Chapter 2: The Path to Growing Stronger

Zhang Shen’s exceptional growth remained a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few until he reached the age of three. Those in the know were not ones to gossip, so the secret remained well-kept.

One night, Zhang Shen found himself alone in his bedroom. Though only three years old, his height had already surpassed one meter.

His growth was extraordinary, but this world was far from ordinary. While children with such outstanding height were not common, they were also not rare, and each of them exhibited exceptionally rapid physical development.

Upon opening the panel, he noticed significant changes once again.

The Strongest Physical Body System

Host: Zhang Shen

Physical Level: Ordinary Youth Level (10-15 years old)

Progress: 56%

Evaluation: Your physical body is comparable to that of a 12 or 13-year-old youth. Once you master techniques like poking eyes and stealing peaches, ordinary youths will be no match for you in combat.

Zhang Shen felt a sense of satisfaction at this data, as it was the culmination of his three years of diligent effort.

In pursuit of strength, he had dedicated himself to feasting daily, alternating between eating and resting to digest. His unwavering commitment and hard work had allowed him to achieve the physical prowess of an ordinary 12 or 13-year-old at the tender age of three.

How many individuals could match such dedication?

“Tomorrow will be an important day.”

Zhang Shen eagerly anticipated what lay ahead. From his birth to tomorrow, exactly three years would have passed. And his grandfather had promised that after his birthday, he would begin teaching him the art of martial cultivation.

In the Zhang family, children typically started their martial arts training at the age of five, once they had completed the primary learning phase, acquired a basic level of education, and were able to comprehend secret cultivation techniques. Their physical bodies would also be strong enough to endure the initial training without faltering.

Zhang Shen accelerated this process by two whole years.

This was also made possible by his diligence in reading books and seeking guidance after he had learned to walk and run.

His unwavering commitment allowed him to quickly grasp the language and fundamental characters of this world, understand simple articles, and lay the foundation for his cultivation.

Following the birthday celebration, Zhang Tianlong personally began teaching Zhang Shen the basics of martial arts.

Zhang Shen’s progress over these three years convinced Zhang Tianlong to take his grandson’s training seriously.

“The path of martial arts begins with the mundane, reaching the limits of the human body and breaking through barriers to enter the Acquired Stage. After cultivating through the nine layers of Acquired, one enters the Innate Stage, followed by the True Core and Law Manifestation stages. Beyond these, one reaches the legendary realm where one can pluck stars and seize the moon, akin to divine beings. But as for that realm, I have no idea.”

Zhang Tianlong shared his understanding of the martial arts journey with Zhang Shen.

However, the highest level of cultivation techniques in the Zhang, Lin, and Ye families only reached the Innate Stage, so Zhang Tianlong’s knowledge beyond that point was limited.

“What you need to do now is to hone your body, elevate it to the limits of human potential, and then complement it with martial techniques. This way, you can cultivate your first strand of internal energy, step into the Acquired Stage, and become a martial artist.”

Zhang Shen listened with entranced attention and excitement.

“This is the Ten Styles of Blood Strengthening, a basic body-refining technique that helps bolster the body and promote its growth. Although it is the most basic and common body-refining technique, it is precisely because of this that practicing it has minimal risks of deviation, demonic possession, or missteps. Its adaptability is also the broadest, and everyone can practice it. Now I’ll pass it on to you. Once you gain some understanding, you can begin actual training.”

Zhang Tianlong emphasized that comprehension before practice would lead to greater efficiency.

Zhang Shen carefully accepted the small notebook, a thin volume that signified the commencement of his martial arts journey.

It took him ten days to memorize the content thoroughly. He then consulted his parents and grandfather to ensure a complete understanding before initiating his first actual practice.

The Ten Styles of Blood Strengthening targeted various aspects, with the goal of rapidly and safely enhancing the body.

At first, Zhang Shen executed a series of movements. Each movement needed to be precise and maintained until he could no longer hold it. After a brief rest and recovery, he would proceed to the next one. A minimum of one full set had to be completed daily.

This comprehensive set would exercise every part of the body, including flesh and bones, without causing injury. However, following his initial attempt, aside from feeling exhausted, Zhang Shen made another startling discovery.

Half an hour after completing the full set of movements, he observed a series of +1s appearing on the panel, incrementing his progress. Zhang Shen quickly examined the panel. It was then that he noticed a new line of text at the bottom of the panel.

Ten Styles of Blood Strengthening Progress: 1% (Beginner)

Suddenly, the wooden cup in his hand was crushed.

‘Could it be that there were other ways to gain experience points besides eating?’

Zhang Shen’s excitement soared, as he had already reaped the benefits of the panel over the past few years.

Typically, a baby would grow rapidly from eating, but when he ate, he not only achieved normal growth but also gained additional experience points. These points would contribute to his physical level progress, further fortifying his body.

It was as if he reaped double the rewards from a single meal.

‘If there were alternative methods to gain experience points, this would be a game-changer.’

Over the following days, Zhang Shen dedicated himself to practicing the Ten Styles of Blood Strengthening and exploring new ways to earn experience points.

“Indeed, practicing cultivation techniques and martial skills can also generate experience points. However, once a cultivation technique or martial skill is mastered, it can no longer provide experience points. Nevertheless, those body-refining techniques, even if perfected and unable to grant experience points, still maintain their inherent body-strengthening functions.”

Zhang Shen’s profound understanding was due to the supplementary technique King of Gluttony that accompanied the Ten Styles of Blood Strengthening.

“Ordinary body refining demands a vast amount of high-nutrient food, but human digestive capabilities are limited and struggle to keep up with the refining process. Thus, a genius created this technique. By employing the technique to enhance the digestive and absorptive functions of the stomach, daily food intake increased two or threefold. Ample nutrition led to thorough exercise, and the body swiftly grew stronger in the process.”

For Zhang Shen, who had been eating more than others since childhood, practicing the King of Gluttony came effortlessly. Within a few days, he had mastered the technique. As a result, Zhang Shen could compare the King of Gluttony before and after perfection, leading him to deduce a new way to acquire experience points.

This revelation was fantastic news for Zhang Shen. Both eating and practicing essential martial techniques could yield double benefits. It was simply too delightful.

With immense pleasure, Zhang Shen picked up his rice bowl and devoured the roast suckling pig. After finishing this extra meal, he would eagerly continue his enjoyable training.

In the blink of an eye, two years had passed.

At five years old, Zhang Shen already stood 1.5 meters tall, his body adorned with well-defined muscles. His biceps could easily crush a person.

This stage was a requisite in mundane body refining. Once he broke through to the Acquired Stage, his muscles would no longer be so pronounced, and his body proportions would become more balanced. Of course, this didn’t apply to those who specifically trained their muscles.