Chapter 2

Amidst the blossoming flowers and lush green grass, security patrols could be seen everywhere.

Compared to the shabby civilian areas, the Ping'an neighborhood was quite good in terms of living environment, conditions, and security.

"Drip~" Pressing his fingerprint, the gate clicked open.

"Brother." Lin Feng pushed the door open and was greeted by a cute and delicate figure.

Big eyes, a small nose, and pursed cherry lips, her gaze carried a visible concern, it was his sister, Lin Yuer.

"Did you see?" Lin Feng smiled and playfully pinched his sister's nose, "Busybody."

Lin Yuer pouted, "I'm not a little kid anymore."

Lin Feng laughed, took off his shoes, and entered the living room. The house wasn't very large, 150 square meters, with a simple interior design, three bedrooms, one living room, and a closed-off cultivation room, which was the standard configuration.

"Hmm, it smells so good~" Lin Feng squinted his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Right, right, Mom is in a particularly good mood today." Lin Yuer was overjoyed, her eyes shining, "I haven't had a hot meal in a long time. Every day it's just cold, compressed energy food, with no taste at all." As she spoke, Lin Yuer couldn't help but pout, looking very cute.

Lin Feng laughed and said, "You're just a glutton. As long as it provides enough calories and nutrients for the body, isn't it the same? Besides... fresh vegetables aren't cheap." Lin Feng's gaze turned to the kitchen, but despite his words, his heart felt warm. He knew why his mother was in such a good mood today.

"How can it be the same? Mom's cooking is the best~" Lin Yuer looked intoxicated, "Don't worry, Brother, there's still a lot of money left from Big Brother..." Before she could finish, Lin Yuer seemed to think of something and nervously covered her mouth, peeking at Lin Feng like a frightened little rabbit.

A trace of longing flashed in his eyes, and Lin Feng smiled faintly, "I'm fine."

If it were the old him, he wouldn't have been so calm, but this time, stepping out of the nightmare in his heart, he felt everything had been let go, or perhaps...

He had accepted reality.

"Brother, you?" Lin Yuer's big eyes blinked curiously.

"Sorry, Yuer." Lin Feng gently hugged his sister, petting her little head, and softly said, "I've made you and Mom worry for a year." Feeling the slight tremble of the small body in his arms, Lin Feng couldn't help but sigh. Though his sister was young, she was smart and knew a lot.

Indeed, he, as a brother, had been irresponsible.

For a year, he had been in a daze, like a madman training, like a small boat struggling against the waves in a tsunami. But why bother? The angry waves of the tsunami would eventually pass, and he could have patiently waited for the next voyage.

"Brother." Lin Yuer whispered.

"Hmm?" Lin Feng responded.

"I won't talk to Sister Qian anymore." Lin Yuer's voice was soft but firm.

Lin Feng was slightly surprised, "Why? Didn't you like her the most?"

"But she's not good to my brother." Lin Yuer said, "I don't like anyone who's not good to my brother."

Lin Feng's heart tightened, as if the softest part of his heart had been touched. His eyes moistened, deeply moved. The affection his sister had for him was like the affection he had for his big brother, a thick, dependent, and admiring bond. Though they had no blood relation, they were like real siblings.

"Silly girl." Lin Feng murmured.

...

"Brother, why are fresh vegetables so expensive?"

"There's no place to grow them. The city is so small, and it's full of people, so how can you grow vegetables?"

"Oh, are the monsters in the wilderness area very powerful?"

"Of course, they are very powerful. But the wilderness area is full of treasures, like elemental crystals, spirit fruits, medicinal herbs, metal ores, and even the bodies of elemental beasts are full of treasures."

...

Answering his sister's questions one by one, Lin Feng patiently explained.

His sister, who was about to turn twelve, had a strong desire to learn about the world. In three months, she would take a gene test to see if she had 'innate genes,' which would allow her brain to naturally develop to 5%. This was a necessary condition for absorbing gene energy and becoming a 'gene warrior.'

