Martial Codex

Time flowed like water, and by the shores of the East Sea, amidst the ebb and flow of the tides, over ten years had passed.

Under the guidance of three "Sages," the Human Race, like tenacious vines, had firmly taken root in this fertile yet perilous land.

They built their settlements along the coast and hills, using giant stones and logs to construct simple dwellings that could shield them from wind and rain.

Hunting parties grew increasingly skilled, their stone spears and bone daggers honed to a sharp gleam. Combined with the combat techniques taught by Dao Xuan and their understanding of fierce beasts' habits, ordinary monsters no longer posed a fatal threat.

Their foraging range expanded, identifying strange seashells and tough seaweed along the coast, as well as more edible wild fruits and roots in the inland forests.

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged atop the highest peak near the human settlement.

This peak was nameless, yet it was a place of spiritual energy and exceptional beauty, with clouds often swirling around its midsection.

Dao Xuan sat on a smooth, dark green boulder. The Blue Gauze Headband on his head remained unmoving, and his apricot-yellow Bagua robe was free of any dust.

His face was like mutton-fat jade, his eyes as deep as a cold pool. His aura subtly merged with the surrounding world, becoming ever more profound and unfathomable.

He sank his consciousness into his Purple Mansion, contemplating the mysteries of the Quasi-Saint realm.

The phenomenon of the Three Flowers converging at the crown of his head and the Five Qi returning to the origin had long since been internalized. His Auspicious Cloud was chaotic, yet it contained the mechanisms of the Four Symbols' cycle.

The four figures transformed from his Good Corpse, deep within the Auspicious Cloud, silently studied the fundamental Great Daos of Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water, feeding back to the main body.

His magical power was like an abyss or a vast sea, flowing ceaselessly through his meridians. Each circulation of energy felt like it was inhaling and exhaling the boundless primordial energy of the Great Desolation.

His divine sense enveloped the entire human settlement on the East Sea coast, like an invisible heavenly net.

The daily lives of the humans—hunting, foraging, building, even their minor disputes—did not enter his awareness.

He observed quietly, like the Heavenly Dao looking down upon all beings.

However, in the Great Desolation, where could true peace be found?

"Roar—!"

A wolf's howl, echoing through the mountains and forests, carrying a heart-palpitating fiendish aura, came from the vast wilderness west of the settlement!

Immediately following, dozens of slightly weaker but equally ferocious howls answered!

The ground trembled slightly!

A potent demonic aura surged into the sky, stirring the wind and clouds, reaching the early stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

"Not good! It's the 'Howling Moon Demon Wolf' pack! The leader, the Wolf King, has broken through!" Golden Peng, responsible for reconnaissance, immediately sounded the alarm, transforming into a golden streak of light and rushing westward!

The human settlement erupted in a commotion.

A demon king at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level! This was absolutely not something the human warriors could contend with using courage and crude weapons!

"Don't panic!"

A crisp, childlike voice rang out, carrying a calming power.

A flash of seven-colored auspicious light appeared, and the Gourd Baby, standing on his Seven-Colored Gourd, hovered above the human settlement.

His small face was tensed, but his eyes held no fear; instead, they gleamed with eagerness.

"Teacher said that trouble from Grand Unity Golden Immortals is our responsibility!"

Before his words even finished, at the edge of the forest, a giant wolf, its body as large as a small hill, charged out first!

Its entire body was silver-white, its fur like steel needles. A crescent silver pattern on its forehead shone brightly. Its cavernous maw opened, revealing fangs as white as swords, exhaling a foul, demonic wind!

It was the Howling Wolf King!

Behind it, dozens of slightly smaller, dark green demon wolves followed closely, each with glowing green eyes and a menacing aura!

The Wolf King's vertical green pupils locked onto the Gourd Baby in the air. Its gaze was fierce, and it let out a sky-shattering roar. Its four claws dug into the ground, and its massive body lunged forward like a silver lightning bolt!

The demonic wind transformed into sharp blades, tearing through the air!

"Good timing!"

The Gourd Baby neither dodged nor evaded. He clapped his small hand on the Seven-Colored Gourd beneath him.

"Receive!"

Hum!

The mouth of the Seven-Colored Gourd suddenly erupted with a powerful suction force!

