Martial Immortal System

In Qianshan City, Luoyun Prefecture, Martial Immortal Empire—in the Zhang Clan's training grounds!

"Ha! Ha! Ha..."

Beneath the morning sun, a nimble youth in a blue training robe exhaled sharply as he practiced his fist techniques with meticulous focus. Though dawn had only just broken, his body was already slick with glistening sweat. Clearly, he had been at it for quite some time.

Two Tigers Vie for Dominance, Crouching Tiger Pounces on Its Prey, Hungry Tiger Embraces a Stone, Moving Stones to Find a Path...

The youth leaned forward, the strong muscles in his back and arms bulging. He took on the shape of a tiger, his claws weaving through the air as he pounced like a fierce beast hunting its prey. He performed the Tiger Fist from the Five Forms Fist with a flurry of powerful blows. Wherever his claws passed, the air shrieked, revealing the astonishing force behind them.

It was a beautiful, vibrant scene of someone practicing martial arts. But the arrival of two youths, one fat and one thin, both yawning, promptly shattered the atmosphere.

When the fat youth saw the boy practicing, he immediately jeered, "Well, if it isn't Zhang Yunhao, the future Martial Immortal! You're going to become a Martial Immortal, so why are you still working so hard?"

"What a load of nonsense. They used to praise him all the time when we were kids, so we thought he must be amazing. But he still hasn't broken through to the True Qi Realm. He's wasted our Zhang Clan's techniques and pills, and brought shame on the whole clan."

The thin youth sneered viciously. "If a useless person like him can become a Martial Immortal, the world must be about to end. It's bad enough that he's incompetent, but he actually dares to brag. Has he even looked at himself?"

"He really does bring shame on the Zhang Clan."

The fat youth nodded, then seemed to offer some well-meaning advice. "Zhang Yunhao, you work hard, but that only proves your talent is hopeless. You'd better accept your fate. You're destined to be a servant. No amount of effort can change that. Ha ha!"

The youth practicing his fists, Zhang Yunhao, ignored them. He had heard words like that countless times over the past few years. His heart was long since as still as water, and their mockery did nothing to affect his punches. How could sparrows understand the ambitions of a swan?

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

The two youths were used to Zhang Yunhao ignoring them. He did it every time, after all. If not for the special circumstances today, they would not have bothered mocking him again.

The fat youth tutted. "Come to think of it, you won't be practicing for many more days. You'll turn eighteen in three days. According to the clan rules, anyone who hasn't broken through to the True Qi Realm will be sent away. The Zhang Clan doesn't support useless people."

"Those who get sent away either become lowly soldiers, taking orders and fighting other people, or go work in a shop, bowing and scraping to everyone."

The thin youth sneered as well. "Zhang Yunhao, in three days, you'll be a real servant!"

Zhang Yunhao acted as if he had not heard them. His fists remained as steady as ever.

"Hmph. Let's see if you can stay so calm three days from now."

The fat youth snorted and stopped paying him any attention. Then, remembering something, he turned to the thin youth. "Oh, right. Registration for the clan tournament starts in three days, too. The winner will claim the slot for the Heavenly Fist Sect. Who do you think will win?"

The thin youth replied resentfully, "Who else besides the Fifth Young Master? He's the Great Elder's son. The ones who dare compete against him aren't as good as he is, and the ones who are better than him don't dare compete. Sigh, I wish I were the Great Elder's son."

When Zhang Yunhao heard that, a gleam flashed in his eyes. His gaze burned with anticipation. "That slot for the Heavenly Fist Sect will be mine alone. I should still have enough time."

In truth, Zhang Yunhao was different from everyone else, because he remembered his previous life!

In his previous life, Zhang Yunhao had been a student. He died after being struck by a car while saving someone, then transmigrated to the Martial Immortal World, where martial artists could become immortals and one person could stand against an entire city.

At the time, Zhang Yunhao had been overjoyed. Not only could he live another life, but he had also acquired a cheat—a name as grand and impressive as they came: the Martial Immortal Inheritance System!

But Zhang Yunhao had been happy too soon. The system was real, but there was a catch.

"To activate this system, you must not break through to the True Qi Realm during the next eighteen years, and you must completely master the Zhang Clan's Five Forms Fist, reaching the realm of Hard-Soft Harmony!"

That was the system's message. Zhang Yunhao had not thought much of it at first, but after learning about the cultivation system, he finally understood what it meant to be forbidden from breaking through to the True Qi Realm before turning eighteen.

