Chapter 1: Dao Fruit: Seventy-two Transformations

Great Yu, Yanqing Prefecture.

Under Black Wind Mountain, in a dilapidated tiled house.

“Shanyang County, Baishui Village, a single heir for three generations, dependent on his Grandma…”

Liu Sheng huddled on the cold, hard bed, trying to digest the large chunk of memories that had suddenly appeared in his mind, feeling parched and as if his body had been drained of all energy.

The intense pain emanating from his chest, arms, and thighs made him gasp for air.

He looked down to see that these wounds were open, with crisscrossing patterns and protruding scars, clearly caused by a soft whip.

Although some herbal medicine had been applied, some areas were already festering and emitting a foul odor.

“The wounds became inflamed and infected, and the original body suffered from a high fever for several days, couldn’t hold on, and died…”

Liu Sheng struggled to sit up, carefully inspected himself, and his expression turned grim.

A few days ago, the newly appointed county magistrate announced that the imperial court was implementing new policies, ordering a survey of land owned by every household in the county. As a result, bailiffs spread out, causing chaos and widespread complaints throughout Shanyang County.

Baishui Village, though far from the county seat, did not escape.

The original owner’s family had three mu of meager land, but after being measured by the corrupt officials, only sixty percent remained. The rest was deemed “hidden land,” either requiring a “supplementary deed” and tax payment or confiscation.

The original owner, having studied at a private school for several years, argued logically, but was made an example of by the corrupt officials and whipped on the spot until his skin was torn.

In the end, his Grandma knelt and kowtowed, and also sold the remaining two mu of meager land at a low price to Tong Yuanwai, a prominent household in the village, before those corrupt officials finally stopped.

Afterward, the original owner’s injuries were too severe. Even though his Grandma spent all the money from selling the land to hire a doctor for treatment, he still couldn’t make it through.

“The powerful households’ land is returned in full, while the common people’s land is divided three-to-seven! Exorbitant taxes and levies, treating the common people like grass—this Great Yu Dynasty… I fear it’s nearing its end.”

After Liu Sheng finished digesting the memories in his mind, the pain in his body intensified.

Especially when he thought of the two corrupt officials, dressed in black, wielding their whips and acting arrogantly, he felt even more stifled.

Cheating, extorting, and lawless!

“Cough, cough…”

He was so choked with anger that he couldn’t help but cough a few times, which aggravated his injuries, making him gasp in pain.

“My dear grandson, you’re awake…”

The curtain was pulled aside, and an old woman stumbled in.

Her hair was white, her teeth were missing, her face was covered in wrinkles, and she was so thin it seemed a gust of wind could blow her away.

Seeing Liu Sheng, old tears streamed down her face, and she choked out:

“It’s good you’re awake, it’s good you’re awake. Don’t do anything foolish again. If the land is gone, it’s gone. As long as you’re alive, that’s what matters…”

“Understood.”

Liu Sheng listened to her nagging for a while, then lowered his head and imitated the original owner’s tone, saying:

“Do you have anything to eat? I’m so hungry.”

“Yes, yes, yes, you sit for a moment, I’ll go make it for you.”

Liu Apo wiped away a tear, turned and went out, muttering softly with joy:

“It’s good that he wants to eat. He’s made it through this ordeal…”

Soon, a bowl of thick porridge was brought over, with a few pieces of diced meat floating on top, exuding a fragrant aroma.

“Gurgle~”

Liu Sheng licked the corner of his mouth, his saliva gushing, and his stomach rumbled “gugu.”

“Eat it while it’s hot.”

“What about you?”

“Grandma has eaten, you go ahead and eat.”

Liu Apo quietly pressed her stomach, smiling as she watched Liu Sheng.

Liu Sheng was silent for a moment, then lowered his head and ate heartily.

He guessed that Liu Apo was lying, but what could he do?

The most urgent matter at hand was to quickly recover his body and then work hard to earn money to support the family.

Now that they had lost their land, the family’s source of income was cut off, and even this year’s grain tax was a problem.

Once they fell into arrears, they might be conscripted to the border to fight against the Northern Barbarians.

However, the original owner only knew how to farm, and now that he had lost his land, how would he earn money? Would he become a tenant farmer?

The lowest rent in the village was fifty percent, and the land of Tong Yuanwai’s family had a rent as high as sixty-five percent!

After deducting the rent and paying taxes, less than ten percent would be left, and the family would only be able to drink porridge.

But besides that, what else could he do?

Liu Sheng sighed in his heart, ate the meat porridge in the bowl completely, and only then did he feel alive, and even the pain in his body lessened considerably.

