123: One shot to break it

Chen Linsheng cupped his hands. "Since Young Master White invited me, I didn't dare refuse to come."

After they were seated, White Feather pushed a cup of clear green tea soup toward him. "Try it. This is Jiangnan's 'Pre-Rain Dragon Scale,' this year's new tea. It needs to be brewed with mountain spring water at eighty-five degrees to bring out its pure charm."

Chen Linsheng didn't understand the Way of Tea, but he could smell the clear, crisp fragrance that refreshed the heart and mind. He picked up the teacup and took a light sip. It was slightly bitter at first but immediately turned sweet, and a cool sensation went straight through to his spiritual terrace, actually causing the slight fatigue accumulated from days of cultivation to dissipate significantly.

"Good tea," he praised sincerely.

White Feather smiled. "Tea is like the Martial Dao; the water temperature and the heat control are all in the details. A hair's breadth of difference can lead to a thousand-mile error."

He set down the teapot, his gaze falling on Chen Linsheng as he said warmly, "The battle between Brother Chen and Yan Chen at the Hidden Dragon Banquet was truly spectacular. To strike hard against the Jiaojin Realm with the Flesh Refining Realm, the thickness of your Foundation is truly rare. Especially that last palm-blade; the power was condensed, and the flaws were grasped with precision. You have already caught a glimpse of the Martial Dao essence of 'focusing power to a point, breaking a surface into a line.'"

Chen Linsheng's expression remained unchanged. "Young Master White overpraises me. It was just luck."

"It is not overpraise." White Feather shook his head, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes. "The Cultivation Technique Brother Chen practices makes your blood and Qi primordial as one, your Foundation is like the earth's support, and your Physical Body shows signs of the Vajra Indestructibility... If I am not mistaken, it should be the Legacy of the ancient 'Hunyuan Martial Dao' lineage, right?"

Chen Linsheng's heart stirred slightly.

He was naturally aware of the Origin of the Hunyuan True Body; it was only triggered and manifested after the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique and Hunyuan Palm reached Perfection.

Now that White Feather mentioned 'ancient times,' it instead piqued his curiosity—did the Cultivation Technique he practiced actually have such a long history?

Seeing the surprise and inquiry in Chen Linsheng's eyes, White Feather continued, "Brother Chen, you need not worry. Although the Hunyuan Martial Dao lineage is rare in this world, it once flourished in ancient times. Its core essence lies in the word 'Hunyuan'—Chaos before the Origin Qi was divided. It emphasizes tempering the Physical Body, blood and Qi, and spirit into a single whole, without leaks or flaws. Those who Cultivate this path often have Foundations far exceeding their peers, and fighting across realms is as common as a home-cooked meal."

He paused, took a light sip of tea, and said slowly, "According to fragments of ancient texts, when the Hunyuan Martial Dao was at its peak, it had three major branches. One focused on the 'Hunyuan True Body,' tempering the Physical Body like divine iron, impervious to all methods. One focused on the 'Primordial Chaos One Qi,' condensing the Innate One Qi, which can transform into all methods. The last branch was the most mysterious, known as 'Primordial Chaos Wuji.' It is said that when cultivated to Major Achievement, one can glimpse the Dao of the world's Origin."

Chen Linsheng listened quietly, waves rising in his heart.

The Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique he obtained from his Master, Zhao Zheng, was only a foundational technique. Subsequent techniques could only be obtained as a complete Legacy after entering the Army Breaker Manor.

"Young Master White's vast knowledge is truly admirable," Chen Linsheng said in a deep voice. "What I practice is indeed related to the word 'Hunyuan,' but the Legacy is fragmented. I wouldn't dare claim it as ancient martial arts. Hearing the Young Master mention its 'ancient' Origins today has cleared my doubts and made me even more curious."

White Feather smiled slightly. "Brother Chen is too modest. To be able to temper your Foundation to such an extent in the Flesh Refining Realm, even if your Cultivation Technique isn't a complete Legacy, it must be the core essence. What's even rarer is..."

His gaze swept over Chen Linsheng's body with deep meaning. "You also seem to have practiced a secret technique for tempering bone marrow, as well as some extremely clever movement and spear techniques. These various Skills can actually coexist harmoniously and nourish each other on your 'Hunyuan Foundation' rather than conflicting—this power of governance is what is truly extraordinary."

