Chapter 186 - 184: Beneath the Land of Spiritual Energy
In this primal forest region, the sudden appearance of a human town seems naturally abrupt.
Even more peculiar is the city wall of this human city, constructed from gigantic trees even harder than ironwood, reaching a height of thirty or forty meters!
These giant trees are unique natural resources of this place.
Moreover, thorny vines and brambles are tightly bound in layers upon these giant trees, resembling countless sharp blades hanging, making one give up on the idea of climbing over the city wall at a glance.
"Visitors must register their identity and origin before entering." At the city gate, a few city guards stopped the carriage and said.
"We come from the South, Donglai Prefecture, to visit old friends here..." Song Changming explained honestly, not opposing such registration work for floating population.
The stricter the management, the better the city’s security.
"Alright, you may enter, please." A city guard nodded, allowing the two to proceed.
Their primary task was to check if Song Changming was a criminal wanted by the imperial court.
Although the Second Prince previously issued a bounty for Song Changming and others, Wangyue Prefecture is still nominally under the Da Han Imperial Court.
They naturally do not acknowledge the bounty of such traitorous rebels as the Second Prince.
"May I ask if you are Young Master Song?"
Shortly after entering the city, they saw a Jianghu Guest approaching the carriage, cupping his fists and asking.
"And you are?" Song Changming lifted the curtain and looked at the person, only to find the face unfamiliar.
"Elder Liu specially arranged for me to await Young Master Song’s arrival here." The Jianghu Guest immediately said.
"That’s quite considerate." Song Changming, realizing this, said promptly.
He had indeed sent a letter in advance to inform Liu Dingsheng of his visit, but didn’t specify which day he would arrive.
Unexpectedly, Liu Dingsheng had already arranged for someone to welcome him at the city gate early on.
The carriage traversed through this similarly ancient town, and due to the virtually limitless high-quality timber resources,
the city housed mostly wooden buildings, with only those large mansions constructed with bricks and stones.
The streets were crowded with many people, reportedly because many refugees had fled here.
In the past, this place was remote and primal, with a population of two or three hundred thousand in the county city being quite impressive, but now the population of the entire Wangyue County City is likely approaching one million!
Only because Wangyue County City covers an extensive area, can it accommodate such a large resident population.
In the current turbulent times, a giant city with a population of a million is rare throughout the Da Han Dynasty.
After the carriage turned a few streets, it stopped in front of an estate paved with stone bricks.
Soon, the old acquaintance Liu Ziwen came upon hearing the news, laughing as he welcomed Song Changming into the estate.
"It’s been years, Changming, I even saw you on the Earth List recently." Liu Ziwen laughed.
"Now you’re quite famous!"
"Brother Liu, please don’t tease me." Song Changming shook his head and said.
The two chatted casually along the way, walking through corridors, soon meeting Liu Dingsheng.
After many years, Liu Dingsheng’s appearance hadn’t changed much, his eyes were still spirited, his figure not as emaciated as typical old men, but his vitality was visibly more decayed.
He exuded a laid-back, carefree aura.
"Changming, I didn’t expect you to come to me!" Liu Dingsheng said with a smile.
"I promised you long ago, senior, that I would visit and catch up if I had a chance, and I have not forgotten this matter." Song Changming said with a smile.
"Haha, good!" Liu Dingsheng was very happy.
As people age, they often become nostalgic, and seeing an old friend worth reminiscing about again in his lifetime is extremely rare.
This is inevitably a great regret for him.
Song Changming’s visit somewhat filled this regret.
"If you have no urgent matters, why not stay a while longer? The place is rich in Spiritual Qi, beneficial for your Qi Refining cultivation." Liu Dingsheng suggested.
To this, Song Changming gladly agreed, as he was in no hurry to leave.
Regarding the Spiritual Qi that Liu Dingsheng mentioned, he did have some insights.
When entering Wangyue Prefecture, he vaguely sensed something different.
While cultivating Qi refining in the carriage, he indeed felt that every round of refined and stored Inner Qi was slightly more than before.
Though the difference wasn’t significant, obviously, Liu Dingsheng was correct.
Cultivating in Wangyue Prefecture amidst the mountains indeed yields higher benefits than outside, this is a fact.
Accumulated over time, such yields become fairly considerable.
"Is this so-called Spiritual Qi due to the richness of the natural breath here?" Song Changming couldn’t help but ask.
"Partly due to that, but mostly because of that Wangyue Mountain." Liu Dingsheng said, his gaze falling on the distant sky.
From within the city, one could faintly see the vast mountain silhouette in the mist, that was Wangyue Mountain.
"It is said that a Spirit Vein is buried in Wangyue Mountain, with the mountain’s Spiritual Qi being countless times thicker than here."
"A Spirit Vein..." Song Changming immediately understood.
If this is true, it’s no wonder that a hidden sect like Wangyue Pavilion has encamped on this mountain for thousands of years.
He had already felt the benefits of the Spiritual Qi in this county city, the Spiritual Qi on the mountain would be multiple times more intense, naturally offering great aid to the sect disciples’ cultivation on the mountain.
This is absolutely a geographical advantage, which explains why this major sect has been passed down continuously without interruption; this mountain Spirit Vein certainly plays an indispensable role.
