《Ki Meets Qi: Murim Reborn In Cultivation World》


 Betrayal and Rebirth

    The sun hung low over the Valley of Hills, casting long shadows across the jagged rocks and dense undergrowth. The clash of steel and the dull thud of fists echoed in the air as two figures fought with unrestrained ferocity.


    Hae Min, the elder son of the Murim Alliance leader, moved with the precision and grace of an orthodox martial artist. His every strike carried the weight of his training, enhanced by years of tutelage under the finest masters. Opposing him was Hae Jin, his younger half-brother, bloodied and battered but refusing to back down.


    Their battle wasn¡¯t merely a clash of skills. It was the culmination of years of animosity rooted in their shared, yet fractured, lineage.


    Hae Min¡¯s mother, the first wife of the Alliance leader, was the daughter of an esteemed orthodox sect leader. Her marriage to the Alliance leader was a union forged for political strength, uniting two of the most powerful forces in the Murim world. She was a woman of elegance and pride, revered for her strict adherence to orthodox values.


    Hae Jin¡¯s mother, on the other hand, came from a world shrouded in darkness and controversy. She was the daughter of the Demonic Sect leader, a woman whose beauty and boldness were whispered about in both fear and admiration. Against all odds, she had fallen in love with the Alliance leader during a rare moment of peace between the two factions. Their love defied conventions, and she became his second wife despite the scorn of orthodox society.


    For a time, the Alliance leader managed to balance the delicate equilibrium between his wives. But peace was fleeting. When Hae Jin was only a child, his mother was poisoned in a conspiracy. Though whispers pointed to the first wife¡¯s involvement, no one dared to confront her. After all, who would stand against the daughter of an orthodox sect leader to defend a woman of demonic origins?


    Hae Jin grew up under the shadow of his mother¡¯s death, ostracized by the orthodox factions and treated as a stain on his father¡¯s legacy. Hae Min, emboldened by his orthodox upbringing and his mother¡¯s influence, carried that disdain like a banner.


    Despite the scorn, Hae Jin inherited the brilliance of both his parents. Before her death, his mother had secretly taught him the foundational techniques of her sect¡¯s legacy¡ªdemonic arts known for their power and unpredictability. From his father¡¯s side, he had learned the orthodox martial arts that valued discipline and control. Hae Jin, a natural prodigy, had managed to adapt both techniques, albeit imperfectly.


    Now, the simmering hatred had boiled over, and the two brothers stood locked in combat, their fists driven by more than just rivalry. They were propelled by a history of blood and betrayal.


    ¡°Hyung, why are you torturing me?¡± Hae Jin cried, his voice hoarse with desperation. ¡°I am your younger brother. I don¡¯t deserve this!¡±


    Hae Min sneered, his expression twisted with disdain. ¡°You¡¯re no brother of mine,¡± he spat, landing a vicious kick to Hae Jin¡¯s side. ¡°You¡¯re the spawn of a demon! It¡¯s our purpose to cleanse the world of your kind.¡±


    Hae Jin coughed up blood, clutching his ribs as he staggered back. His vision blurred from the pain, yet he refused to yield. He forced himself to stand, his legs trembling under his weight.


    ¡°Hyung,¡± he gasped, struggling to catch his breath. ¡°Why... Why do you hate me so much? We share the same father. We¡¯re family!¡±


    ¡°Family?¡± Hae Min sneered, his voice dripping with venom. ¡°Don¡¯t make me laugh. Do you think we¡¯re equals just because we share some blood? You¡¯re nothing but a stain on our father¡¯s legacy!¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Hae Jin¡¯s chest tightened at the words, the weight of years of rejection and scorn pressing down on him. ¡°I¡¯ve done nothing to you. I¡¯ve lived quietly, training in the shadow of your brilliance, never daring to challenge you. Why must you torment me?¡±


