Because of his towering height, Lü Ji had to turn sideways to squeeze through the door.
Behind him followed a man Chen Sanshi had never seen before—most likely Third Senior Brother.
"Eldest Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother."
Chen Sanshi quickly stood and greeted them with a respectful bow.
"Junior Brother, this gathering was arranged in haste, so your senior brother didn't have time to prepare much."
Lü Ji removed the large case strapped to his back. It was enormous, yet against his massive frame, it appeared almost delicate.
When he opened it, inside lay a massive bow—its body not made of wood, but forged entirely from black iron. A true iron-bellied bow—worth a fortune just by appearance alone.
"I heard Junior Brother likes Archery," Lü Ji said apologetically. "So I managed to find this Iron-Bellied Bow. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a proper bowstring in time. Once you find one that matches, this bow can draw one hundred stone of strength. I hope you won't find it lacking."
"I brought arrows," said Third Senior Brother Nie Yuan, pulling an arrow quiver from his side. "The arrowheads are forged from black iron—nothing fancy. If you need anything else, just tell me. I'll help you get it."
"You two honor me too much," Chen Sanshi replied sincerely. "These gifts are already far beyond anything I deserve. How could I not appreciate them?"
He gestured courteously for both to sit.
"That's more like it!"
Meng Guangxin smirked. "Eldest Brother, you've gotten more and more out of line these years."
Seventh Senior Brother Ye Fengxiu sat silent, not saying a word.
"Oh? Monk, is that how you talk to your Eldest Brother now?"
Rong Yanqiu said mockingly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "He's been to the capital, you know. Maybe he's found himself a powerful patron. Word is, he's the only one among us who got a marquis title—so noble and important now~"
In all these years, the court had granted marquis titles to only a handful of people.
And one of them was none other than Marquis of Wuding—Lü Ji.
"Heh! What patron could it be, other than the Cao family?"
Meng Guangxin snorted, echoing her tone. "Wouldn't surprise me if he sold himself to them. Otherwise, why would they make him a marquis?"
"Enough, Fifth! Ninth!"
Third Brother Nie Yuan's voice cut sharply. "Eldest Brother has his reasons. You two—"
"Reasons?"
Rong Yanqiu interrupted with a scoff. "What kind of reason? He could've taken charge long ago if he really wanted to!"
Meng Guangxin slammed his cup down. "Exactly! If Fourth Senior Brother hadn't been crippled, you think he'd be sitting there showing off?"
Their words flew back and forth, but Lü Ji didn't respond once. He only poured wine from the large jar he'd brought, filling each cup quietly, his expression calm.
"Alright, enough already."
Second Senior Brother Cheng Wei stepped in to smooth things over. "It's rare for us to all gather together. What's the point of arguing? Whatever Eldest Brother's done, it wasn't behind anyone's back. Even Master hasn't said anything about it."
Chen Sanshi had long noticed from Sun Buqi's tone that his Eldest Brother wasn't exactly well-liked.
Now, seeing it firsthand, it wasn't just one or two who resented him.
From their words, it sounded like Lü Ji's close relationship with the Cao family—and perhaps his involvement in weakening the Grand Commander's authority—had caused deep resentment among his peers.
And earlier, Cao Fan had shown familiarity with the Unified Spear Technique…
Could that connection have come from Lü Ji as well?
Still, this wasn't a topic to pursue—not now, not here. The more it was brought up, the more awkward things became for him, the newest disciple at the table.
"Senior Brothers, Senior Sister," Chen Sanshi said, standing up with a grin, "we're all family. There's nothing that can't be solved with a good drink. Allow me to offer a bowl to each of you—cheers!"
The strong liquor burned as it went down, heat spreading through his chest.
It wasn't ordinary wine—brewed with a special method, even a martial artist would get drunk after enough cups.
"Right, right."
Cheng Wei echoed, raising his bowl. "He's still our Eldest Brother after all. I'll drink to that."
"Junior Brother's got a fine tolerance!"
Lü Ji rose to his feet, downing his cup in one go. "Tonight's your induction feast. Whatever grudges any of you have against me, we'll leave them for another day."
"Pfft. Little Junior Brother, don't let him fool you," Rong Yanqiu said dismissively. "He may look big and rough, but he's got more schemes in his head than anyone here. Still, since it's your big day, I'll let it go for now."
"Amitabha," Meng Guangxin muttered while gulping down more wine. "May the Buddha have mercy on your shameless soul."
At last, the arguing stopped.
Still, the air at the table was far from cheerful. It was mostly Chen Sanshi pouring wine while the rest sat in silence, downing cup after cup.
