Chapter 268: Thunder (II)

After the eighth qualitative change of blood qi, the Tortoise Breath True Technique did not show the previous issue of failing to lock essence and blood. But the Dragon Transformation is a realm that only martial artists with monstrous talent can reach. The enhancement it provides is likely extremely powerful, and accidents may occur. At the martial cultivation exchange, many terrifying experts will be present. To be safe, I should not rush to increase it further.

Lin Zheyu shook his head and abandoned the idea of further enhancing himself with Origin Force. Without having formed true strength, he did not understand its mysterious qualities. The traits of true strength were a significant variable. Even if the last three stages of the Tortoise Breath True Technique did not involve sealing life essence, he was not confident he could conceal his current realm from the martial cultivation experts he would encounter.

At the martial cultivation exchange, all sorts of rare and unusual techniques will be for sale. When the time comes, I will see if I can find a powerful technique for concealing aura. At its core, the Tortoise Breath True Technique is a longevity-type true technique. Its primary purpose is to extend lifespan.

Its aura suppression effect is only incidental. If I can cultivate another concealment-type true technique, combining both should solve the issue. After that, I can use 4 units of Origin Force at once to advance into the Dragon Transformation

.

Over the past two months, he had spent 10 units of Origin Force to trigger another qualitative change in his blood qi, reaching the eighth transformation. Later, he had used 11 more units to raise his blood qi nearly to the ninth transformation.

Lin Zheyu estimated that he needed around 4 additional units of Origin Force to break through into the Dragon Transformation. The reason he had been delaying this breakthrough was his concern that the increase in blood qi strength might be too drastic for the Tortoise Breath True Technique to conceal perfectly.

In any case, I am not going to the martial cultivation exchange to fight. I am only going with Li Mengxi to broaden my horizons. With my current perception and strength, even if a Soulcall Tower assassin appears, I can react quickly

.

He slowly closed his eyes, activated the Tortoise Breath True Technique, and entered a deep meditative state. A faint trace of tortoise breath true intent flowed through his body.

The next morning, after a night of rest, Lin Zheyu felt refreshed. The restorative effect of the Tortoise Breath True Technique was extremely powerful, and after comprehending its true intent, the effect was even stronger. In one night, the exhaustion from his previous limit-breaking had mostly faded.

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

My recovery ability, both physically and mentally, has improved quite a bit. But because both my physique and spirit have grown stronger, returning to peak condition still requires around four days. With my current essence, qi, and spirit strength, once I break through into the Dragon Transformation, I will likely gain 2 units of Origin Force from breaking a single limit.

Lin Zheyu looked forward to this greatly. After cultivating the Tortoise Breath True Technique to the sixth stage and breaking through the eighth blood qi transformation, the Origin Force he received from breaking his limits had increased slightly. Previously, he gained 3 units every two breakthroughs. Now, he gained about 7 units every four breakthroughs. Once he stepped into the Dragon Transformation and achieved a leap in strength, one limit break should yield 2 units of Origin Force.

After breakfast, Lin Zheyu strolled around to clear his mind. The layout and aesthetic arrangement of the Li Residence were beautiful. Living here long-term did not feel dull at all.

"Young Master Zhao, I wonder how you considered my previous proposal?" A sudden voice came from behind. Without turning, Lin Zheyu already knew who it was.

"Apologies, but I do not wish to be dragged into the internal conflicts of your Li family." Lin Zheyu turned around, looked at the woman, and spoke helplessly.

The visitor was Li Shuqin, who had previously taken three true techniques from the Library Pavilion. For some time now, she had been trying to approach him and persuade him to join her faction.

"You put so much effort into getting close to Li Mengqi because you wanted true techniques, cultivation resources, and perhaps even her beauty. As long as you leave her side and work for me, I can give you all of that," Li Shuqin said calmly.

Her tone carried a domineering air more common in men. If not for the poor impression he already had of her, encountering such a woman elsewhere might have made Lin Zheyu find her valiant or heroic. But once prejudice took root, he could not look at her favourably. Regardless of what grievances existed between her and Li Mengqi or whether Li Shuqin had her own reasons, Lin Zheyu simply could not feel goodwill toward her.

