Promise!

Chapter 265, Gathering Treasures

Located on the fifth floor of Zhenxiufang, within the second ring road of Cangzhou City, is Tongfu Teahouse.

Zhuang Jin and Ao Zhiqi sat down, and the waiter served tea and left. The aura formed by their spiritual power immediately enveloped them, isolating the Suspended Commander's Plate and the others in the teahouse.

Zhuang Jin sensed that Ao Zhiqi's spiritual power seemed to be affected because of the damage to his soul, but he used it to his advantage, with a kind of crazy and sharp edge. Ao Zhiqi felt Zhuang Jin's spiritual power, which was a kind of harmony and vastness, like the sky and the sea, with a kind of magnificent inclusiveness.

'really! ’

Ao Zhiqi thought to himself.

After viewing the incomplete "Burning Technique" together and sharing their insights, Zhuang Jin created a prototype of a secret technique on the spot. He believed that among the five of them, Zhuang Jin's attainments in terms of spiritual power and soul were the best. Now, feeling Zhuang Jin's strong spiritual power, he was even more certain of this idea.

'For someone of this age and level to possess such spiritual power, they must either be exceptionally gifted or…'

Ao Zhiqi seemed to realize something, and his expression became slightly excited: "Brother Zhuang, many years ago I encountered a Vajra Realm beast that injured my soul. By the grace of Heaven, I was able to have a son. Unfortunately, my son was born with an insufficient soul. Over the years, he has struggled and suffered countless hardships..."

After pouring out his grievances, he looked into Zhuang Jin's eyes with bright eyes and asked, "Brother Zhuang, do you have any secret methods to strengthen and restore one's soul?"

After the person finished speaking, an aura formed by their spiritual power enveloped them, allowing them to perceive and clash with each other. In this situation, they could clearly sense each other's spiritual power fluctuations.

Zhuang Jin frowned slightly, displeased. Lying was pointless in this situation, but she remained noncommittal, simply saying, "Perhaps."

The phrase "maybe" means that it may or may not exist.

Yes, they say so.

The "Yin-Yang Union Technique" can strengthen spiritual power and enhance and nourish the soul. It is the most valuable core secret technique among the immortal relics, and thus meets this requirement.

They said no.

It is both present and absent.

"Oh?"

A glint of light flashed in Ao Zhiqi's eyes. He calmly asked, "Brother Zhuang, would you be willing to share? Years ago, I was injured by that Vajra Realm beast, which involved a fortuitous encounter. I can share the information..."

"There's no need to say that," Zhuang Jin waved his hand, interrupting directly.

This person's son was born with a weak soul and needed a high-grade soul-nourishing herb. The Suspended Heaven Division couldn't have been unaware of this, and if it were exchanged for this, it would probably be an empty shell that could be seen but not eaten, a mirage that would ultimately amount to nothing.

Ao Zhiqi paused for a moment, then said, "Li Shicong comes from the capital and has a powerful background, so why did he come to our remote Cangzhou? He claims it's because of the governor, but by chance, I discovered there might be another reason, involving a certain opportunity."

This statement is nine parts true and one part false. He did discover something, but it was not by chance. Because of his son, he paid attention to every possible channel. On Li Shizong's side, he had been keeping an eye on things for many years before discovering a clue.

"These need no further explanation."

Zhuang Jin raised her hand, stopping her from speaking.

Why did Li Shizong come to Cangzhou? He was naturally curious, but he didn't want to cause trouble because of his curiosity.

Of course, this might involve some great opportunity, but ultimately it's not something that can be obtained directly. Such an opportunity, however, is also troublesome, and he doesn't want to get involved in the cause and effect.

—If you just lay low, you can break through in a few years. Why create more trouble?

"What about my life? As long as it's confirmed, whether it's murder or any other shady business, Brother Zhuang, just give the order."

With no other equivalent bargaining chip, Ao Zhiqi had no choice but to offer himself as a bargaining chip, a statement that carried a subtle threat.

