Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 159 Practicing the Star River Qi Refining Technique

The village is not large, but the protective measures are quite effective.

Thick rammed earth walls enclosed the entire village, making it look like a small earthen fortress. A watchtower was built on top of the wall, where several men were carrying spears and walking back and forth, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

On the wall, you can still see some talismans painted with red paint. Although the strokes are simple, they faintly exude an inexplicable power.

Chen Ye knew that in this deep mountain forest where demons and monsters roamed and wild beasts were everywhere, without these things, the people in a village probably wouldn't be able to survive even one night.

As soon as he approached, the people on the watchtower spotted him immediately.

"Stop! What are you doing?" A loud shout came from the wall, filled with intense vigilance.

Chen Ye stopped, looked up, and replied in a slightly weary tone, "Don't be nervous, folks. I'm just a passing peddler who wanted to stop by the village for a rest and see if anyone wanted to trade anything."

His attire, along with the creaking load on his shoulders, was indeed very convincing.

The people on the wall looked at each other, seemingly discussing something.

After a while, a burly man who looked like the leader shouted at him, "You stay there and don't move, we're going down to take a look!"

Before long, the wooden door of the village was opened a crack, and several men carrying machetes and spears cautiously came out and surrounded Chen Ye.

The burly man at the head of the group sized Chen Ye up and down, his eyes sharp as knives, trying to read something from his face.

"A peddler? Where did he come from?"

"I came from Qingzhou Prefecture, heading into the mountains to make a living selling small items," Chen Ye answered honestly.

The burly man looked again at the load on his shoulder, which was covered with rattles, needles and thread, and other such items—truly the standard equipment of a peddler.

He stepped forward and lifted the lid of Chen Ye's cargo box, inside were some small items such as floral fabrics, combs, and mirrors.

The burly man searched the area but found no contraband such as knives, spears, or halberds.

Chen Ye's heart was in his throat, fearing they would search to the very bottom. Fortunately, the people didn't check too thoroughly; they only glanced at it briefly.

"Alright, it seems he really is a peddler." The burly man nodded, his wariness finally fading considerably. He then waved to the people behind him, "Open the door."

Hearing this, everyone else breathed a sigh of relief, and their gazes toward Chen Ye immediately changed from wariness to enthusiasm.

"Come in, come in!"

"Finally, a peddler has come! My wife's needles and thread are almost all gone!"

Chen Ye was a little bewildered by the sudden enthusiasm, but he still carried his load and followed them into the village.

Soon after entering the village, Chen Ye was surrounded by villagers who had rushed over upon hearing the news, their eyes shining as they stared at the load on his shoulders.

"Peddler, how much is this cloth?" an older woman squeezed forward and asked, pointing to a piece of red floral cloth.

"Child, do you have any sugar figurines? Give one to my grandson!" An old woman held a snotty-nosed baby, her face full of expectation.

The children went wild, drooling over the little windmills and rattles hanging on his shoulder pole.

Looking at the lively scene, Chen Ye said with a smile, "Don't rush, everyone. Everything is available. You can buy what I have with money or exchange it with mountain products. Animal hides, medicinal herbs, and so on are all fine."

The villagers were even happier to hear that they could exchange their mountain produce for goods.

For these people who have lived deep in the mountains for a long time, silver is a rare commodity, but wild animals and herbs are everywhere in the mountains.

The transaction began quickly.

Chen Ye's main purpose was not to make money, so he was quite generous during the transaction.

He could exchange a wolf pelt for several feet of cloth and a comb.

He could exchange a decent-quality herb for a pack of needles and thread and a few candies.

The villagers were overjoyed to see how easy he was to talk to, thinking that this young peddler was a truly honest man.

The transaction continued until the sun was almost setting. Chen Ye's cargo box was more than half empty, but he had acquired a lot of good stuff, with various precious animal hides and medicinal herbs piled up on the ground.

