From a chaotic world of folk customs to becoming a god through extreme methods.

After the ceremony, the crowd dispersed.

Uncle Fu brought a carriage, and Lin Yuan followed and got in. The coachman urged the horses forward.

Inside the carriage, Lin Yuan closed his eyes to rest.

He mentally examined the panel, his mind churning with thoughts.

Because of the game, his cultivation level can advance as long as he practices.

There's also a "lock" function; once activated, it's a permanent certificate, a tremendous advantage on the path of cultivation.

And the [equipment slot].

It can refine all things and equip itself with them, including demons, spirits, and even the highest... gods.

As a former expert player of "Folklore: Era", Lin Yuan was very familiar with most of the game's settings.

Currently, the game's version, "Fallen Dragon Vein," is only a prologue.

With version updates.

Various calamities and global upheavals will come one after another.

The next version, "The Descent of Tai Sui," will bring a devastating catastrophe.

At that time, the human world will be like a prison.

Let alone ordinary people.

Even his current status as the young master of the Lin family is nothing more than a small boat in a huge wave, which can capsize at any moment.

But with this panel, he had a means to survive in the chaos of the world.

At that moment, Uncle Fu's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Young Master? Young Master? We've gotten off the carriage."

Lin Yuan came to his senses and found that the carriage had arrived at his doorstep.

Before us lies a large courtyard covering three acres, with three courtyards in the front and back, featuring blue bricks, gray tiles, and upturned eaves, exuding a grand air.

Lin Yuan got off the car with Uncle Fu.

Just as they were about to step inside, a middle-aged fisherman suddenly darted out from the alleyway.

Upon seeing Lin Yuan, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

Uncle Fu was startled and instinctively stepped in front of Lin Yuan, shouting, "Who goes there!"

The fisherman dared not look up, his voice trembling.

"Young master, please forgive me. I am Wang Wu, a fisherman from the east end of town. I have offended you. I only beg you to take a look at this fish!"

He immediately raised his calloused hands, holding a large fish in them.

As dusk fell, the fish's face shimmered with silver light, appearing quite mystical.

Lin Yuan's gaze fell on the fish, and a message appeared before his eyes.

Silver Shad (Common Item, Rare)

[Description: Contains a faint aquatic energy; consuming it can replenish qi and blood, and strengthen muscles and bones.]

[Extractable Folk Culture Essence +1.]

This is the built-in identification function of the panel, which allows you to view basic information about the item.

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

The essence of folk customs is the key resource for him to accelerate his cultivation level and unlock equipment slots.

It can only be obtained from certain rare and precious creatures of heaven and earth.

He had previously searched through his home storeroom and extracted three points from several items that had been imbued with spiritual energy, which was already an unexpected bonus.

I never expected to get 1 point from this fish.

However, this fisherman certainly doesn't know the essence of folk customs, and he doesn't understand what he's looking for.

"What do you want?" Lin Yuan asked.

Wang Wu raised his head, his eyes reddening.

"I'm thinking of using it to get a recommendation spot so my son can go to the martial arts school in town to learn martial arts."

Uncle Fu frowned: "It is indeed a treasure fish, enough to exchange for several months' worth of food for a family of three, but it's probably not worth it to exchange for a spot in a martial arts school."

Wang Wu immediately kowtowed, his forehead hitting the bluestone slab with a loud thud.

"I had no choice. My family suffered a disaster, and my wife passed away last year. I only have one child left to keep going."

"That kid has some strength; he's got the makings of a martial arts student."

"I can't let him be a fisherman for the rest of his life, what if he gets dragged away by a water ghost one day..."

He swallowed hard and handed the fish over again.

"I ventured deep into the reeds, and luckily I didn't encounter that monster, which is how I managed to catch this silver shad."

"This is a gift from heaven. I've heard that young master's health is not good, and this fish is good for his health. Please, young master, grant me this gift!"

Lin Yuan looked at him.

A martial arts school is indeed a good place. If you can learn martial arts, you can not only protect yourself, but also make a good living.

Unfortunately, this martial art is not something ordinary people can practice. Poor commoners, without a recommendation, cannot even get in the door.

Before awakening his innate wisdom, Lin Yuan was known in the town for his generosity and righteousness.

Adding to the rumors of his recent drowning.

That's probably why they contacted me.

However, Lin Yuan did not refuse. With that little bit of folk essence, the fish was worth it.

"What's your son's name?"

Wang Wu was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

"His name is Gou Dan, Wang Gou Dan! He's fourteen this year, strong, and can endure hardship!"

"Have him come to the Lin family to see me at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow." Lin Yuan took the fish. "I'll take him to the martial arts school."

"Thank you, young master! Thank you, young master!"

Wang Wu kowtowed several more times before leaving, expressing his deepest gratitude.

Uncle Fu whispered from the side, "Young Master is kind-hearted, but exchanging a fish for a martial arts school spot is a loss."

"It's worth it."

Lin Yuan carried the fish inside without explaining further.

As soon as I stepped through the door, a figure in light green rushed over.

"Brother, you're back!"

Lin Wan'er is fourteen years old this year. She is Lin Yuan's younger sister. She is lively and cute and is the most loved by her family.

She hugged Lin Yuan's arm.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting for you for ages."

"I went to the Water Festival to join in the fun," Lin Yuan said, holding up the fish in his hand. "I also picked up a fish while I was there."

"What a big fish!" Lin Wan'er's eyes lit up, then she wrinkled her nose. "But Mother said it's dangerous by the river and that you should go there less often. My older brother also said that the sacrificial ceremony is not a good thing and that we should stay out of it."

