His focus locked entirely onto the ring adorning his finger, Ye Wen quickly stumbled upon a far more critical issue: he had no idea how to use Nei Li (Internal Energy)! He wasn't even certain if his current body possessed any Nei Li at all.

After all, the theory that the ring absorbed internal energy was merely his own speculation—it might be entirely wrong. “Damn it, what was the trigger just now?” Carefully retracing the moment he’d successfully ‘summoned’ that martial arts manual, Ye Wen tried desperately to replicate everything he had just done.

“Clenching my fist hard?” After a moment of intense concentration, Ye Wen recalled that it was the instant he forcefully clenched his left fist that the ring, through the point of contact, suddenly siphoned something away, and then the sword technique manual had simply appeared before him. Focusing all his attention on his left fist, Ye Wen began to squeeze, pouring every ounce of strength he could muster into the motion, yet the ring remained utterly unresponsive.

Finally, his left hand grew so stiff and sore that he couldn't hold the tension any longer, and the ‘summoning’ failed to repeat, leaving Ye Wen thoroughly dejected. Yet, this persistent failure only ignited Ye Wen’s stubborn streak.

Having always been obstinate since childhood, Ye Wen possessed that characteristic ‘never turn back until hitting a wall, and even then, keep pushing through’ tenacity. Thus, he didn't give up; instead, he removed the ring from his aching left hand and slipped it onto the index finger of his right hand, which showed no ill effects.

Then he resumed the ‘foolish’ routine that felt like a contest of wills against himself… Indeed, any observer walking in on him at that moment would hardly consider his actions clever; ‘foolish’ was probably the kindest adjective they could muster. The night slowly wore on, and Ye Wen, still sparring silently with his own fist on his cot, drifted unconsciously into sleep.

His physical condition was far from ideal. The energy he exhibited upon waking after his severe injury stemmed partly from lingering anxiety about his new surroundings after the transmigration, and partly from the sheer excitement of having such a legendary event happen to him.

Now that he was relatively certain of his immediate safety, and the initial surge of adrenaline had passed, he finally let go and sank into a deep slumber. He slept straight through until the next afternoon, only rousing because hunger finally gnawed at him.

He hadn't taken a single drop of water during his two days of unconsciousness, and yesterday, one unexpected event after another had made him forget to eat; otherwise, he might have slept straight through until evening. Opening his eyes, the first thing Ye Wen saw was a large bowl sitting on the table.

Leaning up, he could make out that it contained plain rice porridge. Though it looked utterly bland and lacked any hint of oil or savoriness, for the ravenous Ye Wen, this bowl of porridge was nearly as potent as the finest delicacies.

He scrambled off the cot, rubbing his still-tender chest, and walked over, downing the entire bowl of porridge in three quick gulps. With something substantial in his belly, he immediately felt a significant improvement, and his mind began to function normally again.

“This porridge is almost cold; it must have been sitting here for a while!” He was now fairly certain of the season—if it wasn’t the very start of summer, summer certainly hadn't departed yet. The room temperature wasn't low, meaning a bowl of hot porridge left sitting would have cooled considerably.

“It seems my cheap junior sister truly doesn't care much for me. Drops off a bowl of porridge and then leaves… perhaps she wouldn't even notice if I died in this room immediately!” Muttering these complaints, Ye Wen quickly realized he had no real grounds for grievance.

Since he had already decided to treat the other person as a stranger, he couldn't demand preferential treatment. “Never mind!

At least she gave me a bowl of porridge!” Thinking that way brought a measure of peace, but his weakened body prevented any activity, making him desperately bored. After sitting a while, he unconsciously formed his fingers into a sword shape and began practicing the Duoming Lianhuan San Xian Jian (Deadly Chain Three Immortals Sword) that he had just memorized the previous night, terrified he might forget it entirely if too much time passed.

Practicing back and forth over ten times, he gradually gained a feel for the sword technique. Ye Wen even sensed a warm current beginning to circulate continuously within his arm as he repeated the movements.

That sensation, like water flowing inside his limb, felt strangely comfortable, and the faint warmth caused a slight sheen of sweat to break out on his forehead. Closing his eyes to better savor the circulation of the warm current in his arm, Ye Wen suddenly snapped his eyes open not long after.

He stared in stunned amazement at his right hand. More accurately, he was staring at the ring of unknown material on the index finger of his right hand.

“Was that an illusion?” He murmured under his breath, then closed his eyes again, carefully reviewing everything that had just transpired. Finally, he confirmed with certainty that the sound he had heard was not imagined.

“The summoning ability has been used once this month and cannot be used again!” He opened his eyes again and then decisively flung out his left hand. “Nice!” Just then, his cheap junior sister walked in.