For one thing, the Zhang Clan had a rule: any clan member who failed to break through to the True Qi Realm before turning eighteen would be sent away. That alone said plenty.

Before becoming Martial Immortals, martial artists in the Martial Immortal World were divided into nine realms. The first was the Body Tempering Realm. One trained the sinews and bones externally and strengthened the five organs internally, bringing one's essence, energy, and spirit to perfection. Then came Refining Essence into Qi, which led to a breakthrough into the True Qi Realm.

For Rogue Cultivators who lacked techniques and resources, breaking through in their twenties or thirties was considered normal. But among clan disciples who had practiced martial arts from childhood and never lacked techniques or resources, the talented could break through at fourteen or fifteen, and even the less gifted could generally do so before turning eighteen.

If they still had not broken through by eighteen, they were either truly lazy or utterly lacking in martial talent. Naturally, they would be kicked out, lest they continue wasting resources.

Although Zhang Yunhao knew the system's demand was a terrible trap, he gritted his teeth and persevered for the sake of obtaining the Martial Immortal Inheritance System. He trained hard without breaking through, and suffered plenty of ridicule for it. Even the things he had occasionally said as a child about becoming a Martial Immortal had become a joke.

Even so, Zhang Yunhao had persevered.

Over the years, Zhang Yunhao had successfully mastered all five forms of the Five Forms Fist. Whether it was the fierce Dragon Fist, Tiger Fist, and Leopard Fist, or the supple Snake Fist and Crane Fist, he had learned them all. He had also reached the realm of hardness containing softness and softness containing hardness—in other words, Hard-Soft Harmony!

Meanwhile, the mockery had greatly strengthened Zhang Yunhao's character, a growth more precious than anything else.

"Come to think of it, without this requirement, I'd probably be dead already, right?"

Zhang Yunhao sighed inwardly. Without the system's restriction, he would undoubtedly have been a genius, then gone through life surrounded by flowers, applause, and beautiful women... Yeah, right!

A tree that stood above the forest was bound to be battered by the wind. If Zhang Yunhao really had been a genius, there would have been only one outcome for him—death.

Two years earlier, the Zhang Clan had had just such a genius. He had even been stronger than the Great Elder's son, the Fifth Young Master, Zhang Yuntang. He had been riding high on success, only to die while out shopping.

There had been a perfectly reasonable explanation, of course, but anyone with eyes knew who was responsible. Even the genius's relatives had died under mysterious circumstances.

The Great Elder was determined to claim that slot for the Heavenly Fist Sect. Unless someone had power of their own, daring to compete for it meant one thing: death!

As for Zhang Yunhao, he had no power to speak of. His parents had disappeared when he was ten, and there had been no word from them since. He was practically an orphan, and even the family property they had left behind had been seized by the clan members.

To be honest, Zhang Yunhao had resented the system at first. He had even considered breaking through early. But after that incident, he suddenly understood just how cruel this world was, and immediately fell into line.

Soon, Zhang Yunhao finished a set of Tiger Fist. Steam seemed to rise from his body as his blood and energy circulated at an astonishing speed. At the same time, his skin and muscles vibrated silently, slowly strengthening his body.

This was a method of bodily control that came from reaching Hard-Soft Harmony in his fist techniques. Few people learned it, because they went straight on to the True Qi Realm and focused on cultivating true qi. Who would care about this sort of control over the body?

"Just three days left. Once the system officially activates, everything will change. I'll become a Martial Immortal for sure! Everyone humiliating me and looking down on me now will be able to do nothing but look up to me in the future!"

As the moment drew closer, Zhang Yunhao grew excited and full of ambition. Just then, a cold, genderless voice suddenly rang in his mind.

"Prerequisites met. The Martial Immortal trial can begin. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Martial Immortal inheritance!"

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

"That was only a prerequisite, mainly intended to build your foundation and temper your character. The path of martial arts is unlike any other. Without unwavering will and conviction, you cannot achieve anything."

The system continued, "The trial will test your strength and wisdom. It will also seek the most suitable Martial Immortal inheritance for you based on your performance."

"You mean there are lots of different Martial Immortal inheritances?"

Zhang Yunhao was surprised. In this world, Martial Immortals were only legends. The strongest people around now were Martial Saints. That was one of the reasons he had been willing to persevere for eighteen years!