'Just empty words?'

Zhuang Jin remained calm and shook her head.

Upon seeing this, Ao Zhiqi's mental energy suddenly sharpened and pressed down, while a fierce aura emanated from his body, as if he would cause bloodshed within three feet at the slightest provocation.

Those who have reached this level are no pushovers. If it weren't for Zhuang Jin's status and level of attainment, how could he be so good-tempered? Yet, he still doesn't know how to be appreciative!
Zhuang Jin remained calm, and the 'momentum' formed by his spiritual power clashed with it, causing the tables and chairs to hum and tremble.

He was not afraid of this person. He possessed the ultimate attribute and could fight against opponents of higher levels. Although the opponent had severed two corpses, his soul was injured and he was not at his peak. Even if he were to fight alone, it was uncertain who would win.

However, seeing the man's bloodshot eyes, Zhuang Jin guessed that it was caused by damage to his soul, leading to issues like being easily angered or irritable. Since this man was under the control of the Suspended Heaven Division, Zhuang Jin didn't want to cause trouble. He took out the specially made jade token that could unleash a half-step Yin God's attack, but held it back.

Even this faint aura brought Ao Zhiqi an extreme sense of danger. His martial arts intuition frantically warned him, and his survival instinct overcame the aftereffects of his damaged soul. He forced himself to calm down, and the bloodshot in his eyes faded.

"Brother Zhuang, I apologize. I was reckless just now. My spirit is damaged, which affects my temperament. This matter also involves my son."

“My son was hard-won, my only child… Because of a congenital deficiency in his spirit, he suffers from excruciating headaches every so often… I have been struggling with this for years, thinking about it day and night, often waking up in terror from nightmares… It has become an obsession, and I, as his father… was only triggered by this incident…”

Ao Zhiqi explained with a wry smile, paused for a moment, and then said, "I will definitely prepare a generous gift and visit you to apologize afterwards."

'Can't we just talk this out properly?'

Zhuang Jin put down her teacup and stood up: "I understand this time, but there won't be a next time."

Ao Zhiqi's son is indeed pitiful, and he may be a good father, but what does that have to do with him? Just because of that, should we give the "Yin Yang He Shen Shu" to him?

Should the other party, out of gratitude, bow down and become devoted to the cause, willingly submitting to their commands and following them like a lackey?

That's really because they've read too many storybooks.

Although Ao Zhiqi was initially triggered by the aftereffects of his damaged soul, it also revealed a part of his true nature; he was by no means a kind person. And he was not some saint either.

As for why we don't separate things into their proper places and use the "Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Technique" to manipulate Ao Zhiqi, there are three reasons: it's unnecessary, we don't trust him, and it's not worth it.

No need. There's really nothing that requires it right now. Zhuang Jin himself is no weaker than Ao Zhiqi, and this will be even more true once he breaks through again and severs one of his corpses.

I don't trust Ao Zhiqi. He's being manipulated by the Xuantian Division. How could Zhuang Jin be so careless as to entrust him with shady dealings and leave him with leverage?

Was it ultimately not worth it?
This book, "The Art of Yin-Yang Harmony," wouldn't be worth this price even if Ao Zhiqi were to be sold off at exorbitant prices, not to mention that this action might affect his relationship with Shangguan Yunchang and the Shangguan family.

"Brother Zhuang, what I said before is always valid. As long as you can restore my son, my life is yours." Ao Zhiqi transmitted his voice again from behind.

Zhuang Jin paused slightly, then continued walking.

"Ugh!"

Ao Zhiqi watched Zhuang Jin's retreating figure, let out a sigh, her expression shifting, her gaze deep, as if she were lost in thought.

That evening, in the first ring road of Cangzhou City, at the Shangguan family residence.

Outside the window, a bright moon hangs high in the sky, and petals from the flowering trees in the garden fall in the cool night breeze, landing on the clear, mirror-like surface of the stream.

