I apologize to all characters, but I'd like my own choices, opinions and moral compass, so for this I'd step into such a world myself.
Chances are high I'd start as a farmer in a small village, with a rusty sword inherited from my dad and some farm tools, of course. I'd feel the need to protect myself in such a world soon enough and absorb stories while trying to gain something out of them and my surroundings, slowly finding enlightenment on my own, but inspired by the nature and animals I work and live with. I wouldn't cultivate in a room, but outside on a corner of my field.
I wouldn't create Tiger Claw arts, Dragon Fist arts etc. but arts inspired by the elements and for some humor indeed a few supposedly inferior and boring animals. My most fearsome move might end up being the Chicken's Beak or something.
I'd fight unarmed or using a sword, but I'd also fight using farm tools in certain situations.
My first quests wouldn't be unusual at all. Helping out the villagers, eventually help to hunt a dangerous creature in a forest or something that threatens my field, but this is also a story of me becoming the protagonist of my own story. I'd eventually have to stop bandits, go on trips and encounter lots of things and people, though I'd always return home where my life, my work and my inspirations to strengthen my martial arts would be.
At first, at least. For the safety of the villagers, I might decide to leave and do my thing somewhere else. As a martial artist, I also couldn't afford to be stuck on a small field forever with only a few animals, it'd be like a bottleneck that shackles my progress.
Artifacts are a bit more tricky, but I'd want them not to stand out too much, probably stuff that a humble but genius blacksmith or artisan that I'd come to know would create for me, though I also wouldn't shy away from other great things as long as using them wouldn't make me a target for literally everyone. All I know for sure is that I would definitely want my farm tools to be some kinds of artifacts too, even if only for the durability.
After growing strong and wealthy enough, I might even found my own sect and look for likeminded and hardworking people, passing down not only martial arts, but also a love for for nature and respect for animals.
If that's too long, I guess you can just roughly imagine Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley going wuxia 😅