, he had obtained a golden finger, with a high-sounding name—the Martial Immortal Inheritance System!

However, Zhang Yunhao was happy too soon. The system existed, but the problem was that this system was a bit of a scam.

"To activate this system, you must not break through to the True Qi Realm within the next eighteen years, and you must complete the cultivation of all the Zhang Family's Five Forms Fist to the realm of harmonious integration of hardness and softness!"

This was the system's prompt. Zhang Yunhao initially didn't take it seriously, but after understanding the cultivation system, he realized what it meant to not break through to the True Qi Realm before the age of eighteen.

Not to mention anything else, the Zhang Family had a rule: clan members who did not break through to the True Qi Realm before the age of eighteen would be expelled. This alone was enough to explain many things.

In the Martial Immortal world, before becoming a Martial Immortal, there were nine realms. The first was the Body Tempering Realm, which involved externally strengthening the tendons and bones, and internally strengthening the five organs, bringing essence and qi to fullness, followed by Refining Essence into Qi to break through to the True Qi Realm.

For rogue cultivators without cultivation techniques or resources, breaking through in their twenties or thirties was considered normal. However, for family disciples who had practiced martial arts since childhood and lacked neither techniques nor resources, those with good talent could break through at fourteen or fifteen. Even the less talented would generally break through before eighteen.

If one hadn't broken through by eighteen, it meant they were either extremely lazy or had no talent in martial arts, so they would naturally be kicked out to avoid wasting resources.

Although Zhang Yunhao knew this was a scam, he gritted his teeth and persevered for the sake of obtaining the Martial Immortal Inheritance System. He trained diligently but did not break through, thus enduring much ridicule. Even the occasional childhood declaration of wanting to become a Martial Immortal had become a joke.

Even so, Zhang Yunhao persisted.

Over the years, Zhang Yunhao had successfully cultivated all five forms of the Five Forms Fist. He had mastered both the fierce Dragon Fist, Tiger Fist, and Leopard Fist, as well as the soft Snake Fist and Crane Fist, successfully achieving the realm of hardness within softness and softness within hardness—the harmonious integration of hardness and softness!

At the same time, Zhang Yunhao's state of mind had also grown significantly amidst the mockery, which was more precious than anything else.

"Speaking of which, if it weren't for this requirement, I would probably be dead by now, right?"

Zhang Yunhao sighed inwardly. If it weren't for the system's restriction, he would undoubtedly be a genius, showered with flowers, applause, and beauties... Yeah, right!

"The tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind." If Zhang Yunhao were truly a genius, he would have only one outcome—death.

Two years ago, the Zhang Family had such a genius. Even the Fifth Young Master Zhang Yuntang, the Great Elder's son, was no match for him. He was in his prime, and then this genius died—killed while out shopping.

Although there was a plausible explanation, everyone knew who was responsible. Even the genius's relatives had died mysteriously.

The Great Elder was determined to secure that quota for the Heavenly Fist Sect. Unless one had power, daring to compete meant death!

As for Zhang Yunhao, he had no power. His parents had disappeared when he was ten years old and had never been heard from since. He was practically an orphan, and even the family property left by his parents had been seized by other clan members.

To be honest, Zhang Yunhao had complained a lot about the system at first. He even considered breaking through early. But after that incident, he suddenly understood how cruel this world was and immediately became obedient.

Soon, Zhang Yunhao finished a set of Tiger Form Fist. White mist-like heat emanated from his body, his blood and qi circulating at an astonishing speed. At the same time, his skin and muscles vibrated silently, slowly strengthening his physique.

This was a control technique produced after the harmonious integration of hardness and softness in the fist techniques. Few people could do it because they directly broke through to the True Qi Realm and focused on cultivating True Qi later, so they wouldn't care about this ability to control the body.

"Only three days left. Once the system officially activates, everything will change. I will definitely become a Martial Immortal! Those who humiliated me and looked down on me now will only be able to look up to me in the future!"

As the time approached, Zhang Yunhao was filled with excitement and ambition. Just then, a cold, emotionless voice, neither male nor female, suddenly sounded in his mind.

"Prerequisite conditions met. Martial Immortal trial can be initiated. Upon success, you will receive the Martial Immortal inheritance!"

This voice was something Zhang Yunhao had waited for for eighteen years. He was first overjoyed, then asked in astonishment, "Why is there still a trial? Haven't I already been trialing for eighteen years?"

"Those are just prerequisites, mainly to build your foundation and temper your state of mind. The path of martial arts is different from others; without a firm will and belief, achievement is impossible."