Just then, an old man with gray hair walked over with a cane and said to Chen Ye with a smile, "Young man, it's getting late today, and the mountain roads are difficult to travel at night. Why don't you stay in our village for the night?"

This was exactly what Chen Ye wanted to do, so he quickly nodded in agreement: "That would be great."

As night falls, wisps of smoke rise from the mountain village.

The hospitable villagers quickly vacated a clean room for Chen Ye. Although it was simple, the bedding on the bed was newly changed and smelled of sunshine.

The village chief even hosted a dinner party and invited Chen Ye to come and eat.

The table was laden with wild game unique to the mountains: roasted rabbit, stewed wild boar meat until tender, and a pot of soup made with some kind of mushrooms, the aroma of which was irresistible and made one's mouth water.

"Young man, don't be shy, make yourself at home." The village chief picked up a rough earthenware bowl containing their homemade rice wine. "We don't have anything fancy to offer you, just these mountain delicacies. Please eat more."

"Village Chief, you're too kind. This is much better than what I eat." Chen Ye also picked up his bowl, clinked it with the village chief's, and then drank it all in one gulp.

The liquor is very strong; it feels like a fuse when it goes down your throat, but the aftertaste is very mellow and fragrant.

After the meal, Chen Ye felt like he hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

Since he came into this world, he has been either killing people or on his way to kill people every day, his nerves are always on edge.

The simple and sincere atmosphere tonight brought a rare sense of peace to his usually vigilant heart.

After a satisfying meal, Chen Ye returned to his room.

He sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the chirping of insects and the occasional barking of dogs outside the window, feeling very calm.

After sitting there for about the time it takes to eat a meal, Chen Ye took out the jade slip containing the Star River Qi Refining Technique from his storage bag.

Then Chen Ye placed the jade slip on his forehead and immersed his consciousness into it.

In an instant, a massive flow of information flooded into his mind.

The Star River Qi Refining Technique draws the power of the nine heavens into the body, tempering true essence and transforming it into a sea of ​​qi.

This method places extremely high demands on the spirit and soul, because the stronger the spirit and soul, the more stellar power it can draw upon, and the faster the cultivation speed.

Because of its high threshold, it is not suitable for the general public to cultivate, but it is perfect for Chen Ye.

Chen Ye sat cross-legged and began to practice the cultivation method recorded in the jade slip.

First, empty your mind and extend your spiritual energy into the endless night sky.

At first, Chen Ye couldn't feel anything; all around him was darkness and nothingness. But he wasn't discouraged. He knew that the first attempt would definitely not be easy, so he patiently released his divine soul power again and again, like an invisible net covering the starry sky above.

After an unknown amount of time, just when Chen Ye felt his mental energy was about to be exhausted, he finally sensed something different.

In the distant, endless darkness, some faint points of light seem to be twinkling; those points of light are the stars in the sky.

found it!
Chen Ye was overjoyed and quickly concentrated, cautiously probing towards the points of light.

When his soul touched one of the stars, a cool and pure power flowed slowly down his soul, through the roof, through his body, and finally into his dantian.

It is important to know that there are billions of stars in the night sky, and each star emits this kind of power. Although a single star is weak, when they are gathered together, they are as vast as a boundless ocean.

Chen Ye guided this stellar power, circulating it through his meridians according to the cultivation technique's route.

Wherever the power of the stars passed, he felt as if his meridians had been washed by a clear spring, feeling incredibly refreshed.

The true essence that had just been condensed in his dantian and sea of ​​qi began to become more solid and pure under the tempering of this power.

This feeling was much more comfortable than when he was practicing the Golden Toad Breathing Technique, where he absorbed the essence of the sun and moon. The efficiency was also much higher.

The Golden Toad Absorbing Qi Technique absorbs the essence of the sun and moon with unparalleled power. Cultivating it is like cooking oil over a raging fire, requiring careful guidance.

The stellar power drawn by this Star River Qi Refining Technique is gentle and soothing, captivating all who behold it.

Chen Ye was completely immersed in this wonderful state of cultivation.

