Fanning the Flames

However, Qiu Gaoxuan had suffered rather severe injuries and needed to recuperate for a period of time. Combined with the recent battle at Baishi Mountain—which had claimed the lives of two Viscera Tempering experts and over a dozen Bone Tempering fighters—manpower was running somewhat short. The next day. *Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—* Cold gleams flashed across the courtyard. The saber moved in Lin Zheyu's hands as naturally as an extension of his own limbs, shifting with his body, fluidly changing at will. His comprehension of the Golden Goose Skill had already attained the realm of absolute mastery. His movements were swift and elegant, unpredictable and ethereal, advancing and retreating at will with a mere thought. Stepping through the footwork of the Golden Goose Skill in tandem with the Six Harmonies Saber, the fierce and powerful blade technique took on an unexpectedly fluid, graceful quality in his hands. *Whoosh—* His gaze sharpened, and the momentum radiating from him surged. His style shifted abruptly, losing a touch of ethereal grace and gaining a hint of domineering ferocity. The saber whirled in his grip with thunderous vigor, whipping up gusts of fierce wind. With a sharp hiss, the qi and blood within him erupted. The blade slashed out, a formidable, invisible presence coiling around his entire body, suffocatingly oppressive. During his month of secluded cultivation on Baishi Mountain, his command over fist momentum had grown far more seasoned. No longer confined strictly to boxing techniques, he had gradually woven it into the Six Harmonies Saber. Compared to before, the Six Harmonies Saber now carried a tyrannical undertone. Under this domineering saber momentum, before the blade even arrived, an opponent's courage would already be shattered with terror. Lin Zheyu sheathed his saber, stood firm, and carefully contemplated that sensation. "Still not enough. My martial dao conviction lacks depth, and the 'momentum' lacks true essence. It can only intimidate those with weak resolve. "Against ferocious beasts or opponents with unyielding wills, it won't be of much use," Lin Zheyu muttered to himself. He had cultivated the Six Harmonies Saber entirely through his own efforts, never once relying on Origin Power to boost it. Even so, his comprehension was sharp, and martial arts disciplines shared common principles. With his high attainments in other techniques serving as points of reference, his progress with the saber had been exceptionally rapid. After several months, he was already nearing the realm of Great Accomplishment. Time slipped by as he practiced continuously for over three shichen. Lin Zheyu stopped, panting heavily. [Heaven Rewards Diligence] Name: Lin Zheyu Origin Power: 5 Skills: Wild Bull Fist (Perfection) Golden Goose Skill (Sixth Layer 12%) Turtle Breathing Art (Third Layer 3%) Six Harmonies Saber (Minor Accomplishment 58%) Poison King Body (First Layer 0%) "Sure enough, after reaching the First Blood Transformation, every three training sessions yield two units of Origin Power once," Lin Zheyu looked at the figures in his mind and spoke inwardly. During his days on Baishi Mountain, once the medicinal herbs ran out, the Origin Power he gained each time he broke past his limits could only be stockpiled, with nowhere to spend it. He had saved up three units of Origin Power there, and with two more added today, he now had five units accumulated. *I have to figure out a way to make money,* Lin Zheyu thought to himself. Among his techniques, only the Wild Bull Fist had reached the Perfection realm, while the Poison King Body was still sitting at zero percent. There was no point in even considering that technique in the short term; it was simply far too costly. After resting for a while, Lin Zheyu stood up. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he began refining the power of qi and blood. Lacking sufficient medicinal herbs to boost his strength, Lin Zheyu had no choice but to let his body recover slowly. However, with his physique at the First Blood Transformation, so long as he took in enough nourishment, he could swiftly return to his peak. That was the wondrous might of qi and blood. Qi and blood possessed an extraordinary efficacy in relieving bodily soreness and healing wounds. After cultivating for over half a shichen, with wisps of qi and blood power circulating once again, Lin Zheyu's complexion improved considerably. The power of qi and blood coursed through his body, dispersing into his flesh and blood to accelerate his recovery. Though he appeared somewhat feeble at the moment, with the robust constitution of the First Blood Transformation paired with the newly refined qi and blood power, he could still crush a peak Viscera Tempering martial artist with ease. He washed up and changed into a clean green robe. Inside Feihong Tower. "You're here. Have a seat," Gang Leader Xu said with a smile as he looked at Lin Zheyu. Now that his own strength had risen to the First Blood Transformation, Lin Zheyu could clearly discern Gang Leader Xu's cultivation—it was likewise at the level of the First Blood Transformation. Sitting down across from Xu Jingwu, Lin Zheyu picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup for Gang Leader Xu, and then filled his own. "How did it feel garrisoning Baishi Mountain for a month?" Xu Jingwu asked with a chuckle. "Not bad at all. It was a