As our caravan moved steadily along the rugged path, I gazed up at the sky, my thoughts heavy. The memories of my helplessness still haunted me. No matter how much I tried, it never seemed to be enough. I vividly recalled the moment when I was captured by the Greater Lust Devil—how she ensnared me like a predator seizing its prey. I saw my powerless brother, his eyes filled with terror and rage, unable to do anything as those devils were about to violate him. And I... I couldn't move, paralyzed by the overwhelming aura of the Greater Devil, an aura as formidable as that of the Crimson Axe Sect's vice leader who had pierced my grandfather's chest. I was still far from attaining the strength needed for my revenge.
Suddenly, the caravan came to a halt.
"What happened?" I asked my brother.
"We're taking a break," he replied. "This is our last stop before reaching Chongqing."
I stepped down from the wagon and observed everyone setting up a temporary camp. Seeking solitude, I ventured a bit deeper into the forest and found an empty clearing. Drawing my sword, I began practicing the Special Crane Sword Art, slicing through tree branches with precision. Yet, despite my efforts, I couldn't find any insight to advance my martial art.
Frustrated, I sat down and attempted to practice my previous life's internal energy technique. But as I channeled the energy, it backfired, causing me to cough up blood.
"Damn! What's happening? Why can't I practice this art?" I exclaimed, clutching my chest.
Suddenly, Yu Meixian appeared before me, her expression a mix of concern and reprimand.
"What are you doing? Do you want to die? Why are you practicing arts incompatible with your body? And where did you get such an art?" she scolded, placing her hand on my back and transferring some of her energy to stabilize me.
Feeling relief wash over me, I looked up at her. "What do you mean?" I asked.
"Not even a thank you?" she retorted, raising an eyebrow.
I smirked. "Well, you could've prevented this earlier. It's just that you were waiting for the right moment to have a chance with me."
She shuddered slightly, taken aback. "What do you mean?"
I continued, "You've been traveling with us since Hengyang City, yet you only revealed yourself when we were powerless and vulnerable. You played the perfect heroine to impress us. You're just a pervert who wanted to see me and my brother naked."
Her face turned red with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. "Please don't say this to your brother."
I chuckled. "I know you like my brother. Even though your intentions were questionable, you did save our lives, so I'm grateful. But to keep this between us, tell me what I'm doing wrong."
She gave me a mean look before replying, "Whatever. Some arts are made for specific people or physiques. The art you're practicing is entirely different from the current world's martial arts. It's as if it's not made for you or anyone here."
I pondered her words. "Maybe the previous world's arts aren't meant to be practiced in this world."
She nodded. "But still, if you understand the essence of the art, you can create a similar one. Every martial art and technique has its limits and insights. If you know its limits and insights, you might alter it to create something different."
Her words sparked an idea. I sat in a meditative position, recalling my previous life's internal energy technique, the Void Breathing Technique. I began modifying its core, creating a new route. I aligned it with the Sima Clan's internal energy technique, running them in parallel. However, the Sima Clan's energy route intervened, causing chaos. Pain surged through my body, and I felt on the verge of exploding.
Suddenly, a silver energy sparkled, enveloping both routes. The energies mixed, forming a completely different energy route that directly flowed toward my dantian. I opened my eyes to see Yu Meixian's surprised expression.
"What happened to you? How is this possible? You just mixed the techniques so easily. I saw both energies clashing, and you were about to experience qi deviation. But then, that moon tattoo glowed, calming everything. Then you broke through," she said, astonished.
I realized I had broken through to the Master Stage. The world appeared different, and my internal energy had increased manifold. Testing my martial art, I executed the fourth form of the Special Crane Sword Art—Twin Crane Strike. Two energy cranes emerged, blasting a tree apart.
Yu Meixian whistled. "Well, that's impressive."
I thought, Maybe I can alter other martial arts from my previous life. But my strength is still too low to practice my Infinite Sword Art. I need to reach at least the Grandmaster Stage.
Yu Meixian interrupted my thoughts. "Well, that ends our deal. I'll take my leave."
I stopped her. "Wait," I said, my voice tinged with hesitation. "Can you help me with my training?"
She smirked. "No chance."
I looked at her, shocked. "Why?"
She replied, "You know I'm a master at the Unrestrained Stage and one of the renowned sword practitioners. You think my insights are something to ask for free? Well, no chance."
I pleaded, "I don't have much money, but in the future, I'll pay you back for your help."
She grinned mischievously. "You can pay with other methods."
I covered my chest with my hands, giving her a disgusted look. "What do you mean?"
She screamed, "I'm not that kind of woman! I'm a righteous woman. You can provide me with something else."
I asked, "What can I provide you?"
as I took a sip from from my gourd.
she said, "Well, if you provide me with your brother's bra..."
I spat out the water I was drinking. "What?!"
She shrugged. "It's not like I'm forcing you. I'm still a woman, you know."
I gave her a blank stare. "Well, if you don't want to..."
I interrupted, "I'll provide it." Sorry, brother, but for our future and clan, I need to be strong.
She beamed. "Well, if you provide me with something, maybe I'll be more focused on the job."
My patience snapped. Slowly, I unsheathed my sword. "Maybe I need to cut you off for safety of evry man in this world."
She backed away, her face filled with fear. "I'm joking! It's a deal. How about we start our training when we reach Chongqing?"
I sighed. "Fine."
She added, "Just so you know, I'm not teaching you my martial art. I'm just helping you improve your martial art."
I nodded. "Yeah."
She smirked. "I need an advance payment to know if you can pull it off."
I looked at her, annoyed. "Okay, okay, okay. Disgusting woman."
She laughed. "What's disgusting about it? It's heaven's will. I can't do anything."
We returned to the camp, where my brother approached us.
"Where have you been?" he asked, then noticed something. "You reached the Master Stage?!"
I nodded. "Yes, I was training in the woods, and Yu Meixian helped me."
He bowed. "Thank you for helping my brother."
She replied with a proud and flirtatious expression, "No need to thank me. For you, I can teach even a dog."
My brother blushed. "Rin, help with my chores."
I stared at Yu Meixian with narrowed eyes. She winked at me, and I sighed.
The caravan's break was over, and we continued our journey toward Chongqing.