Chapter 27: Body Tempering

Taking on two missions at once!

Yue Wumiao lowered her gaze, feeling dissatisfied. She had commissioned the Mortal Dao Association for two tasks: one was to provide her with protection, and the other was to help her track down the murderer of her family. Both were exceptionally perilous; those who had previously taken these missions for her were renowned figures within the Association, yet they had all ended up either dead or severely wounded.

The man before her looked so young. Although his temperament was beyond the ordinary—he had managed to resist thirty percent of her charm—he did not appear to be a member of any established sect. He likely knew only some superficial martial arts. How could he possibly complete these two missions?

As a member of the Mortal Dao Association, he should have known the details of these tasks. Taking on both at once suggested that he was either blindly arrogant or intentionally trying to catch her attention. Thinking this, Yue Wumiao shook her head inwardly, dismissing him as another fool who would do anything for the sake of beauty.

Yue Wumiao poured herself a cup of tea, took a light sip, and said coldly, "What ability do you have to protect me or help me find my family's killer? Confidence is a virtue, but arrogance will only cost you your life."

Chen Tiansheng hesitated for a moment before replying, "Thank you for the advice, Miss Yue, but I have prepared myself. Since no one else is coming to take these missions, why not let me try?"

Seeing his firm resolve, Yue Wumiao did not press him further. "You will serve as my bodyguard for now. If you can survive seven days, we can discuss the other mission."

Chen Tiansheng nodded. Just as he was about to ask what his duties would entail, Yue Wumiao impatiently waved him away. Sensing her lack of trust, Chen Tiansheng had no choice but to wait and see how things unfolded.

After leaving the room, a maid was summoned, and she led him to a guest room on the same floor.

"Beautiful sister," Chen Tiansheng asked with a gentle, charming tone, utilizing his "Ghostly Eloquence" and "Thousand Faces" abilities, "could you tell me what I need to do? Is there anything special I should be aware of regarding Miss Yue?"

Seeing his intense affection and striking appearance, the maid blushed. Unable to meet his eyes, she said in a flustered tone, "You don't seem like a bad person, so I'll be kind and tell you: Miss Yue has been targeted by mysterious assassins for the past six months. Many people from the Mortal Dao Association have been injured or killed. Later, when no one would take the commission, the brothel had to hire various wandering martial artists to keep her safe. With them helping out, your job will be much easier."

"However, you mustn't let your guard down. Those wandering artists are only responsible for her safety while she's here. Once she steps outside, it's all up to you. But you..." She looked him over with skeptical eyes, shook her head, and left the harsh words unsaid. After a long pause, she added, "Stay here for now and don't wander off. Someone will bring you food and drink, and you'll be called if you're needed."

After the maid left, Chen Tiansheng glanced at the colorful room and shrugged. After tidying up a little, he sat cross-legged on the bed.

"As expected of the best brothel in Qingzhou Prefecture, the yin energy here is truly dense."

Chen Tiansheng checked the proficiency of his "Art of House Mastery" and could not help but sigh. In less than three quarters of an hour, he had gained three points of proficiency. At this rate, he would earn over a hundred points a day—far better than doing chores at a small, low-end brothel.

If he practiced the Ten Thousand Yin Soul-Devouring Technique here, would it have miraculous effects? The brothel was bustling and noisy; no one would notice him practicing. Besides, since he had just started the technique, it wouldn't cause too much of a stir.

After some deliberation, Chen Tiansheng closed his eyes and silently recited the incantations of the Ten Thousand Yin Soul-Devouring Technique.

***

This was his first time practicing the Ten Thousand Yin Soul-Devouring Technique; previously, he had only studied and memorized it. The technique had no threshold for entry; it was intuitive once one began.

The moment he began to channel his energy, yin energy converged from all directions into the room. It gathered in an orderly fashion above his head, forming a microscopic, invisible vortex that funneled the energy into his crown. Simultaneously, the constant influx of yin energy caused the temperature in the room to drop sharply.

Chen Tiansheng ignored the temperature change, focusing his mind entirely on the yin energy being drawn into his body. Following the instructions of the technique, he guided the energy through his meridians to break through the blockages.

