Feelings Grow Over Time, Build a Solid Foundation, Nine Yin Manual

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, I'll take Fu out for a walk. We'll come back once everyone has had time to adjust—I really don't want to die young."

The moment Guo Jing was distracted and Huang Rong's attention shifted away from him, Lin Yao spun around and seized the chance to leave before he had even finished speaking.

His knees bent slightly, then he suddenly exploded forward, shooting away like an arrow released from its bow and racing into the distance.

Among those present, only Guo Jing and Huang Rong had the ability to stop him. Yet this opportunity was fleeting, and in the end, they were one step too slow.

They could only watch helplessly as Lin Yao gripped Guo Fu by the wrist and swiftly vanished from sight.

"Don't worry. Fu is the wife I intend to marry—how could I possibly harm her? Just put your minds at ease."

Lin Yao's voice drifted back from afar with the wind, carrying both teasing amusement and earnest sincerity.

As they left, Guo Fu showed surprisingly no resistance compared to before the fight, which caught the ever-vigilant Lin Yao somewhat off guard.

But he did not dwell on it. He was happy to let things develop that way. What mattered most now was that he had finished showing off, so he needed to run.

"Brother Jing, what should we do?"

Huang Rong stared in the direction the two had gone, her delicate brows tightly furrowed. A rare helplessness tinged her voice as she turned to Guo Jing beside her, her eyes full of anxiety.

"Fu is in that man's hands now. If we chase them, I fear we may provoke him. But if we don't... I truly can't set my heart at ease."

Huang Rong did not completely disbelieve Lin Yao when he said he would not harm her, but another concern lingered in her heart.

What she feared was that the two would leave together, only to return as three.

If they somehow came back with an inexplicable grandchild, that would truly leave her both laughing and crying, utterly unable to accept it.

Guo Jing fell silent for a moment, his thick brows knitting slightly as he focused on his thoughts.

Only after sensing his wife's gaze did he slowly speak, his voice steady and powerful, carrying a reassuring strength.

"In my view, this young brother has a bold temperament. Though his conduct is unconventional, he is by no means an evil man.

"At most, Fu will have her temper tempered while she is with him. He certainly will not make things difficult for her. I don't think there will be any great danger."

After a pause, he continued, "Besides, he is barely twenty, yet he has already trained such formidable external hardening arts. When he caught me off guard just now, the force of his attack was already comparable to that of a first-rate expert. A person like that could not have appeared out of nowhere.

"For now, we should return. While we clear out the restless remnants within the Beggar's Sect, we can also send people to investigate his background carefully. Once we understand the situation, we can decide what to do. We must not act rashly."

"Alright. I'll listen to Brother Jing."

Hearing her husband's clear-headed, calm, and resolute words, the anxiety in Huang Rong's heart gradually subsided.

Though she was still worried that she might suddenly acquire a bargain son-in-law—or even a bargain grandson—there was nothing to be done now but to calm herself and make long-term plans.

At the same time, most people thought Guo Jing simple and honest, perhaps even somewhat dull-witted.

But Huang Rong alone knew that at critical moments like this, he could always display astonishing calmness and responsibility.

That was one of the reasons she had been so deeply drawn to him in the first place.

If worst came to worst, she could always have another child.

At that thought, Huang Rong's gaze suddenly turned cold. Remembering the instigators behind this whole affair—the troublemaking black sheep within the Beggar's Sect—a chilling killing intent flashed in the depths of her eyes.

That slippery Lin Yao had Fu in his grasp, making her reluctant to act against him for the moment.

But did that mean she could not deal with those people who had been secretly causing trouble behind her back?

"What are you all still standing around for?"

Huang Rong abruptly turned to the attendants around her. Her usually gentle voice now carried an unquestionable sharpness, as though it had been tempered in ice.

"Immediately convey my order. Have the Beggar's Sect Leader, Deputy Sect Leader, every Elder, and all senior members of the sect come see me at once!"

