Chapter 233: Breaking Through The Encirclement (I)

"Mother, should we follow him to help?" Liang Yunhui asked anxiously as she watched Lin Zheyu walk off into the distance. She really wanted to see whether Little Black could escape. After spending so much time together, she had already come to regard Little Black as a friend.

"No. If we follow, we might just end up being a burden to Senior Zhao again. Let's go back. All we can do now is inform Senior Zhao of this matter. We'll meet him at the Jade Tea Pavilion the day after tomorrow at noon. With his strength, he'll be fine."

Liang Yuhan gently stroked her daughter's head and spoke softly. She glanced once more toward the direction Lin Zheyu had gone, then took her daughter back to their rented inn.

***

After parting with Liang Yuhan and her daughter, Lin Zheyu did not rush to leave the city. When faced with major events, one must remain calm. It had already been some time since Little Black's accident, so there was no need to hurry now. Before attempting to rescue Little Black, he first had to ensure his own safety. He would raise his strength first. After all, even a small improvement might determine victory or defeat.

He went to Jishi Hall, spent 2,000 taels of silver, and purchased four sets of Blazing Flame Blood-Burning Powder herbs. Then he returned to his courtyard to begin his strengthening. Before leaving the city, he planned to raise his strength as much as possible.

Using 2 units of Origin Force at once will strain my mind, but it's still within what I can handle.

He took out one set of Blazing Flame Blood-Burning Powder herbs, ground them into powder, and poured them into a wooden basin. Within the basin drifted black, ash-like particles. They were the remnants of herbs whose main medicinal power had already been extracted. Some potency still lingered, but he had no use for it.

Use 2 units of Origin Force to enhance Primordial Origin Technique {Modified}.

Once preparations were complete, he placed his hand into the basin and sent forth his thoughts. In an instant, his mind trembled and blurred. He entered that familiar consciousness space, beginning yet another round of ceaseless cultivation.

In the courtyard's shaded corner, Lin Zheyu's face twisted with pain. As the saying went, 'The first time you're unfamiliar, the second time you're practiced, and the third time you've mastered it.'[1] One's tolerance for pain could not increase quickly, but with the aid of Origin Force, his mastery of the technique was improving rapidly. Through countless cycles of running the Primordial Origin Technique {Modified}, new insights continually emerged. Although his martial cultivation and knowledge limited any groundbreaking improvements, his extraordinary proficiency allowed him to make small adjustments that reduced the agony of the process.

After several breaths, Lin Zheyu opened his eyes, the whites of them streaked with blood. He swayed, nearly unable to stand. His mind was trapped in a nightmare of agony, waves of phantom pain surging ceaselessly through his very soul.

Fuck... it hurts so much. Using 2 units of Origin Force at once is still pushing it.

Lin Zheyu drew in a sharp breath and pressed his fingers to his temples to ease the mental torment.

As he continued to cultivate, his tolerance for pain increased noticeably. His mastery of the technique had also reached an almost transcendent level, slightly reducing the agony of training. But it was still not enough.

Originally, Lin Zheyu had planned to wait five or six days, which was probably enough to better adapt to the pain and refine his technique further, before attempting to use 2 units of Origin Force again. But he could wait no longer. He had no idea what level of strength his coming opponents might possess, so he could only give his all to strengthen himself first. If not for the risk of mental exhaustion, he would have pushed for another round.

After 4 units of Origin Force in total, Lin Zheyu felt that the breakthrough to the sixth transformation of blood qi was near. The power of pure, refined blood qi flowed through his body, filling him with an overwhelming sense of strength.

After resting for a few minutes, Lin Zheyu exhaled deeply. Once the worst had subsided, he adjusted his appearance and leapt out of the courtyard. Only after leaving the city did he finally feel some relief, the torment in his mind easing considerably.

***

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Heavenly Blade Peak was renowned throughout Wuling City, and even across the entire Central Plains. Hovering above the mountain was a saber intent so dense it seemed tangible, radiating a terrifying pressure like the majesty of heaven itself. It drew in countless martial artists who came from afar, eager to experience the might of that celestial force firsthand and perhaps glean some insight from it. Even grasping the faintest trace of such a profound saber intent could benefit them for a lifetime.

After leaving the city, Lin Zheyu headed straight toward Heavenly Blade Peak. When he arrived at the foot of the mountain, he encountered many martial artists. Nearly half of them were at the Marrow Refining Realm, likely drawn by the saber intent atop the peak.

"Friend, has the Ink Fox you were just discussing been caught yet?" Lin Zheyu asked a few martial artists nearby who were speaking about it.

"No idea. We just got here ourselves," one of the men replied, shaking his head.

