For several days in a row, Lin Sheng stayed within the Congyun Mountains.
After a few days, although he couldn't find any high-level Spirit Beasts, he did encounter several Elementary Level Spirit Beasts. After consuming and refining them, the activation progress of the fourth imprint reached 42%.
However, the search progress slowed down after that.
He was also too lazy to continue delaying here, so he returned directly to Luoshui County.
He had been out for 10 days now.
Although he had arranged for many experts in Luoshui County, especially with the presence of two local Gangs, the possibility of any accidents was extremely low. However, without seeing it with his own eyes, he still felt a bit uneasy after a longer period.
As for the activation of the fourth imprint, there was no rush. Anyway, with Sun Hai, Tie He, and others there, the efficiency of collecting Elementary Level Spirit Beasts, while a bit slow, could still achieve activation with some time, as there were still many Elementary Level Spirit Beasts kept outside Luoshui County.
The next day, in the evening, Lin Sheng had already arrived in Luoshui County.
After confirming that nothing had happened, he began to completely relax and focus on his cultivation.
Since the fourth imprint could not be activated in a short time, Lin Sheng returned to his previous state of secluded cultivation.
Most of his time each day was spent buried in the quiet room, or he would go to the mountains and forests outside the County Town.
Time flew by, and a month passed quickly.
In the quiet room, the white glow emanating from Lin Sheng's body had become very vigorous, and a sense of profound weight spread out.
"Significant progress has been made in one month. Bai Xiang Zhen Yue Gong (White Elephant Mountain-Suppressing Skill) is about to break through to the 6th layer."
Feeling the amplified power within his body, a smile appeared on his face.
In this month, he had not only broken through the 5th layer of Bai Xiang Zhen Yue Gong (White Elephant Mountain-Suppressing Skill) and successfully entered the Blood Transportation Realm, but he had also touched the edge of breaking through to the 6th layer, estimating that he could break through the 6th layer in about ten-plus days.
"As expected, after merging with a Spirit Beast that is highly compatible with my body, my cultivation efficiency has greatly improved. Peerless True Art like the Seven Forms Sect's, which requires integrating multiple martial arts, is very difficult for others to cultivate, but for me, it's not much of a problem."
"However, having said that, the sect's inheritance is currently incomplete. The Seven Forms True Arts are missing the techniques from the Earth Dragon and Collecting folk songs divisions, with only five forms being relatively complete."
Although Xie Qingyun had told him that to enter the Divine Form Realm, melting and refining four forms of True Art would be sufficient for a successful Breakthrough, breaking through under such circumstances would definitely result in a significant discount in combat power, likely placing him among the weakest in the Divine Transformation Realm.
This was definitely not what he wanted. With the System panel, he naturally had to cultivate this Peerless True Art to its limit.
"It seems that in the future, I must find time to return to Linjiang Prefecture and complete the remaining Earth Dragon and Collecting folk songs division martial arts."
Lin Sheng thought to himself.
As for where to start, it was simple: either the Tianxiang Sword Sect, the Yuanyang Beast Sect, or the Linjiang Prefecture Yamen.
Although the Seven Forms Sect's treasury was destroyed back then, apart from those currently by his side, most of the other Seven Forms Sect members either died or surrendered. Therefore, there should still be many Disciples in these two divisions, including high-level personnel, and these two forms of True Art might not be truly lost.
Suppressing his thoughts, he left the quiet room.
"It's time to see what kind of harvest Tie He and the others have had during this time."
Glancing at the great sun in the sky, Lin Sheng had already disappeared from the courtyard.
Half an hour later, in a manor several dozen miles outside Luoshui County.
"Greetings, Gongzi."
The Leader of the Red Mountain Six Ghosts respectfully came forward to greet him.
"A'da, how is it? How many Spirit Beasts have been sent over during this period?"
Lin Sheng waved his hand, looked at A'da in front of him, and asked.
Nearly three months had passed since the Seed Devil Secret Art was cast. The A'da before him showed no signs of breaking free from control, indicating that the Seed Devil Pill produced had a good effect.
A'da did not understand what Lin Sheng was thinking. Hearing the question, he quickly replied.
"Reporting to Gongzi, in these past few days, both Leader Tie and Sun Hai have had some gains. A total of four Elementary Level Spirit Beasts have been sent over."
"Four? Alright, take me to see them."
Lin Sheng nodded slightly.
Four Spirit Beasts in a month, this efficiency was clearly lower than before, but it was also normal.
