Chapter 2 - Martial art

Ascending into the mountains at the dead of the night would be foolish for an untrained individual but I couldn't care less. Deep within me was terrified and cowering but another was boiling in excitement to fight. My title wasn't for nothing as I've been slaughtering entire battalions when I was around 10. It was the time I was adopted by a mercenary who saw my potential and the person that I look up as my father.

Ah, it makes me nostalgic for the time when I first wielded my halberd to fight in war and conflicts. I shook my head and found the best place to trainy best to regain a small part of my strength. I soon arrived to find a large boulder when I found a way to sit on top of it and saw the beautiful light coming from the city. It appeared to be a festival despite having nothing to celebrate. An amazing world yet even how beautiful it is, I am no fool that it hides conflict and war like my old world. 

I grinned at the possibility of ruling this land and finally had my peace with the woman that I would acquire along the way. My first target was Mia Woo, who every boy in his school was aiming for. Looking back, I can see that she wanted stronger men which is convenient for me. 

'How interesting…I hope there will be interesting things to fight with. For now let's cultivate.'

I muttered under my breath since even though I want to retire doesn't mean I want to slowly lose my touch. It was foolish of me to think that there will be no more things to be a threat to my pieces but now I've realized my mistake. Even if there is no war, one must be prepared.

Firstly I removed my clothes knowing that I could leak out impurities later on and sat in lotus position before scouring my memory to find the cultivation method I've used to circulate the Qi in the surrounding into my body. The method I have is revision of my foster father technique in cultivation. A perfect control over the Yin and Yang before the Five Elements to build the foundation. 

It was called "Chaos Sutra" where it absorbed any type of Qi. This includes the blood and emotion of people. A powerful yet dangerous method that I barely control if not for my women and tenacity. First, I took a deep breath to relax my body and mind to make them into one in order to naturally absorb the surrounding Qi. The Qi is the world itself, the essence of one's being which is why there are types of Qi from death, life, demonic, etc.

The perfect relaxation and clear mind is harder when the method is like a raging beast but the benefit is worth the risk. It would at least make me into a [ First Rate Martial Artist ] in one fell swoop. 

In the world of Murim, Martial Artists are decided into Third, second and First Rate before advancing to something called Peak where you strength could easily lift large rocks and are capable of utilizing their Qi for attack and defense. After that, the Transcendent where humans had surpassed human limits and are individuals are capable of using Force Qi (Weapon Aura) and sensing their surroundings using energy.

Surpassing this level are the "Creation Realm", otherwise called Grandmaster and Superior Master. Masters who are the upper echelon of top forces and are widely known as the 100 strongest in all Murim. They have the Superior Ki Telekenesis which can suppress martial artists that are on a lower level. This is also the level where one would experience Body Reconstruction.

Afterwards the Profound Realm or Translated as Supreme Master.

Those of this level are able to control Air Sword and can replenish their internal energy by absorbing it from the environment

An even stronger level is the Life and Death Realm, otherwise known as Divine Master. The apex realm where only the greatest martial artists in history have achieved. Masters of this level can produce Invisible Swords and are able to float in the sky. To improve in this realm, individuals train to unify and concentrate their energy into one point that can shatter space. When one reaches perfection in their arts, they gain enlightenment on Divine Techniques such as "Invisible Sword" which attacks and destroys the enemy by using fighting energy and strong will.

I was at the peak of this level before my timely demise and was near the edge but halted for peace which was a foolish decision. Regardless, I am the second strongest under "Tian". This shows how powerful of an individual I am but that's all in the past now. My strength is as feeble as an infant. 

Taking deep and meaningful breath to circulate the Qi in the surrounding into my body churning into a strong current of wind swaying the trees and grass while my mind turns serene. Normally, it was poisonous to absorb the Yin Qi of the moon at such a rapid phase but my sutra is capable of removing this negative effect. 

I could feel the impurities pouring out from my skin as it devoured the energy from the world, easily increasing my vitality and lifespans. After a while, my eyes opened to see that the moon had changed its position showing how long I've been cultivating. I Checked my phone nearby and saw that it was near the break of dawn. 

'Let's see how stronger I've become-"

[ Hello Traveller! Congratulations on transmigrating into this world. Hope you're doing well.] 

It was then I heard a voice in my head that caused me to flex and look around to find the sources yet there wasn't anyone close by. I was confused as I swear there was a voice that suddenly spoke and before I could calm down another voice spoke.

[ No need to be alarmed. If I wanted you dead then killing is as easy as breathing but I won't do that. ]

"Who are you? Where are you!?"

[ Apologize, I know there's a lot of things running through your head but I can't answer them all. For starters, call me whatever you like since it doesn't matter. ]

"Then "Strange Voice" are you the one who brought me into this world?"

[ No, it was you who broke through the Divine Realm and became a Heavenly Master fighting those Murim experts that sent your soul into the void where it travelled and reincarnated into this world. You only recently remember because of the strong emotion you've recently acquired and your strength has only fused perfectly with your new body. ]

So that's what it's called? Heavenly Master? How fitting for a power beyond a divine being. Still this doesn't answer who this being I'm talking to or what are their desires are. 

[ Just so you know, I can read your thoughts. Well I'm one who also surprised and ascended but that's not important. The task at hand is what I'm about to tell you. So listen since I'll be going once this is done.]

I think it was important about the part where you ascended but whatever. It's best to listen since I'm curious to hear what the reason is for his talking to a being who ascended above world. 

[ I was tasked to give you a system that monitors your status. This only show your progress and gives a world mission that my master would tell you to do. ]

Great, I am yet again enslaved by someone. It's annoying that I am going to be dog by some kind of powerful being but there's nothing I could do against them.

[ Relax, the mission would give your reward depending on the task. The more difficult the mission is, the better reward you'll acquire. The rewards could be Skills, Power, Money, etc. There's even a reward to become a god but that's another story.]

This is interesting, I would grow and gain power by doing missions? Then it's no different from my old days as lone mercenaries for some time. If I could fight strong individuals since my intuition is telling this world doesn have much then it's good. Perhaps, I could find a way to revive my wives.

[ Oh about your wife? Well their soul also reincarnated into this world with the only difference being that they won't ever gain their memory even if you try. They would have different appearance and personality but would be drawn to you and vice versa. ]

That's amazing news for the first day of transmigrating into this world. The only thing I need to do is feel their presence and can pursue them. For now the best course of action is to gain money and power. 

[ Anyway, that's all I'm going to say besides good luck. I'll probably pop up here and there but don't expect it to be frequent. ]

"I'll keep that in mind."

Soon silence came before another sound but more static comparable to a computer system. It was integrating into my being before a hovering panel appeared before my eyes. 

[ Name: Sung Hyun

Title: Slaughter God, One Man Army,  Second Strongest Martial Artist, Tyrant Lord.

Cultivation rank: First Rate Martial Artist

Cultivation: Chaos Sutra

Martial Skill: Asura Slaughter Fist, Sky Piercer Halberd Technique. 

Mission: None

]