I bear witness to immortality in the human world.

Chapter 144 More Than a Month
In the canyon.

Wu Ming's physical body stood holding a gun, his divine form long since vanished.

After the fourth refinement of the primordial spirit, although one can control the Dharma body and separate thoughts to drive objects, the separated thoughts driving the flying sword cannot stray too far from the original primordial spirit. Unless the entire primordial spirit leaves the body and enters the flying sword, one can travel hundreds of miles on the sword. However, in this case, the body can only retain a wisp of soul thought and cannot perform Taoist arts, which is relatively dangerous.

This is one of the reasons why Wu Ming did not continue to pursue the fleeing fox demon.

Although he could use his Dharma form to burrow underground while his physical body was encased in it, the speed of burrowing underground was not fast, and there were certain limitations to his physical body underground. Even if he used the breath-holding technique, he could only last for a quarter of an hour at most before he had to return to the surface.

Although the Earthly Fiend Dharma Form can carry the physical body underground, it is not omnipotent. Just as the Heavenly Gang Dharma Form can carry the physical body through the air, it is also subject to height limitations. Only by cultivating to a higher level can one fly through the air and roam freely. As for the Earthly Fiend Primordial Dharma Form, at the stage of the fourth refinement of the primordial spirit, one can only cultivate the first two levels at most, and cannot control the higher levels.

Swish!
With the return of the flying sword, Wu Ming's primordial spirit returned to his body.

He glanced at the corpse of the Silver Moon Sable not far away, put it away, then picked up the already roasted fish and, while tasting it, quietly left the canyon.

……

After encountering the fox demon, Wu Ming quietly left the border of the desolate region and took the opportunity to return to the border stronghold. He took out a portion of the demon heart of the three-transformation great demon, along with some valuable key parts, and handed it over to the Demon Suppression Division in exchange for merit.

Wu Ming gained a lot from this trip. Although most of the demon body was kept in the Demon Subduing Realm and it was not easy to take it all out, he still gained more than 200,000 merit points by taking out only some unique or valuable parts such as the demon heart and demon tendons. Adding the ones he had saved up before, he now had nearly 400,000 merit points in hand.

Since the border was still in chaos, Wu Ming did not return to Jingye City. Instead, he stayed in the border stronghold and inspected the treasury on the spot. The border stronghold also stored some resources, which were basically the gains obtained by the warriors of the two departments who explored the border. However, they would not be stored for long. Generally, after accumulating a batch, they would be sent back to the city.

Among the resources left in the border stronghold, Wu Ming couldn't find the 'Earthly Fiend Essence Sand' that could assist in cultivating the Dharma Form, so he selected three resources to nourish his blood and qi. They were all rare items, totaling 150,000 merit points.

In fact, he could also exchange for more precious nourishing resources. However, while the more precious the nourishing resources, the better, a martial artist's own capacity is limited. The three resources he chose were each worth around 50,000 merit points, which were already the most suitable for a martial artist who had achieved three blood clotting stages to digest. Although he could exchange for more precious resources, his body could not absorb them perfectly, which would only waste their effectiveness. In fact, if the nourishing effect was too strong, his body would not be able to withstand it and it would even harm him.

After exchanging for three resources.

Wu Ming made some brief rests in the village and inquired about the current situation on the border.

Elder Tan Yuzhou and Wang Wuzheng of the Black Fiend Sect died at his hands. The latter was nothing, and the Wang family was nothing more than a roadside in his eyes now. But the former had some background. In his eyes now, the Black Fiend Sect was still a force to be feared. However, it seemed that the border was too chaotic and mixed with all sorts of people during this period, and the 'disappearance' of these two people did not cause any waves.

After getting a general idea, Wu Ming didn't pay much attention and, following Yan Yuntian's orders, stepped into the border again.

……

Time flies, and another month has passed.

Barrier Valley.

Underground river.

On the rock walls on both sides, in a newly carved cave, Wu Ming sat cross-legged.

He traveled and explored the borderlands, vanquishing demons and monsters. Over time, he became familiar with many areas, among which the underground river deep in the Poison Valley, where he had once encountered a demonic corpse, was the most suitable place for him to stay temporarily.

Splat! Splat!

Wu Ming sat cross-legged, with wisps of lightning constantly swirling around his body.

The lightning bolts kept flashing, causing the pitch-black underground cave to light up from time to time, illuminating Wu Ming's rosy and healthy face.

I do not know how long it has been.

