Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

The old man laughed: "If you think you can rely on your cultivation, reaching the Transcendence stage in the Martial Arts First Realm makes your five senses sharper. Reaching the Martial Arts Second Realm with the transformation of your bones makes you stronger. Then thinking you can easily handle the Willing Death Valley, that would be a huge mistake."

"In the Willing Death Valley, it’s not uncommon for a Martial Artist to die at the hands of an ordinary person."

Li Xian was well aware of the danger, but his mind was made up. He thought to himself, "Though I don’t wish to die, I am prepared for it." He said, "I’ve thought it through."

The old man said, "Strange, this is indeed the first time encountering a Debt Slave participating. The nearest mine from here is six miles away, it’s a marvel you managed to come here. Never seen anything like this before. Oh well, oh well..."

He saw Li Xian stained with blood, his fierce spirit still undeterred. Thinking that the "Willing Death Valley" was in need of such people, he laughed and said, "As you wish, as you wish!"

Li Xian remained composed, knowing he had already set foot on this path and that there was no turning back, only a road to darkness.

The old man said, "Since you entered the Willing Death Valley, becoming a ’dead man’, you should choose a moniker." Li Xian curiously asked, "Why is that?"

The old man replied, "The first thing when entering the Willing Death Valley is to abandon your life, and your name follows suit. If you can survive, there will naturally be endless benefits. If not, then you die as such."

Li Xian thought, "This makes sense. Since a moniker is needed, I must think of one that can represent my past in Martial Arts." He pondered for a moment, then said, "The moniker shall be Ashamed Sword."

Ashamed signifies a heart demon. The word "ashamed" hides: Only I have a Heart Skill, Broken Demon Spear, Fierce Ghost Garment. The word "sword" contains the Setting Sun Bloodsword... a concise summary of my knowledge. Moreover, Li Xian has always sought to have "no shame in his heart, no regret in his actions," signifying his resolve in the Willing Death Valley, never to lightly regret.

As long as there’s no shame, the sword has no regret. If the heart is without shame, even in the land of the dead, one ought to remain composed. Ashamed Sword, Ashamed Sword, truly a sword without shame. Li Xian’s state of mind rose another level before the "Willing Death Valley." He naturally exuded a unique demeanor.

The old man saw him for a few more moments, suddenly feeling this young man had an extraordinary air about him, with an indescribable charm. He said, "The cage bracelet has been activated, I’ll help you pause it temporarily." With a gentle twist on the jade bracelet.

The silver silk retracted into the bracelet.

The old man waved his hand, and the Constables beside him led Li Xian into the Willing Death Valley. The Constables were dressed in black uniforms, full of vigor and majesty, suggesting a noble background.

As the Constable walked ahead, he said, "Those who enter the Willing Death Valley are mostly at the end of their lifespan. You have lost too much blood, making it even more difficult. It’s unlikely you’ll last through a single event, but there are some rules you still need to know."

"The Willing Death Valley... comes down to money. For each fight, if you win, you earn three hundred silver taels. If you lose, surviving is considered lucky."

Li Xian asked, "Only ’three hundred taels’ of silver?" The Constable paused and said, "Is three hundred taels still considered little?"

Li Xian said, "Three hundred taels is certainly not little." Once, five hundred coins could buy a life. A death match offers three hundred taels, certainly of great value. But in this situation, it’s like a drop in the ocean. One needs to win three hundred matches to pay off the debt. Yet each match involves life and death. Even if Li Xian considers himself capable, the three hundred life-and-death struggles must be approached with caution in the end.

The Constable glanced at the cage bracelet and said, "You ventured here to clear your debt. You’re truly impressive, being able to owe such a large sum. It’s not easy for the average Martial Artist or commoner to owe such an amount." He lightly shook his head, already believing that Li Xian was doomed.

Then he added, "Since you asked, there’s no harm in sharing, if you win a match, the three hundred taels are from the Willing Death Valley. But if the masters in the stands above are amused, they might reward you with additional gold and silver coinage, which could be more than these three hundred taels."

"Therefore..."

The Constable chuckled, "One side’s winner, to seek rewards from above, must do everything possible to please. As for how to please, you’ll know in time. Either you emulate them or suffer the consequences."

They moved through a dimly lit corridor, dark and damp, unbearably oppressive. As Li Xian progressed further, he felt his Qi Lake was serene, and no matter how he tried to maneuver it, no waves could be stirred.

The "Grave Mountain" and "Tomb Mountain" were actually two jade hearts. Utilizing the mountains to form momentum, the constructed pavilions and battle arenas could be seen as components. When combined, they become an "ingenious creation: Willing Death Valley."

Walking within it, it contained numerous martial principles, making Martial Arts difficult to apply. Stripped of martial embellishments, only bloodlust and beastly nature remain.

The Constable said, "Moniker ’Ashamed Sword,’ this is your jade card. Zero wins zero losses, keep it well. There will be a death match tomorrow, in your cell there’s a cover board. Remove the cover board, there’s an eyehole to watch the death match."

"According to the rules of the Willing Death Valley, any newcomer is allowed to watch the first three death matches for free, trying to learn some experience. Later on, if you wish to continue watching, it will cost you one hundred fifty taels each time."

"Additionally, medicinal supplies and weapons need to be purchased. Let me inform you in advance, sometimes, to motivate the younger generation, the family might grant Essence Treasures for you dead men to compete for. In such a manner, using your lives as education, the family sees its value and realizes its hard-earned status. Don’t feel indignant about this; after all, this... is also a way to obtain Essence Treasures! Saying one should be grateful and thankful is not an exaggeration."

Li Xian resided in cell "361," which was quite spacious, with a bed and a wooden table. There was a broad space for practicing martial skills. On the back wall was a cover board with a jade card embedded, it could be opened from the board. Behind it was a small hole that offered a view of a death match arena.

Li Xian secured the jade card to his waist, sat on the bed, feeling weak. At this time, dawn had broken, and the time had reached Mao hour. Li Xian looked out into the distance, thinking, "Qingping Tower should have sent someone to look for me. Now that I’ve entered the Willing Death Valley, I have no further entanglements with them. Now, with heavy blood loss, it’s urgent to rest and recover!"