Shang Ruling did not delay for long. After quickly dealing with the group of stewards, he came to find Xiaobai.
As he had said before, as an outsider, he would not interfere with Xiaobai’s marriage arrangements, leaving it entirely to the old lady. Instead, he would take responsibility for teaching Xiaobai.
“The Snow Lotus Pill I gave you that day cannot completely eradicate the heat poison in your body. One pill can only sustain you for about a month, and its effects will gradually weaken.” Shang Ruling did not hide this from Xiaobai just because she was a young girl. Instead, he spoke openly, allowing her to understand her own condition.
Xiaobai had sensed this as well. After all, it was her own body. She was not overly anxious but asked the question she had long wanted to know: “Father, what exactly is the heat poison in my body?”
“It is my fault. Back then, Lou Baidie went berserk in his cultivation and was beyond cure. He captured many women to practice his Evil Art, and among them was your mother. By the time I found you both… your mother was already beyond saving.”
“I do not know what he fed your mother, but from the moment you were born, a fiery energy has been burning inside you. This has indeed made your qi and blood vigorous, turning you into a martial arts prodigy rarely seen in centuries. However, as you grow older, this fire burns brighter and hotter, until eventually… even the body’s owner will be reduced to ashes.”
Upon discovering this, Shang Ruling began searching extensively for spiritual medicines that could cure Xiaobai. However, this was not an illness to begin with, so how could it be cured? Forcibly suppressing it would only harm her foundation, undoubtedly increasing the difficulty. In the end, he traveled far to the Western Regions in search of rare treasures.
As for her mother, neither Xiaobai nor the original owner felt much sorrow, as they had never met her. At most, they sighed and lamented in their hearts. Xiaobai thought it was possible she had met Shang Tianhuan’s mother before. Lou Baidie’s cultivation deviation was real, and for a long time, the Kirin Cult had been extensively searching for young women, claiming publicly that they were selecting a holy maiden.
However, no one knew what happened to the other women besides the holy maiden. It was said they were all sent into the Kirin Holy Valley, but afterward, no one ever saw them again, leaving no way to verify their fate.
“As you slowly grow, the time the Snow Lotus Pill can sustain you will become shorter and shorter. Moreover, your body will develop resistance to it. So—” Shang Ruling took out an exquisite wooden box from his chest, about the size of two palms. When he opened it, he revealed a peculiar snow-white garment.
This garment was extremely flexible, able to stretch freely without any damage. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the patterns on it were actually the textures of tiny scales. The creature to which these scales belonged was unknown, but it was impervious to blades, fire, and water. The garment was cool to the touch, soft, and comfortable.
“This is called the Ice Soul Soft Armor, a rare treasure I went to great lengths to obtain. If an ordinary person wore it for a long time, it would likely freeze their meridians and allow cold energy to seep into their bones. However, for you, it is just right. It complements the heat poison in your body, forming a complete cycle of energy.” As he spoke, Shang Ruling personally taught her how to wear it.
Perhaps due to the extreme rarity of its materials, the Ice Soul Soft Armor was only a small piece. After Xiaobai went into the inner room and fumbled for a long time to put it on, she realized it only covered her chest and back, leaving a section of her waist exposed. Although her father said the soft armor was breathable and form-fitting, and she could still wear it as she grew up, no matter how she looked at it—it resembled a uniquely styled, multifunctional bellyband.
The original owner naturally had no shortage of bellybands, but most were sewn by the old lady during her childhood for blessings of safety, and they were no longer suitable to wear now. As for the needs of an older age, the original owner hadn’t reached that stage yet.
Xiaobai, on the other hand, had no understanding of such matters. Since she was already prone to overheating, she naturally had no interest in wearing an extra bellyband. After all, such intimate garments were not something a female warrior would let a servant disciple handle—well, unless you counted those encountered during visits to pleasure houses.
Despite trying hard to convince herself that this was merely a protective soft armor, Xiaobai couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for Old Master Shang. He had actually managed to teach her how to wear it with a straight face and even casually mentioned it could help with shaping her figure. Such composure was hardly something an ordinary man could match.
Her so-called father was likely a seasoned expert in the ways of romance.
