Chapter 1

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, its red rays shooting down to the ground like rockets, setting the earth ablaze and reflecting a boiling, oil-like flame. The air was stifling, intense, and suffocating, almost making people's cells and fibers tremble and burst.

However, under this scorching sunlight, a young man stood bare-chested in the square. His body was tanned and healthy, and under the intense sunlight, beads of sweat the size of beans trickled down his skin.

Though his face could not be described as handsome, his bright, sparkling eyes were particularly clear. They were filled with determination and courage.

"Ha..."

A light roar erupted from his mouth, like the roar of a dragon or the growl of a tiger, full of masculine power.

The young man took a step forward, his bare feet landing heavily on the cracked ground. Despite the small, scattered rocks, he seemed to feel nothing.

Then, he clenched his fists and punched forward with a powerful strike.

A faint sound of air breaking echoed through the air, a result of the speed of his punch.

He continued to stride forward, one punch after another. With each step, he exuded a resolute and unyielding aura. His punches grew stronger and faster, and his momentum increased.

However, each punch was a full effort, and after ten punches, although his momentum reached its peak, it could not last.

"Ha..."

With a final roar, the young man delivered his tenth punch.

This punch was incredibly powerful, as if he had poured all his energy into it. The fierce wind from his punch reverberated through the air, producing a sharp, explosive sound.

The power of this punch was almost on par with that of a true martial artist.

However, after this punch, the young man stumbled. He took a few quick steps forward, barely managing to steady himself, and panted heavily.

After a long while, his breathing finally stabilized.

He lifted his head, and a look of frustration appeared on his slightly stubborn face.

Not far away, a middle-aged man walked over and stood beside him. The middle-aged man's face was very similar to the young man's, but it was much older.

He looked at the young man's face, and though he already knew the answer, he couldn't help but ask with a last glimmer of hope, "Kai Xuan, how did it go?"

The young man lowered his head, pursed his lips, and shook his head.

The middle-aged man sighed, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Kai Xuan, forget it. Perhaps you don't have the talent to become a martial artist. Sigh, even if we live like this, we are still better off than many others."

The young man suddenly lifted his head, looking at his father in surprise, "Father, what are you saying? Do you want me to give up?"

The middle-aged man smiled bitterly, "Child, sometimes we have to accept our fate." He paused, "Since you were old enough to understand, I have taught you the Rong family's martial arts. But until this year, you have never condensed even a trace of true qi. Sigh, perhaps this is the will of heaven."

He looked at his son, his eyes filled with an indescribable bitterness.

Rong Yiyang, one of the direct descendants of the Rong family.

However, although he was born into the main branch, he left the family because he could not condense true qi before the age of fifteen, and came to manage a remote farm for the family.

For the direct descendants of the Rong family, such an outcome was equivalent to a life of idleness. Even some of the powerful collateral descendants were far more successful than him.

After coming to this place, Rong Yiyang fell into a state of depression. Although he did not completely abandon martial arts, the lack of ambition led him to become somewhat self-destructive, and over the years, he still failed to condense any true qi.

However, since his son was born, he placed all his hopes on Rong Kai Xuan.

The name "Kai Xuan" naturally contained a wish that he had never mentioned to anyone.

But, while the wish was beautiful, reality was cruel.

This young man had trained diligently in martial arts since childhood, never slacking off. However, heaven seemed to have never favored him, and even as he approached the age of fifteen, he still could not condense true qi.

At this point, even the reluctant Rong Yiyang had to give up.

Rong Kai Xuan tightly pressed his lips, which had turned pale from the excessive force.

He said with determination, "Father, please rest assured, I will definitely condense true qi."

Rong Yiyang shook his head, his heart heavy, "Child, with your talent and effort, you could have condensed true qi a year ago. But each time, you fell short. Sigh, perhaps this is your destiny." He sighed again, "Moreover, in three months, you will be fifteen. If you cannot condense true qi by then, you will have no great prospects in martial arts. So, it's better to give up now and live a comfortable life as a wealthy man."

