Master Could Bluff Too

After resting at the martial arts hall for two days, he returned to his own courtyard near the outskirts, using the excuse that he needed to recuperate at home.

It was more comfortable here. He had too many secrets and absolutely could not let others discover them.

By probing around indirectly, he learned that they would give him, at most, one month.

If he had too much time, the Ouyang Household would be unwilling to wait and would directly resort to force against him.

"The reason they are not making a move against me by force now is all because of the balance between the powers in town. It is only temporary safety."

"Master Huang should have guessed something, but he probably does not know certain secrets. Otherwise, his attitude toward me would not be like this."

"At the right time, I need to reveal a little of the Ouyang Household's secret. That way, I will have a better chance of surviving."

"I also need to raise my strength. Fortunately, I asked Master for some resources. He was rather generous this time—he actually gave me a Blood Essence Pill..."

Lin Xiaotian took out the Blood Essence Pill. It emitted a halo that was nearly bright yellow.

It seemed that the quality Master and the others used was only about this level, close to mid-grade.

"If you are not yet at External Force, part of the Blood Essence Pill will be wasted." Those had been Master's exact words.

Naturally, Lin Xiaotian listened. It had not been easy to obtain one pill; would it not be a shame if it went to waste?

The Ouyang Household's healing medicine needed strengthening. This Blood Essence Pill needed strengthening too, along with all the miscellaneous things he had obtained.

He had to find a way to raise his strength to Blood Tempering, or even close to External Force. Only then would he be safe during the Ouyang Household's mine trial.

Ten days later, Lin Xiaotian's strength had reached the Bone Tempering stage... His true combat strength was probably already comparable to Blood Tempering.

That gave him a slight sense of security.

"This is truly strange. After drinking Master's wife's medicinal soup, my Blood Qi is abundant, but I use it again to nurture and strengthen pills and the like. Logically speaking, those supplements should not be enough to produce these effects."

"According to the principle of conservation of energy, it simply does not add up. Where does that extra energy come from?"

"Could it be that this Blood Qi can absorb other energy from the air?"

"But when I was nurturing and strengthening things, I did not feel anything at all! Perhaps... my current strength is insufficient, so I cannot sense it."

"Forget it. No point dwelling on it. It is a good thing, anyway. As my strength grows and time passes, I believe it will gradually become clear."

"I should pay Master a visit. This little Blood Essence Pill is not enough. It seems my Blood Qi would not waste even if it absorbed an entire pill."

The wound on his back had already healed. After checking its position, he slammed himself heavily into the wall again, giving himself fresh superficial injuries. Only after applying medicine did he head for the martial arts hall.

He limped slightly as he entered Master's room.

Master Huang was sitting there with the calm poise of an old sage, reading a picture book filled with drawings of men and women...

Lin Xiaotian's eyes went wide. He had thought his master looked so proper and upright, yet he read this kind of picture book too.

Master Huang calmly put the book away and glanced at his disciple.

"Your injuries have not fully healed. Why have you come? Are those pills not enough?"

It seemed Master and the others could not detect his body's powerful recovery.

Well, that made sense. They were Martial Dao experts, not immortal cultivators who could see through a person's insides at a glance.

"Master, I came today because I remembered something."

Master Huang straightened up, a smile on his face.

"Have you thought it through, disciple? Are you willing to speak now?"

"Master, before I began practicing martial arts, I was abducted. Thinking back, that person should have been the Ouyang Household Head's martial uncle."

Upon hearing this, the veins at Master Huang's brow twitched a few times. Though he still appeared composed on the surface, the matter had likely struck him even harder than Lin Xiaotian had imagined.

"Tell me the details." Master's voice remained steady.

Lin Xiaotian gave an "Mm" and continued.

"That old ancestor said he was taking me somewhere. He said something about needing to conduct an experiment, that I was somewhat special, and that since I had been adopted by my older sister, I might work."

Master Huang fell silent, but his expression grew increasingly grave.

Before Master could speak, Lin Xiaotian continued.

"He said he had already found many people, but none could endure it. They all died. In the end, he could not resist trying it himself. The result was that he said he could not endure it either, and had been corroded. He would slowly die."

"After that, there was nothing."

Lin Xiaotian pretended to be at a loss as he looked at Master. He believed that these half-true, half-false words he had fabricated would surely land like a thunderclap on Master.

Master Huang said nothing. Though he was looking at him, his thoughts had drifted far away. Only after a long while did he return to himself, his tone suddenly urgent.

"Where is that location?"

"I do not know. I only know the general direction. After all, he carried me in his hand and raced along the treetops. How could I know which way was which?"

"I only know that when he reached a certain place, he suddenly put me down and said, 'Since I am about to die, I will leave the Ouyang Household a clue.'"

"Those words made no sense, but seeing the Ouyang Household come looking for me, I guessed that old ancestor had some method of letting them know he had once abducted me."

Master Huang sank into silence again. After the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, he looked up at him and slowly said:

"What are your thoughts?"

Lin Xiaotian put on a frightened, agitated expression. He bowed deeply, nearly dropping to his knees as he said:

"Master, you have seen it too. The Ouyang Household truly seems determined to detain me, threatening and tempting me in turn. If they still cannot get the answer they want in the end, they will surely use severe punishment and make me unable to live or die."

"For this mine medicinal herb trial, do you think I can avoid going... Thinking about it now, it is not worth it just for those spirit herbs."

Master Huang nodded.

"Mm, I understand and sympathize with your thoughts, but you must go. Otherwise, the Ouyang Household will directly come and seize you."

"Do not worry. This time, I will go with you as well. I will ensure that no one above External Force follows you there."

"As for those Ouyang Household members participating in the trial, you only need to be careful. If you notice anything wrong, run. I believe they still would not dare do anything openly."

"Master..." Lin Xiaotian's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, making him seem somewhat guilty and fearful.

"I am still afraid. Could Master give me some of those pills issued once a month, as well as Blood Essence Pills? I want to raise my strength as quickly as possible."

"After all, the Ouyang Household certainly has more than one Blood Tempering expert..."

Master Huang pondered briefly.

"Fine. I will give you two more. Since next month is about to arrive anyway, I will give you next month's pill in advance as well. That makes three Dragon-Tiger Pills in total. Keep them safe."

"I can also give you five Blood Essence Pills. During this time, rest properly at home and strive to recover as soon as possible."

"Taking more Blood Essence Pills will waste some of their effect, but they can still replenish your body somewhat. More is always better than less."

"And," Master added at last, "Dragon-Tiger Pills can help you break through bottlenecks, but their medicinal effect must be digested. Different people digest them at different speeds. You should be able to feel that."

"Once you reach External Force, that feeling will become even stronger. Those with good innate bones absorb medicinal effects quickly, and they also have more time to expel the impurities from the medicine."

"At your stage, if you wish to go farther, do not be overly hasty."

"Thank you, Master." Seeing that he had achieved his aim, Lin Xiaotian bowed in thanks, accepted the items, and returned home.

It seems Master also knows of that special place. He must have deduced something, or he would not have been so generous.

With these Dragon-Tiger Pills, let us see whether I can break through to Blood Tempering again in these remaining days.