"Thank you." Lin Zheyu clasped his hands in salute and disappeared into the forest. He had no idea where Little Black had gone. The woods beneath Heavenly Blade Peak were vast, and searching aimlessly would be difficult. Fortunately, there were many busybodies around, and by inquiring along the way, he eventually learned what he needed to know.

Good... it hasn't been caught yet,

Lin Zheyu exhaled in relief. According to the martial artist he'd just spoken to, Lu Junyu[2], Tang Ziqiu, and Ji Qiming had already narrowed down the search area and set up an encirclement. They were now gradually closing the net.

***

Deep within the dense northern forest of Heavenly Blade Peak, the terrain was treacherous. Shrubs grew thick, mist hung low, and many fierce beasts lurked unseen.

Hiss, hiss, hiss.

Little Black roared and bolted madly into the distance. Behind it, a young man in fine robes followed at a leisurely pace, smiling faintly.

"This Ink Fox is mine!"

Tang Ziqiu's lips curved upward, his expression one of absolute confidence.

His speed was astonishing, and the distance between him and Little Black quickly shrank. Sensing danger, Little Black ran frantically, pushing itself to its very limits.

Hiss.

Its fur bristled in alarm as a fierce gust of force swept toward it from behind.

Bang!

Just as the attack was about to land, a heavy impact resounded from behind. Tang Ziqiu was blasted away by a single punch. Hearing the commotion, Little Black dared not relax for an instant and darted deeper into the forest.

"Ji Qiming!" Tang Ziqiu staggered back a few steps and finally saw who had struck him.

"

Heh

. You want to catch that Ink Fox? Did you ask my permission first?" Ji Qiming chuckled darkly. Without bothering to argue with Tang Ziqiu, he moved his feet and dashed after Little Black.

Bang!

However, the moment he entered the forest, a whipping kick struck him square in the chest, sending him stumbling backward. From a distance, Lu Junyu came charging in. Seeing Ji Qiming, he took the chance to kick him hard.

"Damn it! You're really going for it!" Ji Qiming cursed, clutching his chest. Lu Junyu hadn't held back in the slightest with that kick.

"Take this punch!"

Ji Qiming charged forward, his fist shooting out straight toward Lu Junyu's head.

After they found Little Black, the three had agreed that no one else was allowed to interfere; whoever could capture the Ink Fox with their own strength would claim it. That was how this chaotic scene came to be. If not for their fierce rivalry, Little Black would have been caught long ago. It was merely a beast of the second transformation, and to have survived this long under the pursuit of so many martial artists was already a remarkable feat.

"Fucking hell! Tang Ziqiu! Why are you hitting me? Go beat up Lu Junyu instead! Let's take that bastard down first, then we'll fight it out between us!" Ji Qiming shouted.

"Fine!" Tang Ziqiu replied coolly, happy to repay Ji Qiming for the punch he'd just taken earlier.

The two turned their gaze toward Lu Junyu, identical mischievous smiles spreading across their faces.

"You two have no sense of honor!" Lu Junyu blurted out, his face darkening. He slowly retreated, then suddenly flared his blood qi power and dashed once more toward Little Black.

"Come and get me! If you want to gang up on me, you'd better be able to keep up first!" said Lu Junyu, laughing loudly.

Tang Ziqiu and Ji Qiming exchanged a glance, both chuckling as they sprang forward in pursuit. Their speed was nearly on par with Lu Junyu's. Lu Junyu chased after Little Black, while Tang Ziqiu and Ji Qiming chased after him. Three men and one beast were locked in a wild struggle across the forest.

"Stop right there!"

When Lin Zheyu arrived at the area where Little Black had last been seen, following directions from other martial artists, he was halted by a guard.

"What if I insist on going in?" Lin Zheyu frowned slightly and asked calmly toward the guard. The man met his gaze and slowly approached.

"You can try," the man said flatly. His gaze was cold and detached, carrying an air of superiority that made Lin Zheyu's expression tighten with irritation.

Lin Zheyu observed the surroundings. Guards were stationed at intervals, forming a complete encirclement roughly two thousand square meters wide. It seemed tedious, so he didn't force his way through. Instead, he leapt onto a treetop and looked out from afar, where he could see the three young men battling within the forest, driving Little Black into frantic flight.

1. 一回生，二回熟，三回巧 (yī huí shēng, èr huí shú, sān huí qiǎo) is a Chinese proverb from folk wisdom, meaning "the first time you're unfamiliar, the second time you're practiced, and the third time you've mastered it," describing how skill comes through repeated experience. ☜

2. The author wrote 卢俊伟 (Lu Junwei) here, but I think it's a mistake and it's supposed to be Lu Junyu. ☜