The world of martial arts, the immortal swordsman in the mortal realm.

Chapter 173, page 188: Wan Yao Nu's Courage Unleashed! Li Shimin's Fear! [8K]

When Wanwan's soft, cool pink lips pressed against my cheek.

Lu Chen's "Heart Sword" suddenly trembled slightly as he sensed a faint, hazy emotion.

Joy, shyness, trepidation...

The subtle emotions transformed into hazy and strange ripples of light.

Lu Chen felt that he could truly "capture" the "ripples" that did not exist in reality, and then, according to his will, cut off one of them.

this moment.

Lu Chen knew that his "Heart Sword" had unknowingly reached a new stage.

The true purpose of "Sword 4: Heart Sword" is to wound the mind.

It can erase other people's emotions and memories, and even destroy their inner demons and damage their primordial spirit.

Perception ability is merely a secondary ability gained during the cultivation of "Heart Sword".

Since unlocking Sword 4, Lu Chen would observe the Sword 4 imprint every night, contemplating the lightning-shaped heart sword, allowing it to grow little by little.

After refining the extraordinary power of the He Shi Bi jade, the Heart Sword experienced a rapid growth, with its perception capabilities increasing dramatically.

And today.

He unexpectedly gained a clear understanding of Wanwan's various emotions and realized how to use the Heart Sword to slay and erase them.

Of course, he wouldn't attack Wanwan without a reason.

Severing emotions isn't a huge harm; it only makes a person immediately lose a certain feeling they're experiencing.

For example, when you're happy, you suddenly lose interest. When you're sad, you suddenly lose your sadness.

When his fighting spirit was high and his killing intent was intense, he suddenly became peaceful...

This is only a temporary effect and is not very harmful.

It's not as serious as erasing memories, or even damaging or destroying one's mind.

But it can also be considered manipulating other people's emotions.

When dealing with enemies, one can use any means necessary, but one cannot use such tactics against one's own people.

Unless there are any inner demons that could cause adverse effects, he can help to eliminate them.

Lu Chen quietly comprehended the "Sword Four Imprint," reflecting on what he could currently do.

It doesn't seem like that many.

Against an opponent with high moral character, even with his current level of mental sword cultivation, it is still difficult to sever the opponent's emotions, and it is even extremely difficult to capture the opponent's emotions.

The reason I was able to easily perceive and even capture Wanwan's various emotions at this moment was simply because she was excited and completely unguarded towards him.

If that's the case, then it's even less likely that he would use Wanwan to test his Heart Sword.

He didn't even want to constantly be aware of the emotions of those around him, because that kind of life was just too boring.

With this thought in mind, Lu Chen withdrew his "Heart Sword" from perceiving emotions and stopped trying to understand Wanwan's feelings.

In addition, he also learned the conditions for unlocking "Sword Five".

That is to use the "Mind Sword" to launch an attack in actual combat.

There's no need to damage the opponent's spirit; as long as you can successfully extinguish one of the opponent's emotions in actual combat, you can unlock "Sword Five".

Of course, there are requirements for this opponent. They cannot be too weak or weak; they must be at least as skilled as Qu Ao or Li Mi.

This discovery filled Lu Chen with renewed energy.

With great excitement, Wanwan mustered up the courage she had never shown before to kiss Lu Chen. Although it was just a kiss on the cheek, she felt incredibly nervous and shy, and also had a little bit of anticipation for his reaction.

How would he react?
Shock?

joy?

angry?

If he gets angry, will he punish me by piercing my meridians with his true energy?
Wanwan's pretty face flushed slightly, her eyes sparkling as she awaited Lu Chen's reaction.

But all they saw was Lu Chen sitting blankly in his chair, lost in thought.

No, he wasn't daydreaming; he had entered a state of enlightenment similar to that of cultivation!
this person!
Someone's kissing you, can't you show the normal reaction a person would have?

Wanwan pouted, feeling quite upset.

I even felt a bit itchy, and I really wanted to kick him in the face to see if he could still put on that dreamy, detached look.

But she didn't dare—even her master avoided Lu Chen like the plague, so how could she be so arrogant?

Having witnessed Lu Chen sweep through armies and crush people like flies, Wanwan knew better than her master how ruthless Lu Chen was.

But I was really angry inside.