A seven-colored vortex instantly formed, engulfing the charging Wolf King!

The demonic wind blades, capable of tearing apart a Golden Immortal, struck the seven-colored vortex and vanished as if a clay ox had entered the sea, instantly swallowed and dissipated!

The Wolf King's massive body also faltered, as if caught in an invisible mire!

"Bind!"

The Gourd Baby shouted again.

The seven-colored divine light surged, transforming into seven condensed light ropes that coiled around like spiritual snakes, instantly binding the Wolf King tightly!

"Roar!" The Wolf King, a mixture of shock and rage, struggled frantically. Its Grand Unity Golden Immortal demonic power surged violently, causing the seven-colored light ropes to flicker erratically!

"Hmph! Little wolf cub, still trying to struggle?" The Gourd Baby pouted, forming hand seals.

"Suppress!"

The Seven-Colored Gourd's true form shone brilliantly, and a more profound and immense power of Creation descended like a crushing weight!

It was like an ancient divine mountain pressing down!

"Woooo..." The Wolf King let out a mournful cry. Its struggling strength was instantly suppressed, and its massive body was tightly bound by the seven-colored light ropes. It crashed to the ground, kicking up a sky full of dust!

"Great King!"

"Roar!"

Dozens of demon wolves behind them, seeing their king captured, immediately went mad and charged forward recklessly!

"Feathered beasts, do you think I don't exist?"

Golden Peng's icy voice seemed to come from the deepest abyss.

A flash of golden light!

Golden Peng's true form appeared, its wings brushing the clouds, obscuring the sun and sky!

"Golden Feathers Split the Sky!"

Countless condensed, solid-looking golden feathers shot towards the wolf pack like a torrential downpour!

Chichichichi!

Blood splattered!

Those Golden Immortal-level demon wolves, under Golden Peng's enraged strike, were like paper dolls. Their heads and hearts were instantly pierced, and a pack of them fell with mournful cries!

The few who were lucky enough to survive were swooped down upon by Golden Peng, their massive Peng claws tearing them apart with ease!

The battle ended in the blink of an eye.

From the appearance of the wolf pack to the capture of the Wolf King and the demise of the pack, it took only a dozen breaths!

The human settlement fell silent, then erupted in thunderous cheers!

"Sage is mighty!"

"Sage is invincible!"

Gourd Baby proudly clapped his hands and landed, riding his gourd. He looked at the Wolf King, bound like a zongzi on the ground and still growling and struggling, and said to Golden Peng:

"Little Gold, what should we do with this Wolf King? Roast it and eat it?"

Golden Peng transformed into a human youth. His attire, adorned with golden feather patterns, made him look heroic and spirited. He glanced at the Wolf King and replied:

"A Grand Unity Golden Immortal demon wolf. Its flesh contains vital essence, its bones can be used for refining weapons, and its fur is also valuable. It would be a waste to kill it. Why not suppress it and use it slowly?"

"Good idea!" Gourd Baby's eyes lit up.

The trivial matters of the Human Race were handled by the Sages.

"Sage Six-Eared, the hunting party to the east and the gathering party are arguing over the spoils of a freshly hunted 'Ironclad Rhinoceros'!"

"Sage Six-Eared, the fruits in the newly discovered wild fruit forest are almost all picked. Those who arrived later are dissatisfied!"

"Sage Six-Eared, some children by the sea were injured by a type of thorny sea snail. They are in great pain!"

Six-Eared Macaque's figure flickered throughout the human settlement.

He wore a small Fish-Tail Crown and a dark short-sleeved Daoist robe. His six ears twitched slightly, capturing all the requests, disputes, and difficulties.

"Ironclad Rhinoceros: The hunting party put in the effort to hunt it, so they shall receive seventy percent of its flesh and bones; the gathering party discovered its tracks and lured away its young, so they shall receive thirty percent of its internal organs and horn! No further disputes!"

"Wild fruit forest: Tomorrow, I will delineate the harvesting areas and arrange for staggered visits! Those who picked more today shall share thirty percent with those who haven't picked yet!"

"Thorny sea snail? This creature is called a 'Poison Thorn Snail.' Its thorns have a paralyzing poison. Crush the 'Blue Moss' that grows on the seaside rocks and apply it externally. It can be resolved in half an hour!"

