A satisfied smile curved David's lips. He stood on the continent of the Three Kingdoms, a world vastly different from his own. Here, magic was a forgotten relic, its whispers only carried by the wind. Time flowed at a familiar rhythm, yet the sun and moon waltzed to a different melody. When darkness cloaked his world, the Three Kingdoms basked in sunlight, and vice versa.

Mortal emperors ruled here, not mages. Yet, lurking in the wild were creatures called "Carniphages." Prudent as ever, David opted for a stealthier approach. He bypassed monster hunting for the bustling metropolis of Black Rock City, vanishing into its throngs.

Unlike his homeworld, where mana crystals were the currency of mages, here in the Three Kingdoms, mortal gold and silver held sway. These precious metals, mere curiosities in the world of magic, proved surprisingly influential here.

David, with his mage's resources, quickly carved out a place for himself amongst Black Rock City's elite. Not long after, he established a wealthy residence in Black Rock City's affluent district, even claiming the powerful surname, Dragonheart.

A lilting voice, as sweet as an oriole's song, announced, "Mastah awakens. Welcome bahk from your seclusion, Mastah Dragonheart."

A wave of fragrance preceded a flurry of color as a dozen maids, led by a girl in sunshine yellow, swept into the room. They dipped into elegant curtsies, their silk skirts whispering against the marble floor.

David inhaled the intoxicating scent, a hint of jasmine and something strangely exotic. He'd spared no expense acquiring this opulent mansion and its extensive staff. Yue Gui, the lead maid with flawless, impossibly delicate skin, stood before him, leading twelve strikingly beautiful women in a welcoming gesture.

"Prepare the banquet," David instructed, his voice smooth as polished obsidian. The admiring gazes of the women - genuine or otherwise - impervious to him.

Half an hour later, in the side hall of Dragonheart Mansion, David lounged on a plush armchair. A feast fit for a king awaited him - Caviar, Truffles, Fois Gras, Lobster, succulent duck..., and an array of other delicacies, each meticulously prepared and artfully presented. The life of a wealthy lord had its perks, David mused, indulging in a sip of his ruby-red drink.

He reclined leisurely, a mere glance summoning a maid to offer him another delicate bite.

He motioned Wan'er to come forward, lie down in Yue Gui's broad and deep chest, and let Mei put another piece of venison into his mouth.

It was a life of ease, bordering on... inconvenience. After all, these alluring women were relentless in their pursuit to climb his bed, a delightful problem, yet a problem nonetheless.

The meal lasted for two hours. David pushed himself away from the table, his appetite sated despite the lack of the mana-infused ingredients he was accustomed to back home. This opulent indulgence was a rare treat, a respite from the usual austerity of a mage's life, one he allowed himself every ten days.

As the servants cleared the table, David settled into the living room, savoring the fragrant tea brewed by Yueji. Butler Fu entered, his white beard a wisp of air around his weathered face. "Mastah," he began, "regarding Carniphage flesh, they are strictly controlled by the government. However, there are unofficial channels - martial arts schools, for example."

David, intrigued, stroked his chin. This world held its own brand of extraordinary power - martial arts. Unlike mages, these warriors honed only their bodies, yet capable of feats that defied logic, feats that piqued David's interest.

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Even within Black Rock City, these warriors were a common sight. David had observed them training in parks and squares, their movements a blur of speed and power. A spark of curiosity flickered within him. Perhaps, this world had more to offer than mere indulgence.

David, captivated by the prospect of this "martial arts," recognized a potential solution to his limitations. While mana in this world was scarce, insufficient for magic weaving, this martial path held promise.

A wry smile tugged at his lips. Who wouldn't choose advanced weaves over basic physical training? But David didn't have those options. His current magic training, the Aer Weaver's Meditation, was but a rudimentary technique, and only effective for the Aer stage.

The Aer Weavers operated mana as a gas, leaky, wispy, difficult to control and in short supply. They could only cast rudimentary spells. Low-level mages in this realm were forced to rely on their physical prowess, their weaves mere sparks flickering in the face of true sorcery. David recalled a time when he struggled to conjure a simple flame spell, resorting to a dagger to fend off a wild bear.

"The martial warriors here," David mused, "rival the destructive power of Aer Weavers, despite the absence of mana manipulation." David had heard of a training method in his home world known as forging, focused solely on fortifying the body. It was a resource-intensive method shunned by most mages.

Resource limitations were a non-issue for David in the Three Kingdoms. He had both worlds at his disposal. Besides, he had no other choice. Low-level training technique for Aer Weavers cost 5 mana crystals back home, a year and half income for him, luxuries he couldn't afford.

"Here," he thought, a smile playing on his lips, "martial arts exercising techniques are readily available. And I was hoping to acquire some Carniphage flesh anyway..." The confluence of these two goals fueled his interest.

"Tell me more about these martial arts schools," David demanded, his voice sharp with urgency.

Fu continued, his voice had a noble tune to it. "Each martial arts school offers a lineage of exercising techniques. Rumors claim advanced mastahs require more than just regular food to sustain themselves. They turn to rare plants, heavenly treasures, or even... Carniphage flesh. Consequently, every martial arts school establishes its own channels to acquire such materials."

"I heard that Black Rock City has two main factions besides the usual martial arts schools: Yuanhe Mountain and the Martial Arts Alliance." David's eyes narrowed at the mention of Yuanhe Mountain.

"Indeed," Fu replied, his voice lowering with respect. "Yuanhe Mountain is one of the most prestigious traditions within a hundred miles. Even the gah-vernment shows them deference."

The weight of Fu's words confirmed David's suspicions. "Their martial arts must be superior," he concluded.

"How strict is their recruitment? Can money pave the way?" David inquired. Reliance on wealth had become his modus operandi in Black Rock City. Naturally, he was treated like a milking cow and regarded like a easy target, however, as a mage armed with some basic spells, and with the scrolls acquired with a hefty investment of shards, he possessed the means to ensure his own safety.

Fu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "They typically recruit children of noble families," he explained, "but wealth might be an option."

A slow smile spread across David's face. "Then there's no time to waste," he declared with newfound determination.

Yuanhe Mountain.

The legendary sect, headquartered in Dingzhou, boasted only one branch in Black Rock City. Yet, even this branch exuded grandeur, a sprawl of buildings that spoke volumes of their power. Deep within, a hidden gem - a tranquil lake dotted with lotus blooms. A lone boat drifted amidst the flowers, a solitary figure reclining within.

The serenity shattered as the boat nudged the shore. A woman in pristine white approached, her voice respectful. "Greetings, Uncle Mastah."

The figure stirred, a youthful face emerging with a yawn. "What is it?" he drawled, impatience lacing his tone.

"A wealthy family in the city offers two hundred taels of silvah to recommend a new disciple - David Dragonheart."

The young man scoffed, his eyes scanning a document. "A foreigner with dubious origin? Does this Dragonheart think Yuanhe Mountain is a mere mercenary school, accepting anyone with coin?"

Yuanhe Mountain, the undisputed overlord of the region, wielded immense power. While they did accept disciples, wealth held little sway. Talent was paramount. In the past, they'd recruited children of noble families to forge connections. But David... all he possessed was wealth.

"Is he gifted?" the young man demanded.

"Mediocre at best," the woman replied, her usual apathy replaced by a flicker of advocacy. "But..."

He cut her off, a dismissive flick of his hand. "Reject him."

The boat glided away, leaving the woman in white to bow silently. No further argument would be made.