So she quietly poked out her delicate, pink, snow-white little foot, straightened her slightly pink toes, and pointed them toward Lu Chen's stomach.

He probably won't be angry if I kick him in the stomach, right?

So what if he punishes me by piercing my meridians with his true energy!

As Wanwan thought this, before her toes even touched Lu Chen's stomach, Lu Chen, who seemed to be lost in thought, suddenly raised his hand and grabbed her little foot in his palm.

It felt like I had caught a piece of warm, soft jade.

Silky smooth and delicate, exquisite and tender, it made Lu Chen feel an urge to play with it, and he unconsciously tightened his grip.

"Um……"

Wanwan let out a soft hum, pouted her little lips, and said shyly and reproachfully:

"You're pinching me too hard."

Lu Chen released his hand and looked at Wanwan's instep. Sure enough, he saw five bruises on her fair instep.

Well, you can't blame Wanwan for being too fragile. Lu Chen's strength is enough to crush copper into mud.

When you unconsciously grip a hand, you might end up using a little too much force.

Lu Chen supported the sole of her foot with one hand and pressed the finger marks on Wanwan's instep with the other, channeling his inner energy to remove the bruises, and said:
"I was daydreaming just now."

Wanwan's lips curled slightly as she watched Lu Chen heal her. The warm, life-giving energy as their true qi merged made her small, cute toes curl up in comfort.

When Lu Chen finished treating her injuries, the back of her foot returned to its smooth and fair appearance, with no bruises left.

Lu Chen put down her bound feet, looked at the daylight streaming in through the window, and stood up:
"It's dawn. We're leaving for Chang'an tomorrow, so let's pack our luggage today so it'll be ready to be loaded onto the ship tomorrow."

So many people gave him gifts: gold and silver jewelry, jade artifacts, brocades and silks, calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, and valuable furniture, filling the warehouse to the brim. He even had to set aside an extra room for storage.

He planned to take some of these to Chang'an to decorate the new base there.

Thanks to the Guangtong Canal, which was opened during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, it was possible to travel by boat from Luoyang to Chang'an.

One can first follow the Luo River to the Yellow River, then travel westward along the Yellow River to Tongguan, enter the Guangtong Canal (300 li long), and continue westward to reach Chang'an.

With such convenient river transport, even a lot of luggage won't be a burden.

"Can we cultivate together every day from now on?"

Wanwan looked at him expectantly.

Lu Chen nodded:

"The new cultivation method is too efficient. With your current skill and physique, one hour of cultivation together each day is enough."

The new cultivation method is highly effective. Practicing it for one hour each day, using the vitality derived from the dual cultivation of true qi, can bring Wanwan to the limit of her daily refining ability.

Those that cannot be refined on the spot during the dual cultivation of true qi will settle in the meridians, acupoints, and blood and qi of the body, and will slowly dissolve over the rest of the day.

However, if more life force were to emerge, Wanwan's current skill and physique would not be able to accommodate it, and it would only be wasted. Therefore, one hour is just right.

If a more in-depth and efficient method of dual cultivation is used, the time it takes for vitality to reach saturation will be even shorter.

Of course, this applies to Wanwan.

With Lu Chen's meridians and acupoints after the acupuncture and meridian transformation, as well as the powerful physique of his sword body, his capacity to bear weight far exceeds that of Wanwan. Furthermore, he also needs to simultaneously increase his internal strength and temper his sword body, requiring double the vitality. An hour of cultivation is too short for him.

But that doesn't matter, he can still cultivate with Dugu Feng.

Xiao Feng'er has been practicing the Lesser Formless Skill for some time now, and should be close to the point where she can convert her true energy.

With the assistance of Wanwan and Dugu Feng, his progress in "strengthening his muscles and bones" will be able to advance by leaps and bounds.

Wanwan was overjoyed to have Lu Chen grant her permission to cultivate together for an hour each day. She smiled brightly and jumped off the bed.

"Let's go pack our bags."

Neither of them slept all night, but neither felt tired.

Although Wanwan was nearly knocked off her feet by Lu Chen's instructional battle last night, her dual cultivation of true qi had already restored her vitality, and her true qi, physical strength, and spirit were all at their peak.

The two of them went to the warehouse together and started picking and choosing.

