C1 Chapter 1

On the Ancient Sword Continent, within the Divine Wind Country, there was a majestic mountain range that remained shrouded in mist throughout the year. Among its countless towering peaks stood the Azure Edge Sword Sect. At this moment, atop the rear mountain of the sect, a fifteen-year-old boy dressed in black sat quietly. His deep gaze swept over the entire Azure Edge Sword Sect below. "It's been three days," he murmured to himself.

Just three days earlier, Hua Hsing had been an ordinary college student on Earth. But on that night, an unexpected event had carried him across time and space to this strange place. It had been a pitch-black night when he went out with friends. Because he had other matters to attend to, he left early and walked back to school alone. Hua Hsing still remembered that, just as he was about to reach the campus, thunder suddenly roared across the sky and dark clouds gathered overhead.

In the blink of an eye, heavy rain began to fall. At that moment, whether it had been an illusion or reality, Hua Hsing felt his vision blur. Then he saw the sky split open as a golden sword shot toward him at astonishing speed. He wanted to dodge, but his body would not move. In terrified disbelief, he watched as the golden sword descended from the heavens and pierced straight into his chest. The next moment, Hua Hsing lost consciousness.

When he awoke again, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar world, alive once more. Only then did Hua Hsing realize that he had crossed through time and space. His soul had entered the body of a dead disciple of the Azure Edge Sword Sect, and, by an impossible coincidence, that person shared his name.

In this new life, Hua Hsing inherited the memories of the original body. He learned that the young man had been an outer sect disciple of the Azure Edge Sword Sect. Because his natural talent was poor and his cultivation progressed slowly, he had long been looked down upon by the other disciples and treated as a failure.

Three days earlier, the original Hua Hsing had argued with another outer sect disciple. The conflict escalated into a fight, and because his strength was inferior, he was beaten into a coma and died soon afterward. When Hua Hsing first woke in this strange world, he was naturally filled with shock. But over the past three days, he had gradually accepted reality. Since he was already here, there was no use dwelling on his former life. He resolved to live well in this world and hoped that, one day, he might find a way to return.

During these three days, Hua Hsing also came to understand the place where he now lived. The Azure Edge Sword Sect was located in Azure Cloud County, one of the counties within the Divine Wind Country. Azure Cloud County was home to many sects, and the Azure Edge Sword Sect was only one among them. However, within the entire county, it was considered one of the weakest sects.

When Hua Hsing woke up, he found himself in a strange place and was naturally somewhat panicked. But after three days, he had accepted the reality of his situation. He no longer thought about the things he had left behind on Earth. Since he had crossed through time and space to arrive here, he would live well in this world. Perhaps one day, he might even be able to return to Earth.

During those three days, Hua Hsing finally came to understand the Azure Edge Sword Sect as a whole. The sect was located in Azure Cloud County, one of the county seats of Divine Wind Country. Azure Cloud County had many sects, and the Azure Edge Sword Sect was one of them. However, its overall strength was weak, and it was considered one of the weakest sects in all of Azure Cloud County.

The Azure Edge Sword Sect had many disciples, divided into Outer Sect and Inner Sect members. Hua Hsing, who had died, was killed for offending an Outer Sect disciple named Feng Gan. "Since I've been reborn using your body, I will definitely avenge you," Hua Hsing thought, clenching his fists as he spoke in a low voice.

This world was completely different from Earth. It was a place where martial strength was revered, and all warriors cultivated diligently. Warriors could absorb cosmic spiritual energy to strengthen their bodies. Once they reached a certain level, they could even wield power beyond nature. Hua Hsing had also come to understand the cultivation system of this world's warriors. The initial stage for a warrior was the Qi Refining Stage, followed by the Qi Transforming Stage. Each major stage had nine sublevels.

At this moment, Hua Hsing was merely a Level 1 Qi Refining Stage warrior, making him the weakest disciple in the Azure Edge Sword Sect. Among the Outer Sect disciples, aside from Hua Hsing, even the weakest were at Level 2 Qi Refining Stage. In the three days since arriving in this world, Hua Hsing had gradually learned some cultivation methods. The first step in a warrior's training was to absorb cosmic spiritual energy to strengthen the body. A Level 1 Qi Refining Stage warrior had the strength of one ox, while a Level 2 warrior had the strength of two oxen, a significant difference in power.

"Now, I need to get stronger," Hua Hsing said to himself. In the Outer Sect, he was labeled a failure. At 15, he was only at Level 1 of the Qi Refining Stage. If he wanted revenge, he had to become stronger.

After a moment of thought, Hua Hsing slowly stood up and began training. He slightly closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and punched again and again. The cosmic spiritual energy around him gradually seeped into his body, refining it. Shouts echoed around him. Before long, Hua Hsing was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.

