At the age of eight, he impersonated the orphan of a military officer and went to the martial world.

Chapter 125 Time flies, five years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Everyone on the boat was taken aback.

Chen Zijing, Fang Jingsong, and others subconsciously turned their gazes toward Zhang Yuan, who was standing at the bow of the boat.

The crowd's gazes were incredibly complex, filled with admiration, amazement, and an indescribable sense of emotion.

Who would have thought that this wonderful poem, which became famous throughout the city and attracted Young Master Jin Yuan to participate in the Qingyun Ranking competition and was sought after by nobles, was actually written by this eight-year-old boy from the same hometown?

And he not only possessed such talent, but also displayed terrifying decisiveness on the battlefield!

Today, he is the dazzling new star ranked ninth on the Qingyun List, known as "Young Master Zhang Jiu". He has also won a poetic nickname, "Young Master Tiange", with his nursery rhyme-like poem "Ode to the Goose" amidst the blood and smoke of war!

Zhang Yuan remained calm, as if he hadn't heard the song from the painted boat, his gaze fixed on the willow-lined riverbank in the distance.

Just then, a group of playful children on the shore, who had probably just learned this popular nursery rhyme, clapped their hands and sang in unison in their childish yet clear and loud voices: "Goose, goose, goose, with its curved neck singing to the sky! White feathers float on the green water, red webbed feet stir the clear waves—"

"Heavenly Song!" This phrase, "singing towards the sky with a curved neck," has become Brother Qingyang's new nickname. How wonderful! Zhao Yuanchen couldn't help but exclaim softly.

The children's voices, clear and bright, were full of innocent vitality, creating a wonderful echo with the melodious and lingering songs of the singers on the painted boat.

Upon hearing this, everyone on the ship fell silent once more.

Sun Wenbai looked at Zhang Yuan's calm profile, then at the carefree children on the shore, and finally let out a long sigh, shaking his head and smiling bitterly: "'Peach Blossom' is now a thing of the past, 'Heavenly Song' has risen anew—Zhang Jiu Gongzi, ranked ninth on the Qingyun List, possesses both literary and martial talents. This Fengming County is truly about to produce a true dragon—"

Zhao Yuanchen was filled with disbelief, muttering, "The name 'Ninth Young Master' still shines on the list, but the title 'Young Master Tiange' has already become a children's rhyme—so widely sung that even children know it—"

Zhang Yuan still didn't turn around, as if the nursery rhymes and songs from the painted boats on the shore were just ordinary scenery.

He sat casually at the bow of the boat, leaning against the gunwale, and closed his eyes slightly.

To outsiders, he appeared to be simply resting with his eyes closed, enjoying the river breeze on his face.

At this moment, the so-called "Heavenly Song" and "Ninth" were nothing but external names to him.

The waves of the great river gently lapped against the hull of the boat, making a rhythmic murmur.

The clear "goose, goose, goose" song of a child on the shore could be faintly heard, intertwining with the melodious string and wind instruments of the singing girls on the painted boat, before being dispersed by the river breeze.

Zhang Yuan leaned against the ship's side, sitting quietly with his eyes closed.

Beside her, Zhang Jiumei held the Zhenyue Longsword in her arms, her wary gaze sweeping over the reflections on the river's surface.

As the noise of the outside world faded into the distance, his mind sank into the depths of his consciousness.

In the space of consciousness, the translucent panel silently appeared.

Name: Zhang Yuan (Zhang Qingyang)

[Age]: 8 years old [Realm]: Late Stage of Acquired Realm (Qi and blood surge like a river, muscles and bones resound like thunder, the threshold of the Innate Realm is within reach!)

[Status]: Post-battle contemplation (the source is abundant, the killing aura is faintly visible, and the mind is as hardened as a rock).

[Status: Rock-Solid Blade Intent Tempering Body (Continuous Transformation)]

[Lifespan: 3232 years (as deep and profound as an abyss)]

[Martial Arts]:

Chasing Wind Sword: Sword Intent Initial Formation (100%) → It takes 300 years to evolve to "Sword Qi Transformation into Rainbow"!

Wild Bull Fist: Great Perfection (100%) → It takes 500 years to evolve to the "True Form of Wild Bull Demon"!

Rock-Splitting Mountain Blade (Mortal Rank Supreme - Complete): Great Completion (72%) → 200 years required to reach "Great Perfection"!

Literary Qi Transformation (Confucian and Taoist Supernatural Powers): Great Perfection (100%) → The derivation branch "Artistic Spiritual Power" requires 900 years!

