The Lifelong Journey of a Sixteen-Year-Old Martial Genius

"Has my chance really come?"

Zhu Youji looked at the three martial art cards in front of him, his heart filled with a surge of confidence regarding the future breakthrough.

Three full years of time, a total of ten thousand draws!!

Zhu Youji had waited for this moment for far too long!

[Absorption Technique]: A miraculous skill created by Celestial Pond Mysterious Vigilante, capable of absorbing others' inner energy through a unique method, even extracting their essence and spirit. In advanced stages of cultivation, it could revitalize a dragon-shaped statue temporarily, showcasing its incredible versatility.

[Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill]: If Absorption Technique is the epitome of Yin martial arts, then Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill is the most robust Yang technique. This skill cultivates an overbearing, pure, unyielding, and versatile Vajra inner strength. When mastered, it could even transform the practitioner into an invincible entity, impervious to blades and immune to fire and water.

When both skills were cultivated simultaneously, the combination was unparalleled. Internal and external mastery complemented each other, with Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill compensating for Absorption Technique's lack of offensive capabilities and defenses, and vice versa.

Zhu Youji, looking at the three martial art cards before him, felt a great sense of satisfaction.

This feeling was incredible, akin to winning a lottery after purchasing tickets for three years. It was like hitting a jackpot worth billions in one go!

Now that he had drawn the perfect starting point to his satisfaction, it was time for integration.

Zhu Youji's eyes sparkled, a slight smile playing on his lips as he silently thought, "Select [Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill], [Absorption Technique], and [Infernal Three Blades]."

[Reminder: Once talent martial arts are selected, they cannot be changed. Please choose carefully.]

[Starting martial arts selection completed. Confirm the start?]

"Yes!"

Without hesitation, Zhu Youji directly chose to confirm.

No kidding.

If he didn't want this starting point, he probably wouldn't draw anything better in the next three years.

As the three martial art cards shattered, the complex and profound characters of the techniques, the intricacies of their movements, all turned into tiny particles, surging into Zhu Youji's mind. Swordsmanship, inner energy, external techniques... a variety of techniques deeply imprinted in his memory, making them unforgettable.

Profound memories, connecting with the memories in his mind, naturally manifested three completely different internal forces in his dantian.

One was extremely fierce and unstoppable!

One was cold, dark, and mysteriously demonic!

One was extremely cold, vast, and all-encompassing!

In the next moment, the system's notification sound echoed.

[Ding! Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill, fusion complete!]

[Ding! Infernal Three Blades, fusion complete!]

[Ding! Absorption Technique, fusion complete!]

Zhu Youji's aura unconsciously surged. The internal energy from the Brushstroke Technique within his body was directly decomposed, transforming into nourishment for the three types of internal energy. Gradually, these three internal energies swelled, flowing continuously through his meridians.

Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill was an integrated technique, possessing a strong and pure Yang inner strength. Infernal Three Blades was a demonic and sinister blade technique, cultivating this skill gradually introduced evil and eerie true energy into the meridians. Absorption Technique was also a Yin technique, possessing Yin internal strength.

Zhu Youji's expression changed subtly. He calmly observed his surroundings, quickly calming the fluctuation of his aura, and then strode out of the imperial palace.

After reaching adulthood, imperial princes couldn't reside in the imperial palace. Apart from being assigned to be kings in other regions, they typically moved into the estates designated by the imperial family. Only the crown prince could stay in the Eastern Palace, occupying the central position.

In the Fourth Prince's estate, within the main bedroom:

Zhu Youji sat on the bed, cross-legged, eyes closed, continuously adjusting his internal energy. Through controlled breathing, he quickly broke down the internal energy of the Brushstroke Technique, evenly increasing the strength of the three internal energies.

Zhu Youji's facial expressions changed from time to time, sometimes reddish, sometimes pale, sometimes turning blue. The three completely different internal forces within Zhu Youji's body operated peacefully without any conflict.

Obviously, a product of the system is indeed of high quality!

"As expected, just as I thought."

"Directly imparted martial arts are indeed extraordinarily miraculous!"

"There won't be situations where martial arts affect the mind or conflict with each other!"

Zhu Youji slowly opened his eyes. The three types of internal energy within him were completely under his control, flowing smoothly through his eight extraordinary meridians. Everything was in perfect order, without any issues.

Zhu Youji once again opened the personal attributes interface.

[Host: Zhu Youji]

[Identity: The Fourth Prince of the Great Ming Dynasty]

[Martial Arts: Fifth grade Upper]

[Parents: Unknown]

[Martial Techniques: Upper Clear Swordsmanship (Small Achievement), Brushstroke Technique (The Sixth Stage - consumed), Archery (Mastery), Roof Leaping (Mastery), Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill (Mastery), Absorption Technique (Mastery), Infernal Three Blades (Mastery)]

Zhu Youji looked at his data and murmured, "Truly, divine techniques are worthy of being divine. Just by cultivating a few big cycles, I've advanced from the upper level of the fourth grade to the upper level of the fifth grade. Indeed impressive! Although Brushstroke Technique has been consumed, the martial arts within the technique can still be utilized."

