Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 93 Spiritual Energy Acquired! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Chen Sheng knew that verbal threats alone were absolutely insufficient to make Xu Shenzhi willingly hand over that extremely precious innate spiritual energy.

Only by attacking what he must defend, touching the deepest, most feared forbidden zone in his soul, can we achieve our goal.

The coercion and enticement charade before him was a carefully designed strategy to win people's hearts.

really.

"I find Miss Han to be exceptionally beautiful."

This seemingly casual remark was like a spark igniting a powder keg, instantly turning Xu Shenzhi's eyes bloodshot and nearly causing his reason to collapse. How could he not hear the sordid meaning hidden in those words?
"No, no, Chen Sheng! How dare you!!"

Xu Shenzhi let out a beast-like roar, his neck even thrusting forward recklessly, letting the sharp blade cut through his skin and ooze blood, struggling to rush forward.

However, as soon as he moved, he was struck hard in the back of his knee.

"Oh!"

He groaned, staggered, and fell heavily to his knees, dust staining his magnificent brocade robe.

"You'll see if I dare to do it or not."

Chen Sheng scoffed, his voice icy cold.

Han Ling'er, who was restrained by Chen Sheng's iron-like hands, also understood the implied meaning, and her beautiful eyes were instantly filled with great fear and despair.

She immediately began to struggle violently, her eyes brimming with pleading tears, her voice trembling with fear:
"Lord Chen, I know I've committed a crime, please, I beg you, have mercy and don't punish me."

Chen Sheng paused, turned around, and looked down at his trembling prey in his hands with eyes as cold as a searchlight. A seemingly 'warm' smile appeared on his face, but to Han Ling'er, this smile was more chilling than a ferocious expression.

"Since you have admitted your guilt, I will show you special leniency and give you a choice."

His voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable air of control:

"Firstly, I respect your integrity and can protect your reputation. I will immediately send you on your way safely and preserve your honor."

Then, Chen Sheng paused again, his gaze sweeping over Han Ling'er's instantly pale face, and continued:
"Secondly, if you want to live, you can only ask Miss Han to temporarily go with the flow."

The meaning is clear even before the words are finished.

Should one choose to perish in disgrace and preserve their innocence by dying?
Or should they choose to endure humiliation and live a life of quiet desperation, paying an unimaginable price?

Han Ling'er's delicate body trembled violently, her face turned ashen, and her lips quivered, but she couldn't utter a single word.

To offer up her innocence? She refused.

Could she simply perish like this? She was equally unwilling.

She is only twenty-two years old, and her martial arts journey has just begun. How can it be cut short?

The immense fear and struggle nearly suffocated her for a moment.

"My patience is limited."

Chen Sheng's tone suddenly turned cold, like a biting, chilling wind blowing in the dead of winter.

Han Ling'er shuddered and subconsciously lowered her head. Her tense body relaxed slightly, and she gave up the last bit of struggle. Although she did not say a word, her posture already showed that she had given in.

"No—Ling'er, no!!" Xu Shenzhi witnessed this scene and his heart was torn apart. He let out a heart-wrenching roar, his eyes bloodshot, looking like a madman.

Ignoring the impotent rage behind him, Chen Sheng restrained Han Ling'er and slowly continued walking towards the deep inner hall.

As the figure in the black official robe was about to disappear into the shadows of the porch, Xu Shenzhi's last psychological defenses completely collapsed. He no longer cared about family responsibilities or his innate talent, and shouted hoarsely:
"Lord Chen, stop! If you can just show mercy and spare Ling'er, I...I, Xu Shenzhi, am willing to pay any price, any price at all!!"

Han Ling'er was his beloved fiancée, an indispensable light in his life. He couldn't imagine that the most unbearable scene would happen before his eyes, which would drive him completely mad.

Hearing this desperate cry, the barely perceptible smile on Chen Sheng's lips finally became clearer. His steps into the inner hall halted, and he turned half his face, glancing at Xu Shenzhi kneeling on the ground, his tone tinged with amusement:
"Any price?"

"Yes, at any cost!"

Xu Shenzhi grasped at the last straw and eagerly promised, "No matter what Commander Chen wants me to do, I will go through fire and water without batting an eye. I only beg you to spare Ling'er."

"Ah."

Chen Sheng shook his head slightly, his tone carrying undisguised contempt: "With your abilities, I really can't think of anything that would require Young Master Xu's esteemed presence."

Xu Shenzhi's face stiffened, as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water. He understood Chen Sheng's meaning—with his strength as a defeated general, he was utterly worthless in the eyes of the enemy.

