Chapter 390: Harvest (II)

"Martial Uncle..."

"Greetings, Martial Uncle!"

Upon returning to Azure Tide Pavilion, the disciples greeted Lin Zheyu one after another. He smiled and nodded back. The sect had been quieter lately. Many familiar senior brothers and sisters had gone out on missions, and even Marrow Refining realm disciples had their own tasks. Lin Zheyu went to visit Elder Yang, but he had gone to the Bull Demon Sect and would return in a few days. Leaving Azure Water Pavilion, Lin Zheyu finally saw a familiar face.

"Senior Brother!" Lin Zheyu stepped forward quickly and greeted Cui Haihong with a smile.

"You finally came back. How does the Primordial Wuji True Technique feel? Are you confident in mastering it?" Cui Haihong asked with a grin.

"Of course," Lin Zheyu replied confidently.

"

Haha

, I believe you can as well," Cui Haihong said.

After chatting briefly, Lin Zheyu recalled the black compass and blood lotus. These were not recorded in the sect's archives, so he could only ask others. Since Elder Yang was away, he decided to ask Cui Haihong. Having served as a true disciple at Azure Tide Pavilion for so long and been a Force Transformation realm martial artist for over a decade, he must have encountered many secrets.

"Senior Brother, have you ever seen a magical item made of black jade, shaped like a compass, and capable of locating people?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"Are you referring to the Ink Jade Disk?" Cui Haihong asked in surprise after a moment's thought.

He had only learned of the Ink Jade Disk by chance from a friend. He had not expected that a junior in the Marrow Refining realm would already come into contact with such an item.

"Ink Jade Disk is indeed a fitting name. Does the one you mentioned also display light points?" Lin Zheyu asked. He had thought only Elder Yang would know, yet Cui Haihong did as well.

"It is indeed the Ink Jade Disk. Such an item is a rare treasure and cannot be obtained without special channels. Where did you get one?" Cui Haihong asked, his brows knitting with concern.

"On my way back, I happened to run into a vendetta killing. I saw that person holding a dark jade compass, seemingly using it to locate his target, so I grew curious." Lin Zheyu gave the excuse he had prepared in advance.

"I see. Those who can obtain an Ink Jade Disk usually have extraordinary backgrounds. Most are related to the legendary immortal cultivators or evil sects. Junior Brother, it is best not to get involved," Cui Haihong advised without probing further.

"Yes, thank you for the reminder. Senior Brother, the Ink Jade Disk is so wondrous. What does it rely on to determine a person's location?" Lin Zheyu asked. If he could learn how to use it, it might prove useful in the future.

"I have not seen an Ink Jade Disk myself, so I do not know the details. But I have heard that this enchanted artifact is extremely miraculous. As long as one obtains a personal item of the target and uses the aura lingering on it, one can track their whereabouts." Cui Haihong smiled and said, "Work hard, Junior Brother. Once you advance to the Martial Innate realm and step into that world, I will be relying on you."

"You jest, Senior Brother. With your aptitude and natural talent, you will reach the Martial Innate realm sooner or later. By then, I might be the one relying on you," Lin Zheyu replied with a smile.

The two chatted and laughed as they walked toward the sect's exit. Seeing Lin Zheyu had returned, Cui Haihong intended to treat him to a meal. Though his expression remained calm, Lin Zheyu felt puzzled inside.

If a personal item is sufficient, then using the beast's blood should have worked as well. Could it be that changing the target requires some special method?

Lin Zheyu pondered inwardly.

***

Less than five days after returning, Cui Haihong left again on a mission. Martial artists above the Force Transformation realm had numerous tasks to handle. Even those in the Marrow Refining realm often had to go out on assignments. Only Lin Zheyu, having just joined the sect and with Huang Baizhong's permission, could remain this leisurely. However, Huang Baizhong had only granted him three years to focus on cultivation. After that, he would need to take on missions and earn contribution points himself.

Night fell. Lin Zheyu left the sect, altered his appearance, and arrived at the black market. This place was strictly regulated. Entry required 100 taels of silver each time, and only martial artists at the Marrow Refining realm or above were allowed in. The higher the entry requirements, the more treasures were available inside. Lin Zheyu had obtained the Blood Burning Saber Technique here.

"Have any new special techniques arrived today?" Lin Zheyu asked at a stall selling techniques.

He already possessed standard primary cultivation methods. He now sought special techniques like the Blood Burning Saber Technique, which carried severe side effects for others but could be negated through his Origin Force.

"What type are you looking for?" the vendor asked.

"Techniques such as the Evernight Slumber Secret Art, Blood Burning Saber Technique, Bone Shrinking Art, Ninefold Origin Lock Art, and the like. Those with peculiar abilities but significant side effects," Lin Zheyu replied.

He had also found the Bone Shrinking Art in the black market. However, this technique caused structural changes to bones and tendons after cultivation, affecting a martial artist's physique. Practitioners would develop skeletal deformities unsuitable for further cultivation. Thus, Lin Zheyu had only purchased it to broaden his knowledge rather than practice it.

"Yes. Here are some special secret techniques for you to review." The vendor nodded and handed over a small booklet opened to the latter pages.

Lin Zheyu examined them carefully and found several interesting techniques. He purchased two and moved on to the next stall. Many of the techniques he bought were not for practice but to expand his understanding of the human body. After acquiring five intriguing techniques, he arrived at the herb dealer's stall that they had previously arranged.

"Have the herbs I requested been prepared?" Lin Zheyu asked calmly.

The last time he came, he searched for a long while and visited several black markets before finding enough Cold Bone Grass and White Frost Flower. However, he failed to obtain the Devouring Phoenix Profound Leaf. After making many inquiries, he finally found this herb dealer who sold it. Lin Zheyu paid 50,000 taels of silver as a deposit and arranged to collect it today.

"Alright, alright," the vendor said with a smile.

After receiving the remaining payment from Lin Zheyu, his smile grew even brighter.

"These are the Devouring Phoenix Profound Leaves you requested."

The vendor took out a half-man-tall sack. Upon opening it, it was filled with Devouring Phoenix Profound Leaves, their rich herbal fragrance wafting out. Lin Zheyu inspected them and nodded in satisfaction after confirming there were no issues.

"Thank you," Lin Zheyu said.

"You are too kind. If you need anything else, remember to come to me. No matter how rare the treasure herbs are, I can find a way to get them for you," the vendor said with a grin.

"Alright." Lin Zheyu nodded and left with the Devouring Phoenix Profound Leaves in hand.

The herbs were now fully prepared. Next, he could begin his enhancement.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 14]

[Skills: Tortoise Breath True Technique (Sixth Stage: 0%), Blood Burning Saber Technique (Third Stage: 100%), Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art (Second Stage: 0%), Primordial Wuji True Technique (First Stage: 63%)]

14 units of Origin Force. I wonder how many stages of the Primordial Wuji True Technique I can advance,

Lin Zheyu thought.

After returning to the sect, he had broken through his limits twice in succession, accumulating 14 units of Origin Force. He estimated that cultivating the Primordial Wuji True Technique to the peak of the Marrow Refining realm would require more than 20 units. For the current Lin Zheyu, this was not much and could be accumulated in less than a month.