Snowfall in Xue Luo Prefecture, Burning Wine in the City; Wind Sweeps Ruined Alley, Murderous Intent Lies Hidden

Before his words had even faded, Chen Duan moved, like a taut bowstring released.

Without the slightest warning, he clenched his right fist and drove what appeared to be a simple, direct Straight Punch straight at Xia Jingtian's face.

Xia Jingtian raised his eyes slightly, as though he had expected it all along. With a casual sweep of his sleeve, his palm moved after yet arrived first, lightly blocking the blow.

Fist and palm collided.

At first, the force was fierce but still within expectations. Xia Jingtian's expression did not change.

Yet just as the old force was spent, in that instant of lightning and flint, an even more savage follow-up force struck close behind.

Xia Jingtian's brow lifted slightly, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.

With a subtle shift of thought, he urged a little more of the Wood Element Art's internal force within him, dissolving that follow-up force into nothingness.

The gale from the strike stirred his beard and hair, and the air within the Meditation Room rippled.

"Good punch!"

What formidable blood and qi, what tyrannical strength!

Xia Jingtian appeared fairly calm on the surface, but waves had already risen in his heart.

What that punch contained was not any especially exquisite variation of moves, but the purest, most overwhelming blood and qi, Physical Body strength.

This Child has only reached the Second Level of the Wood Element Art and has yet to gain the Cultivation Technique's trait of greatly enhancing blood and qi. Such a terrifying foundation must come from his own strength...

Xia Jingtian withdrew his palm, and the gleam in his eyes grew sharper.

After the Wood Element Art reached the Third Level, its greatest characteristic was that blood and qi would begin to surge dramatically. As the Cultivation Technique progressed, it would continue growing, becoming ever more vigorous.

Blood and qi were the source of strength. With more blood and qi, one's strength naturally grew stronger as well.

Thus, although Wood Courtyard Disciples appeared peaceful and noncontentious, they were in truth a group of people with tyrannical strength.

And Chen Duan already possessed such immense blood and qi. If he continued raising his Wood Element Art, how formidable would he become?

At that thought, several traces of regret arose in Xia Jingtian's heart.

Had he not failed once more in his attempt to break through the bottleneck a few days ago, he might truly have been reluctant to pluck this "fine fruit."

But time was no longer on his side.

He could not gamble on whether Chen Duan would grow smoothly.

Zhou Shang of the Water Court had limited talent and little hope. Yan Cong of the Fire Court had suffered an accident while refining pills the day before, and something had gone wrong with the medicine he took. As for Tong Hou of the Earth Court, he had stayed aloof from the matter and was not being considered.

At present, Xia Jingtian was the only one with any real hope.

Though countless thoughts turned through his heart, not a trace showed on his face. Wearing a look of pleased expectation, he encouraged him, "Not bad. Your foundation is extremely solid. Maintain this rate of progress, cultivate diligently without cease, and become a pillar of the Wood Courtyard—and indeed, of the entire Yuanxiang Sect—as soon as possible."

After saying this, he gave Chen Duan some precious medicinal ingredients to regulate his blood and qi, expressing the high hopes he placed upon him.

Chen Duan accepted the medicinal ingredients, thanked him respectfully, and then took his leave.

Not long after Chen Duan left, Du Jun entered.

"Master, how is Junior Brother Chen?"

Xia Jingtian had already returned to his seat upon the meditation cushion. With his back to Du Jun and his eyes half-closed, he spoke in an even tone that revealed not the slightest emotion. "He is passable. So-so."

An impartial, vague answer.

"I see~"

Du Jun lifted his eyes and cast a swift glance at Xia Jingtian's back. A strange, unreadable light flickered through his eyes, then vanished.

After leaving Xia Jingtian's Meditation Room, Chen Duan walked slowly beneath the corridor, lightly moving the wrist he had used to throw that punch and sensing the lingering force within it.

That strike had naturally been no more than a taste, a probing test.

Yet by viewing a leopard through a tube, one could see a spot of its hide.

Xia Jingtian's response had already given him a clearer estimate of his master's strength.

His confidence had increased by several degrees.

He did not return to his residence. After obtaining the Great Medicine, he directly found a Meditation Room and began practicing the Wood Element Art.

The crucial barrier from the Second Level to the Third Level of the Wood Element Art lay in changing the target nourished by Hongyuan Internal Qi from "flesh" to the deeper "sinews."

For Chen Duan, who already had experience tempering his sinews through several true arts, this presented no great obstacle in comprehension.

Having cultivated it to this point, he had more or less seen through the nature of the Wood Element Art.

Peaceful and tranquil on the surface, with a storm brewing beneath.

It required its practitioner to guard against arrogance and impatience, keeping the heart like still water. One absolutely could not rush.

As long as he controlled that "stillness," the Wood Element Art would not be difficult.

And that was precisely the hardest part.

When Martial Masters practiced their arts, they naturally began in their youth. Inevitably, they were hot-blooded and high-spirited, their temperaments restless and unable to remain still.

When Martial Artists grew old, their temperaments had settled, but their bodies often could no longer endure the churning clouds and overturning seas within.

