Promise!

Chapter 279, Yin God

Cangzhou City, First Ring Road, Shangguan Family Residence.

The afternoon sun in spring was dazzlingly bright and warm enough to make one drowsy. Zhuang Jin returned from the Suspended Heaven Bureau to check on the Kui Niu and happened to run into Shangguan Jinfeng: "Grandmother is back?"

"Hmm, someone's trying to sow discord. Grandma went and demolished one of the 'Cen family brat's' study rooms."

The "little devil of the Cen family" that Shangguan Jinfeng mentioned refers to Cen Chongxuan, the head of the Cen family. Although he is in his seventies or eighties, he is still qualified to be called that compared to her age. Her words "tear down the study" are even more domineering.

"By the way, Zhuang boy, how's your Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique training going?"

"Alas, this method is difficult, no easier than breaking through to a higher realm."

Zhuang Jin sighed but did not answer directly.

Such a secret physical technique is more private than martial arts realm, innate internal energy, or spiritual power; it is difficult to discover unless actively revealed.

"I see. To speed up this physical body technique, you can eat more meat from beasts at the Blood Exchange Realm as an aid."

"I have the same idea. I'm currently inquiring about the other Kui Niu and plan to make my move on Qingming Festival. I'll ask my grandmother for her permission."

Zhuang Jin's implication was that Shangguan Jinfeng should keep an eye on Xuan Yuanzhengji at that time.

"That's a good day, Zhuang boy, you can go with peace of mind!"

As Shangguan Jinfeng spoke, she watched Zhuang Jin leave, her gaze slightly complicated before quickly returning to calm.

Zhuang Jin thanked him and took his leave. The conversation had been ordinary, and he hadn't noticed anything amiss. However, his soul was powerful and perceptive, similar to the saying "Sincerity can lead to foresight," yet he still sensed a faint unease in his heart.

'Just as I expected, the three great families have lost their external targets and turned their attention to their own internal affairs? Even Shangguan Jin Feng might be affected and less tolerant of me now.'

He was not fooled by Shangguan Jinfeng's usual image, and remained clear-headed and rational, pondering to himself.

"Excessive rigidity leads to breakage; a person who is too extreme will not go far, and a family that is too extreme will not survive to this day."

'If the Shangguan family is truly determined to take action, they will not resort to extremes or direct, brutal methods, as those would have various negative consequences.'

—Leaving aside the impact on Shangguan Yunchang, just consider Zhuang Jin's repeated great contributions to the Shangguan family. He is too rude and lacks manners. Who would dare to serve him in the future? People have their own standards, and such behavior has a huge impact on the image of aristocratic families and such intangible assets.

Just like the Suspended Sky Division's approach to those targets, it's not that they have no choice. When faced with the most extreme situations, they won't resort to direct and brutal methods; that's the last resort in the most helpless circumstances.

'Shangguan Jinfeng, with her cunning and calculating nature, is even more so. Judging from her past actions, even if she were truly determined, she would likely employ various methods and schemes, devising overt plots, using others to do her dirty work, and achieving multiple goals at once.'

'Afterwards, even if it doesn't work out, it's hard to blame the other party.'

'But that doesn't mean it's easy to handle... In any case, a storm is brewing. I still have a little time, but not much.'

Zhuang Jin thought to himself, becoming even more vigilant and cautious.

……

Three more days passed quickly, and it was Qingming Festival in the sixty-fifth year of the Qianyuan era.

On this day, the day of the Great Qian Memorial Ceremony, the state governor would, as is customary, attend together with the heads of the three major families.

Zhuang Jin left under the pretext of hunting the Kui Niu and rode a fire phoenix into the mountains.

After entering the second level of the Funiu Mountains, he immediately let the Fire Phoenix and Treasure-Seeking Rat move around on their own. He then used his innate Qi to eliminate them. After taking out the Holy Spirit Pearl, he activated its shielding and concealment abilities, which had been continuously enhanced, to the limit for the first time after it had devoured the Wind Spirit Pearl and Wood Spirit Pearl.