After a few rounds, the drunken muttering began.
"So bitter… so damn bitter…"
"This war's been pointless."
"How many brothers have died over these years? Yet the Cao family still walks away clean."
"Exactly! They almost transferred me to the southern front to serve that damn Prince of Zhen'nan. Isn't that just their way of dividing us up?"
"Yeah. If not for Master using the war against the tribes as an excuse, we'd all have been scattered by now."
"And when the war's over, they'll cast us aside like worn-out bows and butcher's dogs—'when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting hound's cooked!'"
"Master fights for righteousness, you fools don't understand…"
"…"
The liquor was fierce. After a few jars, most of the commanders at the table were completely drunk, slumped over one by one.
Only Chen Sanshi, Lü Ji, and Nie Yuan remained upright.
"Sorry you had to see that, Junior Brother."
Lü Ji set his bowl down with a weary smile. "First time we meet properly, and instead of welcoming you, your brothers and sister tear me apart in front of you. Embarrassing, isn't it?"
He looked at Chen Sanshi, half-smiling. "You think the same as they do, don't you?"
"How could I ever disrespect Eldest Brother?" Chen Sanshi replied calmly.
"You must have some opinion, though," Lü Ji said quietly. "Tell me, Junior Brother—do you understand what responsibility means?"
He turned to the window, eyes distant beneath the pale moonlight. "When I was eight, my hometown was ravaged by war. My entire family was slaughtered. Master reached out a hand and asked if I wanted to go with him. I nodded. And just like that, thirty years passed."
"I grew up under Master's care—earlier than even the eldest young master. I've always seen him as my own father."
"But Master is getting old…"
"Now, as his eldest disciple, it's my duty to shoulder the burden of the Sun family. So some things… I have no choice but to do."
"Eldest Brother is right."
Chen Sanshi listened without interrupting. He didn't know the whole story, and there was no point in judging. Sometimes silence was the wisest answer.
Lü Ji poured another bowl for him personally, then asked, "Junior Brother, did you know you're Master's final disciple?"
"I do," Chen Sanshi replied. "It's the greatest honor of my life."
"At his age, to still take in one more disciple… then surely, he must have…"
Lü Ji picked up a dish with his chopsticks and asked casually, "So, did Master pass you some secret technique?"
The words struck sharp—dagger drawn from its sheath.
All the earlier talk about hardships and duty had just been prelude. This, clearly, was his real purpose.
Chen Sanshi found it odd.
Master and Fourth Senior Brother had both warned him: the matter of the immortal art must never be leaked to a fourth person—and that naturally included Lü Ji.
But if Lü Ji was truly Master's adopted son, then he was no different from blood kin. Why, then, after thirty-plus years, had Master never passed him the immortal method?
"He taught me plenty," Chen Sanshi replied, pointing to the large bundle by the chair. "Over one hundred martial manuals—each one worth a fortune."
"Oh?"
Lü Ji glanced at the bundle, then at him, quietly sipping his wine without comment.
"Eldest Brother, would you take a look?" Chen Sanshi offered politely. "You've reached the Martial Saint realm—surely you could give your junior a few pointers."
"Ah, if Junior Brother insists, then how could I refuse?"
Lü Ji set down his bowl and opened the bundle, leafing through the scrolls carefully. But the more he read, the more disappointment clouded his eyes. Finally, he exhaled heavily. "Junior Brother, I've practiced this fist technique before. The key is…"
He proceeded to explain the core principles of more than ten different martial arts.
Chen Sanshi bowed deeply. "Many thanks for your guidance, Eldest Brother."
"Mm."
Lü Ji placed the last manual back into the bundle. "I still have military duties to attend to. I'll take my leave now—hope you won't mind."
Without another word, he turned and squeezed his large frame through the doorway.
"Farewell, Junior Brother."
Third Senior Brother Nie Yuan followed quickly after him.
They walked some distance before Nie Yuan asked quietly, "Eldest Brother, what do you think?"
"Nothing," Lü Ji replied flatly. "Those techniques are all standard ones—any direct disciple can learn them."
"Could it be…" Nie Yuan hesitated, "that Master taking a final disciple was just for show? Maybe he never planned to pass down the immortal art at all?"
"Or maybe the boy's just too new," Lü Ji said gruffly as his strides quickened. "No one receives the core methods on their first day. We'll wait and see."
"Then should I keep an eye on him? Maybe he's hiding something somewhere."
Lü Ji nodded slightly. "Mm."
…
"As expected, one can never be too careful."
Chen Sanshi sat back down slowly.
From the look of things, the Unified Spear Technique leaking out to the Cao family was very likely Lü Ji's doing.