He handled matters with clarity, fairness, and decisiveness. Furthermore, his six ears allowed him to listen to people's hearts and often perceive subtle details, earning him everyone's admiration.

The Human Race regarded him with respect, mixed with a certain degree of reliance.

On this day.

Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, and Six-Eared Macaque were rarely gathered together at the foot of Dao Xuan's meditation peak.

Gourd Baby's small face was scrunched up as he complained towards the mountaintop: "Teacher!

Although the Human Race is a bit stronger now than when they first arrived, they are still too weak! We three have to protect them entirely!

If we were to go into seclusion one day, or if you, Teacher, sent us out on an errand, wouldn't they be in danger if they encountered a more powerful demon beast?"

Golden Peng also nodded, a hint of worry in his golden eyes: "Yes, Teacher.

Although they have combat skills, it is ultimately mortal strength. They can handle ordinary fierce beasts, but when facing a demon with cultivation, even a minor demon in the Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation stage, they would struggle to resist without a sharp weapon."

Six-Eared Macaque's ears twitched, and he added: "Disciple observes the reproduction of the Human Race. Although the new generation is intelligent and spirited, they lack the innate foundation we had at birth. Their physique is actually less resilient than that of their parents. If this continues, I fear..."

The mountaintop was shrouded in clouds and mist, and Dao Xuan's figure appeared and disappeared.

He slowly opened his eyes, and the light of wisdom flowed within them, like the birth and death of stars.

The words of his three disciples were like pebbles dropped into a calm lake, creating ripples in his heart.

He looked down at the vibrant yet fragile human settlement below the mountain.

After ten years of observation, he had already witnessed the self-improvement spirit of the Human Race.

However, the Great Desolation is cruel. With only primal courage and crude weapons, it is indeed difficult to truly establish a foothold.

Preach the Dao? Teach immortal methods?

Impossible.

The Human Race is a post-natal species with uneven cultivation aptitudes, and the immortal path is arduous; not everyone can achieve it.

Moreover, this is his teacher's path to becoming a Sage. He cannot mess around with it.

More crucially, this is a test from the Heavenly Dao for the Human Race. If immortal methods are introduced too early, it might be like pulling up seedlings to help them grow, ultimately losing their foundation of self-reliance.

"Martial..."

A thought, like lightning, flashed across Dao Xuan's Sea of Consciousness!

The vast, smoke-like martial arts world of his past life, with its myriad divine and wondrous skills, instantly surged into his mind!

Those martial arts, while lacking the power to move mountains and fill seas, could develop a person's potential to its extreme, allowing a mortal body to contend against the extraordinary!

This path does not cultivate the Primordial Spirit, nor does it refine the Golden Core. It focuses solely on Blood Essence, tendons, and bones, excavating the infinite treasure trove within the human body itself!

This perfectly suits the current needs of the Human Race!

Dao Xuan's eyes shone with brilliant light!

At the corner of his mouth, there was even a faint, almost imperceptible smile, tinged with a hint of mischievousness.

"What you all said makes a lot of sense," Dao Xuan's voice came from the mountaintop, calm yet with a hint of understanding.

"For the Human Race to become strong, they must have a foundation for self-preservation and livelihood. The immortal path is ethereal and not their current choice."

"I observe all things in heaven and earth, the struggles of living beings, and they all have their methods. The human body, though lacking innate divine abilities, can use its tendons and bones as a bow, its Blood Essence as a string, and its will as an arrow, capable of splitting mountains and cleaving rocks, subduing dragons and taming tigers!"

The Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, and Six-Eared Macaque were all stunned upon hearing this.

Tendons and bones as a bow? Blood Essence as a string? Will as an arrow?

What kind of path is this?

Dao Xuan spoke no further.

His mind sank into his Sea of Consciousness. The martial arts manuals, cultivation techniques, and move diagrams from the countless martial arts classics he had read in his past life surged forth like a tide.

The profoundness of Nine Yin True Scripture, the ferocity of Nine Yang Divine Skill, the cleansing of marrow and strengthening of bones from Muscle-Tendon Purifying Chapter, the absorption of Qi and return to origin from Northern Darkness Divine Skill (of course, this world would require a disguise)...

