Chapter 6
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: A Transformed Body
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A month had passed since that walk.
In that time, Ruyan had made a full recovery.
His once gaunt frame had changed so dramatically that he could pass for a completely different person.
His height, which had barely topped five feet (150 cm), had surged toward six feet (180 cm) after shedding his bones and exchanging his marrow.
His shoulders weren't overly broad but squared nicely, his jawline and build honed to a sleek edge that gave him an overall sharp aura.
With his fair, supple skin added to the mix, he exuded an air of uncommon refinement at first glance.
'By this world's standards, I guess you'd call me handsome?'
Even after spending over sixty years in the Central Plains, he still fussed over his looks. Human greed truly knew no bounds.
'If only I could get used to these blue eyes.'
His one gripe was those blue eyes—he just couldn't get accustomed to them.
The changes went beyond mere appearance.
Ruyan had made tremendous strides in stamina and strength as well.
He had long surpassed the level of a sturdy adult male, now matching the knights of the Sobles Continent without shame.
An astonishing transformation for just one month.
Yet by Ruyan's standards, it was still far from enough.
'I've only laid the foundations. The road ahead is long.'
Compared to the flawless body of his past life, this was little more than a child's.
Aware of that fact, Ruyan threw himself into rigorous training today as always.
He had climbed the mountain at the crack of dawn, seating himself cross-legged on a broad rock and sinking into his own world.
Circulating his energy.
Even in the chill pre-dawn air, his focus never wavered.
For him, it was more natural than breathing.
Only when the sun rose and the temperature shifted did Ruyan slowly open his eyes.
'This body's surprisingly talented.'
Lately, he had realized this body possessed exceptional aptitude.
Thanks in part to achieving the Heavenly Martial Body, but its meridians were fundamentally solid.
In Central Plains terms, a prodigy who appeared once every decade.
'Makes sense. It endured fifteen years warped by that foul qi.'
He should have recognized its potential sooner.
Without that unique constitution, Ruyan might have become a renowned knight—or followed Blanc into magic.
Either way, for Ruyan, who needed to reclaim his prowess quickly, this sturdy vessel was a stroke of luck.
'Time to head down?'
Finishing his session, Ruyan leaped off the rock and began descending.
'Wonder what I'll catch today.'
Pricking up his ears and focusing, every sound within a 10-meter radius flowed into him.
Rustle.
A faint twig snap stimulated his senses.
Without hesitation, he kicked off the ground and shot toward the source.
The frail boy bedridden until recently was gone.
Thud-thud-thud.
His footsteps rang light, steady, and rhythmic even on the rugged mountain path.
And shockingly fast.
Return Divine Step!
One of the three divine arts that had forged the Divine Bow into the martial world's pinnacle revived in Ruyan's body.
Mobility mattered to everyone, but for an archer, it was paramount. Speed or stability alone made for a half-baked warrior.
Only by shooting accurately at full speed could one stand as a complete fighter.
'In that regard, Return Divine Step is the ultimate lightness skill.'
Among the Central Plains' fastest movement techniques, its true power lay in flawless balance without a hint of disruption.
Even during aggressive maneuvers, it allowed breath control. For an archer, this art was a greater weapon than any bow.
'I'm mimicking it decently, but true mastery is still far off.'
His current speed was already incredible, yet Ruyan was never satisfied.
Above all, lacking a dantian meant constantly drawing on natural energy—a major hurdle.
Unleashing advanced techniques without one wasn't easy, even for the Divine Bow.
As Ruyan closed in, a plump rabbit startled, its eyes bulging wide.
'Thought it was something else, but just a rabbit after all.'
Spotting him late, the rabbit bounded away.
A futile effort. Ruyan wouldn't miss mere prey.
Powering his final step into a leap, he snatched its scruff in one go.
"You're a hefty one. Guess we'll do roast instead of stew today."
The initial confusion stemmed from its size.
Finding such a meaty rabbit was rare—perfect for a whole roast.
'Wonder if Dad likes roast?'
Since recovering, Ruyan handled hunting and meals himself.
Blanc, who had initially objected, now anticipated mealtimes subtly.
