Chapter 7: A Chance for Evolution, The Martial Age
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
At noon, the sun blazed fiercely in the sky.
Inside room 602, however, it was pitch dark. Large black curtains completely covered every window and glass door, blocking even the slightest sliver of light.
The sound of rushing water echoed unceasingly.
In the center of the living room, Lin Ze was in a half-crouch position, his right leg extended, hands stretching forward and backward, bending his waist into an anatomically challenging posture. He remained motionless.
A faint mist rose from his head, swirling into the air.
After six or seven seconds, Lin Ze slowly retracted his hands and straightened his body.
“I can now hold the twenty-ninth posture for ten seconds. It’s stable. Only seven more postures left,” he said with a pleased smile.
Ever since discovering that True Essence Art could enhance his Blood Factor Concentration, Lin Ze had been training tirelessly since last night.
[As a member of the Vampire race, I don’t need sleep. My body’s remarkable recovery abilities mean that even the soreness caused by training disappears quickly after consuming a few milliliters of frozen blood plasma.]
As long as there’s a steady supply of Monstrous Beast meat and frozen blood packs, Lin Ze could train continuously for four to five days without pause.
In just one night and morning, he had mastered four new postures.
[At this rate, I’ll be able to complete all nine cycles of the technique by the day after tomorrow.]
“Then I can attempt to condense True Qi,” Lin Ze thought, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smirk.
Practicing martial techniques not only improved his Blood Factor Concentration but also strengthened his body. The two processes enhanced each other in a virtuous cycle. With such rapid progress, his strength grew visibly every day.
The satisfaction of this growth was intoxicating, dispelling the unease and confusion that had plagued him since the outbreak of The Cataclysm.
[As long as I’m strong enough, I can live comfortably even in this apocalyptic world.]
“Tonight, I’ll head to the hospital to collect the remaining frozen blood packs and hunt a few Monstrous Beasts while I’m at it.”
Suddenly, voices drifted up from downstairs. Lin Ze walked to the glass door of the balcony and pulled aside a small portion of the black curtain to peer into the courtyard below.
A man lay motionless on the ground. Beside him, a woman cried uncontrollably, while two children wailed alongside her. A small crowd gathered nearby, whispering to one another.
Focusing, Lin Ze listened in. He quickly pieced together the story:
A group had gone out to scavenge for food but encountered a Monstrous Beast. Two people died, and one returned severely injured, only to succumb to his wounds after making it back to the community.
The deceased was Guo Da, the same man who had invited Lin Ze to exchange information a few days prior. His death left his wife and children without their pillar of support.
[In this apocalypse, how can a single woman with two kids possibly survive?]
Tragedies like this had become all too common since the Cataclysm began. Deaths during food scavenging trips were routine; sometimes, entire teams were wiped out. The human body was frighteningly fragile in the face of Monstrous Beasts.
“Only martial arts hold the key to resisting these beasts,” Lin Ze murmured, shaking his head as he turned away.
In the kitchen, he prepared a bowl of meat soup, pairing it with a blood pack. After eating, he prepared to continue his training but was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
Frowning, Lin Ze walked to the entrance and opened the door to see Zhuang Rui standing there.
“Brother Lin!”
Zhuang Rui held a bag of rice in one hand and a box of instant noodles in the other. His expression was a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
“What is it?” Lin Ze asked.
Summoning his courage, Zhuang Rui said, “Brother Lin, could you teach me your technique? I’ll trade food for it.”
“Technique?” Lin Ze was momentarily taken aback.
“Yes!” Zhuang Rui’s eyes gleamed with hope. “Your punch yesterday was incredible, better than anything I’ve seen even from the survivors at Manlan Hotel. You must have learned some martial art, right?”
Lin Ze understood the misunderstanding but didn’t bother correcting him. After all, he was indeed training in martial arts now.
“I can teach you, but I don’t need food. Bring me gasoline instead,” Lin Ze replied.
When the Cataclysm struck, many meteor fragments had fallen in Weifeng City, suggesting a significant number of Martial Dao True Steles were scattered throughout the area. As time passed, more survivors would inevitably discover these steles, and True Essence Art would no longer remain rare.
Instead of hoarding it, Lin Ze saw an opportunity to trade it for valuable resources while it still held unique value. Food was useless to him, but gasoline was a different matter.
Besides, he had other considerations that required observation over time.
Overjoyed by Lin Ze’s agreement, Zhuang Rui beamed. “No problem, Brother Lin. Wait here!”
He hurried off, rice and noodles in hand, intending to barter with neighbors for gasoline.
Zhuang Rui’s hesitation about approaching Lin Ze had stemmed from fear, but Guo Da’s death shook him deeply. He didn’t want to become another casualty of the beasts.
[To survive in this apocalyptic world, I must become as strong as Brother Lin!]
Before long, Zhuang Rui returned, panting, with two barrels of gasoline.
“Brother Lin, is this enough?” he asked anxiously.
Lin Ze nodded, handing over a freshly written copy of the True Essence Art and a piece of Blood-Eyed Wolf meat.
“Read the basics before you start practicing. Also, you’ll need Monstrous Beast meat to train effectively. This piece is on the house, but if you want more, bring me more gasoline.”
“Thank you, Brother Lin!” Zhuang Rui left, overjoyed.
After storing the gasoline, Lin Ze resumed his training.
The Cataclysm had devastated humanity but also presented unparalleled opportunities for evolution. Even the foundational True Essence Art, when practiced through a single cycle, could greatly enhance physical attributes. Completing nine cycles would result in a staggering transformation. Martial artists capable of condensing True Qi would transcend human limitations entirely.
The emergence of the Martial Dao True Steles had set humanity on a path of martial evolution. Although this was just the beginning, Lin Ze believed that with time, the era of martial arts would dawn. Humanity might even repel the Monstrous Beasts and bring an end to the apocalypse.
As an immortal Vampire, Lin Ze felt confident he would live to see that day.
Immersed in his training, he stopped only when night fell. Resting briefly and drinking another blood pack to recover, Lin Ze grabbed his Tang Blade and left his home, heading toward the hospital.
This time, he brought along an insulated delivery box he’d scavenged to carry all the frozen blood plasma in one trip.
Nearing the hospital, Lin Ze suddenly heard low growls and chaotic crashing sounds.
[Something’s fighting.]
Lin Ze narrowed his eyes, moving stealthily toward the source of the commotion. It came from the crossroads ahead.
Peering around the corner, he saw two fearsome Monstrous Beasts locked in a ferocious battle under the moonlit sky.