Night Raven Tower Master Mystic Shadow

Lin Zhao's interrogation was swift and to the point, hitting all the vital spots.

The soldier who tried to sneak out of Qixia Fortress at midnight confessed everything before long.

He was indeed a spy planted by Night Raven Tower. It was he who secretly sent a message when Zhao Tieying was away on business, which led to the assassination attempt.

However, this spy was too low-ranking to know the true identity of the mastermind.

Night Raven Tower had always operated in secrecy, with strict information hierarchies, which was consistent with their reputation as the top assassin organization in the martial world.

But to deploy assassins twice, even sending a skilled operative at the mid-tier Entering Martial Master level, the mastermind's identity was almost obvious.

"Duke Wei, Xu Qin!"

Lin Zhao's eyes narrowed slightly, his Blood Essence surging faintly, his killing intent palpable.

He knew that Duke Wei would not give up until he achieved his goal. There were only two paths forward:

1. Abandon all his assets and flee into exile. 2. Defend Lin Family Fortress and resist, a path that would undoubtedly be fraught with thorns.

Lin Zhao ultimately decided to wait and see.

He had already reached the threshold of a mid-tier Entering Martial Master, and the fortress had ample treasury funds. This was the perfect time to expand his strength.

As long as Duke Wei didn't personally intervene, he would have room to maneuver.

After dealing with the spy, Lin Zhao instructed Zhao Tieying, "From now on, when recruiting soldiers, we must add a background check. Anyone with an unknown origin is to be rejected outright."

Zhao Tieying's face was filled with shame. He knelt on one knee, "This subordinate failed to supervise properly, leading to this disaster. I am willing to accept punishment."

Lin Zhao reached out and helped him up, saying in a deep voice, "I only need a little time. I will make everyone who covets Lin Family Fortress and desires my life pay with blood."

He paused, then added, "Right, continue to investigate the whereabouts of the Mystic Ice Giant Spirit Technique and the Meng Family Bloodline in secret. Do not alert them."

Meanwhile, inside a derelict beacon tower in the northern frontier of Great Ming.

A pale middle-aged scholar was drinking alone by the railing. A Mystic Iron token hanging from his waist bore the characters "Night Raven," which glinted coldly in the dim light.

A great horned owl with iron feathers landed on his shoulder, a tightly worded secret letter tied to its claw.

The letter's words were like knives: "Two failed attempts, sluggish execution! If there is no result this time, the alliance will be immediately revoked."

This scholar was none other than Mystic Shadow, one of the "Fifth Tower Masters" of Night Raven Tower.

After reading the letter, his knuckles suddenly tightened. As his internal energy surged, he actually left deep finger marks in the bluestone railing.

A moment later, he retrieved a brush and ink to reply, "Dispatch the Gold Rank assassin 'Iron Mountain' to eliminate Lin Zhao. No matter the means, this time it must succeed!"

Mystic Shadow was filled with doubt: How could a mere youth who, six years ago, was offering land for survival, have miraculously survived two assassination attempts?

Iron Mountain was one of Night Raven Tower's twelve Gold Rank assassins. At only thirty years old, he had already reached the high-tier Entering Martial Master realm. His Hard Qigong was so formidable that blades and spears could not penetrate him.

If even he failed, then perhaps he, "Mystic Shadow," would have to take action himself.

Thinking of this, a ruthless glint flashed in Mystic Shadow's eyes, and the temperature around him seemed to drop several degrees.

It was the spring of March, in the twenty-fourth year of Jiajing in Great Ming.

In Qixia Valley, streams gurgled, and the banks were covered in lush grass, with wild flowers blooming and butterflies flitting about, creating a scene of vibrant life.

In the屯田 (tun tian -屯田) fields within the river valley, tenant farmers were busy with spring plowing. Last year had been blessed with favorable weather, and the fortress's granaries were full. Under the governance of Centurion Lin Zhao, everyone looked forward to the future with hope.

On the training grounds, Zhao Tieying was drilling the soldiers.