good place to concentrate on martial cultivation," Lin Zheyu replied. "Haha! "Just as expected of you! With such formidable martial talent and such diligent effort to boot, no wonder your strength grows so rapidly. Once I get back, I'll have to make Qinyi learn from you properly," Xu Jingwu said with a hearty laugh. "The gang leader flatters me. It was only because Baishi Mountain was too boring with nothing else to do all day, so practicing martial arts was my only option," Lin Zheyu replied modestly. "No need to be modest. "Now that you're back, remember to invite Yuxiang out for a stroll through the streets. Don't just stay cooped up at home practicing martial arts all day. "During the month you were away, that little lass was always bringing you up in front of Qinyi and the others, asking when you'd return," Xu Jingwu said smilingly, playing the role of matchmaker. "Uh... "Miss Yuxiang and I have only met a few times, and we've barely exchanged words. She is indeed very beautiful, and her temperament is quite fine as well, but she just isn't my type." Lin Zheyu made things clear immediately. His ambitions lay elsewhere; once he had accumulated enough foundation, he would leave Songyi City for a grander stage. "What a pity. Yuxiang missed out on such a fine gentleman. "Tell me then, what kind of woman do you fancy? Perhaps our Xu clan happens to have girls of the right age," Gang Leader Xu said with a smile. "My heart is not set on such matters, and I do not intend to marry so early. I appreciate the gang leader's consideration," Lin Zheyu said. "Then we won't speak of it further." Xu Jingwu nodded; with words put so plainly, it was not appropriate to press the matter. "Right now, the Feihong Gang has lost a number of capable fighters, and Qiu Gaoxuan's injuries are severe enough that he needs a long rest. How would you feel about taking over Qiu Gaoxuan's position?" Xu Jingwu asked, looking at Lin Zheyu with a gentle smile. Take over Qiu Gaoxuan's position? Lin Zheyu was taken aback, not expecting Xu Jingwu to offer him a promotion. "My strength might be lacking. Wouldn't that stir up discontent among the other gang members?" Lin Zheyu asked. "Although Chen Mu was only in the Bone Tempering Realm, even many Viscera Tempering fighters were no match for him. Since you were able to defeat him, your strength is more than sufficient," Xu Jingwu said. "Then thank you, Gang Leader. I accept," Lin Zheyu said. Qiu Gaoxuan's position was far easier than Jia Yanyong's and the others', and the pay was higher—it was a rather lucrative role. "Mm, good. "Duties within Songyi City are quite light. In your spare time, you can also accept the gang's supply escort missions; the pay is calculated based on the cargo and distance traveled. "Of course, that's entirely voluntary; you don't have to take them if you don't wish to. "I heard from Qinyi that you often head out to hunt in Beast Roar Mountain, battling ferocious beasts. After taking over Qiu Gaoxuan's post, you may continue doing so; Jia Yanyong and the others are more than enough to handle affairs within the city. "However, if manpower runs short and an assignment requires you, you must be present. Is that acceptable?" Xu Jingwu said with a smile. The conditions he offered were exceptionally generous, with virtually no stringent demands. It was practically giving away money for free. "Thank you for your favor, Gang Leader!" Lin Zheyu cupped his hands and said. He knew Gang Leader Xu was extending goodwill; since a marriage alliance was off the table, the man sought to win him over through other means. "Gang Leader, there is a matter I would like to consult you on," Lin Zheyu ventured. "What is it? Let's hear it," Xu Jingwu asked curiously. "I would like to ask if there is any way to obtain a higher-grade martial arts technique," Lin Zheyu inquired. He had already mastered the Golden Goose Skill down to every nuance, bringing it to the realm of absolute mastery, yet the speed at which it tempered his qi and blood had barely increased. This was not an issue of comprehension, but rather an inherent limitation of the technique itself. Techniques like the Wild Bull Fist and the Six Harmonies Saber had originally been designed only to reach the peak of the Viscera Tempering Realm. However, someone endowed with decent talent could still rely on hard work to advance into the Qi and Blood Realm. Yet once reaching the Qi and Blood Realm, making further progress became exceedingly difficult. Because of their intrinsic limitations, even if one managed to step into the Qi and Blood Realm, the speed of refining qi and blood was so slow that one might spend an entire lifetime without ever reaching the Qi and Blood Gauze Realm. If Senior Brother Han Mo were to break through to the Qi and Blood Realm relying on the Six Harmonies Saber, he too would have to switch to the Golden Goose Skill. The Six Harmonies Saber's speed in refining qi and blood was simply too slow—compared to the Golden Goose Skill, it crawled like a snail. "Obtaining a high-grade martial arts technique is no easy feat. While prominent clans and major factions do put forth some techniques for subordinates to purchase or redeem, they are all ordinary arts. "Techniques at the Qi and Blood Realm are generally not allowed to circulate freely; only a rare few powerhouses pass them down through formal apprenticeship. "If you are willing to marry into our Xu clan as a matrilocal