Hey, Guys, It's me, Author-san. The next chapter will contain a proper introduction to cultivation and more information regarding the body refining realm. Please tell me what you think and feel free to point ut typos and stuff. Thank you!

Enjoy!

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The moment he thought about it as a heart, the cross began to pulsate in his hand. A blood-like miasma rose from the cross which slowly turned dim, taking the form of a normal, dull silver cross. 

Instead of protecting him like the crimson bubble did when Li Bao tried to kill him, the mysterious light swiftly entered through his arm and traveled all the way up to the space between his eyebrow, sinking in through his skin and into his brain. 

He felt the world spinning as a frightening pain appeared, feeling as if thousands of maggots were digging through his mind and ate him up from within. He wanted to scream and cry, but he didn’t. 

His mind was stronger than most of his age, tempered from years of surviving on his own in the slums. So instead, he gritted his teeth and endured the pain. This was his master’s legacy, he needed to accept it fully. And it turned out that he was right, it was indeed a blessing. However, after sensing what had poured into his mind, he was both astonished and surprised, but couldn’t help but be a bit dejected.

It was a nameless sword manual.

The sword manual contained a set of movements that were to be used without wielding a sword. 

“I should try them out. Master gave them to me after all.” Gregjoy rose.from the cross-legged sitting position. He tucked the now dull silver cross without red stains back inside his robe. He scrolled through the first part of the movements and started to perform them. 

However, contrary to his expectations, as he started to move, an immense weight crushed down on his body. It was like carrying a mountain. He could barely last for five seconds before having to fall down to the ground and gasp for air. 

“What’s going on?”

He tried once more but failed even more miserably this time. His whole body ached all over just as if he had run a marathon with a fifty kilo on his back. Gregjoy tested one more time, confirming his thoughts. He was currently too weak to perform the first part of the set of movements. But as it might be, he wasn’t discouraged. No, it was the opposite. He burned with determination. 

There was something special with this unknown sword manual. He just had to discover it!

“It’s late. I should go back. Not that I can continue training today, either way, my body is at its limit.” Gregjoy said to himself and wandered back to camp. He stealthily sneaked back to camp and went to bed. 

With his depleted body, he fell asleep the moment his head hit the ground.

The very next day he was woken up by Mei Ling as she threw a bucket of water over him.

“Your wren, you sleep like a log?!" She muttered. “Come, Let’s go. Grandpa is waiting.”

“Sure!” He said and jumped up. Strangely enough, he was filled with vigor and energy but didn’t pay much mind to it.

During today, Gregjoy did nothing but to sit inside the wagon and chit chat with Mei Ling. She explained that they would arrive in about three days. As he sat doing absolutely nothing, he wondered why today was different compared to yesterday yet couldn’t really come to a realization to why. His first thought, of course, was the nameless sword manual.

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Yet why would the reason for previous exhaustion suddenly become the source of his restoration? 

That doesn’t make sense!

And since he couldn’t grasp the root of the cause, Gregjoy decided to not think about it. The extra vigor was only a benefit and there was no need to understand the reason why as long as it doesn’t hurt him.

Three days flew past in the blink of an eye. During the days, he learned more about the Peng kingdom, and at night, he practiced the nameless sword manual. The feeling of vigor was the same and the suspicions pointed at the nameless sword manual grew even stronger, although he couldn’t prove it completely.

In reality, The kingdom of Peng couldn’t be called a kingdom since it had no king. The country was fundamentally different than his own, where an imperial clan and its majesty had the most power. Here, seven ancient, mysterious families ruled and had split up the land into seven parts for each of them to rule. 

Right now, the three were inside the Yi family’s part of the country, traveling toward its capital. Mei Ling sought to join the sun and the moon academy, one of the top ten independent sects in the whole country. Its stronghold laid precisely in the City of Floating Clouds controlled by the Yi Family.

“Are you coming with me to the academy? The test is about to begin this afternoon.” 

As they had arrived at the city, Mei Ling, her grandpa, and Gregjoy stood in the plaza. 

Gregjoy shook his head, explaining for Mei Ling. “I decided not to. I have some other plans. But thanks for your offer.”

“I see. Well, good luck with whatever you’re going to do. If fate wants us to meet again, we’ll do so.”

Mei Ling truly came to like the Gregjoy under the time they spent together. But hearing him now, maybe he wasn’t someone who pursued the martial arts, maybe just someone who did his best to survive. She was wrong to try and force him into the academy with her, she understood that now and therefore didn't try to persuade him more.

“I’ll take my leave then.” Gregjoy aid and cupped his hands. “One day, I will have the kindness and hospitality you showed me repaid. Goodbye, Mei Ling and Grandpa Tingzhe.”

After taking his goodbyes, Gregjoy strolled around in the city until he found what he had searched for.

Deep inside, he was sad to leave the pair of grandfather and granddaughter. Mei Tingzhe reminded him of his own master which made him feel a sense of ease. Not only that, he came to like Mei Ling as well, she was cute, funny and dedicated.

"At long last, I'm here..."

In front of Gregjoy, an incredible building was spread out. 

A feeling of anticipation grew inside of him as he heard thousands of cheers echo from the building. Indeed. this was no other than an Arena where cultivators fought against each other. 

This place is where he would train for the next few years, battle every day and polish his sword arts. His master had once told him that these kind of places are the best to go to if you wanted to improve in a short amount of time. 

"Let's go then!" He said and walked through the entrance, his eyes shining with a determined gleam.