Whoosh, whoosh-
Within the quiet Cultivation Chamber, the sound of surging waves rolled on without end.
Vast amounts of spiritual qi erupted from the Spirit-Nurturing Pill in his abdomen, only to be swallowed whole in an instant by the illusory river encircling and connecting Zhang Jing's internal organs. It became strands of ink-black spiritual power and flowed into his dantian.
At the same time, Zhang Jing also gulped down the dense spiritual qi permeating the Cultivation Chamber like a whale swallowing water.
His cultivation began rising at tremendous speed.
Time slowly passed.
"No wonder... that senior brother from the Linked Mountain Squad said that without resources, I might not even be able to compete for the top twenty in this assessment."
Zhang Jing opened his eyes, a glimmer of understanding flashing through his pitch-black pupils.
Having experienced it himself, he understood what the other man had meant.
In cultivation, having spiritual pills and having none were two entirely different things, as far apart as heaven and earth.
What the other man did not know, however, was that Zhang Jing could barely make up that gap with his incomplete Nether Flood Dragon Devouring the Void Dao Rhythm and the highly compatible Five Viscera Water-Origin Guiding Commentary.
Let alone now...
Zhang Jing rose from the cushion with a smile, stretched his limbs a little, then headed outside.
This was not his only reason for renting an advanced Cultivation Chamber today.
He still had to make the most of his time!
As he lightly lifted his foot, the Jade Talisman slowly appeared in response to his will.
His gaze swept over it.
[Low-grade law technique: Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique · Level 1 (2/40)] Skill trait: sharpness (basic)
Early that morning, Zhang Jing had discovered that the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique, the only technique he could use, had quietly appeared on the Jade Talisman's skill list.
Moreover, it had skipped the "uninitiated" stage upon appearing and gone straight to level one, gaining the [sharpness] trait.
Zhang Jing guessed this might be because he had practiced it with his spiritual sense before.
He did not know whether it was his imagination.
It could also be an effect of the Jade Talisman's skill proficiency.
In any case, when he recalled the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique's spell Dao patterns now, his familiarity with them had increased considerably compared with yesterday.
Taking a deep breath-
Zhang Jing raised his head and looked at the bronze humanoid target a short distance ahead.
His spiritual sense deftly began tracing the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique's intricate spell Dao script. The abundant spiritual power in his dantian stirred in response, filling the Dao patterns.
Four or five breaths later.
A familiar crescent-shaped edge appeared at Zhang Jing's fingertip, exceptionally solid, flickering with a dim, cold light.
With the [keen edge] trait enhancing it this time, the sharpness and chill carried by the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique were far more than twice as strong as when he had first used it yesterday.
Merely looking at it made one's hair stand on end.
It could not help reminding Zhang Jing of the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique imbued with the Nether Flood Dragon Devouring the Void Dao Rhythm last night, which had nearly demolished his little courtyard.
He shook his head.
Zhang Jing focused all his attention on the bronze target.
He lightly tapped a fingertip in the air, and the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique became a flickering streak of light, crossing seventy or eighty feet in an instant and slashing hard into the bronze target.
Bang!
A dull crash erupted, echoing endlessly through the room.
Tap, tap-
Zhang Jing hurried forward to inspect it.
A long, narrow gash had been cut into the bronze target, its interior coated in white frost. Then, beneath his astonished gaze, the bronze target slowly began to heal.
At the same time.
A ray of spiritual light rose from the bronze target's base, extending upward.
Ultimately, it stopped slightly above the middle of the second interval on the scale. Having already learned about it beforehand, Zhang Jing naturally understood what this meant.
"The spell's attack strength actually reached the level of an ordinary Qi Refining Second Layer cultivator's full-powered strike? And it's even above average within the Qi Refining Second Layer."
Zhang Jing felt rather pleased.
This result had already exceeded his expectations. After all, he had only entered the Qi Refining Realm yesterday, becoming a glorious Qi Refining First Layer cultivator.
A short while later.
He looked at the bronze target, now restored to its original state.
Zhang Jing wanted to continue testing just how powerful the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique would be with both the [sharpness] trait and the Nether Flood Dragon Devouring the Void Dao Rhythm enhancing it. But after reconsidering, he abandoned the idea.
Who knew whether this bronze target had a recording function?
To be safe, he had better forget it.
In any case, Zhang Jing had a rough idea: with both enhancements, the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique would certainly reach the power of the Qi Refining Third Layer.
As for exactly where within that layer it fell, he was not sure.
"Then next-"
Zhang Jing unconsciously looked toward the Jade Talisman.
[Five Viscera Water-Origin Guiding Commentary · Level 1 (16/150)] Skill trait: Five-Law Spirit River (intermediate)
"Five-Law Spirit River?"
Zhang Jing murmured the strange name while recalling the information about this skill trait.
The five laws referred to the laws and affiliations of the five elements; "spirit" referred both to the river's name and to spells.
Spells became fish, swimming through the long river that encircled the body.
As for which river it was-
As though struck by sudden inspiration, Zhang Jing willed it, and the next instant, the murmur of flowing water sounded all around him.
