Immersed in the world of cultivation methods, Chen Lin lost track of time. When he finally looked up, daylight had already broken outside.
"This cultivation method is amazing—simply incredible! Just how was Emperor Yunxiao's brain made back then? He actually created something like this. It's utterly unbelievable!"
Chen Lin clicked his tongue in wonder, completely stunned by the cultivation method Emperor Yunxiao had created.
Compared to it, the martial arts techniques in the memories he had inherited from the previous owner of this body were practically child's play.
"First, let's see if I can get started!"
Although Chen Lin had not slept all night, he was still full of energy.
With a thought, the Deep Blue Sword flew into his hand.
Chen Lin drew his sword and rose to his feet, then began training according to the method recorded in the manual.
"Whoosh~"
"Whoosh~"
Streams of sword light continuously swept forth from Chen Lin's hand.
The cultivation method for the first level of Divine Firmament Swordplay was relatively simple.
A martial artist only needed to rely on a peculiar method of exerting force, using exquisite control over the body to store a hidden force in advance and channel it into the blade.
This would allow a single thrust of the sword to carry two layers of force upon the blade, producing the effect of double the attack power.
This force had nine revolutions. With each revolution, another layer was added. After nine revolutions, it would flow on without end, like waves rolling one after another, leaving enemies unable to guard against it.
Most importantly, when paired with the incredibly fast Instant Step, this swordplay could stack attacks without limit, forcefully crushing every means of resistance an enemy possessed.
If it were paired with an indestructible treasured sword, it would practically be invincible.
Chen Lin trained for an entire morning, yet he still could not manage to attach a strand of hidden force to the blade before the sword thrust out.
"So difficult. As expected of a Super Grade Cultivation Method—it really isn't something one can grasp so easily." Somewhat discouraged, Chen Lin put away his sword and prepared to see whether Instant Step was easier to learn.
"A Lin, are you done training? Perfect timing. It's already noon, and the food is ready. We've all been waiting for you!"
The moment Chen Lin stepped out of the training room, he ran into Song Qiaoyun, who had been pacing around at the door.
"Alright!"
Seeing this, Chen Lin smiled and followed his mother to eat.
After the family finished their lively lunch together, Chen Lin's home received its first visitor.
"Chen Lin, how does the new house feel? Are you satisfied?" He Yanjun carried an exquisite box of pastries as he asked Chen Lin with a beaming smile.
"I'm satisfied—more than satisfied. Oh, right, I should also thank the steward from Brother He's residence for helping yesterday. If he hadn't stepped in, my family would still have been busy all day today!" Chen Lin said with a smile, cupping his hands in thanks.
"Hahaha, those were all trivial matters." He Yanjun waved a hand dismissively, then changed the subject. "A Lin, I actually came this time because of the grudge between you and the Duan Family some time ago!"
Chen Lin was taken aback, then asked with a smile, "Oh? Does Brother He have any advice?"
"I don't have any particular advice. It mainly depends on your attitude. If you're unwilling to settle privately, we need to immediately request the Law Enforcement Hall's intervention. It would be best to resolve this before Duan Hengyuan returns. Otherwise, I'm afraid quite a few unforeseen complications may arise!" He Yanjun answered with a grave expression.
"What do you mean?" Chen Lin looked at He Yanjun in confusion.
"Because demonic beasts surround us outside, martial artists are rather precious assets to the human race. In order to reduce conflicts among their members, most factions will give appropriate consideration when someone from the same organization applies to the Law Enforcement Hall to use Merit Points to lessen a relative's punishment, provided the conflict has not resulted in death. Do you understand what I mean?" He Yanjun explained how the various human factions handled disputes among martial artists.
"I see. Then, Brother He, if I don't want to reconcile, what should I do?" Chen Lin asked seriously.
Seeing the expression on Chen Lin's face that showed he was determined not to reconcile, He Yanjun smiled. "If you trust me, leave this matter to me. There are witness testimonies anyway. I only need to put in a word at the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Then thank you, Brother He!" Chen Lin immediately smiled and cupped his hands in thanks.
A few days later, Duan Xingze, who had been flirting with the maidservants at home, was forcibly taken away from the Duan Family by martial artists from the War God Temple's Law Enforcement Hall. Duan Hengyuan, who had only just rushed back to Nanqing City without even catching his breath, was so furious that he ground his teeth.
Chen Lin had no interest in inquiring about what happened to the Duan Family.
All his energy was now focused on figuring out how to gain entry into the complete Nine Revolutions Divine Firmament Swordplay.
Only then could he begin his grand endeavor of adding points.
Zhu Wei's Monster Slaying Squad had yet to complete their mission outside, so Chen Lin was relatively free during this time.
Aside from training, Chen Lin would occasionally meet up with Zhang Shan to relax.
One day, as Chen Lin and Zhang Shan emerged from a teahouse in the Inner City, they happened to run into Ding Shiyu, dressed in a white scholar's gown.
"Ding Shiyu? What is she doing here?" Zhang Shan asked suspiciously.
"Chen... Chen Lin!"
Ding Shiyu also seemed to have only just noticed Chen Lin, calling out with an incredulous expression.
By now, Chen Lin's name had already spread throughout all of Nanqing City. "The youngest War God Temple member in history," "the Martial Master whose Demon Slayer Envoy results were unmatched," "a genius martial artist with extraordinary talent and comprehension"—such titles were constantly being circulated among the large and small lineages of Nanqing City.
As one of the masterminds who had once participated in plotting against Chen Lin, Ding Shiyu had initially refused to believe these reports. Then came doubt, then numb disbelief, and finally, profound regret.
After all, she knew perfectly well how deeply Chen Lin had once loved her. It would not have been an exaggeration to say that if she told him to go east, he would never dare go west.
Yet she had never imagined that a mere admirer whom she had decisively cast aside and plotted against for a small amount of lineage profit—a man she believed possessed only a tiny bit of talent, had a dull personality, and lacked the slightest sense of romance—would achieve such astonishing success. It was so unbelievable that she found it difficult to accept.
It was like a treasure map she had always looked down upon and discarded, only for someone to suddenly unearth heaven-shaking wealth from it one day.
The recurring remorse constantly tormented Ding Shiyu's heart, plunging her into emotions of self-denial over her own actions, and her figure gradually grew thinner.
However, after a round of inner struggle, Ding Shiyu still accepted this fact and began thinking about how she could win back the feelings she had once casually thrown away.
After all, judging by Chen Lin's current momentum, he would surely become a powerhouse in the future. If she could get a firm hold on such a powerhouse, who knew how much benefit he could bring to her lineage?
For the sake of her lineage's interests, Ding Shiyu decided that she would make another effort.
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