Of the fifty full-time soldiers under Lin Zhao's command, nearly half were now equipped with standard lamellar armor.

Under Zhao Tieying's strict training, each soldier stood tall and straight, their spirit and energy becoming increasingly formidable.

The five most reliable Squad Leaders were even granted special permission to cultivate Night Raven Tower's foundational technique – the Bone Softening Technique.

Although this technique did not primarily focus on strength, it could invigorate the bones and muscles, enhancing agility and movement. Wearing armor, they could dodge and weave more swiftly in battle formations.

Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, Lin Zhao could only focus on training these five Squad Leaders for the time being.

He planned that if the results were significant, and after securing sufficient provisions, he would gradually equip the entire army with warhorses and armor, and promote the Bone Softening Technique.

Even if only one person out of fifty eventually broke through to the low-tier Entering Martial Master realm, it would be a great help to Lin Family Fortress.

After all, in Great Ming's garrison system, many Centurion posts only had a single low-tier Entering Martial Master to oversee and command them.

Looking at all the Centurion posts in the entire Northern Command, Lin Family Fortress's current financial and military strength already placed it among the upper-middle tier.

As for Lin Zhao's own cultivation, he had not slacked off for a single day.

Just today, he had successfully cultivated the Bone Softening Technique to the fourth tier!

Lin Zhao-- Bone Softening Technique: Fourth Tier (Perfection), Special Effects: Basic Movement Technique, Bone Shrinking and Shape Shifting (Cannot be upgraded).

"Even basic techniques have their ranks. The sophistication of this Bone Softening Technique is clearly far superior to the ordinary Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique."

Reaching the fourth tier from beginner in just four months was certainly aided by his existing foundation as an Entering Martial Master, and the fact that both his Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique and Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique were at the fourth tier. More importantly, it was the result of daily diligent practice, accumulated proficiency, and nourishment from ample medicinal meals.

The rewards of this technique were truly astonishing—after reaching the fourth tier, he had awakened two special effects!

It was worth noting that even a high-level technique like the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique had only awakened one special effect.

The Bone Softening Technique living up to its reputation as a standard technique of the Night Raven Tower was indeed well-deserved.

The basic movement technique and the Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique had overlapping effects, offering only a limited increase to Lin Zhao's speed.

After all, the Mystic Wolf Breathing Technique had already honed his movement skills to the peak of his current tier. Unless the Bone Softening Technique advanced further, a qualitative leap was unlikely.

What Lin Zhao truly valued was the second special effect—[Bone Shrinking and Shape Shifting].

"Using soft force to adjust the gaps between bones, one can shrink their body size within the limits of the physical body, while greatly enhancing physical flexibility. This special effect is inherent to the technique and cannot be advanced."

"If used properly, this skill can be enough to save one's life and turn the tables in desperate situations!" Lin Zhao muttered to himself.

This was quite similar to the "bone shrinking technique" rumored in the martial arts world.

He knew very well that many techniques primarily focused on cultivating strength often made practitioners more robust in physique.

The Grandmaster Warrior of the Meng family who cultivated the Mystic Ice Technique, standing nearly ten feet tall, was the most vivid example.

While a robust physique could bring advantages in strength and physical form, it also made the target too conspicuous, inevitably limiting their agility.

Now, with "Bone Shrinking and Shape Shifting," he could evade the enemy's sharpest attacks in critical moments, even alter his body shape and outline. Combined with disguise techniques, he could change his appearance, making his actions more covert.

Aside from the Bone Softening Technique, Lin Zhao's other skills had also made significant progress.

The progress of the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique had broken through the ten-thousand mark, and the internal energy within his body had become even more potent and refined.

Two months prior, his internal energy could only cover his palm. Now, as soon as he circulated his energy, the internal energy of the Mystic Wolf and the Mystic Dragon from the Bone Softening Technique in his dantian circulated like lightning, like a second heart.

Internal energy continuously flowed into his limbs and bones. As his veins bulged, they transformed into dark green sinews, coiling like ink dragons, emitting a faint metallic luster. A subtle white mist emanated from his body—a sign of overflowing internal energy.