Dressed in fitted martial attire, she carried a treasured sword, and the glistening sweat on her brow indicated this young heroine had likely just finished training. Startled by her senior brother’s sudden exclamation upon opening the door, she quickly composed herself, frowned, and offered a greeting: “Martial Brother Sect Leader is awake?

How do you feel?” She then glanced at the empty bowl on the table. Seeing that her senior brother appeared relatively spirited, she drew a conclusion: “It seems Martial Brother has recovered well.

In that case, we don't need to stay here any longer.” “Huh? Why?” Ye Wen was about to ask where they would go if not here, but immediately noticed Ning Ruxue’s tightly furrowed brow, which hadn't relaxed.

In an instant, he guessed that his junior sister was nearly out of money. Even if he hadn't recovered, they would likely have to drag his injured body out of this place regardless.

Understanding this, he stopped questioning why they shouldn't stay and instead inquired when she planned their departure. “Tomorrow morning.

It’s already quite late today!” Ning Ruxue knew it was too late to leave that day; even if they gave up the rented room, finding suitable lodging on short notice would be difficult. That scenario risked sleeping rough, perhaps even in the wilderness.

For martial wanderers, this wasn't a major issue, but the problem was that her martial brother was still injured and unfit for exposure to the elements. However, the few copper coins she possessed were almost gone.

Now that they were without a sect, they had no income whatsoever. While the Shushan Sect didn't have many assets left previously, they could at least afford a full meal; all of that had evaporated along with his senior brother’s crushing defeat.

It could be said that the meager copper coins she held were their last remaining savings, and even with extreme frugality, they wouldn't last many days. Perhaps sensing his junior sister’s difficulty, perhaps feeling he should share the burden since they were now truly in the same boat; perhaps feeling guilty that he, the newcomer, hadn't helped at all but only caused trouble; or perhaps driven by a surge of masculine pride—Ye Wen decisively resolved that they would check out of the inn today.

Every night saved on lodging was one night less they had to rely on that dwindling fund, as he knew they were counting on that money to survive. “Then let’s eat dinner before we go…” Ye Wen’s reaction truly surprised Ning Ruxue.

She hadn't expected her usually meek martial brother to show a flicker of manly spirit at a moment like this. “No, I imagine the inn’s food isn't cheap.

Let’s just pack up and leave now! We can grab something simple to eat on the road!” Having made his decision, there was no need to linger; dawdling wasn't Ye Wen’s style.

He didn't know the personality or habits of the body's original owner, nor was he interested in finding out. Since he was already feigning amnesia, a significant change in character wasn't a major concern.

They packed quickly; in truth, there was little to pack: one set of clothes, a small satchel holding one tome from the Shushan Sect, and some spare undergarments, plus a long sword. Beyond that, there were no surplus belongings.

Ning Ruxue was much the same; though the clothes she wore were clean, they were clearly well-worn hand-me-downs. Their appearance was truly destitute, making Ye Wen shake his head repeatedly: “This Shushan Sect is truly pathetic.

There’s really no point in its continued existence!” After collecting his things, Ye Wen touched his chest again. Besides a lingering soreness, the sword technique manual was tucked close to his body there.

This item was his treasure, and he had to guard it carefully. Aside from preventing theft, it represented his greatest reliance for survival in this world!

Consider it: a magical ring capable of summoning martial arts techniques. Though it only succeeded once, and he couldn't be sure if he could summon better or more powerful techniques later, the information gleaned suggested it could be used once a month.

Even if he only summoned one good technique a year, that would be an immense blessing. What if he accidentally summoned the manual for a peerless divine art?

Wouldn't he then be able to do whatever he wanted? At that point, not only the minor Shushan Sect but perhaps even unifying the entire Jianghu wouldn't be impossible.

Of course, he absolutely would not cultivate that legendary manual, even if he did summon it. He wouldn't practice it.

While Ye Wen was silently lost in these speculations, Ning Ruxue had already purchased some flatbreads and a piece of cured meat, filled their waterskin with clear water, and led Ye Wen toward the edge of the city. It was only then that Ye Wen realized they had been staying at an inn in Shushan County these past two days.

Now, they were clearly heading out of the city, and soon arrived at a rather desolate area. Perhaps remembering her senior brother’s memory lapses, Ning Ruxue took the opportunity to explain their destination during the walk: “There’s a dilapidated temple not far ahead.

Though messy, it offers shelter from wind and rain at least. Tonight, we two can make do there, and we’ll search for a proper residence during the day tomorrow!” As she spoke, the ruined temple was already close at hand, but the flicker of firelight visible through the broken walls suggested that someone else was already occupying the place.