Shackles of Humanity

There was a small cafeteria in the valley with an abundance of food. Alcohol was also available, but only in limited quantities; the food, however, was unlimited.

Luo Kai had always been a voracious eater, never turning down a meal. But lately, his appetite had been slowly diminishing. Sometimes he even felt a little nauseous, as if his body was telling him that ordinary food was no longer beneficial, but was in fact becoming harmful.

Across from him, Xiaopang ate while bragging about the prowess of his Spear Technique, sending spit flying with his excitement.

A faint smile played on Luo Kai’s lips as he ate the tasteless food. He appeared to be listening, but in truth, a passage from a peculiar ancient book from China was flashing through his mind: ”Those who consume water swim well and endure the cold. Those who consume earth are heartless yet wise. Those who consume wood are mighty and ill-tempered. Those who consume grass run swiftly but are foolish. Those who consume leaves produce silk and become moths. Those who consume meat are brave and fierce. Those who consume Energy become deities and live long. Those who consume grain are wise but die young. Those who consume nothing are immortal and become gods!”

This passage described the transformations of all Living Creatures. From the moment ancient humans entered the age of gathering grains, their intelligence began to evolve without limit. Modern science has even shown that seeds, like nuts and grains, are rich in trace elements that promote brain development. Generation after generation, humanity’s intelligence grew, eventually giving rise to a brilliant civilization.

The Energy of the Five Elements profoundly affects all things in the world. Fish, who consume water, are naturally aquatic and resistant to cold. Earthworms, who consume earth, are heartless yet surprisingly wise. Bears, who consume wood, are powerful and short-tempered. Deer, who consume grass, are skilled runners but lack intelligence. Silkworms, who consume leaves, spin silk and emerge as moths. Tigers, leopards, and eagles, who consume meat, are fierce and cruel by nature. Humans, who consume the five grains, are intelligent but short-lived. Practitioners of the ”Dao” who consume Energy become like deities and live long, while those who consume nothing at all can achieve divinity through Cultivation!

’Have I already reached the stage of consuming ”Energy”?’

This ”Energy” represents external Energy. The planet’s Energy comes from the Stars and can be called the essence of the sun and moon. The sun and moon correspond to Yin and Yang, which can be further refined into Heaven and Earth Energy. Once practitioners of the ”Dao” reach a certain level, they can sustain themselves simply by absorbing this solar and lunar essence. And when they no longer require any external Energy, it signifies the complete circulation of their own Little Cosmos—”Those who consume nothing are immortal and become gods!”

...

He didn’t know how much time had passed. The cafeteria had emptied out, and Luo Kai was only startled from his reverie when the Kitchen Maid came out to clean. He smiled apologetically at the older woman and left.

That one smile had a staggering effect. The Kitchen Maid stood frozen on the spot as if her soul had been stolen. From that day on, she waited listlessly by the cafeteria entrance, but Luo Kai never ate there again.

Late at night, Gan Zhi lay on his hard plank bed, tossing and turning. He couldn’t sleep. Luo Kai’s words from earlier that day echoed in his mind, telling him to come find him tonight. ’Should I go, or not?’

Normally, he would have just laughed it off. What kind of skills could a first-year junior possibly have? Yet, he felt an undeniable urge...

He came from a humble background, sold by his parents as a servant to a great clan when he was just a child. He spent his days fawning over detestable bigwigs and performing the most menial labor. By a stroke of luck, he discovered Body Techniques. It was his only chance to change his fate, and he seized it. From that moment on, he studied secretly by day and trained secretly by night, even stealing Genetic Potions to consume. Gradually, his talent began to show. He advanced to become a Martial Artist at a young age and even passed the entrance exam for Shangjing University. His time to soar had finally come...

But after enrolling, he discovered his talent meant nothing at the university. He also realized the most critical factor for Body Techniques wasn’t talent, but resources. The scions of the great clans in his class drank Low-Level Gene Potions like water and soaked in expensive medicinal baths daily. No matter how hard he trained, he could never hope to compare.

...

Luo Kai stood before his small hut, hands clasped behind his back, gazing quietly at the cold, clear moonlight. Ever since achieving resonance with Wood Element Energy, he often found himself lost in inexplicable sensations. Sometimes it was a gentle breeze, sometimes a gurgling stream, sometimes the soil and gravel beneath his feet, or even the moonlight before him. His perception of Heaven and Earth had changed; it was as if all things now possessed life...

”Luo Kai.” From a path bordering the fields, Gan Zhi cautiously revealed himself and called out.

Luo Kai turned his head. ”You’re here,” he said faintly.

Gan Zhi scanned the area around the hut. He breathed a sigh of relief when he confirmed Luo Kai was alone. ’If anyone knew I came to a junior for help, I’d die of embarrassment.’ Cautiously, he asked, ”Can you help me?”

Luo Kai drew the Severing Blade from his side. ”I will teach you one strike, and one strike only. Watch carefully,” he said, his voice flat. He gripped the blade with both hands and slowly, he slashed. The strike was simplicity itself, yet it embodied the ultimate principles of the universe. The great Dao is simple; any and all Combat Skills are merely a means to unleash greater Power.

As he struck, the very air seemed to grow heavy. An invisible pressure descended upon the area. Gan Zhi’s legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to his knees. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as his body went rigid. It felt as if his heart was about to stop. His limbs refused to obey him, and his mind plunged into Chaos. Just witnessing this single strike sent his Heart Spirit into a state of mesmerized intoxication.

”Did you see it clearly?”

Gan Zhi swallowed hard. ”No,” he said, his voice trembling.

Luo Kai explained patiently, ”My strike may look simple, but it pushes human biomechanics to its absolute limit. First, your feet grip the earth, using its Power to generate forward momentum. Then, that force surges up through your leg muscles, using your core to generate torque that travels through your chest and into your arms. A single strike must call upon all the Power your body can muster...”

After explaining in detail, Luo Kai casually untied his long robes, revealing muscles as smooth and flawless as jade. The gently rippling muscles moved like silver waves, a visually stunning sight that embodied the pinnacle of worldly aesthetics.

He executed the strike again, this time much slower, allowing Gan Zhi to see how every single muscle contributed to the movement. He then repeated the action, just a little faster this time. He swung again and again, increasing the speed slightly with each repetition. By the end, his blade was a blur of silvery streaks, and a low, rumbling thunder echoed through the air. A dark cloud gathered overhead, dimming the moonlight.

Gan Zhi stood frozen in a daze, his Heart Spirit and will completely captivated by the god-like Sword Technique.

Luo Kai fought back the urge to continue performing the Sword Skill and brought his blade to rest. He had a faint feeling that if he were to go on, the ancient, majestic power that had always existed between Heaven and Earth would no longer just add to his momentum—it would lend him its strength.

”The Combat Dao isn’t just about your own Power,” he said. ”You must also imbue your techniques with *jing*, *qi*, and *shen*. *Jing* is your Spirit, *qi* is Energy, and *shen* is your will. When these three merge with your own Power, you can shatter your limits and reach the highest realm of Combat Skills: ’using no method as your method, and the infinite as your limit’!”

Luo Kai looked up at the Stars in the sky, a moment of inspiration striking him. He left Gan Zhi with those final words and returned to his hut.