Qi and Blood First Stirred, the Martial Dao Sprouted

After the Ironhide Boar fell, Dongfang Yueming quickly walked to Hong Ling's side, intending to check her injuries.

To my surprise, the previously bloody wound had now... scabbed over?

"You..."

"I... I have a rather special constitution..." Hong Ling lowered her head, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her eyes darting around, and stammered, "It's very... easy..."

She was afraid.

She was afraid that he would discover she was a "monster," and then she would be disliked and abandoned.

Dongfang Yueming gave her a deep look, but didn't ask any further questions.

"It's good that you're alright."

He gently patted her head, then turned and walked towards the carcass of the Ironhide Boar.

The campfire roared, and the aroma of meat filled the air.

Hong Ling hugged a sizzling, oily pork leg and wolfed it down, her mouth smeared with oil, her face beaming with unprecedented satisfaction and happiness.

"Delicious! So delicious!"

Dongfang Yueming's heart softened when he saw her greedy little cat-like expression.

Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you.

After the two had eaten and drunk their fill, Dongfang Yueming tentatively asked, "Ling'er, do you know... how to cultivate?"

Hong Ling shook her head, looking blank. "I don't know... but..."

Her eyes shone as she looked at Dongfang Yueming, and she said admiringly, "Big brother's punch was so powerful! It was even more powerful than those villains in the Meridian Opening Realm!"

"Yeah?"

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yueming's heart stirred.

[Since that's the case...]

Why don't I combine my memories and insights from my past life to... forge my own path?!

[A path of Martial Dao, uniquely belonging to mortals!]

"But... how do we take the first step?"

He frowned slightly, lost in thought.

"Big brother, what's wrong?" Hong Ling came closer and asked curiously.

"It's nothing." Dongfang Yueming snapped out of her reverie, looked at her rosy cheeks, and casually asked, "Are you full? How are you feeling?"

"Mmm! I'm full!" Hong Ling patted her round little belly and squinted her eyes comfortably. "I feel... all warm all over, like there's a warm current coursing through my body!"

"Hot air? Flowing around?"

Dongfang Yueming's pupils suddenly contracted!

[Food... energy... heat...]

[Isn't this...]

[Qi and Blood!]

A flash of inspiration instantly pierced through the fog in his mind!

[That's right! For mortals to cultivate, the physical body is the foundation, food is the source, and one must refine essence into qi to strengthen... qi and blood!]

This first realm will be named the Qi and Blood Realm!

With a direction in mind, the remaining task is to determine the specific methods of cultivation.

Although he has no clue yet, he believes that once he has a plan, it's only a matter of time before he can deduce it using the system's ability to Point Allocation!

Big brother, look at this!

Pointing to the intact Ironhide Boar and the pair of sharp tusks on the ground, Hong Ling said excitedly, "These things can fetch a lot of money in town! We can exchange them for lots and lots of delicious food!"

"In the town?" Dongfang Yueming's heart skipped a beat.

Going to town not only allows him to exchange for resources, but more importantly, it provides an opportunity to meet cultivators in this world, learn more information, and perhaps... even inspire his Martial Dao deductions!

"Okay." He nodded, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"We'll go to town tomorrow!"

Time passed, and the next day arrived.

On the way, Hong Ling chattered incessantly around Dongfang Yueming like a happy little bird.

"Big brother, after I exchange the money, I want to buy new clothes and candied hawthorns!"

Looking at her radiant smile, Dongfang Yueming felt a warmth in his heart.

"Okay, I'll buy them all. By the way, do you know where I can buy cultivation techniques?"

Upon hearing this, Hong Ling's eyes darkened, and she pursed her lips. "I... I don't know, because I can't cultivate."

Unable to cultivate?

Dongfang Yueming was somewhat curious. If that was the case, why not let Hong Ling also cultivate his own Qi and Blood Technique?

Immediately, he changed his tune, saying, "Ling'er, don't worry. Once I've researched a new cultivation method, I'll teach it to you as soon as possible, so you can cultivate it and become stronger!"

"Really? Big brother is the best!"

Just as the two were laughing and chatting, several shady-looking figures blocked their way.

"Hey, isn't that the 'jinx'?"

The leader, a scarred man, glanced at Hong Ling before his eyes landed on the piece of Ironhide Boar, a glint of greed in them.

"Tsk tsk, not bad luck, managing to get your hands on something this good. If you know what's good for you, leave the stuff behind and get out of here! Otherwise..."

"Roll!"

Dongfang Yueming shielded Hong Ling behind him and coldly uttered a single word.

"Court death!"