"There are many Martial Immortal inheritances. For example, the Warfare Martial Immortal left behind the Warfare Heart Sutra, which made its practitioner stronger with every battle and suited battle maniacs. The Dragon Martial Immortal left behind the True Dragon Heart Method, which allowed its practitioner to absorb dragon qi for cultivation and suited those who wished to unite the world."

The system explained, "There is also the Sunflower Divine Skill left behind by the Sunflower Martial Immortal. If you're willing to cut something off, you can achieve the fastest speed in the world, and your cultivation will progress extremely quickly."

The first two Martial Immortals made Zhang Yunhao's eyes shine, but the third made him feel a chill down below. "Damn, the Sunflower Martial Immortal? Hey, you're not going to give me that one, are you?"

"The choice will depend on your performance. Would you like to begin the trial?"

"Wait a minute. There are too many people here."

Zhang Yunhao hurriedly left the training grounds. Seeing him go, the fat youth jeered, "What's wrong? Is our future Martial Immortal leaving?"

"Your future Martial Immortal has finally embarked on the path to becoming one. Just wait until you have to look up to me!"

Zhang Yunhao shouted inwardly. After waiting a full eighteen years, he could hardly contain himself. The moment he got home, he shut the door and chose to begin. Then he vanished in a streak of white light.

Lone Iron Fist Wang Shan was a First-rate Expert in the Jianghu. He had been an ordinary country boy, the fifth child in his family. Later, bandits slaughtered his entire village, and he alone survived by hiding among the corpses.

Seeking revenge, Wang Shan knelt outside the Iron Fist Sect for three days and three nights, hoping to become a disciple and learn martial arts. Instead, they took him in as a servant, where he endured endless bullying. Fortunately, he had exceptional talent. By secretly learning their martial arts, he advanced by leaps and bounds, even defeating the sect's senior disciple.

The Iron Fist Sect hunted Wang Shan for it, but Wang Shan turned the tables and destroyed them. Later, he single-handedly slaughtered the bandits and avenged himself. People came to call him Lone Iron Fist!

Afterward, Wang Shan devoted himself to cultivation. Before thirty, he had become a First-rate Expert in the Jianghu and earned a fearsome reputation. He was also wildly ambitious and wanted to become the greatest under heaven.

Unfortunately, while fighting for the Blood Origin Pearl, Wang Shan was drained of all his blood and essence by the supposedly dead King Yue. His life ended with boundless resentment and regret!

"I hate this! King Yue, I'm going to kill you!"

In a dim underground palace, a bearded man holding a torch snarled savagely, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. Before long, however, his gaze turned confused.

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

The man muttered to himself, his eyes darting about. In just a moment, the confusion gave way to clarity and determination. "I'm Zhang Yunhao. Zhang Yunhao, the one who's going to become a Martial Immortal!"

The man—that was, Zhang Yunhao—suddenly came to his senses. He blinked and asked incredulously, "System, what's going on? Why did I suddenly gain some of Wang Shan's memories?"

"The memories you just experienced were Wang Shan's life. Of course, Wang Shan is still alive. This is King Yue's Underground Palace."

The system replied, "You'll complete this trial as Wang Shan. Also, this is no longer the Martial Immortal World, but a very weak plane where only Body Tempering Realm martial artists exist."

"I'm Wang Shan now?"

Zhang Yunhao reflexively touched his face, only to feel a bristly beard. He stared in astonishment. "Did my soul transmigrate into another body?"

"No. Your body came here, but I changed your appearance. To everyone else, you look like Wang Shan. Your clothes and other belongings also belonged to Wang Shan, but you are still Zhang Yunhao, and your physical condition and martial arts are still your own!"

"Is that so? No wonder I don't know the Iron Fist techniques. But the people in this world don't seem that strong, except for that super First-rate Expert, King Yue."

Zhang Yunhao suddenly understood, then asked in surprise, "You're pretty powerful. You can travel between worlds and extract a person's entire life, including their future?"

"For powerful Martial Immortals, traveling through time and space is not difficult. Once you obtain an inheritance, you'll continue traveling to other worlds to complete missions."

The system said, "Now issuing the trial mission."

A screen appeared before Zhang Yunhao, visible only to him. Several lines of text were displayed on it.

Background: More than a century ago, an unparalleled demonic master appeared in the Jianghu. He was invincible and slaughtered nearly every expert in the martial world. He then forced the emperor to ennoble him as King Yue, whereupon he tyrannized the people and brought misery to the world!