"Little Junior Brother~"
A soft fragrance swept past as Rong Yanqiu leaned in with a teasing smile. "Send me home."
"Senior Sister, I'll have a maid escort you instead," Chen Sanshi said hurriedly, gently pushing her wandering hand away before gathering his things to leave the private room.
"Junior Brother, don't take it to heart."
Fang Qingyun was already waiting outside in his wheelchair, gazing at the moon. "Ninth Junior Sister was just teasing you. That's her nature."
"I know," Chen Sanshi said with a faint smile. "I just didn't expect everyone to be so young."
Judging from appearances, Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong had to be over ninety, yet the eldest disciple Lü Ji looked no older than forty.
"That's because Master started accepting disciples late."
Fang Qingyun explained, "Back when the Eight Camps were first formed, Master and his seniors recruited soldiers together. When those elders died, their brothers filled the ranks, and when those brothers died, their juniors took over. By the time Master reached sixty, he finally began formally taking disciples.
"That includes Buqi and the others.
"In his early years, Master was obsessed with martial arts and military achievements. Only after reaching sixty did he think of continuing his legacy. Of his five children, only Buqi and Sun Li remain."
"Married at sixty?"
Chen Sanshi was astonished.
For a martial man with a body of steel, that age wasn't a problem—but to hold back for six decades? The man truly had iron will. No wonder he'd achieved what he had.
"I waited here to tell you something."
Fang Qingyun's tone grew serious. "Two days from now, Master and I will depart for the capital."
Before Chen Sanshi could ask, he continued, "The military expansion is a major issue. A memorial alone won't do. Master and I must meet the Emperor face to face to persuade him."
Chen Sanshi nodded in understanding.
Expanding the army to 150,000 troops was no small matter. It wasn't something the Emperor could decide alone—it required broad deliberation and political agreement.
"Second, Fifth, and Seventh Brothers will also return to their respective garrisons," Fang Qingyun said. "Eldest and Third will stay in Liangzhou. As for Ninth Sister—she'll remain here for a while to accompany you. She's reliable. If you need help, go to her."
"When will you return?"
"Half a year, maybe a year… or longer. We'll come back once the matter's settled."
Fang Qingyun looked up at the night sky. "There's still the Witch God Sect stirring trouble within the city. Be cautious, always."
"The Witch God Sect…"
Chen Sanshi finally asked what had been on his mind. "Senior Brother, have you really not found their hiding place yet?"
"It's strange," Fang Qingyun said, shaking his head. "The City Guard will keep investigating. Your Reserve Camp will also be involved. Anyone who finds a clue to the Witch God Sect will earn great merit."
"In that case, farewell for now, Senior Brother."
"Farewell."
Chen Sanshi clasped his hands respectfully before leaving the Grand Commander's residence, carrying his heavy bundles with him.
By the time he reached home, it was already midnight.
"Master."
Siqin was still awake, tending to the lamps in the study.
Chen Sanshi laid all his new belongings out across the floor.
A black-iron chainmail—its worth on the battlefield went without saying.
The Five Tigers Soul-Breaking Spear—he examined it carefully. Though not on par with the Mountain-Suppressing Sword, it was a fine weapon nonetheless. Its balance was excellent, and it conducted Internal Force remarkably well. It would serve him through the Profound Manifestation realm, at least, unless something even better appeared.
As for the iron-bellied bow—it was good too, though it still lacked a string.
That could wait.
He intended to channel Internal Force into archery, to make it effective even against high-level martial experts. Otherwise, his perfect aim would be wasted.
The technique his master had given him—Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression—was personally modified by the old man himself. It was a top-tier spear art, its defining trait being that the Internal Force it generated was fierce yet enduring.
But that, for now, was a matter for later.
The top priority now was to enter seclusion and break through to the Tempering Organ Perfection stage. Otherwise, the other inner disciples would soon surpass him by far.
"Seclusion!"
The next day, after reporting for duty, Chen Sanshi requested extended leave from Lü Ji, leaving all training matters in the hands of Xu Wencai and Wang Zhi. He then officially entered a closed-door cultivation state.
In the blink of an eye, nearly one month passed.
With the support of precious medicines and spiritual grain, his proficiency in all arts rose steadily, and his mastery of the Unified Spear Technique reached its absolute limit.
Exploding Blood!
As the name implied, it was a berserk state.
In this condition, a martial artist could stimulate the internal organs to squeeze every drop of qi and blood, forcing the body into extreme overdrive. For a short time, the body would ignore injury and pain, raising its overall power to the very peak.
