Lily ?

In the course of a full day, Sam embarked on a relentless journey, traversing two illustrious auction houses, a bustling trade fair, and no fewer than five treasure trading pavilions, all endorsed by respected families. 

Yet, despite his persistent efforts, he remained disheartened, for he had not found a single buyer for his prized possessions.

Upon his return to the Great Clarity Pavilion, a sigh escaped Sam's lips. 

Never had he anticipated that selling his meticulously crafted inscriptions would prove to be such an arduous task. 

However, Sam was not one to be easily deterred. The contemptuous taunts and jeers he had endured paled in comparison to the excruciating hardships he had endured on his martial arts journey. 

Whether it was Max's taunting remarks about his humble background, his lower cultivation, or any other form of ridicule, none could sway Sam's unwavering devotion to the path of martial arts.

With a solemn demeanor, he carefully stowed away the symbol papers and began to immerse himself in the intricate practice of the 'True Primal Chaos Formula.' 

Despite dedicating significant time to inscriptions throughout the month, Sam still managed to allocate precious moments to his martial arts training. 

Through sheer determination, he had already mastered the entire first level of the 'True Primal Chaos Formula,' while his martial cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the first stage of body transformation.

His physical strength, equivalent to nine stone weights, enabled him to shatter Iron Wood with his bare fists, a testament to his proficiency in strength training.

  Nine stones equated to a formidable 900 spirits, marking the peak of the first stage of body transformation. Yet, Sam's actual strength surpassed a thousand spirits due to the influence of the 'Chaotic Virtues Combat Meridians,' and his strength continued to grow daily. Strangely, he remained stuck at the first stage of body transformation.

As he channeled his soul force with the 'True Primal Chaos Formula,' Sam shifted his focus to his understanding of bones. 

His skill in deboning had reached an astonishing level of precision and speed, rendering even second-level vicious beasts inadequate for his practice. 

Sadly, level three vicious beasts were a rare sight even at the Great Clarity Pavilion. 

Sam yearned to practice on these elusive creatures but was consistently thwarted in his efforts. In a moment of inspiration, he decided to employ an unconventional method, using the blunt edge of a knife for deboning.

Ordinarily, individuals engaged in deboning would utilize the sharpest tools available, such as knives or axes. 

Typically, it took an entire day to fully debone a second-level vicious beast. Sam, however, opted for an unorthodox approach, employing the knife's thick back for the task. Each inch of progress demanded herculean effort and strength, as if he were cutting into solid rock.

This relentless pursuit forced Sam to push his physical limits while honing his technique. 

What once took longer than enjoying a bowl of rice now required a mere two hours, albeit drenching him in sweat. 

Fortunately, the results remained outstanding, with him neatly carving off meat slabs as he had always done. If the Great Clarity Pavilion were aware that Sam was using the knife's back to complete this task, they would not only send him to the nearest hospital but also consider checking themselves in!

After a night of intense practice, Sam found himself utterly drained. His earlier concerns regarding inscription matters had faded into the background as exhaustion claimed him, leading him into a deep slumber..

The new day dawned, rousing Sam from his peaceful rest. Before daybreak, he journeyed to his secluded haven in the Calin Mountains, embarking on rigorous martial arts practice. 

Strike after strike, the sun gradually ascended into the sky. At that moment, a young boy approached from the clearing, his tall and robust figure clothed in pristine white attire.

"Brother Sam, why did you inquire yesterday about where to sell inscription symbols? Did you truly manage to craft some?" The inquisitive youth was none other than Alex, who had innocently provided answers to Sam's queries the day before. 

However, upon further reflection, he couldn't fathom how Sam could have completed any inscriptions.

Sam offered a warm smile and nodded affirmatively. "Indeed, I have completed some."

A hint of concern crept into Alex's eyes as he continued, "Did you attempt to sell them?"

Sam chuckled and responded, "Yes, I did try, but I didn't succeed."

Alex had expected this outcome. The merchants were no fools; they wouldn't waste their valuable resources on what appeared to be subpar or unfinished products. 

Sam's appearance, as a relatively young and inexperienced artisan, only exacerbated their skepticism.

Sam reassured his worried friend, "Don't worry  Alex. I did manage to finish these inscription symbols. I'm no swindler, and I didn't get into any trouble."

Relieved but still slightly concerned about the investment of several hundred gold  that might have gone to waste, Alex remained uneasy. He recognized the potential within Sam and believed he could break through the Pulse Condensation Stage with his talent and determination. 

