Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing-Chapter 164: Hard Body Technique (I)

In the marketplace beyond the forest, crowds bustled to and fro in lively commotion. Lin Zheyu sold the beasts he had hunted and stepped out from the throng. A middle-aged man quickly followed after him.

He approached Lin Zheyu's side and said with a smile, "I am Luo Zhengtian of Purple Yu Mountain Manor. Why not first hear the terms I have to offer?"

They had investigated Lin Zheyu and found that he appeared to be a wandering cultivator. He came and went unpredictably, and no one knew his background; they only knew that he was a formidable martial artist. Yet since he frequently ventured deep into the wilderness to hunt beasts and sell them in the marketplace, it was obvious he needed silver. If the offer was high enough, perhaps they could recruit him.

"Do you have any cultivation manuals that can reach the Dragon Transformation? If not, there's nothing to discuss," said Lin Zheyu indifferently.

Luo Zhengtian froze upon hearing that. A cultivation manual capable of reaching the Dragon Transformation? Such techniques were exceedingly rare and far more valuable than the common Force Transformation Realm techniques.

In the Blood Qi Realm, each additional qualitative transformation made further breakthroughs exponentially harder. A technique that allowed six transformations of blood qi was already considered a rare treasure among martial arts. One that could permit nine transformations, reaching the Dragon Transformation, was priceless and unobtainable even with vast wealth. Only great powers or ancient noble families possessed cultivation methods of such caliber.

After the sixth transformation of blood qi, the difficulty of achieving further qualitative changes increased dramatically. Even with monstrous talent and exceptional physique, it was impossible to advance to the Dragon Transformation through ordinary training methods. Only by cultivating special secret techniques could one continue refining their blood qi within a short period and reach the Dragon Transformation.

"Are you planning to use it yourself, sir?" Luo Zhengtian followed quickly and asked in a low voice.

He had already suspected that the man before him was a master of the Marrow Refining Realm. Among the offers they had prepared was one meant specifically for Marrow Refining Realm experts, a rare opportunity to advance into the Force Transformation Realm. However, he never expected Lin Zheyu's condition to be a manual capable of cultivating to the Dragon Transformation. That came as quite a surprise.

"No, I'm simply curious. Do you have techniques of that level?" asked Lin Zheyu.

Luo Zhengtian studied Lin Zheyu's expression but could not tell whether he was being truthful. Yet he sensed that it might truly be something Lin Zheyu wanted for himself. If that were the case, it would be astonishing.

After disguising himself, Lin Zheyu appeared to be in his mid-thirties, but Marrow Refining Realm experts in this world often looked much younger than their age. Upon reaching the Marrow Refining Realm and cleansing their body and marrow, their constitution and bones would undergo tremendous transformation. It not only extended one's lifespan but also made the person appear younger.

Earlier, Luo Zhengtian had guessed that Lin Zheyu might be an old monster in his fifties or sixties. But after hearing Lin Zheyu's demand, he began to suspect the opposite, that Lin Zheyu was actually younger than he appeared. Though he looked to be in his mid-thirties, his actual age was likely much less. He merely appeared older.

Before a martial artist advanced to the Marrow Refining Realm, if they lacked sufficient medicinal supplements during bone and marrow cleansing, their excessive strain would make them look older than their true age. It wasn't unusual and was a common occurrence.

"He's seeking a manual that can cultivate to the Dragon Transformation. It's most likely for his own use. If that's true, then he might only be twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old!" the middle-aged man muttered under his breath, his eyes shining with sharp light.

Older martial artists would never waste time pursuing further blood qi transformations because if they failed to reach the Marrow Refining Realm before forty, their path would be completely ruined.

"To slay beasts of the fifth transformation and capture those of the fourth, all without intense struggle during battle... His strength must be at least of the sixth transformation—no, likely the seventh," Luo Zhengtian muttered softly as he watched Lin Zheyu's retreating figure.

They had bought beasts from Lin Zheyu many times before, and nearly all of them had been killed with a single blow. Even those of the fourth transformation bore few fatal wounds. Only the fifth transformation beast had been slain outright, likely because it was too powerful to be captured alive. The middle-aged man concluded that Lin Zheyu was most likely a master who had reached the seventh transformation of blood qi.

