Step 1: Contextual Analysis
Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese cultivation/fantasy web novel, with elements of system cultivation (showing progression stats).
Language style: Relatively simple and straightforward narration with dialogue, casual language, with cultivation terminology.
Tone: Down-to-earth, focuses on daily life but with fantasy elements.
Plot keywords: Cultivation, martial arts, family relationships, poverty, system abilities, skill progression
Characters:
- Wu Liangchen (武良辰): Male protagonist, has some kind of system ability with the "Ten Thousand Laws Tripod", caring brother
- Wu Mengchan (武梦婵): Female, Liangchen's younger sister, hardworking, works at a laundry place
- Third Granny (三奶奶): Female, elderly neighbor who shows favoritism to Mengchan
- Brother Liu (刘哥): Only mentioned, appears to be Third Granny's son or relative
Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing
Now I'll go through the text paragraph by paragraph, translating while keeping all the rules in mind.
This chapter involves Wu Liangchen learning the Five Animals Fist cultivation technique, which seems to be enhanced by his "Ten Thousand Laws Tripod" ability. It shows his relationship with his sister and their poor living conditions in what seems to be a shared housing compound. He prepares dinner, does chores typically assigned to women in their society (causing his sister's surprise), and then practices his new martial arts technique.
I'll now proceed with the full translation:
Along with these two prompt lines, Wu Liangchen felt electricity coursing through his body as numerous images appeared in his mind.
The Five Animals Fist, as its name suggests, was a health-preserving martial art created by imitating five different animals.
These five animals were the tiger, deer, bear, ape, and bird.
The martial technique consisted of only five simple moves.
Tiger Pounce, Deer Run, Bear Sway, Ape Lift, and Bird Stretch.
His former self had once attempted to practice it, but with absolutely no effect, forcing him to give up in frustration.
Yet the movements appearing in his mind now were different.
These techniques had subtle differences from the original version. Each movement seemed to have been fine-tuned, becoming more suitable for him.
Combined with the insights appearing in his mind...
With diligent practice, he couldn't guarantee anything else, but mastering the Five Animals Fist would be well within reach.
Crucially, Wu Liangchen also discovered another wonderful use of the Ten Thousand Laws Tripod.
As long as he had sufficient Life Fire fuel and increased his proficiency to completion, the Ten Thousand Laws Tripod could help him break through bottlenecks.
This meant that whatever Liangchen cultivated in the future would be smooth sailing.
The obstacles that seemed insurmountable to others could be easily overcome by Liangchen simply by grinding proficiency and accumulating sufficient Life Fire.
This was undoubtedly an enormous advantage.
Besides this, as long as the conditions were met, the Ten Thousand Laws Tripod could apparently help upgrade his Cultivation Techniques...
"Whew!"
Wu Liangchen took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm his excitement.
It was too early to think about these things. He couldn't afford to be impatient or overambitious right now.
Steady progress and keeping a low profile—that was the correct path.
With this in mind, Liangchen put aside distracting thoughts and began preparing dinner.
To be honest, whether in his previous life or now, Wu Liangchen's cooking skills were quite ordinary. Fortunately, these dumplings were simple—anyone with hands could make them—so he finished quickly.
After placing the prepared dumplings on the rack inside the pot, Liangchen picked up the flint. It took him quite a while to ignite the kindling.
He quickly added several pieces of hardwood to the stove and gently pulled the bellows until the flames licked the bottom of the pot with a whooshing sound. Only then did Liangchen breathe a sigh of relief.
Whenever he had to start a fire, Liangchen deeply missed the lighters from his previous life.
He hadn't appreciated them much when using them before, but now he realized they were truly miraculous devices.
He'd heard that something similar to matches, imported from overseas, was already available in the market.
But without even checking, he knew they would be prohibitively expensive—far beyond what he could currently afford.
As Liangchen was silently lamenting, a commotion erupted outside, with Third Granny's voice being the loudest.
"Mengchan, girl, you're back! Come over here, granny still has two pancakes left from dinner. You should eat them."
Inside the house, Liangchen couldn't help but smile to himself.
When he had returned, Third Granny had given him corn flour pancakes, but now his sister was being offered wheat flour pancakes. The favoritism was painfully obvious.
Not that he could blame Third Granny. His sister was simply too well-behaved, often going over to help her with chores. Who wouldn't like such a girl?
"No thank you, Third Granny. You should save them for Brother Liu."