"Do you want to take this Persian rug with you? You can put it in the bedroom."

"Okay. Take him away."

"And this calligraphy and painting..."

"take away."

"This box..."

"Isn't this box empty?"

"This is a gift from Wan'er to you. It's not an empty box at all. There are gifts inside. Look..."

Watching Wanwan open the large box, then curl up and lie inside, Lu Chen was speechless.

"From now on, you can keep the box in your bedroom; there will be surprises all the time."

Lu Chen remained expressionless:

"I think it will be a shock."

Wanwan giggled and poked her foot out of the box, wanting to tickle him.

So Lu Chen couldn't resist grabbing her little feet again.

Wanwan straightened her insteps, curled her toes, gently bit her lip with her pearly teeth, and a blush appeared on her cheeks:
"If you like... you can play with it often."

These words sound like a seductive flirtation from a vixen, but in reality, they come from the heart.

Wanwan felt that she had become brave today.

Was it because of Master's encouragement, "If you truly want to obtain something, you must actively strive to seize it"?

Or is it because they finally found the correct path to the Heavenly Demon Art?
Or perhaps, tonight she truly conveyed her heart to him, and was now fearless and ready to give up?
Wanwan didn't know either.

All she knew was that she was happy.

A genuine joy that I've never experienced before in the Yin Gui School since I was a child.

Lu Chen gently held her delicate, soft feet, looking at her shy expression, and whispered:
"You'd better think this through. I'm not one to stand on ceremony."

Wanwan blushed and smiled sweetly.
"I was afraid you'd be too polite."

Lu Chen smiled gently and patted the back of her foot lightly:
"If I really become impolite, you'll be scared again. Get up and continue packing your luggage."

"Who would be afraid of you? She's the Yin Gui Demoness, she's seen it all..."

Wanwan said indignantly, but still got up as instructed and continued with her work.

Lu Chen was right; Wanwan's courage to offer her foot to him to play with was already at its limit.

If he wants to take things further, Wanwan really doesn't know how she will react.

……

In the evening, Dugu Feng returned.

The Dugu clan's fleet has left Luoyang, and the entire family has moved to Chang'an.

Dugu Feng naturally went with Lu Chen. After seeing her family members off on the boat, she returned to the Lu residence alone.

"A large ship has been arranged and will arrive early tomorrow morning. Have all the luggage for Chang'an been packed?"

"Yes, Wanwan and I spent half the day packing today, and it's all ready. As soon as the boat arrives tomorrow, we can load it onto the ship immediately."

"Let me see what you've prepared."

After Dugu Feng had walked around the storeroom and another room where gifts were stored, she realized that she had a lot more luggage to take tomorrow...

……

"Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling have already returned to Luoyang."

As dusk settled, in the mansion of a wealthy merchant in Luoyang, Li Shimin sat in the garden, listening to Changsun Wuji's report.

What were the specific details of the Battle of Mangshan?

"Just as Wang Shichong announced, two thousand defeated forty thousand, a complete victory. Li Mi was killed in battle by Lu Chen, and generals such as Pei Renji, Pei Xingyan, Cheng Zhijie, and Zu Junyan were captured. Shan Xiongxin, Bing Yuanzhen, and others surrendered with their troops."

"Was this battle... truly orchestrated by Lu Chen?"

When asked the question, a look of worry appeared in Li Shimin's eyes.

Changsun Wuji's eyes were also filled with apprehension:
"The battlefield was indeed dominated by Lu Chen. He used a pair of hammers, each said to weigh 800 jin, to break through enemy formations and kill generals. No one could stop him. He even tore apart the army formation of Pushan Gongying. Two thousand iron cavalry followed him and charged straight in, easily crushing all of Li Mi's army's formations..."

"An eight-hundred-pound hammer? A pair?" Li Shimin exclaimed in astonishment, "Are these even human?"

His younger brother, Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, was born with superhuman strength. His martial arts skills were second only to Li Shentong, the number one expert of the Li clan. He only used a "Cracking Horse Spear" weighing 120 jin. Lu Chen was able to use a pair of hammers weighing 800 jin each.
Changsun Wuji said:
"That's the rumor, but it might be exaggerated. However, there's no doubt that Lu Chen has the courage to scare away a thousand soldiers and be invincible against ten thousand. And he does have an indestructible body. Many people on the battlefield have witnessed Li Mi piercing his throat with a spear, yet he was completely unharmed."

