Martial Arts

I can't believe this time there wasn't a minor Body Tempering, but a major one straight away!

After not knowing how long had passed, just as Zhang Lin thought he was about to die, the excruciating pain receded like a tide, though it hadn't vanished completely.

He lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his eyes bloodshot. Soon, the red glow on his body receded inward, leaving only a layer of black grime that emanated a foul stench.

He didn't want to move an inch; he just wanted to lie flat!

"Two major Body Temperings in one night is truly killing me!"

He thought back to absorbing that blue-white energy after killing the Yin Soul.

"So stinky!"

This time, the impurities expelled from his body were considerably more than the first time.

Dragging his exhausted body, he scrubbed himself from head to toe, inside and out, seven or eight times meticulously, before the stench finally washed away.

He drank a cup of tea and organized all the events in his mind.

Combining the events of the night, he had discovered the second source of the blue-white energy.

That source was personally killing Yin Souls!

Furthermore, the blue-white energy obtained from personally killing them was more potent, and the Body Tempering effect was more pronounced; he had experienced this firsthand just now.

Of course, the target for this killing was still unclear, but he was certain that killing a chicken wouldn't yield any blue-white energy, nor would swatting small insects like mosquitoes and flies.

So, he guessed that the target might be something related to malevolent spirits.

"I'll only be able to verify this when I have the chance!"

As for the first source, it came from others, obtained passively.

He speculated that it was likely because others had recently killed malevolent spirits, so when he got close, he would receive a lower grade of this blue-white energy.

His thoughts quickly returned to Shopkeeper Li!

That day, Shopkeeper Li and his group had already finalized the time for their action, which was five days away!

A day had already passed!

With only four days left, he was very anxious!

This world could follow the Immortal Cultivation Path. Although he had heard of it and even seen people who followed the Immortal Cultivation Path, he had no idea how to begin, nor did anyone teach him.

He had only heard that cultivators of the Immortal Cultivation Path were elusive, could ride the clouds, turn beans into soldiers, exorcise demons and subdue monsters, and possessed immense power.

It seemed that Shopkeeper Li and his gang were such people!

"Damn Shopkeeper Li, damn this world!"

Zhang Lin's heart had already sunk considerably yesterday.

He had been close to despair, but the scene of killing the Yin Soul earlier had reignited his hope.

He immediately rummaged through his chests and cabinets, taking out a slightly yellowed book.

"Grand Martial Arts Compendium!"

This was a book he had bought earlier at the Huashang Bookstore on the west side of the city. He had already memorized it thoroughly.

At that time, Boss Zhao from the bookstore had duped him, saying the book was obtained from an ancient tomb, had survived for who knows how many years, and was still perfectly preserved, absolutely authentic.

On the basis of "absolutely authentic," he had believed Boss Zhao's nonsense at the time, and on impulse, he had spent the equivalent of two months' wages to acquire it.

This book was an introduction to Martial Arts, and it was from here that he had learned about Body Tempering.

Afterward, he had investigated related records and only knew that Martial Arts was a cultivation method of the human race from ten thousand years ago. However, later, the world underwent great changes, the path of Martial Arts was severed, and it rapidly declined until it disappeared.

Currently, only a very small number of Martial Arts cultivation techniques and secret manuals remained. Although they offered a little bit of physical strengthening, the effects were negligible.

Most Martial Arts books were either used to prop up table corners, burned as firewood, or simply used to paste over windows!

At the time, Zhang Lin had cursed Boss Zhao countless times behind his back, and he had even made a straw effigy, which he would poke with needles twice a day.

He was truly a scoundrel!

Originally, Zhang Lin had not believed in it and had even tried practicing according to the book.

But in the end, he gave up.

There was no other reason than the fact that the stuff was truly useless!

However, today, that useless Martial Arts had saved his life!

The reason he was able to shatter the Yin Soul's long hair at that moment was that, in a critical juncture, certain circulation methods of Martial Arts flashed through his mind, and suddenly he felt a surge of vital energy erupting.

Then, he instantly killed the Yin Soul!

At this moment, he circulated the basic method again, and that feeling of blood surging returned.

But it came quickly and left just as quickly.

"There's hope!"

Zhang You rejoiced greatly!

After the first major Body Tempering, a force had already accumulated within his body.

It turns out that only through strong suppression from the outside world, combined with guidance from Martial Arts techniques, could it be completely released.

He felt completely relaxed now; the effects of Body Tempering had already repaid him!

Forcibly suppressing the excitement in his heart, he continued to slowly familiarize himself with this feeling.

He didn't know how much time had passed.

He suddenly opened his eyes, and a faint aura emanated from his body, carrying wisps of faint red mist.

"I did it!"

Zhang You's eyes widened in surprise as he looked down at what was happening to his body.

He examined himself as if appreciating a work of art, looking left and right, even opening his clothes and pants to get a better look.

"So... fragrant!"

About fifteen minutes later, he felt his vision darken, and he became somewhat dazed.

At this moment, the blood energy also instantly dissipated.

"Damn, this is exhausting!"

He felt weak all over, his blood and energy depleted.

But at this moment, Zhang You felt like he had found a way out of a desperate situation, like seeing a "willow dark, flower bright, another village" moment. He felt a clear path forward and was exceptionally motivated.

The entire night passed with Zhang You repeatedly practicing!

"Xiao Zhang, come out here!"

At daybreak, Shopkeeper Li returned.

His chilling voice echoed through the courtyard.

Zhang You steadied his mind, shook his head, patted his face, and walked out listlessly, sporting two dark circles under his eyes.

"What happened?"

Shopkeeper Li frowned, his expressionless face suggesting nothing could disturb him.

"Oh, I was just about to tell you. A thief came last night. When I discovered him, he smashed the window and escaped. I was just about to report it to the authorities."

He spoke the fabricated story he had prepared in advance.

"Was anything valuable lost?"

Shopkeeper Li stared at Zhang You for a moment before calmly asking.

"I discovered him early, so... nothing was lost!"

"If that's the case, I don't think reporting it to the authorities is necessary. Go find a carpenter, have it repaired this afternoon, and get the money from the accounts office."

Shopkeeper Li said and then walked towards his room.

As soon as he opened the door, he suddenly turned his head back and added, "Oh, right, Xiao Zhang. The teahouse will be closed for half the day and will reopen this afternoon. For now, go to Huashang Bookstore in the west of the city and help me retrieve something from Boss Zhao. Bring it back and leave it outside my room."

After saying this, he closed the door.

"Retrieve something?"

Zhang You narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then headed out towards the west of the city.

He was happy to do so; he hadn't been to the bookstore in a long time and might even find some antique goods, especially something related to Martial Arts.

Not long after he left, Shopkeeper Li walked out of his room and came to Zhang You's doorway. He closed his eyes and took a deep sniff of the air.

Then he opened the door, walked into the room, and sniffed again.

Finally, he came to the courtyard where the Yin Soul had disappeared last night and sniffed there.

Finally, he stood in place, looked up, and grinned.

"The little leek has grown! It's much more fragrant now! Soon, soon!"

Wisps of black energy swirled around his body, and paired with his blood-red eyes, he looked exceptionally eerie!