Chapter 600 - 288: Small Success in Marrow Cleansing

Chapter 600: Chapter 288: Small Success in Marrow Cleansing

’To cultivate the Marrow Cleansing Realm to the level of Perfection, I conservatively estimate it will take one to two years.’

’Of course, that’s assuming I have a constant supply of Source Crystal Jade providing a sufficiently dense infusion of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi for my Cultivation.’

’Otherwise, the body’s absorption rate for Low Grade Marrow Cleansing Pills would be much lower. My Cultivation Progress would slow to a crawl, and it would take even longer.’

’Source Crystal Jade... I’m desperately short on it!’

’Of course, besides Source Crystal Jade, many other Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects can provide Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, they’re just slightly less efficient.’

’Now I’m truly starting to understand the desperation that drives the True Disciples of the Major Sects to relentlessly seek out all sorts of fortuitous encounters.’

’After all, who wouldn’t want to advance their Martial Arts Realm as quickly as possible?’

’Cultivating with the aid of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects like Source Crystal Jade is like feasting on meat.’

’Without them, Cultivation is like sipping broth one spoonful at a time. The difference is just too vast!’

A fervent desire to obtain Source Crystal Jade ignited a fanatical gleam in Chen Cheng’s eyes. His heart pounded with excitement, and a subtle sense of agitation crept in.

Realizing this, Chen Cheng suddenly frowned and began to silently recite the Vast Righteous Qi Song in his mind.

After a long while, he gradually calmed down, a sense of alarm rising within him.

’This Demon Thought Cage... it seems to be subtly affecting my mind!’

’It seems I have a new Heart Demon, and I’m afraid this one is greed!’

’As the saying goes, an insatiable heart is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. If I succumb to greed, I’m bound to make poor judgments.’

’I must remain calm, composed, and collected!’

’I’ll only be twenty-one after the New Year. Reaching Small Success in the Marrow Cleansing Realm at twenty-one already puts me leagues ahead of all the True Disciples from the Major Sects!’

’So why am I in such a rush?’

’Stay true to your original purpose, and you will reach your destination. My original purpose was simply to protect my own life and live quietly in this chaotic world.’

’If I’m only focused on chasing opportunities and recklessly wandering about, I’ll inevitably put myself in danger.’

’Steady on!’

’I have to hold my ground, no matter what!’

’Maintain a level head!’

’Source Crystal Jade is one of those Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects that you stumble upon by chance, not find by seeking. It would be best to get more, but if I can’t, I’ll just have to cultivate step-by-step.’

’Of course, holding steady doesn’t mean I’m just going to slack off. I still need to hurry up and increase my strength, lest the great tide of our era comes rolling in and grinds me to dust!’

’The Primordial Pill Marrow Cleansing Method is proceeding as it should. Next, I’ll continue to focus on the Iron Armor Skill and the Rising Dragon Realm.’

’I also have a nagging feeling that once I perfect the Second Layer of the Rising Dragon Realm, advancing to the Third Layer Realm will present a new set of challenges.’

’I need to slowly cultivate Sword Intent and other techniques as well. The more Second Layer Realms of Cultivation Techniques I master, the closer I’ll get to the threshold of the Third Layer Realm.’

’I have a unique, heaven-sent advantage. Cultivating the Third Layer Realm should just be a matter of course.’

’The Third Layer Realm... that’s a level that not even Innate Realm Experts are guaranteed to reach.’

’Once I master the Third Layer Realm, my true combat prowess will surely reach a new plateau!’

’I might not be able to roam the world unopposed, but I should have more than enough power to protect myself!’

’The future is full of promise!’

Having sorted out his thoughts, Chen Cheng’s mind felt clear and unburdened once more.

He let out a laugh and strode out of the secret chamber.

It was just as the poem said: "I look to the heavens, laugh, and walk out the door; my kind were not born to languish in the weeds!"

...

Outside the courtyard, the Chens’ three wives were stunned to suddenly see Chen Cheng, a faint black aura shrouding his body, a smile on his face.

The news that Chen Cheng had been afflicted by the Demon Venerable’s Demon Thought Cage—and was now doomed to never open his Human Acupoints and enter the Puncture Realm—had already spread like wildfire throughout Linji City over the past few days.

The two sisters, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang, were naturally heartbroken for Chen Cheng.

After all, in their eyes, their husband was certainly capable of cultivating to the Puncture Realm and achieving the Innate stage.

Having suffered such a great misfortune, Chen Cheng was bound to be devastated. Their task now was to figure out how to comfort him.

They had already prepared their speeches, things like: "Junior Brother Chen, it’s alright if you don’t reach the Innate Realm. You’re already very strong!"

"Junior Brother Chen, with your Martial Arts Talent, you should be able to reach the Organ Refining Realm before you’re thirty. If you then go on to cultivate the Third Layer Realm, you could become the strongest expert below the Innate Realm, enough to protect our family for a century."

...

Even Mu Xiaowan, who had always possessed a mysterious degree of confidence in him, felt she needed to properly console her Brother Cheng and help him find peace of mind.

