Swallowing the Stars: Starting with Panlong

Chapter 4: The Ultimate Warrior

An hour later, most of the children were exhausted and staggering.

The Qi-gathering posture may seem like just breathing, but it is extremely physically demanding. In particular, the contraction and expansion of the abdomen and the coordination of all the muscles in the body can leave you with a sore back and shortness of breath after just a few dozen repetitions.

"Alright, take a 15-minute break." Hillman finally relented.

The children were overjoyed and collapsed to the ground. Some lay down, some ran to the shade of the trees to cool off, and others went around the well to fetch water.

Lin Lei also stopped to rest, a thin layer of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He turned to look at Lin Yun and found that his younger brother was still practicing.

"Lin Yun, take a break," Lin Lei called out.

"You rest first, I'll hold on a little longer," Lin Yun said without turning his head.

His body was trembling—at six years old, his bones and muscles were still developing, and performing the Qi-gathering posture for an hour straight was indeed too much of a strain. But he gritted his teeth and didn't stop.

Because he knew that in the world of Swallowing the Stars, Luo Feng was probably also working hard in some corner at that moment.

Because he knows that the world will never be kind to you because of your age.

Because he knew that the road ahead of him was longer than anyone else's.

After practicing the Qi-gathering posture for a while, Lin Yun finally stopped. His legs were trembling, and the back of his clothes was soaked with sweat, but he did not sit down. Instead, he leaned against the wall and slowly walked around, allowing his body to gradually recover.

Hillman remained seated on the stone pedestal, observing the two children discreetly.

Linley – the eldest son of the Baruch family. This boy is exceptionally talented and possesses an indomitable spirit; he is a promising candidate for martial arts training.

Lin Yun—the second son of the Baruch family—was usually quiet and reserved, with a much weaker presence than Linley. But today, on his first encounter with the Qi Gathering Style, his performance greatly surprised Hillman.

It's not just a matter of talent.

Lin Yun's every movement was extremely precise, without a single unnecessary action; his breathing rhythm was as steady as a precision instrument; he didn't even need Hillman to correct him, he could adjust himself to the optimal state.

This level of self-control and focus is unlike that of a six-year-old child.

Hillman had spent many years in the military and had seen countless gifted young people, but none of them were like Lin Yun. His cultivation method was not like "learning" but more like "execution"—as if he already knew what to do and was just verifying his judgment.

"Interesting," Hillman muttered to himself, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The 15-minute break passed quickly.

Hillman clapped his hands and gathered all the children together.

"Next, continue practicing the Qi Gathering Stance. But let me tell you something else first." He crossed his arms, his gaze calm. "Do you know why we need to practice the Qi Gathering Stance?"

The children looked at each other, but no one answered.

"Hadley, you speak," Hillman called on him.

The dark-skinned boy scratched his head: "To... become stronger?"

"Becoming stronger is the goal, not the reason." Hillman shook his head. "The Qi Gathering Style is the most basic introductory technique for warriors on the Yulan Continent. Its function is simple—to strengthen the physique and lay the foundation for future cultivation of battle qi."

His gaze fell on Lin Lei and Lin Yun: "You must both remember that the body is like a container, a wine glass. And battle qi is like the wine! How much wine a wine glass can hold depends on the size of the glass. Similarly... a person's ultimate achievement in cultivating battle qi also depends on the degree of their physical training. If the body is too weak, even with a powerful battle qi manual, the body cannot withstand much battle qi, and one cannot become a powerful warrior."

"Of course," Hillman glanced at the other children, "Even without the Qi Cultivation Manual, the Qi Gathering Technique will still be effective for you. As long as you keep practicing, your physiques will become stronger and stronger. Even if you don't become powerful warriors in the future, you'll at least have a good body. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the children shouted in unison.

"Uncle Hillman," Hadley said, "tell us a story."

Hillman laughed: "Alright, today I'll tell you about the four legendary ultimate warriors of the entire continent!"

A hint of excitement flickered in Hillman's eyes, but his voice remained steady: "On our continent, thousands of years ago, four ultimate warriors emerged. These four ultimate warriors possessed strength comparable to dragons; they could single-handedly traverse through millions of soldiers and easily take the heads of enemy generals! These four ultimate warriors were the Dragonblood Warrior, the Purple Flame Warrior, the Tiger-Striped Warrior, and the Undying Warrior!"

"Warriors are divided into nine levels. I, a mere level six warrior, can easily shatter boulders and break trees! And a level nine warrior, even in our Fenlai Kingdom, is probably considered the strongest. Above level nine warriors are the four ultimate warriors. They surpass level nine warriors, are at the pinnacle of warriors, and belong to the legendary Saint-level powerhouses!" Hillman's eyes were full of longing. "The legendary Saint-level powerhouses can melt huge icebergs, make endless seas roar in anger, make towering mountains collapse, destroy cities with millions of inhabitants, and rain down endless meteorites from the sky! They are invincible beings, supreme beings."