Thus, he tried a more persuasive approach. "Brother Sam, your talent and hard work will undoubtedly lead you to the Pulse Condensation Stage sooner or later. Why bother with this?"

Sam smiled appreciatively but stayed firm. "Alex, head back for now. I have some matters to attend to."

"Matters? Brother Sam, you're not thinking of selling those symbol papers, are you?"

Sam laughed heartily and patted Alex on the shoulder. "Don't worry too much. I know what I'm doing."

With that, Sam walked away, disappearing into the distance, leaving Alex with his thoughts and concerns.

Starlight Haven City boasted a plethora of shops, yet only a select few held the qualifications to sell inscription symbols, numbering fewer than thirty, including auction houses and trade fairs. 

Sam had already visited most of these establishments, encountering rejection at every turn. Being only an apprentice, he faced an uphill battle, as few were willing to entrust their valuable weapons to such an unproven artisan.

Undeterred by these setbacks, Sam remained resolute, knowing that with time, his efforts would bear fruit.

"You want to consign this inscription to us for sale? Are you joking, little boy? It's quite audacious for someone so young to engage in such dishonest dealings. This simply cannot be sold. Move along; you're blocking the way," 

scoffed the storekeeper of the Hundred Treasure Hall, waving him away dismissively. Private shopkeepers often displayed less professionalism than established auction houses, and Sam paid little heed to their rudeness.

However, as Sam turned to leave, a familiar face caught his eye, one he had mixed feelings about encountering.

Not far from him stood two young women in light yellow dresses. One of them was the same person who had missed their previous rendezvous a few months ago, Lily, who had accompanied Max to the Seven Profound Martial House.

Lily had arrived only moments earlier and observed Sam's exchange with the storekeeper. Her delicate features contorted with concern as she noticed the four shabby symbol papers clutched in his hand. 

She couldn't fathom the connection between those esteemed inscriptions and the rough papers held by Sam. Assuming that he was involved in reselling subpar goods, a practice yielding meager profits and low esteem, she sighed inwardly.

She contemplated offering words of encouragement or consolation but hesitated, fearing that her well-intentioned remarks might inadvertently wound Sam's pride. She found herself trapped in a delicate predicament.

The storekeeper, having noticed Lily's presence, instantly transformed his demeanor, his face lighting up with a welcoming smile. He greeted her with enthusiasm, inquiring about her recent purchase of a sword and  Max's absence.

Lily's unease grew as she attempted to respond to the storekeeper's questions, especially the one about Max. She struggled to find the words to convey that nothing had transpired between her and Max, but she remained silent, her complexion paling with anxiety.

She felt trapped between her aspirations and the impending reality of her marriage into the Max Family. Despite her distaste for Max, she had reluctantly chosen a path that betrayed her true desires.

After an uncomfortable exchange with the storekeeper, Lily finally mustered the courage to address Sam softly, "It's been a while... How have you been?"

"Alright," Sam replied calmly, putting the past behind him. He had no desire to dwell on those matters.

Lily could not help but feel the weight of Sam's struggles, but she understood his indomitable spirit. 

Nevertheless, she felt compelled to offer a word of caution, "I understand your determination, but cultivating martial arts can be perilous for the body. If you lack the means to procure medicine, you risk permanent disability... The money you earn from reselling minor goods won't suffice to support your martial arts journey. I don't want to envision a future where you can do nothing but lie in bed due to injuries."

Sam smiled softly and responded, "Thank you for your concern, but I won't give up. I'll never give up."

Pointing to the fiery image on one of the symbol papers, he continued, 

"The path of a martial artist is like this flame. It brings pain and is fraught with danger. Countless obstacles lie ahead, and every practitioner faces the inevitable end of turning to ashes. Yet, a true martial artist is reborn from those ashes. Even if I were once a feeble moth, I would willingly plunge into the flames without hesitation. I will defy fate for that one-in-a-million chance to experience my own rebirth as a flaming phoenix. Even now, I am no longer a mere moth..."

Sam stashed the symbol documents and left with a peaceful smile, leaving behind an awful silhouette—a solitary man, determined and unyielding.

Sam left the Hundred Treasure Hall, akin to a moth drawn to the flame of his martial aspirations. This was the essence of his martial journey, his unwavering path. He would persist until the day he achieved nirvana, soaring high into the skies.