Ruyan's decent cooking skills helped, of course.
Returning with the rabbit, Ruyan found Blanc in the yard.
"Dad, why are you out here again?"
"Figured you'd be back soon. I was boiling water."
As Blanc said, Ruyan's routine was clockwork precise.
Predicting it was child's play.
"No need. I planned roast rabbit, not stew."
Ruyan chuckled dryly, showing the rabbit. Blanc clapped in delight.
"Whoa, that big? Roast it is, then. Save the water for a bath."
With his son, Blanc always beamed like a child.
A stark contrast to his former forced cheer.
"Hang on. I'll get food ready quick."
Ruyan skinned and gutted the rabbit, rinsed it clean.
He rubbed spices to kill the gamey smell, chunked the meat, and set it over the firewood.
Skills honed surviving alone in his past life now shone on the Sobles Continent.
'Fire a bit weak?'
A touch of natural energy boosted the flames perfectly.
Whoosh.
The fire roared vigorously.
Channeling a supreme art into a mere meal? If it tasted good, that was enough for Ruyan.
As the rabbit browned, they sat cozily by the fire and ate.
"It's amazing every time. No cooking experience, yet you nail it."
"Must be natural talent. Mom was a great cook, right?"
Ruyan replied casually. Blanc paused, gazing skyward.
But no sorrow—his current happiness was too radiant for that.
"I'll clean up. Change before heading down."
"Why? Something wrong with my outfit?"
"Kids tease you look like a bandit. Dress sharp to shut them up."
"Don't worry. It's just 'cause we live in the hills. They're kids anyway."
"So are you."
'To you, maybe.'
Ruyan pouted briefly but changed without argument.
Handling meals wasn't enough; he took over livelihood too.
'No big deal. Not hard.'
For two weeks, he'd gone to the village in Blanc's stead.
At fifteen, he wasn't a child by Sobles standards.
Squire knights and magic apprentices entered academies at ten, forging their paths.
'Even in the Central Plains, noble heirs gripped swords at three.'
Nothing odd about Ruyan working.
Especially with Blanc still clutching his back in pain.
Dressed neatly, Ruyan emerged to Blanc thrusting a crudely wrapped bread chunk.
"Don't skip meals."
"Worry about yourself. Pace your research, and don't miss any."
"Got it, so quit nagging. You'll age me with that old-soul son of mine."
"Dad, seriously—if you age more, it'll be trouble. Village already calls you Grandpa."
Hit a nerve?
Blanc's eyes turned sad; he sighed deeply and looked away.
"Don't play hurt. It doesn't work. Oh, and I'll be late today."
"Why? Something up?"
"Nothing big. Just saying so you don't worry. Don't wait up."
With that, Ruyan turned and bounded down the mountain.
His pace seemed ordinary at first.
But once out of sight behind the brush, he accelerated explosively.
Thud.
Each step propelled him 10 meters forward.
Over 5 km to the village, yet he arrived in under ten minutes.
At the village edge, he slowed to avoid startling folk and straightened his wind-tossed clothes.
'Quiet as ever today.'
Hatchling Village.
A tiny hamlet of just over a hundred souls.
Tucked at the Sobles Continent's northernmost edge, visitors were rare.
No specialties, most youth gone—practically abandoned.
'Just a small village any way you slice it...'
Yet it had one peculiarity: its name.
Hatchling!
Meaning "young dragon."
Far too grandiose for a rural speck.
More absurd: the founding emperor named it himself.
After unifying the empire, he prophesied a legendary being's birth here—and bestowed the name.
'A mere human foreseeing the future? Laughable. And people actually believe it.'
Having reached the absolute pinnacle, Ruyan knew humanity's limits well.
Even he, who bent nature's forces with will, couldn't glimpse tomorrow.
It lay beyond mortal reach.
Yet the continent's people clung to the prophecy.
'Tch. Even the lord buys that nonsense.'
Despite its sparse population and harsh lands, the village fell under noble domain thanks to that tale.
The lord clearly dreamed of being its hero.
'Not my concern.'
Baseless prophecies and mishaps meant nothing.
For Ruyan, only the present life mattered.