Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, two days had passed.
On this day, Lin Sheng sat cross-legged inside the carriage, his eyes tightly shut, with several fresh grass leaves, still bearing drops of dew, placed in front of him.
He reached out, picked up all the grass leaves in front of him, threw them into his mouth, and swallowed them directly without chewing.
Soon, a series of sounds of surging Qi and blood came from within his body.
His breathing also became rapid, and the muscles of his bare upper body constantly wriggled and trembled.
Drops of sweat appeared on his skin, the temperature inside the carriage seemed to rise slightly, and wisps of white smoke drifted from the top of Lin Sheng's head.
His blood vessels bulged, appearing black and red, occasionally swelling and contracting, rising and falling rhythmically with his heartbeat.
Lin Sheng's face was slightly contorted, as if he was enduring intense pain.
At this moment, countless blood vessels were clearly visible on his cheeks, displaying black, red, and gray colors, and as his muscles slowly trembled, these blood vessels resembled small snakes of various colors.
"Break!"
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, which were filled with bloodshot, and let out a low shout. The bulging blood vessels on his skin suddenly contracted, but his heartbeat accelerated to the extreme.
The Qi and blood in his body boiled, as if completely falling into madness.
In an instant, a faint crisp sound came from his body. At the same time, it was as if some barrier in his body was suddenly pierced through. Lin Sheng felt his entire body's Qi and blood surge, and his Qi and blood suddenly grew several points stronger.
A smile appeared on his face, and he heavily exhaled.
"Forging Tendons Late Stage is complete!"
Because the highly toxic herbs had been exhausted, his original Breakthrough time was delayed by one day. Fortunately, yesterday, he searched in the nearby mountains and found a few highly toxic withered leaf grasses, allowing him to break through in one go.
Although he had the resistance from the alien beast that entered his body, the process of breaking through this Three Corpse Soul Severing Palm was still quite painful. However, compared to the improvement in strength, what did this pain count for?
He stood up, and a series of crisp sounds immediately came from within his body.
He could feel that all aspects of his physical condition had improved at this moment, but he would only know the specifics after testing them himself.
Soon, he walked out of the carriage, gave instructions to Lao Zhou and others outside, and in Huang Quan's astonished gaze, rushed towards the mountain forest on one side.
"He broke through just like that, how strange."
Huang Quan sat by the bonfire roasting meat, watching Lin Sheng's figure disappear from sight, muttering a few words, then sniffing his nose again.
"What martial art is this kid practicing? Why does it feel a bit familiar??"
He scratched his head, too lazy to think further, and began to concentrate on roasting the meat.
It was a pine-patterned python that he had finally caught, and he couldn't let it get burnt just because he was distracted.
Muffled sounds kept coming from the mountain forest. Lin Sheng's figure constantly moved through it, occasionally throwing a punch, directly penetrating ancient trees blocking his path, and it didn't end there.
At the wound where the ancient tree was penetrated, a burning smell was emitted, and the tree trunk was covered in scorch marks, slowly corroding outwards. In just a few breaths, the original human-head-sized hole had expanded by two circles.
"Although the overall physical quality hasn't improved significantly, the power of this toxin has increased a lot compared to before."
He was quite satisfied with the Breakthrough effect of the Three Corpse Soul Severing Palm. This martial art's focus is not on physical quality; toxicity is its powerful aspect.
In terms of enhancements other than toxicity, this martial art can only be considered average. After some testing, he basically understood the various increases after the Breakthrough.
Strength, speed, and reaction ability have all increased by about 30%.
This level of improvement is indeed a bit low for a second-rate martial art.
For example, if the Ape Embryo Skill's improvement ratio in various aspects is A or A+ for strength and agility, and around B for Physique, then the Three Corpse Soul Severing Palm, in terms of improving his physical quality, is basically around B in all aspects.
However, the effect of its toxicity is quite good. At least in Lin Sheng's view, this Three Corpse Soul Severing Palm is no worse than the Ape Embryo Skill for him, and may even be superior.
After all, with the mountain and sea scroll, this martial art has significant growth potential for him.
Others who practice this martial art have a slim chance of success, even facing near-certain death. But he can not only master it but also allow the toxic blood to circulate throughout his body, not just limited to his hands. Its power is undoubtedly much stronger than others.
"When I reach Linjiang Prefecture City, I can specifically collect a few more highly toxic High Grade ordinary beasts to enter my body and integrate multiple toxins into my body. The power will definitely improve significantly compared to now."