"I am merely a rustic nobody, a martial artist with no background. Why expend so much effort on me?" Lin Zheyu shook his head. He could not understand why Li Shuqin harboured such animosity toward Li Mengqi.

"Because your natural talent is strong. Someone who reached the Marrow Refining realm through the seventh transformation of blood qi and condensed a Dominance true intent seed has immense potential. You are worth my attention," Li Shuqin said lightly. "Li Mengqi has too few resources. If you remain with her, it will be difficult for you to obtain what you need."

"Hey, can you tell me what grudge exists between you and Miss Mengqi?" Lin Zheyu shifted the topic and asked curiously.

"What does it have to do with you?" Li Shuqin shot him a sideways glance and replied coolly.

Seeing she had no intention of answering, Lin Zheyu shrugged and ignored her. Talking more to this woman was pointless.

"Is this man truly as sentimental as he appears?" Li Shuqin murmured softly as she watched his departing figure.

She had also investigated Lin Zheyu, but just like before, the trail ended at his fabricated identity of Zhao Hao. Normally, she would never try to recruit a martial artist with unknown origins, no matter how talented. But he was close to Li Mengqi. Anything that could upset or disgust Li Mengqi was something Li Shuqin did not mind doing.

He seems to have built a good relationship with the siblings. If I can pull him over and make him betray Li Mengqi, she surely will not be able to keep a calm heart or maintain an ice-like state of mind.

Even with the assistance of a true intent diagram, comprehending Ice True Intent required the correct state of mind. If that mindset were disrupted midway, even if it recovered later, it would create an enormous obstacle and make future cultivation much harder. Everything Li Shuqin was doing served one purpose: to disrupt Li Mengqi's state of mind and prevent her from condensing Ice True Intent.

***

Li Shuqin's appearance was merely a small interlude. The Li siblings treated him well, and Lin Zheyu would never betray them. Moreover, he had no intention of getting involved in the Li Family's internal struggles. Outsiders who meddled in such disputes rarely met a good end.

Back in the courtyard, Lin Zheyu continued his daily training routine. He first practiced the Barbaric Ox Fist for four hours to comprehend the Dominance true intent. Most of the remaining time was spent cultivating the Violet Thunder Dominance Fist, hoping to understand the Violet Thunder true intent. This technique possessed immense potential and had once been a sect-protecting art of a powerful sect. Even without the true intent diagram, it could be cultivated through the traditional martial path to comprehend Violet Thunder true intent, though the difficulty was extremely high.

Rumble, rumble~.

Wind caused by the punching of fists roared. When the Violet Thunder Dominance Fist struck, faint rumbles of violet thunder echoed within the formation patterns. Lin Zheyu's chest expanded and contracted, his breathing method producing sounds like wind and thunder. The power of the Violet Thunder Dominance Fist far surpassed that of the Barbaric Ox Fist.

This technique could be considered a complete true technique. Although the true intent diagram was missing, it was still fully cultivable. In contrast, the Barbaric Ox Fist was only a third-rate fist technique. Even when executed with proper momentum, its power could not compare to the Violet Thunder Dominance Fist.

The Violet Thunder Dominance Fist had become Lin Zheyu's most powerful offensive method. As its name suggested, the fist technique was overwhelmingly fierce and dominant. Although he had not yet grasped the Violet Thunder true intent, the Dominance true intent he possessed greatly enhanced the technique.

Rumble, rumble~.

Wind and the sound of thunder echoed throughout the courtyard. Lin Zheyu's physique was exceptionally powerful, and when fully activating his breathing method, the noise was like pounding war drums, audible even beyond the courtyard walls.

What kind of state of mind should one possess to comprehend Violet Thunder True Intent? Thunder can annihilate all things, yet it can also grant life. In the Violet Thunder Dominance Fist, does thunder represent destruction?

Lin Zheyu pondered rapidly as he sought the mysteries within the fist technique.

Without a true intent diagram, he could only rely on personal comprehension. Understanding the symbolic meaning of Violet Thunder true intent within the fist technique was merely the initiation stage. The true difficulty lay in refining one's mindset and tempering one's martial conviction to fully harmonize with Violet Thunder true intent.