Chapter 171: Skin As Outline, Bone As Framework, Time Flow Altered, Even The Frail Onmyoji Setsu Can Attempt A Trial Cut?
Imagawa Residence, in Shangshan Che’s personal small courtyard.
After seeing the attendant who was preparing the medicinal bath in the room walk out, Shangshan Che stood up.
Just one last medicinal bath cultivation session away from completing the first major stage of Palace of Flesh Cultivation, Skin Tempering.
Regarding “Palace of Flesh,” this term is actually used in two places.
The first is the Mastery Level of all breathing techniques; this proficiency level is collectively called “Palace of Flesh” based on the experience of predecessors.
As for the reason, Shangshan Che thought it was probably because among the vast majority of breathing techniques, this stage requires the highest proficiency for “Muscle Refining.”
The second is the “Palace of Flesh,” one of the Four Great Ultimate Forms unlocked after browsing nine breathing techniques not long ago.
The Palace of Flesh here is the ultimate form of “flesh” among skin, bone, flesh, and tendon.
Although both are called Palace of Flesh, the gap between the two is still quite large.
“Shiraishi, not taking a break? Combining work and rest allows for faster and steadier progress.”
Before entering the room, Shangshan Che spoke to Shiraishi, who had been squatting in the shade looking at the manual all day.
Ever since four days ago when Shiraishi tasted the strong positive feedback, aside from eating and sleeping, he had been almost constantly studying and practicing the ninja manual in his hands.
In four days, he had roughly finished reading this manual.
Thanks to this, Shiraishi now should have strength around a bit more than Half-Star level.
—But judging by Shiraishi’s personality, such intense study enthusiasm was clearly abnormal.
It was practically like a three-minute fad.
If not reined in a bit now, he would likely lose interest in cultivation greatly upon hitting a setback.
Shiraishi, who was engrossed in reading, didn’t hear this until Two-Foot Adult jumped down from the branch where she had been chirping along with the sparrows, patted his shoulder, and he finally looked up.
Two-Foot Adult repeated the words.
Shiraishi blinked, about to say no need, absolutely no need for rest, but then he saw Shangshan Che stand up, probably to start the daily “terrifying cultivation.”
He called it terrifying cultivation naturally because every day after Shangshan Che entered the room, creepy crackling and whooshing sounds would come from inside.
And this lasted about one hour.
One hour meant it was just afternoon.
Shiraishi’s eyes darted around, then he tentatively suggested: “Boss, that ‘slash power test’ in the east of the city seems really popular lately.
They say after one strike, the big black ball that gets hit will report your power precisely in a weird tone—super magical!”
Two-Foot Adult standing beside him had a strange expression.
Wasn’t this… the black shiny Samurai Zantetsumaru that Che Adult took out a couple days ago?
—Because at home Two-Foot Adult beat up the Samurai Zantetsumaru every day, she was used to it and didn’t find it all that magical.
She thought Che Adult probably felt the same.
So Shiraishi was probably going to be disappointed.
Shiraishi looked expectant: “How about we go try it this afternoon too?”
Contrary to Two-Foot Adult’s expectation, Shangshan Che in the distance nodded after a moment’s thought: “Sure. After I finish today’s cultivation, I’ll take you both.”
Shiraishi immediately let out a weird yell: “Yay!”
Two-Foot Adult scratched her head, not quite understanding what Shangshan Che was thinking.
—Shangshan Che of course had his own considerations.
Three days ago, after he took out the Samurai Zantetsumaru publicly, it immediately attracted samurai and rōnin from all over Sunpu Castle.
Even many in the Imagawa Residence followed the trend, making the residence unexpectedly quiet now.
The area where the Samurai Zantetsumaru was placed, the so-called Trial Cut Ground, had been packed and extremely hot these three days.
Though it required “some connection to the Imagawa Clan,” nothing else was needed.
More crucially, Imagawa Yoshimoto made the important decision that “the first three trials are free.”
This was the real reason the Trial Cut Ground stayed explosively popular.
Because of the free trials, many itching-for-a-fight samurai would come with a “why not try” mindset.
Then after one slash, the samurai were amazed and became voluntary promoters.
Hence.
Shangshan Che planned after completing Skin Tempering to go to the Trial Cut Ground and generously show off his strength without much reservation.
Because yesterday Okabe Motonobu had secretly approached him privately.
She said Imagawa Yoshimoto wanted after they set out for Mikawa Province, once they nominally left Sunpu Castle with alibis, to then deal with the elders remaining in the Imagawa Residence.
This way, there would be no pretext.
Even if someone suspected the elders’ deaths were related to Imagawa Yoshimoto.