At this point, there was a sense of bewilderment in Changsun Wuji's eyes, as if he were telling a mythological story.

That's Li Mi!

With Li Mi's martial arts skills, if the three grandmasters dared to withstand the steel spear piercing their throats, they would be seriously injured if not killed. However, Lu Chen was unfazed and easily decapitated Li Mi with a backhand...

Just as Li Shimin said, is this even a human being?
After a long while, Changsun Wuji finally calmed down, shook his head and sighed:

"With Lu Chen's martial arts skills and physique, if he leads the charge and charges into battle, no military formation can stop his offensive without a large number of experts to restrain him."

Li Shimin remained silent for a long while before asking in a low voice, "Who devised the strategy for this battle?"

Changsun Wuji said:
"Kou Zhong. He and Xu Ziling guessed Li Mi's strategy, were not fooled by the 60,000 new troops that Li Mi released as bait, and found the location of Li Mi's main force. On the day of the decisive battle, Kou Zhong also personally led more than 200 former generals of the Wagang Dragon Head Mansion to launch a surprise attack on Li Mi's camp from the rear, causing Li Mi's army to be attacked from both sides, resulting in chaos in the camp and completely losing any hope of turning the tide!"

"It really is Kou Zhong!"

Li Shimin's worries deepened:
What exactly is the relationship between Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Lu Chen?

He couldn't help but worry.

Lu Chen first appeared on the night of the Jiangdu mutiny, where he repelled the shadow assassin Yang Xuyan, saving Kou Xu from danger.

Later, at Manqing Courtyard, he helped Kou Xu take over Qu Ao.

On the night of the robbery of the He Shi Bi, when Empress Zhu Yuyan led a group of experts from the Yin Gui Sect to launch a surprise attack on Lu Chen, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling hid in the Luo River to help Lu Chen block the elder-level experts of the Yin Gui Sect.

In this decisive battle at Mangshan, Lu Chen once again stepped in to help—Li Shimin did not believe that Lu Chen was helping Wang Shichong, but could only be helping Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

Kou Zhong was a military genius highly valued by Li Shimin.

He tried to recruit Kou Zhong to his side more than once, but Kou Zhong refused and even expressed his desire to participate in the struggle for supremacy.

Although Kou Zhong had no territory or power before, he possessed the secret of Yang Gong's treasure trove and was likely supported by the Song clan.

After the Battle of Mangshan, Kou Zhong gained the support of the former members of the Longtoufu of Wagangzhai. At this time, with Li Mi defeated and killed, the Wagang army was leaderless and disintegrating. The former members of the Longtoufu were likely able to help Kou Zhong recruit a large number of elite soldiers and generals of the Wagang army.

Therefore, Kou Zhong already has the opportunity to soar to great heights and can acquire territory and subordinates at any time.

Given Kou Zhong's talent as a commander, if given more time, he will surely grow into a formidable opponent.

If Kou Zhong still had Lu Chen's support...

Li Shimin felt that he might not even be able to sleep peacefully.

"Perhaps you are overthinking it, Shimin. Perhaps Lu Chen did not act at Kou Xu's request. It is said that Lu Chen publicly declared on the battlefield that the reason he was fighting Li Mi was because Li Mi sent Chao Gongcuo and Mei Tian to seize the He Shi Bi jade and destroy his newly built waterside pavilion."

Li Shimin frowned and said:

"Such a joking reason... Wuji, do you believe it?"

Changsun Wuji solemnly said:
“An invincible man cannot be humiliated. That night, apart from Li Mi, no other warlord sent anyone to seize the He Shi Bi. Li Mi was arrogant and looked down on Lu Chen. It was only natural that Lu Chen made an example of him to warn the other warlords that he was an existence that could not be provoked.”

Li Shimin tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, pondered for a long time, and then suddenly sighed:
"How could there be someone like Lu Chen in the world... It seems that this time, we cannot leave Kou Zhong and Zi Ling in Luoyang."

Li Shimin admired Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling and regarded them as friends, but the biggest difference between him and Kou Zhong was that he would never act on emotion.

Realizing the threat posed by Kou Zhong, and having failed to recruit him several times, Li Shimin had already conceived the idea of ​​nipping Kou Zhong in the bud to reduce future uncertainties.

pity.