“My dear grandson…”

Liu Apo took the empty bowl, stammering:

“Let this matter pass, don’t think about it anymore… okay? We mud-legged commoners can’t afford to offend those noble officials in the city…”

She knew her grandson had attended private school for a few months and had some of the arrogance of a scholar, fearing that he might not know his place and cause more trouble.

Now, their family was at its wit’s end and could not endure any more turmoil.

Neither those two corrupt officials nor Tong Yuanwai’s family at the east end of the village were people their grandparents and grandson could afford to provoke.

Liu Sheng looked at the haggard Liu Apo, lowered his gaze, and nodded:

“I won’t think about it anymore, let it be in the past. From now on, I’ll live honestly.”

Otherwise, what else could he do? Go and throw his life away?

Even though he knew that Tong Yuanwai had colluded with the corrupt officials to seize and annex his family’s land, he had to pretend not to know.

Otherwise, these powerful families and corrupt officials had many ways to make ordinary commoners like them wish they were dead.

He could only endure it for now.

The lowest class of society, in any era, is always trampled upon.

However, this debt, every stroke and line, was carved into his heart.

Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to the west of the river; one day, it would all be repaid with interest.

“That’s the right way to think, that Tong Bapi is not to be trifled with.”

Just then, a rough voice came, followed by a tall hunter walking in.

He handed over a few chirping Sparrows he was carrying:

“Liu Apo, I caught a few Sparrows. Make them for Asheng to eat, to nourish his body.”

“Stone, you’re here…”

Liu Apo took the Sparrows, expressed her gratitude with a few words, and then went out.

“Stone Ge.”

Liu Sheng recognized the newcomer and got up to greet him.

The newcomer was Zhao Lei, the hunter from next door, skilled in hunting and grateful for past kindnesses.

He remembered the favors he had received years ago and would send some game to the Liu family grandparents and grandson every now and then.

The two families had a close relationship.

After the original owner was knocked unconscious by the corrupt officials, it was Zhao Lei who carried him all the way back and helped him find a doctor.

Zhao Lei sat down with a thud and explained:

“Tong Bapi’s youngest son recently became an official Martial Artist, caught the eye of a noble, and is now serving as an attendant to the county magistrate’s Young Master. He’s very Divine Qi, we can’t afford to provoke him.”

An official Martial Artist is a Martial Artist whose cultivation has reached the second realm of martial arts, the Essence Realm!

Liu Sheng’s eyes flickered a few times, and he became alert.

For some unknown reason, in recent years, stories of wild beasts becoming Spirit Monsters and demons eating people, which were previously only legends, have sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

Shanyang County has had several such cases in the past year or two.

And the only ones who can deal with these Spirit Monsters and demons are Martial Artists, which is why their social status is extremely high.

The most realistic path for common people at the bottom to cross social strata is to practice martial arts.

As long as one achieves something and becomes an official Martial Artist, they can change their family lineage, have their name recorded in the martial arts registry, and from then on, they do not need to bow to officials or pay taxes.

They belong to the privileged ruling class.

No wonder Tong Bapi was somewhat reckless this time; it turned out his youngest son had become an official Martial Artist and was favored by a noble, no wonder he was so confident.

“Alright, don’t think about what’s past. Life must move forward. When your injuries heal, if you don’t want to lease land, then come hunting with me in the mountains.”

Zhao Lei gave a few instructions and left in a hurry; he still had a child to support at home, and the pressure was considerable.

Tong Bapi’s son had become a second-realm Essence Tempering Martial Master and also served as an attendant to the county magistrate’s Young Master, which undoubtedly increased the difficulty of revenge by several times!

Liu Sheng felt even more stifled and uncomfortable in his chest. He got up and went outside for some fresh air.

He saw Liu Apo in the courtyard, shuffling towards the tree, preparing to butcher the Sparrows.

“Grandma, let me help you.”

Liu Sheng quickly stepped forward, grabbed a Sparrow by its wing, plucked the down from its neck, and took the small knife to slit its throat.

As drops of blood fell, the Sparrow’s claws twitched twice, then it stiffened and became still.

Just then, a grey glow actually rose from the Sparrow’s corpse, vaguely resembling a miniature Sparrow.

In an instant, it was as if a morning bell and evening drum echoed in his ears. Water-ink light and shadows floated before his eyes, finally condensing into a few lines of small text—

【Name】: Liu Sheng

【Dao Fruit】: Seventy-Two Transformations

【Talent】: None

【Cultivation】: None

【Incarnation】: None

【Spiritual Essence】: 0

【Detected Sparrow spirit * 1, do you want to activate “Sparrow Transformation”?】

“This is… my cheat?!”

Liu Sheng took a deep breath, repeatedly confirming it wasn’t an illusion, then turned to look at Liu Apo, seeing that she was completely unaware, and his heart stirred:

“Activate!”