The longer one could sustain this berserk state, the stronger one would be in actual combat.
But the consumption was monstrous.
Most martial artists could only maintain it for around ten rounds. Those with better talent might endure thirty, true prodigies around forty, and extraordinary ones like Cao Fan could reach fifty rounds.
Hence, the Exploding Blood state was typically reserved for life-and-death battles.
Now, as Chen Sanshi swung the Five Tigers Soul-Breaking Spear in furious arcs, he could feel the blood of the Dragon and Elephant surging at maximum speed within his veins—until, suddenly, everything stopped.
His blood ceased to flow entirely, turning to still, lifeless water.
In an instant, an indescribable pain engulfed him.
This was—
—the feeling of death!
Darkness flooded his vision, his body went light and hollow, his consciousness began to fade. Yet even as his mind slipped away, his arms continued moving by sheer muscle memory, executing the Unified Spear Technique again and again.
Only in the final moment before he lost consciousness did his blood abruptly ignite once more, reversing its flow through his body. After a full circulation of silence, it exploded with renewed vitality—greater and stronger than before.
If his Moving Blood state had once been like the rushing waters of the Hongze River, then now it was a raging tidal wave—a heaven-shattering, earth-splitting force coursing through every limb. When channeled through his spear technique, his strength rose by more than just one level—it was an evolution.
[Skill: Unified Spear Technique (Major Achievement)]
[Progress: None]
[Effect: …, Mysterious Five Organs]
[Mysterious Five Organs: Qilin Heart and Four Divine Organs, merged into one—endless vitality, unceasing flow.]
Endless vitality. Unceasing flow.
The consumption of Exploding Blood was terrifyingly high, yet Chen Sanshi could clearly feel that while his qi and blood drained rapidly, his five organs were constantly replenishing it. This drastically prolonged his berserk duration.
As for exactly how long he could maintain it—he wasn't sure.
No matter how long he trained, his qi and blood never showed signs of depletion.
One hundred rounds. Two hundred rounds. Maybe more?
He would only know in battle.
But even a conservative estimate placed him at three to four times stronger than geniuses like Cao Fan.
Back in the arena, he had beaten his opponent by outlasting him—draining his blood and endurance.
If Cao Fan had possessed vitality like this, Chen Sanshi might never have won at all.
That alone showed how vital endurance truly was.
"At last… Tempering Organ Perfection!"
He didn't rest. He immediately spent another two days practicing the foundational stance work of the Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression, grinding his proficiency upward.
[Skill: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression – Transforming Strength (Uninitiated)]
[Progress: 5/100]
[Effect: None]
Next goal—Transforming Strength.
Reaching that stage would put him on par with a Thousand-Commander in an elite army.
However…
After two full days of practice, he could clearly sense his cultivation progress slowing. If this continued, it would take at least two months to reach Transforming Strength.
Far too slow!
Master's target for him was to reach the Martial Saint realm within three years. But at this rate, even seven or eight years might not be enough to touch the threshold.
To most, reaching Martial Saint in ten years was already an unbelievable miracle.
Yet even that wasn't enough for Chen Sanshi.
In this world of constant danger, without absolute strength, he couldn't even sleep soundly.
Ever since the people from the Tower of Seeking Immortals had come that night, he'd been sleeping with one ear open—waking at the faintest noise, even a rat scurrying past. Thankfully, no one had dared intrude again.
"It seems it's time to test the Mystic Weapon Furnace Cauldron."
"My house isn't suitable. I'll have to find a spot up in the mountains."
"But lately, there's been another problem…"
Although he spent most of his days training, whenever he went out, someone always tailed him. He couldn't move freely at all.
Still, he already had a plan.
Once he decided how to handle it, he set aside his spear and went to the kitchen to eat.
Gu Xinlan, now over one month pregnant, didn't yet show a belly, but she was often exhausted and constantly nauseous. There was no real cure—she could only endure it.
After the meal, Chen Sanshi donned his black-iron chainmail and headed for the military camp to report in.
He'd already been absent for over a month; any longer would seem improper.
Master and Fourth Senior Brother had left Liangzhou weeks ago, and the rest of the Eight Camps' senior disciples had also departed one after another. Now, Liangzhou's affairs were jointly managed by Pei Tiannan, Eunuch Hou, and Lü Ji.
During this past month, his subordinates had made progress too.
Zhu Tong, Wang Li, Xu Bin, and Wu Da had all broken through to the Bone-Tempering realm under the Eight Camps' supply of supplements.
Wu Da, in particular, showed remarkable talent—his comprehension improved rapidly with his cultivation. He might one day reach Meridian-Connecting or higher.