He couldn't be sure of the relationship between Lu Chen and Kou Xu, so he didn't dare to make a move easily.

There's no way around it, Lu Chen is just too terrifying.

Li Shimin dared not imagine what serious consequences would result from offending Lu Chen.

"Instead of speculating here, Shimin, I think you should go and visit Lu Chen directly to get to the bottom of things."

Changsun Wuji said softly:
"Perhaps Lu Chen also favors the Tang Dynasty more?"

Li Shimin slowly nodded:
"I will personally pay a visit first thing tomorrow morning."

……

Early the next morning.

Li Shimin, accompanied by three attendants including Changsun Wuji, arrived at the Lu residence in a simple carriage.

After getting out of the car, Changsun Wuji stepped forward and knocked on the door:

"Young Master Lu, Li Shimin has come to pay a visit!"

They didn't even mention "Prince of Qin of the Great Tang Dynasty," which shows their humility.

A short while later, the gate of the Lu residence opened, and Dugu Feng, dressed in a black outfit with a fiery red belt around her waist, walked out.

"Brother Shimin." She nodded slightly to Li Shimin in greeting.

"Cousin Feng," Li Shimin replied with a smile.

Li Shimin was Dugu Xin's great-grandson, and Dugu Feng was Dugu Xin's great-granddaughter; the two were indeed distant cousins.

Even after the Dugu clan's defeat in the Luoyang struggle, they were able to move their entire family to Chang'an to seek refuge with the Li Tang dynasty, precisely because of this kinship.

Speaking of which, the old residence of the Dugu clan is located in Chang'an, and the entrance to the "Yang Gong Treasure House" is in a well in the "Xiji Garden" of the Dugu clan.

After greeting him, Li Shimin introduced three attendants to Dugu Feng.

"This is my brother-in-law, Sun Wuji. This is Hong Fu Nu, the wife of my general Li Jing. This is my trusted general, Yuchi Jingde."

Dugu Feng nodded to Changsun Wuji and Yuchi Jingde, then turned his gaze to Hong Fu Nu, curiously glancing at this renowned expert of the Qin Prince's mansion whom he was meeting for the first time today.

Hong Fu Nu was a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties. She had a red silk whisk tucked diagonally into her back. She was tall and slender, with a calm and experienced demeanor. She was quiet and dignified, and her eyes were focused and firm, giving people the feeling that once she set her mind on a goal, she would definitely stick to it to the end.

Her aura was also deep and obscure, making it impossible for Dugu Feng to fathom her depths.

"I should ask her for advice when I have the chance."

Dugu Fengwu's infatuated nature was stirring with restless desire.

However, she knew this was not the time for sparring or challenges, so she welcomed Li Shimin and his entourage through the gate and led them towards the inner courtyard, saying:
"Brother Shimin, you've come at just the right time. If you had come half an hour later, there would have been no one here."

"Nobody here?" Li Shimin asked in confusion. "Is Young Master Lu going on a trip?"

Dugu Feng laughed and said, "That's right, let's go to Chang'an."

Go to Chang'an?
Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.

Changsun Wuji tentatively asked:

"May I ask, Miss Dugu, is Young Master Lu going to Chang'an for sightseeing or to settle down?"

"I don't know that! He just said he wanted to buy a property in Chang'an."

Why not buy property in Chang'an instead of Luoyang?
This……

Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji exchanged another glance, this time with a hint of surprise in their eyes.

Does this mean that Lu Chen has a higher opinion of the Tang Dynasty?

While they were pondering, Dugu Feng led them to the front of the main house, where they saw a group of burly men dressed as sailors carrying some heavy-looking boxes toward the backyard.

A young girl dressed in a silver-white robe, with a black belt around her waist, carrying a long sword on her back, and her face covered by a heavy veil, revealing only her eyebrows and eyes, was directing from the side.

When she saw Li Shimin and his party approaching, the young swordswoman merely glanced at them and then ignored them.

Dugu Feng made no attempt to introduce the young swordswoman, and instead led Li Shimin and his entourage directly into the main hall of the residence.

Lu Chen did not come out to greet them at the main gate, but waited in the main hall. However, Li Shimin and his party did not complain, nor did they feel that Lu Chen was too arrogant.

