chapter - 7

Since crossing into this world, Gu Shengtian had inherited everything from this body. His proficiency only increased when he succeeded.

Because of that, he never considered the idea that failure could also bring progress.

But thinking about it now—why shouldn't it?

Success is never immediate. It's built upon countless failures.

Even if the experience gained from failure is minimal, does that make it meaningless?

It's like learning to drive. A novice won't master tight turns or complex maneuvers right away. But every successful uphill start, every precise parallel park, every smooth acceleration—aren't those successes in themselves?

It was through small, seemingly insignificant wins that he had once risen to become a top driver back in his previous life. The God of the Akimiyama Curve, a veteran of Kasai's bustling metropolis.

And now…

He wasn't starting from zero. He had already succeeded before!

The system's achievement points had allowed him to skip the most brutal learning curve. That alone meant he had already experienced success once.

This was the difference between sect-trained alchemists and wandering cultivators.

Why was it that only sect disciples and those from immortal cultivation families could become orthodox alchemists, while self-taught pill refiners were rare?

The answer was simple: the initial investment was too high.

An alchemy apprentice faced countless failures before even glimpsing success. The sheer cost of wasted materials in the early stages was enough to crush any casual cultivator's hopes.

But sects and clans were different. They had the financial backing to support years of failure, knowing that a single success could change everything.

"As long as an alchemy apprentice succeeds once, the path forward becomes clear. Reproducing that success is inevitable."

That was why the successful only grew more successful.

And Gu Shengtian?

He had a force backing him, a force far stronger than any sect or family—the system itself.

For some, talent was a hard limit. But for him, as long as he could get started, even the smallest spark of talent could be nurtured.

Of course, his entry point relied on breaking through skill proficiency levels with achievement points.

But still—

"All my success comes from my own efforts!"

Realizing that even failures could build proficiency, Gu Shengtian's already stable mindset became even stronger.

His spirits soared as if he had been injected with pure adrenaline.

Still, he reminded himself of yesterday's lesson: rushing only led to waste.

He was too excited right now, and excitement wasn't the right state of mind for alchemy.

So today, he would focus on something else—martial arts training.

---

To be more precise, Qinggong.

Gu Shengtian knew his own situation well. His cultivation was low, his spiritual energy reserves were weak, and the cheap flying sword in his possession was more of an ornament than a weapon.

He hadn't even learned the basic traction technique to control it properly.

In his previous life, the original owner of this body had ventured into the wilderness, but only as a porter—carrying monster carcasses back to the city for others.

Given his circumstances, what was the best way to increase his survival rate?

The ability to run.

During the Qi Refining stage, most cultivators relied on talismans, magic weapons, or the Wind Control Technique to escape danger.

But those options weren't feasible for him.

Talisman spells were too expensive. Most low-level cultivators couldn't afford them.

Flying magic weapons required traction techniques. Without proper control, their effectiveness was no better than running on foot.

The Wind Control Technique? Forget it. Even the cheapest version of that spell cost dozens of low-grade spirit stones.

So Gu Shengtian's only choice was Qinggong—secular martial arts footwork.

Worldly techniques weren't as powerful as immortal techniques, but they had one major advantage: they didn't require spiritual energy.

And that alone made them extremely valuable in real combat.

Most low-level cultivators couldn't sustain prolonged battles with their limited spiritual power. Many fights came down to physical endurance and tactics.

So why not refine his speed?

Sitting outside his small hut, Gu Shengtian spread open a worn-out manual.

He had purchased this Qinggong technique for ten taels of gold at Fang City's marketplace.

Its name?

"Xiaoyaoyou"

A truly grand name!

Even the introduction sounded profound:

"Harnessing the righteous flow of heaven and earth, mastering the six natural energies, one moves freely without end!"

Of course, the founder of this technique was probably just indulging in grand fantasies.

After studying the manual carefully, Gu Shengtian decided to start practicing.

This was not a combat-style Qinggong that relied on unpredictable footwork. Instead, it was a movement technique designed for speed—maximizing acceleration, controlling force, and adjusting body posture mid-run while coordinating with proper breathing rhythms.

At first, he struggled.

Leverage? Force redirection? Adjusting to the six natural energies? It all seemed a bit mystical.

But after a full morning of sprinting across the plains, something clicked.

"When the wind is strong, adjust your posture and change direction instead of fighting against it."

"Use branches and high slopes for momentum. When landing, either absorb the impact to maintain control or push off to accelerate further."

"Breathing must be steady. The mind must be calm. Even if I'm not truly free, I must carry the feeling of freedom in my heart."

"Hey… this actually feels amazing."

During lunch, Gu Shengtian glanced at his proficiency panel.

In the Skills column, a new entry had appeared:

[Xiaoyaoyou - Beginner: 13/100]

His eyes lit up.

"That was fast! I'm already getting started!"

"Cultivation is like a turtle's crawl, but martial arts? Martial arts makes me feel like I'm flying!"

He grinned, holding a large bowl of food.

"If only martial arts could grant immortality… Maybe I could've become the Martial Sage of this world instead."

That afternoon, he trained even harder.

His proficiency continued to rise at an astonishing pace.

During his rest breaks, he analyzed his rapid progress.

It all came down to his body.

Every day, he ate spiritual rice. He consumed monster meat. He absorbed the life energy from his Changchun Cultivation Technique.

Even if he had been born a pig, by now he would've evolved into a demonic boar.

With such a well-nourished body, it only made sense that he could push his limits further.

Just like the basketball superstars of his previous world—raw talent was important, but physical superiority came first.

Even so-called "untalented" players among the elites were still physically beyond ordinary professionals.

And Gu Shengtian?

"Right now, my body is at a level where normal exercise routines only help me unlock my natural potential."

---

That evening, he waded into the knee-deep stream, scooping out handfuls of thick yellow mud.

Relying on his memory, he carefully molded a small figurine.

A warrior with sharp phoenix eyes, thick brows, and an aura of unshakable majesty.

Even art students would have praised his craftsmanship.

Gu Shengtian muttered to himself as he worked.

"Second Master Guan… Just wait. Tonight, I'll stick your beard on, and I'll even sharpen your legendary Green Dragon Crescent Blade!"

Suddenly, distant roars echoed from the mountain forests several miles away.

A few beams of light shot into the sky—figures fleeing at high speed.

Gu Shengtian's expression shifted.

His body tensed.

Without hesitation, he rushed back inside, grabbed his sword, and shut the door.

Across the plains beyond the stream, the escaping figures landed among the tall grass.

And beyond them, deep within the mountain's shadow…

Something was stirring.