    Hae Min¡¯s eyes glinted with cold malice as he stepped forward, his presence imposing. ¡°Because your very existence is an insult to everything I stand for. You¡¯re the spawn of a demon, an unholy mix of heresy and filth. Cleansing you from this world is my duty.¡±


    The words cut deeper than any blade. Hae Jin clenched his fists, his body trembling¡ªnot from fear, but from anger. ¡°My mother was no demon. She was a kind woman who loved this family, who loved Father.¡±


    ¡°Loved Father?¡± Hae Min barked out a bitter laugh. ¡°She bewitched him. Manipulated him into thinking she was worthy of his love. She was a vile temptress, a stain on our house. Just like you.¡±


    Hae Jin froze, the fury in his heart igniting further. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. She¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wrong?¡± Hae Min interrupted, his tone sharp and unforgiving. ¡°Do you want to know the truth about your precious mother? About why she died?¡±


    Hae Jin¡¯s heart stopped for a moment, his breath caught in his throat. ¡°What do you mean?¡± he whispered, his voice trembling with apprehension.


    Hae Min¡¯s lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes burning with contempt. ¡°Father might have turned a blind eye, but I always knew. My mother made sure that wretched woman paid for daring to call herself the Alliance leader¡¯s wife. Your mother didn¡¯t die of illness¡ªshe was poisoned. Poisoned by my mother.¡±


    The revelation struck Hae Jin like a thunderbolt, leaving him reeling. His vision blurred as rage and sorrow surged within him. ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± he screamed, his voice cracking with emotion.


    ¡°Lying?¡± Hae Min said mockingly. ¡°Why would I? There¡¯s no one left to protect her honor, no one who even cares. Do you think anyone weeps for a demonic woman¡¯s death? No one but you.¡±


    Hae Jin¡¯s body trembled uncontrollably, his blood boiling with fury. His mother¡¯s face flashed in his mind¡ªher gentle smile, her warmth, and the love she showered upon him despite the world¡¯s scorn.


    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for this!¡± Hae Jin roared, his voice shaking with rage.


    Summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, Hae Jin drew upon the forbidden techniques his mother had taught him in secret. The demonic energy intertwined with the orthodox techniques he had learned from his father¡¯s side, creating a volatile and unstable force. The opposing energies, when combined, were never meant to coexist¡ªtogether, they created a devastating storm within his body.


    Hae Min¡¯s eyes widened in shock, the realization dawning too late. ¡°No! Stop!¡±


    Hae Jin¡¯s voice was cold, yet filled with resolve. ¡°If I must die today, then I¡¯ll take you with me. For my mother¡¯s honor.¡±


    The explosion tore through the valley, a blinding flash of light followed by a deafening roar. The force of the blast reduced the surrounding area to rubble, leaving no trace of the two brothers.


    Hae Jin¡¯s consciousness drifted in the void, a strange mixture of pain and clarity. When his eyes finally opened, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.


    The sky above was vast and serene, dotted with clouds that seemed to hum with energy. The air was thick with an essence unlike anything he had felt before¡ªdense, vibrant, and alive.


    He sat up, groaning as memories of the explosion flooded his mind. But something was different. His body... it wasn¡¯t his. His hands were thinner, his frame frailer.


    ¡°So, I¡¯ve reincarnated,¡± he murmured, his voice foreign to his ears. ¡°This body... it¡¯s not Murim. This is the cultivation world.¡±


    Fragments of the body¡¯s memories flooded his mind. His name was Riu Xian, an outer sect disciple of the Cloudspring Sect. He had been searching for the Scarlet Meridian Herb in the forest to cure his blocked meridians when he was ambushed by Lu Hao, the sect leader¡¯s arrogant son, and his lackeys.


    They had beaten him mercilessly, snatched the herb, and left him bloodied and broken in the forest.


    Riu Xian¡¯s body had been weak¡ªbarely 1% of his meridians were unblocked. For most early-stage cultivators, at least 7% of their meridians would be open, providing a foundation for growth. But this body was an anomaly, crippled and cast aside as worthless.