"What a powerful physique!" Lin Zhao looked at his arm, which seemed to be forged from fine steel, and praised sincerely.

He punched the stone wall. With a booming sound, the entire stone wall trembled violently, and gravel rained down.

"The power of this punch, an ordinary mid-tier Entering Martial Master would likely struggle to withstand it directly."

"If the quantity and quality of my internal energy continue to improve, and my physique keeps strengthening, perhaps one day, I won't need any weapons. I'll be able to unleash powerful internal energy with just my fists and feet. Then, a single palm strike could shatter stones and crack armor!"

This thought flashed through his mind, but he did not rush to try it.

Powerful internal energy was too overbearing. Without a weapon as an outlet, it was easy to injure one's own meridians.

Perhaps only after he advanced to a high-tier Entering Martial Master, when his physique and internal energy were more refined, could he attempt it.

"It actually worked!"

Lin Zhao suppressed the excitement in his heart, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Next, it's all about 'training'!"

He was now a veritable ascetic, feeling more energetic the more he trained, and his internal energy circulated more smoothly.

To ensure the "Blood Poison Qi Breaking Powder" could be useful in actual combat, Lin Zhao decided to increase the scale of refining and produce a sufficient stock in one go.

When tired from refining medicine, he would meditate and practice his energy. When his energy flow felt stagnant, he would practice his sword moves. After mastering his sword techniques, he would go to the blacksmith shop to temper his muscles and bones, then take a cold shower to invigorate his blood and essence, and finally fall into a deep sleep.

Day after day, he repeated this cycle without a moment's rest.

Seven days later, he had finally refined a full hundred portions of "Blood Poison Powder."

Although the quantity seemed substantial, it only filled a small bag of powder the size of a fist.

Lin Zhao was satisfied and stored the powder in a secret box for safekeeping.

With this secret medicine capable of obscuring vision and numbing the senses, crude items like quicklime, which could only deal with ordinary civilians, should be completely discarded.

At the same time, his medicine refining skill had also reached a natural breakthrough to the second tier.

"I wonder what the upper limit of this medicine refining art is..."

"Enough, I've been cooped up in the fortress for too long. It's time to go out and get some fresh air."

Lin Zhao stretched his limbs, and his bones emitted faint cracking sounds.

The Blood Poison Spider Sensing Technique he had been diligently practicing during this period had touched the threshold of mastery, just needing that final push.

It couldn't be helped; techniques that required activating bloodline senses were inherently more difficult to master than ordinary breathing techniques.

Arriving at the training grounds, Zhao Tieying was meticulously drilling the soldiers.

Lin Zhao saw him from afar, personally instructing a Squad Leader in sword training. This Squad Leader was the same soldier who had lost his composure when startled by the wolf demon previously.

Although this young man was timid, under Zhao Tieying's strict tutelage, he had become increasingly steady and was now capable of handling his duties independently.

Even more commendable was his talent in breathing exercises.

Among the five Squad Leaders in the fortress who practiced breathing techniques, only Wang Er had successfully achieved mastery, and Zhao Tieying was therefore particularly attentive to him.

"Young Master, has your cultivation progressed recently?" Zhao Tieying quickly stepped forward to greet him upon seeing him approach.

"It's alright." Lin Zhao nodded and got straight to the point, "Are there any leads on the Mystic Ice Giant Spirit Technique?"

Zhao Tieying shook his head with a wry smile, "No leads yet. I followed the trail of the Meng family's bloodline, but found that most related records have been deliberately destroyed. I suspect that the Commander's Office may have intervened, erasing all traces of their existence."

"Continue the investigation, proceed with utmost caution, and absolutely do not let the authorities catch the slightest whiff of it," Lin Zhao said sternly.

The Mystic Ice Technique was the key to him being able to control the Mystic Ice Patterned Armor.

If he could successfully cultivate it, he would have full confidence in retreating safely even when facing a Heavenly Gang Realm Grandmaster Warrior.

