104: white feather

For the next fifteen days, Chen Linsheng's life followed a pattern that was almost rigid.

Every day before dawn, he would quietly leave Yuqian Lane like a veteran fisherman, diving into the depths of the surging main stream of the Jiuqu River.

The Divine Effects of "Jade Wave Stealth" and "Water Manipulation like Qi" brought by his [Perfect Water Affinity] were being utilized by him with increasing proficiency.

He shuttled between the rapids and hidden reefs, his form merging perfectly with the water flow, his aura restrained to the extreme; even underwater Essence Spirits with keen senses often found it difficult to detect his approach.

With the insight of [Tracking Perfection], he could accurately locate the "Silver-line Cod" and "Jade Water Algae" hidden deep within rock crevices and aquatic plants, which grew by absorbing the Spiritual Qi of the water.

Although these spirit fish and Spiritual Plants were not as rare as the earth core fire lotus, the Spiritual Qi they contained was pure and mild, easier for the body to absorb, and they were available in large quantities.

Like a tireless harvester, he returned with a full load every day.

After returning to the underwater Immortal Cave in Qinghe County, he immediately entered seclusion to circulate the "Hunyuan True Body" and "Python Dragon Strength," supplemented by the medicinal baths carefully prepared by Su Wan, putting all his effort into refining and absorbing the essence contained within these spiritual items.

Inside the Immortal Cave, the Spiritual Qi was dense and misty.

Chen Linsheng sat cross-legged, the blood and Qi throughout his body surging like a river, emitting a low roar.

One by one, the Jade Water Algae turned into powder in his hands as their spiritual essence was extracted; one by one, the Silver-line Cod were stripped of their dross to retain the essence, turning into the purest nourishment for his blood and Qi.

Under such massive consumption, the medicinal power accumulated in his body reached an astonishing level, his blood and Qi swelling and surging as if they were about to burst out of his body.

If not for the solid Foundation and extremely strong governing power of the "Hunyuan True Body," any ordinary Martial Artist would have had their Meridians burst by this violent medicinal power.

The fifteenth day, dusk.

Inside the underwater Immortal Cave, the aura around Chen Linsheng's body suddenly withdrew, like the calm before a storm.

The blood and Qi in his body no longer surged and roared, but instead turned into countless small streams, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, quietly permeating into the deepest parts of his limbs and bones—into the bone marrow where life originates.

A strange sensation of itching and coolness spread from the depths of his bone marrow.

With a sudden flash of insight, he immediately followed the methods of the "Jade Marrow Guiding Technique" to guide this newly born power.

After an unknown amount of time, the light on the spirit book in his mind flowed, and new characters slowly condensed:

【Skill: Jade Marrow Guiding Technique (Minor Achievement)】

【Progress: (0/4000)】

【Divine Effect: Marrow like a Gushing Spring, Essence Origin Self-Generation, Removing Dross and Retaining Essence. Bone marrow vitality is greatly increased, and the recovery speed of blood and Qi is significantly accelerated, allowing for rapid replenishment even after intense consumption. During the autonomous circulation of blood and Qi, it can slowly eliminate subtle Impurities, making the blood and Qi Foundation increasingly pure and solid. It possesses a preliminary effect of identifying and slowly purifying hidden dangers such as internal injuries and pill toxins within the body.】

"It's done!" A surge of joy rose in Chen Linsheng's heart.

The bone marrow is the source of blood and Qi production; achieving Minor Achievement in this technique meant his Foundation would be even more unshakable, and his recovery and endurance would be elevated to a new level!

At the same time, the accumulation of massive resources over the past few days and the feedback from the Minor Achievement of the "Jade Marrow Guiding Technique" allowed the tempering of the muscles throughout his body to naturally progress a step further. The number of perfectly tempered muscles remarkably reached two hundred! His strength surged once again!

He stood up, feeling the surging power within him and the vibrant vitality coming from the depths of his bone marrow, and couldn't help but practice the "Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes" in the small space of the Immortal Cave.

As his figure shifted, he actually left a solid afterimage in his original spot that lasted for about a breath's time, making it hard to distinguish the real from the fake!

Simultaneously, the joints throughout his body emitted subtle "crackling" sounds, and his physical flexibility reached an incredible level, allowing him to easily perform various twists and folds that defied common sense.

With a tap of his foot, he could actually kick off the vertical cave walls like a spirit ape, briefly defying common sense to leap up several feet!

