Chapter 1

Great Flame Empire, Black Iron Manor.

Name: Su Changkong (12 years old)

Lifespan: 40 years

Potential Value: 1 point

Su Changkong looked at the information on the attributes panel in front of him, his face revealing a trace of helplessness.

“I’ve been in this world for three months now, and I haven’t finished writing the book. Luckily, I barely had any readers to begin with…”

Su Changkong sighed.

Su Changkong was not from this world; he was originally a bottom-tier code writer from the Blue Planet, barely making ends meet with his meager writing fees, managing to eat just two meals a day. Suddenly, during one late night three months ago while he was writing, he felt a sharp pain in his heart and passed out—only to wake up in this world.

According to what Su Changkong knew, he was now in the Great Flame Empire, a world where bandits roamed freely, where local powerhouses claimed lands as their own domains, and it was rumored that demon monsters caused chaos—a true era of turmoil, where ordinary people were as insignificant as weeds!

Su Changkong was rather lucky. Upon transmigrating three months ago, he was taken in by the owner of Black Iron Manor, an outfit that lived off forging. The manor had over a hundred people, with the owner being the well-known Forging Master Mo Tie, who had some fame in the regions near Clearwater City.

In Black Iron Manor, Su Changkong helped with chores and deliveries. Following the normal trajectory, he would eventually become an experienced Forging Master like the others in Black Iron Manor, mastering a skill and ensuring a worry-free life in terms of food and clothing.

But Su Changkong, who transmigrated to this place, didn’t want to live out a dull and monotonous life. He wanted to learn martial arts and see the larger world outside!

Like most transmigrators, Su Changkong had a golden finger, but so far, aside from being able to see his age, lifespan, and other basic information, he hadn’t discovered any other uses for it.

“My lifespan…I only have 28 years left. I can only live until I’m 40!”

What was even more frustrating for Su Changkong was that his lifespan was only 40 years, and at 12 years old, he only had 28 years left to live. In such chaotic times, living to the age of 40 was actually not bad, but as someone from the Blue Planet, he did not want to die young!

“Dang dang dang!”

In the morning, the crisp sound of bells echoed through Black Iron Manor, a reminder to wake up and start work.

Life in Black Iron Manor revolved around forging, which kept everyone busy all day, and every member had to follow the manor’s rules, gathering and taking attendance daily.

Su Changkong didn’t tarry either; after washing up, he hurried to the central square of Black Iron Manor.

At this moment, the central square of Black Iron Manor had already gathered over a hundred people.

“Chen Fan!” A man in a scholar’s robe, holding a roster, began calling names.

“Present!”

“Li San!”

“Present!”

…

One by one, people responded to the man in the scholar’s robe calling their names.

When the roll call was over, everyone looked respectfully toward the distance.

Over there, two people were approaching: one was a white-haired, youthful-looking elder with the air of an immortal, and the other was a strong man in his forties with a bronze complexion—Mo Tie, the manor lord of Black Iron Manor.

Mo Tie glanced over the gathered crowd and then, with a smile, said, “Now that everyone is here, let me introduce everyone. This is Dr. Hua Shan.”

The white-haired, youthful-looking elder nodded slightly, and upon hearing this, everyone’s faces showed a trace of respect. A physician’s status was high in this era, as no one could guarantee they would never fall ill.

Dr. Hua Shan cleared his throat, and then he said, “Old Huashan has been invited by Villa Owner Mo and couldn’t decline his kind offer. I will be a guest here at Black Iron Manor for a few days. In return, I will teach everyone the Five Animal Frolics. Those interested can come to my residence’s backyard every afternoon at 18 o’clock.”

“Five Animal Frolics?”

“It seems to be a kind of health-preserving fist technique…”

The crowd looked at each other, with some interested and others less so.

The Five Animal Frolics is a quite famous form of health-preserving fist, not meant for killing enemies or fighting but for maintaining health. Regular practice can strengthen the body and keep disease at bay.

However, for most people in Black Iron Manor, their days were already busy enough; who had time to practice the Five Animal Frolics?

“Health-preserving fist? Five Animal Frolics?”

Su Changkong’s eyes lit up.

Su Changkong knew that he could only live until 40. If he practiced these health-preserving Five Animal Frolics, could he extend his lifespan?

A person’s life expectancy is not determined solely by innate genetics; maintaining health through external practices can also lead to a stronger body and a longer life!

“Five Animal Frolics—I must give it a try!” Su Changkong immediately made up his mind. He was going to learn the Five Animal Frolics to see if they could prolong his life!

18 o’clock was from five to seven in the afternoon.

The people of Black Iron Manor began to disperse, going to eat or start work.

“Dang dang dang!”

In the Forging Room, each furnace emitted a scorching aura. Many Forging Masters, with their bare torsos, swung their hammers to shape iron billets, drenching themselves in sweat as the distinct sound of metalworking rang incessantly in the air.

“Make the fire bigger!”

A robust man with rough skin yelled.

“Yes.”

Su Changkong worked the bellows to raise roaring flames in the forge, drenched in sweat. However, he had gradually become accustomed to these tasks over the passed three months. He was still just a menial apprentice, responsible for the bellows and adding coal, occasionally stepping up to forge simple blanks for scythes and hoes.

“Clearwater City has martial arts schools, but all charge exorbitant fees, starting at several to a dozen taels of silver a month. In three months, the money I’ve saved isn’t even a tenth of that…”