A blush of pink crept across the eastern horizon, chasing away the inky cloak of night. The first rays of sunlight peeked over the rolling hills, bathing Hongyue village in a warm glow. Roosters crowed their morning chorus, rousing the sleepy villagers. Birds chirped a happy tune, their sweet songs filling the air. A gentle breeze, fresh from the mountain valley, rustled through the thick leaves of the forest, carrying the scent of wild flowers and damp earth. A new day had begun in Hongyue.

The Huang River, a ribbon of blue, snaked from the Whispering Canyon and flowed beside the village. It provided the villagers with clean water and a bounty of fish. The crisp morning air carried a slight chill, and the dirt road, parched from the lack of rain, was coated with dust. Tian Feng walked on the dusty road, a wild boar slung across his back and a horned rabbit clutched in his hand. He'd been hunting in the Whispering Canyon. He could hunt stronger beasts deeper in the mountains, but his little sister, Meng'er, was alone at home. He'd left before sunrise, hoping to return before she woke up.

Reaching his hut, he dropped his bounty and peeked inside. Relief washed over him as he saw Meng'er fast asleep, curled up in a ball with a smile gracing her lips. Lost in a sweet dream, no doubt. He entered the kitchen, snatching a hook from the wall, along with a large bowl and his trusty knife.

Stepping back outside, he sharpened the knife against a grindstone. With practiced ease, he hung the boar by its hind legs on a sturdy branch of an iron oak tree. As a peak 9th layer Martial Disciple he was easily able to subdued the boar in the forest and chocked it to death. The cool morning air was perfect for butchering. He made precise cuts in the boar's legs, his knife following the lines to open the hide down the center. He expertly separated the skin from the fat, allowing it to peel off easily. Placing the bowl beneath the boar, he let it bleed out. Then he salted the skin and hung it on a tree to tan. A boar hide, being from a tier 1 mid-level beast, would fetch a good price – 10 silver coins, to be exact.

Tian Feng then turned his attention to the horned rabbit, skillfully skinning and gutting it. These critters, no matter how many were hunted, their population remained plentiful due to their rapid breeding. These low-level beasts ensured that even the poorest villagers in Hongyue weren't malnourished. Almost anyone could hunt them, and their meat was readily available in the market, though their hides were useless, couldn't offer any protection even against mortal weapons. They were best suited for making warm clothing.

Blood dripped steadily into the bowl. While it could be used to make body tempering potions, Tian Feng lacked the means to preserve it. It wasn't something you could simply digest raw; only alchemists could transform it to potions. With a sigh, he resigned himself to discarding it. Once the bleeding stopped, he opened the boar's stomach and gutted it, he cleaned the boar thoroughly with warm water. Then he built a fire near the hut and hung the boar to smoke, its aroma soon permeating the air.

Stepping into the kitchen, he set water to boil on the stove, tossing in fresh rabbit meat and vegetables for a stew. The delicious aroma soon wafted through the air, rousing a sleepy glutton. Meng'er followed the scent with her nose, her eyes fluttering open as she stumbled towards the kitchen.

"Gege," she called out sleepily, her voice thick with the remnants of sleep, "what are you cooking? Is it meat?"

Tian Feng's smiled at the sight of his little sister's sleepy face, her blue eyes sparkling with hope. "Yes, little glutton," he chuckled. "Here, I brought some water. Go wash your face. It'll be ready soon."

"Okay, big brother!" she chirped, dashing towards the backyard, humming a tune born of pure joy.

With the stew simmering, Tian Feng set about preparing the rice. In just a few minutes, it would be done. Meng'er returned, her face washed and shining. She pulled out a stool from under the old table and attempted to climb on it. When her tiny legs wouldn't reach, Tian Feng scooped her up and placed her on top.

"Thank you, Gege! Is the food ready?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Just a little longer," he replied, gently ruffling her hair.

As the rice was done, Tian Feng served them both generous portions. He also set the entire pot of stew on the table, and the siblings dug in. Meng'er devoured her bowl of rice in a few moments, her eyes pleading for more.

Tian Feng chuckled. "Slow down, little glutton. Your food isn't running anywhere."

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With a serious face, Meng'er declared, "More! I want more!"

"Haha! Of course," Tian Feng laughed, giving her another large helping. He marveled at how much this little girl could eat. Even an adult would struggle to eat as much as she did.

They devoured the entire pot of stew and a whole horned rabbit. Finally satisfied, Meng'er let out a small burp, a blush creeping across her cheeks. She glanced at her brother, who was resting his head on his hand, a relaxed expression on his face.

"Gege, are you smoking the boar outside? Did you go hunting again? Are you still in pain? Have you recovered?" she peppered him with questions, her voice filled with concern.