Times were tough for everyone. Though they were just two wheat pancakes, they were considered delicacies for people living in this compound.
Wu Mengchan naturally declined and quickly returned home.
When she pushed open the door and entered, she was surprised to see Wu Liangchen crouching by the stove, tending the fire.
"Brother, why are you doing this?!"
As she spoke, Mengchan quickly walked over, intending to take over for him.
Liangchen waved her off. "No need. Go rest for a bit. It's almost done."
Mengchan was astonished that her brother had actually prepared dinner.
Surprised but pleased, she efficiently removed her outer garment, washed her hands, and began setting the table with bowls and chopsticks.
By the time everything was properly arranged, the dumplings were fully steamed.
To save effort, Liangchen had made fist-sized dumplings. Five or six of them filled an entire plate.
Being family, there was no need for formalities. Once the plate was set on the table, Liangchen grabbed one and took a bite.
Honestly, the taste wasn't great, as they were made with scraps the butcher shop didn't want. But they were oily enough, dripping fat with each bite, and that was sufficient.
Because when nutrients were scarce, nothing tasted better than fat.
"Why are you just standing there? Eat!" Liangchen said to his sister.
Mengchan looked at the plate of oddly-shaped large dumplings, pursed her lips with a smile, and then picked one up and started eating.
Soon, the siblings had demolished more than half of the two large plates of dumplings like a whirlwind.
After eating, Mengchan habitually prepared to clear the dishes, but Liangchen stopped her.
"I'll do it. Go rest."
"How could I let you? This isn't men's work. People would laugh if they heard about this!" Mengchan grew anxious.
Cooking was one thing, but according to Dinghai City's folk customs, unless a man was single, he would never do chores like washing dishes.
"It's just the two of us. We don't need to follow those stuffy rules. Go rest."
Liangchen didn't care about such things. He picked up the bowls and chopsticks and started cleaning up.
Watching her busy brother, Mengchan first stared in surprise, then her eyes gradually reddened.
She knew her brother was being considerate. After all, she had spent the whole day at the laundry shop, and her hands were already ruined by water—they would sting painfully if exposed to water again.
She didn't show her emotions, though. She just lowered her head and silently picked up a broom to sweep the floor.
By the time everything was tidied up, it was already eight or nine in the evening. The noise outside had gradually faded, and the compound, busy all day, now fell quiet.
At this hour, wealthy people might just be starting their nightlife.
But for those living in this compound, after a day of hard work, nothing felt better than lying down in bed to sleep.
So, very early, the compound became deserted.
"I'm going out for a walk," said Liangchen as he stepped out of the room.
In truth, there was nothing worth seeing outside at this hour, but to give his sister some privacy to handle her personal matters, he left anyway.
The stifling heat that had persisted throughout the day had finally begun to dissipate. Liangchen strolled leisurely and eventually arrived at a patch of wasteland behind the compound.
The area bordered an abandoned earthen city wall. After climbing up its collapsed slope, the cool night breeze refreshed his spirits.
This place was quite desolate. Apart from some mischievous children who occasionally played here, it was rarely visited.
Liangchen still chose to go deeper inside. Only after ensuring no one was around did he stop, stand firmly, and close his eyes.
Images of the Five Animals Fist flashed through his mind...
Suddenly.
Liangchen raised both hands, his body poised to pounce forward, his spine extending back and forth like a great dragon.
This was the first move of the Five Animals Fist: Tiger Pounce!
Although this was his first practice session, thanks to the Ten Thousand Laws Tripod's simulation, Liangchen felt as if he had practiced these movements many times before, already forming muscle memory.
Next, his left foot stepped forward with bent knee, both fists raised, like a massive stag displaying its antlers. Then his fists suddenly split apart as his body leaned backward, resembling a deer in motion.
The second move: Deer Run!
Then came Bear Sway, Ape Lift, and Bird Stretch...
After completing all five movements, Liangchen felt his joints crackling and sweat pouring out, instantly soaking his clothes.
Despite this, he didn't feel tired at all. Instead, his entire body felt indescribably comfortable.
The weakness from days of being bedridden largely dissipated.
[Five Animals Fist proficiency +2]
Seeing this prompt appear before his eyes, Liangchen's heart leaped with joy.
Excellent!
Just one practice session had increased his proficiency by two points?
At this rate, it wouldn't take long to break through to the entry level.
Just as he was feeling delighted, a rumbling sound suddenly came from his stomach, followed by a powerful wave of hunger.