Xiao Shao walked out of the narrow alley with steady steps. The night air was cool, but inside him, his blood was boiling. The short battle just now proved something he had always believed—even without qi or mystical techniques, he could still become strong.
He remembered the sensation of fighting. His body movements felt natural, his reflexes were fast, and his mind was clear. It wasn't just a coincidence. Perhaps his new body had far greater potential than his old one. Or perhaps, this was the result of the training he had been undergoing all this time.
In any case, this was just the beginning.
---
The next morning, Xiao Shao woke up early and immediately began his new routine. He went to the city park, found a quiet place, and began doing basic exercises.
Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, running—he did them all non-stop. Every drop of sweat that rolled down his body was proof that he was getting stronger. There was no qi, no special techniques, just his own body slowly growing.
After an hour of intense training, he sat on a park bench and closed his eyes, trying to understand his body more deeply. He regulated his breathing, feeling every flow of blood, every heartbeat, every muscle contraction.
"There's something here..." he thought.
He didn't know what it was, but there was a feeling that he could push his body further, beyond the normal limits of humans. If this world didn't have qi, then he had to find another power hidden within himself.
---
After a few days of training routines, Xiao Shao began to look for ways to improve his abilities faster. He read books on human anatomy, martial arts, and fighting strategies.
In a world without cultivation, martial arts were the best way to survive and thrive.
He found a small dojo in a corner of the city, a traditional martial arts training place that still survived the progress of the times. Without hesitation, he entered and registered.
The dojo was led by a middle-aged man named Master Wu, a former fighter who now taught martial arts to those who wanted to learn. Master Wu stared at Xiao Shao with sharp eyes as the young man introduced himself.
"You want to learn martial arts? What's your reason?" Master Wu asked.
Xiao Shao did not hesitate to answer, "I want to become strong."
Master Wu smiled faintly, then nodded. "Okay. But remember, martial arts is not just about strength. It's about self-control, discipline, and honor. If you only want to fight for your ego, you better leave."
Xiao Shao looked directly into Master Wu's eyes and said, "I want to master my body completely. I want to find the highest limit that humans can reach."
Master Wu stared at him for a few seconds before finally sighing. "Okay. You can start training tomorrow."
---
The first day at the dojo was not easy. Xiao Shao had to start from the basics—stances, punches, kicks, and balance. There were no spectacular techniques or cool-looking moves, just the basics that had to be mastered perfectly.
However, Xiao Shao did not complain. He absorbed every lesson like a sponge, understanding every move and applying it with great discipline.
Practice after practice, his body began to adapt. His punches became stronger, his movements became faster, and his reflexes became sharper.
Master Wu watched him from a distance, his eyes showing a hint of admiration. "This kid… he's different," he murmured.
Meanwhile, Xiao Shao continued to move forward. He knew that this was only the beginning of his long journey. He didn't know how far he could go, but one thing was for sure—he wouldn't stop until he reached the top.
And in this world, he would prove that humans could be more than just humans.