Although Tiannan Prefecture was vast and rich in resources, and had the Congyun Mountains, the number of Spirit Beasts circulating on the market each month was limited, especially live Spirit Beasts.
Soon, he saw the four new Spirit Beasts in the manor. Among Elementary Level Spirit Beasts, they were just ordinary existences.
Neither their talent nor their amplified attributes had any special characteristics.
Lin Sheng directly absorbed them into his body. After consuming a portion of their blood, he went to check on the Spirit Beasts he had consumed once before.
This look surprised him a little.
In just over a month, these Spirit Beasts that were extremely weak back then had now become lively and energetic, appearing to have recovered significantly.
With pleasant surprise, he naturally absorbed these Spirit Beasts again without hesitation.
"The activation progress has finally broken through the 50 mark."
Looking at the activation progress, which was now over halfway, Lin Sheng was in a great mood.
Before leaving, he specifically instructed A'da to give these Spirit Beasts various blood-replenishing medicinal materials and feed them sufficient Spirit Beast meat, which would also help them recover faster.
Of course, the cost was money, which flowed away like water.
However, Mei Sanniang and Tie He, these two local powers, had been operating in Luoshui County for many years and had abundant assets, which would be enough for him to squander for a short period.
At this rate, the fourth imprint should be completely activated in about half a year.
Lin Sheng thought to himself, and unconsciously, he had returned to Luoshui County, strolling on the wide streets filled with people.
After the fourth imprint is activated, my strength will increase significantly again. Besides this, the cultivation speed of the techniques will also increase again, as there will be an additional slot for integration.
During this time, I can start cultivating the other three complete True Arts of the Seven Forms Sect as well. It would be best if they could all enter the Bone Transformation Realm.
After the fourth imprint is activated, I will continue cultivating upwards, thus maximizing efficiency.
"In addition, the improvement in mental aspects is also a problem. It would be best to find some Spirit Beasts that can directly amplify mental attributes..."
Walking on the street, Lin Sheng was deep in thought when he saw teams of soldiers and constables walking by, their steps hurried and their faces stern.
These soldiers and constables were not weak in cultivation, the lowest being in the Body Tempering Realm, and there were many Forging Tendons Martial Artists. The leaders were basically Blood Transportation Warriors.
These people had a cold aura, subtly carrying a hint of killing intent. One could tell at a glance that they were well-trained elites.
After just a glance, Lin Sheng withdrew his gaze.
Such scenes were not uncommon on the streets during this time. The Imperial Court's efforts to apprehend those on the Black Rank had clearly become much stricter recently, at least in Tiannan Prefecture.
Many fierce criminals on the Black Rank had been apprehended and brought to justice, and even some experts lower down on the Red Rank had been captured.
Even though he didn't usually frequent the streets, he had seen this scene several times.
Withdrawing his gaze, he no longer paid attention and continued walking forward.
After the team of soldiers and constables had gone far away, some busybodies on both sides of the street began to whisper to each other.
"Here they come again, here they come again. This time, which fierce criminal on the Black Rank has been tracked down?"
"Who knows? Recently, Yunliying Wu Fei and Chixueshou Xue Han have both fallen in our Luoshui County. This time, I wonder which lucky person found clues about a Black Rank fugitive. They're definitely going to get rich now. Why don't we follow and see?"
"Lucky person? I think they're just looking for death, right? I heard that when they captured Yunliying and Chixueshou the previous two times, many experts were dispatched, but they suffered heavy losses, and none of those experts returned. If you want to go, you go. I'm not going."
People on both sides of the street kept talking, seemingly getting more and more interested as they spoke.
However, soon someone in the know revealed the reason. A burly bald man sneered.
"I say, what do you know? This time, they're not arresting Black Rank fugitives. When did they ever make such a big fuss in those previous times?"
"Brother Hu, do you know something? Quickly tell us what the officials are going to do this time? Is there any benefit?"
The people nearby immediately gathered around, constantly urging him.
Seeing the expectant looks on the faces of the few people beside him, the bald man called Brother Hu showed a smug expression.
"My wife's younger brother works in the Prefecture Yamen, so I know some news. I'm telling you, this time the Prefecture Yamen is going after none other than the local powers in our County Town."
"Local powers!? Brother Hu, what do you mean? What local powers?" Hearing this, the surrounding people were all stunned, a little confused, with bewildered expressions on their faces.
"What else could it be? Don't we have two biggest local powers in our Luoshui County?" The bald man cursed impatiently.
"Brother Hu, do you mean the Red Flower..." The few people suddenly understood.