His gaze unconsciously fell on the gleaming 'Azure Furnace' sword beside him, a flicker of extreme heartache and reluctance flashing in his eyes. This sword was a treasured weapon passed down through the Xu family, extremely precious, and he regarded it as his life.

"This sword is called 'Azure Furnace,' and it is a top-grade treasure, priceless." Xu Shenzhi gritted his teeth, his voice trembling, "I...I am willing to use this sword to exchange for Ling'er's safety."

He was willing to pay this heavy price for Han Ling'er.

However, Chen Sheng scoffed upon hearing this and slowly shook his head: "Young Master Xu, are you perhaps too frightened to think straight? This 'Green Furnace' sword is a spoil of war captured by my soldiers. When did it become your bargaining chip? You are using my possession to exchange for someone in my hands. Is there any logic in this world?"

Chen Sheng's spoils of war?

Upon hearing this, Xu Shenzhi stared blankly, almost thinking he had misheard. How could his family's heirloom weapon, treasured for generations, have become the enemy's spoils of war in the blink of an eye?
But looking at Chen Sheng's serious, unmistakable expression, he was powerless to refute. He was even afraid that the next moment, Chen Sheng would confidently question him:
"Young Master Xu, what are you doing holding my sword?"

"Since it seems that Young Master Xu cannot offer any decent 'price'."

Chen Sheng's tone turned indifferent, revealing undisguised disappointment: "Then I can only accept Miss Ling'er's 'kindness' with a smile, even if it is impolite."

After saying that, he made a move to leave.

“Wait a minute!!”

Xu Shenzhi was overwhelmed with resentment, anger, and fear, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to explode. But circumstances forced him to swallow all the humiliation and force out the words through gritted teeth:

"Commander Chen, just speak plainly! What do you want?! Anything I, Xu Shenzhi, have, you may take!"

"Young Master Xu is wrong again."

Chen Sheng spoke calmly, yet with an air of superior control: "It is you who want to save people, not me who is demanding bribes. Naturally, you have something to offer me that is enough to exchange for the 'value' of a martial artist at the Marrow Transformation Realm."

If not, then I apologize that I cannot help you.

Although Chen Sheng was fully aware of the existence of that innate spiritual energy, he absolutely could not reveal it. Otherwise, how would he explain this prophetic information if word got out? This secret was unknown even to Han Ling'er.

Upon hearing this, Xu Shenzhi was stunned.

What does he have?
He searched his entire body, and apart from the valuables that the other party could declare as "spoils of war" at any time, the only thing that truly belonged to him personally and that the other party could not forcibly take away was that primordial spiritual energy that was connected to his heart and blood and could be destroyed with a thought.

but
This item was the result of the family's painstaking efforts, even at the cost of several Foundation Establishment experts, and the entire clan unanimously decided that he, the young master, should nurture it, placing high hopes on the family's future rise. If he were to hand it over now, how could he face the family? How could he face his ancestors?
But what if you don't pay?
Seeing that Chen Sheng seemed to have completely lost patience, he put his arm around Han Ling'er and was about to step into the inner hall, which symbolized endless humiliation.
"It seems that Young Master Xu is short of money."

Chen Sheng's voice carried a hint of regret: "If that's the case, then let it be."

"Wait, I... I can offer enough. I can offer sufficient terms."

With his last chance slipping away, torn between intense internal conflict and fear for Han Ling'er's safety, Xu Shenzhi's last shred of hesitation was replaced by resolute determination. He abruptly looked up and hissed:

"I...I'm willing to use a wisp of 'innate spiritual energy' to ensure Ling'er's safety!"

The words "innate spiritual energy" resounded like a thunderclap.

Not only did Chen Sheng 'timely' show 'surprise', but even Han Ling'er, who was being restrained, suddenly raised her head, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief and shock.

The innate spiritual energy she had longed for, the key to unlocking the innate realm—her senior brother Xu actually possessed a wisp of it?! And he was even willing to exchange it for her?!
For a moment, Han Ling'er felt a mix of emotions, including indescribable gratitude, as well as immense shame and inner turmoil.

She wanted to stop his recklessness and tell Xu Shenzhi not to, but her survival instinct and her cherishing of her innocence made her bite her lower lip tightly and fall into painful silence.

"Oh?"

Chen Sheng raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with cautious suspicion: "Where is it? If Young Master Xu says it's far away in the Xu family's treasury in the prefectural city, then he's just trying to make fun of me."

"It's on me."

Xu Shenzhi hurriedly said, while subconsciously protecting a certain part of his chest: "But this thing is connected to my lifeblood. I can destroy it completely with a little effort. So don't even think about taking it by force."

He must first block Chen Sheng's path of seizing by trickery and force.

