61: conspiracy

The carriage drove into a high-walled manor in the eastern district of Qinghe County, and the black-lacquered wooden doors slowly closed, completely sealing off the clamor and inquisitive gazes of the outside world.

Steward Liu, the gatekeeper, was already waiting in front of the screen wall. Seeing Zhang Yuchen step out of the carriage, he immediately greeted him with a fawning smile: "Young Master, you're finally back! The Master was worried sick..."

As he spoke, he diligently led the way forward.

It was late autumn, and the courtyard held a touch of bleak chill. But as Steward Liu walked, he felt a mysterious, ghostly wind blowing against the back of his neck, as if something cold was breathing against his skin. He couldn't help but shrink his neck, muttering to himself about how the weather truly changed in an instant.

He was completely unaware that Zhang Yuchen, following half a step behind him, was staring hollowly at the back of his neck, which was exposed as he bowed his head, with eyes that were once gentle.

His pale lips parted and closed unconsciously, and the tip of his tongue slowly licked his equally bloodless lips, revealing an indescribable hunger and indifference.

Upon reaching the study in the inner courtyard, Steward Liu stopped, composed himself, and respectfully reported toward the closed door: "Master, Young Master Yuchen has arrived."

"Come in," came Zhang Zhifeng's slightly low voice from inside.

Zhang Yuchen pushed the door open and entered.

The study was brightly lit. Zhang Zhifeng, the leader of the Black Mountain Gang, stood by the window with his hands behind his back, while the pale-faced Envoy of the White Lotus Sect in plain white robes sat on a grand armchair, his hands still crossed and hidden within his sleeves.

Astonishingly, after Zhang Yuchen entered, he completely ignored his father by the window and walked straight to the Envoy of the White Lotus Sect. He bowed with stiff but absolute obedience, then stood silently by the messenger's side with his head bowed, like a Puppet that had lost its strings.

This scene made Zhang Zhifeng's chest tighten. He turned around abruptly, staring sharply at the Envoy of the White Lotus Sect, his voice raspy with suppressed fury:

"Messenger! Is this the 'Soul Transfer Great Art' you spoke of? Yuchen... in his current state, he doesn't have a shred of his own consciousness left! The Martial Examination is imminent. When the time comes to verify his identity and assess his Heart-Nature, how can he possibly hide this state from the eyes of the Government?!"

What truly pained him was not that his son had become a Puppet, but that this obvious "failure" had disrupted his entire plan to use the Martial Examination to legitimize their status and plant his forces!

The Envoy of the White Lotus Sect lifted his eyelids, glanced at the agitated Zhang Zhifeng, and spoke in a tone as flat and emotionless as ever:

"Gang Leader Zhang, calm yourself. The Soul Transfer Great Art has not failed; there was merely a slight deviation in the process. The young Master's original consciousness struggled more violently than anticipated. To ensure success, I had to use some 'extraordinary measures' to suppress it. He now needs to periodically absorb the essence of others' Qi and blood to stabilize his current state and suppress the backlash of his old personality."

He paused, looking at Zhang Zhifeng's drastically changing expression, and continued unhurriedly:

"Although it differs from the original plan, the current situation is not without its benefits. As long as this continues, the original personality of Zhang Yuchen will eventually be completely annihilated, while this body and its cultivation will be preserved—and he will be much more obedient, will he not? As for the Martial Examination... there is still time. There may yet be a chance to turn things around."

At this point, the messenger's tone shifted, carrying a faint, chilling edge:

"Rather than worrying about the Martial Examination so early, Gang Leader Zhang, you should first think about how to deal with the 'Immortal Hunting Division.' According to reliable intelligence, their scouts have been increasingly active lately."

The words "Immortal Hunting Division" were like ice water poured over his head. Zhang Zhifeng's face instantly turned incredibly grim, his anger and anxiety overshadowed by a larger threat. He slumped back into his chair, and the study fell into a deathly silence... On the other side, Chen Linsheng arrived at the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall and found Third Martial Sister Liu Ruyan, who was in the backyard instructing female Disciples in their practice.