Inside the room, Zhuang Jin recounted what he had seen and heard at the small gathering of practitioners that day, from the incomplete "Burning Manual" to everyone's insights, to the prototype of his own method to aid rapid combustion, and finally, Mai Yinghuang's announcement of a breakthrough on the second day of the second lunar month, as well as the matter of Ao Zhiqi.

Everything was said without reservation, but the meeting with Ao Zhiqi was brief; he only mentioned that the deal was refused, so as not to distract Shangguan Yunchang during this period of fastest cultivation, and to ask her to stand up for him.

"Grandma has made another move."

Zhuang Jin had more comprehensive information than Shangguan Yunchang, and upon hearing about the incomplete "Burning Technique," she naturally thought of these things as well, and did not shy away from saying them.

"In any case, this is a good thing for you, Yun Chang. Even if this person fails to break through, it will still be a valuable experience. We'll observe together when the time comes."

"Alright."

Shangguan Yunchang nodded slightly and looked at Zhuang Jinyan, saying, "Although the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique is beneficial for offspring and increases physical strength, it also allows for faster accumulation of cultivation realms. However, my husband, you should stop practicing before reaching the seventh, eighth, or ninth revolution!"

She paused for a moment, then continued, "If the physical body is too strong, the bottleneck of the Yin spirit will be even more severe, which is not conducive to opening the Niwan Palace and unlocking the Yin spirit's secrets."

Zhuang Jin knew this, but he had no bottleneck and didn't care about such things. He didn't know what Shangguan Yunchang meant by saying this.

"My husband, your soul strength is much stronger than mine. As long as you don't reach the ninth level of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique, even if you cultivate the Black Fiend Technique, you may still have a glimmer of hope to break through to the Yin God realm. When I succeed as the head of the family, I can use the authority of the Suspended Heaven Mirror to ensure that you will not die if you fail to break through."

Shangguan Yunchang, thinking of Zhuang Jin's obsession with the Yin God realm because of Mai Yinghuang's matter, promised to let him try to break through once.

This actually goes against the family's interests. If, many years later, she were like Shangguan Jinfeng, separating public and private matters and being absolutely rational, she would never have proposed such a thing. But now, she cannot do it.

"Thank you, Yun Chang."

Zhuang Jin was touched and grasped Shangguan Yunchang's hand: "However, considering my cultivation progress, let's let things take their course. Yunchang, you're thinking of me, and I don't want to put you in a difficult position."

Afterwards, the two chatted idly, from the incomplete "Burning Manual" of today to the immortal ruins from five hundred years ago, which was the source of the broken mid-grade Qingyuan Pot of the Medicine King Gang.

"That immortal relic, like the one in the underground cave and the icy lake, is not the lowest level immortal relic. The Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Technique is equivalent to the Burning Technique. I wonder what the treasures within it, which are equivalent to the Holy Spirit Pearl and the Yin-Yang Soul Cleansing Jade, are?" Zhuang Jin asked curiously.

"I do know this. It is a treasure basin. When you put pills in it, the treasure basin absorbs the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which can upgrade the quality of the pills."

"Such a wondrous object exists in the world?" Zhuang Jin was quite surprised upon hearing this.

"I've never seen that treasure basin either, but I guess it's like the Azure Origin Pot, with certain limitations and a limit."

Is that so?

Zhuang Jin thought of the wonders of the Qingyuan Pot, nodded slightly, and felt relieved.

"Back then, the immortal ruins in Donghu Prefecture were suddenly exposed, and a great battle broke out afterward... The three great families were unaware of this treasure at the time, and only learned about it later."

As Shangguan Yunchang spoke, she looked over and said, "Speaking of this matter, my husband, you must have heard of the name of the descendant of the one who obtained the treasure."

"Who?"

"The winds and clouds rise."

Shangguan Yunchang said, "Hundreds of years ago, on the shore of Taiyuan Lake, Feng Yunyang joined forces with many innate martial artists to establish the Martial Academy. Without this as a foundation, how could the other side have the confidence?"