Then, without even looking for the so-called Kui Niu, they sped off towards Yunchi Mountain.

The eruption of the ice flow in the underground ice lake caused glaciers to remain there to this day, making it a truly remarkable sight.

In such an icy environment, there might be some boost to breakthroughs. In this mountain range, Zhuang Jin randomly selected a spot. Since it was not ordinary solid ice, he quickly dug a cave, entered it, and prepared to break through.

……

Cangzhou.

"...May you accept this offering!"

At the official memorial service, Xuanyuan Zhengji, the governor of Cangzhou, led the recitation of prayers, with the heads of the three major clans in attendance.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, having completed his necessary procedures, Xuanyuan Zhengji excused himself from the meeting to rest, but secretly changed his clothes and quietly left.

Shangguan Jinfeng sensed and noticed, but narrowed her eyes and did not stop it immediately.

Just as Zhuang Jin had expected, even if she made up her mind, her first choice would not be to take action herself. In other words, for someone as shrewd as her, getting involved was always the last resort.

The Cen family took action, using drama to incite themselves, hoping that the Shangguan family would "cut off one of their own arms" and weaken the Shangguan family. Xuan Yuan Zhengji was also tempted.

Just as Shangguan Jinfeng had said, they went to the Cen family that day and taught Cen Chongxuan a lesson.

Cen Chongxuan understood that if Shangguan Jinfeng had kept quiet and held back, it would have been a bigger problem, meaning she was accumulating the strength to give him a harsh lesson. But if she had let it out like this, it wouldn't have been a big deal, and it would have been tantamount to encouraging her to turn a blind eye to certain things.

Therefore, after Shangguan Jinfeng left that day, Cen Chongxuan, despite having ruined the study, burst into laughter.

For Shangguan Jinfeng, using someone else to do the dirty work also leaves room for maneuver, thus avoiding a direct confrontation with Zhuang Jin and Shangguan Yunchang, or even a change of family head, which would be a major upheaval.

Getting back to the main point, a moment after Xuan Yuanzhengji left, Shangguan Jinfeng slowly got up, seemingly finally realizing what was happening and wanting to stop him.

“Where are you going, Fellow Daoist Shangguan? Why don’t you stay and chat?” Cen Jia stepped forward to block their way.

This move was to ensure Xuanyuan Zhengji's departure, to take action against Zhuang Jin, and to successfully weaken the Shangguan family.

Another point is that there is an unspoken understanding among aristocratic families, and he doesn't mind playing a half-hearted role with Shangguan Jinfeng to do her a favor.

……

Two flowers bloom, each telling its own story. Long before the Cangzhou public memorial ceremony began this year, in Yunchi Mountain, Erchongguan of the Funiu Mountains, a randomly excavated ice cave was discovered.

At the top of the ice cave, the Holy Spirit Pearl spun in mid-air, shining brightly. Extremely pure ice-attribute energy swirled down, almost transforming the sealed cave into a legendary paradise.

Zhuang Jin sat cross-legged, silently adjusting himself, intending to cultivate his essence, energy, and spirit to their peak.

'Back then, among the rogue cultivators at the Corpse Severing Realm, Zhan Shengchu drank poison to quench his thirst, expanded the small round table meeting, and gambled on that sliver of hope, ultimately perishing halfway through his journey;'
Mai Yinghuang took the initiative and broke through in front of everyone, showing his amazing talent. He cleverly borrowed heavenly lightning in the three trials of Yin Shen and broke through two of them. He also painstakingly planned and used various external conditions to block the interference of the three great families. However, due to unfavorable circumstances, he ultimately failed because of the change in the celestial phenomena.
Ao Zhiqi, trapped by her soul injury, obtained the 'Divine Essence Fruit' and abandoned even her son, whom she had been obsessed with for many years, to run away for her own use. However, she fell into a trap and was turned into a human puppet, unable to control herself.

Bian Zhihao was always cautious, but he was tempted by the treasure basin, the precious pill, and the chance to break through to the Yin God realm. He took this gamble once in his life, but it was this one time that led to his death.