The system said, "As for the trials, they are to test your strength and wisdom. At the same time, based on your performance, it will find the best Martial Immortal inheritance for you."

"Are there many Martial Immortal inheritances then?"

Zhang Yunhao was surprised. In this world, Martial Immortals were already legends. The strongest now was only a Martial Saint, which was one of the reasons he was willing to persevere for eighteen years!

"There are many Martial Immortal inheritances. For example, the Warfare Martial Immortal, whose Warfare Heart Sutra grows stronger with each battle, is suitable for berserkers. Or the True Dragon Heart Method left by the Dragon Martial Immortal, which can absorb dragon energy to cultivate, is suitable for those who wish to unify the world."

The system introduced, "There's also the Sunflower Divine Skill left by the Sunflower Martial Immortal. As long as one is willing to make a sacrifice, they can achieve the world's fastest speed, and their cultivation speed is extremely fast."

Zhang Yunhao's eyes lit up at the mention of the first two Martial Immortals, but the third one made him feel a chill down his spine. "Damn it, Sunflower Martial Immortal? Hey, you're not going to choose that one for me, are you?"

The system said, "Everything will be decided based on your performance. Do you wish to begin the trial?"

"Wait a moment, there are too many people here."

Zhang Yunhao quickly left the training ground. Seeing him leave, the chubby young man couldn't help but mock, "What, is our future Martial Immortal leaving?"

"Your future Martial Immortal has finally embarked on the path of a Martial Immortal. Wait and look up to me."

Zhang Yunhao shouted in his heart. After waiting for a full eighteen years, he was already impatient. As soon as he got home, he immediately closed the door and chose to start. Then, he disappeared in a flash of white light.

Lone Iron Fist Wang Shan, a first-rate expert in the martial world. He was originally an ordinary young man from the countryside, the fifth child in his family. However, his entire village was later massacred by mountain bandits, and only he survived by hiding among the corpses.

To seek revenge, Wang Shan knelt at the Iron Fist Sect for three days and three nights, wanting to become a disciple and learn martial arts. However, he could only become a handyman and was subjected to all sorts of bullying. Fortunately, his talent was extremely high. He made rapid progress by merely stealing martial arts techniques, even defeating the sect's senior disciple.

The Iron Fist Sect then pursued Wang Shan, but they were wiped out by Wang Shan instead. Later, he single-handedly massacred the mountain bandits for revenge, earning him the title of Lone Iron Fist!

Afterward, Wang Shan focused on his cultivation. Before he was thirty, he became a first-rate expert in the martial world, gaining considerable fame. He was also ambitious, wanting to become the number one under heaven.

Unfortunately, while competing for the Blood Origin Pearl, Wang Shan was devoured of all his vital blood by the King Yue, who had faked his death, ending his life with endless regret and resentment!

"I hate you, King Yue, I will kill you!"

In a dark underground palace, a bearded man holding a torch roared ferociously, his eyes filled with murderous intent. However, his gaze soon became confused.

"What's going on? Who am I? Wang Shan, or Zhang Yunhao?"

The man muttered dazedly, his eyes chaotic. After only a moment, this confusion was replaced by clarity and determination. "I am Zhang Yunhao, the Zhang Yunhao who will become a Martial Immortal!"

Then, the man, who was Zhang Yunhao, suddenly woke up. He blinked and asked incredulously, "System, what's going on? Why do I suddenly have a part of Wang Shan's memories?"

"The previous memories were of Wang Shan's entire life. Of course, Wang Shan is not dead yet, and this is King Yue's underground palace."

The system replied, "And you will complete this trial in Wang Shan's identity. Furthermore, this is no longer the Martial Immortal world, but a very weakened plane where only Body Tempering Realm martial artists exist."

"I am Wang Shan now?"

Zhang Yunhao subconsciously touched his face, only to feel a stiff beard. He was astonished. "Is this soul transmigration?"

The system said, "No, you transmigrated with your body, but I have altered your appearance. To everyone, you are Wang Shan. Your clothes and other belongings are also Wang Shan's. However, you are still Zhang Yunhao; your physical fitness and martial arts are Zhang Yunhao's!"

"Is that so? No wonder I don't know the Iron Fist techniques. However, the strength of the people in this world doesn't seem to be much, except for... that top-tier King Yue."

Zhang Yunhao suddenly understood and then exclaimed, "Your functions are very powerful. Not only can you travel through worlds, but you can also extract a person's complete life, including their future?"

"For powerful Martial Immortals, traversing time and space is not difficult. After you obtain the inheritance, you will continue to travel and complete missions."