    ¡°Blocked meridians...¡± Hae Jin muttered, clenching his fists. ¡°What are the reasons behind this? Are there secrets hidden in this body?¡±


    The memories faded, leaving him with more questions than answers. But one thing was certain¡ªthis world was a new stage, a chance to carve out a path for himself. He would rise again, stronger than ever, and uncover the mysteries of this new life.

 The Hidden Potential

    The forest was silent, with only the faint rustling of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze breaking the stillness. Riu Xian sat slumped against the trunk of a large tree, his breaths shallow and uneven. His body was riddled with pain from the brutal beating he had endured, and his vision blurred from the blood loss.


    The memories of this new world had been fragmented when he first reincarnated, but now, bits and pieces began to resurface, as if responding to his desperate state. <i>I need to heal¡­ but how?</i> His thoughts were frantic, grasping at the fragments in search of a solution.


    In his mind, a basic technique surfaced¡ªa Qi-gathering method taught to all novice cultivators. Though it wasn¡¯t sophisticated, it was said to accelerate recovery. However, Riu Xian knew it was not a miracle cure. The process required precise control over Qi, something he, as a beginner in this world¡¯s cultivation system, had yet to master.


    <i>But there¡¯s no other option,</i> he resolved. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he forced himself to sit in a meditative posture. The memories whispered guidance to him: regulate his breathing, focus his mind, and draw Qi from the surroundings into his body.


    As he began the process, he noticed the stark difference between this world¡¯s Qi and the Ki he had known in Murim. <i>In Murim, Ki was used to refine the body and push martial arts to their peak. But here, Qi is used for both the body and the soul. And immortality¡­ that¡¯s their ultimate goal.</i>


    The thought intrigued him, but there was no time to dwell on it. He needed to survive first. The Qi around him began to stir, faint traces flowing toward him. Yet, despite his efforts, his injuries showed no signs of healing. His brow furrowed in frustration. <i>Why isn¡¯t it working? Is there something wrong with this body?</i>If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    He concentrated deeper, trying to feel the flow within him. It was then he noticed it¡ªnearly all of his meridians were blocked. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. <i>Of course! The Qi can¡¯t circulate properly. No wonder the recovery isn¡¯t happening.</i>


    His mind raced for alternatives, and an idea struck him. <i>What if I combine this Qi-gathering technique with my Murim methods?</i> In his previous life, Ki techniques were used to forcefully open pathways and strengthen the body. Though Qi and Ki were different, they felt similar enough that his Murim methods might work.


    Taking a deep breath, he began channeling the Qi through his body with the Murim techniques he had mastered in his past life. The initial attempt was shaky, the two techniques clashing slightly as he tried to harmonize them. But as he adjusted, a sudden surge of Qi flowed into his body at an alarming rate. The air around him shimmered with energy, creating a visible vortex of Qi.


    Unbeknownst to Riu Xian, a figure was observing him from the skies. Xiao Ming, a young cultivator from the Azure Flame Sect, stood on her flying sword, her gaze fixed on the unusual phenomenon below. Her eyes widened as she felt the density of Qi being drawn toward the boy.


    <i>At this rate, his body won¡¯t withstand it,</i> she thougt. The sheer volume of Qi was far beyond what a biginner cultivator could handle. She prepared to intervene, expecting his body to rupture from the overload.


    But to her astonishment, Riu Xian¡¯s body absorbed the Qi, refining and circulating it with precision. The energy flowed through him, healing his most severe injuries and unblocking a small portion of his meridians. The vortex around him dissipated as the process completed, leaving the forest still once more.