Tian Feng reassured her, "Don't worry, Meng'er. I only hunted at the edge of the forest this time. And yes, I'm almost fully recovered."

Meng'er's face softened slightly with relief. "But you shouldn't go alone again. What if something happens like last time?" Tears welled up in her eyes.

Tian Feng understood her worry. He gently wiped away her tears. "Don't cry, Meng'er. I promise I won't be that reckless."

After their sumptuous breakfast, Tian Feng moved to the backyard to exercise as he need to absorb the essence from food, he moved into a stance according to the Great Martial Scripture. As he launched into the first kata, a warmth spread through his skin, turning a deep red. Energy surged through him concentrating on his skin, simultaneously tearing and healing his skin. He gritted his teeth, the pain a familiar agony. Most martial artists practiced with body tempering potions to lessen their suffering, a luxury Tian Feng couldn't afford.

He persevered, pushing through the discomfort as he moved on to the second kata. The pain intensified with each movement, and Meng'er, who had been watching him with curiosity, grew concerned. By the time he reached the sixth kata, essence began to dwindle. After all, horned rabbits were merely low-level beasts, and their essence could only fuel his cultivation to a certain extent.

Exhausted, Tian Feng stopped his exercises. His entire body was slick with sweat, his breathing ragged. Dusk had already settled, casting long shadows across the ground. He turned his attention to the boar, now fully smoked after hours of roasting over the crackling fire, and carried it inside.

"Gege, can I have some?" Meng'er pleaded with her puppy eyes.

Tian Feng sighed. "No, Meng'er. You can't eat meat from mid-level beasts. It's only suitable for martial disciples."

Meng'er's face fell into a pout, but it quickly transformed back into a smile. "But Gege, after today's breakfast, I feel really strong!"

"You do? Well, then punch me with all your might," Tian Feng offered, extending his palm towards her.

Meng'er, gathering all her might, punched his palm with surprising force. It felt like a blow from a first-layer Martial Disciple initiate. While impressive, it wasn't entirely unexpected. Meng'er had already told him the she possessed a special physique, though its exact nature remained a mystery. Special physiques manifested in various ways, some enhancing strength, speed, cultivation speed, or offering unique abilities. Meng'er's likely amplified her cultivation speed.

"Congratulations, Meng'er!" Tian Feng exclaimed, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "You're a martial cultivator now!"

Meng'er's face lit up. "Really, gege? Yuppie! I'm a cultivator now! I can finally help you!" she bounced with joy.

Tian Feng smiled, watching his happy sister. "Did you feel any pain when you breakthrough?" he asked with concern.

Meng'er shook her head, her brow furrowing in thought. "Nope," she chirped, "just a tingly feeling, like little bubbles dancing under my skin."

Her innocent explanation confirmed his suspicions. Her unique physique undoubtedly played a role in her early breakthrough. Unlike most children who started their cultivation journey at the age of ten and today's breakfast, a luxurious spread compared to their usual fare, they hadn't enjoyed such a feast since their parents' passing. As a hunter, Tian Feng was forced to sell most of his catches to afford rice and vegetables, leaving barely enough meat to scrap by. Thanks to Meng'er's unique physique, her body had managed to absorb the essence of today's feast, tempering her body. It was the dream of every martial cultivator: a physique that can effortlessly breakthrough,absorbing the essence of beasts and tempering the body naturally, even during sleep. As long as there were enough resources, one could potentially reach unimaginable heights without ever encountering a single bottle neck.

While a sliver of envy pricked him, Tian Feng's heart also swelled with relief. Unlike him, who had to endure excruciating pain as he cultivated the Great Martial Scripture, Meng'er's physique allowed for a smoother, pain-free process. He was grateful that she wouldn't have to experience the same agony he had. The cost of tempering potions was simply out of his reach for now.

But the joy was short-lived. Meng'er, her eyes sparkling with an insatiable hunger, tilted her head at the enticing aroma wafting from the boar. "Soooo," she began in a voice dripping with hopeful anticipation, "can I have a teensy-weensy little piece now?"

Tian Feng chuckled, unable to resist her pleading gaze. "Alright, alright, little glutton. Here you go." He sliced off a small piece of boar meat and offered it to her.

Meng'er devoured it with delight, her eyes closed in pure enjoyment. After finishing it, she looked at him hopefully.

"No, that's all you're getting until dinner," Tian Feng said with a strict tone.

Meng'er pouted playfully but didn't argue, skipping out of the kitchen with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Just then, a strange sensation washed over Tian Feng. A pull emanated from deep within him, stirring his very soul. The world around him seemed to blur, then fade into darkness. The kitchen, the flickering fire, Meng'er's playful smile – everything vanished, leaving him suspended in an inky void.