Chapter 143: Creating The Ninth Stage (II)

In the blink of an eye, more than twenty days passed. Lin Zheyu's life fell into a steady rhythm, each day devoted entirely to focused cultivation and the pursuit of greater strength.

Over those days, Han Mo frequently visited Lin Zheyu's courtyard to consult him on the finer points of the Ten Thousand Troop Steps. The technique suited Han Mo perfectly, and his progress was astonishingly fast. Within twenty days, he had already reached the second stage.

In the courtyard, sunlight streamed down warmly. Lin Zheyu's right hand was immersed in a wooden basin filled with herbs from sixteen sets of Blood-Nourishing Bone-Fortifying Decoction. By now, the medicinal potency had been fully exhausted, leaving no trace of fragrance in the air.

Slowly, Lin Zheyu opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them.

The eighth stage of the Golden Goose Technique, finally perfected!

Boom!

Lin Zheyu's figure blurred as he channeled his surging blood qi into his right palm and unleashed the Mountain Shattering Palm. The strike crashed against the ironwood stake with a thunderous sound, his hand embedding deep into the solid timber. Fine cracks spread outward from the point of impact in all directions. A series of sharp cracks followed. When he withdrew his hand, the entire stake exploded into splinters.

"Not bad. Finally, I can shatter the stake completely," said Lin Zheyu with satisfaction, gazing at the wreckage of the wooden post.

After advancing to the fourth transformation of blood qi, the power of his Mountain Shattering Palm had reached an entirely new level. If he were to face that living corpse from Daba Mountain again, he could probably leave a faint handprint on its body with a single blow.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 1]

[Skills: Mountain Shattering Leg (Perfection), Sixfold Saber (Perfection), Golden Goose Technique (Eighth Stage: 100%), Tortoise Breath Grand Method (Third Stage: 6%)]

Only 1 unit of Origin Force remained. Should I keep improving?

Lin Zheyu wondered as he stared at the data panel within his consciousness.

After more than twenty days of arduous training, he had pushed the Golden Goose Technique to the eighth stage of Perfection and brought the Sixfold Saber to full mastery. Among all his techniques, only the Tortoise Breath Grand Method remained incomplete.

There was also the Poison King Body, a hidden cultivation technique still stuck at the very beginning of its first stage. It didn't require much Origin Force to progress; perhaps 2 or 3 units would suffice to reach the second or even third stage. Yet despite its modest energy demands, cultivating it was prohibitively expensive. Unless he someday had more money than he could spend, Lin Zheyu had no plans to advance that art.

These two perfected techniques don't need to stay visible; I can hide them. Next comes creating the ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique and integrating the blood qi burst technique from the Mountain Shattering Palm into it.

As the thought of the ninth stage took form in his mind, the data in his consciousness flickered briefly, then stabilized once more, shining with renewed clarity. Seeing the new data appear, a knowing look surfaced on Lin Zheyu's face.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 1]

[Skills: Golden Goose Technique (Ninth Stage: 0%), Tortoise Breath Grand Method (Third Stage: 6%)]

Only two techniques remained displayed on the panel.

Integrating the blood qi burst technique into the Golden Goose Technique is entirely possible, but to bring the ninth stage to full Perfection will likely require an astonishing amount of Origin Force,

thought Lin Zheyu.

The ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique didn't involve advancing his martial cultivation. Its purpose was purely to fuse the blood qi burst technique seamlessly into the Golden Goose Technique. Even so, the level of difficulty was daunting beyond measure.

He had spent a full month practicing, applying the Burst Technique to the Golden Goose movements, yet he still couldn't control even a straight sprint with precision. And that was the simplest part; mastering dodges and swift changes in direction, like the fluid movements of the Ten Thousand Troop Steps, was far beyond reach.

The blood qi burst technique was inherently violent. When used for attack, it merely required a brief outburst of power, not delicate control. But merging it into the Golden Goose Technique, or rather using that explosive force as ordinary blood qi, demanded an impossibly fine mastery over his muscles, tendons, bones, skin, and blood qi.

To reach that level, the amount of Origin Force required would be staggering. Lin Zheyu estimated he would need at least 20 to 30 units.

For now, I'll hold off on advancing the ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique; the cost is too high. If I first improve the Tortoise Breath Grand Method, I can indirectly enhance my control over both body and blood qi. Then, when I return to the Golden Goose, it should consume less Origin Force

.

The Tortoise Breath Grand Method was a peculiar technique, originally designed by its creator to extend life, but it also possessed an extraordinary ability to conceal one's aura. To preserve vitality, one needed to lock essence, qi, and spirit firmly within, preventing any dissipation. Achieving that required absolute command over one's body and blood qi.

After raising the Tortoise Breath Grand Method to 6% of the third stage, Lin Zheyu could already feel a clear improvement in his physical control. The improvement was all-encompassing. His sensory perception had also grown noticeably sharper with the advancement of the Tortoise Breath Grand Method. If he could first raise the Tortoise Breath Grand Method to Perfection, his control over his essence, qi, and spirit would reach an almost inconceivable level.

After all, it was said that when the Tortoise Breath Grand Method reached the third stage of Perfection, even a Grandmaster Realm martial artist would be unable to perceive the user's true strength. Considering how sharp and penetrating a Grandmaster Realm martial artist's senses were, the level of mastery required to deceive one was beyond imagination.

With such refined control, practicing the ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique would yield results many times greater with half the effort.

My current strength is more than enough for self-preservation. If I improve the Tortoise Breath Grand Method first, I can maximize the value of my remaining Origin Force

.

Lin Zheyu's mind was set.

He stepped into his room, took out several packets of medicinal powder, and prepared to use his remaining Origin Force to further enhance the Tortoise Breath Grand Method.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, a series of knocks sounded from outside the room.

"Lord Lin, the leader asked me to inform you that the second group of Feihong Gang's convoy will depart from Songyi City in four days. Please make your preparations in advance. This is the leader's letter," said a Feihong Gang disciple respectfully.

Lin Zheyu took the letter. It was an official notice, detailing the departure time, gathering place, and the personnel in charge of the second convoy.

"So I'm among the listed members,

huh

? Perfect. I'll be able to ensure Senior Brother's parents and family travel safely. Once we reach Bafang City, I can always return later," he murmured. He changed into a fresh robe, tucked the letter into his chest, and made his way toward the Han residence to inform his senior brother.