Hearing Xie Lingyun’s words, Zhang Chen was secretly surprised, not expecting that the appearance of refining a Qi Blood Warrior had actually changed the current landscape.
"Especially since I’ve heard that there’s trouble down the Huangli Temple mountain, it’s necessary to bring more guards for protection." Xie Lingyun said.
As they spoke, the three walked into the house. Xie Lingyun casually glanced at the furnishings inside. Seeing that the two lived quite well, he finally spoke, "Seeing you living well in the mountains puts my mind at ease. Have you continued your martial cultivation?"
Zhang Chen shook his head. Xie Lingyun said, "Martial arts must still be practiced. It’s said that martial arts have traversed a new path now. A Martial Dao Grandmaster bathed in Dragon Blood and refined Qi blood, and unexpectedly discovered the mysteries of acupoints. It’s said that martial arts will traverse a new path, with a might even above the Divine Soul Technique. Martial arts are worth your great effort to study."
"Acupoint Technique?" Zhang Chen was stunned.
"It’s said that there is a magical power in the acupoints throughout a person’s body. When combined with Martial Dao Qi blood, it causes incredible changes to the body. Zhou Chuan, the number one in the Martial World, recently broke through and used Martial Dao Qi blood to scatter the soul of a Manifested Yin Spirit Strong Person, killing that Yin Spirit Strong Person. Zhou Chuan faced the pursuit of the Yin Spirit Strong Person’s family and, fearing for his life, simply spread the secret technique of Martial Dao Acupoints throughout the Martial World." Xie Lingyun said.
Zhang Chen was astonished. Indeed, this world is not lacking in remarkably talented individuals. As long as given a glimmer of hope, they can create a brilliant era.
"How is Zhou Chuan now? Is he still alive?" Zhang Chen asked.
"This person is astonishingly talented; he won’t die so easily. What’s more, the major families are secretly trying to find his whereabouts for the acupoint secret technique. They definitely won’t let him die easily before exhausting his value." Xie Lingyun’s voice was full of sighs: "The Inspection and Supervision Department has also gotten involved, obtaining a method about acupoint measurement. The old fellows in there have awakened from their slumber and are continuously deducing the acupoint technique, trying to see if they can further develop a new path."
Zhang Chen was secretly shocked, having never heard of this acupoint technique, not even during the Ancient Era.
However, the human body is a small universe, each acupoint holding endless mysteries and containing immense energy. If it can be developed, it surely leads to a bright path.
"Zhou Chuan is remarkable." Zhang Chen sighed.
"This person is a martial arts fanatic, his talent astonishing, a true martial strength, having reached Sitting Cross-legged and Embracing the Core, reaching the peak of the Martial Dao, unlike us who still rely on the Visualization Technique. He once supposedly obtained the Visualization Technique but didn’t practice it. With his pride, he insisted on walking the true path of martial arts, opening a path for the martial artists of the world. At thirty, his martial cultivation was superb. After reaching Sitting Cross-legged and Embracing the Core, he began challenging strong individuals everywhere, hoping to break through at the edge of life and death, paving a way for martial artists. Unfortunately, he gained nothing after thirty years of struggle. During those thirty years, his peers all used the Visualization Technique to break through, mastering mysterious Extraordinary power, even his former defeated opponents surpassed him, yet he remained unmoved."
Xie Lingyun’s voice was full of reverence: "He journeyed among famous mountains and great rivers, gazing at the vastness of Heaven and Earth, studying the variety of species, battling waves in the sea, and slaying demon beasts outside the White Bone Great Wall. In a hurried thirty years, his Qi blood gradually declined, yet he never altered his will, refusing to step into the mysterious path."
"When the Flood Dragon’s flesh and blood emerged, and the news of the Qi blood’s mystery spread, he ventured to attack and kill a member of a large family, causing a Yin Spirit Daoist to personally pursue him. Who would have known he had refined the acupoint technique, with a single punch dispersing that Yin Spirit Strong Person’s soul?" Xie Lingyun’s eyes were full of reverence.
