[Ding! First check-in triggers critical hit mechanism!]
[Congratulations, host, for obtaining the cultivation technique reward: “Nine Yin Manual” (Soul Power Adaptation Version)!]
[Reward Description: This technique has been fully adapted according to the soul power system of the Douluo Continent, containing the complete contents including the general outline, Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Chapter, Healing Chapter, Acupoint-Pressing Chapter, Lightness Skill Chapter, Internal Skill Chapter, and more. Among them, the Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Chapter can maximize the development of physical potential, while the Healing Chapter allows for rapid recovery when injured.]
[Technique Characteristics: Balanced and harmonious, compatible with any spirit system. It can be used to build a foundation before spirit awakening and can also assist in soul power cultivation after awakening, with no side effects.]
As the system notification sound faded, a vast and profound stream of information surged into Yan Zu’s mind.
His vision darkened, and he nearly fainted again.
But soon, this information was etched into the depths of his memory as if he had studied it for decades.
The general outline of the “Nine Yin Manual” echoed in his mind:
“The way of heaven is to reduce the excessive and supplement the insufficient…”
Yan Zu closed his eyes, carefully contemplating this extraordinary martial arts manual.
He could sense that the system had indeed perfectly adapted the entire manual to the soul power system of the Douluo Continent, just as described.
The meridian pathways that originally required internal energy were now cleverly replaced with soul power circulation routes.
The requirements for internal energy had also transformed into demands for soul power control.
Although he had not yet awakened his spirit and possessed no soul power, the Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Chapter was precisely tailored for someone like him—a “mortal”!
“Excellent…”
Yan Zu murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
According to the original setting, the period before the age of six is a critical time for Soul Masters to build their foundation.
During this time, although soul power cannot be cultivated, the stronger one’s physical constitution, the higher the potential Innate Soul Power level upon spirit awakening.
As seen in the original story, Tang San possessed Innate Full Soul Power precisely because he cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record from a young age.
And now, the “Nine Yin Manual” in Yan Zu’s hands was even more exquisite than the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record!
Moreover, the system had provided the complete manual, including highly practical chapters such as Healing, Acupoint-Pressing, and Lightness Skill.
This meant that even if he temporarily kept his spirit hidden, he could still possess considerable combat prowess.
“Tang San has the Tang Sect’s secret arts, while I have the Nine Yin Manual…”
A faint smile curled at the corner of Yan Zu’s lips.
Without hesitation, he immediately sat cross-legged according to the methods of the Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Chapter and began attempting to cultivate.
The entry-level practice of the Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Chapter was not particularly difficult.
Its core lay in using special breathing techniques and body movements to draw upon the Heaven and Earth Essence to temper the muscles and bones.
In a world like the Douluo Continent, where soul power is abundant, the concentration of Heaven and Earth Essence far exceeds that of Earth, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.
Yan Zu first assumed a peculiar posture—sitting cross-legged, with his hands forming a seal in front of his chest, thumbs interlocked, and the remaining four fingers crossed, his entire body as stable as a mountain.
Then, he adjusted his breathing rhythm as described in the scripture.
Inhale…
Exhale…
Inhale…
Exhale…
With each breath, time seemed to slow down.
At first, Yan Zu only felt the posture was somewhat awkward, but gradually, he sensed something unusual.
As his breathing deepened, he seemed able to “see” faint, drifting specks of light in the air—the most primitive form of soul power, the essence of energy between heaven and earth.
These specks of light slowly seeped into his skin with each breath, flowing along specific meridian pathways.
Wherever they passed, a tingling, prickling sensation spread, as if countless fine needles were pricking him, yet also like warm water washing over him.
Yan Zu gritted his teeth, enduring the discomfort.
He knew this was an inevitable part of tempering the muscles and cleansing the marrow.
Time passed bit by bit.
Moonlight from outside slanted through the window lattice, spilling over his small figure.
Beads of sweat as large as beans rolled from Yan Zu’s forehead, soaking his clothes, yet he remained motionless, as if turned into a statue.
One hour later.
Yan Zu slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long, turbid breath.
The breath condensed into a white line in the air, lingering for a surprisingly long time.
Though no major outward changes were visible, he knew the foundation of this body had been thoroughly solidified by one layer.
“Truly worthy of the Nine Yin Manual…”
Yan Zu clenched his fist, his eyes filled with delight.
The effects of just one hour of cultivation were so remarkable.