With Lu Chen's illustrious record, his status is already comparable to Song Que of Tian Dao, or even the three grandmasters.

Even the emperor would treat the three Grandmaster-level experts with the utmost respect. In fact, the Martial Venerable Bi Xuan held a more prestigious position on the grasslands than the Turkic Khan.

Li Shimin was only the Prince of Qin of the Tang Dynasty, not the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

Furthermore, the Tang Dynasty only occupied the separatist forces in Guanzhong, and had not even completely pacified Guanzhong, and still had the formidable enemy of Xue Ju and his son.

Given the current situation, even Emperor Li Yuan of Tang had to remain humble in front of Lu Chen, let alone Li Shimin.

"Li Shimin pays his respects to Young Master Lu! I apologize for this unauthorized visit and hope Young Master Lu will forgive me."

Li Shimin first bowed, then introduced Changsun Wuji, Hong Fu Nu, and Yuchi Jingde, who also bowed respectfully.

Changsun Wuji was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and was also Li Shimin's brother-in-law. Yuchi Jingde was also highly skilled in martial arts. Hong Fu Nu was the number one expert in the Qin Prince's mansion, and even among all the experts in the Li clan, she had few rivals. Which of the three of them wasn't proud and arrogant?
However, faced with Lu Chen's two illustrious victories in breaking through enemy lines and killing kings, even the most skilled martial artist, Hong Fu Nu, could only express her deepest admiration.

"Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities."

Lu Chen nodded slightly and invited the four of them to sit down.

Following Lu Chen's custom, Dugu Feng served each of Li Shimin and the others a glass of cold water.

"With the relocation imminent, I apologize for any shortcomings in our hospitality, Your Majesty."

"I wouldn't dare. My cousin Feng'er said that Young Master Lu is moving to Chang'an? And he even intends to buy property in Chang'an?"

"good."

"Shimin has an estate in Chang'an. If Young Master Lu doesn't mind..."

Lu Chen smiled and said:

"That would be disrespectful."

Li Shimin was overjoyed. If Lu Chen was willing to accept gifts, did it mean that Lu Chen really thought highly of the Li Tang dynasty?
Little did they know that Lu Chen accepting the gift only meant that he owed the favor, and did not mean that he would not turn against them if they really offended him.

At most, in a fight, I might spare your life, just like Shen Luoyan did.

"correct."

Lu Chen spoke again:
"I am very interested in Lishan Hot Springs and would like to find a room in the Hot Spring Palace to spend the winter. Is that possible?"

After a while.

Li Shimin and his entourage, who had only been sitting for less than a quarter of an hour, left the Lu residence and boarded a carriage.

He agreed to Lu Chen's request—Li Shimin knew very well that Lu Chen was only informing him out of politeness, so he was also sensible and promised to report the matter of the Lishan Hot Spring Palace to his father after returning to Chang'an.

As for the relationship between Lu Chen and Kou Xu, Li Shimin did not inquire.

But he already knew Lu Chen's attitude.

"Now that everything in Luoyang is settled, we can leave Luoyang with Young Master Lu and return to Chang'an. On the way, you can also ask Young Master Lu for more martial arts advice."

Both Hong Fu Nu and Yuchi Jingde showed great interest upon hearing this.

Changsun Wuji hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling?"

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and sighed:

"Young Master Lu and Kou Zhong do have some connection. Even if he doesn't support Kou Zhong's ambition to dominate the world, he won't just stand by and watch him be surrounded and killed. Fine, if Kou Zhong can truly rise from the ashes, then we can compete with him on the battlefield in the future. When it comes to fighting on the battlefield, why would I, Li Shimin, be afraid of him?"

……

Around noon, two large ships sailed out of Luoyang along the Luo River, one after the other.

In the spacious and comfortable main cabin of the large ship, Lu Chen stood by the window, playing with the He Shi Bi jade.

The He Shi Bi jade has absorbed the "essence of the sun and moon" for some time, but it is still far from recovering to the point where it can release alien radiation or even change a person's acupoints and meridians.

According to Lu Chen's estimate, it will take at least half a year for the He Shi Bi's supernatural power to recover to half of its peak value before it can release supernatural power radiation and help people change their acupoints and meridians.

