Chapter 97: Beyond The Reach Of Mortal Power (II)

Time slipped by, and more than 6 hours passed in a flash. After Lin Zheyu's blood qi had been purified and enhanced, his endurance had improved significantly. Even when it was fully depleted, he was still far from reaching his physical limit.

He had once forged weighted equipment, but with the smithing level available in Songyi City, the gear was crude and unsophisticated. Although it could shorten the time he needed to reach his limit to about 3 hours, he had ultimately given up on using it.

Wearing the weighted gear caused his martial movements to distort badly, and explosive bursts of power could even lead to muscle strain, limiting him to only the most basic forms of training.

By pushing his body beyond its limits through martial practice alone, the closer he came to the edge, the deeper his inexplicable insights into martial techniques became. He grasped profound truths when strength exploded from exhaustion, when blood qi circulated under strain, and when the mysterious essence of martial techniques revealed itself. Such experiences were invaluable, far beyond what a mere reduction in training time could offer.

"

Hu...

"

Lin Zheyu exhaled deeply and slumped weakly against a tree trunk. The forest was exceptionally secluded. He had observed carefully on his way in and confirmed that no one had followed him. Even if enemies launched an attack, their target would be the iron smelting zone, not this place, so it was relatively safe.

Moreover, his time of exhaustion was brief. With Origin Force to boost his recovery and sufficient herbs to supply energy, he could restore himself quickly.

"Another 2 units of Origin Force."

Lin Zheyu glanced at the data in his consciousness and grinned. Once he broke through to the first transformation of blood qi, he might gain 2 units of Origin Force once every 3 attempts on average.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 2]

[Skills: Barbaric Ox Fist (Perfection), Golden Goose Technique (Fifth Stage: 40%), Tortoise Breath Grand Method (Third Stage: 2%), Sixfold Saber (Initial Mastery, 8%), Poison King Body (First Stage: 0%)]

Sitting cross-legged, he squeezed the last threads of blood qi from his body, and the soreness in his muscles eased considerably.

He stood, filled a wooden basin with clear water, and took out a small leather pouch containing four packets of Blood-Nourishing Bone-Fortifying Decoction powder, which he poured into the water.

He stirred the mixture with his hand before thinking,

Use two units of Origin Force to enhance Golden Goose Technique.

That familiar sensation swept over him. Blood qi surged back rapidly through Lin Zheyu's body, and under the influence of a mysterious energy, it was further purified, stripped of impurities, and refined.

A few breaths later, Lin Zheyu exhaled a long breath of turbid air and opened his eyes, feeling his blood qi surge full and strong once more.

Boom!

He stomped hard against the ground, and blood qi exploded violently from within, creating a small crater beneath his feet as his figure shot forward like a launched arrow. Twisting his body mid-motion, he unleashed another burst of blood qi, and his right leg snapped out like lightning and smashed into a nearby tree.

A thunderous bang echoed, followed by the sharp crack of splintering wood. The spot where his kick landed burst open, cracks spiderwebbing outward until the massive tree crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.

"I haven't even reached the first transformation of blood qi, and yet my strength is already terrifying. Those at the fourth or fifth transformation must be like humanoid beasts," murmured Lin Zheyu in awe.

Feeling the raw strength coursing through his body, he couldn't help but marvel. He had refined about half of his blood qi now, with 44% remaining before he would reach the first transformation. Yet even at this stage, the power he could unleash was astonishing.

***

Night fell, and cold winds howled across the mountain. The men stationed at Baishi Mountain were all burly and strong, so such cold was nothing to them. Torches were lit, and Lin Zheyu sat by the campfire roasting the wild game he had hunted in the mountains.

Not far away, Xu She and several Bone Forging Realm experts were gambling together. That was their nightly pastime, and Lin Zheyu did not impose many restrictions on them. Life at Baishi Mountain was dull enough. If even this bit of entertainment was forbidden, they would probably lose their minds.

"

Ha!

I won! Hand over the money!" Xu She laughed heartily as he said to the others.

"Fine, here! One more round! I don't believe I'll lose again!" said the burly man across from Xu She unwillingly.

"No more for me, no more. I'm going to take a leak first." Xu She waved his hand with a grin and said, "You all keep playing. I'll take a walk and do a patrol while I'm at it."

