Chapter 44: Condensing Dragon Blood

“This single drop of War Dragon essence blood is actually enough to allow my realm to step into the Body Tempering Realm in one leap?”

Chu Fengmian opened his eyes, only to realize that his current realm had indeed stepped into the Body Tempering Realm in a single stroke.

This was merely the result of condensing the very first drop of War Dragon pure water.

“This War Dragon Art truly contains no falsehoods in its descriptions. A single drop of War Dragon essence blood is enough to let me enter the Body Tempering Realm. If all one hundred and twenty-nine thousand six hundred drops of dragon blood are condensed in the future, I fear my strength will truly rival that of an ancient War Dragon.”

Chu Fengmian marveled inwardly.

The profound mystery of this technique surpassed any technique Chu Fengmian had ever known. Whether it was the techniques of the Seven Great Sects or those of the hidden sacred lands, they were all insignificant in the face of this War Dragon Art.

“By the way, Xuan Xing, how long have I been in this cave dwelling?”

Chu Fengmian suddenly spoke, questioning Xuan Xing beside him.

Since arriving at this cave dwelling, he had been cultivating continuously—first condensing his Divine Veins, then condensing the dragon blood. He himself was unsure exactly how much time had passed.

“About two months or so. Why?” Xuan Xing replied.

“Two months... adding the time I spent cultivating in the Desolate Mountain Range, it must be nearly three months,” Chu Fengmian calculated silently.

Including his journey to the Desolate Mountain Range and his subsequent cultivation, he had spent a total of over ten days. Adding the two-plus months in this cave dwelling, it wouldn't be long before the three-month agreement he had made with the Fifth Elder expired.

Chu Fengmian had always been a man of his word; he had to rush back for this battle.

“Xuan Xing, do you want to be put into a storage bag?”

Chu Fengmian looked at Xuan Xing, feeling somewhat at a loss.

He was well aware that Xuan Xing was the spirit of the Blood-Slaying Demon Sword, and it felt a bit strange to put him into a storage bag.

However, Chu Fengmian did not dare to carry the Blood-Slaying Demon Sword on his person. Once exposed, it would likely attract countless powerful experts seeking to seize it; the miraculous nature of the Blood-Slaying Demon Sword was known to everyone in the Nine Realms.

“A tiny storage bag thinks it can contain this Venerable One's body?”

Upon hearing Chu Fengmian's words, Xuan Xing let out a cold snort, speaking with an indescribable sense of pride.

“This Venerable One will possess your body; there is no need for you to worry.”

“What?”

Before Chu Fengmian could speak again, the two-meter-long Blood-Slaying Demon Sword suddenly transformed into a streak of purple light and flew into Chu Fengmian's right hand.

On Chu Fengmian's right hand, it transformed into a strange purple pattern.

“Xuan Xing's methods are truly miraculous,” Chu Fengmian couldn't help but marvel. This was actually quite convenient; by hiding it this way, he wouldn't have to worry about it being exposed.

Then, with a thought, seven bright spiritual veins manifested upon his arm.

After condensing the Divine Veins, the spiritual veins on Chu Fengmian's body had grown dim, but he could easily relight them whenever he wished.

The matter of activating the Divine Veins could be considered Chu Fengmian's greatest secret. He could never let a second person know; otherwise, he believed the Seven Great Sects might use even more ruthless methods against him than they had used against the Lord of the Sword in his previous life.

After all, everyone desired the Divine Veins; even powerful martial experts and ancestors would crave them.

Revealing the seven spiritual veins served two purposes: first, it provided an explanation for his rapid surge in strength, and second, it wasn't too excessive, as there were martial artists with seven spiritual veins within the Lin Estate.

Before leaving, Chu Fengmian turned back to look at the remains of the Green Phoenix.

He walked over, applied force with both hands, and overturned the surrounding earth to create a large pit. He then placed the Green Phoenix's remains into the pit and buried them.

The Green Phoenix was an old acquaintance from his previous life; since it was dead, Chu Fengmian naturally had to give it a proper burial.

Having finished all this, Chu Fengmian felt no further attachment to the cave dwelling.

“Let's go,” Chu Fengmian said, walking toward the exit.

The pool was as cold as ever, but this time, Chu Fengmian was fundamentally different from before.

*Boom!*

A loud sound echoed within the pool.

As the sound rang out, a figure lunged violently from the water, landing on the edge of the pool.

His body was not wet at all.

Surrounding Chu Fengmian was a thin layer of spiritual energy, acting just like a suit of armor.

This was the ability of the Body Tempering Realm: Spiritual Armor.

By condensing spiritual energy into armor, one's strength was many times greater than that of a Bone Tempering Realm martial artist.

Because of this, even though the Fifth Elder was old, if he had not yet entered the Body Tempering Realm, it would be impossible for him to win a fight against Chu Fengmian.

But this time, since Chu Fengmian had already entered the Body Tempering Realm, the Fifth Elder appeared like an ant in his eyes.

“Phantom!”

Chu Fengmian's figure shot toward the outside of the Desolate Mountain Range.

He pushed his movement technique to its limit. Now, with the support of his Divine Veins, he consumed almost no spiritual energy.

Nearly all the spiritual energy he used was easily replenished by the Divine Veins.

“Good! At this rate, two days will be enough to make it back to the Lin Estate!”

As Chu Fengmian thought this, the speed beneath his feet increased even further.

***

Two days later.

In front of the gates of Linwu City, a figure suddenly streaked past.

The figure was so fast that almost no one could clearly see who it was.

That person was none other than Chu Fengmian.

***

The Lin Estate.

Today, the Lin Estate was exceptionally lively. Almost all the disciples of the Lin Estate had rushed back, and they were all gathered in the stands near the Life-and-Death Stage.

They were chatting with one another, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Today was the day, three months after the agreement, for Chu Fengmian to duel the Fifth Elder at the Life-and-Death Stage.

This battle had attracted almost all the disciples of the Lin Estate to watch. Even those who had been taught lessons by Chu Fengmian before, such as Lin Mo and Lin Ye, had arrived at the edge of the stage.

They were waiting.

“This time, we shall see what that little bastard does!”

“Last time he managed to stall, but this time will surely be the little bastard's death day!”

Lin Mo and Lin Ye conversed coldly.

Last time, Chu Fengmian had made a wager with the Fifth Elder, which allowed him to escape the crisis. However, everyone knew that today was the moment of true eruption.

Unless Chu Fengmian could enter the Body Tempering Realm, he would undoubtedly die facing the Fifth Elder.

To advance from the eighth level of the Bone Tempering Realm to the Body Tempering Realm in three months—even the number one genius of the Lin Estate could not achieve such speed. How could Chu Fengmian possibly do it?

“The Fifth Elder is here!”

Under the gaze of the crowd, an elderly figure landed upon the Life-and-Death Stage.

The elder had white hair and looked quite aged, but the current Fifth Elder appeared significantly more energetic than he had three months ago.

“It seems the Fifth Elder has also prepared himself, training his martial arts during these three months.”