Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

The young man's attitude surprised you; you didn't expect him to agree so easily.

He gripped the longsword at his waist; a whistling sound rang out, and a cold light tore through the darkness.

[You instinctively feel a chilling killing intent rushing towards you, and your vision is filled with dazzling sword light.]

The sword's gleam faded, and the young man remained in the same posture, his hand still on his sword, as if it had never been drawn.

"This is a direct thrust with a drawn sword. What do you see?"

After a moment of contemplation, you said, "Fast, accurate, ruthless; the sword light is blinding, and the killing intent is rampant."

【"Oh."】

The young man chuckled and raised an eyebrow, saying, "This sword can be summed up in one word: recklessness."

[Reckless?]

Is the "mang" in "mangcun" (莽村) accurate?

[You followed the young man in his training, from gripping the sword, channeling energy, concentrating power, to finally drawing it from its sheath. The simple act of drawing and thrusting the sword completely disrupted the fundamentals of swordsmanship you had previously mastered.]

[Under ideal conditions, after only ten draws, his strength is exhausted, his spirit weakens, and his vision blurs.]

"Practice on your own from now on. Whether you succeed or not depends on your hard work. Remember, this sword is all about recklessness."

Remember the word "reckless".

[Because the large number of civilians slowed down the march, it took you more than half a month to reach Golden Scale City.]

As the capital of Xilong County, it boasts a majestic pass and towering city walls, separating the city from the surrounding countryside.

Having delivered you to Golden Scale City, I have done all I could. The young general then led his troops away.

You asked him his name.

[Wei Qi.]

[The black steeds, clad in red armor, arrayed like a raging wildfire, disappeared onto the official road.]

Upon entering the city, everyone was confused, but eventually their gaze fell upon you.

Whether it was serving as the accountant in the mountain stronghold or calmly conversing with soldiers and generals during marches, you unknowingly became the backbone of the group.

You reassured everyone, knowing full well that these young and middle-aged women were also a significant force.

Only through unity and mutual assistance can we better protect ourselves.

[You led the survivors to band together and seek employment from the Yan Family Chamber of Commerce in Jinlin City.]

[The following year, at eighteen years old.]

[You are good at math and literacy, skilled in planning, and have some knowledge of commerce, which has led to your being valued and appointed as a junior manager of the Yan Family Chamber of Commerce.]

You rented a courtyard house to live in alone.

[He practices swordsmanship diligently without ceasing, and can now perform thirty straight thrusts daily, with slight improvements in body tempering.]

[In the cold of winter, as a light snow falls, you discover that the tofu stall next to your dwelling has been taken over by a woman in her late teens or early twenties.]

Her fame quickly spread, and she was known as the "Tofu Beauty."

You also think the taste has improved and you become a frequent customer.

"A bowl of tofu pudding, without sweetness, saltiness, or spice."

[You avoided a North-South debate by offering a light and simple flavor.]

"Please enjoy your meal, sir."

The girl exuded a pure, innocent charm, like the delicate scent of tofu, and her smile was radiant.

As you nod and smile, savoring the plain tofu pudding, you notice two teenagers peering in at you.

[Around ten years old, thin and frail, with dark grime on his face, but bright eyes.]

One is wild, unrestrained, and unbridled; the other is clear-eyed, like an autumn pool.

[At this moment, I'm looking longingly at the tofu stall, but I hesitate to go in.]

【"come over."】

You seemed to recall the little girl gnawing on cured meat, and with a gentle smile, waved, "It's on me."

The two rushed over, but found no one alive.

He sat down with a wild, untamed look in his eyes and waved his hand boldly: "Boss lady, a bowl of sweet tofu pudding, please!"

Then, looking at you, he said, "When I become successful, I'll definitely bring you back."

"Thank you, young master."

Another person, with bright eyes, politely thanked them and said loudly, "Boss lady, a bowl of savory tofu pudding."

"Huh? Why are you eating salty food? You should be eating sweet food!"

"I want it salty."