"Later, the Martial Academy was destroyed. It is said that Feng Yunyang took the Treasure Basin and fled into the depths of the Funiu Mountains and disappeared without a trace."

"Feng Qingyin, from your Innate True Qi Realm circle, as a descendant of Feng Yunyang, was under close surveillance by the Suspended Heaven Division. Before and after Feng Qingyin broke through to the Innate Realm, the Cen family was in charge of the Suspended Heaven Division, which is why he had a lover in the Immortal Pavilion..."

Shangguan Yunchang shook her head slightly, not continuing, and then changed the subject, saying, "I was also involved in this matter. Two years ago, to pave the way for the Round Table Conference, I sent someone to hand over the Tongmenghui to Feng Qingyin, hoping to see if we could lure out the Treasure Basin... In the end, it failed. Perhaps the descendants of Feng Yunyang really don't know about that treasure."

Listening to all this and putting it together, Zhuang Jin thought to himself, 'That makes sense!'

He had previously wondered: it was a bit much for Feng Qingyin, a mere Innate True Qi Realm cultivator, to receive such attention and targeting from the Suspended Heaven Division. Even ordinary Innate Gang Qi Realm cultivators didn't receive this kind of treatment.

Now I understand, it turns out it was all for his ancestral treasure bowl.

"So that's how it is. Only a noble family like ours, which has lived and died alongside the nation for so long, could know all these secrets," Zhuang Jin exclaimed.

"Not really. Some of the more ancient families in Cangzhou City know a thing or two about such a major event. However, the knowledge of aristocratic families is more comprehensive, but compared to this whole world, it is still far too little."

Shangguan Yunchang paused for a moment and said, "By the way, husband, I have already asked my grandmother about the question you asked about the lifespan of the Yin God."

"Oh?"

Zhuang Jin became interested.

The lifespan of a Yin God Martial Artist is only 150 years. Compared to the Innate Realm, the advancement is only 30 years, which is extremely short. He asked about it in confusion, but Shangguan Yunchang did not know either. However, she took it to heart and went to ask Shangguan Jinfeng. Now she has received a reply.

"This issue is somewhat complicated. A person's lifespan is determined by both the soul and the body. The soul and the body are inseparable, and their lifespans are different if considered separately."

Shangguan Yunchang said, "Perhaps my husband understands this?"

Zhuang Jin nodded in understanding.

Some elderly people, whose bodies are withered and decaying, are exhausted and dying, yet remain clear-headed, and even after their hearts have stopped beating, they can still be conscious and linger for a moment.

This is a case of the body dying but the spirit living on; however, the soul and the body are inseparable, and this period is extremely short.

Some elderly people, despite being physically healthy, are confused, foolish, and dull-witted. In such cases, they will not live long and will die. This is because their soul is slowly 'dying' and has reached its limit.

"Once you understand this point, it will be easier to comprehend."

Shangguan Yunchang said, "The innate lifespan is two Jiazi, which is enough for the physical body. It could have lived to a higher age. It is only because of the lifespan of the soul that it is only two Jiazi, fluctuating around one hundred and twenty years. It can be said that the lifespan of the soul limits the lifespan of the physical body."

"Breaking through to the Yin Spirit realm only increases lifespan by thirty years, totaling one hundred and fifty years. This small increase is due to the limitations of the environment during the breakthrough, which does not support the physical body's transformation to a higher level. The lifespan of the physical body restricts the lifespan of the Yin Spirit realm. Ultimately, even with the Yin Spirit replenishing the physical body, lifespan is only one hundred and fifty years."

"The Yang Shen realm, where the Yang Shen nourishes the physical body, only lasts for three Jiazi (60 years) and a lifespan of 180 years."

She added at the end, "This is only a breakthrough achieved through one's own efforts. If one were to rely on the power of the Suspended Heaven Mirror, in addition to various other hidden dangers, lifespan would also be affected to some extent."

……

(End of this chapter)