Sharpening Blades, Ready to Go

After the demon-slaying incident subsided, Lin Hai County's surface gradually returned to its usual order, but the undercurrents beneath grew ever more turbulent.

The county yamen's investigation pressed on with relentless intensity, while all sorts of rumors spread through the streets and alleys, adding to the tense atmosphere.

Within Blackwater Martial Arts School, Chen Yuan's life settled back into a fulfilling, steady rhythm. Listening Tide Courtyard became his sanctuary, a pure ground for cultivation cut off from the outside world's chaos.

Every day before dawn broke, he rose without fail to practice the Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method, guiding his force bit by bit to temper his skin membrane.

After his real battle with the Unicorn Evil Squid—especially experiencing the pressure of the Bone Forging Realm up close—his control over his own power grew far more refined. When his Qi and Blood surged, faint dark vortex-like patterns shimmered beneath his skin, his defense and strength increasing day by day.

He could feel the threshold to Skin Grinding Realm - Great Accomplishment, the Stone Skin Realm, drawing ever nearer.

As the first rays of dawn appeared, he began practicing the Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon.

The Cold Ripple Blade seemed to come alive in his hand, each swing carrying a biting, cold sharpness.

He no longer merely mimicked the moves; instead, he constantly savored the "Cold Silence" artistic conception embedded in his master Zhao Canghai's "Cold River Reflecting Moon" and "Cold River Severing Flow."

The wooden post in the courtyard, wrapped in thick hemp rope, was covered in saber marks of varying depths. Many cuts weren't deep, yet they exuded a bone-penetrating chill. The surrounding rope had grown brittle and fragile.

Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon (Beginner → Proficient): Deeper comprehension of the "Cold Silence" artistic conception; force condensation and penetration significantly improved; initially grasped the defensive subtleties of "Cold River Reflecting Moon"; the killing power of "Cold River Severing Flow" begins to show.

In the afternoons, he immersed himself in the cultivation notes gifted by his master Zhao Canghai.

The notes not only recorded the bottlenecks and insights of the Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon but also contained many cultivation realizations for the Skin Grinding and Tendon Changing Realms, along with miscellaneous knowledge of Jianghu experiences, demonic beast illustrations, and herb identification—all of which greatly benefited him.

He paid special attention to records about water-attributed demonic beasts, misty regions, and various bizarre abilities, trying to find more clues about the East Sea mist and the mastermind behind it all.

At night, he focused on cultivating the "Mist Manipulation" divine ability.

After his desperate gamble at the brink of life and death last time, his understanding of this ability had completely changed.

He was no longer satisfied with simply gathering and spreading mist; he began practicing finer control.

How to generate mist faster, how to more precisely control its range and density, how to keep it stable while moving, and continuing to try infusing more of the Cold River saber intent into the mist—not just to obscure vision, but to radiate cold and disrupt an opponent's perception.

Mist Manipulation (Adept): Control improved; mist generation speed increased; range and density control more precise; initial attempts at artistic conception fusion.

Even amid cultivation, he didn't completely cut himself off from the outside world.

Fifth Senior Disciple Wang Meng and Sixth Senior Disciple Sister Sun Yun often came by to exchange cultivation insights or bring the latest news from the school and county.

"I heard the yamen's investigation is pretty intense—they caught a few small-time lackeys colluding with pirates, but it seems they haven't hooked any big fish yet," Wang Meng said while munching on fruit. "Sihai Shipping Company and Hundred Refinements Iron Shop have also tightened security. Looks like everyone thinks this isn't over."

Sun Yun was more meticulous: "Master has been going to the county yamen frequently lately, with a grave expression. The school has also added two more patrol shifts at night. Junior Disciple Brother, if you take on any more tasks soon, be extra careful. It's best to pick ones in the city or nearby suburbs."

Chen Yuan nodded in thanks, keeping his senior siblings' warnings in mind. He knew full well how much luck had played a part in his last discovery and assistance in slaying the demon, and he dared not grow arrogant because of it.

One day, feeling his cultivation progress slow, Chen Yuan decided to check the Task Wall at the school's Front Hall again.

Advancing in cultivation required resource support, and real combat was the best way to solidify one's realm.

Standing before the Task Wall once more, it was still crowded with people.

The task list seemed to have been updated quite a bit, with many new tasks related to investigation and vigilance offering generous rewards, though most were clearly marked "High Danger Level."

Chen Yuan scanned carefully, skipping over tasks beyond his current ability.

[Escort county yamen documents to a neighboring county for handover. Round trip three days. Requires two Skin Grinding Realm disciples. Flat terrain, low risk. Reward: 30 merit points each.]

[Clear out "Ground-digging Boars" harassing the herb fields behind the school. Estimated strength equivalent to Skin Grinding Realm - Minor Accomplishment. Thick-skinned and tough. Reward: 40 merit points. Boar materials belong to the killer.]

His gaze finally settled on a newly posted task:

[Investigate abnormal sounds and minor earthquake phenomena deep within "Black Wind Ravine." Suspected underground creature activity. Requires bold, careful individuals with keen perception. Note: Terrain deep in Black Wind Ravine is complex, with unknown risks. Reward: 80 merit points. Additional heavy reward for valuable clues or resolving the hidden danger.] (Issued by: Lin Hai County Yamen · Geological Inspectorate)

Black Wind Ravine? Chen Yuan remembered the place—it was near Cold Dragon Pond.

It was a steep, perilous canyon even deeper than Cold Dragon Pond, with numerous branching paths. It was said to connect to underground rivers deep within, rarely visited by people. Most of the demonic beasts there were only Qi and Blood Realm, not even reaching Skin Grinding Realm.

"Abnormal sounds... minor earthquakes..." Chen Yuan mused.

He was especially sensitive to such anomalies. His intuition told him this might hold an opportunity.

"This one it is."

Chen Yuan made up his mind and reached out to tear off the task slip.

During registration, the attendant disciple reminded him, "Senior Disciple Brother Chen, Black Wind Ravine isn't like Cold Dragon Pond. There are countless branching paths inside, like a maze, and the light is dim. A few years back, some herb gatherers went in and never came out. Be careful—better to go with a companion."

"Thanks for the reminder, Junior Disciple Brother. I'll act within my limits." Chen Yuan thanked him and noted down the task details and precautions.

Back at Listening Tide Courtyard, Chen Yuan began preparing for the mission.

He carefully inspected the Cold Ripple Blade—the blade was still as smooth as autumn water, its chill contained within.

From the Scarab Fish Secret Pouch, he took out and inventoried various pills: one and a half bottles of Bone Tempering Pills, two Crimson Blood Pills, two bottles of Trauma Ointment, plus an extra bottle of Detoxification Pills, water, and dry rations.

He also sought out Sixth Senior Disciple Sister Sun Yun to ask about underground environments, identifying toxic miasma, and dealing with sudden geological changes.

Though surprised, Sun Yun still explained carefully and gave him a small bottle of higher-quality Miasma Clearing Pills.

Night fell. Chen Yuan adjusted his state, mentally rehearsing the various situations he might encounter on tomorrow's mission and how to handle them.

In his Sea of Consciousness, the Tidal Stele remained calm and silent.

Realm: Skin Grinding Realm - Minor Accomplishment (49/100)

Tide Fortune: 65/100

"Black Wind Ravine..." Chen Yuan gazed at the hazy moonlight outside the window and murmured, "I hope this trip brings some gains."