After the turmoil of slaying the Demonic Beast, Lin Hai County gradually returned to its former order on the surface, but the undercurrents beneath the water grew ever more turbulent.
The County yamen's investigation was still proceeding in full swing. All sorts of rumors spread through the streets and alleys, adding a tense atmosphere.
Within Blackwater Martial Arts School, Chen Yuan's life had returned to a fulfilling and orderly rhythm. Listening Tide Courtyard seemed to have become a pure land of cultivation, cut off from the turmoil of the outside world.
Every day, before dawn, he rose and began by cultivating the Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method without fail, guiding strands of force to temper his skin membranes bit by bit.
After his real battle with the Unicorn Evil Squid—especially after experiencing the pressure of the Bone Forging Realm at close range—his control over his own strength had become even more refined. When his qi and blood surged, faint dark-black vortexes of radiance circulated beneath his skin, and his defensive power and strength increased day by day.
He could feel that the threshold separating the Skin Grinding Realm - Great Accomplishment from the Stone Skin Realm was drawing ever closer.
When the first light of dawn appeared, he began practicing the Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon.
The Cold Ripple Blade seemed to come alive in his hand, and every slash carried a frigid sharpness.
He no longer merely imitated the moves. Instead, he continually savored the artistic conception of "Cold Silence" contained within his master Zhao Canghai's "Cold River Reflecting Moon" and "Cold River Severing Flow."
The wooden post wrapped in thick hemp rope in the courtyard was covered in blade marks of varying depths. Many of the marks were not deep, yet they radiated a chill that seemed to pierce straight into the bones, leaving the surrounding hemp rope brittle and fragile.
*Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon* (Initiate → Proficient): His comprehension of the "Cold Silence" artistic conception had deepened. The cohesion and penetrating power of his force had increased significantly. He had initially grasped the defensive subtlety of "Cold River Reflecting Moon," while the destructive might of "Cold River Severing Flow" had begun to emerge.
In the afternoon, he devoted himself to studying the cultivation notes his master Zhao Canghai had given him.
The notes recorded not only the cultivation hurdles and insights of the Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon, but also many reflections on cultivating the Skin Grinding Realm and Tendon Changing Realm, along with miscellaneous knowledge of martial-world anecdotes, Demonic Beast records, and medicinal-material identification. They benefited him immensely.
He paid particular attention to the records concerning water-attribute Demonic Beasts, foggy regions, and all kinds of bizarre abilities, trying to find more clues about the fog over the East Sea and the mastermind behind it.
At night, he focused on cultivating the divine ability "Mist Manipulation."
After his risky attempt at the brink of life and death last time, his understanding of this divine ability had become completely different.
He was no longer satisfied with simply condensing and dispersing mist. Instead, he began practicing more delicate control.
How to make the mist form more quickly, how to control its range and concentration more precisely, how to keep the mist stable while it moved, and how to continue trying to infuse more of the Cold River saber intent into the mist, so that it would not merely obscure vision but also radiate coldness and interfere with an opponent's perception.
*Mist Manipulation* (Entering the Hall): His control had improved, the mist formed more quickly, and he could control its range and concentration with greater precision. He had begun attempting to merge it with an artistic conception.
Even while cultivating, he did not completely cut himself off from the outside world.
Fifth Senior Disciple Wang Meng and Senior Disciple Sister Sun Yun often came to see him, exchanging cultivation insights or bringing the latest news from the martial arts school and the county town.
"I heard the County yamen's investigation has been fierce. They arrested several small fry who were colluding with pirates, but it seems they still haven't touched the big fish."
Wang Meng said this while munching on fruit. "Sihai Shipping Company and Hundred Refinements Iron Shop have also tightened their security. Looks like everyone thinks this matter isn't over yet."
Sun Yun was more attentive. "Master seems to have been going to the County yamen frequently lately, and his expression has been grave. The disciples making night patrols in the school have also been increased by two shifts. Junior Brother, if you take on another task soon, you must be even more careful. It would be best to choose one inside the city or in the nearby suburbs."
