Chapter 1: The Inheritance of Symbols and Martial Arts (Part 1)

There were about a dozen people at the entrance, ranging from children aged eight or nine to strong men in their thirties. All of them were naked and waiting outside. Among them were two women, also completely naked, looking calm and composed.

Guo Shier, due to habits formed in his past life, disliked being naked in front of others. He was surprised to find that entering the Path of Symbols and Martial Arts required him to strip completely, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

Hearing Guo Shier’s cry of shock, Monier quickly asked, “Baby, what’s wrong?”

Guo Shier replied with a wry smile, “I have to strip completely?”

Monier wondered, “Of course! Otherwise, how can the symbols be applied? Huh… Baby, are you shy? Haha, hahaha… Our baby is actually shy… This is hilarious… Haha…”

Kumu gave Guo Shier a strange look and said indifferently, “This is an inheritance, a way to temper the body. What’s there to be shy about? It’s nonsense! What’s going on in your little head?”

Guo Shier’s face turned red. He kept telling himself, “I’m a child! I’m just a kid… I haven’t even grown all my hair yet… I’m not an adult, I’m a child…”

Monier asked, “Baby, what are you mumbling about?”

Guo Shier shook his head repeatedly and said, “I’m not saying anything.”

Monier said, “Alright, go to the entrance. I’ll go find someone to register you. Xiao Ying, you go too.”

Ying Mo was frustrated, thinking, “Xiao Ying? I’m so old that I can barely pinch myself, yet they still call me Xiao Ying…” He replied with a wry smile, went to the entrance, and immediately started removing his clothes. The symbols on his body were extremely complex, very different from those of local Symbol and Martial Arts practitioners, clearly indicating he was an outsider.

Guo Shier had no choice. At this point, he had to adapt to local customs. Fortunately, since he still had a child’s body, he also stripped completely and stood among the crowd, waiting to enter.

A disciple in silver-white robes from the inner sect said, “Enter one by one in order. Before going in, each person will receive a symbol from me. If you can’t hold on, crush the symbol, and you’ll be sent out. Alright, let’s begin.”

Everyone who passed by him received a symbol. Not far away, Monier shouted, “Baby, keep going!”

Hearing this, Guo Shier felt warm inside. Monier truly treated him as her own child. This selfless care helped him gradually integrate into his master’s family.

Holding the symbol he had received, Guo Shier carefully stepped onto the Path of Symbols and Martial Arts.

The situation inside was similar to that of the Fumu Misty Path—no view of the outside, no sight of others, just utter darkness all around. There were also signs indicating the way forward. After taking a few steps, Guo Shier was surprised to find that he didn’t feel any reaction at all. Did it mean he lacked the potential for martial arts cultivation, so he couldn’t reap any benefits? Guo Shier had once asked Kuumu and learned that he was capable of body cultivation. He took a few more steps when suddenly, two blood-red talismans shot toward him. With a loud “thud,” they struck his chest, causing him to cry out in pain. Yet this also dispelled his worries about his inability to engage in body cultivation. Upon closer inspection of his chest, Guo Shier saw a small red mark, about the size of a fingernail—a talisman for body cultivation. He continued moving forward when suddenly two more blood-red talismans came at him, this time targeting his arms. Another wave of intense pain hit him, as if his skin were being seared with tongs. Monier watched Guo Shier worriedly and said, “You stubborn fool! Can my darling hold on? It hurts so much…” Kuumu replied calmly, “If he can persevere, he’ll gain great benefits. I believe Shier can make it.” Monier shook her head slightly. She had experienced this once when she was young and could only last less than a hundred meters before breaking the talisman and giving it up. She never tried again—it was simply too painful. As a delicate young lady, how could she endure such suffering? So she understood well the pain of body cultivation and was worried that Guo Shier wouldn’t be able to hold on. After entering the Fumu Misty Path, Eagle Demon strode forward, with blood-red talismans constantly striking him. He hardly felt any pain. Once in the second circle, the talismans became more frequent, striking him with crackling sounds, and only then did he find it somewhat interesting. His speed gradually slowed down because the faster he moved, the more talismans were generated, causing greater pain. Soon, Eagle Demon reached the third circle. His speed became extremely slow; he almost stopped after each step. At this point, the pain from the talismans was extremely intense. It wasn’t surprising that Eagle Demon could reach the third circle—he was indeed a genuine junior grand martial artist. But Guo Shier was pitiable; after only a few hundred meters, the talismans already left him dizzy. Guo Shier possessed an indescribable determination. Gritting his teeth, he kept moving forward, though his speed was now barely faster than that of a turtle. With each step, he roared. Relying on his strong will, he had already covered most of the circle. There was no knowing how long the path ahead was; those in the Misty Path could never tell where they were.