"Young Master Xu is overthinking it."

Chen Sheng chuckled lightly, as if he had been insulted: "I have always upheld integrity and honesty. How could I be the kind of person who would resort to force and robbery? As long as you hand over this item, I guarantee with my integrity that I will not harm Miss Han in the slightest."

“Fine, I’ll give you the spiritual energy, but you must immediately let me and Ling’er leave this place.” Xu Shenzhi tried to secure the best possible deal.

"One yard owned by a yard."

Chen Sheng flatly refused, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Innate spiritual energy can only clear Miss Han's name. As for the two of you, you attacked soldiers, obstructed law enforcement, and have deep ties to the Huang family, the rebels, making you highly suspicious."

They must stay and cooperate with the government's investigation before their fate can be discussed.

Xu Shenzhi felt a chill run through his heart.

What investigation? What suspicion? It's clearly hostage-taking, an attempt to continue exploiting them.

“If Commander Chen doesn’t agree, then you can forget about getting this innate spiritual energy.” Xu Shenzhi tried to put up a final resistance.

After all, the preciousness of innate spiritual energy is self-evident.

"Hahaha."

Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng burst into laughter, his laughter filled with sarcasm and absolute confidence: "Xu Shenzhi, who do you think you are negotiating with? Based on my merits, it is not impossible for the higher-ups to reward me with a piece of innate spiritual energy. Moreover, I have never been threatened by anyone. Since you are unwilling to part with it, then please, Young Master Xu, stay here and listen to the elegant conversation in the inner hall."

He knew very well that Han Ling'er was Xu Shenzhi's Achilles' heel that he could never let go of, so how could he be swayed by such a threat?

"you"

Xu Shenzhi was completely stunned.

Chen Sheng's reaction was completely beyond his expectations. Did this person not understand what a wisp of innate spiritual energy meant to a Foundation Establishment martial artist? It was an important spiritual object on the path to the Innate Realm.

Countless Foundation Establishment martial artists in the prefecture fought tooth and nail for this.

He wanted to emphasize the preciousness of the item, but Chen Sheng already looked extremely impatient and was about to cross the threshold with Han Ling'er in his arms.

Seeing his last chance slipping away, and looking into Han Ling'er's desperate, pleading eyes, Xu Shenzhi finally broke down, screaming hoarsely:

"Okay, I'll give it to you, but you must promise in public that you will keep your promise! You must not break it!!"

"I always keep my word."

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Sheng finally nodded reluctantly.

Having received this vague yet crucial promise, Xu Shenzhi felt as if all his strength had been drained away.

He took a deep breath of the blood-scented air, and with trembling hands, very slowly and reluctantly took out a warm, translucent jade pendant from his inner pocket. The pendant seemed to have a blue spiritual light flowing slowly inside like a dragon.

Chen Sheng kept his 'promise' and casually pushed Han Ling'er aside as if she were an object. Soldiers nearby quickly stepped forward, and weapons were instantly placed against her fair neck.

Chen Sheng carefully took the cyan jade pendant. The moment his fingertips touched the pendant, he could feel the pure and powerful spiritual energy contained within it.

As he gazed at the azure spiritual energy within the jade pendant, which seemed to be alive, a hint of undisguised satisfaction and fervor finally flashed across Chen Sheng's eyes.

Innate spiritual energy.

Finally got it!
With this as a foundation, the most crucial stage of his innate path has already been paved.

Once the Golden Bell Body Forging Technique is perfected, and with some other preparations made, one can begin to condense a spiritual seed and attempt to break through to the Innate Realm, which countless Foundation Establishment martial artists dream of.

Han Ling'er collapsed to the ground, the cold blades of the soldiers preventing her from moving. She raised her pale face, her gaze complex as she looked at the disheveled Xu Shenzhi, her voice choked with emotion and unspoken feelings:

"Senior Brother Xu, thank you for this kindness. Ling'er will definitely repay you in the future."

Seeing that Chen Sheng indeed did not force himself on Han Ling'er again, Xu Shenzhi felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. He looked at Han Ling'er, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and pity, and gently shook his head.

"Ling'er, there's no need for thanks. I'm willing to do this for you."

After carefully storing his innate spiritual energy, Chen Sheng looked at Xu Shenzhi's 'affectionate' words and a smile flashed in his eyes.

Their love is truly as deep as the sea.

Unfortunately, according to his observation, although Han Ling'er was moved, she did not show any romantic feelings.

If he's right, things won't end well for the two of them.

However, Chen Sheng had no interest in offering any suggestions.

Because some people are like dogs, and such dogs don't deserve anyone's sympathy.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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