Ancient Tree

Regarding the lore of the Extreme Profound Scripture, Shen Mu had integrated the memories of his predecessor, so he naturally knew a thing or two.

Legend has it that over ten thousand years ago, there was a martial artist in this world who was the only one to reach the absolute pinnacle of martial arts, hailed by the world as the Martial God, a myth of the martial path.

This person's name is no longer verifiable, but before he ascended after stepping into the realm of the Martial God, he created a martial technique manual to leave for future generations, naming it the Extreme Profound Scripture.

The Extreme Profound Scripture consists of nine volumes, each corresponding to nine supreme secret arts.

It is rumored that the Extreme Profound Scripture records the process of his becoming a god; even obtaining and cultivating just one volume would grant one terrifying power.

As eras shifted, the Extreme Profound Scripture was lost by the descendants of the Martial God and circulated through the pugilistic world.

Yet, over ten thousand years later, whether anyone has ever cultivated the Extreme Profound Scripture, whether it truly exists, and whether that Martial God actually ascended after leaving it behind, have all remained unsolved mysteries.

After all, no matter who obtains the Extreme Profound Scripture, it is impossible for them to broadcast the news.

On the contrary, news of someone obtaining the Extreme Profound Scripture often surfaces in the pugilistic world, followed by a period of blood and carnage before the world returns to calm.

It is precisely for this reason that whenever news of the Extreme Profound Scripture appears, it is often accompanied by strife.

"I actually think the Extreme Profound Scripture might really exist."

Luo Tao could not help but say, "Otherwise, it wouldn't be that after ten thousand years, there are still occasional stirrings regarding the Extreme Profound Scripture."

He then changed the subject, sighing, "If only I could have a volume of the Extreme Profound Scripture, how good that would be..."

Shen Mu shook his head upon hearing this.

Setting aside the question of whether the Extreme Profound Scripture truly exists, if a volume were to fall into his hands, it would undoubtedly be a double-edged sword.

If the process of obtaining the Extreme Profound Scripture remained unknown to outsiders, then perhaps with its help, there might one day be a chance to become a powerhouse.

But if the process of obtaining this manual were known to others, the outcome would likely be the same as that fellow named Gu Yunfan—hunted by the entire world...

Then what would be the point of obtaining the Extreme Profound Scripture?

Wouldn't one still have to hide like a rat, living in constant fear and trepidation?

The Extreme Profound Scripture might be a supreme treasure, but without the ability to protect it, it is merely a blade hanging over one's head, never knowing when it might suddenly fall.

At the same time, Shen Mu made up his mind to avoid lingering outside for the next period of time to prevent being caught in the crossfire of martial artists' disputes.

"Let's go."

Shen Mu said, "Let's head back early to rest."

"Alright, Brother Shen, see you tomorrow morning!"

The two parted ways on the street, each heading toward their own homes.

Shen Mu lived at No. 11 Mist Glow Lane on Silver Moon Street, a residence covering over a hundred square meters, which was the only inheritance left by his predecessor's parents.

This house had three rooms, along with a bathroom, a kitchen, and a latrine.

"Creak."

Shen Mu pushed open the courtyard gate to reveal a yard of over ten square meters, piled high with mountains of firewood.

Looking around, all the facilities of the residence were in plain sight, appearing cold and desolate.

In this current era, ordinary people did not have many recreational activities.

Shen Mu had not taken a wife, and he lacked even the most basic form of entertainment...

He had only been in this world for a month, but Shen Mu had already adapted to the current way of life.

Shen Mu lit the oil lamp hanging on the wall, the candlelight adding a touch of warmth to the residence.

After a quick rinse, Shen Mu let his mind sink into his consciousness.

In his mind, a phantom-like, towering tree grew from the void, its massive trunk standing tall and imposing, exuding a sense of boundless, ancient weight.

As a transmigrator, Shen Mu had been a loyal fan of web novels in his previous life.

Upon his arrival, Shen Mu had checked himself and found no system binding; other than this ancient tree in his mind, he had not noticed anything unusual.

He immediately realized that this ancient tree might be his golden finger.

However, he still did not know what function this tree possessed.

Over the past month, he had conducted various studies, but the ancient tree in his mind had shown no movement or changes, remaining in a phantom state.

"I just don't know what it's actually for..."

Shen Mu observed the ancient tree carefully, and after confirming it still hadn't changed in the slightest, he muttered to himself.

"If I go to the Firewood Gang headquarters tomorrow to learn body tempering, perhaps that will help me figure out the purpose of this tree?"

Shen Mu couldn't help but look forward to tomorrow's schedule, and then, as a surge of sleepiness washed over him, he drifted into a deep slumber.

Before dawn, Shen Mu was awakened by the crowing of a rooster. He got up, washed, dressed neatly, and quickly headed out.

"Brother Shen."

As Shen Mu walked out of Mist Glow Lane, Luo Tao, who was standing on the street corner gnawing on a steamed bun, hurriedly greeted him.

When Shen Mu approached, Luo Tao handed him a bun, and the two walked toward the Firewood Gang headquarters while eating.

"Brother Shen, it's a good thing you pulled me away last night. I heard from Old Man Li next door this morning that those two ranked martial artists were fighting each other last night, and two onlookers were accidentally hit by flying roof tiles and died before they could even reach the clinic. Besides those two unlucky souls, seven others were also injured."

Luo Tao felt a sense of schadenfreude, yet he also harbored lingering fears.

If Shen Mu hadn't dragged him away last night, he most likely would have crowded in to watch the excitement, and there was no telling if he would have been caught in the crossfire.

"It was to be expected."

Shen Mu sighed lightly, "The power displayed by ranked martial artists during combat is too terrifying. We are merely ordinary people; why make things difficult for our own lives?"

"Brother Shen, do you think if we could become ranked martial artists in the future, we would count as someone of note in all of Cloud Dragon County?"

Luo Tao could not help but reveal an expression of longing on his face.

Ranked?

Shen Mu's expression turned strange, and he laughed dismissively, "You haven't even begun body tempering yet, and who knows how long it will take to reach the first stage of Boiling Blood, yet you're already thinking about being ranked. If you haven't woken up yet, you might as well go back and take a nap; you can have anything you want in your dreams."

"Hehe."

Luo Tao rubbed his head and gave a sheepish laugh.

As one of the nine major powers in Cloud Dragon County, the Firewood Gang occupied over a hundred acres of land and was divided into three halls, each managing different affairs.

When Shen Mu and Luo Tao arrived at the Firewood Gang, members dressed in the gang's attire were currently entering and exiting the main gate.

In all of Cloud Dragon County, the Firewood Gang was undoubtedly the most friendly power toward ordinary people; one only needed to pay a registration fee of ten taels of silver to become an outer member.

If one could advance to the first stage of Boiling Blood, they could immediately become a true member of the Firewood Gang.

The entry thresholds for the other eight major powers were not as simple as just paying ten taels of silver.

"Brother, the two of us are outer members. These are our tokens. We have come today to practice body tempering in the gang..."

Shen Mu and Luo Tao arrived at the main gate and handed the tokens given to them by Wang Jin to the guards stationed there.

"Hmm, go on in. The martial arts arena responsible for teaching outer members body tempering is on the west side."

The guard took the tokens, glanced at them, and after confirming they were correct, handed them back to the two.

"Thank you, brother."

Shen Mu put the tokens away, offered a word of thanks, and stepped through the gate with Luo Tao.