The attendants were intimidated by Huang Rong's sudden authority. Only then did they recover from the heart-stopping battle they had just witnessed, hurriedly acknowledging the order before scrambling off in different directions.

It was no wonder they had been stunned—Guo Jing, Hero Guo, famed throughout the realm and unmatched in martial arts, had actually fallen into a disadvantage against an unknown young martial artist.

Even if the latter had caught him by surprise, that explosive power and strength were more than enough to leave people deeply shocked.

Some quick-witted attendants secretly muttered to themselves that, judging by the situation, after all this fighting, they would most likely end up becoming one family anyway.

In the end, this was merely a small internal squabble within the Guo family. The ones truly facing disaster were probably those Beggar's Sect members who had done disgraceful things.

As everyone thought this, their gazes unconsciously drifted toward the Wu Brothers nearby.

The two were usually Guo Fu's attendants, yet they had become the only injured people present. Their faces were bruised and swollen, and their expressions were complicated, filled with resentment, humiliation, and confusion.

The attendants and maids could not help shaking their heads to themselves when they saw them.

As the saying went, a beauty should be matched with a hero.

Whether in martial arts or bearing, the Wu Brothers were worlds apart from the overwhelmingly powerful and decisive Young Hero Lin Yao. Calling them useless fools would not be an exaggeration.

Seen this way, there seemed to be nothing inappropriate about Miss Guo Fu being with Young Hero Lin.

Before long, because of Lin Yao's disruption, the Guo family's forces quietly began to move.

An internal purge of the Beggar's Sect—one that had never been carried out due to lax management since Hong Qigong's era—was about to officially begin beneath Huang Rong's thunderous fury.

And perhaps this was something Guo Jing and Huang Rong had long been considering, yet had always lacked the opportunity to decisively undertake.

Lin Yao's appearance had happened to become the Core Flame that ignited the fuse.

The next morning, the first warm ray of sunlight slipped through the gaps in the inn window lattice and quietly fell across Lin Yao's cheek.

His eyelashes trembled as he slowly opened his eyes. A flicker of vigilance immediately crossed his gaze, and he instinctively held his breath, focusing as he carefully sensed the movements around him.

Had the wooden door been pried open? Was there someone outside the window, hiding their breathing? Did the air carry an unfamiliar scent?

After a moment, once he had confirmed that everything around him was peaceful and there were no signs of danger, he secretly let out a breath. His taut shoulders gradually relaxed.

Recalling last night's absurdity, Lin Yao could not help but sigh heavily in his heart. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the texture of the bedding as he repeatedly warned himself.

He absolutely could not make such an oversight again.

When he had left Peach Blossom Island yesterday, he had solemnly promised Guo Jing and Huang Rong that he would take proper care of Guo Fu.

At the time, the two of them had been hurrying toward Zhongnan Mountain with a clear goal in mind: the Nine Yin Manual.

Who could have known that after traveling for an entire day, they would be exhausted, man and horse alike, and find an inn in a small town near the foot of the mountain to stay in?

He had only meant to let Guo Fu get some proper rest, but somehow, after caring for her and caring for her, they had ended up lying in bed together.

Thinking of it now, a trace of embarrassment crossed Lin Yao's face. He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling somewhat ashamed of betraying her parents' trust.

Though he had abducted her in the first place.

At that moment, Lin Yao turned his head and let his gaze fall upon Guo Fu beside him.

Her long black hair was spread loose, with several stray strands messily clinging to her neck, making her pretty face appear all the more delicate.

Her head rested lightly against his shoulder. Her long lashes hung like butterfly wings, and faint, un-dried tear marks remained at the corners of her eyes, as though she had cried last night.

Perhaps warmed by the heat beneath the covers, her fair skin carried a faint pink flush that spread from her cheeks to her exposed neck, lending her a soft, alluring charm.

To be fair, in the original story, Guo Fu had mostly existed as a key figure in driving Yang Guo's fate toward its turning point.

