Hong Yuan's snake pupils continuously surveyed the creatures in the water until his gaze settled on a group of sand shrimp.
Parting the current, Hong Yuan slowly swam forward.
Fixated on the sand shrimp, he involuntarily began to secrete a bit of saliva at the corners of his mouth.
Mine, you are mine, all mine!!!
Just as Hong Yuan was about to close in on the group of sand shrimp, the disturbance and undulations in the water finally reached the riverbed's silt, startling the shrimps that were still hunting within it.
They abruptly looked up, only to find a black Mysterious Water Snake with eyes gleaming with greedy green light, baring its fierce fangs and sweeping towards them with terrifying speed.
"Thinking of escaping?" Hong Yuan snorted coldly and activated his Innate Ability.
[Water Fluctuation]
A black wave of light quickly emanated from Hong Yuan, enveloping almost the entire group of sand shrimp and causing their movements to slow.
With a sudden forceful lash of his tail, Hong Yuan's speed surged, rapidly closing the distance between himself and the shrimp.
Looking at the sand shrimp spread out before him like octopus teppanyaki, Hong Yuan revealed a happy smile.
CRUNCH! CRUNCH!
Hong Yuan took large bites, quickly devouring the sand shrimp until none were left.
Shrimp whiskers and legs were scattered all over the riverbed's silt. The other aquatic animals kept their distance from Hong Yuan, fleeing the area as disturbed currents whistled unceasingly.
Hong Yuan paid no attention to these playthings in his grasp. He was still savoring the taste of the sand shrimp.
The shrimp were crispy and savory, very savory.
Perhaps because they were a kind of sea shrimp, Hong Yuan could even detect a hint of sweetness.
After tasting them, Hong Yuan began to critique this meal.
"In addition to their crispy and savory flavor, there is also a hint of sweetness—indeed a rare delicacy worth tasting. Indulging in this gourmet food not only provides a warm satisfaction to the stomach but also brings a sense of calm to the heart."
With a grin, Hong Yuan's snake tongue flickered out softly.
He looked around, continuing to select the next lucky audience member.
A big grass turtle? No, too difficult to eat. Red-shelled crabs? They're all hiding in underground caves, hard to catch. Salamanders? Salamanders seem...
When Hong Yuan saw the salamanders, his pupils shone slightly, and saliva started to form in his mouth without reason.
He grew excited.
With a splash, Hong Yuan swam towards the three salamanders.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
A series of loud gong and drum sounds suddenly rang out. Hong Yuan quickly got up, dressed, finished his morning routine, and then dashed to the dining hall.
It was barely dawn, but as a menial disciple at the lowest rung of the Sect, he had no choice but to begin his labor.
Washing rice, chopping wood, carrying water, kneading dough, steaming buns...
The tedious work made Hong Yuan feel annoyed. This was especially true given the stark contrast to the unfettered hunting of his Mysterious Water Snake Avatar, which intensified the frustration in his heart.
Life as a human is so hard, maybe I should just be a snake instead? Hong Yuan thought to himself, but he quickly dismissed the idea.
No matter how tough it gets, I have to keep being human. After all, having an extra life is a big deal!
After silently pep-talking himself, Hong Yuan continued to split wood.
He was lucky today, having been assigned to chop wood by an outer gate steward.
That meant he could use an axe, which implied that as long as he could chop the wood within the allotted time, he could practice the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword technique.
Using the Sect's time to openly do personal practice is simply too wonderful!
As soon as the outer gate steward stepped out of sight, Hong Yuan immediately set himself in a stance from the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword, preparing to strike.
At that moment, the sturdy-bodied menial disciple Chen Dongsheng, leading another menial disciple Yue Yun, approached Hong Yuan.
"Hong, chopping wood is too tiring. Why don't you do the water-carrying? This laborious wood-chopping can be left to Yue Yun," Chen Dongsheng said.
His tone was mild, yet it carried an air that seemed beyond dispute.