Without evidence, those suspicions would crumble before the future “person under heaven” title.
—The expedition to Mikawa Province was probably only a few days away.
If Shangshan Che went to the Trial Cut Ground now to show off his strength, though there was risk of “exposing our combat power.”
Similarly, it would make those elders gather more powerful guards, drawing out more potential rebels.
Moreover, this show of strength from Onmyoji Che would make the elders more on edge, not daring to act rashly.
Because by Imagawa Yoshimoto’s usual style, this was just a simple warning, not actual action.
Contradicting the guard-gathering, the elders might even feel an inexplicable sense of safety.
Besides, the purge after showing strength would make remaining ill-intentioned guys weigh their worth privately before acting.
Onmyoji Che’s reputation would spread even wider, increasing his Sengoku Period reputation.
—This thing might seem useless, but it could boost main quest completion.
So going to the Trial Cut Ground for an open trial, aside from exposing some of his strength, had tons of benefits!
A hundred benefits, only one harm!
But that harm was really minor.
Because…
“Even knowing my strength, what can they do?”
Shangshan Che calmly clenched his fist, pure white Qi Barrier and tiny lightning flickering between his fingers.
So-called schemes and plots could be shattered with one punch.
He wordlessly entered the room, took a deep breath after closing the door, and immediately felt his thoughts lighten.
Refreshed!
—In the center of the room, the unlit Soul Incense Candle stood quietly, continuously emitting a fresh exotic fragrance.
Beside the Soul Incense Candle, on a silk red cloth, the crystalline Five Thunder Pearl was placed.
Shangshan Che then took out the “star” from his bosom, which he had tied with silk thread into a necklace, and hung it around his neck.
He removed his thin clothes, leaped into the black medicinal liquid in the wooden tub, and as usual swallowed Soul Incense Ash.
—Under these five buffs’ amplification, cultivation speed couldn’t be slow even if he tried!
Shangshan Che last glanced at the two skills that would gain proficiency.
【Corona Breathing Technique（Skin Tempering336/360）】.
【Five Thunder Technique·Ki-Gong（Proficient579/1400）】.
Skin Tempering just this one more time, and Five Thunder Technique’s proficiency had risen quite a bit in these days.
Natural Reason School was slightly neglected these days, just swinging the blade to keep the feel, since the breathing technique was at a critical promotion stage.
As for Spirit Control Technique, Shangshan Che had tried cultivating it in spare time, but after a few times gaining only 1 proficiency each, he gave up.
Could only say Onmyōdō in the Sengoku Period really wasn’t for humans.
Even he, with spiritual power absorption hundreds of times normal, struggled, let alone ordinary cultivators…
Shangshan Che closed his eyes, cast aside these distractions, and embraced the burning pain.
—This cultivation session, he absolutely had to complete Skin Tempering!
……
Outside the room, Two-Foot Adult sat on the corridor guarding Shangshan Che, idly swinging her legs, teasing the small sparrows on her hand and the Small White Hat on her head.
With the affinity aura, Two-Foot Adult’s rapport with these natural small animals progressed lightning-fast.
Shiraishi pressed his ear to the wooden board, clearly hearing the constant noises from the room.
Just listening outside made his face twitch and legs go soft.
Shiraishi whispered,
“Two-Foot little boss, will boss die in there…”
Two-Foot Adult coldly snorted,
“This is nothing; Che Adult’s willpower is beyond what a kid like you can imagine.”
She actually didn’t like Shiraishi much.
Because Two-Foot Adult always felt Shiraishi was slick-tongued, never doing proper work, not helping Che Adult but dragging him back.
Unlike her, always thinking for Che Adult; even if she couldn’t help somewhere, she’d return to the Ksitigarbha Statue to avoid trouble.
Two hours passed in a flash.
This time was nothing for Two-Foot Adult who had been alone over a century; gone in a blink.
Instead, Shiraishi couldn’t help pulling out the ninja manual to practice again.
Whoosh.
The somewhat heavy sliding door was fully pulled open in an instant, massive white hot steam surging out, startling away the small animals beside Two-Foot Adult.
But the girl didn’t mind; she joyfully turned her head,
“Che Adult!”
Hearing the noise, Shiraishi also curiously peered into the gushing steam.
Autumn wind blew.
Steam slowly dissipated.
Then, both were stunned.
Because with the steam’s dissipation, the heroic-faced man with jade-like skin was revealed in their sight.
The bare-chested man slightly twisted his neck, afternoon sunlight falling on his water-flowing jade-white Skin Membrane, gleaming like on marble, displaying pure physical beauty.
“Hoo—”
Shangshan Che comfortably exhaled the high-temperature-infused Qi Barrier, stretching lazily in relief at the late autumn coolness.