Especially that stroke which severed his arm—it had earned her no small amount of criticism.

In terms of ethereal beauty, she might have fallen somewhat short of Little Dragon Girl's otherworldly chill. But when it came to her face and figure, she had perfectly inherited her mother Huang Rong's exquisite features.

Her brows were like distant dark hills, her eyes like autumn waters, her nose high and delicate, her lips full. Combined with her tall, well-proportioned figure, every movement carried the lively spirit of a general's daughter. Lin Yao had long since been captivated by her.

And it was precisely because of that that last night had led to such intimate honesty between them.

Fortunately, Guo Fu had practiced martial arts since childhood, and her body was far stronger than that of an ordinary woman. Otherwise, she likely truly would not have been able to get out of bed now.

At that thought, Lin Yao's brows furrowed slightly again, a trace of concern passing through his heart.

There were none of the convenient contraceptive measures of modern times in this ancient era. If she accidentally became pregnant, things would likely become even more complicated.

"Mm..."

Guo Fu beside him seemed to have been disturbed by his movements and let out an unconscious murmur.

The jade-like arm around his waist tightened, while a smooth, fair leg followed and draped itself over him, warm to the touch.

Lin Yao's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly but carefully moved aside her arm and leg, his movements gentle. Then he slipped free and swiftly straightened his clothes.

Just then, a soft breath came from behind him, and Guo Fu slowly opened her eyes.

Her gaze was initially somewhat dazed, as though she had yet to recover from a drunken haze. But when she saw Lin Yao before her and realized that she herself was completely unclothed—

The shameful scenes from last night instantly surged back into her mind like a tide.

"You..."

Guo Fu's face instantly flushed crimson. She abruptly pulled the covers around herself, wrapping herself tightly. Her large, watery eyes quickly filled with tears as she looked at Lin Yao, her tearful gaze carrying some grievance, some shyness, and an indescribable dependence.

After last night's transformation, much of the spoiled childishness between her brows had faded, replaced by a touch of a married woman's gentle maturity. Yet the shimmer in her eyes made her appear even more fragile, softening anyone's heart at the sight.

Guo Fu herself could not understand it. When he had captured her yesterday, her heart had been filled with unwillingness and resentment. How had she come to willingly give herself to a man she had known for less than a day?

She had not even put up the slightest resistance.

Perhaps it was because, when he had exchanged palms with her father Guo Jing yesterday, his skill had appeared evenly matched at first glance, yet he had actually held a faint upper hand—and that had completely changed her mindset.

From the side, she had clearly seen her father strike with a palm containing the fierce inner force of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. Yet Lin Yao had received it with his physical body alone. Not only had he not retreated, he had even shaken her father into taking an unsteady step.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that this seemingly frivolous man was not merely some despicable scoundrel who relied on underhanded tricks to bully women.

His strength was extraordinary. At such a young age, he already possessed such cultivation. Compared with the Wu Brothers, who only knew how to hover around her, he was simply worlds apart.

That youthful heroism intertwined with such formidable strength gave her an inexplicable sense of security.

Looking at her like this, Lin Yao felt guilt and tenderness intertwine in his heart. Much of his previous detachment faded, replaced by a more genuine gentleness.

Yet he said nothing more. He merely turned and walked to the table, quietly waiting for the inn maid to bring breakfast.

When the maid knocked, he deliberately stepped outside to take the food box. His sharp gaze swept over her expression, and he discreetly checked the food once more.

Only after confirming that nothing was amiss did he close the door and carry the steaming bowl of porridge to the bedside.

"You still don't have the strength to get up, do you? I'll feed you."

Lin Yao's voice was very gentle. He scooped up a spoonful of plain porridge, lightly blew it cool, and only then brought it to Guo Fu's lips.

Guo Fu was initially still somewhat bashful, turning her flushed face aside. But beneath Lin Yao's patient waiting, she eventually parted her lips slightly.