Withered Wood said, “Twelve is still too young. To be able to make half a circle… that’s already amazing. Many children with potential in martial arts and talismans can only do this much on their first attempt.”
Monier was extremely nervous. She didn’t respond either, her breathing becoming heavy.
Guo Shier still moved forward slowly but steadily. Every step was difficult and extremely painful. The blood-red talisman patterns hitting his body felt like being struck by hammers, causing severe pain throughout his bones. He kept telling himself, “Hold on! Persistence is victory! As long as I don’t die, I’ll keep going.”
Constantly, some people couldn’t bear it, crushed the talismans in their hands, and were instantly transported outside. As soon as a few left, others rushed in to take their place.
Relying on his unyielding will, Guo Shier was almost at the end of the first circle. Even among children with potential in martial arts and talismans, few could reach this point on their first attempt. Withered Wood didn’t know what to say—this child had managed to persevere for so long, which he hadn’t expected.
Monier covered her mouth in surprise. She couldn’t understand—didn’t this child feel pain? She had experienced physical training before, and it was agony beyond description; it was nearly impossible to endure.
Eagle Demon was also holding on. His perseverance was far stronger than that of the local martial artists and talisman users. With such a great opportunity, how could he stop? He had reached the middle circle and was still moving forward slowly.
Guo Shier’s legs trembled like a sieve. He moved forward almost numbly, with his whole body shaking violently with each step. Now, each step triggered dozens of blood-red physical training talisman patterns. He had the illusion that his body was like a sieve, riddled with holes from those patterns. He took a deep breath and stepped forward firmly again.
Ah! A roar. Guo Shier realized his once-clear childlike voice was now completely hoarse.
He tried to steady himself and endure another barrage of dozens of blood-red talisman patterns. He knew that if he collapsed from exhaustion, he wouldn’t have the strength to get up again.
He took another trembling step. It was so heavy, but it brought him into the second circle. Hundreds of blood-red talisman patterns flew at him, striking his body violently. He could no longer hold on and slowly sat down.
Monier screamed, “He’s in the second circle! My baby’s in the second circle!”
Withered Wood could only say, “Amazing!”
Eagle Demon also made it to the end of the third circle. He was almost at his limit too. The onslaught of thousands of blood-red talisman patterns caused him immense pain.

Forcing himself to walk here, he had already risen to the rank of Advanced Grand Symbol Warrior, barely missing the level of Symbol Warrior Madmaster. In the last few dozen steps, he could no longer move forward and slowly sat down. He was very satisfied that he had advanced two levels on his first attempt. Unlike Guo Shier, he knew exactly how much stronger he had become.

Guo Shier had reached the rank of Junior Symbol Warrior, but he still needed to keep learning and training to turn his rapidly growing potential into actual strength.

The pain in Guo Shier’s body gradually subsided. He knew he could not go any further, so he casually crushed the symbol, and an invisible force immediately sent him out of the Symbol Warrior Illusion Path.

Kumu took a thick robe and wrapped Guo Shier in it. Monier stepped forward quickly, picked up Guo Shier, and said, “Baby, you’re so amazing! Hehe, does it still hurt?”

Guo Shier’s whole body was swollen, covered in light red symbol patterns. His hands also had countless small symbol patterns. He said, “Masteress, it’s already much better…” His voice was completely hoarse.

Monier said worriedly, “I prepared a spiritual liquid at home to reduce swelling. Just soak in it and it will be fine.”

At that moment, Eagle Demon was also transported out. Having no one to help him, he had to find clothes to put on by himself. He was already accustomed to using symbol patterns to strengthen his body, but the new potential he had acquired still needed training to be transformed into actual strength. Unhurried, he finished getting dressed and went over to Guo Shier, asking, “How is Shier?”

Guo Shier replied in a hoarse voice, “I finally made it through.”

Kumu said, “It’s well worth it. Reaching the level of Junior Symbol Warrior is a huge achievement.”

Eagle Demon was shocked and asked, “Junior Symbol Warrior?” He inwardly sighed—this Symbol Warrior Illusion Path was truly amazing. Any sect that possessed it would surely gain extraordinary strength.

Kumu said, “Yes, Junior Symbol Warrior! But it still takes a few years of training and absorption to truly reach that level. As long as one isn’t stupid or lazy, they will definitely be able to advance to Junior Symbol Warrior.”

Only then did Guo Shier realize that even if he reached the second circle, it didn’t mean he had advanced to Junior Symbol Warrior. He still needed some time to train and learn before he could truly become one. Only then could he enter the Symbol Warrior Illusion Path again.