But just as Old Master Shang had said, only after putting it on did she truly feel a long-lost sense of peace. The constantly boiling heat in her blood subsided.
“With this, combined with the Snow Lotus Pill, you can practice martial arts like everyone else,” Shang Ruling let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. However, the next moment, his smile faded: “I heard from your grandmother that you want to learn martial arts. Now I ask you seriously: do you truly wish to practice martial arts?”
“Our Shang family lacks no resources, but we have never let you study orthodox martial arts before. After all, practicing martial arts is a process of continuously strengthening one’s own qi and blood. As internal energy circulates, the body grows stronger. If cultivated to perfection, living a hundred years is nothing—even two or three hundred years wouldn’t be difficult. Imagine how vigorous one’s vitality would be by then.”
In other words, if Xiaobai insisted on practicing martial arts, given her talent, reaching perfection would only be a matter of time, provided she didn’t meet an untimely end. By then, her qi and blood would become terrifyingly vigorous—likely beyond what even the Snow Lotus Pill could suppress.
After all, it would exceed the limits of what the human body could endure.
“Do you know what this means?” Shang Ruling sighed. “Admittedly, in this martial world, it’s difficult to survive without martial skills. But you were born with divine strength and extraordinary talent. Even without cultivating an Internal Cultivation Method, just practicing some martial techniques and external Hard Qigong would make many second-rate masters in this world unable to withstand you. Paired with meticulously crafted Divine Weapons, you could even behead first-rate masters.”
“However, this is also my limit.” Xiaobai pulled out a scroll of a map and unfolded it in front of Shang Ruling.
“Father, this is the map you gave me before you left all those years ago. It not only records the ten provinces of the Yue Dynasty but also the various tribes on the grasslands and the numerous countries scattered across the Western Regions. In the days you were gone, I looked at it over and over again, imagining how vast the world outside truly is.”
“I want to explore farther, much farther places. You opened up over a dozen trade routes for the Shang family, and I want to follow the paths you once traveled to see them for myself. The Central Plains are so vast—I want to see it all. Beyond that, there’s Nanmang, the snowy plains, the lands beyond the passes… That’s why I want to become a great hero, a chivalrous hero who travels the world righting wrongs. Only after I’ve seen the outside world and remembered it all will I be worthy of becoming your successor.”
This was Xiaobai’s carefully prepared and repeatedly revised speech, crafted to match the original owner’s personality. Yet it wasn’t entirely fabricated—it was mixed with her own emotions. As for how much was true and how much was false, even she couldn’t say.
Xiaobai dared to speak this way only because she still held a hidden trump card. If she could successfully find it this time… then the original owner’s body would no longer be a problem.
Shang Ruling gazed at Xiaobai, his expression complex in that moment, as elusive as his hard-to-read bone structure.
“Since that’s the case, I understand your determination. But do you know of the legendary Secret Arts of immortality?”
Xiaobai’s eyelids twitched. Fortunately, she was wearing the Ice Soul Soft Armor, which prevented any unusual emotions from showing. Shang Ruling continued, “Ancient texts record that those who reach the pinnacle of martial arts can shatter the void, reverse aging, and even become immortal beings who never grow old or die.”
“However, these are ultimately just vague records in books. I’ve heard a rumor that some of the long-standing major sects today still preserve certain Secret Arts. If one can master them to perfection and break through their limits, they may no longer be bound by mortal constraints. But in the end, these are just legends. If you truly wish to learn martial arts, I can send you to a major sect. Perhaps by cultivating to a certain level, you might even resolve the heat poison within your body.”
Shang Ruling spoke lightly, but Xiaobai was already breaking out in a cold sweat, almost believing he had seen through her innermost thoughts. Steadying her emotions, she feigned innocence and asked, “Father, do immortals truly exist in this world?”
“When a mortal becomes so powerful that others can only look up to them in awe, those mortals will call them immortals.” His expression was indifferent, and in that moment—Xiaobai felt he was the true immortal.
“If you insist on learning martial arts, I will respect your choice. But you must know your body’s limits and not force yourself. I only hope you can return safely.” He sighed and embraced Xiaobai.