Ge Zhaoqing had been scheming for years, wanting to "enter the major sect from a minor sect" and obtain the opportunity of the Ge family's Yin God. In the end, because he was too eager for quick success, he was tricked and made into a human puppet.

Li Shizong had been plotting for a hundred or two hundred years since his ancestors, and he took advantage of the seven returns of the Chunling Qiu monster to complete his great technique. However, he still revealed a flaw, aroused my suspicion, and was directly exposed. This person who was most likely to succeed also failed at the last minute.
……

These people, one after another, sacrificed themselves, all for the sake of the Yin Spirit Path!

It can be said that these people are all outstanding individuals, the best in Cangzhou. If they were content with the status quo, they could enjoy all the glory and wealth in the world. However, they are all chasing the vague hope of the Yin God, which seems incredibly foolish.

But from another perspective, without this kind of martial arts belief and willpower, how could one have reached that level?
Just like crossing social classes, every step upward is met with overt and covert blockades, targeting, and temptations. Reaching higher places is even more fraught with danger and bloodshed, let alone such an extraordinary path.
This has nothing to do with right or wrong. One seeks the truth, while the other seeks to maintain his status and survive. Their different pursuits have created these magnificent and tragic epics.

'Am I not the same?' If I were content to imprison myself, remaining at the level of severing one or two corpses in the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm, Shangguan Jinfeng wouldn't mind. He could live a life of honor and joy as the Shangguan family's son-in-law.

'But if that's what I sought, why did I leave Yunnan in the first place, abandoning Yunniang, Qing'er, Jun'er, and Qingjun, bidding farewell to relatives and friends, all in pursuit of immortality?'

From the beginning of the journey, in Diannan Prefecture, to the various experiences in Cangzhou, from Feng Qingyin and Leng Kui in the True Qi Realm circle, to the scattered individuals in the Gang Qi Realm circle, such as Qin Douzhan, Cui Pangui, Shen Tu Biao, Zong Yan, and others, and then to Zhan Shengchu before that.

These scenes from the past, these people, flashed through Zhuang Jin's mind, as if the hopes, blessings, and expectations of countless people were converging on him at this moment, making his mental energy more active than ever before, and his spirit soaring to its peak.

"Break through the Yin Spirit Realm!"

Zhuang Jin stopped waiting, closed his eyes and circulated his cultivation technique. The Yin God Heavenly Barrier that had blocked countless geniuses throughout the eight hundred years of the Great Qian Dynasty seemed to have no effect on him. In an instant, his mind entered a state of super-inner contemplation that was even deeper than breaking through to the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm.

His robes fluttered without wind, and a dark silver spot appeared between his brows, growing brighter and brighter until it turned into the color of glass.

Behind his head, a hazy light shone faintly, like ripples on water under the sunlight.

'The abode of the spirit is the 'Niwan Palace,' this acupoint is open in a void, allowing the spirit to enter—so that's how it is!'

boom!
In a state of profound mystery, Zhuang Jin possessed a spiritual strength almost twice that of an ordinary person. In this state of enlightenment, his mental energy was extremely active. At this moment, a powerful surge, like the tide on the Qiantang River, crashed through the perceived 'Niwan Palace' and opened the hidden secrets of the Yin.

As the saying goes: "Sever the three corpses and you will be free; wash away the lead and the spirit will emerge."

The next moment, Zhuang Jin's sea of ​​soul opened, reflecting the outside world. The glassy light spot between his eyebrows turned into vertical lines, and the hazy light behind his head solidified in an instant, forming a halo like a bright moon. Under its radiance, he looked like a sacred Buddha.

The first of the three trials of Yin Shen – Sensing the Spirit – can be accomplished in an instant!

Just as Zhuang Jin opened his Niwan Palace and unlocked the Yin Secret Treasure, the Sea of ​​Soul appeared, similar to the innate realm of 'Divine Gate'. That heart-stirring, intoxicating, and decadent state of mind followed closely behind.