"This body is really weak," Hua Hsing thought helplessly. "I've only been training for a short while, and I'm already exhausted." No wonder this body had previously been called useless. It was far too frail. He had trained for less than 15 minutes and was already this tired. He had to strengthen his body first. Only with a strong body could he support his cultivation.

The initial stage of a warrior's cultivation was the Qi Refining Stage, followed by the Qi Transforming Stage. Each major realm contained nine minor levels. At this moment, Hua Hsing was only a Qi Refining Stage Level One warrior, which made him the weakest disciple in the Azure Edge Sword Sect. Among the Outer Sect disciples, aside from Hua Hsing, the weakest were already at Qi Refining Stage Level Two. During the three days since arriving in this world, Hua Hsing had gradually learned some basic cultivation methods. The first step in a warrior's training was to absorb cosmic spiritual energy from heaven and earth to strengthen the body. A warrior at Qi Refining Stage Level One possessed the strength of one ox, while a warrior at Qi Refining Stage Level Two possessed the strength of two oxen. The difference in power was enormous.

"I need to improve my strength," Hua Hsing decided. In the Outer Sect, he was known as a waste. He was 15 years old and only at Qi Refining Stage Level One. If he wanted revenge, the only path was to grow stronger. After thinking for a moment, Hua Hsing slowly stood up and began to train.

Hua Hsing slightly closed his eyes and clenched his fists tightly as he threw punch after punch. The surrounding cosmic spiritual energy slowly entered his body, tempering it. Shouts rang out one after another. Before long, Hua Hsing was drenched in sweat and breathing hard. "This body really is weak. I've only trained for a short while, and I'm already exhausted," Hua Hsing muttered in frustration. No wonder this body had previously been called worthless. It was simply too frail. He had trained for less than 15 minutes, yet he was already this tired. No, he had to strengthen his body first. Only with a strong enough body could he continue cultivating.

Hua Hsing continued to focus on refining his body. As he threw another punch and paused to catch his breath, he suddenly heard some particularly grating voices in the distance. "Isn't that Hua Hsing? He's not dead?" "He's really lucky. Even after Senior Brother Feng beat him up like that, he survived." "Three days ago, he was knocked out by Senior Brother Feng. I didn't expect him to recover in just three days. Looks like Senior Brother Feng's attack was too light."

At that moment, on the hillside, three Outer Sect disciples spotted Hua Hsing, their faces full of mockery. Hua Hsing heard them, and a barely noticeable flicker of anger crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and focused on practicing his martial arts. Seeing Hua Hsing ignore them, the three became a bit annoyed. "Hua Hsing, you loser, just wait until Senior Brother Feng beats you up," one of them sneered before they all walked away.

"Strength is what truly matters." Hua Hsing deeply felt the urgent need to improve his strength. Only then would he no longer be bullied. Since that so-called Senior Brother Feng wanted him dead, if he found out Hua Hsing was still alive, he would surely try again. Feng Gan was a Qi Refining Stage Level Two warrior, with the strength of about 1,100 pounds. With Hua Hsing's current physique, he could not withstand a punch from Feng Gan.

"I need to keep training." Hua Hsing gritted his teeth and continued his practice. Time ticked by, and before he knew it, two hours had passed. During those two hours, Hua Hsing almost gave up several times, but his determination kept him going. However, after two hours, Hua Hsing finally could not hold on any longer.

Breathing heavily, with his face covered in sweat, Hua Hsing managed a wry smile. "I can't keep going." Hua Hsing was about to sit down and rest when his heart suddenly raced a few beats. To his surprise, a cool current flowed from his heart and coursed through his entire body in an instant. In the next moment, Hua Hsing was astonished to find that his fatigue had completely vanished, and his body was suddenly filled with strength.

"What's happening? What is this current?" Hua Hsing was puzzled as he tried to make sense of the situation. He sensed the current emanating from his heart. As a warrior at the Qi Refining Stage, he had only just begun to connect with cosmic spiritual energy to refine his body, so he could not yet perceive his internal organs.

At that moment, on the hillside, three Outer Sect disciples spotted Hua Hsing, their faces full of mockery. Hearing their words, a faint trace of anger flashed through his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and continued practicing his fist technique with complete focus. Seeing that he ignored them, the three grew irritated. "Hua Hsing, you useless waste, just wait for Senior Brother Feng to beat you down," one of them sneered before the three of them turned and left.

"Strength is what matters most."

Hua Hsing felt this truth more deeply than ever. He urgently needed to improve his strength. Only then could he avoid being bullied by others. Since that so-called Senior Brother Feng wanted him dead, if he discovered that Hua Hsing was still alive, he would definitely make another move against him. Feng Gan was a warrior at Qi Refining Stage Level Two, with the strength of two oxen. With Hua Hsing's current body, he could not withstand even a single punch from Feng Gan.

