Ch. 11 - The Protagonist Appears

Sunshine Village sat on the eastern side of the Western Region, within the vast lands governed by the True Martial Sacred Ground.

As the sun rose and morning light spread, a group of teenagers had already gathered in the village plaza. Under the guidance of Master Mo, the village’s strongest fighter, they began their morning physical training.

Master Mo was the top fighter in Sunshine Village, and the only one who had reached the 9th Stage of the Spirit Meridian Realm.

He had a broad chest and muscular frame, wore a sleeveless black vest, and sported a wild, exploded hairstyle that stuck up in all directions.

Standing before the group, he shouted, “You’re not the children of noble clans! You don’t have premium techniques or pills to aid you from the start. The only thing you can rely on, is yourselves. The only thing you can do, is work hard. Strength comes from 99% effort and only 1% talent. Got that?”

“Got it!” the group of teenagers yelled in unison.

Each one was holding a deep horse stance, their little faces flushed red, but their eyes full of hope and longing for the martial path.

…

At the very back of the group was another boy, much thinner and weaker than the others.

He was clenching his teeth, his face pale as paper, struggling to hold the horse stance without giving in.

He wore a coarse white shirt with visible patches, and though his clothes were worn, his face was handsome and delicate, with defined brows and bright eyes.

There was a stubborn determination in him that didn’t match his age.

Beside him stood a young girl with long hair cascading down her back. Her skin was fair as snow, her lips red and teeth white, and her nose gracefully shaped.

But it was her eyes, clear and limpid like a spring, that truly captivated.

Even in cheap clothes, her stunning beauty couldn’t be hidden. Though still young, she already had the grace of a blossoming woman.

“Chu Yang, are you alright?” the girl asked gently, clearly distressed by his struggle.

“I’m fine, Xiao’er,” Chu Yang managed a weak smile and shook his head.

But just as he said that, his body gave out and collapsed.

“Chu Yang, rest for a bit.” The girl quickly helped him to a shady spot under a large tree.

Many boys nearby watched this scene with envy and jealousy.

“I don’t get it,” one muttered. “Why would someone like Bai Lixiao fall for a useless guy like Chu Yang?”

Another chimed in: “Yeah! If she married me, my family’s got a dozen cows, she’d never have to worry about food again.”

“But that Chu Yang? Parents dead since he was little, lives on handouts from the village. Weak and sickly since birth. Total loser.”

The square filled with murmurs and complaints, while Master Mo frowned at the noisy unrest.

With spiritual energy infused in his voice, he roared: “What are you yelling for? Too relaxed, huh?

The teenagers groaned but quieted immediately.

“Next, I’ll demonstrate the Fierce Tiger Fist,” Master Mo said proudly. “This is a Yellow-grade meridian technique. Watch carefully, I’m only showing it once.”

He understood that for these young beginners, he needed to show not just the hardships of training, but also something to strive for, something exciting.

As the teenagers watched with anticipation, Master Mo stood tall, clenched his right fist, and gathered his spiritual energy.

His entire aura transformed into that of a fierce tiger, and his fist began to glow with a faint yellow light.

With a sharp cry, he leaped into the air and slammed his fist into a nearby boulder.

Boom! The rock exploded into fragments, dust flying everywhere.

Master Mo exhaled and walked back with pride. “Whoever finishes body-tempering first and steps into the Spirit Meridian Realm, I’ll personally teach you this Fierce Tiger Fist.”

The crowd exploded with excitement. Eyes burned with determination.

…

Just then, a boy pointed upward and shouted, “Master Mo, there’s someone flying in the sky!”

“Don’t mess around,” Master Mo glared at him. Flying? Only someone at the Desolate Meridian Realm or higher could fly. Back in his younger days, Mo had worked in Profound Origin City as a patrol guard, known colloquially as “City Enforcer.”

Wherever he walked, street vendors would flee in terror. He'd seen his fair share of the world.

But even in Profound Origin City, the strongest he'd met were only in the True Meridian Realm.

…

The boy looked wronged. “I’m serious! I’m not lying!”

Master Mo was just about to scold him again, when suddenly, he felt an overwhelming pressure descending from above.

He turned in alarm, scalp tingling.

A woman descended slowly from the sky.

Her aura was boundless, like a vast sea, utterly unfathomable.

Master Mo immediately stepped forward and greeted her respectfully, “Honored one, may I ask your purpose in visiting our Sunshine Village?”

“Is this Sunshine Village?” the woman asked coldly.

“It… it is,” Mo stammered, nodding.

“Do you know a woman named Xiao Qingya?” she asked. Her voice was icy, but a hint of hope trembled beneath.

“Xiao Qingya… sounds familiar,” Mo muttered, thinking hard.

“She lived here decades ago!” the woman added urgently.

“Oh, right! I remember!” Mo slapped his forehead. “I do recall her.”

“Where is she?” the woman asked, breath held.

“She passed away,” Mo said quietly.

“…Dead?” The woman froze. Her whole body shook, and she staggered back, face pale.

“She died?” she whispered.

“Oh, she left behind a daughter,” Mo added casually.

“Can you speak clearly all at once?!” the woman snapped, glaring fiercely. Her aura surged like a storm.

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