After relieving himself, he gave his body a shake and began patrolling leisurely. Lin Zheyu glanced at him once but paid no further attention. Xu She was a clever man who knew when to quit, often slipping away with an excuse after winning a bit of money.

Rumble.

As Xu She followed the defensive line on his patrol, the waters of the nearby White River roared violently in the distance. The southern side of Baishi Mountain was not only treacherous terrain but was also backed by the raging White River, making it nearly impossible for intruders to approach undetected.

What treacherous terrain... without someone on the inside, getting in from here would be as hard as climbing to the heavens.

Xu She sighed as he looked at the rushing waters, then thought to himself,

Those bandits aren't good people. I'll make sure they pay me first.

Back by the fire, the flames crackled and popped as the logs burned steadily.

Lin Zheyu looked at Xu She, who was walking toward him, and asked, "What is it?"

"My Lord, I haven't gone home for a month. I'd like to request two days' leave tomorrow to visit my wife and children," said Xu She.

To earn more money to buy herbs for breaking through to the Organ Forging Realm, he had been stationed at Baishi Mountain for nearly half a year, returning home only two days each month. Here, the pay was 3 taels more per month than what he earned in Songyi City.

"Alright. There are many bandits along the way, so be careful on your way back. See if anyone else is heading home and try to travel together as a group," said Lin Zheyu with a nod.

"Thank you, My Lord."

***

The next day, outside Baishi Mountain, deep within the forest near Lion Valley. Xu She crept into the woods, heading for the spot they had agreed upon earlier.

A sharp voice came from within the trees, shouting, "Who goes there?"

"It's me, Xu She. I arranged to meet Sun Mao here a month ago," replied Xu She.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone aiming a crossbow at him from within the trees, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.

"What am I afraid of? They need me right now, so they won't dare make a move," muttered Xu She to himself.

Rustle, rustle.

Rustling sounds came from deeper in the forest as someone went to report his arrival. After about 10 minutes, a stranger stepped out with a grin on his face. He was burly and broad-shouldered, with a vicious look that made it clear he was not a good man.

The man sized Xu She up and asked casually, "Xu She? Did Sun Mao contact you?"

Xu She suppressed the unease rising in his chest and said, "Yes. May I ask who you are, sir?"

"I'm Sun Likun. That bastard, Sun Mao, died some time ago. I'm handling his business now," said Sun Likun.

He pulled out a small, messy notebook from his chest pocket, wet his finger with saliva, and began flipping through the pages. Despite his brutish appearance, he was still literate. Most people who reached the peak of the Bone Forging Realm came from families with some wealth, and they had been sent to school as children to learn to read and write.

"D-Dead... dead?"

Xu She froze for a moment, caught off guard. He glanced at Sun Likun and the others. They spoke of Sun Mao's death with cheerful indifference, as if they were talking about a dead dog.

"Found it. Here, Xu She. Have you thought it through so quickly? You've decided to join us?"

After confirming the name, Sun Likun looked up at Xu She and let out a low, amused laugh.

"Yes, but I have one condition. I want half the payment up front. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease," said Xu She.

"Easy enough. Come, I'll take you to meet Lord Fan. Just follow his instructions," said Sun Likun, chuckling again. He slung an arm around Xu She's neck and led him deeper into the forest.

When Xu She emerged again, excitement was written across his face, and a large bundle was strapped to his back. He glanced cautiously around, then hurried toward home. It wasn't safe outside, and if someone robbed him of his newly acquired goods now, he would be devastated.

Sun Likun stepped out of the woods, chuckling as he watched Xu She disappear into the distance.

"Boss, you're just going to hand it over like that?" One of his men asked, "What if that brat betrays us when he goes back?"

"What's there to fear? Lord Fan must have his reasons for arranging it this way. I wonder how the brothers who went to lure the living corpse are doing today. That idiot Sun Mao even volunteered for it. Good thing I was smart enough not to wade into that mess," said Sun Likun.

Several days had passed, and the task still hadn't succeeded. Just trying to lure the living corpse out of Beast Roar Mountain had already cost many brothers their lives.

"Damn it, what's so great about being a deacon? They're all throwing their lives away," muttered Sun Likun under his breath. He didn't believe a word of what the Nine Nether Sect people said.

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

They claimed that becoming a deacon would grant one divine medicine, rapidly increasing strength, and even the blessing of the Demon God for eternal life. To hell with that. All he wanted was to stay alive.