Chapter 75: Flying Immortal Strength, Flesh Ganoderma
The night gradually faded, and a pale light appeared in the east.
After the morning bell rang, the streets that had just quieted down soon echoed with the sound of cart wheels rolling again.
“Slay the Body Thief, body generates Flying Immortal Strength, is this the First-rate Realm…”
“Fifty years old, achieving First-rate, in a certain sense, I can also be considered an ‘Elderly Heavenly Pride’?”
Chen Shun’an slowly awoke from the state of observing and learning the True Cultivation Manual.
He examined himself internally, and it seemed as if eyes had grown on all his limbs and bones and major acupoints. He saw strands of light, feather-like special strength flowing through his body, in red and purple-brown colors.
According to the records of 《Meat Flying Immortal》, this strength is called ‘Flying Immortal Strength’.
Third-rate Realm’s muscles and bones strength, Second-rate Realm’s Qi and Blood Seed and techniques, combined with First-rate Realm’s intent, form this special ‘Flying Immortal Strength’!
It is the product of spirit and desire uniting.
Chen Shun’an moved his intent, slightly guiding out a strand of Flying Immortal Strength.
Once the Flying Immortal Strength left the body, it had no color or substance.
It could only be ‘perceived’, not ‘seen’ with the eyes.
Whoosh!
The strength spread out, and a terrifying qi instantly enveloped the entire house.
Invisible flames filled the surroundings.
In the house and courtyard, the Golden Head Overlord and Golden Scaled Perch immediately froze.
They all simultaneously felt a scorching, burning torment.
The Golden Head Overlord curled up, hiding in the corner, its antennae bent and wrapped around its body, almost like a ball.
“Ah! Who’s setting fire? I’m about to become fish soup!”
The Golden Scaled Perch cried out in alarm, directly flipping over its white belly, floating on the surface of the water vat, looking like it had been dead for a long time.
And the rats and insects and ants hiding underground and in wall crevices died even more violently.
Clearly, there were no external injuries, but their internal organs were strangely charred like coke.
It was as if an invisible inner fire had burned them alive from the inside out!
After slaying the Body Thief, even without relying on sight, smell, or hearing.
Chen Shun’an could, solely from the faint vibrations in the air and the dispersed aura of Flying Immortal Strength, affect others’ acupoints and major acupoints, forming a strange tactile sensation.
Making the body receive the divine intent oppression of being scorched by fierce fire and blazingly burning!
Anyone with weaker will than Chen Shun’an would inevitably suffer this torment.
Chen Shun’an decisively dispersed the overflowing Flying Immortal Strength, turning instead to nourish internally, making it circulate throughout his body.
In less than half a stick of incense, he sensed that his skin, tendons, and bones, and internal organs, under the nourishment of Flying Immortal Strength, had received extremely significant enhancement, tougher and more vibrant than in the Second-rate Realm.
This meant that Chen Shun’an’s strength would welcome a small explosion in the future, a golden period of rapid progress.
Especially movement technique and lightness skill, both with terrifying growth.
Flying Immortal Strength, Flying Immortal Strength, it has the words ‘Flying Immortal’ in it!
“Jade Tree hanging dragon robe in the clouds, six thieves gone, slaying madness again. The Jade Tree dragon robe is already perfected, while slaying the six thieves is a long-term, repeated bitter kung fu.”
Chen Shun’an exhaled turbid qi, got out of bed, removed the cloth curtain, and tore open the tung oil paper.
The Six Thieves naturally could not be slain so easily in one go.
These disordered thoughts and arrogant conscious spirits come again after being slain, and need to be wiped away constantly.
And each slaying of thieves is a huge test and torment for oneself.
It requires consuming a large amount of intent.
Countless First-rate Martial Artists have fallen during some slaying of thieves, suffering qi deviation and cultivation method backlash.
Just like the Sickly Big Bug Yang Lu.
And after slaying thieves, one needs to use various means to ‘nourish spirit’.
Fortunately, this period after slaying the Six Thieves is also the period of rapid strength advancement for Martial Artists.
To slay thieves, first disrupt spirit.
Observe and learn true skill, select thieves to slay.
After slaying, nourish spirit, strengthen body, master various powers.
Until the Six Thieves are slain, First-rate Perfection, one can aspire to the Martial Dao Grandmaster realm!
This is the cultivation of the First-rate Realm.
Not long ago, Lin Shou Zhuo, who seemed unattainably high in Chen Shun’an’s eyes, had already been left far behind by him.
The likes of He Qiang were still scheming for the profit of a single water station.