On the spirit book, the text regarding "Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes" was also updated:

【Martial Skill: Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes (Minor Achievement)】

【Progress: (0/3000)】

【Divine Effect: Afterimages Confusing the Eyes, Soft as if Boneless, Kicking Walls and Scaling Beams. When moving at high speed, it can leave an afterimage that lasts for one breath, confusing the opponent's judgment. The joints throughout the body are incredibly flexible, allowing for various evasive movements that defy common sense, such as bone-shrinking to pass through gaps. Can kick off vertical walls to leap, like a spirit ape climbing a tree, briefly defying common sense.】

However, the biggest surprise was still to come!

With the governance of the "Hunyuan True Body," the purification of blood and Qi by the "Jade Marrow Guiding Technique," and the mutual verification and nourishment of several hard Skills like the "Iron Clothes Art" and "Iron Arm Skill," the Bottleneck of the "Golden Bell Shield," which had long reached the Peak of Major Achievement, finally burst open at this moment!

"Dong—"

A tolling bell sound, as if from ancient primordial times, rang out from deep within Chen Linsheng's body, low and magnificent, causing the air in the Immortal Cave to ripple.

Beneath the skin of his entire body, a pale golden light flowed; it was no longer a phantom image appearing on the surface of his body, but had completely merged with his flesh, blood, and bones! His whole being seemed to have transformed into a walking golden Arhat, solemn and dignified, exuding an eternal aura of being impervious to all methods and possessing a diamond-like indestructibility.

In his mind, the spirit book shone brightly, and the text belonging to the "Golden Bell Shield" underwent an earth-shaking change:

【Martial Skill: Golden Bell Shield (Perfection)】

【Divine Effect: Physical Golden Bell, Unbreakable by Myriad Methods, Diamond Indestructibility. The golden bell phantom has completely merged with the Physical Body; the Physical Body is the golden bell, maintaining an indestructible posture at all times without needing active activation. It has extremely high resistance to various forms of attack, including physical, energy, and Divine Soul. Having reached the legendary Realm of Diamond Indestructibility, Lifespan is greatly increased, and vitality is prolonged.】

Perfection! Diamond Indestructibility!

Chen Linsheng slowly opened his eyes, a golden light flashing and vanishing within them before they returned to their deep state.

Feeling the boundless vitality and the absolute defense that seemed capable of withstanding the collapse of a mountain, a surge of heroic pride rose in his heart.

Now, relying solely on his physical defense, it would likely be difficult for even an ordinary Jiaojin Realm Martial Artist to break through!

This undoubtedly added the heaviest weight to his quest for a spot in the "Jiǔqū Refining Pool" at the Hidden Dragon Banquet!

...After leaving seclusion, Chen Linsheng set out once again to return to the Jiuqu Prefectural City.

As the Hidden Dragon Banquet drew nearer, he needed to learn more about the various forces in the prefectural city, especially those young Geniuses who might become his opponents.

On this day, he strolled to a rather elegant teahouse in the western district of the prefectural city—"Tingyu Pavilion."

This place was built by the river, with a quiet environment, and was a place where many Martial Artists and literati liked to gather to discuss current events and exchange news.

Chen Linsheng chose a quiet spot by the window and ordered a pot of clear tea, seemingly enjoying the river view outside, but in fact, he quietly spread out the perception of his [Tracking Perfection], capturing various discussions within the teahouse.

Soon, the conversation of a few Martial Artists at a neighboring table, who appeared to be Jianghu Loose Cultivators with auras around the Middle to Late Stage of the Flesh Refining Realm, caught his attention.

"In less than half a month, it will be the Hidden Dragon Banquet! I heard the rewards this time are unprecedentedly generous; even spots for the legendary 'Jiǔqū Refining Pool' have been opened!"

"Isn't that right! The young Geniuses in the prefectural city are all rubbing their hands and holding their breath for this!"

"Who do you think has the best chance of taking the top spot this time?"

A man with a slightly loud voice took a gulp of tea and counted on his fingers: "If you ask me, Yan Chen, the Young Hall Master of the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall, definitely counts as one! That guy is a martial fanatic; it's said he's already practiced his family's 'Blazing Sun Art' to the seventh level, and his 'Great Sun Heaven-Burning Palm' is incomparably fierce—even ordinary Jiaojin Realm experts wouldn't dare to take it head-on!"

A smaller Martial Artist next to him added: "Mu Qingxue of the Qiushui Sword Sect shouldn't be underestimated either! Like her name, she is as cold as snow, and her sword technique is incredibly fast. It's said she once froze half a small river with a single strike; her Sword Intent is so pure that few in the younger generation can rival her."

"And Lei Hao of the Lei Family!" another person chimed in. "Although Young Master Lei has a hearty personality, his strength is genuinely formidable; his 'Thunder Moving through the Nine Heavens' Movement Technique combined with the 'Rushing Thunder Hand' has terrifying explosive power!"