While calculating in his mind, he had already turned around and rushed towards the official road.
Time flowed by, and soon another two days passed.
After a few days, Xiao Shi, who was originally seriously injured, had recovered much. Basic activities were no longer a problem, and it was estimated that he would be mostly recovered in a few more days.
"I estimate we'll reach the Linjiang Prefecture area in five days at most. Don't forget my money then."
On the carriage, Huang Quan looked ahead and spoke lightly.
"Don't worry, I won't short you a single cent."
Lin Sheng responded with a smile from the side.
"But speaking of which, you can go back now. I can give you the money now."
Saying that, Lin Sheng had already taken out a few banknotes from his Arms.
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Huang Quan's face. He reached out without hesitation and grabbed the banknotes, examined them carefully, and then put them in his Arms.
"Generous enough. I like doing business with people like you. But we've already traveled more than half the way, and it's only a few more days. I haven't been to Linjiang Prefecture for many years, so it's a good time to go and take a look."
Huang Quan smiled at the corner of his mouth, already thinking about how to spend the money when he arrived at Linjiang Prefecture City.
"But speaking of which, what are your plans after you go to Linjiang Prefecture? Although I don't know what's going on with your Bloodline, your comprehension is among the top three of all the people I've seen. With such talent, haven't you considered joining some decent forces?"
"The power of True Arts is not comparable to these first and second-rate martial arts."
Perhaps in a good mood, Huang Quan suggested with his hands behind his back.
"The Dark Star Organization should have True Arts, right? Then do I still need to join other forces?"
Lin Sheng also stated his thoughts.
Actually, he had also thought about joining some major forces, as he could gain access to more martial arts. However, he hadn't made up his mind yet, as he wasn't clear about the distribution of forces in Linjiang Prefecture.
Moreover, the Ape Embryo Skill and Three Corpse Soul Severing Palm he was currently practicing were sufficient for his current stage of cultivation, so he didn't have a great need for martial arts for the time being.
"Tsk, you think Dark Star is a charity organization? Dark Star does have True Arts, and even Divine Arts like Profound Arts, but that's not something a mere Gray Star Envoy like you can covet."
Huang Quan sneered, striking him without mercy.
"Putting aside Profound Arts for now, regarding True Arts, can't they be exchanged with merit points?"
Lin Sheng frowned and spoke.
"True Arts can indeed be exchanged with merit points, but the premise is that you have to become a Hidden Star Envoy, and you also need to pay a large amount of merit points. Believe me, it's definitely much more than you imagine."
Huang Quan struck him without mercy.
"Even if you become a Hidden Star Envoy quickly, it will take at least several years or even more than ten years to accumulate enough merit points to exchange for a True Art. Of course, if you are very wealthy, then disregard what I said. After all, True Arts are not like cabbages. Even in Linjiang Prefecture City, only some major forces are qualified to possess them, and they are also the core martial arts of these major forces."
"Does it take that long to exchange for a True Art in the organization?"
After hearing what Huang Quan said, Lin Sheng frowned. He had indeed planned to exchange for a True Art from Dark Star to practice after reaching the Blood Transportation Realm. But now it seemed his imagination was a bit too optimistic.
Several years might not be too long for others, but for him, wasting several years like this was really not what he wanted.
"Is that long? Don't say a few years, even ten years, to obtain a complete True Art transmission, you wouldn't believe how many people would go crazy if you told them. True Arts are not like first or second-rate martial arts; you absolutely cannot buy them even if you spend money."
"Our Dark Star's conditions can be said to be quite lenient. Young man, don't be too ungrateful."
Huang Quan's tone was full of advice and guidance, speaking earnestly.
"Is there no other faster way?"
"Yes, it's actually very simple. As long as you become a Blazing Star Envoy, you can choose a True Art in the organization. Or, if you have a father or mother who is a Dark Star Envoy, that works too." Huang Quan answered in a knowing tone.
The same answer left Lin Sheng speechless; it was as if he hadn't said anything.
"So, since you're going to Linjiang Prefecture, why don't you find a Sect to join? That way you'll have a backer and can practice martial arts. Won't life be wonderful? Our Dark Star Organization, this is the best thing about it, freedom."
"Do you know that many high-level members in the organization, such as Blazing Star Envoys and Hidden Star Envoys, have Sect backgrounds?"
"So that's how it is."
A look of realization appeared on Lin Sheng's face.