"Third Martial Sister," Chen Linsheng greeted her with a cupped-hand salute.

Seeing him approach, Liu Ruyan waved for the other Disciples to continue practicing on their own and walked over with a smile: "Oh, if it isn't our busy Youjiao Junior Brother? What brings you here to see me today?"

Chen Linsheng didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly:

"Sister, I want to find a Cultivation Technique suitable for Wan'er's Foundation Establishment. It doesn't need to be powerful; the focus should be on a solid Foundation, being gentle, and easy to learn. Do you have any recommendations?"

Hearing this, a flash of realization crossed Liu Ruyan's eyes, and she smiled mischievously: "So it's for your little wife! Tsk tsk, you really know how to dote on someone."

She teased him for a moment, and seeing Chen Linsheng's embarrassed expression, she stopped joking. After a brief thought, she pulled a thread-bound booklet from her robe. The cover was an elegant pale green with three characters written on it: Plain Heart Art.

"Although this Plain Heart Art is only mortal grade Medium Grade, its strength lies in its balance and peace. It is best for nourishing Qi, calming the mind, and tempering the Foundation. It is particularly compatible with a woman's Physique and unlikely to go wrong. It couldn't be better for Foundation Establishment."

Liu Ruyan handed the Secret Manual over. "Take it for your wife to practice. If there's anything she doesn't understand, she can come and ask me anytime."

Chen Linsheng took the Secret Manual, his heart full of gratitude: "Thank you, Third Martial Sister!"

"No need to be so polite," Liu Ruyan waved it off, then turned serious. "By the way, Master asked me to tell you that his Senior Brother—our Senior Martial Uncle—has sent word that he will arrive in Qinghe in a few days. The matter of hunting the Essence Spirit should be done sooner rather than later. You need to prepare early and adjust your state to its peak."

Chen Linsheng's expression turned solemn, and he nodded gravely: "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Sister."

Carrying the Plain Heart Art manual, Chen Linsheng left the martial arts hall, already having a plan in mind.

With his Senior Martial Uncle arriving and the hunt imminent, he had to seize this final bit of time to increase his strength as much as possible.

Whether it was the newly acquired Overlapping Waves Archery and Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes, or the already initiated Golden Bell Shield, all required diligent practice. If he could make some progress, he would have more confidence and a better chance when providing support on the periphery.

Returning home, he gave the Plain Heart Art manual to the eagerly waiting Su Wan and carefully explained the key points for initiation. Watching her impatient yet earnest way of studying it, he couldn't help but smile.

After settling Su Wan, Chen Linsheng went straight into the training room. He closed his eyes to concentrate, mentally organizing the various Skills and Martial Skills he had learned, and set a plan for the next few days of bitter cultivation.

Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes, relying on the effects brought by Eight Steps Catching Cicada, could be practiced during his daily walking.

Therefore, his primary focus would be on Overlapping Waves Archery, Golden Bell Shield, and Python Dragon Strength.

The former two provided combat and self-preservation capabilities.

While Python Dragon Strength was his core Cultivation Technique. His Master had said that Python Dragon Strength was divided into Python Strength and Dragon Strength, and the two forces did not interfere with each other within the body.

Being at this stage was the most awkward time for a practitioner because they could not skillfully control two different forces.

Therefore, one needed to achieve the Fusion of forces, reaching the stage of Python-Dragon Unity.

However, this stage was extremely difficult; even Eldest Senior Brother had only mastered it after a long period of cultivation.

But for Chen Linsheng, this was not a difficult matter. As long as he Cultivated Python Dragon Strength to Major Achievement, the Divine Effect would surely allow him to Master it.

"At this stage, the priority is still cultivation. I still have a vast amount of medicinal power in my body that needs to be consumed through slow Flesh Refining."

The [Plant Affinity] brought by his Herb Gathering Perfection allowed the medicinal power from his medicinal baths to be stored in his body and slowly consumed daily. Even if he didn't actively Cultivate, his strength would still grow.

He planned to use the coming period to completely exhaust the medicinal power within his body.