"Don't forget Yu Linfeng, the Young Master of the Prefectural Governor's Mansion; it's said he received guidance from a certain expert in the Army Breaker Manor, and his cultivation is unfathomably deep..."

The few of them discussed animatedly, going through the top figures of the younger generation in the prefectural city, their words filled with yearning and awe.

Just then, a Young Master in white sitting alone at a neighboring table chuckled softly, set down his teacup, and spoke with a voice as clear as jade: "What you brothers say is not wrong, however, you have missed one person."

Upon hearing this, the Martial Artists all turned to look. They saw a Young Master in white, about twenty years old, with an elegant face and a gentle temperament, a spring-breeze-like smile on his lips; although his clothes were simple, his composed demeanor was definitely not something an ordinary Martial Artist could possess.

"Oh? What brilliant insight does this Young Master have?" the loud-voiced man asked curiously.

The Young Master in white said unhurriedly: "In the 'Tingtao Academy' in the west of the city, there has been a student from the Poor Faction named 'Xu Wangshu' in recent years. He was obscure, but last month, in the academy's internal 'Literary Heart and Martial Gall' trial, he used an iron brush to break through the 'Seven Extremes Array' set up by seven of the academy's Instructors. He entered martial arts through literature, and his strength is strange and unpredictable; he might be a dark horse in this Hidden Dragon Banquet."

His words were plain but hit the mark, pointing out a person that even those well-informed Martial Artists had never heard of.

The few of them looked at each other, half-believing and half-doubting.

Then, someone brought up a dispute about how blood and Qi should bypass the "Shanzhong Acupoint" to avoid stagnation when running a certain High Grade mortal grade Cultivation Technique; the few of them each held their own views and argued incessantly.

Hearing this, the Young Master in white spoke again with a smile, citing classics and providing evidence. He not only pointed out the correct path for that Cultivation Technique but also explained the key points in simple terms, even extending to similar principles in several Spirit Rank Cultivation Techniques. His logic was clear and his insights unique, making those Martial Artists realize the truth and nod repeatedly, their gazes toward the Young Master in white suddenly filled with admiration.

"Young Master is truly talented! May I ask your honorable name and where you study?" someone couldn't help but cup their hands and ask.

The Young Master in white smiled slightly, still composed: "My surname is Bai, and my given name is 'Yu.' I am just a traveling scholar passing through this place, without any formal master."

A traveling scholar? The few of them naturally didn't believe it, but seeing that the other party was unwilling to say more, they didn't dare to press him.

White Feather's gaze shifted and finally landed on Chen Linsheng, who was sitting alone by the window. He observed Chen Linsheng for a moment, a flicker of hard-to-detect surprise flashing in his eyes, then he raised his teacup and gestured toward Chen Linsheng from afar, the smile on his lips deepening. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of Chen Linsheng and the people at the neighboring table:

"This brother's Foundation is so thick and his blood and Qi so pure; it is truly rare in my life. You will surely shine at the Hidden Dragon Banquet, and it's not impossible that you might even take the top spot."

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Chen Linsheng's heart stir, but the Martial Artists at the neighboring table also turned their gazes over in unison, filled with surprise and scrutiny.

Who is this person? To actually receive such high praise from this mysterious and knowledgeable Young Master Bai?

Chen Linsheng felt the converging gazes; his expression remained calm, but his heart tightened.

This White Feather has an extremely sharp eye, actually able to vaguely see through his deeply hidden Foundation!

This person is definitely not simple; his knowledge and insight far exceed those of ordinary Martial Artists, and he might not even be inferior to Senior Martial Uncle Chen Chuan.

He raised his teacup and returned the gesture to White Feather from afar, saying neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Young Master Bai overpraises me. The prefectural city is a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers; I have just arrived and still have much to learn."

White Feather nodded with a smile and said no more. He put down the tea money and left gracefully, leaving behind a mysterious silhouette.

However, his meaningful parting words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples within Tingyu Pavilion.

The focus of the Martial Artists' discussion unconsciously shifted from those famous Geniuses to the unfamiliar face of Chen Linsheng.

Chen Linsheng slowly sipped the tea that had already turned slightly cool, his eyes deep.

The Hidden Dragon Banquet... it seems it will be even more interesting than he expected. Besides the Geniuses on the surface, there are also mysterious figures like White Feather, as well as other potential dark horses.

"Xu Wangshu... White Feather..." He silently repeated these two names, and in addition to anticipation, he felt more solemnity toward the upcoming Hidden Dragon Banquet.

The waters of the prefectural city are indeed very deep.