Chapter 239: Will Of The Strong (I)

A gentle breeze swept through the mountains. The air was pleasant and free of the summer's sweltering heat.

Lin Zheyu sat cross-legged on a thick branch, circulating the Tortoise Breath Grand Method with full focus. As he silently recited the Mind Purifying Chant, his mind became clear and serene. Using Origin Force to elevate the Primordial Origin Technique {Modified} consumed much of his spirit. Yet the greater toll came from the torment within his heart; it was an endless cycle of cultivation and pain that cast a heavy shadow over his mind. He had to adjust his state and emerge from the lingering ache shrouding his spirit.

Hiss, hiss, hiss.

Beneath the tree, Little Black swung its claws and roared, practicing the Barbaric Ox Fist with surprising form. Under Lin Zheyu's stern insistence, it had been forced to learn human martial arts. Though its progress was mediocre, it was still better than simply eating and sleeping all day.

***

The sun hung high overhead.

Lin Zheyu opened his eyes from meditation and exhaled a long, turbid breath, feeling much of his spirit restored.

The Mind Purifying Chant truly is extraordinary. It's a pity that the visualization diagram is missing,

Lin Zheyu thought with regret.

Even when merely reciting the Mind Purifying Chant while circulating the Tortoise Breath Grand Method for recovery, he could feel his mind becoming pure and tranquil, the lingering pain deep within his spirit slowly fading. If he had the visualization diagram containing true intent, allowing him to contemplate the divine presence of the Wrathful Vajra, his cultivation would surely be even more powerful.

This soul-cultivating technique was designed to strengthen the spirit and refine one's will. It allowed martial artists to practice the Seven Fiend Ghost Manual without being corrupted by the Yin force and losing their sanity. If Lin Zheyu possessed the complete soul-cultivating technique, his spirit would grow far more resilient and powerful. Then the pain brought about by enhancing his techniques with Origin Force would be nothing to him.

Unfortunately, he did not. The version Liang Song had given him lacked the visualization diagram's true intent and charm; only the Mind Purifying Chant retained any real effectiveness.

Leaping down from the tree, Lin Zheyu found that Little Black was already gone. The little creature, punctual as ever, never needed to be told when it was mealtime. It had likely dashed off to hunt beasts long before. He took out the Blazing Flame Blood-Burning Powder from his pack, poured it into a wooden basin, and mixed it with the leftover herbs from the morning until the blend was even.

The Blazing Flame Blood-Burning Powder from this morning should still have more than half its potency left. I wonder if these remaining herbs are enough to push my strength to the seventh transformation of blood qi

.

Within the Blood Qi Realm, every three qualitative changes formed a threshold, and crossing each threshold would bring a terrifying leap in power. If he were to face the Tang Family's expert again, he could likely kill him outright without relying on the Boiling Blood Secret Art, though it would not be as clean or decisive.

After reaching the sixth transformation of blood qi, Lin Zheyu estimated that his strength had doubled. Yet this was only temporary; as time went on, even without advancing further, his power would continue to grow. The sixth transformation's true strength lay in fortifying the physique. It was called the Furnace Transformation because the blood qi became so potent that it burned like flames, endlessly tempering and reforging the body.

Having only recently advanced into the Blood Qi Realm, Lin Zheyu's physique was still rapidly transforming. As it continued to strengthen, his overall power would rise in kind. This was why true geniuses far outstripped ordinary martial artists and could even battle opponents above their level.

"

Huff

... Let's begin."

Lin Zheyu exhaled slowly, steeling himself to endure the endless agony of cultivation. Then he closed his eyes and sent out a thought,

Use 1 unit of Origin Force to enhance the Primordial Origin Technique {Modified}.

In that instant, a vast, mysterious energy surged up from the depths of his very cells...

***

In Wuling City, the golden sunlight poured down, coating the earth in a warm glow. The sun was about to set, and the evening air had turned pleasantly cool. Many townsfolk had come out to stroll the streets.

Inside the Jade Tea Pavilion.

"Mother, Uncle Zhao hasn't returned yet. Could something have happened to him?" Liang Yunhui asked anxiously.

They had already waited at the teahouse for an entire day. Lin Zheyu had promised that after rescuing Little Black, he would meet them two days later at the Jade Tea Pavilion. But now, after waiting a full day, the mother and daughter still hadn't seen him. Liang Yuhan shook her head slightly without speaking. She raised a finger to her lips, motioning for silence as she listened closely to the neighboring table's conversation.

