Chapter 8

"Ha ha ha..."

The old man, Cangtou, laughed triumphantly.

He had been repeatedly humiliated by Gao Zhengyang and had developed a certain respect for the young man. Gao Zhengyang's surprised expression made Cangtou feel a sense of vindication.

"The Crane Clan has always produced beautiful women. The Crane Clan's Wu Shuang was once hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world. However, the Crane Clan is very rare due to their small population. Seeing a beautiful woman from the Crane Clan in Black Dragon Ridge is the proudest moment of my life..."

When talking about the beautiful women of the Crane Clan, Cangtou's eyes sparkled with pride and satisfaction.

After listening to Cangtou for a long time, Gao Zhengyang still found it hard to imagine what the Crane Clan, with their white wings, looked like.

"The Crane Clan is elegant, the Swallow Clan is delicate, the Fox Clan is enchanting, and the Cat Clan is adorable. These four barbarian tribes are widely recognized for producing the most beautiful women."

Cangtou, nodding his head, recounted the legends and anecdotes about the beauties of the barbarian tribes, "Other barbarian tribes also have beautiful women, such as the Rabbit Clan. White Rabbit beauties are the most famous in the world. They travel far and wide, making a living by selling themselves..."

Cangtou looked melancholic and said with regret, "Unfortunately, I've been trapped in this poor and remote place all my life and have never seen the world!"

Gao Zhengyang was not particularly interested in the beauties of the various tribes, but the rich information conveyed in Cangtou's words left him somewhat dazed.

This world was much more complex than he had imagined.

"There will be an opportunity. I can take you there, and we might encounter a beautiful woman from the Crane Clan."

Gao Zhengyang flatly refused, "I'm not interested."

In the darkness, Cangtou's eyes twinkled as he said, "The Great Wasteland Mountains are not only home to beautiful women from the barbarian tribes but also to various magical herbs and divine fruits. If you have good luck, eating one of them can immediately grant you immense power."

"Ha ha," Gao Zhengyang laughed, "If it were that easy, why don't you go look for them?"

Cangtou was at a loss for words. After a moment's thought, he said, "Those things are hard to find. It's more practical to hunt demon beasts. The flesh and blood of demon beasts are highly nourishing. Even the lowest-tier Iron Spine Pig is a hundred times better than a domestic pig."

Gao Zhengyang's interest was piqued. He vaguely remembered that the flesh and blood of demon beasts were highly nourishing, which was exactly what he needed.

"Actually, eating the flesh and blood is not the main benefit. The greatest advantage is that when you kill a demon beast, you can absorb part of its power. That's why the strong become stronger!"

Cangtou sighed, "Unfortunately, the Wolf Clan has blocked the path into the mountains, and the tribe hasn't gone hunting in a long time."

"What kind of demon beasts are there in the mountains?" Gao Zhengyang asked.

"There are many, like the Iron-Haired Pig, the Gray-Backed Wolf, the Fire-Eyed Monkey..."

Cangtou, who had seen much in his life, spoke about demon beasts with great familiarity. However, as he spoke, he began to snore, having fallen asleep.

Gao Zhengyang, however, couldn't sleep. He lay awake, calculating his next move. To survive the second stage of titanium alloy fusion, hunting demon beasts in the mountains seemed like a good path.

Cangtou wanted to learn Tai Chi, and his attitude towards Gao Zhengyang became increasingly friendly.

Over the course of three days, Cangtou and Gao Zhengyang became good friends. Of course, they also learned Tai Chi from start to finish.

However, Cangtou could never fully grasp the essence of Tai Chi.

This wasn't because Gao Zhengyang was holding back; it was mainly because Cangtou was too old, illiterate, and had a simple understanding of the world.

He couldn't comprehend the profound philosophy of Tai Chi mentally, nor could he experience its subtle and intricate movements physically.

On the fourth morning at Cangtou's house, after eating breakfast, Gao Zhengyang continued practicing Tai Chi.

Having practiced Tai Chi for over twenty years, it had deeply ingrained itself in his soul.

Even in a young body, Gao Zhengyang quickly found his rhythm, a feeling deeply rooted in his soul.

After four days of intense practice, Gao Zhengyang had consumed about a hundred pounds of meat.

This wasn't enough to change his physique, but his skin had gained a luster, and his internal body had undergone a tremendous transformation.

The foreign soul and body had merged seamlessly, with no issues.

The coordination between his body and soul allowed Gao Zhengyang to gradually find his rhythm.

Facing the rising sun, Gao Zhengyang felt a sense of emptiness and fullness, reaching a very peculiar state.

Each move, from Grasping the Sparrow's Tail to Lazy Warding Off the Coat, from Single Whip, the force was a blend of hardness and softness, seeping from the muscles into the bones and organs, finally merging with his spirit.

Just as reading extensively can make one's writing divine, the same applies to practicing martial arts.