Chen Yun, Mu Qing, and Shen Xujun appeared one after another. They had wasted their best years, and looking back with tender affection, their silence spoke louder than words, as if they were saying, "Husband, come back."

Li Shizong appeared, cursing: 'Zhuang Jin, you said you killed me because I plotted against you, but you clearly wanted to kill me to prevent me from breaking through to the Yin God realm first, thus blocking my path... With me here, you will never achieve Yin Godhood. Leave me here!'

Shangguan Yunchang's gaze was complex: 'Husband, did you ever love me, or have you always treated me merely as a tool for your martial arts advancement?'

……

These scenes, targeting the weaknesses in Zhuang Jin's mind, were intended to pull him down and cause him to fall into depravity. However, due to his powerful divine soul and a Dao heart as strong as steel, he broke free in an instant and entered the second stage of the Yin God Three Gates, 'Fusion of Origin'.

After the first stage, 'Sensing the Spirit,' the Yin Mystic Treasury is activated, and the Sea of ​​Souls appears. Zhuang Jin's divine soul is powerful, and the area of ​​his Sea of ​​Souls is twice that of an ordinary person. His Yin Divine Thoughts seem endless and inexhaustible. He absorbs the energy of the Holy Spirit Pearl from the outside world and rapidly merges it with the ultimate attribute of the Innate Gang Yuan in his Dantian, transforming into divine essence.

Once the divine essence is generated, it naturally places a heavy burden on the body, but under the flawless golden body, no pressure is felt.

—One minute on stage requires ten years of practice off stage. What is innate and what is acquired, Zhuang Jin’s previous preparations in the three elements of ‘essence, energy and spirit’ made this stage extremely smooth and stable.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Shen Yuan had completed his transformation and passed this test.

'The three trials of the Yin spirit, the final step—calm the mind.'

At the beginning of the completion of the divine transformation, the ocean was vast and bubbling. At this moment, the physical body was under the maximum load. Zhuang Jin's flawless golden body finally felt some pressure. However, because his own attribute was ice, and it was the ultimate ice, after the initial moment, the divine essence had been gradually cooling down, and the pressure was actually gradually decreasing.

He estimated that even if he did nothing, he could complete this step in about half an hour, but delay would lead to unforeseen circumstances, so he could not wait that long. His divine soul power enveloped him.

When an ordinary innate corpse-slaying martial artist breaks through to this stage, their spiritual energy is almost completely exhausted due to the consumption of the first two stages, making it impossible to stop the progress. Even if they could, it would only be a temporary measure. However, Zhuang Jin is different. With the remaining strength, the powerful divine soul force instantly froze his divine essence.

After the turmoil of divine energy subsided, the core vortex in the dantian absorbed the rapidly cooling divine energy and condensed into a glassy golden pill.

At this point, having passed the three trials and formed the Yin spirit, the entire body is like spring arriving after a cold winter, radiating vitality.

The golden elixir of the dantian shone brightly, the essence, qi, and spirit circulated, the sea of ​​the soul was filled, and the spiritual power became strong again and began to nourish the physical body.

hum!
At this moment, Zhuang Jin clearly sensed that his physical body, which should have undergone a transformation and advancement, was stuck due to the limitations of the environment.

A towering pine tree cannot grow in a flowerpot, nor can a thoroughbred horse be raised in a courtyard. In a pond, there is a limit to the size of a large fish, and this is the moment when that limit has been reached.

Even if he has no bottleneck, he is no exception. In other words, forcibly breaking through this limitation is more of a curse than a blessing. It's like a whale appearing in a small fishpond; that whale will only die faster.

'Physical advancement and purification mean a longer lifespan. Is this restriction and constraint meant to demonstrate equality between life and death and prevent the emergence of long-lived monsters?'

‘That’s all. ’

Zhuang Jin stopped interfering and no longer forced his body to transform. He calmed his mind and opened his eyes. The moment he did, an aura emanated from the ice cave, causing it to hum and even making the entire Cloud Pool Mountain seem to tremble.

"Seventeen years of cultivation, the Yin Spirit realm, achieved today!"

……

(End of this chapter)