The warm rice porridge slid down her throat with a faint fragrance of grain, gradually easing her tense body as well.

For a time, neither spoke. Only the soft clink of the spoon against the rim of the bowl remained.

Lin Yao fed her with focused care, occasionally raising a hand to wipe porridge from the corner of her mouth.

Guo Fu ate in small bites, her gaze resting on his concentrated profile.

Those eyes, usually carrying a hint of defiance, were now brimming with tenderness. Her heart stirred, and the way she looked at him softened considerably.

After breakfast and a brief rest, the two continued on their journey.

Perhaps the intimacy of the previous night had shattered the barrier between them, or perhaps the lingering sweetness of having Tasted Forbidden Fruit had bound them closer together.

Along the way, they often stopped in secluded places, stealing moments of tenderness beneath the cover of forested mountains or hazy moonlight, calling it "Yin-Yang Harmony."

Their feelings quietly deepened and warmed through each day they spent together and every intimate touch they shared.

Guo Fu was no longer as reserved as she had been at first. She would occasionally ask about Lin Yao's past, yet she never inquired about the purpose of his journey.

Lin Yao was happy to be frank with her. He merely said that he was searching for a powerful martial art, without hiding anything.

During the journey, what delighted Lin Yao most was that Guo Fu actually took the initiative to offer him Peach Blossom Island's martial arts.

One day, while resting by a stream, Guo Fu saw that the breathing method Lin Yao used while meditating and cultivating his qi was rather rudimentary. She could not help frowning as she said:

"Your Internal Skill method is far too disordered, and your foundation is terribly unstable. If you do not correct it soon, I fear it will be difficult for you to make great progress in the future."

Lin Yao was startled for a moment before smiling. "Oh? Does Fu'er have a good solution?"

His "Fu'er" made Guo Fu's cheeks flush slightly, but she still put on a serious expression as she said:

"The Internal Skill methods of my Peach Blossom Island are exquisitely profound. I would not dare call them the best under heaven, but they are more than enough to help you build a solid foundation. If you wish to learn, I will teach you."

This unexpected delight made Lin Yao's heart tremble. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Then I must thank Fu'er for her instruction."

What Guo Fu taught him were Peach Blossom Island's two core Internal Skills—the Falling Blossoms Heart Method and the Azure Waves Divine Skill.

The Falling Blossoms Heart Method was light and graceful. When practiced, internal energy flowed like falling leaves drifting in the wind. It seemed loose and unrestrained, yet it secretly accorded with the vitality of heaven and earth, ever-changing and unpredictable. It was especially suited for laying a foundation.

However, this method was incompatible with the Azure Waves Divine Skill by nature. Ordinary people absolutely could not cultivate both at once, and since it was relatively easier to learn, it was the first choice for Peach Blossom Island disciples entering the sect.

The Azure Waves Divine Skill, meanwhile, was Peach Blossom Island's supreme Internal Skill. Its nature was like water—gentle and enduring, yet capable of storing an irresistible force. Like the azure ripples of a deep pool, it appeared calm on the surface, while hidden currents churned beneath it, ceaseless and unending.

Once mastered, one's internal energy would become as vast and surging as a roaring tide, inexhaustible and continuous.

In battle, it could further unleash Azure Wave Battle Qi, forming an invisible barrier around the body that greatly enhanced both offense and defense. It could even use qi to control momentum and set up a Mystic Gate Bewilderment Array, trapping opponents within and leaving them disoriented and driven into a desperate situation.

This technique was tremendously powerful, pointing directly toward the level of first-rate masters and even the Five Greats. It could be called a top-tier martial art.

According to the original plot Lin Yao knew, the Azure Waves Divine Skill should rank just below the Nine Yin Manual.

When Guo Fu warned him, "The Falling Blossoms Heart Method and the Azure Waves Divine Skill must never be cultivated together, or it will be all too easy to suffer qi deviation," Lin Yao did not sense any irreconcilable conflict between them.