"I’ve truly expanded my horizons..." Song Changming thought to himself.
"Come, come, let us continue our conversation over the chessboard. First, let me see if your chess skills have declined over the years."
"..."
In the evening, Liu Dingsheng prepared a banquet as a welcome for Song Changming.
And Song Changming temporarily stayed at Liu Dingsheng’s place.
This spacious mansion had plenty of vacant guest rooms, so there was no shortage of places to stay.
In the room, Song Changming continued his qi refining practice, confirming that the effect here was indeed superior.
This made him even more curious about the effect of cultivation on Wangyue Mountain, where the spiritual energy was even more abundant.
Unfortunately, unless he gained the favor of the Wangyue Pavilion and became a disciple there, this was unlikely to be achieved.
"Hidden Sect..."
The next morning, bright and early.
Song Changming saw Liu Dingsheng practicing the Nourishing Body Fist in the courtyard, stretching his muscles and bones.
Initially, Song Changming didn’t pay much attention, but after observing for a while, his expression gradually became more serious.
This set of Nourishing Body Fist was evidently different from the fist skills Liu Dingsheng had practiced in the past.
It was much more profound...
Song Changming did not interrupt but quietly watched from the side.
When Liu Dingsheng finished his practice, he noticed Song Changming had been watching seriously for some time and asked, "What do you think of this set of fists, old friend?"
"Quite profound, this isn’t ordinary fist skill?" Song Changming couldn’t help but say.
"Heh heh, this is naturally not ordinary skill." Liu Dingsheng said with satisfaction.
"This was specially gathered for me by Yan’Er. Though it’s not the path of attack, it’s said that practicing diligently every day can prolong life and greatly benefit the body.
I’ve been practicing it for more than a year now. Although the effects of longevity are yet to be seen, I indeed feel refreshed every day, and the decline in Qi Blood has slowed significantly."
"I see." Song Changming understood.
Liu Yan’Er had joined Wangyue Pavilion early, and gathering such an upper vehicle Nourishing Body Fist was not difficult.
After some conversation regarding the Nourishing Body Fist, Song Changming finally discussed his real concern.
"Senior, do you know if there’s any room for improvement once Body Refinement reaches Extreme Realm Perfection? Like a Body Refining Martial Technique..."
Liu Dingsheng shook his head, indicating he hadn’t heard of a Body Refining Martial Technique.
This left Song Changming somewhat disappointed, but he also understood.
After all, Liu Dingsheng had never entered the Qi Refining Domain in his life, so it was normal that he hadn’t heard of it.
"Though I haven’t heard of a Body Refining Martial Technique, I’ve heard of some Body Refining related secret techniques that can help martial artists break the limit of the Extreme Realm and further enhance their body strength!" Liu Dingsheng pondered and continued.
Song Changming was invigorated, not expecting a turnaround in the situation.
Seeing Song Changming’s expression, Liu Dingsheng understood and said, "If you want, I can send someone to look for you, though it might not be found easily. Such secret techniques are rarer and harder to find than top-notch martial arts; with luck, perhaps it can be found."
"Besides, maybe Yan’Er has heard of the Body Refining Martial Technique in Wangyue Pavilion. I’ll write a letter to ask her."
It’s clear that Liu Dingsheng cared deeply about Song Changming’s concerns.
He was willing to help in any way he could, which made Song Changming very grateful.
Afterward, Song Changming continued his cultivation in the city while awaiting news from Liu Dingsheng about the Body Refining Secret Technique.
Being in Wangyue County City, free from outside disturbance, time flew by.
In no time, more than half a month had passed.
During this period, he sent a letter to Liang Zhao Long, inquiring about his well-being and informing him of his current location at Wangyue County City.
Soon after, he received Liang Zhao Long’s reply.
Having left Taiching Prefecture and the territory ruled by the Second Prince, he had regrouped with the Changming Association and was no longer pursued by the Second Prince.
With that, Song Changming was completely at ease staying in Wangyue County City.
One day.
Song Changming was playing chess and enjoying tea with Liu Dingsheng, while in the courtyard, Song Ping’an was sparring with Liu Ziwen.
Liu Ziwen, relying on his high body refining cultivation, and Song Ping’an, endowed with the powerful physique granted by the Dragon Transformation Pearl, fought back and forth, not a one-sided battle.
Eventually, the seasoned Jianghu veteran Liu Ziwen won over Song Ping’an by being superior in skill.
"I lost." Song Ping’an said, shaking his head, looking at the blade pointed towards him.
The gap in body refining cultivation between the two was ultimately too large to overcome.
"If we were in the same Body Refining Realm, the one defeated would be me. Hence, my victory is not honorable..." Liu Ziwen said, shaking his head, not particularly pleased with the win.
He, an honorable level eight martial artist, defeating a Sixth Realm martial artist—especially since Song Ping’an was quite young—made this victory feel unworthy.
Thinking of this, Liu Ziwen couldn’t help but glance at Song Changming not far away.
This master’s martial potential was unfathomable, as even his servant was extraordinary and exceptionally talented.
This situation truly left him speechless...
At this moment, a Jianghu Guest under Liu Dingsheng’s command reported back with news from the outside world.
The Body Refining Secret Technique that Song Changming sought had finally shown some promise!
...