https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-106-He-Always-Gets-Things-Done-Quickly/12553948/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-108-Silver-Bell-the-Demon-Catcher-Comes-Online/12553950/
Chapter 107: The Upper Volume of the Life and Death Zen (Gratitude to the Almighty Heavenly Dao)
Chapter 107: The Upper Volume of the Life and Death Zen (Gratitude to the Almighty Heavenly Dao)
On the roof of Dashunzhai, unnoticed.
Jiang Chengyun couldn't help but feel helpless. He didn't know if it was a professional habit, but even after returning to Qingzhou City, his grandmother often liked to stay in such strange places, and on regular days, she would put on an innocent and harmless demeanor.
Aqian's two slender, white legs were crossed as she sat and asked, "Tell me, you came back so quickly. What did you do?"
At this, Jiang Chengyun remained expressionless, "I stood on a tree and kept watch."
"And then?" Aqian asked, turning her head in confusion.
"And then I came back," Jiang Chengyun quietly stuck out his tongue. He didn't even know why he had gone there in the first place.
Seeing his dejected look, Aqian couldn't help but laugh, "Does he have such great abilities?"
Previously, this grandson had looked down on Shen Yi, but after going out and coming back, his attitude had changed so much.
"He's even better than you imagine."
Jiang Chengyun exhaled and said with a complicated expression, "He's stronger than I was back then... including when you and General You were younger. His actions are more decisive and ruthless. Given time, he will surely match me."
"So, you plan to bring him along and replace us old folks?" Aqian stretched her body nonchalantly.
"I don't have the ability to lead anyone, nor will I be able to look after him." Jiang Chengyun slowly clenched his palm.
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise finally appeared on Aqian's face.
From his words, it seemed that the grandson had already regarded that young man as a competitor.
A condensed pill warrior felt pressured by a young man with a perfected Jade Body?
"Hah! Let's attribute this merit to his identity as a demon catcher with the Jingling. Since he's not following the path of the Demon Suppression Bureau, help him accumulate enough merit quickly and get him the Pill Condensation Technique and the Martial Temple's tempering."
The Demon Suppression Bureau desired stability in Qingzhou and dared not allow any unstable factors within its ranks.
But it was different for demon catchers; they loved using such sharp blades, even if there was a risk of hurting themselves.
"By the way, where is he?" Aqian asked, somewhat puzzled.
"He came back early to help keep an eye on the school captains as they searched the Kongjiang Gate," Jiang Chengyun said, unable to hold back a sigh. For someone his age to possess such strength was already remarkable, but on top of that, his actions were so meticulous and well-organized.
First, he decisively surrounded the Kongjiang Gate, then left the city to capture demons, and now, he was completely unconcerned with his reputation, reining in his temperament to ensure that even the smallest details were taken care of.
Thinking of this, he frowned and looked down at the young master of the sect.
Comparisons highlighted the stark differences between them.
"Since you have nothing better to do, go ahead and chop off those fake bald donkeys' heads before we leave. They're an eyesore," Aqian sentenced the Kongjiang Gate, then got up and said, "I was originally going to find someone to take that kid to familiarize himself with the process. Since you think so highly of him, you should take him to Yong'an City to broaden his horizons."
"Okay," Jiang Chengyun nodded in agreement.
...
West City, Kongjiang Gate.
Countless school captains scurried back and forth on the shattered long stairs.
They were extremely proficient in searching and confiscating family properties, leaving no stone unturned, not even sparing the spaces beneath beds.
A giant Buddha statue was smashed with a stick to ensure that there were no treasures hidden within before they moved on to the next one.
Leaning against a carriage, Shen Yi casually flipped through a martial arts manual in his hand.
Two school captains stood by his side, respectfully saying, "Sir Shen, do you want to make a copy and bring it back for a thorough inspection?"
A moment later, Shen Yi closed the hard-to-find martial arts manual and casually threw it over, "No need, just register it."
"This Kongjiang Gate used to be a famous sect. How did they end up so poor after just a few hundred years?" One of the school captains felt embarrassed.