A warm feeling welled up in Lin Yuan's heart.

In his previous life, he was an orphan with few relatives.

Although I only recently awakened my innate wisdom in this life, the previous eighteen years of my life were not a lie.

His affection for his family is genuine.

"Okay." Lin Yuan ruffled Lin Wan'er's hair. "Where's big brother?"

"He's in the study handling accounts. My parents aren't here, and my eldest brother is very busy," Lin Wan'er replied.

Lin Yuan nodded, instructing the maid to place the fish in the water tank in the backyard, while he continued walking towards the front yard.

As I passed the training ground, I saw Zhou Hu, the guard, practicing his boxing.

His fists flew with powerful force, his muscles and bones throbbed, and his blood surged with energy, revealing a warmth even in the chilly autumn air.

Zhou Hu was in his early fifties with a scar on his face; he was the one who pulled Lin Yuan out of the water.

Lin Yuan paused for a moment, pondering.

Martial arts is one of the combat systems in this world, and it is also the most accessible path to cultivation for the general public.

Martial arts schools are widely distributed, and many have legitimate lineages.

I definitely need to make full use of this panel, and martial arts is a good choice.

He had been thinking about this for a while, and agreeing to Wang Wu's request was just a convenient excuse.

After greeting Master Zhou, he continued walking forward.

Inside the study, Lin Che was sitting at his desk, handling accounts.

He is twenty-two years old this year. He is Lin Yuan's older brother and the only person in charge of the Lin family besides the two elders.

When Lin Yuan entered, he looked up, his brows furrowed with weariness.

"You're back?"

"Hmm." Lin Yuan sat down opposite him. "Big brother, how's business?"

Lin Che remained silent for a moment, then sighed.

"Not good. Several more crew members have died, and we dare not sail anymore. I just hope that everything is going well for my parents in the prefectural city."

He paused, then looked at Lin Yuan.

"I didn't want to tell you these things, but since you asked, I won't hide it from you. Our family's money can last for quite a while, but if the water ghost issue can't be resolved..."

The words were not finished, but the meaning was already very clear.

This is also to give my younger brother a heads-up and make preparations.

Lin Yuan remained silent.

I thought the Lin family's situation was still okay, but I didn't expect it to have become this dire.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his expression serious.

"Big brother, I want to learn martial arts."

This was a decision he had made long ago.

Only by becoming strong enough can I solve the various troubles that follow.

Lin Che was taken aback.

"Practicing martial arts?"

"Yes." Lin Yuan nodded. "My body is too weak, and I want to improve my health."

"Moreover, the world is becoming increasingly turbulent."

"I don't want to be left waiting for someone to rescue me if something happens to me one day."

These words were spoken in a plain tone, but Lin Che sensed their weight.

Just half a month ago, I was a good-for-nothing playboy, but ever since that brush with death, I haven't gone out to fool around anymore, and I've become much more composed in my speech and actions.

Perhaps they really have the will to start making changes.

I can handle this difficult situation at home.

Although I don't think my younger brother can achieve anything significant, I can't let go of his inner drive.

"It's a good thing that you think this way."

He stood up, walked to Lin Yuan's side, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Practicing martial arts requires money to buy supplements and hire a teacher. Although our family has encountered some business problems, we can still afford to support your martial arts training. Just practice, and I will provide the funds."

Lin Yuan felt a warmth in his heart.

"Thank you, brother."

"No need for thanks, we're brothers." Lin Che smiled, then said seriously, "But there's one condition: martial arts training is a slow and painstaking process. If you can't handle it, say so early, don't waste your money."

Lin Yuan nodded in agreement.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Lin Yuan left the study.

……

After dinner.

As night deepened, the moonlight became hazy, and the river breeze drifted by.

Lin Yuan got up alone and went to the water vat in the backyard, where the silver shad from earlier that day was placed.

He reached out and touched it; a message popped up.

[Extract the essence of folk customs +1?]

Lin Yuan did not hesitate and said "Yes".

Extraction successful.

[Current essence of folk customs: 4 points.]

The essence of folk customs is like skill points; naturally, the more the better.

Now that I have these four points, my cultivation will surely proceed more quickly.

Just as Lin Yuan's thoughts were surging.

A strong, fishy smell wafted over at that moment, albeit faintly.

It has an extremely pungent, foul, and rotten smell that makes people feel unwell.

Lin Yuan immediately became alert and followed the direction of the smell, looking towards the courtyard wall.

But it was the dead of night, and dark clouds obscured the moon; all that could be seen was darkness.

I could only vaguely sense that something was approaching.

Lin Yuan felt a tightness in his chest and a chill run through his body.

But just then, a loud shout suddenly rang out from inside the guardhouse.

"You beast, get out!"

Immediately afterwards, a surge of powerful blood energy erupted, radiating a fiery heat.

Then the noise stopped, and the thing seemed to be startled; the rustling sound quickly faded away.

The fishy smell gradually dissipated.

Lin Yuan quickly returned to his room, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, but his heart was still pounding and his hands and feet were ice cold.

Was that thing a water ghost that came ashore, or something else?

As for that loud shout, it must have come from Zhou Hu, the guard.

The world is currently in the early stages of a new version. The dragon has fallen from the sky, and the dynasty, without the protection of the dragon's fortune, is beginning to show signs of decline.

Martial arts qi and blood, through continuous cultivation, can restrain some demons and evil spirits.

Fortunately, that thing wasn't strong tonight, and it was scared off by the guards.

If it's a big one, then things might be different.

At this moment, Lin Yuan felt a strange sense of irritation.

Only by being strong enough can true security be established.

Martial arts training will begin tomorrow.