Refusing to Yield

Ershui City, Wang Residence.

Inside the secluded chamber.

"No wonder ancient body-tempering methods aren't passed down anymore. They actually shorten one's lifespan!"

Wang Sheng had only spent half a day understanding the beginning of an ancient body-tempering method before the system panel successfully displayed 'Novice'.

After discovering its significant differences from contemporary methods, he spent several days deciphering the Eight-Line Body Tempering Breathing Technique and some ancient texts.

With the original meaning of the technique and the annotations of several generations of the He family, Wang Sheng had a rough understanding of the ancient body-tempering method's cultivation process.

"The eight lines refer to the skin, muscles, tendons, bones, blood, five viscera, skull, and finally, the ethereal soul."

"It starts with strengthening the skin and muscles, and eventually refines the viscera, skull, and even the soul, in order to gradually achieve pure physical strength."

"However, this method is far too reliant on cultivation resources. It uses medicinal stimulation to enhance the body's potential. If one breaks through successfully, each advancement is akin to a rebirth, and lifespan is not reduced. But if the breakthrough fails, the potential is completely exhausted, the body deteriorates, and lifespan is severely shortened, almost directly severing the Martial Path. The margin for error is too low."

Wang Sheng saw the big picture from this body-tempering method and realized that contemporary methods had many advantages over ancient ones.

Contemporary body-tempering methods had a high margin for error; failed breakthroughs did not significantly shorten lifespan.

Furthermore, contemporary methods cultivated inner energy. While inner energy might not be as potent as ancient strength in the early stages, it became extensible and unpredictable at the Transforming Energy stage, offering far more techniques than ancient methods focused purely on strength.

"But, isn't this ancient cultivation method perfect for me!"

"I have my own talent and diligence, so I won't fail breakthroughs and risk shortening my lifespan."

"Although the ancient body-tempering method cultivates pure strength and lacks the variety of inner energy techniques, I don't have a Transforming Energy method yet. Moreover, the strength cultivated by the ancient method is generally a cut above inner energy at the same level!"

"The ancient body-tempering method cultivates pure flesh. Contemporary inner energy acts more like a shield when defending. What happens when facing true damage!"

As Wang Sheng pondered, he thought of a certain game from his previous life where true damage ignored shields entirely. Pure flesh was also vulnerable, but it could withstand the attack for a little longer.

"Master, Master. It's time to rest!"

At this moment, Outside the secluded chamber, Li Xuan, dressed in a sheer, thin gauze dress and wearing striking makeup, her alluring figure faintly visible, shivered despite her delicate skin. She softly called out to Wang Sheng.

The place where Wang Sheng and Li Xuan lived was an adjacent courtyard to the old Wang family residence. Although they had connected the two, Father and Mother Wang wouldn't come here at night. Therefore, Li Xuan dressed more provocatively.

Hearing the call, Wang Sheng snapped out of his thoughts.

This was his request: for Li Xuan to remind him of the time these past two days, telling him when to rest.

The day after the banquet at the City Lord's mansion, Wang Sheng noticed Yu Cheng was secretly monitoring him. So, he played along, deliberately giving Yu Cheng opportunities. For the past two nights, he had been indulging with two beauties, falling into a deep sleep.

After all, it was more convenient to resolve the problem in his own territory. If the enemy delivered themselves to his doorstep to die, why would Wang Sheng waste time looking for Yu Cheng and finding a secluded place to kill him?

However, Wang Sheng had changed his mind now.

He no longer wanted to waste time on women and deliberately expose weaknesses for Yu Cheng to exploit.

The current ancient body-tempering method had truly captivated Wang Sheng. It could provide him with immense assistance and was likely the key to him breaking through to the Transforming Energy level.

Therefore, Wang Sheng decided to officially enter seclusion in the chamber and see no one.

If Yu Cheng truly intended to kill him, then they would meet in the seclusion chamber.

"Master, my chest hurts a little. It's so heavy. Can you help me rub it?"

At this moment, Wang Qinshi, completely undressed, walked over and said coquettishly.