"Brother, what exactly is brain development?" Lin Yuer, resting her chin on her hand, asked curiously.

"Right here." Lin Feng smiled and pointed to his head, "In the previous era, the Quaternary period, most people from birth to death only developed 3% to 5% of their brains, which was a huge waste. The human brain has infinite potential to be tapped. As brain development increases, humans can become smarter and stronger."

"I read a book that recorded some of the most important scientists in human history, like Newton and Einstein, whose brain development was far more than 5%. Some world record-holding athletes and boxing champions also had brain development close to the 10% threshold."

"The most astonishing was the Three Kingdoms period, where many military strategists and generals had brain development not only exceeding 10% but even reaching 20% or 30%."

"What happened later?" Lin Yuer was immediately interested.

Lin Feng's eyes sparkled, and he slowly said, "Gradually, humans began to value themselves, especially their brains, and tried every possible way to tap their potential, but they never found the right method to increase brain development. Until... one day, they suddenly discovered the existence and mysteries of ancient martial arts."

"Using the heart as the source, communicating with heaven and earth, practicing internal cultivation techniques, absorbing the energy of heaven and earth, and strengthening oneself."

"Gathering energy in the dantian, when the cultivation reaches its limit, one can attempt to open one of the Ren or Du meridians, which we now call 'soul breakthrough.' Each soul breakthrough increases brain development, and when both the Ren and Du meridians are fully open, the brain development limit will reach 30%."

"Both human intelligence and physical strength were greatly enhanced, and the potential was fully unleashed, marking the transition from the Quaternary period to the Ancient Martial Arts period."

Looking at his sister's sparkling eyes, Lin Feng couldn't help but smile.

He remembered asking his big brother the same question. His big brother always valued history, saying that history was a thick book recording everything that had happened, and the reason humans could develop their potential and enter the Ancient Martial Arts period was because of the existence of history.

"What are you two talking about, so happily?" A gentle and graceful voice sounded, and Lin Feng looked up to see a face as beautiful as a painting, just like his mother's name, Ji Ruhua, suggesting a woman of extraordinary beauty. Time had left no trace on his mother's face, adding instead a mature and intellectual beauty.

Looking at his mother's face, Lin Feng felt an endless sense of familiarity and longing, as if he hadn't seen her for a whole year.

"Mom." Lin Feng spoke, his voice soft and hoarse but firm, "I'm back."

Smiling warmly, Ji Ruhua looked at Lin Feng and said softly, "It's good to have you back."

※※※

Simple dishes, but because of the change in heart, they became the most delicious delicacies in the world.

The family of three enjoyed a warm and harmonious meal. Seeing his mother and sister's long-missed smiles, Lin Feng felt a warm glow in his heart. This was his home, with people he was willing to protect with his life. With his big brother gone, he was the only man in the family and had to take on the responsibility.

This was his promise to his big brother and his duty as a man!

"Mom, I plan to join the Sunlight Martial Arts Hall." Lin Feng looked at his mother and said.

Ji Ruhua didn't seem surprised, "For Yuer?"

Lin Feng knew he couldn't hide anything from his mother and nodded, "Big Brother worked hard to earn money to cultivate me. Unfortunately, I let him down. Yuer is smart and hardworking. If we have enough money to buy gene liquid, I believe she can cross the threshold before she turns eighteen and become a gene warrior."

Ji Ruhua smiled, "Are you sure Yuer has innate genes?"

Lin Feng frowned, "Both Big Brother and I have innate genes, so Yuer should..." A hint of uncertainty flashed in his eyes, and he hesitated, realizing that Yuer wasn't his mother's biological child.

"Yuer indeed has innate genes." Ji Ruhua said.

"Really?" Lin Feng was surprised. As far as he knew, his sister hadn't taken a gene test. Looking at his mother, Lin Feng suddenly smiled. If his mother said so, it was 100% true. From a young age, his mother seemed to know everything, and nothing could be hidden from her.

The probability of having innate genes was only one in a thousand.