Although he tried to comfort his son, the loneliness and regret in his heart could not be hidden.

Rong Kai Xuan raised his eyebrows and said, "Father, you are right. In fact, every time I exerted myself in training, I could feel something. But it was just that last step..." His eyes sparkled, "Father, if I go into the deep mountains for training, perhaps I can break through."

Rong Yiyang's face changed, and he immediately shouted, "Nonsense, I won't allow you to do anything reckless." He looked into the distance, "The outer areas of the forest are patrolled by our Rong family elders, so there's no danger. But who knows what dangers lie in the deep mountains? Even the martial artists dare not venture deep. If you go in, it will be like sending a meat bun to the dogs, with no return."

Rong Kai Xuan said solemnly, "Father, but you once said that only in a life-and-death situation can we truly hone our potential and advance further in our cultivation."

Rong Yiyang pointed at him, his face grim, "What are you talking about, brat? Yes, martial artists can unleash their potential and even break through their limits in life-and-death situations. But do you know what 'life-and-death' means?" He said fiercely, "It means placing yourself in a situation where death is certain. If you can't break through, you will surely die. Haha, can you guarantee that you will definitely break through?"

Rong Kai Xuan was taken aback and lowered his head.

If he were placed in a situation where death was certain, could he break through and condense true qi in that instant?

This question, even he could not answer.

Rong Yiyang fiercely waved his sleeve, "Those who can survive a life-and-death situation do indeed achieve great glory. But more people die in such situations, and they don't even leave a name behind. Hmph, listen to me, I absolutely do not want you to go into the deep mountains. It's not a life-and-death situation, but a certain death. Do you understand?"

As he said the last sentence, his voice and expression were stern, and his face even showed a hint of ferocity.

Rong Kai Xuan, after all, was just a young man. Faced with his father's stern demeanor, his courage waned.

He nodded blankly, and his body slowly relaxed.

Rong Yiyang patted his shoulder, "It's not early anymore. Go rest for a while. Sigh, we still have three months, and we can try a few more times."

However, when he said this, he himself had little hope.

Over a year of countless attempts had drained his patience and hope.

Rong Kai Xuan nodded and turned to leave. However, he did not return home but slowly left the estate, heading towards the short forest that was as tall as a person.

Seeing the direction he was heading, Rong Yiyang sighed and returned to the estate alone.

The direction Rong Kai Xuan was heading was opposite to the dense forest behind the estate. The short forest, which was as tall as a person, was planted by Rong Yiyang and had grown into a considerable size over the years.

Therefore, when he saw his son heading towards the short forest, Rong Yiyang felt relieved.

Rong Kai Xuan quickly entered the short forest. For some reason, after hearing his father's words, he felt a heavy stone in his heart, unable to release his frustration.

He leaned against the largest tree in the short forest and slowly sat down on the ground.

Images of his training and his father's teachings kept flashing through his mind.

His fists were clenched, and he made a decision in his heart. Even if he exceeded the age of fifteen, he would never give up on martial arts cultivation.

"Phew..."

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared before his eyes, and a figure appeared like a ghost in front of Rong Kai Xuan.

Rong Kai Xuan stared wide-eyed. In front of him, an old man with white hair and a face covered in blood had appeared. More shockingly, the old man's body was only a small part of what remained.

Below his chest, there was nothing left, not even his internal organs.

However, the old man was still alive.

He stared at Rong Kai Xuan with bloodshot eyes, making him shiver.

"Hehe, you want me to die and take my things. Even if I give them to outsiders, I won't let you succeed."

The old man laughed fiercely and suddenly reached out to pat Rong Kai Xuan.

Although Rong Kai Xuan wanted to dodge, the old man's speed was too fast. After this light pat, Rong Kai Xuan's consciousness became blurred, his head tilted, and he fell to the ground, fainting in a grand manner.