As for Tempering Organ, two others—Feng Yong and Zhao Kang—had succeeded.
Both had over ten years of Bone-Tempering foundation and had survived countless bloody battles. After coming to Liangzhou and receiving abundant resources, plus Chen Sanshi's occasional gift of medicinal tonics, their breakthrough was inevitable. Though their foundations weren't deep, making them lower-tier Organ-Temperers, it was still enough to serve as Sub-Centurions.
Zhu Tong and the others, naturally, were Hundred-Household Officers.
Finally, there was Zhao Qiao. Due to age and waning strength, cultivation was no longer an option for him. Instead, he assisted Xu Wencai in logistics—reliable and diligent, a perfect fit for the role.
Among the other soldiers from the garrison, one named Wei Yuan stood out as promising. The rest were average at best.
These were all his subordinates.
The deputy general overseeing Chen Sanshi was Yu Song, a cultivator at the Meridian-Connecting stage.
His peers included Bai Tingzhi, Lu Shuhua, and Xie Sishu—three Thousand-Commanders. Two of them were already watching him like hungry wolves, waiting to seize the cultivation resources reserved for the Grand Commander's chief disciple.
To make matters worse, Cao Fan had already reached Transforming Strength—the fastest breakthrough among them all.
"Commander Chen, finally! We've been waiting for you."
Deputy General Yu Song tightened the straps of his helmet and gave orders briskly. "Starting today, you'll be in charge of patrolling one of the city's districts. Main task—track down any leads on the Witch God Sect."
"Deputy General Yu," Chen Sanshi asked, "any clues lately?"
"There might be something."
Yu Song lowered his voice mysteriously. "Seems like we might have caught a big fish. Commander Chen, stay alert. Don't miss the chance for a major merit."
"Understood."
After receiving his assignment, Chen Sanshi led his men out on patrol. Each squad had ten soldiers, forming one hundred patrol teams covering both the inner city and outer districts.
His team took the southern sector, and after finishing their shift, he planned to make a visit to Ciyun Temple.
Today happened to be the monthly sermon day.
All the martial experts of Liangzhou who had received invitations would be attending. Most were sect leaders or grandmasters—Transforming Strength level and above. Chen Sanshi was an exception, personally invited by Shao Yujing.
Just relying on a single Spirit-Nourishing Soup wouldn't sustain a Martial Saint's incense offering. There had to be some deeper secret behind these monthly sermons.
In addition, Chen Sanshi wanted to take the opportunity to study the incense energy.
There was no spiritual qi in this world to fuel immortal arts. Could incense energy serve as a substitute?
Were the people stealing incense perhaps doing so for this reason?
Yet so far, he hadn't found any Daoist priest radiating an unusual aura. Could it be the temple master who roamed abroad?
"City Guards, you useless trash!"
Passing by a sect's gate, someone suddenly started yelling at them.
"When the hell will you find the Witch God Sect?!"
"Do you even know how many of our people have died?!"
It was Yuyang Sect—once a second-rate sect of Liangzhou with a history of two hundred years. After two successive sect masters stagnated at early Transforming Strength, they fell to the bottom of the third-rate ranks. Now, they survived only by taxing the fishermen who used the river nearby.
'If Shunzi had been born here in Liangzhou,' Chen Sanshi thought, 'even fishing would mean being exploited twice.'
'Maybe I should find a way to bring him here,' he mused. 'I've got some rank now. Pulling a few strings to release him from labor duty shouldn't be hard. If I can get him stationed in Liangzhou, he could even serve under me.'
"Hey! I'm talking to you!"
"…"
One of the sect disciples charged forward with a fish spear.
"You looking for death?!"
Zhu Tong's eyes went wide with fury as he drew his blade, ready to strike. The others followed, surrounding the man in an instant.
"Stand down!"
Chen Sanshi gestured for them to retreat. He'd always disliked arrogant sect disciples, but there was no reason to start killing. "We're already investigating the Witch God Sect. When we find something, you'll know."
"Bullshit! How long has it been?!"
The disciple shouted furiously. "For all we know, maybe it's your Eight Camps who did it!"
"Yeah, that's right!"
More voices joined in. "Otherwise, why haven't any of your soldiers died, while it's always us sect members getting slaughtered?"
Chen Sanshi didn't bother arguing. He simply turned and led his men away.
That evening, he handed his soldiers some silver, telling them to eat and drink well at a tavern, while he himself headed alone toward Ciyun Temple for the sermon.
"Lord Chen!"
At the monastery gates, he ran into Shao Yujing and Wen Zhi.
"Sect Master Shao."