But for his sister to be one of them was undoubtedly a heartening piece of good news.

"Are you really determined to start over?" Ji Ruhua suddenly asked, her wise eyes seeming to see through everything.

"Yes, Mom." Lin Feng said firmly, his eyes bright.

Since he took that step, he had already made up his mind.

It was a difficult decision because gene warriors and ancient martial artists were completely different paths. Whether in cultivation, combat, internal energy, or even equipment, there were huge differences. Moreover, the path of an ancient martial artist was ten to a hundred times harder than that of a gene warrior.

Looking into his mother's eyes, Lin Feng's resolve didn't waver.

Perhaps he didn't have the same talent as his big brother, but he wouldn't give up. No matter what setbacks or blows he faced, he would walk this path bravely and firmly.

"Very good." Ji Ruhua smiled, her eyes showing approval and satisfaction. Suddenly, a thin brown book appeared in her hand. Lin Feng's eyes focused, and he reached out to take the book, asking in confusion, "Mom, what is this?"

"A cultivation technique, or more precisely... a cultivation method." Ji Ruhua said calmly, her eyes showing a hint of mystery.

"Really?" Lin Feng was incredulous.

An ancient martial arts cultivation method?

How did Mom have an ancient martial arts cultivation method?

"Remember, Feng, don't reveal it unless absolutely necessary." Ji Ruhua warned seriously.

Lin Feng's heart tightened at her words.

These words carried significant meaning.

An ancient martial arts cultivation method was very important to ancient martial artists, just as the elemental core was to gene warriors. Ancient martial artists used cultivation methods to absorb the energy of heaven and earth, strengthen themselves, and combine it with martial techniques to unleash powerful combat abilities. In short, ancient martial artists couldn't cultivate or fight without an ancient martial arts cultivation method.

By rank, ancient martial arts cultivation methods were divided into non-grade, nine grades to first grade, yellow grade one to nine, black grade one to nine, earth grade, and the legendary sky grade.

Most importantly, ancient martial arts cultivation methods above the yellow grade could not be privately taught or sold, and violators would be hunted by the Ancient Martial Arts Alliance. Therefore, to become an ancient martial artist, one had to join a martial arts hall or a martial arts sect to receive good ancient martial arts cultivation methods.

Clearly, the ancient martial arts cultivation method in his hands was not ordinary.

"Don't worry." Ji Ruhua seemed to understand Lin Feng's thoughts and said gently, "As long as you don't use it, no one will know what cultivation method you are practicing."

"Oh, right." Lin Feng responded, suddenly realizing.

Indeed, if he just practiced, who would know if he didn't say anything?

"Don't sacrifice yourself for the family, silly child. Because... they love you just as much." Ji Ruhua said softly, "Go, practice well."

Their eyes met, filled with warm maternal affection, and everything was understood without words.

"Thank you, Mom." Lin Feng nodded lightly, feeling a warm current in his heart as he held the thin book. One of the main reasons he wanted to join the Sunlight Martial Arts Hall was because of the 'ancient martial arts cultivation method.' With this method, his future path would be much wider, and he would have more choices.

The Sunlight Martial Arts Hall belonged to the Sunset Martial Arts Hall, and in the Sunset City, besides the Sunset Martial Arts Hall... there was also the 'Martial Sect.'

"I will definitely become an ancient martial artist!" Lin Feng clenched his fist.

At almost eighteen, he had to support the entire family!

...

Watching Lin Feng enter the cultivation room, Ji Ruhua's beautiful eyes sparkled slightly.

"Silly child, your big brother's talent was indeed extraordinary, but... you are in no way inferior to him."

"Zhan's personality is like his father, too rigid and prone to breaking; but your personality, Feng, is resilient and unyielding. Setbacks are excellent tempering for you. After shedding the superficial, you will surely shine one day. Believe in your mother..."

"An ancient martial artist is the true path you should take."

...

(New book just started, please give a recommendation and a follow, thank you^^)

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