Chen Linsheng's heart was shocked once again.

This person's insight was incredibly sharp!

Seeing his expression, White Feather's smile grew warmer. "Brother Chen, you need not worry. Every martial art in the world has its own Legacy. I simply enjoy reading widely and have some interest in the remnants of ancient martial arts. I mentioned this today because, first, I am delighted to see such a talent, and second..."

He set down his teacup, his tone turning solemn. "Although the Hunyuan Martial Dao is strong, its characteristics also make it easy for others to be wary of it. At the end of the ancient era, this lineage's Legacy suffered a great catastrophe and was almost severed. Today, there are few in the world who know of this path, but they are not non-existent. If Brother Chen encounters someone who knows their stuff in the future, you must be extra careful."

Chen Linsheng solemnly cupped his hands. "Thank you for the reminder, Young Master White."

White Feather waved his hand and changed the subject. "Does Brother Chen know the current state of the world?"

Chen Linsheng was taken aback. "Please enlighten me, Young Master."

“The Great Zhou Dynasty has been established for three hundred years. It seems prosperous, but in reality, undercurrents are surging.” White Feather tapped his finger lightly on the table, his voice calm but clear. “The Golden Tent Royal Court on the northern grasslands is watching like a tiger, the trade routes of the western nations are in constant dispute, and the Barbarians in the southern Hundred Thousand Mountains occasionally stir. Within the imperial court, the noble families are deeply entrenched, local powerhouses have their own armies, and there are... cults like the White Lotus Sect infiltrating everywhere to deceive the people.”

He looked up at Chen Linsheng. “Jiuqu Prefecture is a strategic hub for north-south transport and a water transport center. It seems peaceful and prosperous, but it is actually a place where various forces intertwine. The Prefectural Governors Mansion, the Army Breaker Manor, local noble families, foreign chambers of commerce, Jianghu Schools... and the White Lotus Sect in the shadows, all balancing and utilizing each other.”

Chen Linsheng listened silently. He had never thought about these grand situations back in Qinghe County.

“Brother Chen, you made a name for yourself at the Hidden Dragon Banquet.” White Feather’s tone was meaningful. “Now, you are no longer a nobody. In the eyes of some, you are a promising newcomer worth recruiting; in the eyes of others, you might be a threat that needs to be suppressed; and in the eyes of some in the shadows...”

He paused, his voice dropping a bit lower. “You might be a variable that disrupts their plans.”

Chen Linsheng's eyes narrowed. "What does Young Master White mean?"

White Feather didn't answer directly. Instead, he picked up the teapot and refilled the tea for both of them. Amidst the sound of flowing water, he said as if casually, "Recently, inside and outside the prefecture city, there seems to be a faint fragrance of 'Lotus Shadows' floating around. This scent is mysterious and hard for ordinary people to detect, but if you distinguish it carefully, you can feel a fishy smell hidden within its sweetness. Smelling it for a long time makes one irritable and their blood and Qi restless."

Chen Linsheng felt a chill in his heart.

This description was exactly the same as the strange fragrance he caught at the Hidden Dragon Banquet and the scent he smelled during his previous encounter with the White Lotus Sect!

“The White Lotus Sect is accustomed to using fragrant poisons to confuse the heart.” White Feather continued, his tone still flat. “They lurk in the shadows like maggots on a bone, often striking when people are least expecting it. Brother Chen is currently in the spotlight and has had conflicts with the White Lotus Sect before... you need to guard against such lowlifes.”

These words were already an explicit warning.

Chen Linsheng said solemnly, "Young Master White is well-informed, and I am grateful. I just don't know why the Young Master is telling me all this?"

White Feather smiled, his smile as warm as a spring breeze. "There are three reasons. First, I admire Brother Chen's potential and Heart-Nature and do not wish to see a talent perish prematurely. Second, the White Lotus Sect brings Chaos to the world, and all people of insight should resist them. Third..."

He picked up his teacup and looked out at the shimmering Jiuqu River through the clear green tea soup. "The water of Jiuqu Prefecture needs to be cleared. And you, Brother Chen, might be the pebble thrown into the water."

The elegant room fell silent for a moment.

The tea fragrance curled, and the river water outside murmured.

Thoughts raced through Chen Linsheng's mind.

