Pressure for Body Tempering, Profound Technique's Initial Success

Carried by the young Witch Tribe warrior Kuafu, Lin Xuan endured the intense pain and dizziness amidst the jolting ride as they traversed the dense forest path. The Witch Tribe warriors possessed astonishing strength, each step covering an immense distance, their speed so great that the wind whistled past Lin Xuan's ears.

He lay on Kuafu's broad, rock-like back, clearly feeling the powerful and fiery Bloodline Power beneath the other's skin, like the pulse of the earth. This power was vastly different from the spiritual energy cultivated by immortal cultivators; it was more primal, more dominant, carrying a strength that originated from the very source of life. It seemed to resonate strangely with the restrained and tenacious physical strength he pursued through his cultivation of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, yet it was entirely distinct.

"So this is the Witch Tribe... born from Pangu's essence, with naturally formidable physiques, they don't cultivate the primordial spirit, only Blood Essence..." Lin Xuan understood in his heart. At the same time, he secretly felt fortunate. Fortunately, they had encountered a relatively simple Witch Tribe that held no strong ill will towards humans, especially the Houtu tribe, which had a consistently good reputation. If he had encountered some great demons who viewed humans as mere food, or cultivators with sinister intentions, he would likely have been in grave danger just now.

After galloping for about half an hour, the Pangu pressure in the surroundings seemed to have softened, and the terrain became relatively open. A settlement built against the mountainside, exuding a primitive aura, appeared before them.

It consisted of simple houses constructed from massive rocks and thick logs, modest in scale, housing about a hundred households. In the center of the village was an open clearing, where a blurry stone statue stood, emanating a profound and benevolent aura. It was likely an image of Houtu, the ancestral witch of earth. Some children clad in animal skins were chasing each other and playing in the clearing. Though small in stature, their stances when throwing stone locks or wrestling were already quite serious, making Lin Xuan's eyes twitch. Adult Witch Tribe members were mostly busy, grinding stone tools or processing hunted beasts. A faint scent of blood and roasted meat permeated the air.

"Big Brother Houyi and Kuafu are back!"

"Huh? They brought back a human kid?"

"Whoa, looks like he's seriously injured. Ran into something nasty?"

The Witch Tribe members greeted Houyi and the others as they arrived, their gazes falling curiously on Lin Xuan. Most of their eyes were direct and scrutinizing, but without much malice, mostly curiosity towards an "outsider" and an "injured person."

Houyi waved his hand, "We found him in the valley, chased by a Zhen, he was jumping all over the place, almost lost his life. Kuafu, take him to the witch doctor first."

"Got it!" Kuafu responded, carrying Lin Xuan directly towards a small stone house at the edge of the village, from which the scent of medicinal herbs wafted.

Inside the stone house, an old witch doctor with a face full of wrinkles but remarkably clear eyes examined Lin Xuan's injuries. He didn't use elixirs but took out some mashed herbs, exuding a rich vitality and earth-element spiritual power, and applied them to the wounds on Lin Xuan's chest and arms. He then made him drink a bowl of bitter-tasting but warming medicinal soup.

"Torn ligaments and bones, internal organ shock. Fortunately, your foundation isn't too bad, with some peculiar body-refining traces," the old witch doctor glanced at Lin Xuan and said slowly. "With our 'Earth Spirit Paste' and 'Hundred Herb Soup,' you'll be fine after a few days of rest. Kid, the method you cultivate is quite interesting."

Lin Xuan's heart stirred, knowing that the aura of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique had been detected as extraordinary by this experienced witch doctor. He quickly replied humbly, "Thank you, Senior Witch Doctor. It's just a simple method for self-preservation."

The old witch doctor chuckled and asked no further questions.

Kuafu settled Lin Xuan in a vacant small hut next to the stone house, furnished with dry straw and animal skins. "You rest here and recover. The tribe is very safe, no one will bother you. Just call out if you need anything."

Lin Xuan thanked him again. After Kuafu left, the stone house fell silent. He lay on the soft animal skins, feeling the coolness spreading from his wounds and the warm current of the medicine circulating within him. He let out a long sigh of relief. He was finally safe, for now.

He attempted to circulate the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique. He found that in this Witch Tribe settlement, although the spiritual energy was not as violent and dense as in the depths of Buzhou Mountain, it unexpectedly possessed a kind of heavy and peaceful earth aura, which was quite compatible with the body-refining methods of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique. Especially the externally applied "Earth Spirit Paste," which contained pure earth-element spiritual energy, further accelerated his body's healing.

[A blessing in disguise, Host.] the system's voice sounded. [The Witch Tribe's healing herbs contain the essence of the earth, which has a good auxiliary effect on your cultivation of the first revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, 'Building the Immortal Foundation'. It is recommended that the Host take this opportunity to stabilize your realm.]