The system said, "Now, I will issue the trial mission."

Immediately, a screen appeared before Zhang Yunhao, visible only to him, with several lines of text.

Background: Over a hundred years ago, a peerless great demon appeared in the martial world, invincible. He slaughtered almost all the experts in the martial arts world, forced the emperor to confer him the title of King Yue, preyed on the common people, and harmed the world!

The reason King Yue was so powerful was because he possessed a Blood Origin Pearl. This pearl could absorb the vital blood of others to strengthen himself and even maintain his vitality without decay, keeping him in his peak state.

King Yue dominated the world with the Blood Origin Pearl, invincible throughout his life. Fifty years ago, at the age of one hundred, he disappeared, and everyone believed he had finally died of old age!

Legend has it that King Yue built an underground palace for himself as a tomb. For fifty years, people in the martial world have never stopped searching for King Yue's underground palace, because everyone knows that whoever obtains the Blood Origin Pearl can become invincible!

A month ago, news suddenly spread that King Yue's underground palace was located in Yin Mountain. A large number of people from the martial world flocked there. After a month of searching, the entrance to the underground palace was finally discovered, and a bloody battle for the Blood Origin Pearl officially began.

Mission: Kill King Yue and obtain the Blood Origin Pearl.

"This mission?"

Zhang Yunhao narrowed his eyes. With Wang Shan's memories, he clearly understood the difficulty of this mission. Not only would he have to compete with everyone in the martial world for the Blood Origin Pearl, but more importantly, that old monster King Yue was not dead yet!

If Zhang Yunhao hadn't come, all the experts would have eventually had their vital blood drained by King Yue and died tragically. This so-called treasure hunt in the underground palace was nothing more than a trap – a trap set by King Yue for his food. All the experts were merely his meals.

"No one can stop my path to becoming a Martial Immortal, not even that powerful King Yue! I will definitely kill him and obtain the Blood Origin Pearl!"

Zhang Yunhao felt no fear, only determination. At this moment, the screen disappeared, and a torchlight appeared around the corner ahead.

The corridor was straight. Zhang Yunhao had no time to dodge, nor did he intend to. He simply stood there, waiting for someone to arrive – in this underground palace, he feared no one but King Yue.

Soon, Zhang Yunhao saw the approaching figures: two tough-looking middle-aged men. Their bodies were sturdy, exuding powerful strength, and they were clearly skilled fighters.

As Zhang Yunhao spotted them, the two men also noticed him and stopped alertly.

The middle-aged man holding the torch recognized Zhang Yunhao's face in the firelight and breathed a sigh of relief, snorting coldly, "I thought it was someone else. So it's Lone Iron Fist Wang Shan. Do you think you can get the Blood Origin Pearl?"

Zhang Yunhao retorted coldly, "If I can't get it, can you two brothers, Thunder Fist and Thunder Leg, get it?"

Thanks to Wang Shan's memories, Zhang Yunhao recognized the two men. They were also first-rate experts and sworn brothers. Their reputation in the martial world was even greater than Wang Shan's. After all, they had debuted ten years earlier than Wang Shan, making them seniors, and they had not yet reached the age of declining vitality, so their strength was at its peak.

The middle-aged man who spoke earlier, Thunder Fist, sneered and handed the torch to Thunder Leg behind him. He took a step forward and arrogantly said, "Wang Shan, get out of the underground palace now, and we brothers will spare your life. Otherwise, you die here!"

Zhang Yunhao let out a scoff and said very seriously, "I'll say the same thing. Get out now, or there will be no more Thunder Fist and Thunder Leg in the martial world."

Thunder Fist and Thunder Leg were both furious upon hearing this. Thunder Fist roared, "Wang Shan, who do you think you are? A mere junior, daring to speak to us like that, you're asking for death!"

Thunder Leg also chimed in, "Exactly! We were kind enough to spare your dog life, and you're so reckless. When we were dominating the martial world, you were still kneeling at the Iron Fist Sect. Now, even if you kneel, you're dead!"

"We'll see who's kneeling later. Leopard Charges the Forest!"

Zhang Yunhao stopped wasting words, threw away the torch, and shouted. He moved like a ferocious leopard, crossing several meters in an instant, his fists whistling with intense air explosions as he slammed into Thunder Fist.

Thunder Fist was startled by Zhang Yunhao's fierce movement, but he was a top-tier expert after all. He moved extremely quickly, took a step back, exhaled, and met Zhang Yunhao's fists with his own, which were like thunder.