"A twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old cultivator at the seventh transformation of blood qi? Perhaps I'm overthinking it." As he spoke, Luo Zhengtian couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

It was a ridiculous thought. A martial genius capable of reaching the seventh transformation of blood qi at twenty-seven or twenty-eight would never appear in a small place like Bafang City.

As usual, Lin Zheyu strolled through the marketplace, spending 30 taels of silver to buy a stalk of Blue Frost Ghost Vine. This herb could be used to concoct several potent poisons. He had already stayed in Bafang City for a month. After two more months, he would leave for the Central Plains.

The journey to the Central Plains would take three to four months and was fraught with danger, so Lin Zheyu needed to prepare poisons and sedatives in advance as a safeguard. By the time he returned to the city, dusk had already fallen.

In front of the Han family courtyard, a young girl spotted Lin Zheyu and called out excitedly, "Uncle Lin, you're back! Have you eaten?"

She was Han Mo's thirteen-year-old eldest daughter with a round, adorable face. Han Xuefan usually stayed home learning embroidery from her mother and rarely went out to play.

"I've eaten. What about you?" asked Lin Zheyu with a smile.

"Uncle, we've eaten too! Mother cooked a feast tonight!" Han Tianshun ran up, hugging Lin Zheyu's leg joyfully.

"Then you should eat plenty more so you'll grow stronger. Tell your second brother to come see me early tomorrow morning," said Lin Zheyu, ruffling Han Tianshun's hair.

He had been away for four days. Han Tianmin, who was studying the Toxicology Codex, likely had a pile of questions waiting for him.

"Okay! I'll tell him right now!" Han Tianshun nodded eagerly and ran back inside.

Back in the courtyard, Lin Zheyu took out his medicine pot, placed the ingredients for the Blood-Nourishing Bone-Fortifying Decoction inside, and began brewing. He then removed his shirt and began his evening training in the yard.

Channeling the power of blood qi into his legs, he activated the blood qi burst technique and circulated the Golden Goose Technique. Threefold blood qi erupted with a roar, propelling him forward in a flash until he reached the corner of the wall. Just before impact, his body twisted gracefully, changing direction without losing speed.

Soft thuds echoed through the courtyard. Under the moonlight, Lin Zheyu's figure darted like a phantom across the courtyard, leaving behind faint afterimages.

Ten days ago, Lin Zheyu had reached the ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique after a month of practice, granting him near-supernatural control over his blood qi. When Lin Zheyu activated the violent blood qi burst technique, his energy flowed without the slightest obstruction. If his blood qi were strong enough, he could even sustain the burst technique as a normal state of movement.

Six minutes later, all of Lin Zheyu's blood qi power was exhausted, and his speed dropped rapidly. In the Blood Qi Realm, the power of blood qi was the foundation of a martial artist's strength. Once it was depleted, their power would plummet sharply.

Without it, Lin Zheyu would only be slightly stronger than a beginner who had just entered the Blood Qi Realm. However, with his exceptional movement techniques, he could still face second transformation opponents without fear.

He swung out the Barbaric Ox Fist, and the air roared around his punches. Without the power of blood qi, Lin Zheyu's speed slowed considerably, yet his agility improved.

When using the blood qi burst technique with the Golden Goose Technique, he had to divide his focus to control the raging energy. Now, free from that burden, his movements became even more refined. When the Barbaric Ox Fist was combined with the Golden Goose Technique, it carried both brute dominance and an elusive, ghostly grace.

Over four hours later, Lin Zheyu stopped his practice, breathing heavily. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of transcendence that came after pushing his limits.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 4]

[Skills: Golden Goose Technique (Ninth Stage: 100%), Tortoise Breath Grand Method (Third Stage: 100%)]

"Four units of Origin Force now. Before leaving Bafang City, I should be able to accumulate over twenty units," murmured Lin Zheyu to himself as he observed the data within his consciousness.

Of all the techniques he had learned, everything except the Poison King Body had reached perfection and could no longer advance. To create a new technique, his martial knowledge and experience were still insufficient. Techniques could not be invented at will; they required deep cultivation insight, vast experience, and countless trials.

For now, Lin Zheyu could only craft low-tier techniques or fuse similar ones to create a new hybrid technique. He was not yet capable of producing higher-tier techniques.

After resting for about ten minutes, threads of blood qi began to regenerate within his body, and aided by his strong constitution, his recovery quickened noticeably. Since there were no techniques left to advance, he continued storing his Origin Force. After breaking through his limits, he could only rely on his body's slow recovery.