Chapter 1

Dry Nation.

North Village of Yangcheng.

Blackstone Village.

Inside a dilapidated courtyard, the village chief, dressed in fine robes, sat coldly and sipped his tea.

The farmer, his face full of sorrow, remained silent.

The woman, however, was smiling and persuading a young boy.

"Xiaohao, you've eaten at our house for over ten years. Today is the time for you to repay Uncle's family. Your uncle can't go, and you are of the right age for conscription. Why don't you take your uncle's place and join the army?"

The boy's name was Yang Hao, fifteen years old, the nephew of the couple. His father had died in battle when he was young, and he had been living alone ever since.

Seeing the boy's hesitation, the woman's face changed instantly: "If you don't go, our whole family will be reduced to slavery, mining at the border! Xiaohao, your uncle only has you as his nephew, you can't be a wolf cub!"

The boy looked at the fierce aunt and the timid uncle, and finally conceded: "I am willing to take my uncle's place."

The woman's face lit up with joy. After paying off the village chief, she fussed over him, telling him to come to their house for meals over the next few days.

...

Yang Hao did not resent his uncle's family. After all, he had been living under their roof for so many years. No matter what, they were his benefactors, and he needed to find a way to earn his own living.

Back in his small courtyard, Yang Hao began to practice the body-strengthening techniques, engaging in daily physical training.

These were the exercises his father had taught him since he was young, which helped to strengthen his body and toughen his muscles and bones.

First, he did basic push-ups and joint stretches, then repeatedly hit his body with a wooden stick until he was red all over.

Finally, he lifted two buckets of water with both arms, alternating to build his arm strength.

"One, two, three... ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred!"

The boy finally put down the buckets, drenched in sweat, his back red as if burned, revealing strong and muscular arms and back. Despite this, his face remained resolute, and he panted heavily.

Looking at the buckets, the water inside had not spilled a drop.

"About a hundred times is my limit, but I've improved a bit. In August, I could only do eighty or so..."

"The 'Rock Body Strengthening Technique' left by my father can only build the foundation of my body, and it seems to have no other effects."

He had practiced the military strengthening techniques left by his father since he was young, toughening his body. Besides protecting himself, he also had the idea of joining the army like his father one day, so he was not afraid.

After finishing his daily strength training, Yang Hao used the two buckets of water to wash up in the courtyard, changed into a clean set of clothes, and went into the house to begin his daily ancestral worship, a habit that had been in the family since he was young.

However, after the family split, his uncle's family rarely participated in the worship. His father had died in battle when he was young, and his mother had remarried, leaving him as the only one who still followed this tradition.

In the simple earthen house, farming tools and old items were placed, but directly opposite the door was a somewhat grand altar, where the ancestral tablets of the Yang family were placed.

It was said that their Yang family was once a prominent clan in another country, who had migrated due to war. However, the ancestral tablets were divided among the families, and in his line, only four tablets were enshrined.

Great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and an ancestor of unknown generation, with the words "Yang Clan Great Heavenly Martial King" inscribed on the tablet, which was confusing when read together.

Yang was their family name, but what was "Great Heavenly Martial King"? A title? Or a name?

Young Yang Hao was also puzzled, but his uneducated father said to just worship them, as they were all his ancestors.

Yang Hao gazed at the tablets, respectfully lighting incense in the incense burner in front of each tablet, and sighed, "Ancestors, your unworthy descendant Yang Hao pays respects."

"Ancestors, Hao is about to join the army. I don't know if I will return alive. I hope the ancestors will protect me and leave our family a last bit of bloodline."

"In the future, Hao will not be able to worship the ancestors often. Please forgive your unworthy descendant!"

After bowing and kneeling, Yang Hao wiped the dust off the tablets, his heart filled with a touch of sorrow.

The ritual was the same as always.

However, when he wiped the "Yang Clan Great Heavenly Martial King" tablet, he heard a "click," and something fell from the bottom of the tablet!

Yang Hao was almost startled, but when he looked down, he saw a small wooden box about the size of his palm!

Upon closer inspection, the bottom of the tablet was hollow, with a slot where the small wooden box was inserted!

"Ancestors' tablets actually have a hidden compartment. Could it be something left by the ancestors?"

Yang Hao was completely bewildered as he picked up the wooden box.

The wooden box was made of an unknown type of wood, but it emitted a fragrant aroma that invigorated Yang Hao as if he had drunk cold water!

When he opened the wooden box, Yang Hao's eyes widened in shock, and he froze!

Inside the wooden box lay a pristine white finger bone!

A finger bone, weathered by time, without flesh, but still as clear and translucent as jade!

"How could there be a finger bone?"

Yang Hao was completely stunned.

"Could it be the bone of an ancestor? But why is it hidden here?"

No matter how hard he thought, Yang Hao couldn't understand why the mysterious finger bone was in the ancestral tablet. But being bold, he couldn't resist touching the finger bone out of curiosity.

As soon as his finger touched the bone, it instantly turned into a stream of light and entered Yang Hao's right hand!

"Ah!"

"The bone, it went into my hand!"

Even Yang Hao, who was usually brave, was terrified, his face turning pale. If it weren't his own hand, he would have thrown it away!

He had never seen such a bizarre and terrifying scene!

However, the next moment, Yang Hao felt his right middle finger heating up, and an unknown energy surged from his finger into his entire body. His internal organs felt as if they were immersed in hot water, about to evaporate and melt, causing immense pain!

Yang Hao couldn't bear the pain and instantly fainted!

His skin turned red like a boiled lobster, and energy continued to surge from his glowing finger into his body...