“But… Father, you’re clearly very strong yourself. Why won’t you teach me personally?” Xiaobai sensed something amiss. Shang Ruling, unlike the old lady, clearly understood that true masters disdained coming to the inner quarters to teach a young girl. To seek their guidance, one had to go to them as a disciple. Yet in her eyes, this cheap father’s skills were no less impressive. Why hadn’t he considered teaching her himself?
“I… I would like to teach you, but unfortunately, my cultivation method is unique and unsuitable for others to practice…” Seeing Xiaobai’s dejected expression, he smiled gently and said, “But I can’t simply let you leave the Shang family without worry. I will teach you a unique Secret Art for self-preservation. Until you’ve mastered it, don’t even think about leaving.”
Xiaobai immediately beamed and said, “Thank you, Father! Xiaobai will study hard!”
This is a Secret Art! Unlike the cultivation techniques for refining Internal Energy or the movement techniques for circulating Internal Energy, Secret Arts are rare and elusive masterpieces in the martial world, sought after by countless martial artists. The reason is that Secret Arts place no demands on Internal Energy or physical strength—all that is required is strong comprehension. Thus, some say Secret Arts are simply martial skills of extraordinary ingenuity.
“In my youth, I accidentally fell off a cliff and was on the brink of death when I mistakenly consumed a miraculous fruit. Since then, my appearance has remained youthful, unchanged by time. Later, I discovered this Secret Art inscribed on a stone wall. Over the many years I’ve traveled as a merchant, it is thanks to this art that I have survived to this day.”
The Yue Dynasty prioritizes martial prowess over literary pursuits, with wandering warriors found everywhere. Wherever there is the martial world, it is often accompanied by bloodshed, grudges, and entangled emotions.
“This art is named—Ethereal Immortal Trace.”
Author’s Note:
This chapter marks the beginning of the main storyline. There’s a lot of information to cover here, and the pacing feels a bit rushed, but I didn’t want to drag out the transitional chapter. Also, this is indeed a martial arts world. Even though some seemingly fantastical elements appear, they represent the pinnacle of power in this world. Ninety-nine percent of the characters in this story are ordinary people, and such heights are far beyond their reach. (Fun fact: In ancient times, men also wore belly wraps, but in this story, only children, young girls, and women wear them. After all, if a young hero’s red belly wrap were to be exposed mid-fight, it would just be too absurd.)
I’ve always known this book is quite niche, so I was mentally prepared for it to flop. But I never expected—after making it onto the rankings for the first time, I only gained single-digit followers. Thankfully, I was already prepared. I no longer hold high hopes for this book’s future. My editor gave me a chance, and it’s my fault for not writing well enough. Rest assured, my promise of daily updates remains unchanged. Even if I’m forced to take on manual labor to make ends meet, I’ll still find time to finish this story properly. I just hope to earn back the cost of the cover, haha. So, let’s set the completion goal at two thousand chapters.
So, my angels, I really need your support. Seeing the dwindling number of comments truly breaks my heart. Even though I know not many people are reading, and I understand you prefer to wait for more chapters before diving in, please leave a comment to encourage me. Give me the motivation to keep creating. Hugging myself tightly.
【Mini Theater】Business Opportunity
Interview: According to our investigation, among the male characters currently appearing in the story, Shang Yu is widely recognized for his excellent aesthetic sense and first-class fashion taste. Therefore, we’ve come to interview you. May we ask why you are so familiar with the wearing methods of women’s undergarments? Are you also skilled in women’s fashion? Or is this a distinctive trait of the Shang family men?
Shang Ruling: Hmm, this is the first time someone has asked me such a question. I’m familiar because I practiced in advance. I also pay attention to women’s fashion, as a merchant must be highly sensitive to changing trends. As for whether this is a distinctive trait, it’s hard to say. But if someone doesn’t even know the styles currently favored by women, I’d say they’re quite unprofessional as a member of the Shang family.
Xiaobai: …
The next day, the secret to the Shang family head’s wealth made the front-page headline of the martial world tabloid and occupied a dedicated column for a full week. The tabloid’s sales skyrocketed, and it was rumored that subsequent promotions would feature the family head’s autobiographies: “Those Years I Traveled Across Great Yue” and “The Endless Path of Commerce.”
Thank you all so much for your support. I will continue to work hard!