At Scarface's command, two henchmen beside him immediately surrounded him with sinister grins.

"Kid, remember to keep your eyes open next time you're reincarnated!"

The skinny guy on the left was the first to attack, throwing a punch that whistled through the air, heading straight for Dongfang Yueming's face!

This is a cultivator who has opened their meridians!

Although only one or two meridians were opened, the power and speed were far beyond what ordinary people could achieve!

Dongfang Yueming's eyes narrowed.

Although he lacks spiritual energy, his Perfection Steel Fist technique grants him extremely keen combat intuition and power generation skills!

Instead of retreating, he advanced, slightly shifting his body to avoid the punch. At the same time, he used the force of the punch to his advantage, his right fist slamming into the skinny monkey's armpit like a cannonball!

"Snap!"

"Ah--!"

The skinny monkey let out a scream as his entire arm dislocated instantly, causing him to break out in a cold sweat from the pain!

"What?!"

Scarface and the other henchman were both stunned!

A mere mortal with no spiritual energy whatsoever crippled one of their brothers in a single encounter?!

"Damn it! Attack him together! Cripple him!"

Scarface roared, his spiritual energy surging, his muscles bulging, and he charged forward like a Savage Bull!

Another henchman, not to be outdone, flanked from the side!

This put Dongfang Yueming in a desperate situation!

Although he could use his skills to maneuver, in the face of absolute power and speed, the effectiveness of his skills was greatly reduced!

"Bang!"

Scarface punched him in the chest!

Dongfang Yueming felt as if he had been struck by a sledgehammer; his blood surged, and he staggered back several steps!

Before he could even regain his footing, the henchman had already lunged at him and delivered a powerful kick!

"Bang--!"

The Dongfang Yueming fell.

Immediately following was a barrage of punches and kicks!

He could only desperately protect his vital organs, curled up on the ground, enduring the waves of excruciating pain!

"Big brother!"

Hong Ling screamed and rushed forward without thinking, trying to protect him.

"Get out of here, you brat!"

Scarface kicked her away, sending her crashing heavily to the ground.

"Puff!"

Seeing Hong Ling vomit blood and collapse to the ground, Dongfang Yueming's eyes instantly turned blood red!

[Power! I need power!]

Under the pressure of life and death, amidst the flames of rage, his understanding of "qi and blood" suddenly became incredibly clear!

[Attacked... body shakes... blood churns...]

[If this oscillation could be actively controlled...]

[Ding! You have comprehended the Qi and Blood Cultivation Method - "Qi and Blood Shock Method" (0/300, not yet Entry)!]

[Point Allocation!]

[Ding! 300 points consumed, Level 1 completed!]

[bite!...]

[Ding! 1000 points consumed, Perfection!]

"Boom--!"

A surge of fiery, thunderous energy erupted within his body!

He sprang to his feet, his bones cracking and popping, like a Tyrannosaurus Rex awakening!

"What?!"

Before Scarface could react, a fist rapidly enlarged in front of him!

"Bang!"

This punch was not only powerful Steel Fist, but also contained a terrifying explosive force of blood and qi surging!

Scarface's head exploded like a watermelon!

"The... the Old One is dead?!"

The remaining two henchmen were terrified and turned to flee.

"Die!"

Dongfang Yueming followed closely, unleashing two more punches that sent the two of them to their deaths!

After cleaning up the battlefield, the two had a good haul.

But Hong Ling didn't seem very happy. She gripped Dongfang Yueming's sleeve tightly, her eyes filled with longing.

"Big brother, I want to learn that too! I want to become stronger! I want to protect you too!"

Dongfang Yueming looked at her, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes.

The "Qi and Blood Shock Method" is powerful, but the cultivation process is extremely painful, requiring constant external force to vibrate the qi and blood. This is far too cruel for a little girl.

"No." He shook his head. "This technique... is too painful; it's not suitable for you."

"I'm not afraid of pain!" Hong Ling shouted stubbornly.

"That won't do either." Dongfang Yueming's attitude was firm.

He took his spoils and found a secluded spot to start a fire and cook.

During the meal, Hong Ling threw a tantrum at him for the first time, slamming her bowl down and pouting while ignoring him.

After a long silence, Hong Ling muttered softly, "But, when you cultivate, don't you also endure pain?"

Looking at her adorable, puffed-up face, Dongfang Yueming wasn't angry at all; instead, he found it rather amusing, and a warm feeling welled up inside him.

[This girl...]

He gently patted her head and said softly, "Alright, don't be angry. I promise you, I will definitely create a cultivation technique for you that won't hurt and will make you stronger, okay?"