Chen Sanshi nodded politely. "Manor Lord Wen."
"You came too?"
Wen Zhi frowned at Shao Yujing. "Old Shao, was this your idea?"
Shao Yujing nodded silently.
"Hmph!"
With a flick of his sleeve, Wen Zhi stormed off.
"Heh, don't take it to heart, Lord Chen," Shao Yujing said, chuckling awkwardly. "Even though entering the arena meant signing a life-and-death pact, he did lose his own son. Hard not to hold a grudge."
He led the way up the path. "Come, the sermon's about to begin. I always gain something each time. Another three to five years of this, and I might just comprehend the Dao myself!"
Chen Sanshi smiled faintly. "Sect Master Shao, you go ahead. I'd like to offer incense first."
"Ah, such devotion. Lord Chen's heart truly is sincere."
Shao Yujing nodded approvingly and went ahead.
Chen Sanshi entered the main hall. Once again, he saw thin wisps of violet energy drifting from the bodies of the worshippers, all converging into the massive incense burner. The glowing vapors shimmered like clouds, mesmerizingly beautiful.
He felt an urge to immediately practice the Sword Qi Technique—to test whether incense energy could replace spiritual qi.
But even though no one was watching, he didn't dare. If the incense flow lessened, whoever was behind it might notice.
There were still other temples and monasteries in Liangzhou.
He planned to visit them when time allowed.
After burning a few sticks of incense perfunctorily, he went to the rear courtyard where the sermon was held—to hear what sort of speaker could draw Martial Saints to listen.
The lecture took place outdoors, behind Ciyun Temple, in a secluded courtyard. Mats were laid out across the stone floor. Everyone present was at least Transforming Strength level—the sect master of Yuyang Sect included.
All sat cross-legged, quietly listening to True Person Qiu Mingzi's sermon.
Chen Sanshi found a spot in the corner and listened for a while, but all he heard were cryptic, flowery words.
"The Five Qi are the true essence of the Mysterious Origin, the Law manifests to ferry the lost. The outward image holds no true form; within truth, seek the True One."
"…"
He stifled a yawn. It was all empty doctrine—vague phrases dressed as profundity.
Fortunately, the sermon didn't last long. It concluded before nightfall.
"Lord Chen, you're late," someone said behind him.
Shao Yujing smiled and said, "Before each sermon begins, everyone drinks a bowl of Spirit-Nourishing Soup. Only with a calm and peaceful mind can one hope to comprehend the Dao."
"Sect Master Shao speaks wisely."
Daoist Qiu Mingzi approached, holding a horsetail whisk. "The hearts of men are restless, and martial artists are especially so. Lord Chen, next time, come earlier and don't miss the purification ritual."
"Of course, of course."
Chen Sanshi replied politely, but inwardly he was puzzled.
If that was all there was to it, then people like Shao Yujing were wasting their time here.
Cultivation required spiritual qi.
What could listening to a few empty words from a Daoist priest accomplish? It wasn't as if he was distributing incense energy to share.
As his thoughts wandered, Chen Sanshi's gaze fell on the medicine pot that had contained the Spirit-Nourishing Soup.
Most of the liquid had already been ladled out, leaving only a bit of residue at the bottom. Yet it was precisely those leftover dregs that made his heart tremble.
[Spirit-Nourishing Soup: Calms the mind, focuses the spirit, aids in cultivation breakthroughs.]
[???: ???]
In his eyes, the pot had held not just Spirit-Nourishing Soup, but another kind of medicine hidden within.
And that second medicine—he couldn't identify it.
His ability, [Discern Formula from Medicine], could unravel any mundane prescription.
If it failed to recognize this… there was only one explanation—
The substance in that pot wasn't a mortal medicine.
It was Immortal Medicine!
How could an elixir of the Immortal Realm exist here?
Was it a mortal using immortal medicine—or had a true immortal relic once appeared here?
Ciyun Temple definitely had a huge problem.
"Lord Chen?"
Qiu Mingzi's voice came softly. "This poor Daoist has been rather free lately, so there may be more sermons in the near future. Lord Chen, you should come earlier next time. Drink the Spirit-Nourishing Soup first, then listen to the lecture—you're sure to gain something."
"Of course."
Chen Sanshi reacted quickly, showing no hint of alarm on his face. "If time allows, I'll certainly come."
After the sermon ended, the gathered martial artists began to descend the mountain, discussing how much their mental states had improved.
The more Chen Sanshi heard, the stranger it seemed.
What exactly was in the soup Qiu Mingzi had given them?
Poison? Or immortal medicine?
And what effect did it have?