Feeling the brushing breeze, Shangshan Che lowered his gaze to the pile of prompts jumping out—
【Your skill, Corona Breathing Technique proficiency +26!】
【Your skill, Five Thunder Technique·Ki-Gong proficiency +6!】
【You completed Palace of Flesh Cultivation·Skin Tempering stage!】
【Your skin strength moderately increased!】
【Your Physique +3!】
【Because you completed “Skin Tempering stage,” your Qi Barrier utilization efficiency slightly increased!】
Though the cultivation path was painful and slow, now the Skin Tempering stage was finally complete!
Originally, Skin Tempering needed 1500 proficiency to complete, nearly half of Corona Breathing Technique from Proficient Level to Mastery Level.
But with various factors’ help, completed in just these days in the Sengoku Period.
This time converted to reality…
Shangshan Che’s thoughts paused; he realized he’d been immersed in cultivation these days and forgot to check the time flow rates.
Hmm, before leaving Imagawa Residence later, confirm that first.
Thinking this, Shangshan Che casually pulled up his attribute panel—he hadn’t properly looked at it in a while.
【Shangshan Che（Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation）】
【Physique: 51】
【Willpower: 31】
【Charm: 12（21）】
【Spiritual Arts: 79】
Whoa.
Long time no look, his Physique broke 50 without Hannya Mask; with mask, easily over 70.
“This really is, unexpected.”
Shangshan Che marveled inwardly.
If progress continued at this speed, maybe soon he could revisit Edo Castle and spar that wax figure that once slashed him head-on.
Probably not many days passed for it.
Just imagining the expression on that wax figure’s face made Shangshan Che’s mouth curve slightly.
Finally, the new next-stage “Bone Forging” proficiency panel.
Lili Zi was currently in Bone Forging stage, unsure how far along.
But regardless, next meeting her, he could surely surprise her.
【Corona Breathing Technique（Hard Bone2/600）】
【Effect: Cultivate to perfection, bones like hard wood.】
【—Skin as outline, bone as pillar.】
“Even with 10% discount, still 600 proficiency, a bit more than Skin Tempering.”
Shangshan Che thought it was from completing the nine breathing techniques.
Closing the last panel prompt, Shangshan Che turned, seeing the two little ones sitting and lying on the corridor, dazedly staring at him.
Oblivious to his massive charm, Shangshan Che raised a brow: “Something dirty on me?”
Seeing them still dazed, Two-Foot Adult even drooling from the corner of her mouth, Shangshan Che realized his outfit was quite “revealing,”
“I’ll take you out later, but now need half an hour to consolidate the newly broken-through realm.”
With that, he turned back into the room and shut the door.
After simply packing the buff items in the room, Shangshan Che took out 【Key of History·Shrine】, closed his eyes, and returned to the mortal realm.
Then after checking mobile phone time, back to the Sengoku Period.
Outside, Two-Foot Adult sensed the sudden heartstring change, blinked, and understood what Shangshan Che was doing.
So she eyed nearby Shiraishi, ready to stop him from entering the room.
Half hour passed quickly.
After another round trip between Sengoku Period and mortal realm, Shangshan Che confirmed one thing.
That is, Sengoku Period and mortal realm time flow had changed.
No longer thirty to one.
But halved to fifteen to one!
“Fifteen to one…”
Shangshan Che frowned slightly.
After a while, he sighed in relief.
Though time flow halved, it didn’t greatly affect most of his plans.
If it dropped to five to one or less, he couldn’t maintain the leisurely pace in Sengoku Period.
“Just, Soul Ash really isn’t enough.”
Shangshan Che looked at the bottomed-out Soul Incense Ash quantity and remaining 567 Soul Ash.
This Soul Ash wasn’t enough for ten-pull, summoning Katsumi, or next special gacha pool, even daily cultivation was straining.
—Compared to the great demon stirring in Mikawa Province, which he had no connection with yet, more realistic to find famous haunted spots in mortal realm for Soul Ash.
As for Edo Castle… before gaining strength to slay a Three-and-a-half Star Oni Warrior like White Bone wax figure, Shangshan Che wasn’t keen to enter.
Since last entering Edo Castle, Shangshan Che always felt a ghostly gaze watching him.
Not a good omen.
Also, White Hannya and Four-Tailed Fox incarnations’ promotions would be after Mikawa Province incident.
So Shangshan Che wanted to boost strength as much as possible before meeting unknown great demon.
Even if Sengoku Period was just a Three-Star map, anything called “great demon” was either a powerhouse or excelled exceptionally in some aspect.
Hence more preparation always good, more Soul Ash meant more options.