"It still needs to be nurtured slowly. Fortunately, it can be used once every six months, which not only provides a steady stream of benefits but also benefits many people, making it much more cost-effective than using it all at once."

Lu Chen alone can digest most of the strange power of the He Shi Bi.

But that's because of his special physique.

No normal person could withstand so much of the extraordinary power of the He Shi Bi jade.

In the original timeline, Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Feng Han had to work together to barely withstand the impact of the He Shi Bi's strange power.

Therefore, the limit of what an ordinary person can withstand is about 30% of the force, or even less, because Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's longevity qi can instantly complement each other and heal injuries, and their meridians and acupoints can withstand the impact of the force far beyond that of ordinary people.

Therefore, for safety reasons, it is best for others not to be subjected to more than 20% of the force at one time.

In this way, once the He Shi Bi (a type of jade disc) has recovered half of its extraordinary power, it can be used to change the acupoints and meridians of both people simultaneously.

That being said, "changing acupoints and meridians" is not a rare opportunity for those around Lu Chen, because "Old Man's Fist" has this function.

It's just that the effects are a bit slow, requiring years of gradual accumulation, unlike the He Shi Bi jade which has immediate results.

However, the good thing is that the Old Man's Fist has not yet reached its limit—after Lu Chen underwent the transformation of acupoints and meridians through the He Shi Bi jade, his acupoints changed from "wells" to "deep pools," and his meridians changed from "streams" to "canals," so the third version of the Old Man's Fist still has an effect on him.

Even if the effect is much weaker than before, it can still slowly but effectively improve the root structure and change the meridians.

The Old Man's Fist can be continuously upgraded.

With further accumulation, the Old Man's Fist can be upgraded and revamped once again.

The effects of the He Shi Bi's extraordinary power have an upper limit.

After refining the He Shi Bi's power, Lu Chen developed a special sensitivity to it and had already sensed that its effect on him was nearing its limit.

At most, he could use about 10% of the He Shi Bi's extraordinary power to slightly expand his meridians and acupoints, after which the He Shi Bi's extraordinary power would reach its limit.

"So, if you want your cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds, you still have to consume the Evil Emperor's Relic... Chang'an is currently a place of great turmoil, and countless experts are hiding there, eyeing the Evil Emperor's Relic covetously..."

The Evil Emperor's Relic has been missing for many years, and many people suspect that it has been hidden in Yang Gong's Treasure Vault.

As for the location of Yang Gong's treasure vault, some clever people have already guessed it.

The main reason is that the Rakshasa woman Fu Junzhuo once entered the "fake treasure vault" outside Yang Gong's treasure vault and obtained the treasures inside.

By reasoning based on Fu Junzhuo's itinerary in the Central Plains and referring to the major projects Yang Su participated in, the possible location of Yang Gong's treasure trove can be basically deduced.

Shi Zhixuan, for example, has been lurking in Chang'an's "Wulou Temple," posing as the abbot to monitor the underground activities in Chang'an.

Wulou Temple is also the location of the ventilation system of Yang Gong's treasure vault. As long as someone opens the treasure vault mechanism and makes a noise, Shi Zhixuan can detect it immediately.

Besides Shi Zhixuan, the Li clan also guessed that Yang Gong's treasure vault was in Chang'an, and even had a guess about where the entrance to the treasure vault was. They also arranged for people to take turns listening to the underground activity.

The Yin Gui Sect also had the same guess, but they didn't know the specific entrance or how to solve the treasure vault mechanism.

"The Evil King Shi Zhixuan... his 'Undying Seal Technique' should also be of great help to my understanding of the principles of 'life and death'..."

Just as I was pondering whether to visit Abbot Shi at Wulou Temple upon arriving in Chang'an, Dugu Feng's clear voice suddenly rang out from below:
"Brother Lu, we're about to start practicing our swordsmanship. Come down and give me some pointers!"

Lu Chen looked in the direction of the sound and saw Dugu Feng standing on the deck, waving to him charmingly. Wanwan was also beside her, smiling brightly at him.

"Just come."

Lu Chen responded, placed the He Shi Bi on the table by the window, and went down to instruct them on swordsmanship.

[This chapter is 8K words long, combined with two other chapters. It's the last day of July, so please vote with your monthly tickets!]

(End of this chapter)