He also understood in his heart why the Dark Star Organization, an organization established by the remnants of the Former Dynasty, could still survive in the Great Yan Kingdom with such strong national power.
Clearly, the forces within it were deeply entrenched, far more complex than they appeared on the surface.
"As for True Arts, the earlier you practice them, the better. No matter how strong first and second-rate martial arts are, they only stop at Blood Transportation. Only by practicing True Arts and stepping into higher Realms of martial arts can you reach the Bone Transformation Realm, which is far beyond what Blood Transportation Warriors can contend with."
Huang Quan looked at Lin Sheng and said, not without prompting.
"Martial Artists fighting across ranks, or even across a major rank, and even winning, is something a few exceptionally talented geniuses could do before Blood Transportation. But once they reach the Bone Transformation Realm, it's basically not that simple anymore."
"If Blood Transportation Warriors are like saplings by the roadside, then Bone Transformation is like ancient trees in the old forest. The gap between the two is far beyond imagination, even in some major forces, Bone Transformation Martial Artists are the backbone."
Lin Sheng's heart trembled slightly. His understanding of the path of martial arts was mostly limited to below Blood Transportation. He knew very little about the Realms above Blood Transportation, after all, there wasn't a single Bone Transformation Realm expert in the entire Lin'an County.
Regarding Bones Transformation and the Divine Transformation Realm above it, all he knew were just the two names.
He didn't expect to learn from Huang Quan that after entering the Bone Transformation Realm, one's strength would have such a great leap.
No wonder the value of True Arts is so great.
This thought flashed through Lin Sheng's mind.
"Then, what is the distribution of forces in Linjiang Prefecture? Please enlighten me, Brother Huang."
After talking with Huang Quan, he had greatly moved up his plan to join a force in his heart.
Since Huang Quan knew Linjiang Prefecture quite well, he could roughly understand the situation in Linjiang Prefecture City through him.
"Linjiang Prefecture..."
Huang Quan's gaze was distant, looking ahead, a look of recollection on his face. As if remembering something, he was silent for a long while before breaking away from his memories, shaking his head with a smile, and then speaking.
"The distribution of forces in Linjiang Prefecture is very simple. Besides the Imperial Court forces like the county yamen and the garrison, the strongest are undoubtedly that one Family and two Sects."
"The one Family refers to the aristocratic Family Situ Family. It is a Bloodline Family with a long history. Its strength is very strong, and the Bloodline talents within its territory are mainly divided into two branches: one is the ancient beast Zhuhuai, and the other is the ancient beast Frost White. Because of its long Family heritage, although the three forces are equally famous, many people believe that the Situ Family is the strongest among the three."
"As for the other two Sects, they are the Tianxiang Sword Sect and the Yuanyang Beast Sect."
"The Tianxiang Sword Sect emphasizes that all dharmas are formless, and the sword breaks all dharmas. It has many martial arts, but sword techniques are the best. Its Sect's secret True Art, the Tianxiang Formless Sword Scripture, is extremely good at killing and has unparalleled power, which is quite impressive. Moreover, among the three major forces, the Tianxiang Sword Sect also has the largest number of Disciples."
Huang Quan rubbed his chin, smacking his lips with some emotion.
"As for the last one, the Yuanyang Beast Sect, as you know, it is famous for taming various powerful alien beasts. However, in addition to taming alien beasts, its Sect's martial arts are also quite powerful, otherwise, it would not be among the three major forces."
"Situ Family, Tianxiang Sword Sect, Yuanyang Beast Sect..." Lin Sheng slowly chewed on the names of these three forces.
Compared to a small County Town, Linjiang Prefecture was undoubtedly a behemoth.
Each of these three forces had countless experts.
"Of course, in addition to these three major forces, there are several other forces in Linjiang Prefecture that are relatively inferior. They also have True Arts within their Sects, but their True Arts are either incomplete, have some drawbacks, or their power is relatively weaker."
Huang Quan added, as if remembering something.
"The core True Arts within the Sects of these three major forces are all considered High Grade among True Arts. The True Arts in other forces are basically of the middle to lower tier. So it is best for you to choose to join one of these three major forces, as the choice of True Art should not be taken lightly. Otherwise, if you want to change it later, you can only abolish your cultivation and start over, and you might even become a cripple, never again having the opportunity to step onto the path of martial arts."
"Thank you for the guidance."
Lin Sheng clasped his hands in thanks.