If he persisted daily for three years, how terrifyingly high would his physical constitution reach?
What satisfied him even more was that the cultivation process of the Muscle-Tempering and Bone-Forging Chapter was extremely discreet.
Unlike Tang San, who had to fiddle with things like forging hammers or water buckets, Yan Zu only needed to sit quietly in meditation at night to complete the tempering.
Even his parents would simply think their child was sleeping soundly, never suspecting it was cultivation.
“System, display the panel,” Yan Zu silently called out in his mind.
A minimalist, semi-transparent light screen unfolded before his eyes:
[Check-in System]
Host: Yan Zu
Age: 3 years, 7 days
Check-ins: 1/1 (Completed today)
Consecutive Check-ins: 1 day
Other Functions: Unlocked
…
Truly minimalistic.
In the following days, Yan Zu’s life became regular and fulfilling.
During the day, like an ordinary child, he helped his mother with small tasks within his ability, such as gathering firewood, feeding the chickens, and playing in the yard.
But in every movement, he subtly incorporated the principles of body techniques from the Nine Yin Manual.
While gathering firewood, he practiced lightness footwork; while feeding the chickens, he trained the dexterity of his fingers; while playing, he honed his body’s coordination.
At night, after his parents fell asleep, he began formal soul power cultivation.
The Nine Yin soul power flowed more and more smoothly through his meridians, gradually thickening from the initial thread-like thinness to a fine, steady stream.
Though still weak, its purity and refinement were unmatched by any low-level Soul Master.
One night, after completing another cycle of cultivation and preparing to sleep, the system’s light screen suddenly appeared on its own:
[Detected host has completed consecutive check-ins for one full week, triggering weekly reward.]
[Congratulations, host has obtained: Low-Grade Storage Soul Tool (Capacity: One Cubic Meter)]
Yan Zu’s eyes lit up.
A Storage Soul Tool!
This was an extremely precious item on the Douluo Continent.
Though it was only a low-grade one with a capacity of one cubic meter, for him now, it was like timely aid in a snowstorm.
With a thought, a thin silver bracelet appeared on his right wrist, inlaid with a transparent gem the size of a grain of rice.
This was the true form of the Storage Soul Tool.
Yan Zu attempted to store the clay bowl by his bedside into it.
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, the bowl vanished into thin air.
With another thought, it reappeared in his hand.
“A good item!” he exclaimed excitedly.
With this Storage Soul Tool, he could stock up on supplies in advance to prepare for leaving Five Soul Village in the future.
Though still young, Yan Zu understood deeply that to become stronger, he would have to venture out sooner or later.
As the first light of dawn broke, Five Soul Village was still shrouded in a thin layer of mist.
Yan Zu opened his eyes on time.
His first task was not to stretch but to skillfully tap on the virtual screen only he could see in his consciousness.
“Check-in.”
[Ding! Check-in successful!]
[Reward obtained: One piece of malt candy.]
Yan Zu: “…”
He stared at the malt candy that had appeared out of thin air, simply wrapped in oiled paper and emitting a cheap sweetness, falling into a brief silence.
“Fine, at least it can sweeten my mouth,” he resignedly unwrapped the candy, stuffed it into his mouth, and let the sweetness spread.
It was better than nothing, after all.
This had become his daily routine after activating the system.
Without fail, he checked in as soon as he opened his eyes each day.
The rewards were varied, most of them leaving him torn between laughter and tears.
[Obtained: A piece of scrap paper covered in scribbles.] — After studying it for a long time, he confirmed it was indeed scrap paper and suspected the system was mocking him.
[Obtained: “Five-Year Soul Exam, Three-Year Simulation.”] — Yan Zu studied it for a while and found the book contained a lot of professional knowledge about soul power cultivation.
However, it seemed to have a mental attack effect; reading it for just a short while would immediately make him drowsy…
[Obtained: A pack of spicy strips.] — Yan Zu stared in shock at the familiar packaging in his hand and finished it with mixed emotions.
[Obtained: A pair of black stockings (with lace trim).] — Yan Zu’s face darkened at the time.
He quickly stuffed this hot potato into the deepest part of his storage bracelet, deciding to let it never see the light of day again.
“Did I bind a ‘Scrap Recycling System’ or a ‘Bizarre Items from Another World Distribution System’?” Yan Zu couldn’t help but complain inwardly more than once.