Wu Ming suddenly opened his eyes, made a hand seal forward, and in an instant a beam of lightning shot out, flying out of the cave and striking the underground river outside the cave. Instantly, strands of lightning spread and intertwined in the underground river, illuminating a large area of ​​the underground river and dispersing the surrounding yin energy.

"It's complete."

Seeing the power of this lightning technique, Wu Ming nodded slightly.

For more than a month, he was on the border, hunting monsters, but he spent most of his time cultivating. He was simultaneously hunting monsters, honing his skills, and cultivating, and his progress was quite fruitful.

Regarding the Divine Firmament Upper Purity Talisman, the fourth thunder talisman has finally been condensed to perfection, and the next step is to condense the fifth thunder talisman.

Although this lightning technique is quite powerful and effective against warriors with blood condensation, and also highly effective against Yin Sha ghosts, it is less effective against some special demons, mainly because its cultivation has not yet reached a profound level.

At the fourth level of the Primordial Spirit Refinement, the Divine Firmament Thunder Technique needs to be cultivated to the sixth thunder talisman to reach its peak and unleash its greatest power. Wu Ming estimated that if he could cultivate the sixth thunder talisman of the Divine Firmament Thunder Technique to perfection, this thunder technique alone would probably have power close to the 'top of the fourth refinement'. Combined with the Dharma Image and the methods of controlling objects and weapons, it would be even more complementary.

"Congeal!"

After successfully refining the fourth thunder talisman, Wu Ming did not take much rest and immediately began refining the fifth thunder talisman.

Compared to when he first entered the fourth stage of refinement, his primordial spirit has made steady progress. With the Lin character technique as its core, his primordial spirit is more refined and powerful. He was able to withstand the fifth thunder talisman without any disturbance. Apart from the usual pain of being refined by thunder, there were no other effects. He refined it for half a day and completely engraved the fifth thunder talisman inside his primordial spirit.

"very good."

The arc of lightning around Wu Ming gradually dissipated, and he let out a long breath, his primordial spirit returning to its body and slowly opening his eyes.

After completing the inscription of the fifth thunder talisman, his Yuan Shen nerve was tempered and strengthened. At the same time, the power of this thunder technique was also greatly enhanced. Wu Ming felt that relying solely on this thunder technique, it wouldn't be too difficult to kill someone like Tan Yuzhou who had reached the fourth stage of blood condensation.

I stretched my body.

Wu Ming, carrying his Xuan Tie spear, stepped out of the cave, left the underground river, and returned to the Poison Valley on the surface. Inside the Poison Valley, poisonous fog filled the air, but his gaze remained calm. With a thought, he activated his primordial spirit power, forcibly dispelling the poisonous fog around him, causing it to retreat several feet. Then, gripping his spear with both hands, he began practicing his spear techniques amidst the poisonous fog.

Swish! Swish! Swish!!!
As the spear was swung, the poisonous mist rippled outwards with the force of the swing.

Practicing shooting in the poisonous fog was a method Wu Ming had recently discovered. The poisonous fog was ethereal and even more ethereal than flowing water, making it easier to be drawn by the strong wind generated by the shooting technique.

To dispel the poisonous mist around one's body with spear techniques, ensuring that the mist cannot penetrate within a ten-foot radius, one must not only wield the spear with unparalleled skill, but also possess a deeper understanding and mastery of both hard and soft power. One must be able to use the force of the spear to guide the flow of the poisonous mist, preventing the scattered airflow from intruding into the spear circle.

This is even more difficult than splashing ink and not being able to penetrate.

Swish!
After swinging his gun dozens of times, Wu Ming briefly put it down.

Although his dozens of strikes dispersed the poisonous mist within a ten-foot radius around him, forcing it all back, there were still some flaws in his spear technique. As a result, a small portion of the poisonous mist was carried by the strong wind from the spear's swing and still managed to get close to him.

Without hesitation, Wu Ming moved his mind and once again activated his primordial spirit power to repel the poisonous mist that had reached his body. Then, holding the Xuan Tie spear, he continued to wield it amidst the poisonous mist.

Although he spends most of his time cultivating Taoist magic, practicing his spear skills in the poisonous fog every day is also one of his essential courses. He sets aside one or two hours each day to practice. Although his martial arts skills are far inferior to his Taoist magic, he cannot abandon them.

that's it,
Wu Ming kept waving his gun in the poisonous fog. After an unknown amount of time, he gradually entered a state of selflessness.

He unconsciously understood the mobilization and operation of every bit of strength in his body, the manipulation of every strand of blood and qi, the force generated by each swing of the spear, and even the gust of wind brought about by the swing of the spear.