The peerless ferocity of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, the formless sword energy of the Six Meridian Divine Swords, the speed like wind of the Wind God's Leg, the wondrous footwork of the Lingbo Micro-steps...

All sorts of divine skills and wondrous techniques, under the deduction of his Quasi-Saint realm and the reflection of the Great Desolation's laws, were refined and simplified, with a trace of the Great Desolation's rough methods for circulating Blood Essence and tempering tendons and bones incorporated.

Dao Xuan used his finger as a brush and his spirit as ink!

He did not stand up, but merely traced in the air towards a wide and hard stone forest area below the peak!

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Formless sharp qi broke through the air!

It landed on those towering, incredibly hard, dark green giant stones!

Stone fragments flew, as if carved by the most exquisite chisel!

Vivid human figures appeared on the stones!

The figures in the patterns were either standing or sitting, leaping or punching and kicking, in myriad poses.

Beside them were densely packed, flowing ancient Daoist texts as annotations!

Explaining the paths of Blood Essence circulation, the secrets of tendon and bone force, the marvels of move variations, and even how to draw upon a trace of heaven and earth's Fiend Qi and earth veins' essence to temper oneself!

The first giant stone:

The pattern depicted a tall and robust man, with a low horse stance, pushing out his palms in succession. The palm wind was fierce, as if entwined with dragon-shaped qi that roared!

The accompanying Daoist text, its first line, was:

"Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms: Ferocity First, No Regrets in the Palms! The Arrogant Dragon Regrets, Excess Cannot Last..."

As Dao Xuan carved this name, the mischievous smile on his lips deepened.

The second giant stone:

The pattern showed an elegant figure, his legs transforming into countless afterimages, his body like wind and lightning, stirring the air!

The accompanying Daoist text:

"Wind God's Leg: Swift as Wind, Fierce as Fire! Catching the Wind, Strong as Grass in the Wind..."

The third giant stone:

The pattern depicted a person with fingers formed into a sword, as if six streams of formless sword qi shot out from their fingertips, incomparably sharp!

The accompanying Daoist text:

"Six Meridian Divine Swords: Formless Sword Qi, Condensed at the Fingertips! Shao Shang Sword is powerful, Shang Yang Sword is ingenious..."

The fourth giant stone:

The pattern showed a person with profound footwork, dodging and weaving within a small area, their movements elusive, as if walking on waves!

Annotations:

"Lingbo Micro-steps: Swift as flying geese, elusive as gods! Movements unpredictable, advances and retreats hard to anticipate..."

Fifth Giant Stone:

The carving depicts a person sitting in meditation, five senses facing the heavens, their blood essence like mercury, circulating through the heavens to temper sinews and bones!

Annotations:

"Muscle-Tendon Purifying and Bone-Strengthening Chapter: Circulate blood essence, purify sinews and wash marrow! Like gold refined in a furnace, forged into steel through a hundred trials..."

Giant stones were carved one by one!

Martial arts techniques, combat methods, and ultimate skills, some fierce, some agile, some bizarre, some profound, were imprinted upon them by Dao Xuan with supreme magical power and wisdom!

Diamond Indestructible Body!

Nine Forms to Break Demons! (Dao Xuan, with a mischievous whim, changed it from Dugu Nine Swords)

Beast Taming Staff Technique! (Dao Xuan thought for a moment, then changed it from Dog Beating Staff Technique)

Golden Toad Swallowing Moon Power! (Dao Xuan's lips twitched, but he still carved it, renaming it from Toad Style)

Tai Chi Fist! Tai Chi Sword!

Flame Saber! Ice Palm!

Numerous and varied, encompassing everything!

A full three thousand martial arts!

Covering fists, palms, legs, fingers, swords, sabers, spears, staves, clubs, whips, internal energy, movement techniques, external hardening... all-encompassing!

As Dao Xuan carved with enthusiasm, the familiar names from his past life were unceremoniously "borrowed" and carved onto the giant stones.

Every time he inscribed names like "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms" or "Six Meridian Divine Swords," an indescribable, unique sense of mischievous pleasure, exclusive to a transmigator, surged within him.

"Hmm... for this technique to be mastered quickly, it requires drawing upon the fierce fiend qi and life essence contained within the blood of demon beasts, using them as fuel to temper oneself and unleash potential!"