He tried circulating both streams of internal energy. The Falling Blossoms Heart Method felt like soft down brushing against his face, while the Azure Waves Divine Skill was like water wearing through stone. Though their natures were entirely different, restrained by his formidable physical strength, they each flowed through his meridians without interfering with the other.

This was precisely Lin Yao's current advantage.

His body had undergone several enhancements and had long surpassed that of an ordinary person. His meridians were as tough as steel, and his dantian's capacity was likewise extraordinary, more than enough to accommodate two streams of internal energy with different attributes at once.

Guo Fu had initially been extremely worried, but after watching him practice for several days without incident—and even seeing him grow increasingly adept at wielding both streams of internal energy—she finally set her mind at ease. She became even more attentive in guiding him through the crucial intricacies of the techniques.

Only then did Lin Yao realize that Guo Fu, who in the original world had been fiery-tempered, willful, and prone to outbursts, could be so completely unreserved when she truly cared for someone.

Her tenderness and attentiveness often gave Lin Yao the feeling that he had stumbled upon a treasure by chance, and his gaze toward her became increasingly cherishing.

In the days that followed, Lin Yao devoted himself to cultivating these two Internal Skills and strengthening his foundation while continuing toward Zhongnan Mountain.

His ultimate goal for this journey had always been the Nine Yin Manual, one of the most profound martial arts scriptures in the Jin-style martial arts world.

The most wondrous aspect of this technique lay in its balance of yin and yang, its union of hardness and softness. It was impartial, upright, and harmonious.

It was said that if one cultivated the Nine Yin Manual to the realm of great mastery, the true qi within one's body would become endless and inexhaustible, constantly renewing itself.

Back then, if Wang Chongyang had not cultivated the Nine Yin Manual to the realm of great mastery, there was no way he could have relied on his own strength alone to suppress Eastern Heretic, Western Venom, Southern Emperor, and Northern Beggar at the Mount Hua Sword Tournament, claiming the title of "Number One Under Heaven."

The journey passed without incident. Perhaps because of Lin Yao's caution, or perhaps simply because luck favored them, they encountered none of the absurd troubles of the martial world and arrived at Zhongnan Mountain without difficulty.

Following the route from his memories, Lin Yao avoided the eyes and ears of the Quanzhen Sect and found the hidden little pool.

He plunged into the water and followed the concealed channel along the bottom of the pool. Before long, he entered the territory of the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Relying on senses far beyond those of an ordinary person, he avoided the mechanisms and traps within the tomb and successfully found the stone chamber where the Nine Yin Manual was stored.

After obtaining the manual, Lin Yao did not linger. He immediately left Zhongnan Mountain with Guo Fu and began a life of wandering the land.

They traveled south through the watery towns of Jiangnan and north across the grasslands beyond the frontier. Wherever they went, they helped when they encountered injustice, and whenever they met skilled martial artists, they stepped forward to exchange moves.

While cultivating the Nine Yin Manual, Lin Yao repeatedly honed the techniques he had learned through actual combat. His days were exceptionally fulfilling. His strength also steadily increased through this cycle of "cultivation—practice—insight." The internal energy within him grew ever more abundant, and his techniques became increasingly refined, accumulating strength for the next time he would Connect All Realms.

Perhaps because Lin Yao's comprehension had always been exceptional, or perhaps because his physical qualities, far beyond those of an ordinary person, provided the perfect vessel for cultivation, his efficiency in practicing the Nine Yin Manual was astonishingly high.

In the original story, Wang Chongyang possessed extraordinary talent and had the foundation of Quanzhen Internal Skill, yet he still spent several decades cultivating the Nine Yin Manual to great mastery before creating the Innate Skill.

Yet Lin Yao estimated that at his current pace, he would need no more than about a year to fully comprehend the martial arts contained within this scripture and reach the realm of great mastery.

But even that was still too slow. He would need some cheats later on—he just did not know when they would arrive. He could only look forward to it!