Swish!
Wu Ming suddenly snapped back to his senses, and swung his spear in a sweeping motion.

In an instant, a sharp beam of spear light swept around him, forcing back a large portion of the poisonous fog that had been spreading in all directions.

Although he still couldn't completely block the poisonous fog a foot away, Wu Ming stopped moving, revealing a thoughtful expression, carefully savoring the feeling of that last shot.

This is the eighth move of the Thunderclap Spear Technique.

Although he managed to execute it, it still felt somewhat flawed.

Swish!
Wu Ming used his primordial spirit to temporarily dispel the poisonous mist around him. After a brief moment of contemplation, he swung his spear again, still the eighth strike of the Thunderclap Spear Technique. This strike still had some flaws, but they were becoming increasingly imperceptible.

Swish! Swish! Swish!!!
Wu Ming swung his gun repeatedly, the gun flashing.

The Thunderclap Spear Technique is a blood-coagulation martial art. When used, it unleashes blood energy, which is powerful but also consumes a lot of physical strength. Repeated use in a short period of time also caused Wu Ming to consume a lot of physical strength.

But as his physical strength continued to deplete, Wu Ming's gaze became increasingly sharp. After swinging his spear countless times, he suddenly paused, then swung it again.

This time, the spear swept across, forming a perfect arc, the tip of the spear sweeping past like a clear arc of lightning.

"The eighth move."

After firing the shot, Wu Ming finally took a deep breath and retreated into the mountain crevice behind him. He gasped for breath, recovering his strength, and finally a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

A year has passed since he achieved the third stage of blood coagulation in martial arts. His martial arts skills have finally improved significantly. He has finally mastered the Thunderclap Spear Technique, which he obtained from Liu Muyuan, up to the eighth move. With this move, his martial arts strength is no less than that of the Blood Blade Tower assassin who attacked him. Among martial artists who have achieved the third stage of blood coagulation, he has reached the top level.

Although it is still insignificant compared to his Taoist techniques, martial arts and Taoist techniques are two different paths. There are very few people who can cultivate both paths and have talent in both. For example, Yan Luo, who once fought him, was only good at Taoist techniques and not good at martial arts.

After tidying up, Wu Ming returned to Dazhai once again.

This time, however, he encountered an acquaintance in Dazhai, Yan Chuyu, who had been traveling with him from the beginning.

"Wu Ming, what a coincidence, you're back too."

When Yan Chuyu saw Wu Ming, she took the initiative to greet him.

In Jingye City, there were few people of her generation whom she could admire. Even Ling Zhonghan and others could not be considered worthy of such respect. Wu Ming was one of them. Apart from that, there was only one other Taoist master named Yanluo who traveled along the border.

Yan Chuyu had recently experienced Yan Luo's Taoist magic, which was indeed extraordinary. She just didn't know whether Yan Luo was stronger or weaker than Wu Ming.

"Miss Chuyu, it's been a long time."

Wu Ming nodded slightly to Yan Chuyu.

Yan Chuyu called out and casually invited Wu Ming to her tent for tea. Wu Ming, seeing this, naturally did not feel shy and followed Yan Chuyu. When they arrived at her tent, they drank tea and chatted for a while.

"...By the way, Wu Ming, do you know Bai Mohe?"

"I have some understanding of it."

"Yes, there are many clam demons living in the Baimo River. Every three years, the Baimo River will have a spiritual tide. At that time, the clam demons in the river will take the opportunity to come out of the water and spit out pearls to absorb the spiritual power of heaven and earth. The time is just around the corner."

Yan Chuyu blinked and said, "I heard that the younger generation of true disciples from the Black Fiend Sect, the Profound Jade Sect, and the Seven Martial Alliance have all gathered in the Baimo River area to take this opportunity to compete for the pearl spirit treasure. They also want to have a martial arts contest. Our two departments cannot fall behind in this matter. I wonder if you, Brother Wu, are interested?"

Wu Ming took a sip of tea and said, "Oh? It seems that most of the Blood Essence Pearls in the two treasuries come from here. I'm not interested in martial arts, but these Blood Essence Pearls are quite good and worth taking a look at."

Although he is only twenty-two years old, his primordial spirit has already reached the fourth level of refinement. He has no interest in fighting against the true disciples of various sects, which is a case of the strong bullying the weak. However, the Blood Essence Pearl is of great value and has excellent nourishing effects. The one he previously spent 40,000 merit points to obtain was not even considered a high-grade pearl. A truly high-grade pearl is worth more than 100,000 merit points, so it is worth taking a look at.

(End of this chapter)