"Wow..." the children exclaimed, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Lin Yun stood at the back of the crowd, listening quietly.

He knew that Hillman was only scratching the surface. The true Dragonblood Warriors were far more powerful than he described—especially Linley, who in the future not only awakened his dragon bloodline but also cultivated the seven elements of earth, fire, water, and wind, ultimately becoming an existence surpassing even the gods.

Lin Lei, who is now just a six-year-old child, is practicing the Qi-gathering stance just as clumsily as Lin Lei.

Lin Yun turned to look at Lin Lei and saw that his brother was clenching his fists, his eyes burning with a fiery light.

"I want to become a Saint Warrior," Lin Lei whispered, as if speaking to Lin Yun, or as if making a vow to himself.

"You will be," Lin Yun said calmly.

Lin Lei paused for a moment, then laughed: "How did you know?"

"Because you are Linley Baruch," Lin Yun said, his tone as certain as if stating a fact that had been proven countless times.

Lin Lei didn't understand why his younger brother was so sure, but he liked the feeling of being trusted.

"You will too," Lin Lei said earnestly. "Together."

Lin Yun did not answer, but simply nodded slightly.

together.

In the world of Panlong, these two words represent him and Lin Lei; in the world of Swallowed Star, they represent him and Luo Feng.

He will not let down those who share both worlds and their bonds.

As dusk fell, the first day of training came to an end.

The children left the lawn in twos and threes, chattering about their day's experiences, and headed back to their homes within their respective territories. For them, it was just a novel experience; but for Lin Yun and Lin Lei, it was the first step on their long path of cultivation.

Hogg stood at the manor gate, watching Linley and Lin Yun return from their training.

His eyes were complicated.

These two children are the last hope of the Baruch family. Their mother is gone, and the family has declined to the point where only this dilapidated manor and a few loyal servants remain. If these two children cannot rise to prominence, the Baruch family will truly be finished.

"Father!" Linley ran over, his face flushed with excitement. "I learned the Qi Gathering Style today! I held it for almost half an hour the first time, and Uncle Hillman said I did a great job!"

Hogg crouched down and patted Linley's head: "Very good. But don't be arrogant, cultivation is a lifelong endeavor."

"I know." Lin Lei nodded vigorously.

Hogg looked at Lin Yun, who was slowly walking towards him, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes: "Lin Yun, what about you?"

"One hour," Lin Yun said calmly.

Hogg paused slightly.

One hour, six years old, first time trying the Qi-gathering posture, I persisted for an hour.

Hogg knew better than anyone what this number meant. The first time he practiced the Qi Gathering Style, he collapsed from exhaustion in less than fifteen minutes; even a genius like Hillman could only last fifteen minutes on his first try.

"Don't push yourself," Hogg said gently, suppressing his shock. "Your health is the most important thing."

"I know, Father." Lin Yun nodded. "I know what I'm doing."

Hogg looked at his youngest son, a strange feeling welling up inside him. This child was too composed, more composed than a six-year-old. Unlike Linley, he didn't wear his emotions on his sleeve, nor did he show joy at the slightest progress. He was quiet, like a deep pool of water, unfathomable.

But Hogg didn't ask any further questions.

Everyone has their own path to walk, and even fathers and sons cannot walk it for each other.

"Let's go back for dinner." Hogg stood up, took one of his sons by the hand, and walked into the manor.

The setting sun slowly descended behind them, casting long, long shadows of the three people.

Lin Yun walked between his father and brother, feeling exceptionally calm.

The first day of training has ended, but the real challenge has just begun.

He knew that in the days to come, the Qi Gathering Technique would become his daily, unwavering practice. He would practice it in the Panlong World, and he would also practice it in the Swallowed Star World; he would practice it during the day, and he would also find time to practice it at night.

The two bodies cultivate and progress simultaneously.

This is his path.

And this journey officially begins today.

Late at night.

In the main house of Baruch Manor, Hogg's room was still lit.

He sat at his desk, a yellowed family genealogy book spread out before him. On the title page, a line was written in ancient script:

"The Baruch family has inherited the bloodline of the Dragonblood Warriors for generations, and they swear an oath to protect them to the death."

Hogg's fingers gently traced the words, his gaze falling on the last few pages of the family tree—where his own name was recorded, along with the names of his two sons: Linley Baruch and Lin Yun Baruch.

"If..." he murmured to himself, his voice so low that only he could hear it, "if these two children could truly awaken the dragon blood, the Baruch family might still have hope."

Outside the window, the moonlight, like water, spilled onto this ancient manor that has witnessed many changes in time.

In a room at the other end of the manor, Lin Yun lay on the bed with his eyes closed.

His consciousness swayed gently between the two worlds, as if he were having a very long dream.

In my dream, there was a boy named Luo Feng who, like me, was working hard silently in the ruins of another world.