He could feel that the countless stars in the sky seemed to have established a faint connection with him.

Countless faint but pure stellar energies descended, like silver threads, enveloping his entire body. Especially in this remote mountainous region, where the air was pure and free from the obstruction of worldly affairs, Chen Ye's perception of stellar energy became increasingly clear.

Silent all night.

When the first rays of sunlight shone through the window the next morning, Chen Ye slowly opened his eyes and then exhaled a long breath.

Although he hadn't slept all night, Chen Ye felt refreshed and in excellent condition.

Then, Chen Ye had a sudden thought and opened the profession panel.

Name: Chen Ye

[Cultivation Realm: Sea Condensation]

[Class: Assassin Asura Lv2]

[Talent: Eye of Asura - Enhanced bloodlust vision, allowing the perception of energy flow patterns and weaknesses.]

[Techniques: Star River Qi Refining Technique Lv1, Golden Toad Qi Absorption Technique Lv3]

[Martial Arts: Needle Blade Technique Lv4]

Sure enough, the Star River Qi Refining Technique had appeared in the Dharma Sect section.

After a quick wash, Chen Ye bid farewell to the hospitable villagers, picked up his half-loaded load, and continued walking deeper into the mountains, following the directions given by the villagers.

Just as Chen Ye's figure disappeared on the rugged mountain road, the atmosphere in Qingzhou Prefecture, two hundred miles away, was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

At the temporary encampment of Tianjian Manor in the west of the city, Jian Wuchen listened to Zhao Qian's report, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

"So you mean, two whole days have passed, you've sent out so many people, you've practically turned the area around Qingzhou Prefecture City upside down, and you haven't even found a single hair on Chen Ye's head?"

Jian Wuchen's voice was calm, but those who knew him well knew that beneath that calm lay a fury powerful enough to ignite the heavens.

Zhao Qian stood below, head bowed low, not daring to even breathe, and then forced himself to explain.

"Young...Young Master, that kid is too cunning. It's like he's vanished into thin air."

"waste!"

Jian Wuchen stood up and paced back and forth in the room, his handsome face full of malice. "My Heavenly Sword Manor hasn't issued a kill order in a hundred years. Now, we've used it for a mere Sea Condensation Realm swordsman, and what's the result? Two days have passed and we haven't even found a trace of him. If this gets out, what will become of the Heavenly Sword Manor's reputation? What will become of my reputation, Jian Wuchen's reputation?"

He grew angrier as he spoke, and an uncontrollable murderous aura emanated from him, making the temperature in the entire room seem to drop several degrees.

Zhao Qian and the other disciples present turned pale and trembled like leaves.

They were well aware of the damage this incident would do to the resort's reputation.

These past two days, as they walked the streets of Qingzhou Prefecture, they could feel the strange looks cast at them by the cultivators.

The mighty Tianjian Manor, the overlord of Qingzhou, had its elite disciples killed right under the noses of some unknown brat. Then, a top-level kill order was issued, but the brat simply disappeared.

This is simply a shame!
"Pass on my order: stop wandering around in the sky like a headless fly, riding your sword aimlessly!" Jian Wuchen said coldly.

"What can you find out by simply scanning with your divine sense? A slightly sophisticated concealment technique can fool you!"

"So starting today, all disciples involved in the search are to go down to the surface and, in small teams, conduct a thorough search of all key areas. Search every inch of land, even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, dig that bastard out of there!"

Jian Wuchen's tone was resolute and left no room for doubt.

"Yes!" Zhao Qian and the others were startled and responded in unison.

They knew that the young master was truly enraged this time.

This method of searching is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and extremely cumbersome, but it is undoubtedly the most effective.

"Also, notify Qingzhou Prefecture and ask them to cooperate with us in searching all the main roads leading to the outside world, especially those small paths leading to the Southern Wilderness Mountains. Don't let any of them slip by!"

"I refuse to believe that he can grow wings and fly out of the encirclement of our Heavenly Sword Manor!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Qian felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly led his men out.

