63: Master Chen Chuan

Chen Linsheng looked at his subordinates' shocked and admiring gazes, merely smiling casually. He slung the "fierce wind" bow back over his shoulder and said in a flat tone, "There's no secret; just practice more. It's simply a matter of practice makes perfect."

His gaze swept across the shimmering river surface, but his mind sank into the spirit book in his brain, checking the results of his recent hard cultivation:

[Skill: Boating (Major Achievement)]

[Progress: (0/2000)]

[Divine Effect: Riding the Waves on a Leaf, Shuttling through Ship Formations, Moving Forward through Obstacles. Even with a single small boat, one can maintain stability amidst stormy waves. Capable of performing exquisite maneuvers and evasions in multi-ship battles or complex waterways. Can keenly perceive and control the vessel to pass through underwater obstacles with minimal cost.]

[Skill: Celestial Phenomena (Major Achievement)]

[Progress: (0/2000)]

[Divine Effect: Wind and Clouds in My Heart, Omens of Good and Bad Luck, Borrowing the Momentum of Heaven. Can accurately predict detailed changes in wind direction, wind force, rainfall, and other details one to two days in advance. Can vaguely predict the trends of fortune and misfortune in the short term through Celestial Phenomena. Knows how to utilize upcoming weather (such as tailwinds or thick fog) to create an advantage for one's side.]

Looking at the powerful Divine Effects brought by the promotion of these two Skills to Major Achievement, Chen Linsheng was quite satisfied.

Now, on this Qing River, he could almost be described as a fish in water; whether it was operating a boat or predicting the weather, he was far beyond what ordinary people could reach.

This would undoubtedly be a great help for the upcoming Essence Spirit hunting and future water-based operations.

The only thing that made him feel the progress was slightly slow was several core Martial Skills.

"Overlapping Waves Archery" had just reached Minor Achievement, "Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes" was still being polished at the Initiate stage, and as for the fundamental "Python Dragon Strength," there was still some distance to Major Achievement. Fusing the two forces of Python and Dragon to reach the Realm of "Python-Dragon Unity" was clearly no easy task; even with the help of the spirit book, it required painstaking effort.

However, the progress of another hard qigong, "Golden Bell Shield," was substantial.

Under the seven days of near-masochistic tempering by the fierce winds in the Wind Valley, combined with the medicinal power accumulated in his body, this body-tempering Cultivation Technique focused on Flesh Refining had already achieved a Breakthrough:

[Martial Skill: Golden Bell Shield (Minor Achievement)]

[Progress: (0/3000)]

[Divine Effect: Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, Voice Like a Great Bell, Impregnable. Muscles and skin are tightly integrated, like bronze skin covering iron bones; the power of hard qigong is beginning to show. When Qi and blood circulate, a low bell-like tolling is emitted from within the body, which has the effect of deterring evil spirits and stabilizing the mind. In a defensive posture, there are almost no flaws throughout the body, as steady as an Impregnable city.]

Feeling the tight and solid texture coming from deep within his muscles, as well as the low buzzing faintly transmitted from his Bloodline and bone marrow when circulating his power, Chen Linsheng's confidence increased greatly.

He secretly estimated that he had now perfectly tempered as many as twenty muscles, and every single one was at an unprecedented state of ten-tenths Perfection!

With abundant Qi and blood and monumental strength, he was far from what an ordinary Flesh Refining Realm Martial Artist could compare to.

'If I were to face that bandit leader "River-Flipping Shark" again right now...' A cold light flashed in Chen Linsheng's eyes, 'There would be no need to maneuver at all; one spear strike would be enough to take his life!'

The patrol mission ended, and the Zouge returned to the pier.

After Chen Linsheng ordered everyone to dismiss, he returned to the duty room of the Water Patrol Division Yamen, changed out of his indigo official uniform, and put back on his ordinary clothes.

Just as he walked out of the Water Patrol Division gate, he saw a familiar figure standing prettily at the street corner, occasionally standing on tiptoe to look around; it was Fourth Martial Sister Zhao Linger.

Zhao Linger spotted him at once and immediately waved her hand vigorously, her face filled with urgency: "Junior Brother! Over here, come quickly!"

Seeing her unusual expression, Chen Linsheng's heart stirred, and he walked over quickly: "Fourth Martial Sister, what's wrong? Is there something urgent?"

Zhao Linger grabbed his arm and pulled him aside to a less crowded spot. Only then did she lower her voice, speaking with irrepressible excitement and a hint of nervousness: "He's here! Martial Uncle is here!"