Zhang Chen also felt a deep admiration in his heart. This was a true strong man, possessing not only a strong heart but an indomitable will.
While the two were talking, a guard suddenly reported from outside: "Master, a Daoist outside requests to see you, saying he is Young Master Zhang’s martial uncle."
Now, Zhang Xiaohua was outside, carrying a jug of wine to Zhang Chen’s door, only to be stopped by the guard: "This Daoist, this place is under surveillance and control, please leave."
"Do you know who I am?" Zhang Xiaohua asked when stopped.
"It doesn’t matter who you are; you cannot enter now. Just an ordinary Daoist trying to take a shortcut to approach important people? I’ve seen many like you, better return to where you came from early." The guard replied disdainfully: "Young man, don’t always think about taking shortcuts. Important people aren’t someone you can attach to. Who do you think you are, Zhang Chen? You’re no match for Zhang Chen, you’d scare the dignitaries away, you better leave and don’t linger here."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua trembled with anger, coldly laughed, "Such dog eyes look down on people, go tell them inside that his martial uncle seeks an audience. If you don’t inform them and your master finds out, he will surely punish you. Whether I’m fit to enter isn’t for a lackey like you to decide."
The guard glanced at Zhang Xiaohua, seeing his arrogant demeanor, hesitated a moment, and finally chose to go in to report.
Xie Lingyun turned to look at Zhang Chen, and Zhang Chen realized that it must be Zhang Xiaohua coming here. Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaohua had indeed tracked him down.
"The person outside is the Crown Prince Zhang Xiaohua of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, who has joined the Yellow Heaven Dao, a generation above me in status." Zhang Chen explained to Xie Lingyun.
Xie Lingyun was surprised, "He discovered your whereabouts and hasn’t attacked you?"
"Because he has bigger goals and ambitions, he won’t attack me." Zhang Chen sneered.
Xie Lingyun was puzzled, "What plans does he have for you?"
"He has no designs on me, but he harbors ill intentions towards my sister. This scoundrel wants to use me to get close to her." Zhang Chen unhesitatingly revealed Zhang Xiaohua’s little scheme.
"What does he want by getting close to me?" Xie Lingyun was perplexed.
"Because he wants to marry you. That scoundrel, like a toad wanting to eat swan meat, isn’t fit for my sister." Zhang Chen sneered from the side.
Hearing this, Xie Lingyun didn’t mock but instead showed a thoughtful look.
Seeing Xie Lingyun’s expression, Zhang Chen was a bit nervous, "Sister, what’s with that expression? Don’t tell me you’re interested?"
"There aren’t many in the Northern Lands worthy of me; Zhang Xiaohua counts as one, but if he clashes with my brother, I won’t consider him." Xie Lingyun laughed.
Zhang Chen relaxed upon hearing this and nodded in agreement.
Zhang Chen said to the guard, "Tell him to go back, say I’m seeing guests right now and have no time to see him, tell him to come another day."
The guard withdrew, went outside, and saw Zhang Xiaohua still holding a jug of wine, eagerly waiting for an opportunity to meet Xie Lingyun.
He only needed an excuse to see Zhang Chen, and then he could naturally meet Xie Lingyun, gradually familiarizing himself with her. Wouldn’t it be simple to win her over with his status and position?
As for whether Zhang Chen would refuse to meet him, he never doubted. Just a poor boy, if he didn’t care about him, it already was like his ancestral grave was blessed. How dare he not give him face?
Besides, the Observatory Master already said to make good covert contact with Zhang Chen, so the idea of a cold shoulder never crossed his mind.
When the guard came out, Zhang Xiaohua beamed with joy and was about to head into Zhang Chen’s courtyard, only to be stopped by the guard: "This Daoist, you cannot enter. The person inside said they’re too busy to see you."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua became anxious, left outside, feeling both ashamed and embarrassed, a fury rising from within, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Who did you ask? Was it the little Daoist? Is it him saying he doesn’t want to see me?"
"Yes, that’s what the little Daoist said, telling you to hurry and leave so as not to disturb his reunion with the dignitary." The guard replied icily.