At this moment, Gao Zhengyang naturally let go of all distractions, his mind as clear as a mirror, perceiving every subtle change.

Being ambushed and killed, then crossing time and space to arrive in this world, transforming from a peak warrior to a pitiful, mentally challenged youth.

To say that Gao Zhengyang had no thoughts would be a lie.

But facing the ups and downs of fate, Gao Zhengyang faced it with the mindset of a hero.

All these changes were seen by him as trials. Only through these trials could life shine brightly.

Gao Zhengyang was naturally resilient, and his experiences had honed his strong will.

After a few days of mental and physical preparation, his martial spirit finally erupted.

In his martial arts, it manifested as fierce as thunder, solid as a mountain, heavy as the earth, and vast as the sky.

In familiar moves, Gao Zhengyang gradually found the feeling of his past life, expressing his will and spirit, infusing his martial arts with a divine quality.

Cangtou, who had been practicing slowly with him, felt the divine quality in Gao Zhengyang's martial spirit as it changed.

Cangtou stared in amazement, his wrinkled face showing a mix of joy, excitement, and reflection, his expression constantly changing.

This was the martial spirit of a hero, daring to challenge everything, unyielding to anything, including the most powerful fate.

Gao Zhengyang didn't explain the essence of his martial arts, but Cangtou understood. He understood Gao Zhengyang's martial spirit, his heroic aspirations, his indomitable courage, his majestic aura, and the divine quality in his martial arts.

This didn't mean he had learned it. It was a kind of enlightenment.

Like the woodcutter Zhong Ziqi listening to Boya play the zither. Without any explanation, he could understand the emotions and meanings in the music.

But this didn't mean Zhong Ziqi could play the zither. Understanding and doing are two different things.

Moreover, Cangtou didn't have Zhong Ziqi's sensitivity. He could understand the divine quality in Gao Zhengyang's martial arts because Gao Zhengyang's performance was so outstanding.

Gao Zhengyang felt his martial arts were still somewhat stiff, as this body was too young and lacked the finesse in strength.

But in terms of martial spirit, he had made a step forward compared to his peak in his previous life.

The extraordinary life experience of crossing time and space and transforming into another person was a precious and invaluable experience.

Only by experiencing it firsthand could one truly understand the feeling, have various sensations, and develop the courage to defy the heavens.

This wasn't something that could come out of nowhere.

It's like someone saying climbing Mount Everest is nothing. This statement only has meaning if said from the summit of Mount Everest.

Otherwise, it's just empty talk, not worth a laugh.

The twists and turns of his fate, like a furnace, had not melted Gao Zhengyang but had refined him, removing impurities and forging him into tempered steel.

Gao Zhengyang knew that his ability to produce such a powerful martial spirit was not just due to his experiences but also because his mental strength was much greater than before.

Deep in his brow, there seemed to be a tangible force expanding, making him feel a pressure in his forehead.

It was as if something was about to emerge from within.

It was hard to say what caused this change, but he guessed it might be due to the time travel.

If the soul could reincarnate, a change in mental strength was not surprising.

After a set of martial arts, Gao Zhengyang assumed the Wuji stance.

He stood still, but every muscle and bone in his body was moving. The subtle vibrations, like sifting sand, continuously refined his strength, penetrating his flesh, bones, and blood.

No matter how profound Gao Zhengyang's martial spirit was, it still needed to be executed through the body. Through the Wuji stance, he continuously strengthened his body and improved his control over it.

On the other hand, such intense training could accelerate the fusion of titanium alloy with his bones.

Intense training would damage the body to some extent.

In comparison, the tearing pain from the body's neural feedback was not significant.

The current priority was to complete the first stage of fusion as soon as possible and gain the strength to protect himself.

Some injuries to the body could be temporarily ignored.

As for the most dangerous second stage of fusion, Gao Zhengyang would try to delay it as much as possible.

When Gao Zhengyang opened his eyes again, he noticed his shadow was slightly tilted, indicating it was past noon.

The waiting Cangtou hurried over and said, "Let's eat. I've already prepared the meal."

Cangtou's tone and demeanor were less slick and more respectful, which surprised Gao Zhengyang. He wondered what the old man was up to.

After eating and resting for a while, Gao Zhengyang continued practicing martial arts.

This time, Cangtou didn't practice. He just watched quietly, his gaze shifting, seemingly lost in thought.

Gao Zhengyang practiced until evening, ate dinner, and practiced for another hour before returning to his room to rest.

Cangtou, who had already lain down, sat up at the sound of movement and called out, "Zhengyang, are you going to sleep?"

The sudden familiarity in the old man's voice made Gao Zhengyang feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Speak your mind," Gao Zhengyang said directly.

Cangtou smiled and said, "Nothing, nothing. I just saw you practicing today and thought of your father. When he was your age, he was far inferior to you."

Gao Zhengyang remained silent. He was no longer the original Gao Zhengyang and didn't care much about this father.