"I don't know what's gotten into the Tang Family lately; they're searching everywhere, both around Heavenly Blade Peak and inside Wuling City. Damn it, I've already been interrogated three times for no reason!" a man grumbled.

"Keep your voice down if you value your life. If anyone from the Tang Family hears you, you'll be skinned alive," his companion warned in a low tone.

"What's there to be afraid of? The Tang Family only holds sway here in Wuling. Worst-case scenario, I'll just move to another city. It's not like my roots are here," the man said with a sneer.

"I actually know the reason. But listen, you didn't hear it from me," said another man to his left in a conspiratorial whisper. "Remember that incident some time ago, when the young masters of the Tang, Lu, and Ji Families were hunting an Ink Fox near Heavenly Blade Peak?"

"It has to do with that Ink Fox?" one of them asked.

"Of course. That Ink Fox belonged to someone, and its master had returned. I was there myself. The man's strength was terrifying, especially his lightness technique. He moved like a phantom. Even when surrounded by numerous Marrow Refining Realm experts, he cut through them as if no one was there..." The man spoke on and on, reliving the memory with fervor.

"Don't worry. Senior Zhao will be fine," Liang Yuhan said softly after listening for a while.

She had spent the entire day in the teahouse. From the fragments of gossip she overheard from other guests, she pieced together a general idea of what had happened. She guessed that Lin Zheyu had been injured during battle and gone into hiding to recover. It was likely he wouldn't return anytime soon. Perhaps he had already taken Little Black and left Wuling City altogether. Knowing Senior Zhao's temperament, she found that possibility quite high.

"Really?" Liang Yunhui blinked, looking at her mother with hopeful eyes. Her cultivation was weaker, and her senses less keen, so she hadn't heard the other customers' conversation.

"Yes. Let's go home. There's no need to wait any longer." Liang Yuhan rose, settled the bill, and left the Jade Tea Pavilion with her daughter.

***

In the forest near Heavenly Blade Peak, Tang Ziqiu's face was dark as night. His fourth uncle was dead. What he had thought would be an easy task had ended in disaster, and it had even cost him a family member.

"Uncle Chan, Uncle Wang, how's the investigation?" Tang Ziqiu asked as he stepped forward when he saw Leng Chan and Leng Wang approaching.

"We couldn't find any trace of the culprit. Lord Weizhong pursued the trail deep into the mountains but never caught up. The man might have already left Wuling City," Leng Chan said, shaking his head with a furrowed brow.

"Young master, I believe that man came to Wuling City to comprehend the saber intent of Heavenly Blade Peak," Leng Wang suggested. "If we join forces with the Lu, Ji, and Pei Families of Ruyang City, station men at the peak, and screen all outsiders, we might be able to find him."

"

Hmm

..." Tang Ziqiu mused for a moment before asking, "And third uncle? Has he not returned yet?"

His third uncle, Tang Weizhong, was a martial prodigy of the Tang Family and was gifted beyond measure. He had reached the sixth transformation of blood qi before breaking through to the Marrow Refining Realm. His power was terrifying.

That time, Tang Weizhong had arrived too late. Had he come twenty minutes earlier, Lin Zheyu would likely have perished on the spot. Even with the Boiling Blood Secret Art, Lin Zheyu would have stood no chance against such a genius.

"Lord Weizhong has gone deeper into the mountains to search again. He believes the target still carries traces of the Tang Family's unique Soul-Seeking Incense, and he wants to find him before its effect fades," Leng Wang said, shaking his head.

Tang Ziqiu's fourth uncle had been a seasoned veteran of the martial world. Even in moments of crisis, he never forgot to leave Soul-Seeking Incense on his enemy. Tang Weizhong had followed that scent into the mountains. Yet Lin Zheyu, wary of pursuit, had deliberately fled deep into the wilderness, passing through swamps, poisonous mists, and thick fog to mask any traces of tracking powder.

"Do as you suggested earlier, then. Go station men around Heavenly Blade Peak..." Tang Ziqiu paused midway, a bitter smile crossing his face as he continued, "No, this has already gone beyond what I can handle."

A matter involving a martial artist of such power was far beyond his authority to mobilize the necessary manpower or experts.

"Keep searching nearby. If you find any clues, report to me immediately," Tang Ziqiu ordered after a brief silence. He then turned and left, heading back toward Wuling City. Only his father had the authority to deal with something like this.