Chen Yuan nodded his thanks and kept their reminders in mind. He knew all too well how much luck had been involved in discovering the clues and helping slay the Demonic Beast last time, and he absolutely did not dare become conceited because of it.
One day, Chen Yuan felt that his cultivation progress had slowed somewhat, so he decided to visit the Task Wall in the Front Hall of the martial arts school again.
The support of resources was necessary for improving one's cultivation, while actual combat was the best way to consolidate a realm.
When he returned to the Task Wall, it was still thronged with people.
The task list seemed to have been updated considerably. Many more tasks related to investigation and vigilance had appeared, and the rewards were quite generous, but most were clearly marked "highly dangerous."
Chen Yuan browsed carefully, skipping over the tasks beyond his capabilities.
[Escort County yamen documents to a neighboring county for handover. Three days round trip. Requires two Skin Grinding Realm disciples. Smooth route, low risk. Reward: 30 merit points per person.] [Clear out the "Ground-digging Boar" disturbing the medicinal fields behind the martial arts school. Its estimated strength is equivalent to the Skin Grinding Realm - Minor Accomplishment. Thick-skinned and tough-fleshed. Reward: 40 merit points. The boar's materials belong to the killer.]
His gaze eventually stopped on a newly posted task:
[Investigate abnormal sounds and minor earthquakes deep within "Black Wind Ravine." Suspected signs of subterranean creature activity. Requires someone bold yet meticulous, with keen perception. Note: The terrain deep within Black Wind Ravine is complex and may contain unknown dangers. Reward: 80 merit points. An additional substantial reward will be granted for discovering valuable clues or resolving the hidden danger.] (Issuer: Lin Hai County yamen · Geological Inspectorate)
Black Wind Ravine? Chen Yuan remembered the place. It was near Cold Dragon Pond.
It was a perilous gorge deeper than Cold Dragon Pond, with countless branching paths. It was said that its depths connected to an underground river. Few people ever ventured there, though most of the Demonic Beasts inside were Qi and Blood Realm creatures that had yet to enter a realm, and even Skin Grinding Realm beasts were rarely seen.
"Abnormal sounds... minor earthquakes..." Chen Yuan mused.
He was especially concerned about such abnormal phenomena. His instincts told him that this might contain an opportunity.
"This is the one."
Chen Yuan made up his mind and reached out to pull down the task slip.
During registration, the steward disciple offered another reminder. "Senior Brother Chen, Black Wind Ravine is nothing like Cold Dragon Pond. It has countless branching paths, like a maze, and the light is dim. A few herb gatherers went in over the past few years and never came back out. Be extremely careful. It would be best to travel with companions."
"Thank you for the reminder, Junior Brother. I will act within my limits." Chen Yuan thanked him and memorized the details and precautions of the task.
After returning to Listening Tide Courtyard, Chen Yuan began preparing for the task.
He carefully inspected the Cold Ripple Blade. Its blade remained as smooth as Autumn Water, with coldness held within.
He then took various pills from the Scarab Fish Secret Pouch and counted them: one and a half bottles of Bone Tempering Pills, two Crimson Blood Pills, and two bottles of Trauma Ointment. He also prepared an extra bottle of Detoxification Pills, along with clean water and dry rations.
He even sought out Senior Disciple Sister Sun Yun specifically to ask about underground environments, identifying poisonous miasma, and the common knowledge needed to deal with sudden geological changes.
Sun Yun was surprised, but she still explained everything carefully and gave him a small bottle of more effective Miasma Clearing Pills.
As night fell, Chen Yuan adjusted himself to his best condition, mentally deducing the various situations he might encounter during tomorrow's task and how he would respond to them.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, the Tidal Stele remained tranquil.
Realm: Skin Grinding Realm · Minor Accomplishment (49/100) Tide Fortune: 65/100
"Black Wind Ravine..." Chen Yuan gazed at the hazy moonlight beyond the window and murmured, "I hope this trip will yield something."
Before you continue