A great river resembling a projection immediately appeared around Zhang Jing.
It was a river only he could see: the spirit river.
Zhang Jing's expression grew solemn.
He deftly cast the Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique, the only technique he currently knew, then slowly placed it into the spirit river.
In an instant.
The Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique flashed and became a little fish shaped like a blade, swimming freely through the spirit river.
An inexplicable connection formed between Zhang Jing and this little fish.
It felt as though, whenever he wished, this fish could leap from the spirit river and become a cold, shadowy, life-taking edge.
"At present, the spirit river is limited by my cultivation and can only hold five spell fish."
Zhang Jing's eyes flashed, and he immediately thought:
That means I have five extra spells I can use anytime, anywhere. It doesn't sound like much, but in practice-it should be terrifying. And as my cultivation improves, the number of spell fish the spirit river can hold will increase too.
Perhaps in the not-too-distant future.
He, Zhang Jing, could give an unexpected shake of his hand, deliver a grand gift package of ten thousand spells in a torrent to his enemies, then ask whether they were moved.
At this thought, Zhang Jing's lips could not help curling into a smile. Then he lowered his head and pondered again.
The spirit river could currently hold only five spells, which meant he could not choose carelessly.
First, he would definitely put two doubly enhanced Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Techniques in the spirit river as trump cards for dangerous situations.
Then he would put in one ordinary Ice Condensation Edge-Forming Technique carrying [sharpness], just for form's sake...
For the other two empty slots, Zhang Jing immediately thought of a low-grade defensive spell in the Five Viscera Water-Origin Guiding Commentary inheritance-the Ice-Light Incantation.
Of course, the prerequisite was that he first had to reach the introductory stage in cultivating the Ice-Light Incantation.
He estimated the time.
Perhaps there was still enough.
With that thought, Zhang Jing returned to the small Cultivation Chamber inside.
The next day.
Zhang Jing walked out of the Wonderful Pill Pavilion expressionlessly, turned, and vanished into the passing crowd.
This time, he had bought a full five Spirit-Nurturing Pills in one go.
Given the speed at which the Origin-Gathering Spiritual Light stripped impurities from his dantian, these five Spirit-Nurturing Pills would cover his cultivation needs during the Dao Academy assessment without compromising the purity of his spiritual power.
There were still nearly twenty days left.
If he made good use of them, he might have a chance to break through to the Qi Refining Second Layer.
At this thought, Zhang Jing's pace could not help quickening.
He had to hurry back to cultivate.
He could not waste even the smallest scrap of time.
Yet the very next moment, Zhang Jing suddenly remembered that his first task upon returning was not cultivation at all, but-patching the wall!
On a tree-shaded path on the outskirts of Dragon Marsh Market.
Two groups were facing off, a murderous atmosphere hanging over the surroundings.
More precisely, four men in black were confronting an old man in his seventies.
One of the men in black held a boy and slowly backed away, while the other three kept closing in on the old man.
"Old Shi, where's the inheritance? If you don't hand it over, your grandson's going to die."
The man in black holding the boy in one hand asked coldly.
At these words, the old man's eyes turned bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth as he spoke bitterly:
"Xu Boss, all for one inheritance, you four brothers hunted my grandson and me for three thousand li, and that still wasn't enough? You even dared sneak into Dragon Marsh Market to attack us. Have you had enough of living? If the Dao Academy investigates, how many lives does your Xu Household have to throw into that pit?"
"Spare me the nonsense. You understand the importance of this inheritance better than I do. As for the Dao Academy investigating... what business is that of yours? Just answer me this: are you handing it over or not?"
"Heh." The old man sneered. "You think I don't know you lot? I'll tell you the truth: I left the inheritance in some corner of the Market District. Xu Boss, if you dare touch so much as a hair on my grandson's head, I guarantee you'll never find that inheritance for the rest of your lives."
As his words fell.
An icy smile immediately appeared on the face of the man in black called "Xu Boss," and the hand gripping the boy slowly tightened.
A shrill cry rang out: "Grandpa-"
"Old Shi, I've hurt your grandson now. What are you going to do about it? Whatever you do, don't say anything about us never finding the inheritance. You know I'm very fragile. I can't withstand such a heavy blow."
As he spoke, the boy's screams rang on without end.
"You Xu bastard, you-"
Trembling all over, the old man looked at his grandson, who kept screaming. Finally, as though all his strength had been drained away, he slumped to the ground and begged:
"Stop! I'll give you the inheritance. But I have one condition-"
The old man stared fixedly at Xu Boss and spoke resolutely.
"Let's hear it~"
Xu Boss released his grip, and the boy hit the ground with a thud.
"I won't survive today, but Ming'er is still young. He can't just die here. Swear you won't kill him, and find a family willing to adopt him."
"I swear!" Xu Boss nodded.
"You three too!"
The old man looked toward the other three men in black.
Finally.
Under the four men's expectant gazes, the old man, whose pupils were beginning to lose focus, laboriously reached into the pocket at his chest and said weakly, "Remember, you... you all... swore."