When he asked Shao Yujing about it, he learned that these lectures had only started within the last six months.
He then subtly inquired if drinking the Spirit-Nourishing Soup caused any side effects. The answer—none at all. It simply made people feel refreshed, calm, and focused.
"Incense energy… immortal medicine…"
"What exactly is Ciyun Temple trying to do?"
"They can't really just be helping martial artists break through out of kindness, can they?"
He decided—he couldn't come here again.
At least, not until he reached Transforming Strength.
His master and Fourth Senior Brother had departed for the capital over half a month ago. Even if they were still around, he wouldn't know how to explain this. His abilities like [Qi Observation Technique] were things he couldn't reveal.
For now, he would simply keep watch. Ciyun Temple hadn't harmed anyone yet. He'd observe quietly and uncover their true purpose before taking action.
After parting with Shao Yujing, Chen Sanshi summoned Qianxun. Instead of heading straight home, he deliberately circled around the wide avenues of Liangzhou City.
Someone was tailing him again.
The stalker's cultivation was higher than his, but he could still sense the presence faintly using the Qi Observation Technique. He couldn't identify who it was—Cao Fan, someone from Splitting Moon Manor, or even his eldest brother Lü Ji—all were possible.
That was why he hadn't dared to take the furnace cauldron into the mountains for his Strange Flame experiment yet.
What a pain.
After trailing him for several laps around the city, the pursuer finally realized they'd been exposed—reduced to a fool chasing circles—and eventually gave up.
Chen Sanshi then detoured to Splitting Moon Manor, left a note with the gatekeeper, and finally returned home.
At the entrance, Siqin was already waiting.
"Master, Eunuch Hou is here. He's in the guest room of the front courtyard."
"Him? Alright, take me there."
Chen Sanshi already had a good idea what this visit was about.
"Lord Chen! Long time no see~"
Eunuch Hou rose with a smile. "Ever since you won first place in the Selection Competition, I've been meaning to congratulate you, but I've been too busy."
"Eunuch Hou, please sit."
Chen Sanshi gestured. "Siqin, go call Mohua and bring in some fine chefs. I'll drink with Eunuch Hou tonight."
"No need for that. I'm only here to talk a bit, then I'll be off."
Eunuch Hou waved off the servants with a sharp look, then leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Tell me, Lord Chen—since joining the Grand Marshal's tutelage, what exactly has he taught you?"
"…"
Just as he expected.
Chen Sanshi's guess was right.
This eunuch's purpose was the same as Lü Ji's—both were here for the immortal method.
The difference was that Lü Ji sought it for himself.
This eunuch, on the other hand, was acting on behalf of the Emperor.
Once again, his loyalty was being tested.
That old Emperor really had nothing better to do.
"They're all here."
Chen Sanshi spread the manuals across the table—along with every gift he'd received from his senior brothers and sisters, even the wooden fish.
"This…"
Eunuch Hou picked up the wooden striker and gently tapped the fish twice. Tock, tock. "That's it?"
"That's it."
Chen Sanshi said earnestly, "Everything I received is right here. The Grand Marshal just threw me a few manuals—nothing about breaking through beyond Martial Saint."
"How did you know what I came to ask?"
Eunuch Hou smiled slyly. "Lord Chen, you really are a clever one, aren't you?"
In this kind of situation, the more Chen Sanshi tried to play dumb, the more suspicious the other party would become. So, rather than feigning ignorance, being frank would make him seem cleaner—avoiding unnecessary suspicion.
"Everyone in the world is chasing after immortal arts," he said calmly. "How could I not know why you came?"
Then his tone deepened. "Please convey a message to His Majesty for me. If one day, the Grand Commander is truly willing to teach me his immortal method, I swear I will hand it over to the court immediately. I would never dare to hide it for myself."
"Ah! Lord Chen, you are truly a loyal and virtuous servant of our Great Sheng Dynasty!"
Eunuch Hou's smile widened with satisfaction. "When His Majesty hears this, he will surely be delighted. Very well, I won't disturb you further."
"Eunuch Hou, please wait a moment."
"Oh? Does Lord Chen have something else to say?"
"Something important."
Chen Sanshi leaned close and whispered a few words into his ear. Then he pulled a silver note worth 3,000 taels from his sleeve and passed it discreetly to him. "This is a token of respect long overdue. I insist you accept it."
"Well, well~"
Eunuch Hou accepted the note, his grin stretching ear to ear. "Lord Chen, don't you worry. We're both servants of the same court. I'd never stand by and do nothing when you're in need."
"Then I must trouble you, Eunuch Hou."
Chen Sanshi bowed deeply.