Just a month earlier, Chen Dongsheng had mastered the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword to the introductory stage. As soon as the Disciple Trials began, he could use his martial prowess to shed his status as a menial disciple, becoming an official disciple—perhaps even a Cultivation Disciple!
"Heh heh." Yue Yun chuckled, his eyes filled with mockery towards Hong Yuan. Why did he single out Hong Yuan among so many disciples splitting wood? Isn't it precisely because Hong Yuan has lousy Martial Arts aptitude yet refuses to risk his life for a chance at a future? This guy will definitely submit obediently soon.
CREAK.
Hong Yuan tightly gripped the handle of his axe, flames flickering in his eyes.
Reason, reason. If strength is lacking, one must preserve oneself to wait for the right opportunity, Hong Yuan continuously repeated this mantra in his heart, demanding that he restrain his anger.
Being new to this place, he had no Silver Coins on him to prepare personal defenses like lime powder or pepper powder. Should a fight truly break out, his opponent could teach him a lesson within minutes.
Hong Yuan really didn't want to back down. After all, the way of Martial Arts was about one word: "struggle."
To retreat this time would likely mean severing my own path in Martial Arts. I just want to live my life well! Only—
"Hong?" Chen Dongsheng narrowed his eyes, his coarse clothes beginning to swell as the muscles underneath slowly bulged.
"I... I understand," Hong Yuan feigned a dejected appearance.
Hong Yuan walked away, leaving amidst Yue Yun's mocking laughter.
Having no talent or family background is one thing, but to not even know how to work hard… Such a guy should leave the Sect sooner rather than later, Yue Yun chuckled to himself. He then reached into his sleeve, pulled out a small purse, and respectfully presented it to Chen Dongsheng.
Chen Dongsheng weighed the small purse, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. He patted Yue Yun's shoulder and said, "If there's anything like this in the future, come find me. The price is negotiable."
"Yes, yes," Yue Yun agreed with a nod, but he had already made a decision in his heart. That Hong Yuan, I've got him pegged. Why would I need someone to back me up and share the profits?
THUD.
After Chen Dongsheng left, Yue Yun chopped the firewood with his axe, one blow after another. He felt like he had made great progress. The entry-level Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword technique, here I come!
「Meanwhile.」
Hong Yuan silently carried the water yoke, repeatedly filling the water tank with spring water from the mountains.
Frustrating. A frustration like never before. But isn't this life exactly what I experienced in my previous life? Why must I go through it all over again? Martial Arts? Martial Arts. Martial Arts!
Hong Yuan quietly mulled over these words, harboring resentment about his weak constitution and poor aptitude. His natural talent was so lacking that even if he possessed supreme Martial Arts manuals, he could hardly make any progress.
Utterly dejected, Hong Yuan opened his status panel.
[Name: Hong Yuan]
[Life Span: 16/85]
[Aptitude: 6]
[Cultivation Technique: Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword (132/500)]
[Skills and Arts: Culinary Arts Level 2 (121/2,000)]
[Avatar: Mysterious Water Snake]
[Level: First Grade, Entry Level]
[Innate Abilities: Water Gun, Water Fluctuation, Acute Poison, Water Flow Tail]
WOO-HOO! WOO-HOO!!!
My Life Span and Aptitude have actually increased! They've actually increased?! Heavens have eyes, the heavens truly have eyes! Wait, wait. Besides these two, my Mysterious Water Snake Avatar's level has also risen, and it has learned a new Innate Ability!
Recalling his actions controlling the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar last night, Hong Yuan gradually developed a bold hypothesis.
Could it be that as long as the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar devours, grows, and evolves, my Original Body's [Life Span] and [Aptitude] can increase indefinitely! I can be a person again! I can truly live again!
At this thought, Hong Yuan felt tears welling up in his eyes.
There's still hope for my Martial Arts! There's still hope! I, too, can stand tall like in my previous life, unbullied by anyone!!! Yue Yun, Chen Dongsheng. Hong Yuan gritted his teeth and silently recited their names.
Whoever made his life difficult, he would make sure their lives were difficult too.