Dao Xuan added special notes next to the most important foundational cultivation methods.

"Demon beast blood?" The Human Race onlookers below the mountain, as well as the three Gourd Babies, saw the annotations and their eyes immediately lit up!

Hunting demon beasts was already a matter of survival.

Now, the blood essence of demon beasts had become a resource for becoming stronger!

This was simply a tremendous incentive!

When the last giant stone was carved.

Dao Xuan retracted his finger.

Three thousand green giant stones, each several dozen feet tall, stood in the open area, like a stone forest!

Each giant stone exuded an ancient, vigorous, sharp, or profound martial arts aura!

Sunlight streamed down, casting mottled shadows on the stone walls, making the carvings and inscriptions appear even more mysterious and unfathomable.

An invisible martial will began to gather and rise within this stone forest!

Dao Xuan's voice, like a great bell, resonated in the hearts of every Human Race member and disciple:

"This is the Martial Codex I have created for the Human Race! It contains three thousand martial arts, encompassing all disciplines!"

"This place shall henceforth be called -- the Martial Arts World!"

"By cultivating this martial path, one does not cultivate the Primordial Spirit, but focuses on tempering blood essence, sinews, and bones, unlocking the great secrets of the human body! It can strengthen the body, prolong life, and even allow one to battle demon creatures, protecting the clan!"

"However, for those who wish to achieve rapid progress, you must use the blood essence of demon beasts as a catalyst, transforming external power into fuel to ignite your own blood essence furnace!"

"The path of martial arts is also the path of self-strengthening! I hope you all cultivate diligently and do not let this opportunity go to waste!"

As his voice faded, the entire "Martial Arts World" stone forest seemed to be infused with a soul, and the martial will surged even more powerfully!

"Martial Codex! Martial Arts World!"

"The Sage Master has bestowed divine techniques!"

"Cultivate with demonic blood! Killing demons makes one stronger!"

The Human Race was silent at first, then erupted into thunderous, fanatical cheers!

Countless Human Race warriors, their eyes gleaming, like a pack of hungry wolves spotting plump lambs, surged madly towards the giant stones carved with patterns and inscriptions!

They gazed greedily, memorizing, and imitating the movements!

The ferocity of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms! The speed of the Wind God's Leg! The sharpness of the Six Meridian Divine Swords! The profoundness of the Muscle-Tendon Purifying and Bone-Strengthening Chapter... deeply shook their souls!

"Hahaha! Teacher is too amazing!" The Gourd Baby clapped his hands and laughed, "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms? What a powerful name! I want to learn it!"

Golden Peng's eyes also flashed with brilliance: "Although this path does not cultivate the Primordial Spirit, developing blood essence, sinews, and bones to the extreme is also a path to the heavens! It is especially suitable for newly born humans!"

The Six-Eared Macaque's ears twitched, rapidly recording the information from the stone forest, and he sighed, "Teacher's wisdom is truly unfathomable! With the emergence of this Martial Codex, the path of self-strengthening for the Human Race has truly begun to be paved!"

Dao Xuan stood on the mountaintop, his Blue Gauze Headband fluttering in the wind, his apricot-yellow Eight Trigrams robe reflecting the fanatical and hopeful "Martial Arts World" below.

Watching the Human Race warriors excitedly discuss the names "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms" and "Six Meridian Divine Swords" carved on the giant stone, and practicing the moves that were so familiar to him in his previous life.

The mischievous smile on his face finally bloomed completely.

"Hmm... the effect is quite good."

He could already picture the magnificent scene in the future Great Desolation, where groups of Human Race martial artists would shout "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms!" and "Taste my Six Meridian Divine Swords!" as they charged towards the Demon Clan...

The scene was too beautiful.

On the coast of the East Sea, in the Human Race settlement.

The custom of practicing martial arts swept through like a prairie fire, instantly!

Hunting was no longer just for food.

It was for the resources to become stronger—the vital blood of the Demon Clan!

The Martial Arts Stone Forest became the most sacred and lively place.

A new chapter of Human Race self-strengthening, guided by Dao Xuan's "Martial Codex" filled with "mischievous intent," had grandly begun!