Moreover, Cangtou was just trying to get closer. There was no need to respond.

Cangtou, having started the conversation, continued on his own.

"Zhengyang, I'm not flattering you, but your martial arts today were divine. With your talent, you will eventually condense a martial soul and become a supreme warrior."

"Martial soul?"

Gao Zhengyang was interested. He wanted to ask Cangtou about martial arts but hadn't found the right opportunity.

"Don't you know?" Cangtou looked at Gao Zhengyang with some doubt, then slapped his thigh and said, "Right, you must have forgotten."

Gao Zhengyang's years of mental incapacity made it normal for him to forget these things.

Cangtou found a reason for Gao Zhengyang and didn't dwell on it.

He continued, "Warriors condense primordial energy, refine their bodies, and open spiritual acupoints. Opening the first spiritual acupoint and condensing martial awareness makes one a true warrior. But only when all six senses are enlightened and a martial spirit is condensed can one be considered a master. Further, when the martial spirit transforms into a martial soul, one becomes a powerful warrior who can dominate the world."

Gao Zhengyang remembered that spiritual acupoints were places in the body where primordial energy could gather, similar to acupuncture points in Chinese medicine but more complex and mysterious.

However, he didn't understand martial spirits and martial souls. He could grasp the meaning and imagine them vaguely, but it was hard to have a concrete concept.

"What exactly is a martial soul?" Gao Zhengyang asked.

"Ah, a martial soul is a martial soul, an immensely powerful force..."

Cangtou didn't understand martial spirits and martial souls either and couldn't explain their subtleties.

But he had seen a powerful warrior and felt a similar aura from Gao Zhengyang's martial arts.

Although it was just a guess, it gave him some hope.

Gao Zhengyang also saw that Cangtou couldn't give him a satisfactory explanation. He asked, "What do you really want to say?"

"Ha,"

Cangtou chuckled, "I have a great benefit for you."

Gao Zhengyang smiled but said nothing. This cunning old man was clearly asking for a favor but claimed to be giving him a great benefit.

In the dim room, Cangtou couldn't see Gao Zhengyang's expression, but after a few days of interaction, he knew Gao Zhengyang was exceptionally smart and couldn't be fooled.

He quickly continued, "Twenty years ago, I met a powerful warrior in Black Dragon Ridge. It was the same time I saw the beautiful woman from the Crane Clan. The warrior told me he was looking for a talented disciple. I saw your martial arts today and believe you are qualified to be his disciple."

Gao Zhengyang laughed and said, "Twenty years is a long time. The person is either gone or dead."

"No, no," Cangtou waved his hands and shook his head, extremely confident, "That person has incredible powers, a god-like warrior. How could he die!"

Gao Zhengyang remained silent. If the cunning Cangtou was so confident, the person must have some real skills.

However, the old man's enthusiasm suggested he had something to gain from this.

"Not interested," Gao Zhengyang said after a moment's thought.

Cangtou, incredulous, said, "This is a great opportunity, and you're just refusing it!"

Gao Zhengyang yawned and said indifferently, "I'm tired. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

"You, you," Cangtou wanted to scold but held back.

Gao Zhengyang had already lain down. Soon, the darkness was filled with his steady breathing.

Cangtou sat there, unable to understand why Gao Zhengyang would refuse such a good opportunity.

The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became, wishing he could split open Gao Zhengyang's head to see what he was thinking.

Cangtou, full of thoughts, tossed and turned, unable to sleep until just before dawn.

When the sky brightened, Gao Zhengyang woke up on time.

He had slept particularly well, and after washing his face with well water, he felt refreshed and full of energy.

Facing the rising sun in the east, Gao Zhengyang slowly breathed in and out.

The purple qi from the east, at this moment, made him feel renewed, both physically and mentally.

After finishing his practice, Gao Zhengyang sighed. This world indeed had a mysterious power. He had only practiced for a few days, but the results were comparable to practicing for ten years on Earth.

Of course, this body already had a foundation. It was just malnourished and weak.

Gao Zhengyang's intense training stimulated his internal organs and blood circulation, accelerating his metabolism, which was a significant reason for the rapid improvement.

"At this rate, the titanium alloy will complete its initial fusion by tomorrow night. Within a month, I can recover my peak strength."

Gao Zhengyang was quite satisfied with this, but he was concerned about changes in the Iron Forest Tribe.

Cangtou had been talking a lot about the Wolf Clan over the past few days.

According to Cangtou, the Iron Forest Tribe and the Wolf Clan would definitely go to war before the first snowfall.

Gao Zhengyang also believed this. Although he didn't know the current situation outside, from the perspective of both sides, they were already at odds and would settle their differences before winter.

The Great Wasteland Mountains were full of dangers, and the Iron Forest Tribe was no utopia.

"Knock, knock, knock..." The sudden knocking on the door startled Gao Zhengyang from his thoughts.

He had a premonition that his peaceful days were about to end.