Martial Arts: Starting with Upgrading the Dilapidated Temple

The scroll in my mind unfolded again, and the handwriting became clearer:

[Blessed Land Effect: Qi and Blood Harmony (Medium), Blood and Qi Sensing (Medium) Martial Arts Efficiency +30%]

[New Feature: Nourishing Earth Energy (Doubles stamina recovery speed within blessed lands)]

Before Xu Hao could examine it closely, a faint light suddenly flashed from the groove on the incense table.

A small white porcelain bottle appeared out of thin air.

[Received a gift from the Blessed Land: Low-Tier Blood Qi Powder x1]

With trembling hands, Xu Hao picked up the porcelain bottle, uncorked it, and a faint medicinal fragrance wafted out. Just one sniff was enough to alleviate the hunger in his stomach.

Without any hesitation, he tilted his head back and poured the powder from the bottle into his mouth.

The powder melted instantly upon entering the mouth, transforming into a scalding hot stream that rushed straight to the stomach and then exploded throughout the body.

It was as if he had swallowed a ball of fire, which made him feel hot all over and his skin turn red.

The body, which was originally depleted, was like parched land receiving rain, greedily absorbing the medicinal power.

strength!

A real sense of power surged within him, giving him an urge to roar and release his pent-up emotions.

Xu Hao sprang up from the ground and once again assumed the boxing stance he had secretly learned.

Hiss—whoosh!

This time, there was no awkwardness or hindrance.

The airflow surges into the lungs along with the breath, and the power rises from the soles of the feet, flowing through each joint.

boom!

The punch was thrown out, and it even produced a slight whooshing sound! The wind from the punch swept across the ground, stirring up a small circle of dust.

Become!

Even if it's just the most basic beginner skills, even if he's only a half-baked amateur, he's no longer the weakling servant who can be slaughtered at will.

As the sun dipped westward, the dim, yellowish light shone through the dilapidated windowpanes, illuminating every detail of the dust within the temple.

Xu Hao swung his fist tirelessly; the awkwardness had long since disappeared, replaced by a sense of exhilarating freedom.

The heat inside his body washed over his muscles and bones with each movement, and a layer of sticky grease gradually seeped from his skin, emitting a nauseating fishy smell.

Xu Hao only stopped moving when the last ray of sunlight was swallowed by the river.

A thunderous roar came from its abdomen, a distress signal from the body after its blood and qi surged—it was hungry, extremely hungry.

With a slight movement of consciousness, the scroll unfolds.

[Martial Realm: Mortal → Quasi-Martial Apprentice (Full of Qi and Blood)]

Xu Hao clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white, feeling an unprecedented sense of fullness in his palm.

Although it hasn't reached the level of skin smoothing, this strength is probably no match for even the strongest men who carry bags on the dock year-round.

He put away his martial arts stance and bowed three times deeply before the one-armed statue of the god.

This is not only thanks to the golden finger (a powerful ability to help one succeed), but also thanks to the protection the martial temple provided to him during his rebirth in a chaotic world.

As evening fell, Xu Hao found a secluded spot by the river.

The river water was slightly cool, which was just right to cool down his burning body. He scrubbed the black mud off his body vigorously, and as the filth was washed away, his originally dry and rough skin became firm and fair, and it shone with a healthy glow in the moonlight.

Xu Hao paused, his brows furrowing instantly.

If anyone saw him like this, they would surely be suspicious. How could a servant who can't even get enough to eat possibly have a healthy body?

Without hesitation, he bent down, grabbed a handful of foul-smelling mud from the shore, and smeared it all over his face, neck, and arms until he was back to his filthy, emaciated appearance. Only then did he get ashore and dress with satisfaction.

When I returned to the servants' quarters, it was mealtime.

Because of the impending layoffs, tonight's meal included two extra dark-colored steamed buns, and the air was filled with the long-lost aroma of wheat.

The atmosphere inside the room was a bit strange.

Lai San, who was usually arrogant and domineering, had one foot on the bench, two steamed buns in his hand, and was chewing something. A skinny servant next to him was shrugging his neck, watching the dry rations that should have been his in Lai San's hand, daring not to say a word.

Seeing Xu Hao enter, Lai Sansan rolled his eyes and spat the crumbs in his mouth all over the floor: "What are you looking at? You reek of fish, get out of here and eat somewhere else! Don't spoil my appetite."

In the past, Xu Hao would have smiled obsequiously and huddled in a corner.

But today, he didn't stop walking; he simply raised his eyelids and glanced at Lai San.

There was no ferocity, no anger, only a kind of indifference as if looking at a dead object.

Lai San felt a chill run down his spine from that look, and the curse that was about to come out stuck in his throat. This feeling was like that of the ruthless characters he had seen at the docks who had killed people, who were silent but sent shivers down his spine.

By the time he came to his senses and was about to lash out, Xu Hao had already taken his share of porridge and steamed buns and sat down in the corner.

"Damn it, this is weird..." Lai San muttered, but in the end he didn't dare to cause any more trouble and sat back down dejectedly.

In the corner, Xu Hao held a rough porcelain bowl and swallowed a dark steamed bun in two or three bites, barely chewing it. The scalding hot porridge went down his throat, but it was like a cup of water poured into the desert, disappearing instantly.

not enough.

This little bit of stuff can't possibly make up for the deficit after practicing martial arts.

His stomach was convulsing violently, every cell screaming for energy. Xu Hao licked the bottom of the bowl, his eyes filled with a melancholy.

The ancients were right: "The poor study literature, the rich study martial arts." Having a blessed land isn't enough; without the nourishment of meat, one's body will eventually be ruined.

We must make money, and get meat.

As night deepened, the sounds of snoring rose and fell throughout the house.

Xu Hao lay on the outer side of the communal bed, resting with his eyes closed. The listening talisman on his chest was slightly warm, and his hearing instantly penetrated the earthen wall, spreading to the next room.

That's Steward Wang's room.

A hushed conversation, accompanied by the clinking of glasses, reached my ears clearly.

"...The boss really went all out this time." It was Manager Wang's voice, slightly drunk. "He sold those shops just to raise this money."

The other person spoke in a high-pitched voice, presumably a trusted confidant of the master: "There's nothing we can do about it. The world is in chaos, things aren't peaceful in Chenzhou City, and the eldest young master wrote to say he needs manpower."

This assessment, ostensibly a layoff, is actually a way to select a few promising individuals with respectable backgrounds and some potential to serve as guards in Chenzhou.

"A bodyguard?" Manager Wang clicked his tongue in surprise. "That's a lucrative job. Not only is the monthly salary doubled, but I heard there's meat with every meal, and you can even learn some real kung fu from the instructor."

"Of course. But don't make a fuss about this, lest those peasants fight tooth and nail for a spot and cause trouble..."

The sounds gradually subsided, until only the clinking of glasses remained.

In the darkness, Xu Hao suddenly opened his eyes.

Guards.

Every meal includes meat, and you can even learn real kung fu.

This is an opportunity tailor-made for him right now.

Once you become a guard, not only will your food problem be solved, but you will also be able to openly engage with martial arts, and even use it as a springboard to truly gain a foothold in this chaotic world.

Xu Hao rubbed his empty stomach, listening to the thunderous cries of hunger, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

He's determined to get this spot.