With that said, Zhu Youji slightly moved his right hand, conjuring a brush out of thin air. He activated his internal energy and, facing a bronze basin in front of him, pointed backward.

"Boom!"

The bronze basin instantly shattered into pieces, and the broken copper fragments scattered on the ground.

This was the "Brushstroke Technique - Pointing the Pen to Unleash the Blade." It emphasized using the pen tip as the blade, circulating internal energy to pierce surfaces. Its killing power was formidable, and the moves were swift and flexible, making it difficult to defend against.

If a brush could do this, other objects like chopsticks, short knives, hairpins, and similar items could naturally be employed just as skillfully.

"It looks like I need to find a good knife for myself."

"Absorption Technique and Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill are too sensitive. One belongs to the Lord of Dragon Heights, my current imperial brother Zhu Wushi's martial arts, and the other is the ultimate move of Gu Santong, the peerless master who wiped out eight major sects and one hundred and seven law enforcement officers of the Ministry of Punishments twenty years ago by the Tai Lake."

"Although the latter incident was orchestrated by Zhu Wushi, the talent and strength of Gu Santong are unquestionable."

"If these two martial arts were known to others in my hands, I'm afraid the entire martial world would be shaken, right?"

"Compared to that, Infernal Three Blades, as long as I don't use it with full force, the terrifying demonic nature won't be exposed. It should still be considered a formidable blade technique that can be revealed."

Zhu Youji's eyes flickered as he silently contemplated.

Just then, the previously calm system unexpectedly issued another prompt.

"Ding... Initial talent martial arts selection complete. Now starting the first life of cultivation..."

"Cultivation technique confirmation... Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill, Absorption Technique, Infernal Three Blades..."

"Cultivation life initiated..."

...

Upon hearing this prompt, Zhu Youji was momentarily stunned, and a strange thought lingered in his mind.

Damn, I've been fooled!!

The next moment, Zhu Youji's vision went black, and he completely plunged into darkness.

[Age 0: You were born, a boy, and your family is very happy!]

[Age 1: You lived in a wealthy family, rich in both culture and martial arts, laying the foundation for your martial arts practice.]

[Age 2: You fell ill, but you were fortunate to have an effective medicine from a wandering doctor, and you survived.]

...

[Age 8: While playing in the wilderness, you accidentally fell into a cave where you discovered the manuals for Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill, Absorption Technique, and Infernal Three Blades.]

[Age 9: Due to special circumstances, you embarked on the path of martial arts cultivation. You remembered these three special manuals and instinctively felt that this matter couldn't be disclosed to others.]

[Age 10: With your exceptional talent, you coincidentally learned Absorption Technique and used it to absorb the internal energy of a small bandit. Your internal strength improved, marking your first killing.]

[Age 11: Following your master's guidance in practicing blade techniques, you gradually understood Infernal Three Blades. You were infected by inner demons, gradually being controlled by the demonic blade.]

[Age 12: Roaming the martial world, killing without mercy, your terrifying blade technique made you a renowned figure. You learned Vajra Body Defending Divine Skill and possessed the secrets of three divine arts. Finally exposed, this year you were hunted by countless martial artists.]

...

[Age 15: After years of fierce battles, you absorbed countless internal energies, finally reaching the ninth grade. Your demonic nature became heavier, and you killed more people. Eventually, your actions attracted the attention of Grandmasters.]

[Age 16: At the Tai Lake, you dueled with a Grandmaster. In the arrogance of youth, you were eventually controlled by the demonic blade. Unaware, Grandmaster seized the opportunity and killed you at the cost of his left arm.]

"The first life of cultivation is over. Commencing reward settlement..."

In an instant, a myriad of chaotic memories flooded Zhu Youji's mind again- memories of killing, absorbing others' power, and cultivating. In a fleeting moment, Zhu Youji experienced the entire life of a young genius, perhaps a homicidal maniac, but his talent was undoubtedly extraordinary.

From an unknown figure, he leaped to become a supreme expert in the martial world! Finally, with the might of the ninth grade, he forcibly battled a Grandmaster, truly unparalleled!

And all this in just sixteen years of youth!

As memories were implanted, martial arts experiences continuously flowed into Zhu Youji's mind. The three internal energies in his body unconsciously began to circulate, and his cultivation, under the influence of the implanted memories, continued to elevate.

For a moment, Zhu Youji felt as if he had divine assistance, entering a state of marvelous enlightenment.

This state was precisely what martial artists had been pursuing for years- enlightenment on the path of cultivation.