For an ordinary woman, a hint of allure was most captivating.

But for a woman with an exceptionally good figure, voluptuous and curvaceous like a watermelon, walking around completely naked caused every step to be a tumultuous wave, a white surge that was breathtaking.

Wang Sheng couldn't see it, but Li Xuan was grinding her teeth, inwardly cursing her as a slut and shameless, yet she was also extremely envious of that nearly one or two pounds of flesh.

Ever since Li Xuan decided to compete with her mother, Wang Qinshi, for Wang Sheng's favor and prevent Wang Qinshi's petty schemes from succeeding, the two had been engaged in a "female competition" centered around Wang Sheng.

Unfortunately, Wang Qinshi had too many tricks up her sleeve and was too adept at seduction, causing Li Xuan to fall behind time and time again, only to engage in further rivalry.

Just as Li Xuan glared angrily at Wang Qinshi, Wang Sheng's voice came from the seclusion chamber, "Starting today, I am officially entering seclusion. From now on, bring me food every day. Each meal must include at least ten pounds of meat."

The ancient body-tempering method required consuming vast amounts of meat.

Li Xuan's eyes showed disappointment, but she was also relieved. Wang Sheng hadn't come out today, otherwise, she would have surely lost again.

"Yes, Master. Master, I want to buy another maid..."

Wang Qinshi said respectfully.

"Yes!"

"Maids, cooks, you can add more. You decide."

Wang Sheng agreed.

"Master, I don't want anything. I want to save money for Master!"

Li Xuan suddenly said softly.

"Get lost!"

Wang Sheng uttered a single word indifferently.

Now wasn't the time to watch this little bitch put on a show with her "tea art."

"Women only affect how hard I can work."

"Let me see just how powerful ancient body-refining techniques can be!"

Wang Sheng looked at the beast-skin book in his hands and began to cultivate the Eight-Line Body Tempering Breathing Technique with his head down.

While Wang Sheng was in seclusion, Yu Cheng on the other side also began his seclusion.

After gathering information on Wang Sheng's schedule, Yu Cheng had planned to take advantage of Wang Sheng's indulgence in pleasure and use a potent aphrodisiac to make Wang Sheng die on a woman's belly.

This way, he could eliminate Wang Sheng without anyone noticing, killing without drawing blood. Even if someone discovered the problem, they wouldn't know where to start investigating.

But what Yu Cheng didn't expect was that after a desperate battle with a disciple from Cangshan Martial Academy, his bottleneck at the peak of the mid-stage Dark Energy loosened, clearly showing signs of breaking through to the late-stage Dark Energy.

Yu Cheng was overjoyed and immediately put aside the matter of killing Wang Sheng, hurrying into seclusion.

And so, Time gradually passed.

Half a month went by, the weather grew increasingly cold, nearing the eighteen-month winter.

However, the war did not cease; instead, more and more desperate citizens joined the Southern Ridge Prefecture's rebel army.

The Son of Heaven's Army near Ershui City also grew stronger daily, successively capturing two towns. This enraged Governor He, who sent troops to suppress the rebels, but they returned in utter defeat, suffering heavy casualties.

Suddenly, the situation in Ershui City became chaotic.

Seeing the government's weakness and impotence, some demons and monsters emerged. Blood-sucking fiends reappeared, and flower thieves succeeded multiple times.

Even a few days later, another small faction, which had been severely injured while pursuing members of the Demonic Cult, was wiped out.

The Divine Incense Cult began to disregard Governor He's orders, openly recruiting citizens and extorting protection fees.

The interests of martial arts schools and academies were encroached upon by the Divine Incense Cult, leading to numerous brawls and widespread chaos.

The Son of Heaven's Army rebels sometimes dared to appear near Ershui City, forcing the city to shut its gates in fear.

Many of Ershui City's accumulated problems erupted at this moment. This chaos was even more severe than the last time the Demonic Cult wreaked havoc.

The Divine Incense Cult, martial arts schools and academies, fiends, the Son of Heaven's Army, and other major forces refused to yield to each other.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.