Chapter 1
Chapter 1: The Nine Yin Body Tempering Art
Chapter 1: The Nine Yin Body Tempering Art
"Sigh, this world is too dangerous!"
Chu Ning lay on the ground in a dilapidated temple, reflecting on his experiences during the month since he had transmigrated.
Starting off as an orphan who scavenged for food was already unfortunate enough, but on the very same day, the village he was in became a battleground for cultivators. Many innocent lives were lost in the crossfire.
Chu Ning barely escaped with his life and quickly realized that this was a world of cultivation. Whether he wanted a peaceful life or longevity, the path of cultivation was the only way.
And so, Chu Ning embarked on a journey to seek the path of cultivation. More than a month had passed, yet he had not even caught a glimpse of a cultivator.
Fortunately, he had found this abandoned temple today; otherwise, he would have had to sleep outdoors on the mountain again.
"Hmm? Someone's coming?"
Just then, Chu Ning faintly heard voices approaching and they had already reached the vicinity of the temple.
His body instinctively curled up a little behind the incense table.
Although there was nothing underneath the table but dust, and it offered little to no concealment, Chu Ning still tried his best to avoid drawing attention to himself.
After all, he had no idea who these people were and whether they posed any danger.
With alert eyes, Chu Ning tightened his left hand, which was holding the incense ash, and his right hand, which was gripping a stick.
The temple was unlit, but Chu Ning had already grown accustomed to the darkness after staying there for a while. With the faint moonlight filtering in, he could make out the general outline of his surroundings from beneath the incense table.
Two figures entered the temple, and their voices became clearer.
"Cai Fu, what kind of route have you chosen? If it weren't for this temple here, we would've had to spend the night outdoors," a young man's voice carried a hint of displeasure.
Soon, another voice, sounding rather submissive and also youthful, replied, "Young Master is right to be angry. You've endured a lot, but I thought this was the quickest way to Qingxi City."
It was unclear if it was because he had vented his frustration or because of what the man named Cai Fu said, but the young master's tone softened considerably.
"Well, once we arrive in Qingxi City, we'll settle down and wait for the selection process of the Qingxi Sect to begin. I'll participate in the selection and officially join the sect to begin my cultivation and ascend to immortality."
Cai Fu quickly echoed, "Young Master, you are blessed with exceptional talent. You will surely pass the selection."
Hearing this, Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat, and he became slightly excited. He never expected to stumble upon information about cultivation in such a place, and he eagerly perked up his ears to listen.
The young master was delighted to hear Cai Fu's words, and his voice now held a hint of excitement.
"Yes, I accidentally came across my family's body tempering technique at home. It must be my ancestors guiding me, or else I wouldn't have had the courage to sell everything and come to Qingxi City."
"I wonder if I'll be able to cultivate this body tempering technique in time for the selection. I hope it won't affect my chances."
Cai Fu comforted him, "Young Master, don't worry. If you practice diligently these next few days, you will surely succeed."
"Hmm." The young master acknowledged with a soft grunt and then said, "Cai Fu, go gather some firewood and start a campfire."
Hearing this, Chu Ning frowned slightly. If they started a fire, they would surely discover him.
Although the two didn't sound like bad people and logically shouldn't harm him, he was still worried that they might chase him away.
"Yes, Young Master," the servant, Cai Fu, replied. But in the next moment, his tone suddenly changed, and he shouted, "Who's there?"
Had he been discovered? Chu Ning tightened his grip on the items in his hands.
However, he soon realized that the man was probably not talking about him.
Cai Fu was obviously shouting towards the outside, and the young master, who had been facing away from the door, turned around at that moment.
"Someone?"
Chu Ning opened his eyes wide and looked outside. Then he saw...
A cold glint flashed, and Cai Fu stabbed the young master in the abdomen with a dagger.
"You... why...?"
"Why? My family has served yours for generations, toiling to serve you. You obtained your family's secret technique, yet every time you cultivate, you hide and don't let me watch. Why shouldn't I be allowed to participate in the selection and enter a sect?"
Accompanying this sinister voice, a cold breeze blew into the temple.
Chu Ning shivered as the cold wind brushed past him.
"Who's there?"
Although Chu Ning's voice was faint, it was enough to make Cai Fu turn swiftly.
He lit a fire-stick, illuminating the area around the incense table.
Chu Ning's heart sank, knowing that if they had discovered him earlier, they might have just driven him out. But now that he had witnessed their misdeed, he was in grave danger of being silenced.
Lying on the ground, he would be at their mercy.
Chu Ning slowly stood up, his face contorted with fear, and he stammered to Cai Fu, "I didn't see anything! I didn't see a thing!"
Upon seeing that Chu Ning was just a homeless teenager of fifteen or sixteen, Cai Fu's tense expression softened.
"You filthy beggar, do you think I'll believe you?"
A malicious grin spread across his face as he advanced toward Chu Ning, holding the fire-stick in one hand and the dagger in the other.
Chu Ning took a step back, but his back was already against the incense table, leaving him with nowhere to go.
As Cai Fu drew closer, Chu Ning's eyes widened in horror as if he had seen a ghost, staring past Cai Fu.
"You... you're not dead?"
Hearing Chu Ning's words, Cai Fu turned his head in surprise to look behind him.
Finding no one there, he realized he had been tricked and quickly turned back, only to have his face covered in incense ash.
"Ah!"
Instinctively, Cai Fu dropped what he was holding and reached for his eyes to rub them.
Seizing the opportunity, Chu Ning swung the stick with all his might, striking Cai Fu on the head.
"Bang!"
As Cai Fu staggered backward, clutching his forehead, Chu Ning grabbed the fallen dagger and lunged forward, stabbing it into Cai Fu's abdomen!
"You... you..."
Cai Fu echoed the same question as the young master before slowly collapsing to the ground.
However, with his eyes covered in ash, he died with his eyes closed, at peace.
"Huff!"
Chu Ning took a few steps back, pointing the dagger outward, panting heavily as he calmed his racing heart.
Even with his mental fortitude as a transmigrator, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread in that moment.
After a few minutes, Chu Ning's emotions stabilized, and he kicked Cai Fu's body to confirm he was truly dead before finally letting out a long sigh of relief. He was about to leave the temple when he paused.
"Didn't they mention something about a body tempering technique earlier?"
Recalling their conversation, Chu Ning steeled himself and carefully searched Cai Fu's body, finding a map and some loose silver coins. He then approached the young master and searched him as well, discovering some gold and silver, along with a small booklet.
Using the fire-stick, Chu Ning read the title:
Nine Yin Body Tempering Art
As he flipped through the pages, a line of text suddenly appeared in his mind:
[Nine Yin Body Tempering Art (0/100)]
A cheat? Chu Ning thought with delight. Without further hesitation, he tucked the booklet into his bosom and quickly left the dilapidated temple.
(End of Chapter)
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