After observing for a while and confirming there was no anomaly, Zhao Ya returned to the courtyard.
"I estimate the wind will blow all night, so let’s stay at this inn today. We’ll set off once the wind stops tomorrow."
Everyone agreed without objection.
Someone began burying pots to cook, while Zhao Ya started assigning night watch personnel.
After completing the assignments, Zhao Ya returned to the house.
At this moment, Shang Luoluo was excitedly peering through a broken window, looking outside.
To her, staying in this small house amidst such adverse weather gave her a special sense of security.
Especially with Zhao Ya by her side, this feeling became even stronger.
So she didn’t feel any hardship at all; instead, she appeared quite happy.
"Tonight, you and Zui’Er will sleep in this room. I’ll keep watch outside. If anything happens, call me anytime. Don’t wander around, understood?" Zhao Ya advised cautiously.
"Got it, Chief Steward Zhao!" Shang Luoluo replied playfully, then pulled Zui’Er away with a smile.
Watching their backs, Zhao Ya felt somewhat helpless.
Ever since leaving Wuxiang City, Shang Luoluo and Zui’Er had been inseparable, even closer than real sisters.
That was fine, but the key issue was that Shang Luoluo seemed to enjoy contradicting Zhao Ya.
Though she followed instructions in action, she often called Zhao Ya by various nicknames.
The current "Chief Steward Zhao" was one of them.
Hopefully, she wouldn’t lead Zui’Er astray.
Zhao Ya thought silently.
After finishing dinner early, everyone except those on night watch went to sleep.
Having traveled for many days, even riding horses was exhausting, so soon the camp was filled with snores. Coupled with the howling wind outside, it created a unique atmosphere.
Zhao Ya didn’t sleep.
He found a sheltered high spot to rest.
Although the night was extremely dark due to the strong wind, with no stars or moon, Zhao Ya could still see distant objects with his eye power.
His lookout provided great security to the convoy.
Time passed by, and it quickly reached around nine at night.
Though not too late, with the current ghostly weather and being in the wilderness, everything was eerily quiet except for the rushing wind.
Zhao Ya kept busy, though practicing martial arts punches was out of the question. A slight oversight could collapse the already fragile inn building. However, practicing Eight Vajra Longevity Skill was feasible.
For Zhao Ya now, the Eight Vajra Longevity Skill was no longer a simple cultivation technique but an instinct carved into his genetic memory.
He didn’t need to diligently practice the moves anymore; simply sitting and relying on muscle tremors achieved the same effect.
But out of long-standing habit, Zhao Ya still preferred following the moves.
Movements unfolded fluidly, activating all muscles and bones, with his qi blood circulating slowly yet steadily transforming Zhao Ya’s physique.
Although Zhao Ya’s body was already strong enough, these changes directly affected his organs.
Some evolutionary gaps and imperfections were subtly changing, gradually developing towards perfection.
Zhao Ya didn’t know what he would become if he continued changing like this.
But it seemed that to achieve true longevity, a perfect and immortal body was essential.
A body robust enough to cross the bitter sea.
Only a body strong enough can defy heaven and attain longevity.
After completing a set of cultivation techniques, Zhao Ya felt refreshed. Although his strength hadn’t increased, his entire aura had been adjusted to its optimal state.
"Panel!" he muttered in his heart.
A cascade of information unfolded.
Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 20 years old. Remaining lifespan: 453 (+89 days) years
Skills: Eight Vajra Longevity Skill (Peak Performance 73%)
Five Tiger Fist (Returning to the Essence 26%)
Gale Saber Technique (Returning to the Essence 28%)
Light as a Feather (Returning to the Essence 7%)
Concealing Breath Technique (Peak Performance 99%)
Great Stone-Throwing Hand (Peak Performance 31%)
Great Vajra Fist (Peak Performance 35%)
Golden Body Technique (Peak Performance 18%)
Little Five Paths Chasing Soul Leg (Mastery 1789/2000)
[Lung Unlock Progress: 40%]
The arduous cultivation in Commandery improved Zhao Ya’s overall data.
But the main change was in the Eight Vajra Longevity Skill.
After a period of dormancy, possibly due to Zhao Ya’s deeper understanding, the Eight Vajra Longevity Skill improved rapidly during this period, also boosting his remaining lifespan significantly, surpassing the four hundred-year mark and advancing towards five hundred years.
How terrifying was this value?
Zhao Ya once asked his master and went through some records.
After entering the Fifth Realm, one’s body is forged to the extreme, reaching the state of Postnatal Great Perfection.
In this state, one generally doesn’t get sick, only gradually aging.
Thus, the lifespan of Fifth Realm Martial Artists mostly exceeds two hundred years, and some who excel in health preservation can live up to three hundred years.
But this is almost the limit for humans. To live longer, the only way is Meridian Opening, breaking the body’s limit.
Zhao Ya hasn’t found records on precisely how long experts at the Meridian Opening Realm can live, but according to his master, he once saw an expert who lived for four hundred years and was still capable of fighting, demonstrating their terrifying nature.