That night, he sat alone in the kitchen, drinking wine with a few small dishes, quietly waiting for the show to begin.
Around the second watch of the night, sounds of fighting finally echoed from outside.
But it was brief—not even long enough for a single cup of tea.
"It's over already?"
Chen Sanshi grabbed his weapon and hurried out.
In a narrow alley near the residence, he spotted two figures standing in the shadows.
Wen Zhi—and Eunuch Hou.
It looked like the two had just fought the same opponent and were now discussing that person's cultivation level.
"Chen Sanshi!"
Wen Zhi stormed over, face full of anger. "Do you take me for your personal guard dog?!"
Earlier that day, Chen Sanshi had sent him a message saying someone was plotting to kill him and asked him to keep watch to avoid misunderstandings.
But the Selection Competition's aftermath hadn't even settled yet. If something happened now, Sun Xiangzong would definitely question him. After some thought, Wen Zhi had reluctantly come.
Yet now he, a Martial Saint, had been manipulated by a mere Tempering Organ cultivator. It was a disgrace.
"Many thanks, Manor Lord Wen."
Chen Sanshi had grown tired of being stalked from the shadows. He couldn't rest easy without knowing who it was.
Since the pursuer's cultivation was higher than his, he couldn't track them down alone—so he brought in help.
He wasn't afraid of retaliation either. If the stalker had wanted to kill him, they would've already done it. The fact that they only followed meant they didn't dare act openly.
If Wen Zhi hadn't shown up, the suspicion would've fallen on him.
Now that he had, that meant the culprit was someone else.
"Lord Chen," Eunuch Hou said gravely, "that person was also at Profound Manifestation Great Perfection. Very skilled. Wen Manor Lord and I joined forces, yet we couldn't catch him. But I did manage to land a palm strike—my palms are laced with poison. He'll need at least two months to recover!"
"Profound Manifestation Great Perfection?"
Chen Sanshi's heart tightened—he already had a good guess who it was.
Third Senior Brother.
His Second, Fifth, and Seventh Senior Brothers were all away from Liangzhou.
Senior Brother Fang had told him that Ninth Senior Sister could be completely trusted. Lü Ji, the eldest, was too large and distinctive for stealth.
None of the other sects with Profound Manifestation-level experts bore him any grudge, making them unlikely suspects.
That left only one option.
It had to be Third Senior Brother.
And if so—Lü Ji was likely the one who ordered it.
He made a quiet note of that in his mind.
"Eunuch Hou," Wen Zhi said angrily, "you saw it yourself. This has nothing to do with me! If that brat named Chen dies at that man's hands, don't you dare pin it on me! Farewell!"
He hadn't gone all out on purpose. There was no way he would truly act as a hired blade for his son's killer.
"Lord Chen," Eunuch Hou turned back, "do you want me to stay here and guard you until dawn?"
"No need."
Chen Sanshi shook his head. "Your presence alone has scared the intruder off. He won't dare return."
After such a commotion, even if the stalker was Third Senior Brother, he wouldn't come again for several days.
As for later—he'd deal with it then.
"Please rest early, Eunuch Hou."
Chen Sanshi added, "And about my brother Shunzi—please don't forget."
"Ha! You can count on me!"
Eunuch Hou lifted his orchid-shaped fingers in a vow. "The inspector in Danzhou is an old friend of mine. As long as your brother Zhang Shun is still alive, I'll make sure he's found."
"Then I thank you in advance."
…
At Hou Residence,
Nie Yuan lay sprawled on the ground, coughing up blood.
"Junior Brother!"
In the courtyard, Lü Ji—still training even at this late hour—rushed over to help him up. "What happened to you?"
"That little junior of ours…"
Nie Yuan stuffed several detoxifying and healing pills into his mouth. "He's sharper than I thought. Somehow realized I was tailing him—and then lured Wen Zhi and that eunuch to trap me. Got me good."
"Are you alright?" Lü Ji asked with concern.
"I'll recover in a few days."
Nie Yuan took a deep breath. "Should I keep following him?"
"If you continue, you'll risk exposure. Rest for now. If we still find nothing after some time, we'll let it go."
…
[Skill: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression – Transforming Strength (Uninitiated)]
[Progress: 15/100]
Days passed.
No one tailed Chen Sanshi again, but his progress with the Transforming Strength technique remained painfully slow.
"It's time."
Under the cover of night, he hefted the Black-Iron Furnace Cauldron onto his back and set off straight toward Luotian Mountain Range.
If the cauldron could truly withstand the strain—even for one use—the refined spiritual grain it produced would be dozens of times more potent!