You watch the two bicker with amusement, then leave some loose change; after paying the bill, there's enough left for them to eat their fill for several days.

Not long after, you never saw them again. You wondered if they had died like stray dogs by some roadside. The world is truly heartbreaking.

What's even more heartbreaking is that the tofu stall closed down not long after.

I can't stand watching... I can't stomach such bland tofu anymore.

[Third year, age nineteen.]

[You are becoming increasingly valued within the Yan Family Chamber of Commerce, and the family head greatly appreciates you, thus elevating your status.]

As your wealth increases, you begin purchasing medicinal herbs to enhance your body's resilience.

Another year has passed, and you've completed the initial skin tempering and are now moving on to the flesh tempering stage.

[Draw your sword and thrust straight in, 120 times daily.]

This year, disasters have struck various regions: droughts, floods, plagues, widespread famine, and countless deaths. People are living in misery, and a large influx of refugees has entered Jinlin City.

You hear news of Wei Qi again; he has gathered chivalrous heroes to quell the banditry.

[Sixth year, age twenty-two.]

As your influence within the Yan Family Chamber of Commerce grows and your life becomes more prosperous, the dosage of medicine you use for cultivation is constantly increasing.

[Finally, the flesh tempering is complete; stepping into the bone tempering stage.]

[Already a 'master' at the third stage of the Body Tempering Realm, possessing strength of a thousand jin, capable of capturing an ox with bare hands.]

Recently, the Yan Family Chamber of Commerce seems to be embroiled in a power struggle with emerging forces in the city, with tensions running high and undercurrents swirling.

[Tenth year, twenty-six years old.]

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye; I have now reached the fourth stage of Body Tempering, the Tendon Tempering stage.

The matchmaker came to introduce another woman, but after glancing at her portrait, you declined without hesitation.

Your resolve in the martial arts is unwavering and steadfast.

"You're not even as good as the tofu seller, and you're using this to test me?"

You saw the matchmaker off and closed the courtyard gate.

The sky was overcast with low-hanging clouds, and a cool breeze carried a damp feel, suggesting an impending rain.

As you gently stroke your long robe, preparing to return to practice your swordsmanship, you suddenly feel a sense of oppression, a primal fear threatening your very life washing over you.

[Not only you, but all the people of Golden Scale City felt it, and then looked up at the sky.]

The dark clouds, obscuring the sky, seemed to be stirred up by an invisible giant hand, swirling in a vortex.

[But that distorting power caused the sky to change in bizarre ways.]

【Clang!】

The resounding clang of swords echoed through the sky, like a mighty army charging forward, trampling the earth and destroying cities.

Then came another sword cry, like the cascading sound of a zither, layered upon layer, resonating and swirling around.

The swirling vortex clashed with swords, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

Screams of panic erupted as people scattered in disarray, seeking refuge.

[This is the first time you've witnessed a martial artist wield such power to alter the heavens; you are filled with awe and longing, and even an eagerness to draw your sword and begin your training.]

Within two or three breaths, the dark clouds that had blotted out the sky suddenly dissipated, as if the ink stains on a bright mirror had been swept away, turning into a torrential downpour.

The sky was a clear, deep blue, without a single cloud; then came a torrential downpour, its golden scales obscuring the view.

The contradictory and eerie scene evokes a profound sense of the mystery and sublimity of martial arts.

As the torrential rain subsided, you saw three figures soaring across the sky.

Two men appear to be fleeing, with a woman in pursuit.

The woman wore a dark dress, and her surroundings were distorted and shifting, making her appearance unpredictable.

[But the way the two young men looked back and glanced at each other gave you a sense of déjà vu.]

Only after the three disappeared into the horizon did you vaguely recall the two children who had started their sweet vs. savory argument at the tofu stall.

Because their eyes left a deep impression on you.

[How did two orphans who couldn't even afford food transform into martial arts masters capable of cleaving through the heavens in just seven years?]

【opportunity!】

[That's what comes to mind immediately.]

These two must be facing an extraordinary opportunity!