King Yue was so powerful because he possessed a Blood Origin Pearl. It could absorb the blood and essence of others to strengthen its owner, and even keep their vitality from declining, maintaining them at the peak of their power indefinitely.

With the Blood Origin Pearl, King Yue dominated the world and remained invincible throughout his life. Only fifty years ago, when he was a hundred years old, did he disappear without a trace. Everyone believed he had finally died of old age!

According to rumor, King Yue had built an underground palace to serve as his tomb. For fifty years, people in the Jianghu had never stopped searching for it, because everyone knew that whoever obtained the Blood Origin Pearl would become invincible under heaven!

A month ago, word suddenly spread that King Yue's Underground Palace was beneath Yin Mountain. Large numbers of people from the Jianghu flocked there. After a month of searching, they finally found the entrance to the underground palace. The bloody battle for the Blood Origin Pearl had begun.

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

"This is the mission?"

Zhang Yunhao narrowed his eyes. With Wang Shan's memories, he knew just how difficult it would be. He would not only have to fight the entire martial world for the Blood Origin Pearl, but, more importantly, that old monster King Yue was still alive!

If Zhang Yunhao had not come, all the experts would eventually have their blood and essence drained by King Yue and die. This so-called treasure hunt in the underground palace was nothing but a trap—a trap King Yue had laid to prepare his food. All the experts were just his prey.

"No matter who it is, no one can stop me from becoming a Martial Immortal—not even the mighty King Yue. I'll kill him and obtain the Blood Origin Pearl!"

Zhang Yunhao felt no fear, only determination. The screen vanished, and a patch of firelight appeared around the bend ahead.

The corridor ran straight, leaving Zhang Yunhao no time to hide. He had no intention of hiding anyway, so he simply stood there and waited for them to come. Aside from King Yue, there was no one in this underground palace he feared.

Before long, Zhang Yunhao saw the newcomers: two burly, middle-aged men who looked tough as nails. Their sturdy bodies concealed formidable strength. They were both skilled fighters.

The moment Zhang Yunhao spotted the two men, they noticed him as well and warily stopped.

The middle-aged man in front was holding a torch. He recognized Zhang Yunhao's face in its light and relaxed. Then he snorted. "So it's Lone Iron Fist Wang Shan. Do you really think you can get the Blood Origin Pearl?"

Zhang Yunhao replied coldly, "If I can't get it, do you think you and your brother, Thunder Fist and Thunder Leg, can?"

With Wang Shan's memories, Zhang Yunhao recognized the two men. They were also First-rate Experts and martial brothers. They were more famous in the Jianghu than Wang Shan, since they had made their names ten years earlier and were considered his seniors. They were not yet old enough for their vitality to decline, either, and were at the peak of their strength.

The man who had spoken, Thunder Fist, gave a disdainful laugh. He handed the torch to Thunder Leg, who stood behind him, then stepped forward arrogantly. "Wang Shan, get out of the underground palace now and my martial brother and I might spare your life. Otherwise, you'll die here!"

Zhang Yunhao scoffed and said with utter seriousness, "That's exactly what I was about to say. Get out now, or the Jianghu will never hear of Thunder Fist or Thunder Leg again."

Thunder Fist and Thunder Leg were both furious. Thunder Fist barked, "Wang Shan, who do you think you are? You're nothing but a junior, and you dare say that to us? You're asking to die!"

Thunder Leg added, "Exactly! We kindly offered to spare your miserable life, and you're too stupid to know what's good for you. We were already dominating the Jianghu while you were still kneeling outside the Iron Fist Sect. Even if you got on your knees now, you'd still die!"

"We'll see who ends up kneeling. Leopard Charges Through the Woods!"

Zhang Yunhao stopped wasting words. He threw away the torch, shouted, and surged forward like a fierce leopard. In an instant, he crossed several meters and slammed both fists at Thunder Fist with a thunderous blast of air.

Thunder Fist was startled by Zhang Yunhao's explosive move, but he was a First-rate Expert for a reason. He moved swiftly, stepping back as he exhaled sharply. His fists shot forward like rolling thunder to meet Zhang Yunhao's.

With a boom, waves of force rolled through the air. Thunder Fist felt an overwhelming power surge from his opponent's fists. He could not withstand it and staggered backward, his fists throbbing with pain and trembling slightly.