But judging by Chen Cheng’s current state, did he look sad in the slightest?

He was clearly beaming, looking as if he’d just stumbled upon a priceless treasure!

The three women found themselves unable to utter the comforting words they had prepared.

"Brother Cheng, are you... alright?" Mu Xiaowan asked, blinking her beautiful eyes.

"Never better!" Chen Cheng smiled.

Shen Qingyao sighed softly, her voice gentle. "Junior Brother Chen, if you’re upset, just say so. It’s not good to bottle it up inside."

Shen Qingshuang forced a smile onto her stunningly beautiful face. "Junior Brother Chen, no matter what happens, we’re here for you. We’ll always support you.

"You don’t have to put on a brave face for us. You’ll feel better if you tell us what’s really on your mind."

"Er..." Chen Cheng faltered for a moment, then realized what was happening. The Chens’ three wives were worried about him.

But he couldn’t tell them that he was cultivating the Secret Technique of Daoxin Demon Planting.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the Chens’ three wives. The problem was that he was pretending to have suffered a calamity. If they didn’t act sad, observant people might guess that something was amiss. Then, his trump card would inevitably be exposed.

So, for now, he had to keep it from them. He had to commit to the act, even if it meant letting the Chens’ three wives suffer a little.

"Sigh..." Chen Cheng let out a long sigh, his face falling as he forced himself to look miserable.

And it had to be said, with the faint black aura around him and his handsome features tinged with a slight darkness, he truly looked pitiful and heart-wrenching.

"I want a hug."

The three women drew closer.

Chen Cheng gently embraced their soft, fragrant bodies. Inhaling their delicate scents, he planted a kiss on each of their jade-like cheeks.

It had been a long time since they had been intimate, and a certain "True Dragon" couldn’t help but raise its head. His hands began to wander out of habit.

"Ah... Brother Cheng!"

"Junior Brother Chen, you must be hungry. Let’s have dinner first."

...

「Night fell.」

Chen Cheng maintained his listless facade, stating frankly that he needed his two "senior sisters" to comfort him... together.

Believing his heart was heavy with gloom, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang thoughtfully agreed.

However, when they saw Chen Cheng was still as vigorous as a dragon and fierce as a tiger, the two sisters faintly began to realize they had been duped!

But it was clearly too late. Chen Cheng began to "play his music and dance," sweetly and joyfully "weighing" his Honey Peaches and Xue Li until dawn.

...

In the battle at the Black Lotus Sect Headquarters, all the Black Lotus Sect forces were annihilated. The whereabouts of the Right Guardian, the Celestial Deformed Old Monster, were unknown.

Back in Linji City, all of the Wang Family’s men were eliminated.

Afterwards, several hundred more men were lost in the effort to slay over a thousand Corpses.

The campaign to purge the Black Lotus Sect finally drew to a close after the sect’s headquarters was put to the torch.

Snowflakes drifted down from the sky deep within the Great Wilderness Mountain Range.

An army of several thousand escorted vehicles of all sizes, forging a path through the deep mountains and ancient forests—clearing roads where there were none and building bridges to cross rivers—as they advanced toward the borders of Linji Prefecture.

The vehicles were filled with all sorts of precious, confiscated goods; they were truly returning laden with spoils.

Combined with the Merit earned from purging the Black Lotus Sect Headquarters, everyone was set to receive extremely generous rewards.

Thus, even though the road was treacherous and their progress was slow and difficult, the faces of the men were still wreathed in smiles.

At the head of the column, Jiang Botao wore a faint smile as well.

Xiao Nianci’s expression was detached.

Xia Lingfeng and Shen Zhaoyi, however, looked grim, their minds heavy with worry.

They had learned of everything that had transpired in Linji City.

More shocking than the annihilation of the Wang Family was the news that Chen Cheng had been afflicted by the Demon Thought Cage.

"Elder Shen, even if Chen Cheng never reaches the Innate Realm, he’s still more than qualified to serve as a Steward in the Great Dao Sect. You needn’t be so disheartened," Xia Lingfeng said consolingly.

"Sigh... without reaching the Innate Realm, one is ultimately no more than an ant!"

Shen Zhaoyi let out a long sigh. After a moment, his gaze suddenly sharpened, and he said,

"Young Ah Cheng is a heaven-sent talent. I believe he will find a way to resolve the Demon Thought Cage."

"Sigh..." Xia Lingfeng sighed as well and then fell silent.

...

「Time flew by in a flash.」

In the blink of an eye, it was November twenty-ninth.

The day of Chen Cheng’s duel with the disciples of the Four Major Sects.

The entire city of Linji was in an uproar!

Nearly every figure in the Jianghu had arrived early in the Inner City, gathering before the Life and Death Arena located not far from the market square.

Even a great many common folk had turned up.

In the crowd, Liao San gazed south toward the Shen Family residence, his face etched with worry.

"Mr. Liu, Master Chen should be able to win this fight... right?"

Beside him, Liu Yunfeng’s gaze was deep and serene. He answered with absolute certainty, "Master Chen will be victorious!"