Chapter 172: Offending

Ten days later, Zuo Zhicheng returned to the city gate of Xinlu.

At this time, he appeared unshaven. His body, which had been very strong after the Corpse Vein modification, had become a bit thinner. However, a sharp, cold gleam could be seen flashing in his eyes from time to time. Without doing anything extra, as he moved forward, the people around him instinctively stepped aside.

Clearly, Zuo Zhicheng’s harsh training this time had yielded great results. After all, if an ordinary person persisted in such training, they would probably freeze to death within a day. Even with Zuo Zhicheng’s willpower, thoughts of giving up sometimes surfaced in his heart.

So, although the time was short, and his body had even suffered some damage, his Power of Mind and Spirit had improved tremendously. He had also made achievements in the Cold Light Rippling Sword.

Martial Artists temper their bodies during the Qi Training stage and cultivate their Power of Mind and Spirit during the Spirit Refining stage. Spirit Refining is divided into three levels: Self Aspect, Human Aspect, and Dharma Aspect. After reaching the Human Aspect, one could use various types of Power of Mind and Spirit to attack or assist.

For example, Crimson Sun Monk’s Invisible Fire of the White Sun could create a burning sensation, and Jiang Tianzheng’s Nourishing Qi with Vast Righteousness could accurately perceive others.

The technique Crimson Sun Monk used, which created a sunlike illusion behind his head causing a wide-range burning attack effect, was a Heartscape. It is an attack method that can only be used after a Martial Artist reaches the Human Aspect Realm. It is also a means that allows a Human Aspect Realm Martial Artist to disregard numerical disadvantages and crush those below the Human Aspect.

The profound true martial art, Cold Light Rippling Sword, that Zuo Zhicheng was currently practicing, is divided into two parts: physical and mental. He had already learned all the physical techniques, but as for the mental techniques that coordinate with these physical techniques, he had now mastered three moves.

First is the Heartscape of the Cold Light Rippling Sword, Ice Soul Frost Demon Field. Once this Heartscape is activated, it makes enemies within a hundred meters around Zuo Zhicheng feel as if they have arrived on the Siberian snow plains, causing various effects like slowing, numbness, and frostbite.

The other two sword moves are Flicking Finger Ice Thunder and Frost Ice Air. There are still four more mental techniques he hasn’t mastered yet.

Apart from gains in martial arts, Zuo Zhicheng’s biggest progress was in Dao Arts. Since his body modification, his cultivation speed in Night Sea had become faster and faster. He estimated that in about ten more days, he could advance further and reach the ‘Leakless’ realm in Dao Arts.

Then he would break free from the situation where Dao Arts lacked offensive means due to insufficient realm.

Zuo Zhicheng returned to Xinlu now, firstly because the harsh training was no longer as effective as at the beginning, and his body was nearing its limit, so he needed to stop. Secondly, it was time to deal with the Underworld King Snake in the Dog Head Mountain ruins.

…

As soon as he returned to the martial hall, Zuo Zhicheng went straight to his room and lay down. After so many days, his nerves were too tense. Even with deep sleep, he slept until midnight.

During this time, although many people came looking for him, naturally no one dared to disturb him after hearing he was resting.

When Zuo Zhicheng opened his eyes, the moon was already high in the sky. His stomach made a strange noise; he was absolutely starving.

After all, when he went out for harsh training, he didn’t bring any Spiritual Energy Food, as that would be too comfortable and reduce the effect of tempering his willpower.

Taking a Psychic Energy Fruit from a hidden compartment under the bed, Zuo Zhicheng ate it in a few bites. Although this period of harsh training had tempered his will and body, it had also caused some damage to his body. He still needed to supplement nutrition. After repairing these damages, his body would become stronger.

This is the most basic principle of all physical training.

Just then, Zuo Zhicheng’s ears twitched slightly. He walked towards the main door, opened it, and saw a woman sleeping on a reclining chair.

The woman’s skin was snow-white and tender, seeming to emit a faint glow under the moonlight. With long eyelashes and exquisitely carved features, it almost made one hold their breath, unwilling to defile this beautiful scene.

However, Zuo Zhicheng’s heart didn’t seem to care about these. He gently pushed Qingyue Qiu’s shoulder: “Qingyue Qiu?”

Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she woke up groggily: “You’re awake?”

“Mm.” Zuo Zhicheng nodded faintly, his face expressionless as he said, “Do you need something?”

“Nothing much.” Qingyue Qiu’s grogginess disappeared completely from her face in an instant. She said in a tone devoid of any expression, “Are you alright?”

After saying this, her heartbeat quickened slightly. This was the first time she had shown concern for a man. But her cold face showed no change at all.

“I’m fine. Is that all you wanted to ask?”

“I heard you were sleeping without waking, so I was a bit worried. After all, we still need you to take action in the upcoming operations near Xinlu.” Qingyue Qiu nodded slightly.

“By the way, do you know Yao Youwei?”

“Mm, the son of Xinlu City’s lord. What about him?”

Qingyue Qiu paused before saying, “Actually, he doesn’t know my true identity and has no understanding of martial arts or Dao Arts. Because he has no talent, his father Yao Jinzhong just hopes he lives a wealthy and peaceful life. Because of this, he spoils Yao Youwei a bit.”

Hearing this, Zuo Zhicheng basically understood. He asked casually, “What did he do to offend me?”

“Mm, he brought people from the maritime supervision and took all the matches from the Sea Dragon Gang. He also asked them for the formula.” Qingyue Qiu smiled helplessly. “It seems he saw the potential of matches and wanted to take a cut of the profits.”

“Yao Youwei doesn’t matter. What is Yao Jinzhong’s attitude?” Yao Jinzhong was the lord of Xinlu City.

“Him…” Qingyue Qiu’s lips curled slightly, as if she thought of something interesting.

…

In the reception hall of the Yao residence, Yao Youwei was entertaining a group of his friends at a banquet.

As the son of the city lord, he was naturally the center of everyone’s flattery and attention.

A fat man toasted Yao Youwei: “Brother Yao, I really admire how you handled the Sea Dragon Gang matter. Your move of turning your hand for wind and covering it for rain truly amazed me. How effortlessly you took over this business.

Respect! Respect!”

“Haha, it’s nothing. Those lowlifes.” Yao Youwei said proudly, “They simply don’t understand the significance of these matches. This thing is non-toxic, convenient, durable, easy to store—it definitely has unlimited prospects.” But then he shook his head, “However, precisely because this thing is too powerful, I estimate the money we earn will have to be divided into several parts.”

Another young man said, “I heard the Sea Dragon Gang has underworld connections and is related to the Martial Arts Association. That Haoran Martial Hall has been very popular lately…”