Hearing this, Chen Linsheng's eyes immediately lit up: "Martial Uncle Chen Chuan has arrived?"

"Yes! Dad told me to find you quickly and return to the martial arts hall immediately!" Zhao Linger nodded vigorously.

Finally here!

Chen Linsheng's spirits lifted. It seemed the matter of hunting the Essence Spirit was about to begin!

He suppressed the excitement in his heart and nodded, "Okay, let's go back now."

The two of them walked quickly toward the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall side by side.

After walking a few steps, Chen Linsheng noticed that Zhao Linger beside him seemed a bit unhappy, not as lively as usual. He couldn't help but turn his head and ask, "Fourth Martial Sister, what's wrong? Isn't it a good thing that Martial Uncle is here? Why do you look so unhappy?"

Zhao Linger pouted, kicked a small pebble by her foot, and said gloomily, "It's nothing."

Chen Linsheng found it somewhat inexplicable and looked at her carefully. With this look, he suddenly discovered that the Aura around Zhao Linger seemed a bit more solid and heavy than before, and her Qi and blood fluctuations were also significantly stronger. That was clearly... a sign of breaking through to the Flesh Refining Realm!

He was stunned for a moment, then reacted, with a sincere smile appearing on his face as he cupped his hands:

"I almost didn't notice. Congratulations, Fourth Martial Sister! You've successfully broken through to the Flesh Refining Realm, taking another step forward on the path of martial arts! Truly worth celebrating!"

Hearing Chen Linsheng's congratulations, Zhao Linger's originally gloomy face instantly cleared up. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upward, revealing a hint of pride, but she still waved her hand with feigned modesty: "Oh, it's nothing. Compared to a Prodigy like you, Junior Brother, my little progress is nothing. I was just forced into secluded cultivation by Dad for a few days and got lucky enough to break through."

Seeing her expression of being clearly very proud yet trying hard to restrain it, Chen Linsheng couldn't help but find it a bit amusing.

This Fourth Martial Sister was very well-protected by their Master. She had an innocent and romantic nature and had experienced little of the world, which was why she wasn't as obsessed and desperate about martial arts cultivation as they were.

In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, this might not be considered an advantage, but having someone around who could maintain purity and bring a bit of a relaxed atmosphere felt... quite nice.

Amidst their chatting and laughing, they soon returned to the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, passed straight through the front yard, and arrived at the quiet backyard.

Just as they stepped into the backyard's moon gate, Chen Linsheng saw Museum Master Zhao Zheng standing by the pond.

Beside Zhao Zheng stood a tall middle-aged man dressed in a plain grey martial arts suit.

The man was about fifty years old, with graying hair at his temples. His face had sharp features and bore the marks of wind and frost, but his eyes were startlingly bright, flashing with brilliance as they opened and closed, as if they could see through people's hearts.

He just stood there casually, yet his body naturally radiated an astonishing Aura that was as heavy as a mountain yet contained a hidden sharpness, making one not dare to look directly at him.

Zhao Zheng was speaking in a low voice to the man in grey.

At that moment, the man in grey seemed to sense something and suddenly turned his head. His gaze, like two tangible flashes of lightning, instantly landed on Chen Linsheng, who had just entered!

Swept by this gaze, Chen Linsheng felt his breath hitch, as if he were being stared at by an ancient giant beast. The skin all over his body tightened slightly, and the Qi and blood in his body instinctively accelerated their circulation. The Domain of his "Hunyuan True Body" almost activated itself to resist this invisible pressure.

What a strong Aura! Is this Master's Senior Brother, Martial Uncle Chen Chuan?

Just as Chen Linsheng felt a chill in his heart, the seriousness on the grey-clad man's face instantly turned into a warm smile. He laughed loudly at Zhao Zheng: "Hahaha! Junior Brother Zhao, I didn't expect that what you said in your previous letter was not exaggerated at all! This young Disciple of yours... is indeed of extraordinary talent. His Foundation is so solid, and his Qi and blood are so pure, he's simply not inferior to those Prodigy kids in the inner court of Army Breaker Manor who are piled up with resources! Good! Truly a fine prospect!"

His laughter was loud and clear, causing ripples to spread across the surface of the pond and also dispelling that oppressive Aura.

A look of shared pride also appeared on Zhao Zheng's face as he stroked his beard and said, "Senior Brother overpraises him. This kid just has a bit of brute strength and still needs more polishing." Even so, the pride in his eyes could not be hidden.