A smile flickered across Zhang Yuan's face as he looked at the increasing number of years his lifespan had increased.

This trip to the prefectural city was far more fruitful than expected.

Increased lifespan and improved strength are the fundamental principles.

His martial arts have now condensed the power of three realms of intent.

The Rock Blade Intent has reached its ultimate perfection, with all seven forms mastered. The blade strikes are as powerful as a mountain collapsing and splitting, its weighty and domineering nature reaching its zenith!

The sword intent of chasing the wind was initially formed, and the sword moved with the heart, like a shadow seeking death. Its speed and sharpness had already reached the peak of the mortal level!

The Wild Bull Fist has reached its peak, possessing the stability of a rock and the ferocity of a wild bull. Blood and evil are intertwined, and the fist's power can shake mountains!

Moreover, his true trump card is that condensed demonic incarnation!

The blue patterns on his arms were solid, and the power of his two avatars was deeply hidden. The green wood demon essence was pure, tough, and full of vitality, yet it was not released!

This innate combat power far surpasses his current cultivation level.

Moreover, as his cultivation level breaks through and his control over power becomes more profound, he will be able to condense even more avatars.

Moreover, his mastery of Confucianism and Taoism was not diminished.

The essence of literature has been perfected, poetry can reach a higher realm, and words can form a powerful array. A single thought can draw upon the power of heaven and earth; the true meaning of "Peach Blossoms Beyond the Bamboo Grove" and "Ode to the Goose" are all within its grasp.

Under control!

The golden characters in the sea of ​​knowledge evolve into countless phenomena!

Behind Zhang Yuan, Zhang Jiumei stood silently, holding the Zhenyue Longsword, which was almost as tall as her.

The girl's youthful face held a cool and calm demeanor beyond her years, her gaze warily sweeping across the river and shoreline, like the most loyal shadow guard.

Whether she is known as "Peach Blossom Prince", "Heavenly Song Prince" or "Ninth on the Azure Cloud List, Zhang Yuan is the one she always protects."

The great river flows swiftly, and passenger boats leisurely sail, carrying people with different thoughts and feelings as they return home, heading towards Fengming County.

The singing faded into the distance, but the children's "Goose, goose, goose" still echoed faintly in the wind, carried by the river to farther places.

Time flies, and five years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Yanggu County, Fenglin Prefecture.

The mountain road was rugged and dusty.

In a simple teahouse by the roadside, several greasy tables and chairs were surrounded by a group of fierce-looking martial artists.

They talked and laughed loudly without restraint, spitting as they spoke.

"Hahaha! That caravan was a real piece of meat! Those guards were just amateurs; I took them down with a single strike!"

"Absolutely! The gold and silver in that box are enough for us brothers to live comfortably for months!"

"Pah, what bad luck! One woman even bit her tongue and committed suicide! But that bracelet was really good quality—"

A man with a scar on his face spat, his eyes filled with greed.

They flaunted their bloody "harvest" without a care in the world, while the few other merchants and porters scattered around the teahouse turned pale with fright, burying their heads and shrinking their shoulders, wishing they could hide themselves.

In recent years, the world has become increasingly chaotic.

Rebel forces from several surrounding prefectures clashed with the imperial army sent to quell the rebellion, with flames of war spreading for thousands of miles.

Defeated soldiers and bandits roamed the fields, inciting refugees to cause chaos. Bandits in various places took the opportunity to rise up, trade routes were cut off, and the people lived in constant fear.

"Boss! Someone's dead? Bring tea!" The scarred man slammed his hand on the table, making the bowls and plates jump around.

His eyes swept across the corner and suddenly he saw a figure sitting alone at the table by the window.

It was a young man dressed in a gray outfit, with a cold and hard face. His right sleeve, which was empty, was tied tightly with a straw rope around his waist.

The boy had only a bowl of water in front of him and was quietly looking out the window at the winding mountain road, as if the surrounding noise was isolated from him.

"Damn it, where did this cripple come from? He's an eyesore!" The tall, thin man next to the scarred man glanced at the boy, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes. He kicked the bench the boy was sitting on. "Get the hell away from me! You rotten piece of trash!"

The kick was powerful and was about to land!

Just as his foot was about to touch the bench, "whoosh!"

A cold light, like a venomous snake awakened from hibernation, was so fast that it left only a fleeting afterimage on the retina!

There was no sword clang, only a teeth-grinding sound of flesh and bones tearing apart!