But now…
Shangshan Che opened the sliding door, looked down at the two little ones whispering, seeming suddenly closer, and said,
“Let’s go, to the Trial Cut Ground.”
Shiraishi and Two-Foot Adult exchanged glances, cheered with a high-five, stood, and followed behind him.
Shangshan Che beforehand took out Kaga Kiyomitsu and wore it at his waist.
This time he wouldn’t have Two-Foot carry the sword; kid finally out, let her relax.
Not far from Imagawa Residence doorway.
Imagawa Yoshimoto frowned tightly, slowly tapping her hard brush pen, formulating a rough suppression strategy for Mikawa Province based on Hanzō’s detailed narration beside her.
Since returning to Imagawa Residence, Okabe Motonobu, inseparable from the Head of the Clan, glanced at Shangshan Che passing the edge of her vision and exclaimed in surprise,
“Eh? Tetsu-sensei seems to have broken through again after just a couple days?”
Imagawa Yoshimoto’s thoughts were pulled from the table; she looked up, thought, then asked: “Motonobu, didn’t you say Body Tempering after Qi Circulation is very hard and slow?”
“Of course.”
Okabe Motonobu nodded, then raised a finger crossing her chest: “But that’s for ordinary people.”
She grinned: “But does Tetsu-sensei… look like an ordinary person anywhere?”
Imagawa Yoshimoto glanced at that tall, sharp “edgy” back in the last moment, recalled everything about him, and nodded in agreement.
“That said, my lord.” Okabe Motonobu smacked her lips, “Seeing his look, he’s going out to stir trouble; not stopping him?”
“No need to interfere; let him go.”
Imagawa Yoshimoto rejected her suggestion, tapped the barely started strategy book: “Tetsu-sensei knows sense of proportion; we should focus more on the matters at hand.”
“My lord is right.”
Okabe Motonobu, who sat half afternoon providing no useful input, laughed it off.
Moments later, seeing Imagawa Yoshimoto immersed in thought again, Okabe Motonobu slightly turned, looking at the man standing behind her.
‘Hanzō.’
Okabe Motonobu coldly opened her eyes, silently mouthing,
‘Stay away from my lord.’
……
After leaving Imagawa Residence, minutes later entered the bustling district.
Shangshan Che ignored the two little ones, letting them browse and play.
Anyway, Two-Foot Adult had heartstring link with him; as long as Shiraishi in her sight, no issues.
—Shangshan Che only midway realized he was somewhat expectant for this trial cut.
Previously as Slasher Master, using Four-Tailed Fox trump talent “Rage,” full power slashed 38,888 kan.
Wonder what power this time without “Rage,” maintaining Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation with Hannya Mask.
Shangshan Che touched Kaga Kiyomitsu’s lightly trembling hilt, recalling first time in school breaking Ki-Gong Technique to Proficient Level.
Really, long-awaited excitement.
Since going to trial cut to further spread Onmyoji Che’s fame, plus deter small fries and prompt elders to act.
So he wore eye-catching Priest’s Robe, vermilion Daito at waist, striding openly on Sunpu Castle streets.
This let many somewhat informed samurai or merchants on street recognize him, whispering or exclaiming.
“This outfit… the Onmyoji Che said to wield Heavenly Thunder?”
“Seems real; he came from Imagawa Residence direction.”
“No disguise at all; where to? What for?”
“Wield Heavenly Thunder? Onmyoji?”
A sword-bearing rōnin recently wandered from West Sea Path scoffed: “Such ghost-god talk, still believers today?”
But the rōnin waited, no echoes like other regions.
Instead, all around contradicted him, or showed pitiful disdain, like he was an ignorant villager.
“Wait.”
A burly samurai who trialed twice suddenly spoke, probing: “That Onmyoji Che heading to Trial Cut Ground?”
Words out, lively street instantly quieted.
Next moment, discussion exploded beyond ever.
“Yes! That direction is Trial Cut Ground; I was there yesterday!”
“That side packed like sardines; queue alone hours!”
“Saw Onmyoji Che has sword at waist…”
Finally, someone summed,
“Could it be, he’s also testing slash power?!”
Words like boulder into turbulent lake, massive waves.
Immediately busybodies shouted,
“Go go go! Miss Onmyoji’s trial cut, might never see again!”
Instantly many dropped work, echoing,
“Go!”
“Together together!”
“Gotta join this spectacle!”
Crowd surged away.
The rōnin surveyed suddenly empty surroundings, stunned in place long.
He turned to crowd’s vanishing direction, recalled their talk.
Rōnin swallowed, curiosity rising uncontrollably.
Why not, go see?
Just a glance.
Really, just one.
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