"Shh!" Before they could speak, Brother Hu had already covered their mouths.
"Alright, knowing is enough. This time, many experts from the Luoshui County government have arrived. It's better for you guys to stay far away. Otherwise, if you get involved, no one can save you..."
After speaking, the bald man put his hands behind his back and turned to leave.
However, he didn't notice that a tall figure had appeared behind him at some point. Without paying attention, he bumped into it. He felt as if he had hit an iron wall.
With a cry of pain, he covered his shiny forehead and opened his mouth to curse.
"What the hell, who dares to block my way, don't you want to..."
Before Brother Hu could finish speaking, he felt himself being lifted. Floating wasn't accurate; lifted was more appropriate.
Brother Hu only felt the surroundings rapidly changing. When he reacted, he was already in a small alley nearby.
"What did you just say? Who is the government going to take action against?"
A low voice sounded from the side. Only then did Brother Hu snap out of his daze, but he opened his mouth and instinctively cursed.
"You what the hell..."
Lin Sheng's eyebrows twitched, and his eyes instantly turned pitch black.
Brother Hu's open mouth immediately froze, his eyes became vacant, and he stood motionless in place.
After a few breaths, Brother Hu's strong body slumped to the ground, saliva drooling from the corner of his mouth, his eyes rolled back, and his body trembled.
Ignoring the other party, Lin Sheng frowned tightly.
"The government is going to take action against the Red Flower House and the Haihe Gang!?"
This matter was a bit too sudden. From Mei Sanniang and Tie He, he knew that their two forces had always had a good relationship with the Prefecture Yamen.
Some businesses even had the shadow of the Prefecture Yamen behind them, and a portion of the monthly profits had to be given to the Prefecture Yamen.
Why would they suddenly carry out a purge against these two forces?
As thoughts swirled in his mind, his figure had already disappeared into the alley.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
In the outer city of Luoshui County, a Willow Flower Alley.
Only a very small number of people in the entire Luoshui County knew that the headquarters of the famous Red Flower House was actually located within this inconspicuous Willow Flower Alley.
In the narrow alley, a thin man who looked like a scholar hurriedly came out of the alley, his face even bearing a few lipstick marks and powder traces, his clothes somewhat disheveled, clearly having come out in a hurry.
As soon as he came out of the alley, he hadn't walked many steps when he saw a team of black-clothed officials hurrying down the street.
The killing aura emanating from them caused passersby to quickly avoid them.
"Lord Meng, that small alley ahead is the location of the Red Flower House headquarters. Most of their elites are here."
A strong man among the officials slowly said to the black-clothed figure beside him.
If Tie He and Mei Sanniang were here, they would immediately recognize this strong man. He was Wu He, the County Guard of Luoshui County, and also one of the two top experts among the official forces in Luoshui County.
"Very good. Have them surround it. Don't let anyone leave. After this matter, I, Meng, will credit you, Commander Wu, with a meritorious deed."
Glancing at the narrow alley from which a strange smell drifted out, Meng Ke said indifferently.
"Surround it immediately."
Wu He immediately ordered his subordinate officials to charge forward.
The vendors and pedestrians outside the alley, seeing this scene, were startled and moved away quickly, including the somewhat disheveled thin scholar.
The thin scholar looked up at the group of officials, especially pausing on Wu He and Meng Ke, then quickly lowered his head and walked away quickly.
"Wait..."
However, before he had walked a few steps, he was called by a voice from behind.
The thin scholar seemed not to have heard and continued walking forward.
"I told you to stop!"
The voice from behind sounded again. This time, the thin scholar seemed to have just reacted. He turned back and looked at Meng Ke, who was walking towards him, with some unease on his face, and stammered out a question, his expression quite frightened.
"L-Lord, are you calling me?"
"That's right. Why didn't you stop when I called you just now?"
Meng Ke's gaze fell on the thin scholar, and he spoke slowly.
"Reporting to Lord, this humble scholar did not know you were calling me. Please forgive me, Lord."
The thin scholar was startled and explained tremblingly, while speaking, he also used his large sleeves to wipe the lipstick and powder marks off his face.
"Is that so?"
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Meng Ke's face.
"I heard that Mei Sanniang of the Red Flower House is skilled in disguise and transformation, and I don't know if she can change between male and female. I didn't sense any special aura fluctuations from you; you seem to be truly just an ordinary person."
As he spoke, the smile on Meng Ke's face grew wider.
"However, it doesn't matter. You're just an ordinary person anyway. Killing you is no big deal."