With a boom, airwaves rolled. Thunder Fist felt a surge of immense power from the opponent's fist. He couldn't resist it at all and retreated repeatedly. His fists ached terribly under the force, trembling slightly.

Zhang Yunhao, however, remained motionless. He shook his fists, dispersing the rebound force, and said with disdain, "You're so weak, yet you dare claim you can defeat me?"

"Weak?"

Thunder Fist's face turned red with anger. He was actually called weak by a junior? If this got out, how could he show his face? Of course, part of the reason his face was red was from embarrassment, having boasted so much earlier.

"I'll let you know who's weak right now!"

Thunder Fist suppressed his churning qi and rushed forward as fast as lightning, his fists exploding with air as he launched a fierce, continuous assault on Zhang Yunhao.

"In front of me, you are weak."

Having confirmed the opponent's strength, Zhang Yunhao was full of confidence. He stepped forward, twisted his waist, and met the attack with Leopard Fist, each punch carrying immense power.

"Such strong power."

After just a few exchanges, Thunder Fist began to struggle. He gritted his teeth, circulated his qi and blood rapidly to increase his strength significantly. This meant he was using his full power.

However, Zhang Yunhao didn't care at all. He continued to unleash his ferocious Leopard Fist relentlessly. Even with the opponent using his full strength, he was still holding his own, even forcing Thunder Fist to retreat.

"How is this possible? Lone Iron Fist Wang Shan is actually this formidable?"

Thunder Fist was utterly shocked. His qi and blood were surging, his face was flushed red, and his fists ached to the bone. He was barely holding on through sheer grit, completely outmatched.

Seeing his senior brother in trouble, Thunder Leg, disregarding his pride, threw aside the torch and backpack. With a sharp cry, he unleashed a series of ferocious kicks at Zhang Yunhao, each one deadly enough to kill an ordinary person.

"Good timing. White Crane Forages for Food."

Zhang Yunhao was unfazed. He took a few steps back, and his right hand transformed into a Crane Claw, accurately striking Thunder Leg's ankle. Thunder Leg felt a sharp pain and let out a grunt as he retreated.

After repelling both of them, Zhang Yunhao laughed heartily, "Is this the strength of you, Thunder Fist and Thunder Leg? You've truly disappointed me."

"Arrogant!"

Both of them were enraged, veins bulging on their faces. They had been famous for a long time, only to be defeated by a junior. How could they accept this?

Thunder Fist, whose swollen fists had finally begun to recover, heard Zhang Yunhao's provocative words and glared at Thunder Leg, his eyes burning with anger. "Junior brother, forget the rules of the martial world, let's fight him with everything we've got."

"Alright!"

Thunder Leg nodded. The qi and blood in both of them began to circulate rapidly, turning their faces red and their eyes bloodshot.

"Are they going all out?"

Zhang Yunhao was unfazed. The muscles in his arms bulged as he adopted the stance of Tiger Form Fist, waiting for them to attack.

"Brat, I'll make sure you die without a burial place."

Seeing this, the two became even more enraged. They charged with ferocious power, the air around them filled with deafening explosions that sent shivers down one's spine.

"Good."

Zhang Yunhao's fighting spirit soared. His fists accurately parried their attacks. With a bang, gusts of wind scattered, but Zhang Yunhao didn't retreat an inch. Instead, he pounced forward like a fierce tiger descending a mountain.

The three engaged in a fierce battle, the sounds of violent fist and foot collisions echoing endlessly. Airwaves shot out in all directions, shattering the floor tiles of the underground palace wherever they passed.

If anyone else were to witness this scene, they would be utterly incredulous. The renowned Thunder Fist and Thunder Leg were being completely suppressed by Iron Fist Wang Shan. They roared repeatedly but couldn't turn the tide, becoming increasingly disheveled.

Zhang Yunhao grew more excited as the fight progressed. His Tiger Form Fist was powerful and fierce, like a hungry tiger hunting, forcing the two to retreat constantly, their hands and feet aching, their qi and blood churning, feeling as if a heavy stone was pressing down on their chests.

Finally, unable to suppress their surging qi and blood, they were broken through by Zhang Yunhao. Two heavy punches, like iron hammers, landed on their chests, causing them to cry out simultaneously, spit up blood, and fly backward, collapsing on the ground unable to move, their bones likely broken in several places.

"We lost?"

Both felt despair and disbelief. They had lost to Wang Shan even when fighting together? How could he be so strong?

Recalled a system called Martial God Inheritance, but it was taken by someone else. Feeling depressed, I searched for it before, and it clearly wasn't there.