Zhang Yunhao remained rooted to the spot. He shook both fists, dispersing the force rebounding against him, and said disdainfully, "You're this weak, and you thought you could beat me?"

"Weak?"

Thunder Fist's face flushed with rage. Some junior had actually called him weak? If word got out, how could he ever show his face again? Of course, part of the flush came from embarrassment, since he had bragged far too much earlier.

"I'll show you who's weak!"

Thunder Fist forced down his surging blood and charged forward with the speed of a bolt of lightning. His fists thundered as he launched a series of fierce attacks at Zhang Yunhao.

"Against me, you're weak."

Having gauged his opponent's strength, Zhang Yunhao was brimming with confidence. He stepped forward and twisted at the waist, meeting him with Leopard Fist. Every punch carried tremendous weight.

"What strength!"

After only a few exchanges, Thunder Fist began to falter. He gritted his teeth and drove his blood and energy to circulate faster, greatly increasing his strength. It was a sign that he was giving it everything he had.

But Zhang Yunhao was completely unfazed. His ferocious Leopard Fist kept crashing forward without pause. Even when his opponent gave it his all, Zhang Yunhao was not at a disadvantage. Instead, he drove Thunder Fist steadily backward.

"How is this possible? How can Lone Iron Fist Wang Shan be so strong?"

Thunder Fist was utterly shocked. His blood and energy were churning, his face was flushed, and his fists hurt to the bone. He could barely keep going through sheer grit. He was no match for Zhang Yunhao at all.

Seeing his senior in trouble, Thunder Leg forgot all about saving face. He threw aside the torch and backpack, let out a sharp whistle, and launched a vicious flurry of kicks at Zhang Yunhao. A single kick would have killed an ordinary person.

"Good. White Crane Forages for Food!"

Zhang Yunhao showed no fear. He retreated several steps, then suddenly formed his right hand into a crane's claw and struck Thunder Leg precisely on the ankle. A stabbing pain shot through Thunder Leg's leg. He grunted and stumbled back.

After driving the two men back, Zhang Yunhao laughed heartily. "So that's how strong you two are? I have to say, I'm disappointed."

"Arrogant!"

Both men were enraged, their faces veined and taut. They had been famous for years, yet they had lost to a junior. How could they accept that?

Thunder Fist had finally eased the swelling in his bruised fists. Hearing Zhang Yunhao's taunt, he glared furiously and gritted out to Thunder Leg, "Junior brother, forget the rules of the Jianghu. Let's fight him together!"

"Fine!"

Thunder Leg nodded. The blood and energy in both men's bodies began to circulate at high speed, turning their faces red and even reddening their eyes.

"So you're fighting for your lives now?"

Zhang Yunhao remained unafraid. The muscles in his arms bulged as he assumed the stance of Tiger Form Fist, ready for them to attack.

"Kid, I'll make sure you die without a burial place!"

Seeing that, the two men grew even angrier. They charged in with a burst of savage power, the air booming around them and making the heart tremble.

"Bring it on!"

Zhang Yunhao was in high spirits. His fists met their attacks with perfect precision. With a bang, the wind blasted outward, but Zhang Yunhao did not retreat an inch. Instead, he pounced forward like a tiger descending the mountain.

The three fought fiercely. The thunder of their fists and kicks rang without pause as violent gusts whipped in every direction. Wherever they stepped, the underground palace's floor tiles cracked apart one after another.

If anyone else had witnessed this, they would have found it utterly unbelievable. The renowned Thunder Fist and Thunder Leg were being overwhelmed by Iron Fist Wang Shan. The two men roared again and again, but they could not turn the tide. Instead, they grew more and more battered.

Zhang Yunhao grew more excited with every blow. His Tiger Form Fist was fierce and unstoppable, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey. He drove the two men backward again and again. Their hands and feet ached, their blood and energy churned, and their chests felt as if a great stone were pressing down on them.

At last, unable to suppress their surging blood and energy, the two men were overwhelmed as Zhang Yunhao pressed his advantage. Two heavy punches, each like an iron hammer, slammed into their chests. They screamed together and flew backward, coughing up blood. They crashed to the ground, unable to move, with who knew how many broken bones.

"We actually lost?"

The two men felt both despair and disbelief. They had lost to Wang Shan even together? How had he become so strong?

I looked up the name Martial God Inheritance System, only to find that someone had already used it. So frustrating—I'd searched before and it hadn't existed.