son-in-law, I can provide you with our ancestral techniques. How about it?" Xu Jingwu said with a chuckle. "Marrying in is out of the question," Lin Zheyu said, shaking his head. He asked with lingering reluctance, "Is there really no other way, such as buying one with silver?" "Of course you can buy them with silver, but in a small place like ours, you can only buy ordinary techniques. "If you want to purchase a Qi and Blood Realm technique, or something even higher, you have to travel to the great cities of the Central Plains. That is the true stage for martial artists. "Even the ancestral techniques of our Xu clan were brought back from the Central Plains by our forebears," Xu Jingwu explained. "However, high-grade techniques are exorbitantly expensive. Ordinary people could never afford them." "Thank you for enlightening me, Gang Leader," Lin Zheyu said, cupping his hands. He felt fortunate that he had encountered Master Liang Song back then; otherwise, securing a Qi and Blood Realm technique would have been extraordinarily difficult. He likely would have had no choice but to marry into the Xu clan. *The great cities of the Central Plains?* Traveling to the Central Plains was no simple task. Songyi City lay in the southern barbarian borderlands, vast distances away from the Central Plains. Reaching them required traversing mountains and rivers, enduring months of continuous travel. That did not even account for delays from asking directions, searching for roads, or getting lost. There was also the high risk of encountering formidable bandits and ferocious beasts, making the journey fraught with peril. *I can only take it one step at a time.* *Even if I made it there, without money, I still wouldn't be able to buy any techniques. Being a complete stranger in an unfamiliar place, earning silver might be even harder than it is here.* Lin Zheyu pondered silently and temporarily smothered the thought of traveling to the Central Plains. Though the Golden Goose Skill was somewhat slow at refining qi and blood, with Origin Power to aid him, he could push his strength to the fourth layer of the Qi and Blood Realm within a few months. Once that was done, he would have far more confidence to venture into the great cities. "Stay and listen to the opera with me a bit longer before leaving. Qinyi will be here shortly. You two should spend more time together, and when you have a free moment, urge him to train," Xu Jingwu said with a smile. "All right." Lin Zheyu nodded and looked toward the stage, where a new opera had begun. After listening for a while, Xu Qinyi arrived, accompanied by Xu Yuxiang, who stole glances at Lin Zheyu from the side. Lin Zheyu gave her a polite smile and paid her no further heed. *** After gathering briefly with Xu Qinyi and the others, it was already late at night by the time Lin Zheyu returned home. Lin Zheyu brought out a large basin filled to the brim with braised meat prepared at noon and began feasting ravenously. Without sufficient medicinal herbs, he could not utilize Origin Power to boost his cultivation and simultaneously restore his body, leaving gorging on large amounts of food as his only way to accelerate recovery. Eating multiple meals a day consisting of meat from powerful ferocious beasts, he could restore roughly thirty percent of his qi and blood power over the course of a day. After finishing his meal, Lin Zheyu read the Poison Canon for a while before heading to sleep. He now slept sitting up, cross-legged on the floor in the posture of the Turtle Breathing Art, circulating the technique at full capacity as he slipped into a deep slumber. Entering the kitchen, he moved aside the stack of firewood, revealing the small hidden space within. Lin Zheyu bent down, stepped inside, and concealed the entrance once again. Running the Turtle Breathing Art at full power to enter deep slumber drastically reduced his alertness, so hiding here significantly improved his safety. Every night, he sat cross-legged here cultivating the Turtle Breathing Art; since he didn't need to lie down to sleep anyway, any spot was much the same. *Whoosh— Whoosh—* Late at night, the temperature dropped several degrees cooler than in the day. The night wind howled, bringing a biting chill. A dark figure darted swiftly through Songyi City, moving with incredible speed and nimble footwork, effortlessly avoiding the urban patrols. "This is the place." Arriving at Lin Zheyu's residence, the dark figure tapped his toes lightly against the ground and vaulted over the high wall into the courtyard. He surveyed his surroundings before stealthily heading toward the room most likely to be the bedroom. *Buzz—* Suddenly, he felt his foot catch on something. The snapping twang of a taut cord rang out, and the shadow froze in his tracks. He reached down to grope around and discovered a cord underfoot. Not only was there one beneath his feet, but several cords were strung across the entire courtyard. As he took a few more steps, several more cords snapped in succession. "What the hell is this?" The dark figure's mind was flooded with questions. *Is this kid out of his mind? Why is the entire courtyard strung with cords?* "Something's wrong!" Abruptly, his expression shifted. A wave of weakness washed over his entire body, and his head spun with dizziness. "Fuck, it's poison!" The dark figure cursed under his breath, then collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.