While Chen Shun’an had quietly stepped into the First-rate Realm, on the same level as the landlords of various water stations, Pounding House landlords, and the Four Great Huo fortress lords.
The opponents in his eyes now were only fellow First-rate Martial Artists who had slain to First-rate.
Even the Sickly Big Bug Yang Lu from that day was now nothing more than a mere chicken or tile dog in front of Chen Shun’an.
“However…”
Chen Shun’an looked down at the texture of his skin.
As the ‘Flying Immortal Strength’ circulated, cloud patterns ringed the skin, with purple-red-brown colors flashing by, like a lacquer sheen.
Woody, mysterious, and with a sense of ancient simplicity as if growing from dew.
Recalling the past when using lightness skill, that elusive artistic conception like spores or dust.
Chen Shun’an suddenly felt that he was very much like a Flesh Ganoderma.
Flesh Ganoderma Chen Shun’an?
……
Weng Mountain is located in the Yan Mountains’ extension, northwest of the capital region.
The terrain is strangely rugged, with bizarre peaks towering, hiding countless dangerous places.
In the early Sacred Dynasty, this place was used as a fodder field for the palace’s horses.
But years ago, His Majesty the Emperor wanted to build a garden in Weng Mountain and discovered a princess tomb from some unknown dynasty at the base, with the Eight Characters ‘You don’t move me, I don’t move you’ carved on the tomb door.
After His Majesty the Emperor was frightened, he changed to building a pagoda to suppress evil, but it had no effect, and fox spirits caused trouble every few days.
Over time, the pagoda was abandoned, and Weng Mountain became rarely visited.
Moreover, fierce beasts and big bugs often came from West Mountain, roaming here and preying on people, so even fewer dared to come.
And at this time,
In a certain underground palace in Weng Mountain.
A white-clothed swordsman walked with sword in hand, holding a fire starter, stepping into a side hall of the underground palace.
In the side hall, there were already several shadowy figures.
The leader stood at the front of the hall, vaguely a burly man dressed in a small-collared short outfit, with sleeves rolled high.
“Bai Manlou, I have repeatedly ordered you not to act outside the bounds… Why did you kill Yang Lu of Wanlong Pounding House?!”
The burly man’s voice was grand, carrying a majestic dominance like mountains pressing down.
Even Bai Manlou’s face paled slightly, his qi and blood stagnating somewhat.
Bai Manlou frowned and looked toward the lean man not far away.
The lean man’s thin lips and connected mustache both drooped, looking bitterly miserable, and at this moment even more so, waving his hands repeatedly,
“A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. It wasn’t me who reported it.”
“Don’t take it out on Qingchou, you can’t hide this from me!”
The burly man said gravely: “If I weren’t on a mission outside, in the capital city, I would have made you receive the punishment of the ‘pouncing front knife’ long ago!”
The Guo Lu Society has several strict reward and punishment systems internally, and the pouncing front knife is one of them.
That is, three daggers inserted into the ground, tips upward, and the one receiving punishment must bare their upper body and pounce toward the daggers.
The three daggers enter from the front chest and exit from the back.
Hence the saying within the Guo Lu Society: ‘Three knives six holes, find the spots yourself.’
Bai Manlou’s expression unchanged, said,
“Once this matter is settled, I will accept punishment myself. But those who should be killed, I won’t let a single one go.”
The burly man angrily said: “You!”
“Alright, alright…”
“Red Fifth Master, don’t get angry…”
“Bai Manlou is young and hot-blooded after all, and if not hot-blooded, he’s not young…”
The people in the side hall chimed in with advice.
Red Fifth Master snorted coldly and said no more.
Within the Guo Lu Society, the Fifth Masters are divided into red and black. Red Fifth Master handles external affairs, responsible for martial world vendettas; Black Fifth Master handles internal, responsible for discipline and conduct.
This time the Guo Lu Society entering the capital was under this Red Fifth Master’s command.
Since the capital city is a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den, under the emperor’s feet, the Guo Lu Society Brothers entering the capital this time were few, less than ten.
But all were elites of the society, Hall Masters, Helmsmen level figures, either First-rate experts or Second-rate Perfection masters with special talents.
Moments later, a few more figures arrived at the side hall.
Seeing everyone gathered, Red Fifth Master said gravely,
“The secret evidence of the Twelve Guilds in Guangzhou colluding with foreigners has already been passed into the palace through the hand of the Imperial Household Department chief eunuch. The rest is waiting for the court’s reaction;
And the Twelve Guilds’ contact in the capital region has been identified as Zheng Shicheng of Wanlong Pounding House in Tongzhou Wuqing County.
