Chương 2: The Wild Bull Stone-Crushing Hammer

"Success!" Su Zhe's heart raced with excitement. In his mind, he could clearly see the state of the bronze cauldron. When Su Zhe transmigrated to this world, he discovered that the bronze cauldron, once displayed in a museum in his previous life, had followed him through the journey. Whenever Su Zhe communicated with the cauldron, his consciousness would be transported to a unique dimension.

"The Cauldron of Creation: A mystical artifact born with celestial apertures, capable of gathering the essence of countless treasures and transforming the mundane into the divine." The eight-pound hammer in his mind fell into a dark void, shrinking steadily until it clicked perfectly into one of the cauldron's slots.

"Boom!" Su Zhe felt a jolt through his body, as if his head were about to split open. A young figure, resembling Master Chen by about 70%, appeared in his mind. Holding an eight-pound hammer, he stood firm on a stance resembling a wild bull, exuding raw power. His alternating hammer swings stirred the air, each strike mimicking the relentless charge of a bull. Arms moved like whips, hammers like thunder. The youth's entire being embodied a mighty bull—unshakable, unstoppable, a force of nature.

"You have acquired fragments of Master Chen's memories. You have learned the Wild Bull Stance and the Wild Bull Stone-Crushing Hammer Technique (incomplete, missing a lethal martial strike)."

"You have gained attribute bonuses: Herculean Strength and Diligence Makes Up for Deficiency." Herculean Strength: Enhances physical power and fortifies the body. Diligence Makes Up for Deficiency: Practicing Wild Bull techniques or forging iron grants double improvement after certain milestones. Stretching his limbs, Su Zhe's joints crackled like fireworks. His once-slim frame now bore faint traces of muscle, his physique sturdier than before. At only sixteen years old, Su Zhe had grown up in poverty.

Although years of blacksmithing had tempered his vitality, his strength had always been limited. Yet now, he felt his body transforming rapidly. Spreading his arms, he estimated his strength to be over 100 pounds.

"Stance! Hammer!" Taking a deep breath, Su Zhe planted his feet firmly in the Wild Bull Stance and began practicing the Wild Bull Stone-Crushing Hammer Technique.

"Feet grounded like stone; waist rotates to unify strength!"

"Shoulders and back move in tandem, releasing piercing force with every strike!" His arms swung powerfully, filling the air with a sharp whooshing sound as he cross-referenced his movements with the techniques embedded in Master Chen's memories. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Although the memories guided him, they weren't truly his. Su Zhe's body hadn't internalized the Wild Bull techniques, leaving only one path forward: relentless practice.

From initial awkwardness to gradual fluency, each strike became more powerful, exuding the aura of an unyielding bull capable of shattering armies with its sheer ferocity. Half an hour later, Su Zhe's shirt was soaked through with sweat, clinging to him like he'd been pulled from a river. His legs trembled, and his arms felt too heavy to lift. Dizziness and weakness washed over him.

"The Wild Bull Stone-Crushing Hammer is decent, but…" Su Zhe frowned.

"This body is still too frail. Even with the Herculean Strength bonus, I can't sustain prolonged practice."

"If only we could afford some restorative tonics. But even the cheapest vitality powder costs two silver coins—200 copper."

"Uncle spent 15 taels of silver to apprentice me to the Blacksmith Guild. Now, we're barely scraping by." Wiping his sweat with the corner of his shirt, Su Zhe sighed. Martial arts training was divided into four levels: Proficiency, Mastery, Perfection, and Peak. Thanks to Master Chen's memories and his diligent attribute, Su Zhe had reached basic proficiency within an hour. However, martial arts demanded not just effort but sustenance. Three parts training, seven parts recovery.

His immediate challenge wasn't mastering techniques but securing resources to replenish his vitality.

"Money. Even a hero is helpless without it. In this world, wealth makes you a master." Su Zhe silently resolved to change his circumstances. Born an orphan, Su Zhe had been raised by his uncle Su Yuan and aunt Lin Xia. Su Yuan, a humble fisherman, had taken Su Zhe in as his own child, honoring the memory of Su Zhe's late parents. Understanding the importance of martial arts in this world, Su Yuan had emptied their savings to apprentice Su Zhe to the Blacksmith Guild.

There, one's future was determined by a bone-testing assessment after three years. Exceptional talents would become inner disciples, receiving focused training and a shot at prestige. Ordinary apprentices, however, would toil for six years before being taught martial techniques, bound to lifelong servitude to the guild. Despite the harsh terms, even servitude in the guild was far better than a fisherman's life—tax-free, steady income, and a higher social standing. Su Zhe glanced at his hands, fists tightening.

"With the Cauldron of Creation, I can enhance my potential. Passing the bone test and entering the inner circle should be achievable. Once I succeed, I'll be able to lift my family from poverty and secure resources to advance further." Dragging his exhausted body, Su Zhe returned to the dilapidated Su family home in the fishing village. The three of them sat down for dinner: coarse rice, wild vegetable soup, a large plate of sweet potatoes, and a rare delicacy—a three-pound grass carp.

"Eat more. Blacksmithing is tough work," Su Yuan said warmly, placing a tender piece of fish belly in Su Zhe's bowl.

"Thanks, Uncle." Su Zhe didn't hold back, devouring his meal ravenously. After today's training, his body desperately needed replenishment. Watching him eat, Lin Xia's face darkened.

"How can one boy eat so much? He's eating more than both of us combined!" Su Zhe kept eating, understanding her frustration. His aunt wasn't a bad person—just exhausted by years of hardship. Su Yuan, however, shot her a warning glance.

"Stop nagging. The boy's growing." The tension subsided as Su Zhe excused himself to feed the chickens, leaving the couple to argue quietly. Outside, he scattered feed, smiling as the chickens clucked around him. Watching the warm light flicker from their home, Su Zhe felt a deep sense of gratitude. This home, this family, it's worth fighting for. When Su Yuan emerged later, sporting a fresh handprint on his cheek, Su Zhe stifled a laugh.

"Uncle, did Aunt hit you?"

"Nonsense! I disciplined her hand with my face!" Su Yuan grumbled, clearly embarrassed. Shaking it off, he grinned.

"Come on, boy. Let's catch some catfish tonight. Autumn's the season for fat ones. Maybe we'll get lucky and make a little fortune!"