A mortal's meridians and dantian are unopened, making it impossible to practice immortal cultivation. To build a foundation, a mortal must develop their meridians and open their dantian. Normally, this required reaching the "Master" level and tempering the body with "marketplace energy."

The Ten Thousand Yin Soul-Devouring Technique bypassed this entirely. By practicing it, one could temper the body directly!

When he first learned this, Chen Tiansheng was shocked. It explained why Fang Chenghu had been able to reach the Master level so easily. To be able to draw energy—that was the definition of a Master!

Of course, everything has its downsides, and this technique was no exception. While it could jump-start the energy-drawing and body-tempering phase, it carried immense danger. The human body is a balance of yin and yang; drawing only yin energy to temper the body could easily erode one's inner yang. An excess of yin energy would lead to the "Cold Yin Poison" that plagued Fang Chenghu, hindering cultivation or even causing the body to explode.

Only those with a "Supreme Yin Body" were truly suited for this technique. Chen Tiansheng did not have such a body, but he was not worried. He possessed the "Art of House Mastery," which allowed him to transmute yin into yang!

The excess yin energy left in his body would simply become fuel to strengthen his physique and increase his yang energy. Therefore, he did not need to fear the Cold Yin Poison like Fang Chenghu did; he could practice without restraint!

At that moment, to ensure the yin energy properly tempered his body, Chen Tiansheng did not use the "Art of House Mastery." Otherwise, the energy would be refined into yang before it could open his meridians.

The tidal wave of yin energy hammered against his meridians like shards of ice, tearing through his flesh. The intense, persistent pain was excruciating. But to grow stronger, to seek revenge, and to live out his dreams, he had to endure!

Chen Tiansheng gritted his teeth, his expression one of steely resolve.

***

Qingyue Tower.

Zhao An watched a guest with a large yellow ferret perched on his shoulder enter a room. He cautiously leaned toward Jiang Yu and whispered, "Young Master, that man has a Root-Seeking Rat. No one in the entire Qingzhou Prefecture owns one. You are a genius of the Mortal Martial Pavilion; if you had such a creature by your side, it would be quite prestigious."

Jiang Yu pondered, "The Root-Seeking Rat is indeed a treasure for tracking people and hidden objects. When I visited the capital, I happened to witness one being auctioned. It sold for ten thousand gold taels. That price is too high; I cannot afford it right now."

Zhao An said with a cunning glint in his eyes, "Young Master, that man looks like a simpleton. Since we can't buy it, we could..."

Jiang Yu frowned and scolded, "Keep your petty schemes to yourself! I act with integrity and will never stoop to the level of a villain. I suggest you abandon such thoughts, or don't blame me for disregarding our kinship!"

They were distant cousins, five generations removed. It was Zhao An who had suggested that Jiang Yu go stir up trouble at the Five Lakes and Four Seas inn. Influenced by his instigation, Jiang Yu had acted rashly, leading to the incident where Chen Tiansheng had humiliated him by flipping the table in public. For that, Jiang Yu had decided to banish Zhao An from the tower, only relenting after Zhao An begged his father and Jiang Yu felt some lingering guilt. He had spent the last three years in the mountains training, hoping Zhao An would change, but it seemed he was still the same.

Jiang Yu let out a cold, disappointed snort and left, flicking his sleeves. Watching his retreating back, Zhao An revealed a look of malice. "You won't do it, but I will. When the time comes, I'll frame you all and make sure your business fails! A bunch of arrogant fools, acting high and mighty just because you have some money. Do you really think I'm your grandson?"

With that thought, he looked toward the room where the guest with the Root-Seeking Rat was staying, his mind already spinning with a plan.

Inside the room, the man placed the Root-Seeking Rat on the table and let it sniff a piece of cloth containing sand and soil. The rat twitched its nose and let out a series of squeaks.

The man narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "It really is inside Qingzhou Prefecture!"

***

Evening.

Knock, knock!

"Chen Tiansheng, Miss Yue has a word for you. Come to her room at once!" a maid's voice called from outside.

*Whoosh.*

Chen Tiansheng stopped his practice and opened his eyes. A flash of brilliance surged through them as he exhaled a long breath of turbid air.