This White Feather was mysterious and unpredictable, with vast knowledge, and he had a supreme expert like Uncle Fu by his side. What exactly was his intention in showing goodwill and revealing information about the White Lotus Sect? Was it really as he said—admiring him and being hostile to the White Lotus Sect—or did he have other plans?

But regardless, what he felt at this moment was indeed no ill will.

"Young Master White is noble, and I will remember this." Chen Linsheng cupped his hands, his tone sincere. "It's just that I have one thing I don't understand—the Young Master knows the world's situation and martial arts secrets like the back of his hand and is protected by an expert like Senior Uncle Fu. You are definitely no ordinary traveling scholar. May I ask who the Young Master actually is..."

Hearing this, White Feather let out a light laugh.

He set down his teacup and drew a few lines on the table with his finger, actually using the tea water to outline a simple pattern—it was the silhouette of a towering palace, and above the palace hung a bright moon.

Chen Linsheng's pupils shrank slightly.

This pattern... he had seen it described in a certain book of miscellaneous notes.

The Great Zhou Imperial Family's Ji Clan totem was 'The Bright Moon Shines over the Palace'!

“Knowing too much now isn't necessarily a good thing.” White Feather’s sleeve brushed across the table, and the water traces instantly evaporated without a trace. “Brother Chen only needs to know that I have no ill will toward you. If you encounter difficulties in the future, you can come to Tingyu Pavilion to find me. Of course...”

His smile deepened slightly. “That is provided Brother Chen can maintain this kind of potential and continue walking on this path of the Martial Dao.”

Having said this, Chen Linsheng asked no more.

The two drank another cup of tea and chatted about some insights into the Martial Dao. White Feather had unique insights into various martial arts, often pointing out key points in just a few words, which benefited Chen Linsheng greatly. Especially regarding the Fusion of power and the comprehension of Concepts, his insights actually coincided with the direction Chen Linsheng was exploring himself, and were even more systematic and profound.

Half an hour later, Chen Linsheng took his leave.

Walking out of Tingyu Pavilion, the afternoon sun was just right, and the Jiuqu River was shimmering.

He looked back at the small building by the river.

By the window, White Feather was still sitting there, raising his cup to him from a distance with a warm smile.

Chen Linsheng turned around and merged into the flow of people on the street.

Today's conversation had a huge amount of information.

The ancient Origins of the Hunyuan Martial Dao, the world's surging undercurrents, the White Lotus Sect's activities in the prefecture city, and White Feather's suspected imperial background... "Army Breaker Manor..." Chen Linsheng muttered to himself.

When White Feather mentioned the Hunyuan Martial Dao, he had already decided—after the Martial Examination, he must enter the Army Breaker Manor. Only there could he obtain the complete Legacy of the Hunyuan True Body, reach a broader world, and... figure out White Feather's true intentions and the Karma involved in this 'Hunyuan Martial Dao' Legacy he carried.

As for the White Lotus Sect... Chen Linsheng's eyes turned slightly cold.

Envoy Ling Feng was investigating, and White Feather was also watching. This undercurrent would surface sooner or later. And since he had already been dragged in, he would only break it with force.

Strength, it was still about strength.

He clenched his fists, feeling the blood and Qi rushing through his body, the perfectly tempered muscles, the Dragon Tendons being nourished, and the newly comprehended Annihilation Spear Intent.

The Martial Examination was imminent, and Yan Chen was cultivating hard in the Earth Fire Cave, wishing to break through to the Middle Stage of the Jiaojin Realm.

He couldn't afford the slightest slack either.

“Two hundred and forty muscles are at Perfection; there's still a distance of one hundred and twenty from three hundred and sixty.” Chen Linsheng calculated in his mind. “Before the Martial Examination, I must reach at least three hundred! At the same time, the nourishment of the Dragon Tendons needs to be accelerated, the Spear Intent needs to be further consolidated, and there's still room for improvement in my Movement Technique...”

He quickened his pace and walked toward the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall.

The setting sun stretched his shadow very long.

The youth's figure was upright, his pace firm.

The road ahead, though shrouded in mist, surrounded by powerful enemies, and surging with undercurrents.

But his heart was clear.

No matter the thousands of schemes or the ten thousand obstacles—

I shall pierce through them with a single spear.