Only Jian Wuchen and Elder Jian, who remained silent, were left in the room.

"Wuchen," Elder Jian finally spoke, his voice as rigid as ever, "You're getting a little restless."

Jian Wuchen took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, and bowed to Elder Jian: "Elder is right to reprimand me, I have lost my composure."

He dared not be the slightest bit presumptuous in front of Elder Jian.

This elder of the Enforcement Hall not only possessed unfathomable strength but also held an extremely high position within the manor; even his father held him in high esteem.

"A venerable one should have the composure to remain calm even if a mountain collapses before him," Elder Jian said calmly. "A mere swordsman who has just entered the Sea Condensation Realm is not worth your anger. The angrier you are, the more eager you are to achieve quick results, the more you will become a laughing stock for outsiders."

Upon hearing this, Jian Wuchen showed a hint of shame on his face.

"That kid named Chen Ye was able to make a decisive move under the pressure of your Fierce Tiger Sword, killing him with one blow and then calmly escaping. His character is truly extraordinary."

"But that's all. He's just a rat trapped in a cage. What we need to do now is tighten the cage and enjoy watching him struggle in his death throes."

Elder Jian's words gradually calmed Jian Wuchen's agitated heart.

That's right, I am the hunter, and Chen Ye is just the prey. Why should I get angry with a dying man?
Thinking of this, Jian Wuchen nodded deeply, "Thank you for your teachings, Elder. This disciple understands."

At the same time, with Jian Wuchen's order, the search operation of the entire Tianjian Manor was immediately upgraded to a whole new level.

Countless disciples of Tianjian Manor descended from the sky, forming small groups, and began a thorough search of the mountains, forests, villages, and towns surrounding Qingzhou Prefecture.

An unprecedented manhunt was launched.

Chen Ye was naturally unaware of what was happening in the outside world; at this moment, he was carrying a load on his shoulders and traveling through the mountains.

The mountain paths here are even more difficult to traverse than before. In many places, there are no paths at all, and one can only follow the faint footprints left by those who came before, traversing through dense forests and cliffs.

Along the way, he also encountered several ignorant demons and ghosts.

These creatures have been entrenched in the deep mountains and forests for years, and they will attract any living person who passes by.

However, for Chen Ye now, dealing with these low-level demons and ghosts was effortless; he didn't even need to draw his sword, his fists and feet alone were enough to handle them.

For example, right now, as Chen Ye was passing by a collapsed hill, a zombie suddenly sprang out of the ground.

Chen Ye didn't even lift his eyelids, but kicked the zombie in the chest.

With a loud bang, a large hole collapsed in the zombie's chest, and it flew back more than ten meters, breaking several trees as thick as bowls, before finally crashing to the ground and turning into a pile of mangled flesh.

Then Chen Ye patted the mud off his trousers and continued walking forward, as if he had only kicked away a rock blocking his way.

As darkness fell, Chen Ye finally emerged from the dense forest.

Suddenly, the view opened up, revealing a vast basin surrounded by mountains.

In the center of the basin was a village several times larger than the one where he had stayed the previous night.

The village has a unique architectural style. The houses are built with huge stones and wood, and they look rugged and sturdy, almost blending into the mountainside.

Instead of rammed earth walls, the village was surrounded by a tall fence made of sharpened giant logs.

Smoke curls from chimneys in the village, and the sounds of people, roosters crowing, and dogs barking can be faintly heard, creating a vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

Chen Ye quietly observed the village for a while before straightening his clothes and straw hat, then picked up his load and walked over.

Chen Ye had already inquired about the village when he was in the previous one and knew that a group of mountain people lived deep in the mountains.

These mountain people have their own language, their own traditions, and even their cultivation methods are completely different from those of cultivators outside the village.

The spells they practice are extremely strange and difficult to deal with. The key is that in these deep mountains, the power of their spells is greatly enhanced.

(End of this chapter)