Their foundation couldn't compare to Qingfeng Mountain, and even when measured against ordinary second-rate sects, they fell far behind. Where had all their money gone?
"They exhausted their resources, attempting to forcefully create a tempered body warrior comparable to the Pill Condensation Realm, wanting to restore their past glory..."
The other school captain stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing that since Sir Shen had returned and ordered them to start acting, it was highly likely that the abbot was already gone.
[Condensation Realm: Life and Death Zen, Upper Volume (Uninitiated)]
As he had expected, when he first met the abbot of the Vajra Sect, he noticed that the man's aura didn't resemble any sort of evil cultivation technique.
Based on his cursory understanding from flipping through the manual, this Zen body cultivation method required meditation, stripping away the intentions of life and death from the qi of the world to temper one's body.
The two colors, profound white and pitch-black, represented death and life respectively.
The former exuded killing intent, while the latter brought rejuvenation.
The abbot's Buddhist cultivation was likely not far from his own, and achieving enlightenment through meditation was improbable, so he resorted to using the most easily obtainable objects of life and death to aid his cultivation.
And he had indeed achieved results.
Shen Yi glanced at his remaining demon lifespan of slightly over 400 years and let out a soft sigh.
It hadn't been long since he returned from Qingfeng Mountain, yet his lifespan was already dwindling.
This martial art only had the upper volume.
Shen Yi had come across many similar incomplete techniques, and the Golden Yang Eight Treasures Mystical Body was the closest match. When cultivated to perfection, it could barely reach the Jade Liquid Realm, but it was still of little use against a true Jade Liquid Realm demon.
As for this half-volume of the Life and Death Zen, if he could cultivate it to its peak, it would definitely provide a significant boost to his abilities, but it wouldn't bring about a qualitative change.
What truly attracted Shen Yi was that it belonged to the Condensation Realm body-tempering martial art, delving into realms beyond the Jade Liquid Realm. Since he could refine demon treasure crystals, as long as he had sufficient lifespan, he could attempt to evolve it into a complete demon martial art.
A complete Condensation Realm body-tempering technique would be enough to establish a first-rate sect.
Having lived in this world for so long, he finally had the opportunity to come into contact with higher-level martial arts.
Now, all he lacked could be borrowed from demons.
With this in mind, Shen Yi retrieved the silver bell from his waist. With this item, the difficulty of obtaining demon lifespan had been greatly reduced.
There was no need to be overly anxious.
As dusk fell, the school captains, under his supervision, loaded box after box of items onto carriages, ready to be transported to the Demon Suppression Bureau's office.
Shen Yi hitched a ride and returned to the courtyard.
Occasional snippets of conversation drifted from within the courtyard.
On the table, there was a meal still warm, a wine cup filled to the seven-tenths mark, yet untouched.
Zhang the Butcher played with the boy in his arms, while Fang Heng watched them with a reminiscent gaze. Hearing the approaching footsteps, they turned their heads in unison, hiding their worries, and stood up with a smile.
"You're back."
Shen Yi paused slightly, tossing the Ferocious Wolf Cloak onto the back of a chair before sitting down at the table and taking a sip from the wine cup. "Is something the matter?"
At this, Fang Heng sighed helplessly. "We were just worried that something might have happened to you, Shen."
To suppress the younger generation of Qingzhou required great ability, something that most people couldn't achieve.
Behind this group of youngsters stood a host of old and powerful figures.
Not only had Shen Yi accomplished this, but he had also done so flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism.
However, as humans, it was inevitable to make mistakes and missteps. To dispel the venomous gazes of those powerful figures, he would need to continuously display his strength.
If he could do that, Fang Heng would suggest that his master retire early and pass the position of commander-in-chief to Shen Yi.
"I..."
Zhang the Butcher raised his wine cup, offering a toast to Shen Yi, before downing its contents.
Great gratitude was hard to express in words.
He wiped the wine stains from his beard. "Whenever and wherever, as long as you need me, Butcher Zhang is ready to serve. Just say the word, and I'll prepare my coffin and get to work."
(End of Chapter)
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