More importantly, the third tier of the Mystic Ice Patterned Armor's power—that secret technique—was something Lin Zhao had long yearned for.

However, he wasn't impatient. He had both the patience to wait and the time to plan.

Currently possessing three cultivation techniques of four tiers, with the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique being of superior quality, Lin Zhao himself couldn't pinpoint his exact current strength level.

He only knew that he could fight evenly with a mid-tier Entering Martial Master by using just fifty percent of his strength, and subduing three young Mystic Arm Snow Apes barehanded was also within his capabilities.

"Old Zhou, cavalry establishment should be put on the agenda," Lin Zhao looked north with a solemn expression. "I have a premonition that the northern frontier may not see much peace in the coming years."

"We need to train an elite cavalry force, and the population of the fortress must also be expanded."

Zhao Tieying showed a troubled expression. "Warhorses are extremely scarce right now. The imperial court and the various feudal kings are all mobilizing their armies, and the major horse farms on the border have already been booked by them. We can't get any."

"Don't worry about the money; just keep your eyes and ears open for news," Lin Zhao said, then turned and headed towards the blacksmith shop.

He needed to quickly train his Martial Arts Blacksmithing to the fifth tier. Only then could he make good use of rare materials like Pangolin Dragon Scales to forge a set of light yet sturdy scale armor for himself.

Before the Mystic Ice Patterned Armor could be used, this set of scale armor would be his most important protective gear.

In the twenty-fourth year of Jiajing in Great Ming, in the scorching heat of June.

Lin Zhao successfully achieved entry-level mastery of the Blood Poison Spider Breathing Technique, and within a month, he had advanced all the way to the third tier.

With this, he had mastered a total of four cultivation techniques.

He wouldn't dare claim to be unprecedented, but in this Jiajing era, he was undoubtedly a rare gem.

After all, the mere hurdle of bloodline sensing was enough to stop ninety-nine percent of warriors.

Moreover, without the support of daily diligent practice and accumulated proficiency, others could not possibly achieve such rapid progress.

Although the third-tier Blood Poison Spider Breathing Technique had not yet awakened its special effects, Lin Zhao had already clearly sensed that his surface perception abilities had been greatly enhanced.

Even subtle changes in temperature or slight disturbances in airflow could be clearly detected by him.

Concurrently, the Mystic Dragon Breathing Technique was also steadily progressing, getting closer and closer to the fifth tier.

The internal energy within his body grew increasingly potent. Previously, it could only cover his arms, but now it could extend to his neck.

Lin Zhao estimated that once he formally entered the mid-tier Entering Martial Master realm, his internal energy should be able to cover his entire body.

Regarding the Mystic Ice Giant Spirit Technique, there was still no progress from Zhao Tieying's end.

Lin Zhao secretly pondered that if there was still no news after another month, he would go to the Xuanyao Tavern in the city and post a bounty.

That place was a mix of all sorts, and information was most readily available there. Perhaps he could find a clue, though the risk was also considerable.

At the end of the scorching heat month, a figure as sturdy as an iron tower appeared at the border of Qixia Valley.

He was clad in fine steel scale armor, and beneath him was a pure-blooded Hetao War Horse, also covered in light armor.

Gazing at the peaceful and idyllic pastoral scenery before him—farmers weeding in the fields, children catching fish by the river—a sneer of disdain curled his lips.

"Such a remote and impoverished place, and they actually need me to personally handle it? The organization is becoming more and more useless."

He dismounted and hid the warhorse deep within the dense forest.

The next moment, the crackling sound of bones echoed through the woods. His nearly ten-foot-tall body inexplicably shrank by half, and his physique became much leaner.

He followed the tracks and found a passing tenant farmer, knocked him out cleanly, changed into the farmer's coarse cloth tunic, and walked towards Lin Family Fortress as if nothing had happened.

He was Tie Shan.

One of the twelve Gold Rank Assassins of Night Raven Tower.

A new storm was quietly brewing in Qixia Valley.