    Riu Xian opened his eyes, his breathing steadier now. Though his body still ached, he felt significantly better than before. More importantly, he sensed a slight improvement in his internal flow. <i>I¡¯ve managed to unblock some of my meridians. Is it five percent? Ten? I can¡¯t tell yet.</i>


    From above, Xiao Ming¡¯s gaze narrowed as she studied him. <i>This child absorbed an overwhelming amount of Qi and didn¡¯t explode. Not only that, but he¡¯s partially healed himself and unblocked some meridians. What kind of secret is he hiding?</i>

 A Mysterious Encounter

    The sun hung low in the horizon, painting the evening sky in hues of gold and crimson. The forest basked in the fading light, its serene beauty a stark contrast to the turbulence in Riu Xian¡¯s heart. Leaning against the tree, he contemplated his newfound path when the sound of a sudden woosh startled him.


    In an instant, Riu Xian sprang to his feet. His eyes widened as he saw a figure descending gracefully from the skies, her robes fluttering in the evening breeze. It was a young woman, her presence commanding yet strangely calming. He instinctively clasped his hands and bowed deeply.


    "Senior, I am¡ª"


    The woman raised a hand to stop him. Her voice was clear and authoritative. "I am Xiao Ming, a disciple of the Azure Immortal Sect. You were severely injured, yet I saw you meditating to recover. You seemed unable to heal yourself, and then you suddenly switched techniques. What was that strange method? Is it a family technique?"


    Riu Xian hesitated, carefully choosing his words. "Senior, I am merely a low-level Qi Refining stage cultivator. The technique¡­ I stumbled upon it by chance, and today was my first time attempting it."


    Xiao Ming¡¯s eyes narrowed as she studied him. Her tone remained firm yet curious. "You unblocked ten percent of your meridians today. Normally, such a feat would take years for a cultivator at your level. You are unique to have achieved this in one go."


    Riu Xian lowered his gaze humbly. "Senior, I am but a novice. How could someone like me warrant your attention?"


    Xiao Ming smiled faintly. "Humility suits you, but do not feign ignorance. I believe your body has a special constitution. That would explain why your meridians were so thoroughly blocked. Ordinary Qi-gathering methods would never have worked on you."Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    She gestured for him to sit. "Now, sit in a meditative position and regulate your energy. Let me examine your body."


    Obeying her instructions, Riu Xian sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused on his breathing. Xiao Ming stepped closer and placed her hands on his back, her Qi flowing into his body. Warmth spread through him as she examined his meridians and dantian.


    Hours passed, the sun giving way to the moonlight. Finally, Xiao Ming withdrew her hands and stepped back, her expression contemplative. "Your constitution remains a mystery even to me. It is unlike anything I have encountered. What I can tell you is this¡ªyour secret technique alone will not suffice to unblock your meridians fully. You will require specific resources, rare and powerful ones."


    Riu Xian opened his eyes, his curiosity evident. "Senior, how will I know what kind of constitution I have?"


    "You will understand as your cultivation advances," she replied. Her tone turned serious. "But you must tread carefully. If word spreads of your special body, others will covet it for themselves. To protect you, I will place restrictions on your body. No one below Nascent Soul Fifth Stage will be able to sense your constitution."


    Riu Xian¡¯s eyes widened in awe. "Senior, you are a Nascent Soul level cultivator?"


    Xiao Ming chuckled lightly. "Perhaps I am. Perhaps I am not."


    She then added, "However, the meridians you have unblocked will still draw attention. Low-level cultivators will notice and suspect that you have acquired treasures or a powerful technique. Unfortunately, I cannot conceal this. You must be cautious within your sect and avoid unnecessary conflicts."


    Before Riu Xian could respond, a loud growl erupted from his stomach. Embarrassed, he lowered his head, but Xiao Ming burst into laughter.


    "Even great cultivators cannot escape hunger," she teased, producing a small pouch from her robe. From it, she withdrew several glistening fruits, their vibrant hues radiating faint spiritual energy. "These are spirit fruits. They will replenish your strength."


    Riu Xian accepted them with gratitude, his voice sincere. "Thank you, Senior."