Of course, there may be people behind him, but ‘Big Black Hat top’ indicates to point to stop, shake the tiger from afar is enough.”
Red Fifth Master scanned the crowd, his eyes gleaming, not sharp but revealing a profound depth like encompassing all rivers, no one dared meet his gaze.
“So how to deal with Zheng Shicheng? And tomorrow’s Spirit Official ritual, the whole county will carry the sedan in procession, Wanlong Pounding House and those water carriers are said to put on a challenge fight, this may be an opportunity. What do you all think?”
After Red Fifth Master spoke, everyone showed thoughtful expressions.
Amid the flickering firelight, a voice emerged,
“The benevolent one is human, loving kin is for people. Why not let me act, invite Zheng Shicheng over, hear why he went astray and got involved with hibiscus paste fire, then kill his body, achieving benevolence not too late.”
This was a Hall Master of Ren Character Hall.
“What rotten nonsense! I say, tonight rush into Wuqing County, smash Zheng Shicheng’s head into his chest, kill one to warn a hundred!”
This was a Hall Master of Yi Zi Hall.
“Both too extreme. Why not courtesy before force, send a calling card, invite him to the restaurant for a gathering, discuss friendship over drinks, and conveniently poison, leave no chicken or dog!”
This was a Hall Master of Li Zi Hall.
Xin Character Hall Hall Master’s voice was low and deep,
“We only agreed to admonish and sue in the capital, but didn’t promise to handle other trivial matters.
In my view, Zheng Shicheng’s many unjust acts will eventually bring retribution, we shouldn’t directly intervene, better spread the news, with the mighty momentum of public opinion and the will of the masses, make him betrayed by all!”
No Zhi Zi Hall Hall Master.
Of writing there is no first, of martial no second.
The Brothers of Zhi Zi Hall see each other as fools, cursing and slandering, still haven’t elected a Hall Master, so the position is vacant.
Bai Manlou spoke: “I think, not to mention Zheng Shicheng, anyone involved with hibiscus paste fire should all…”
“Who asked you?!”
Red Fifth Master said coldly.
Bai Manlou held his sword with both hands, lips tight, expressionless, said no more.
Red Fifth Master said: “Xiao Qingchou, you speak.”
Xiao Qingchou’s lips moved, bitterly said,
“No matter what, do not harm the innocent, all are subjects of our Sacred Dynasty, why internal fighting.”
“Heh, you treat others as brothers, they see you as bandit thieves, if you don’t fight him, he fights you!”
Someone immediately retorted.
The side hall immediately fell into fierce argument.
Disputes over paths, differing ideologies.
In the end, it even showed signs of three knives six holes, blood oath fights.
“Enough!”
The clamor faded.
Red Fifth Master made the final decision,
“Since Zheng Shicheng and that group of water carriers want to put on a Spirit Official Intercepting Meeting, two groups intercepting, three groups also intercepting! We disguise as a magic trick performing troupe, set up stage and sedan.
First execute the chief evil, then depending on the situation, uproot the other accomplices!”
Everyone acknowledged the order upon hearing, discussed details, no more objections.
Someone suddenly spoke,
“Red Fifth Master, my inside line says, that night the Sickly Big Bug Yang Lu fled Rice Barn Mountain, he was forced back by a mysterious lightness skill expert. If no mishap, that immortal fate from Qianning Country likely fell into his hands.
This item is crucial, related to hibiscus paste fire smuggling, not to be let fall into others’ hands.”
Red Fifth Master upon hearing, smiled and shook his head, his words carrying disdain,
“A mere hiding-the-head-showing-the-tail fellow, even if the immortal fate fell to him, so what? Just a pimple on a rat’s tail, not much pus! Handle the matter at hand first.”
“Yes!” This person said no more.
Moments later, the crowd dispersed.
The vast underground palace returned to dead silence.
In the darkness, beside Red Fifth Master, suddenly a strange voice rang out, sounding male and female, sometimes childish sometimes aged,
“You’re lying. That immortal fate is crucial, Yue Shan Daoist Academy has probably already sent people to find it.”
Red Fifth Master calmly said,
“That’s why they absolutely cannot find it. That mysterious person, whoever it is, since he took the Azure Gang Yang Huo and vanished without trace, at least proves he’s not from the Pounding House or Yue Shan Daoist Academy.
That’s enough, worth my making a move to cover for him, block the Yue Shan Daoist Academy people! No matter how slim the hope… it’s a spark.”
That strange voice was silent for a moment, then eerily said,
“Worth it? The spread of hibiscus paste fire is the trend of the times; Azure Gang Yang Huo falling to others, Yue Shan Daoist Academy won’t let it go easily. They don’t care, you a mere warrior, what right do you have to care, can you even manage it?”