Chen Duan's ability to proceed so smoothly relied, first, on the support the Vast Qi Nourishing Spirit Technique gave his state of mind, and second, on the endurance granted by his own physique.

The latter played the greater role, bearing most of the impact, which was why each cultivation session had no small effect on the state of his fleshly body.

Inside the Meditation Room, Chen Duan's breathing was long and deep. With each inhale and exhale, his heart beat powerfully, driving Hongyuan Internal Qi through his entire body as it began carefully nourishing and scouring all his sinews and veins.

At the same time, several internal techniques were activated together, swiftly raising stormy waves within his body that constantly affected his mind, attempting to destroy that state of "stillness."

Compared to flesh, nourishing sinews naturally required more delicate adjustment of Hongyuan Internal Qi. The more meticulous the circulation of internal force became, the fiercer the backlash from the internal techniques.

After repeating this cycle for several circulations, Chen Duan ended his practice.

[Wood Element Art +7%]

[Wood Element Art (35%, Second Level)]

The progress was acceptable. Though he still had some strength left, this was about enough.

There was no need to rush this Cultivation Technique. He would stop here for today and save more energy for his other cultivation techniques.

By the time he left the sect, night had already fallen low.

Hoo~ Hiss~

The bitterly cold wind swept up Withered Leaves from the ground.

Darkness came earlier and earlier. The households lining both sides of the street had long since hung their lanterns, their halos swaying in the wind yet never able to dispel the deepening chill.

Compared to recent days, there were now very few pedestrians on the streets. Only a sparse handful of figures wrapped their clothes tightly around themselves as they hurried along.

Chen Duan's footsteps echoed clearly over the stone-paved road, one after another, steady and lonely.

Suddenly, his ears twitched slightly, catching some faint anomaly.

After walking several dozen more steps, he spotted a small stall selling hot food at the street corner. The Peddler was packing up his things, preparing to close for the night.

Feeling the biting cold of the wind, Chen Duan had a sudden impulse and strode over.

"Shopkeeper, hold off on closing."

The Peddler was shivering from the cold. Hearing him, he looked up, and the sight of Chen Duan's burly frame startled him at first.

Chen Duan pointed at the crude wooden menu board hanging nearby. "Cook ten bowls of noodles for me, all large portions! And slice me a separate plate of meat, with a generous serving."

Before the Peddler could answer, Chen Duan had already taken out his Silver Liang.

At the sight of the silver, an enthusiastic smile immediately bloomed across the Peddler's face, as if much of the chill had been driven away.

"Certainly! Guest, please take a seat! The stove fire isn't out yet, it'll be ready right away! Right away!"

With nimble hands and feet, he set up the tables and stools he had just put away.

Chen Duan sat down and added, "Do you have wine?"

"Yes!"

The Peddler hurriedly poured Chen Duan a bowl of wine.

Chen Duan downed a bowl of Shao Daozi in two swallows. The Wine Bowl struck the table with a crisp thud.

"This wine has some kick!"

"Hehe, it's our own brewed Shao Daozi—there's plenty! One mouthful, and damn whatever freezing cold weather there is, your whole body will be warmed through!"

The Peddler grinned. Naturally, he was delighted to hear his wine praised.

Very soon, steaming noodles and a large plate of thickly sliced braised meat were brought over.

Steam rose in waves, mingling with the fragrance of wine and meat. In that cold night, it created a warm little corner of the world, exceptionally pleasant.

"Guest, go ahead and eat. Food cools easily in this weather. When you're almost done, I'll cook you some fresh noodles!" the Peddler said with a smile, rubbing his hands together.

Chen Duan lowered his head and ate heartily, his movements crisp and bold. He tore through meat as though ripping silk, and swallowed noodles as though drinking down a river.

The sight left the Peddler dumbstruck. He clicked his tongue inwardly and could not help praising him in his heart.

What a man!

In but a short while, everything had gone into his stomach, filling him with warmth.

"Satisfying!"

Chen Duan rose, wiped his mouth, and set down the full price of the meal.

"Guest, take care! Come again next time!" The Peddler held the money and thanked him repeatedly.

Just then, Chen Duan suddenly felt a chill upon the tip of his nose and raised his head slightly.

Tiny white specks drifted silently down, like sifted jade dust scattering through the air.

It was snowing.

This year's snow had come somewhat early.

The snow fell without a sound.

Changjie grew quieter still.

The night deepened.

Hoo—

Another gust of cold wind swept past.

It made the doors and windows rattle and bang.

Chen Duan stopped and looked around.

Nearly half the buildings here had collapsed. Broken walls and shattered ruins stood silent in the snowy night like monuments, without the faintest trace of lamplight or human habitation.

This was an abandoned alley. A great fire had swept through it several years ago, killing quite a few people.

Yet after it was rebuilt, strange incidents occurred frequently. Crying could often be heard in the middle of the night, and the rumors grew fiercer with every telling. In the end, the residents all moved away, and the place was completely abandoned.

"This place is quiet."

Chen Duan nodded as if admiring the scenery, then slowly turned around.

Facing the deep darkness behind him, from which he had come, his voice was calm yet clear as it pierced through wind and snow.

"Friend behind me, aren't you tired after following Chen for so long? Why not show yourself sooner, so Chen can at least offer you a greeting?"