Ruthless, too ruthless! To strike even against one's own Taoist companion!
Wen Zhixing inwardly drew a sharp breath. He gained a new level of understanding regarding the viciousness of these demonesses from Wonderous Palace.
What do men fear most? Naturally, it's betrayal by the person closest to them, the one sharing their bed. And Qiu Yinger, to obtain this Blood Escape Skill, actually killed her own Taoist companion.
A chill spread through Wen Zhixing's heart.
However, he hadn't expected that while acquiring the fortunes of others, he could also view the process of their acquisition. This was an unexpected surprise.
"Wen, what's wrong with you?" Qiu Yinger asked, noticing something off about Wen Zhixing's expression, her voice tinged with surprise.
"No... nothing." Wen Zhixing opened his eyes, managing a slight smile. "Qiu, could you please escort me back? I'd like to rest for a few days."
"That's fine. Master is on the cusp of a breakthrough and has entered the secret chamber for closed-door cultivation. Wen, you should go back and rest well." Qiu Yinger nodded slightly, then took the initiative to help Wen Zhixing up.
Wen Zhixing panicked. "Qiu, I can manage on my own."
"There's no need to be polite, Wen. Let's go." Qiu Yinger gave a charming smile. Her voice was gentle, her tone light, like a feather gliding across the heart. But for Wen Zhixing, this feather wasn't soft at all; instead, it was thorny.
Unable to refuse Qiu Yinger, Wen Zhixing allowed her to assist him. The two walked out of the house together, presenting an image of deep camaraderie between sect members.
Along the way, Wen Zhixing couldn't help but glance multiple times at Qiu Yinger's exquisitely beautiful profile. Qiu Yinger responded with a radiant smile.
On the surface, Wen Zhixing appeared flattered, but inwardly he sighed: Such a great actress. Is this PUA? She might see you as no more than a dog in her heart, but her outward act is impeccable. If it were any other furnace, they'd have truly fallen for her PUA. After all, these furnaces usually aren't treated as humans. How could anyone not be grateful for the kind of care Qiu Yinger showed? Of course, that's provided you are of sufficient value.
...
"Wen, take care and rest up. I'll come to see you in a few days." After escorting Wen Zhixing back to his residence, Qiu Yinger didn't stay long and soon took her leave, also leaving behind some elixirs.
"Qiu, take care."
Watching her graceful figure disappear from view, Wen Zhixing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He sat on the bed, massaging his temples. He truly didn't want to play polite games with Qiu Yinger; the feeling was genuinely unbearable.
Luckily, the gains this time were substantial. A smile played on his lips; he hadn't yet closely examined the fortunes he had acquired.
[Acquired secret skill: Blood Escape Skill.]
[Blood Escape Skill: White Quality. This secret skill does not require the use of Spiritual Qi to operate and can be cultivated by cultivators of any realm. The user can consume essence blood, using the burning of life as the price, to instantly escape to a location within ten miles.]
[Disadvantage: After using this method, the user will consume a large amount of essence blood and suffer great damage to their vital energy. The farther the escape distance, the more essence blood consumed.]
[Consume one hundred Fortune Points to upgrade to Blue Quality.]
Blood Escape Skill! A secret skill that can be cultivated even without being in the Mysterious Might Realm! Wen Zhixing's eyes brightened, and joy filled his heart. This time, he had gambled correctly. This escape method is exactly what I need right now. As for the so-called disadvantage, it's something I don't need to worry about at all. With Revival of the Withered Tree, the consumption of essence blood is inconsequential.
[The Blood Escape Skill has a huge consumption. With your body, you can only escape a hundred meters at most. Exceeding a hundred meters will deplete your essence blood and result in death.]
The consumption of the Blood Escape Skill is so great! Wen Zhixing felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on him. He had thought that after learning the Blood Escape Skill, he would be able to flee from Wonderous Palace. It turned out to be utterly impossible. The essence blood in his body couldn't support him running that far.
After a while, Wen Zhixing calmed down.
Now that my life isn't in immediate danger, there's no need to rush things; I can continue to lie low. At the very least, there's something to look forward to now. First, I need to recover my body.
Strength continuously surged within his body, as his physical form simultaneously grew stronger and mended itself.
Last time it took more than ten days to recuperate; this time, perhaps in just seven days, I can recover fully.
Wen Zhixing didn't waste any time and began to cultivate immediately, keenly sensing the changes in his body.
For five consecutive days, no one came to disturb Wen Zhixing. Even food and elixirs were delivered directly to his door, placed quietly at the entrance without a sound. If the other furnaces saw the treatment Wen Zhixing was receiving, they would probably weep on the spot. After they were used for essence absorption, they couldn't even dream of being looked after; the elixirs they took were only what they had managed to save by scrimping during their daily lives. Not like Wen Zhixing, who seemed to have everything he wanted.
At this moment, Wen Zhixing was sitting cross-legged in his room. Over these few days, he had been constantly practicing the Tai Chi health-preserving skill while also attempting to master the basics of the Blood Escape Skill.
In his mind, a clear image emerged: a small figure formed from coagulated blood. Within this small figure's body were numerous thin lines, representing the pathways through which essence blood circulated.
Wen Zhixing's gaze was fixed on the blood-colored figure. The blood qi within his own body also began to circulate along the same pathways.
Suddenly, Wen Zhixing felt a burst of heat rising from his lower abdomen. It was the essence blood within his body being mobilized, quickly rushing to his heart. The essence blood inside him was scorching hot, causing his skin to flush red. The next moment, a large amount of blood seeped out from his skin. Wen Zhixing instantly transformed into a blood-soaked figure.
This is the Blood Escape Skill! A smile appeared on Wen Zhixing's blood-shrouded face. Through these days of cultivation, he had gradually begun to master the Blood Escape Skill.
COUGH COUGH COUGH!
Before he could relish the joy, a dry itch arose in Wen Zhixing's throat, and the aura within him started to grow disorderly. He retched, and a mouthful of steaming fresh blood spurted out. His complexion turned deathly pale in an instant, and he quickly halted the operation of the secret skill. The Blood Escape Skill was inherently damaging; merely activating it, even without actually using it to flee, would injure the user. What's more, Wen Zhixing had not yet fully mastered it.
After a short while, Wen Zhixing's breathing gradually stabilized, and the boiling blood within him began to calm.
PHEW...
Releasing the hot air from his body, Wen Zhixing let out a long sigh, a look of exhilaration on his face.
This Blood Escape Skill really isn't something an ordinary person can practice.
Getting injured was something he had anticipated. Such minor wounds were nothing to him, as his body was already in a state of rapid recovery.
No matter, I'll just try a few more times. I refuse to believe that I can't master the basics of this Blood Escape Skill.
After all, Wen Zhixing was not yet a cultivator at the Mysterious Might Realm. Even though he could practice the Blood Escape Skill, his progress was still extremely slow.
Another day, and my body will be fully healed.
Wen Zhixing was quite satisfied with the current situation. Everything was proceeding much as he had estimated.
Wen Zhixing felt joyful. To him, everything was developing in a very favorable direction.
I won't cultivate today; I'll just rest well. Wen Zhixing began to relax his body and mind, allowing himself to sink into the pleasure of rapid physical recovery.
Another day passed.
When the sun was high in the sky, Wen Zhixing awoke feeling an unprecedented sense of comfort, completely free from even the slightest discomfort.
[The second nirvana has ended.]
[Your Body Recovery Speed has doubled.]
[Your strength is now comparable to that of a wild ox.]
[Your fleshly body has transformed, and your realm has broken through. Current cultivation: Second Level of Shedding Mortal.]