Red Fifth Master laughed, his originally mild eyes suddenly bursting with divine light, blazing hot, carrying infinite sincerity, slowly said,
“Precisely because no one cares, this warrior of mine will step up to care!”
……
June 24, Spirit Official Wang’s Birthday.
Breakfast was simple, just three bowls of thick porridge, three fried dough rings, paired with three white eggs.
Wan Niang said, Spirit Official Wang has the ability of ‘three eyes viewing the world, golden whip driving away evil qi’, eating like this can borrow some of his fortune.
Today Wanlong Pounding House and water station sides will each carry the deity sedan, with music and fanfare, circling the county once.
The two sides first meet at Kui Xing Tower, intercepting meeting challenge fight, decide the winning side.
Then the winning side carries both sides’ deity sedans to Lingguan Temple to offer incense, exclusively claiming this offering.
One could say, whoever loses today really loses both face and array, no face to mix in Wuqing County in the future!
Along the way, past clients will donate incense and follow the sedan.
Naturally, there are many spectators, grabbing positions along the road the night before, even ‘scalpers’ have appeared.
Wan Niang said: “Today is just Spirit Official’s birthday, wait for the day after tomorrow’s Spirit Official ascension to godhood, that’ll be even more lively, at night thousands of households light joy lanterns, Lingguan Temple even sets off various firecrackers.
Among them there’s one called ‘Thunder Fire Golden Whip’, really bright and flashy, the whole night sky draped in stars and colors, truly spectacular.”
People of this age have few entertainments.
Various temple fairs and deity birthdays are already rare pastimes.
The entire morning Wan Niang could hardly hide her joy, chattering on during Chen Shun’an’s meal gaps.
After the meal.
Wan Niang simply tidied up, then hurried out, not even giving Chen Shun’an a chance to sacrifice his looks.
Said she would first go to Lingguan Temple to offer incense, then come to Kui Xing Tower to find Chen Shun’an.
With the chattering yellow oriole-like voice gone from his ears, Chen Shun’an subtly breathed a sigh of relief.
Carrying sedan in procession with music and fanfare naturally wouldn’t involve a senior like Chen Shun’an.
He headed straight to Kui Xing Tower.
Bustling crowds, at Kui Xing Tower side one glance was full of round, bobbing heads.
Fortunately, government runners had long cordoned off, maintaining order, not chaotic.
Chen Shun’an squeezed into the Kui Xing Tower side and saw a high platform set up in front of the tower, with many chairs placed.
Chen Shun’an naturally had no qualification to sit on the high platform chairs.
He stood with San Dezi, Scarred Liu, and other water carriers on the left side of the high platform.
On the right stood Wanlong Pounding House gang members.
The two sides clearly divided, gazes fierce, eyeing each other menacingly.
In no time, with runners clearing the way and shouting, soft sedans arrived one after another for the viewing.
Zhao Guangxi, Liu Ru Yue, Zheng Shicheng and others naturally went without saying.
The three major Pounding Houses Changlong, Xinglong, Jiulong also sent shopkeepers, water station side also had several landlords.
Jade Faced Duck Zhou Qing, Primordial Great Umbrella Yue Ting were also pulled to town the scene.
And Zhao Guangxi, Liu Ru Yue flanked a sixty-something old man, in a blue robe, elegantly dressed, but eyes carrying shrewdness.
Presumably this was Liu Ru Yue’s father, Liu Sui, who worked at the county yamen as the money and grain secretary.
Although secretary is an unestablished ‘contract worker’, not official, stipend all paid from county magistrate’s own pocket.
But with Liu Sui here, it was as good as the county magistrate being present.
The rest included some local gentry and elders.
“Hm? That’s…”
Suddenly, Chen Shun’an saw Zheng Shicheng with a humble expression, half a step behind, leading the way for a woman.
This woman had peerlessly beautiful features, yet otherworldly, eyes icy cold.
In a daoist robe, high coiled ox-heart bun, waist with water-fire silk sash, hand holding a whisk, whole body exuding a ethereal immortal-like aura!
Perfectly matching the image of immortals in people’s minds, roaming the eastern sea in the morning and northern mulberry in the evening!
Chen Shun’an’s pupils contracted sharply, waves surging in his heart.
Immortal Path cultivator?!
Two chapters total 8K, wrote until past 3 AM last night, only polished now after getting home. Begging all reader bosses for monthly ticket support!! Current results decent, as expected, continue typing, starting to burn out!!