"Damn it, so you really did have it hidden on you, Old Shi. I swore too soon."
One of the men in black snatched the inheritance from the old man's hand and spoke with considerable frustration.
Just then.
A young figure, spiritual power rippling around him, suddenly appeared in the four men's sight, moving incredibly fast.
Their gazes met.
All four men in black paled.
"Boss, what do we do? Should we run?"
"Run? All four of us have already left our auras here. Once the Market District's enforcement cultivators follow those auras to investigate, do you think we can escape?"
"They have flying law artifacts!"
"Then what do you say we should do, Boss?"
"This man seems to be only at the Qi Refining First Layer, while all four of us are at the Qi Refining Second Layer. What's there to fear? Kill him quickly, then clean up the scene and make sure the Market District's enforcement cultivators can't find even the slightest trace of our auras!"
"All right!"
In the flash of a spark, Xu Boss had already drawn up a complete plan.
"Third, when the fighting starts, make sure you stay hidden. Once we've drawn his attention, release your law artifact flying needles. Make certain you kill him in one strike!"
"Second, Fourth, I'll activate my law artifact flying sword for the main attack. You two support me from the sides and launch sneak attacks."
"Remember, kill him as quickly as possible!"
"Understood, Boss!" ×3
"Gentlemen, would you believe me if I said I'm just an innocent passerby?"
Zhang Jing stopped and swept his gaze over the three men in black slowly approaching him, speaking with a smile.
"Fellow Daoist, sorry about this."
Xu Boss stared at Zhang Jing, the Flying Sword Law Artifact in his hand rising with a hint of danger.
"So there's no room for discussion, then."
The smile abruptly vanished from Zhang Jing's face.
A spiritual river that only he could see appeared out of thin air. The five strange little fish swimming freely in its waters suddenly stirred restlessly.
Two of the little fish were shaped like blades, a faint, dark gleam flickering over their bodies.
The remaining three little fish looked as though they had been carved entirely from ice, their forms solid and weighty.
[Lower-grade Law Technique: Ice-Light Incantation · Level 1 (3/40)] Skill trait: Repeated Radiance (low-level)
The next moment.
The three ice-carved fish abruptly leaped out of the water, transforming into three layers of ice-blue protective spiritual light that wrapped tightly around Zhang Jing.
These three layers of ice-blue spiritual light actually seemed faintly connected and overlapping, forming a single whole with a hint of solidity.
After all, this was his first magical battle, and Zhang Jing felt this still was not safe enough.
He also activated the lower-grade Law Artifact he had just refined, the Water Cloud Shield, placing it in front of himself.
Right, there's also the Mind's Eye Dao Seed!
The Mind's Eye slowly opened.
In an instant, every movement in his surroundings was reflected in Zhang Jing's mind.
"You're here?"
Zhang Jing's gaze immediately swept over a black-clad man who had already circled around behind a nearby tree.
But just then.
A shrill whistle suddenly tore through the air.
Zhang Jing turned his head.
In his field of vision, a Flying Sword came slashing straight toward him with a fierce momentum.
He raised an eyebrow, and the Water Cloud Shield flashed across, barring the Flying Sword's path an instant before the attack reached him.
Clang!
The Flying Sword was knocked away.
Opposite him, Xu Boss did not seem surprised. He merely controlled the Flying Sword, attacking Zhang Jing without pause.
On the other side, two black-clad men had already rushed to Zhang Jing's side.
They raised the long sabers in their hands simultaneously and chopped down hard.
Yet, to their surprise, their savage slashes landed on Zhang Jing's protective spiritual light without making it so much as tremble.
Instead, the recoil left their arms numb.
The saber-wielding men's faces instantly took on expressions as though they had seen a ghost.
How was that possible?!
How could a mere Qi Refining First Layer cultivator's protective Law Technique be so tough?
"Second, Fourth, fall back!" Xu Boss let out a shrill cry.
Seeing that the combined attacks of all three of them could not even break through their opponent's defenses, and even felt like eggs striking a rock, Xu Boss instantly realized that they had run into an expert who liked playing the pig to devour the tiger.
This man was definitely beyond the Qi Refining First Layer!
His heart was instantly engulfed in bitter regret.
But thinking about anything now was already useless.
Xu Boss could not help looking toward Third, pinning his hopes on the latter's Flying Needle Law Artifact landing a successful sneak attack.
When he turned back again.
A dark blade of light that chilled him from head to toe suddenly burst into view, growing larger and larger, like a Flood Dragon baring its fangs and brandishing its claws.
So cold! So cold he could no longer even feel his body.
Everything before his eyes began to dim.
The last thing Xu Boss saw was Third's Flying Needle Law Artifact struggling through that man's outermost layer of protective spiritual light, only to fall to the ground with no strength left to continue.
Third was finished too! They were all finished!
An instant before losing consciousness, a thought suddenly flashed through Xu Boss's mind:
"Perhaps the four of us brothers should never have come to Dragon Marsh Market? Otherwise, how could we have run into such a freak? Just how many layers of protective spiritual light did he put around himself?"
Before you continue