"I need to keep training," Hua Hsing said through gritted teeth as he resumed his cultivation.

Time passed little by little, and in the blink of an eye, two hours had gone by. During those two hours, Hua Hsing nearly gave up several times, but relying on sheer willpower, he endured. Still, after two hours, he finally reached his limit. He was panting heavily, his face covered in sweat.

"I can't hold on any longer," Hua Hsing said with a bitter smile.

He was already thinking about sitting down to rest when, at that very moment, his heart suddenly began to beat rapidly several times. Right after that, Hua Hsing was astonished to discover a cool current flowing out from his heart. The current instantly circulated through his entire body. In the next moment, he was shocked to find that all the exhaustion in his body had vanished without a trace, and his body was suddenly filled with strength.

"How could this happen? What is this current?" Hua Hsing asked in confusion, unable to understand what was happening.

He could clearly sense that the current was coming from his heart. But as a Qi Refining Stage warrior who had only just begun to connect with cosmic spiritual energy and absorb it to temper his body, he was unable to look inside his own internal organs. He could clearly feel the current within him, leaving him quite confused. However, what happened next made Hua Hsing gasp in disbelief.

As his eyes inadvertently glanced over his body, he was shocked to discover that he could see everything inside himself, even his heart. But that was not the most astonishing part. What left Hua Hsing utterly stunned was that his heart had turned golden.

"My heart. How did it turn golden?" Hua Hsing exclaimed, feeling utterly incredulous.

How could a human heart turn golden? He was completely baffled.

"Could it be because of that golden sword?"

Hua Hsing suddenly recalled why he had traveled through time. He glanced at his heart and noticed that the color of the golden sword that had pierced his chest matched his heart exactly. What was going on? Was his journey through time due to that golden sword? And why had the golden sword vanished?

"Why has my heart turned golden?"

After the initial shock, Hua Hsing calmed himself and began examining his heart for any changes. However, aside from its golden hue, there was nothing unusual about it. By now, Hua Hsing was certain that his ability to see inside his body was due to the Golden Heart.

"When I'm out of breath and my heart beats faster, a cool stream appears?" Hua Hsing murmured to himself.

He continued his training. Thanks to that stream of energy, Hua Hsing felt especially invigorated. This time, he trained for a full four hours before feeling any fatigue.

"It's happening again."

Hua Hsing sensed his heart speeding up once more. He focused inward, determined to understand what was happening. As his heart quickened, Hua Hsing observed a sudden flow of clear energy emerging from the Golden Heart and spreading throughout his body, instantly revitalizing him with strength.

"It really is because of the heart," Hua Hsing exclaimed.

Hua Hsing experimented three or four times before he finally understood. The Golden Heart could release a refreshing current whenever his body was weak, instantly restoring his strength. With this discovery, a smile spread across his face. Perhaps this was the kind of fortune that followed surviving a great calamity.

Since he could not figure out the connection between the golden sword and the Golden Heart, he decided not to dwell on it. After all, the Golden Heart was not causing him any discomfort. Instead, it was giving him strength.

"With this current, my training will progress much faster," Hua Hsing said, clenching his fist with a grin.

He then began practicing his martial arts. The set he was working on was the most basic body-strengthening technique of the Azure Edge Sword Sect, something every disciple could train in. The Body Refining Fist consisted of nine levels. Completing the first three levels granted the strength of a bull, equivalent to a Level One Qi Refining Stage disciple. Mastering the middle three levels gave the strength of two bulls, akin to a Level Two Qi Refining Stage disciple. Those who finished the last three levels achieved the strength of three bulls, comparable to a Level Three Qi Refining Stage disciple. In the entire Outer Sect of the Azure Edge Sword Sect, few had managed to reach the final three levels of the Body Refining Fist.

Hua Hsing had mastered the Body Refining Fist to its third level, granting him the strength of a bull and reaching Qi Refining Stage Level One. "Body Refining Fist!" With a powerful shout, Hua Hsing clenched his fists and threw a punch in an instant. The distant boulder shattered immediately, leaving him somewhat surprised.

"How is this possible?" Unbeknownst to him, Hua Hsing's Body Refining Fist had already reached the fourth level. However, what happened next made even Hua Hsing cry out in shock. His eyes casually swept over his own body, and he was astonished to find that he could actually see everything inside himself, even his heart. Of course, this was not what shocked him most. What truly stunned him was that his heart had turned golden.

"How did my heart become gold?" Hua Hsing exclaimed, overwhelmed with disbelief. How could a person's heart become gold? No matter how much he thought about it, he could not understand.

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