Chen Linsheng hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully bowed along with Zhao Linger: "Disciples Chen Linsheng and Zhao Linger pay our respects to Master and Senior Martial Uncle!"

Martial Uncle Chen raised his large hand slightly, and a gentle yet irresistible force of Qi lifted the two of them up.

His gaze lingered on Chen Linsheng for a moment, and the more he looked, the more satisfied he became. He nodded and said, "No need for such formality. Junior Brother Zhao, with such a fine Disciple, why worry that your Yangwei Martial Arts Hall won't flourish? Even in the Hebei Circuit, you'll be able to earn quite a reputation."

Zhao Zheng smiled and said, "Senior Brother is too kind. Since everyone is here, let's discuss the main business."

He looked at Chen Linsheng and Zhao Linger, "You two listen as well."

The group moved to the main hall of the backyard and took their seats. Besides Chen Linsheng and Zhao Linger, Senior Brother Shi Poyue, Senior Brother Di Moyu, and Third Martial Sister Liu Ruyan were already waiting in the hall.

The hall doors closed, and the atmosphere instantly became serious.

Zhao Zheng's gaze swept across everyone present, and he said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother has arrived. The matter of hunting that Essence Spirit at the bottom of the river should be done sooner rather than later. Based on the information provided by Linsheng and my own investigations over the past few days, it has been basically confirmed that the beast is lurking deep in the waters near the 'Turtle Back Stone,' three miles downstream from the main pier. Its nest is likely within those complex underwater caves."

Martial Uncle Chen took over, his voice steady and powerful: "This creature is a 'Jade Water Toad' that has cultivated for many years. Although its intelligence is not high, it is thick-skinned, has immense strength, and has even awakened some water-control abilities. In this Qing River, it can be called a tyrant. Its strength is solidly equivalent to the Middle Stage or even Late Stage of our Human Race's Jiaojin Realm! Coupled with its geographical advantage, it is extremely difficult to deal with."

Middle to Late Stage of the Jiaojin Realm! Hearing this, everyone's expressions turned solemn.

A Essence Spirit of this strength was no longer something that these Flesh Refining Realm Disciples could confront head-on.

Zhao Zheng continued to deploy: "For this operation, Senior Brother and I will be the main force, responsible for the frontal containment and seeking opportunities to heavily injure or even kill the beast. As for the five of you..."

His gaze turned toward Shi Poyue, Di Moyu, Liu Ruyan, Zhao Linger, and Chen Linsheng.

"...you will be responsible for the outer defense, forming the 'Small Five Elements Formation' to prevent the Essence Spirit from escaping and to stay alert for other possible dangers, such as other water beasts attracted by the commotion of the fight, or... people with ill intentions!"

He deliberately emphasized "people with ill intentions," clearly considering the variables that other forces might bring.

"Poyue, you will coordinate from the center. Moyu and Ruyan, you will support the two flanks. Linger and Linsheng, your experience is slightly shallower, so you will stay at the rear of the formation to provide support. Especially Linsheng, you have the best Aptitude for Water, so you must pay close attention to the underwater movements. If there is any abnormality, warn us immediately!"

"Yes, Master!" The five of them responded in unison, their Battle Intent rising.

Martial Uncle Chen added:

"Fighting a Essence Spirit is no small matter, especially this kind of aquatic Essence Spirit; its deathbed struggle will surely be astonishing. Remember, once your Master and I engage with the beast, you must not approach recklessly. Everything should prioritize protecting yourselves and maintaining the formation! Although the Beast Core and Materials of that 'Jade Water Toad' are precious, they are not worth mentioning compared to your lives!"

"We will follow Senior Martial Uncle's instructions!" Everyone was solemn.

"Alright," Zhao Zheng stood up and made the final decision, "each of you go back and prepare, check your weapons and Medicinal Pills, and adjust your state to the best. Tomorrow at 3:45 AM, gather here to set out for the Turtle Back Stone!"

"Tomorrow, we shall let that beast witness the methods of our Yangwei Martial Arts Hall!"

Everyone responded with a roar, their eyes filled with both anticipation and solemnity for tomorrow's battle.

Chen Linsheng clenched his fists, feeling the surging Qi and blood in his body and the monumental strength brought by the twenty perfectly tempered muscles. He thought to himself, "Jade Water Toad... Beast Core... tomorrow will be the time for me to test this cultivation of mine!"