Lin Xuan deeply agreed. He cast aside all distracting thoughts and focused on guiding the medicinal power and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, circulating them according to the profound technique's methods. This time, the cultivation was much less painful, and the efficiency increased significantly. Broken bones began to heal under the nourishment of spiritual energy and medicinal power, and damaged internal organs were slowly soothed.

Three days later, Lin Xuan's injuries had mostly healed, and his physical strength had even subtly improved due to the recovery from this severe injury. During this period, Houyi and Kuafu had visited him several times, bringing roasted beast meat and wild fruits. The straightforward Kuafu had also chatted with him about many tribal anecdotes, and their relationship had become much more familiar.

One day, Lin Xuan felt that his injuries were no longer a major concern, so he walked out of the stone house to stretch his limbs. He saw Kuafu and several young Witch Tribe warriors practicing martial arts in the clearing. It wasn't spells or divine abilities, but the most direct, explosive clashes of strength, blocks, lunges, and throws, filled with the beauty of power.

Lin Xuan watched intently from the side. His cultivation of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique also involved tempering his body, but it was more about internal refinement and the accumulation of strength. He lacked these purely combat-oriented skills.

Kuafu finished his practice and, seeing Lin Xuan, walked over with a smile. "Brother Xuanyuanzi, you look much better! How was it, are our Witch Tribe's moves worthy of your attention?"

Lin Xuan praised sincerely, "It was eye-opening. The marvelous application of strength has benefited me greatly." He paused, a thought forming in his mind, and said, "Brother Kuafu, the cultivation method I practice also has some effect on tempering the body, but my combat techniques are rudimentary. Seeing your practice today has inspired me. I wonder... could you, Brother Kuafu, offer some guidance? We won't use Blood Essence or divine power, just compete with the most basic physical strength and techniques."

He wanted to hone his actual combat abilities through sparring with the Witch Tribe warriors, to better grasp the power after his breakthrough.

Upon hearing this, Kuafu's eyes lit up. He was already curious about Lin Xuan, who could injure a Zhen, and immediately agreed readily, "Haha, good! It's a good chance to stretch our muscles! Come, let's spar!"

The two stood in the clearing, and some curious Witch Tribe members gathered around. A human sparring with a Witch Tribe member in terms of physical strength was a rare sight.

Lin Xuan calmed his mind and gathered the power of the first revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique in his arms. Kuafu grinned, adopting a simple boxing stance. Although he had promised not to use Blood Essence or divine power, his battle-hardened aura was already extraordinary.

"Be careful!" Kuafu let out a low shout and took a step forward, the ground trembling slightly. A simple, direct punch aimed at Lin Xuan's chest, coming with swift speed!

Lin Xuan dared not meet it head-on. He dodged sideways, simultaneously whipping his arm like a whip towards Kuafu's ribs. He attempted to employ some modern combat techniques, combined with the speed and strength granted by the profound technique.

Kuafu reacted extremely quickly, blocking Lin Xuan's attack with his arm, then grabbing for Lin Xuan's wrist with astonishing force.

Lin Xuan felt as if his wrist had been clamped by iron pincers. If not for the tempering of his bones and muscles by the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, he would have been subdued by this move. He exerted force with his feet, lowering his body, and his other hand swiftly jabbed towards Kuafu's elbow joint.

The two exchanged blows, fighting fiercely. Lin Xuan's advantage lay in his relatively agile physique and the condensed strength and skillful moves of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique. Kuafu, on the other hand, had an incredibly solid foundation; his strength, speed, and reaction were far superior to those of the same level, and his experience was rich, often anticipating Lin Xuan's intentions.

After sparring for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Lin Xuan was covered in sweat, his breathing rapid. He had taken several hits, which, though not heavy, still ached. Kuafu, however, had a long and steady breath, clearly at ease.

"Haha, exhilarating! Brother Xuanyuanzi, your physique is indeed well-trained! And your moves are quite peculiar!" Kuafu stopped, laughing heartily, and patted Lin Xuan's shoulder. "However, your force-generating techniques are still a bit stiff, not fluid enough. It seems after your injuries have healed, you'll need more practice!"

Lin Xuan gasped for breath and cupped his hands in salute, "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Kuafu!" He knew very well that Kuafu had been holding back considerably; otherwise, he wouldn't have lasted ten moves. But this sparring session gave him a completely new understanding of his own strength control and practical application. The power brought by the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique needed more combat to temper it before it could truly be his own.

After this bout, Lin Xuan had initially established a foothold in the Witch Tribe settlement. Not only had his injuries healed, but he had also benefited greatly from the sparring. The direct and straightforward nature of the Witch Tribe also gradually eased his wariness.

However, he was, after all, a human and could not stay in the Witch Tribe settlement forever. With his injuries healed, it was time to consider his next path. Should he continue climbing Buzhou Mountain, or leave this place and head to the vaster Primordial Era?