Becoming a Saint Starting with the Chasing Wind Leg Technique

Chapter 187 Bait

The clamor outside the window of the secret room gradually faded away; the cheers of celebration on the city wall, the discussions of the people who had survived the ordeal, and the painful groans of the wounded were all shut out.

Inside the secret chamber, only Song Jing's long and steady breathing could be heard, as well as—two "Blood Lotus Secret Pills" placed on the ground in front of him, nestled in a jade box, quietly emitting an eerie blood-red light and warm fluctuations.

Song Jing sat cross-legged, the Five Elements Dao Spear lying across his knees. The dim five-colored light on the spear seemed to be drawn by the aura of the two pills.

He did not take them immediately, but instead gazed at them calmly, as if examining a pair of priceless treasures, or as scrutinizing two venomous snakes that would devour their prey.

Aversion and vigilance still lingered. The process of refining this elixir must have been filled with bloodshed and sin, and the complex resentment and evil aura contained within it could be faintly sensed even through the jade box.

If a normal martial artist, without special techniques or protective treasures, were to consume it rashly, it would result in minor issues such as disordered internal energy and damaged meridians, or even a corrupted mind, turning them into a monster who only knows how to kill.

"But—the potency of this medicine is truly astonishing." Song Jing's Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly. The heroic spirit that had surged within him due to the series of battles and breakthroughs in his strength was gradually replaced by a purer and more fervent desire.

He could clearly "smell" the immense, almost terrifying, power of qi and blood contained in the elixir. It was the condensation of countless life essences and a shortcut to a higher realm!

For any martial artist, especially one like him who is stuck at a bottleneck and thirsts for power, this is undoubtedly an irresistible temptation.

"A treasure for calming the mind and spirit? A safe way to consume it?" Song Jing's lips curled into a slightly self-deprecating smile, but his eyes grew increasingly firm and sharp. "The path of martial arts is inherently about defying the heavens and fighting against fate!"

What is a foolproof plan? Taking things one step at a time is certainly safe, but when opportunity knocks, if you hesitate and are timid, how can you possibly reach the summit?

Besides, it's just a little pain!

"I, Song Jing, have come this far relying on a spirit of courage, diligence, and relentless pursuit of victory! Whether it was cultivating the 'Mysterious Origin Heavy Water True Skill' or engaging in countless life-or-death battles, wasn't it always about seeking victory amidst danger? This Blood Lotus Secret Pill, though an evil object, is neither good nor evil in itself; it is good when used for good, and evil when used for evil!"

"Moreover—" A glint flashed in his eyes, and the partially completed "Mysterious Origin Heavy Water True Skill" within his body began to circulate on its own. The dark blue heavy water true energy was like a bottomless cold pool, steady, heavy, and inclusive, yet it also possessed the resilience of water, which is both the softest and the hardest. "My Mysterious Origin Heavy Water True Energy is extremely pure and clean, possessing the characteristics of 'sinking,' 'condensing,' and 'purifying.' It is best at dissolving foreign energies and suppressing inner demons."

Furthermore, my innate talent of "Heaven rewards diligence" grants me meticulous control over my own power, making my efficiency in refining exotic energies far surpass that of ordinary people!

"With the foundation of my partially mastered rare cultivation technique, coupled with my unwavering will, I will surely be able to forcibly refine the evil resentment within this Blood Lotus Secret Pill, transforming its pure essence of blood and qi into my own!"

Thinking of this, Song Jing suddenly felt enlightened. The slight hesitation he had felt before because of the strange nature of the pills was now replaced by strong confidence and the excitement of taking a risk.

He was never one to follow the rules, otherwise he wouldn't have mastered a rare skill to a minor degree in the Bone Forging Realm, nor would he have repeatedly achieved miracles by defeating stronger opponents.

"This Blood Lotus Secret Pill might be poison to others, but for me, Song Jing, it might be a godsend! It's a stepping stone to help me break through to the late stage of Bone Forging, and even go further on the path of martial arts!"

Without further hesitation, he reached out and picked up a jade box, pouring the Blood Lotus Secret Pill, about the size of a longan with blood-red lotus patterns that seemed to flow slightly as if it were alive, into his palm.

The pill felt warm to the touch, yet it had a scorching heat, as if he were holding a red-hot iron or a beating heart. The powerful and sinister aura assaulted his senses even more clearly.

In the distance, countless mournful wails, venomous curses, and frantic roars seemed to echo in his ears, trying to penetrate his mind and stir up the murderous intent, greed, and violence in his heart.

"Hmph!" Song Jing snorted coldly, his eyes clear as a mirror. His Xuan Yuan Heavy Water True Qi instantly circulated throughout his body, transforming into an invisible, calm, and abyss-like barrier that firmly isolated the evil spiritual attacks. The power of a minor-grade rare cultivation technique was now undeniably evident.

"Once I find a completely safe place where no one will disturb me, I will immediately take this pill and break through to the late stage of Bone Forging!" A burning light flashed in Song Jing's eyes. He could almost see that, under the massive amount of pure blood and qi from the Blood Lotus Secret Pill, his bones would emit a jade-like hum, his blood and qi would flow like mercury, easily breaking through that seemingly solid barrier and stepping into a completely new realm!

"Once I break through to the late stage of Bone Forging, my strength will increase dramatically again! Combined with the minor mastery of the 'Mysterious Origin Heavy Water True Skill' and numerous other martial arts, I'll dare to face even a late-stage Refining cultivator head-on! Even—a perfected Refining cultivator might not be out of the question!"

An irrepressible surge of pride welled up within him. The confidence gained from repeatedly defeating enemies of higher ranks, intertwined with the excitement of an impending breakthrough, caused his heart to beat slightly faster.

"When the time comes, let them be the ten elders of the Blood Lotus Sect, or those who have reached the pinnacle of refinement. If they dare to come, I, Song Jing, will fight them! I will shoulder the responsibility for the crisis in Tianshui City!"

He carefully placed the two Blood Lotus Secret Pills back into the jade box and kept them close to his body.

The jade box seemed to have a slight effect of isolating energy, and the fluctuations of the pill immediately weakened.

"There are too many people and too many eyes around here, and with Commandant Chen and Lord He present, it would be very inconvenient to take such an evil pill. If the aura is leaked, it could cause misunderstandings or attract covetousness, which would be undesirable." Song Jing's mind raced. "Moreover, the breakthrough will cause quite a commotion, so I need to find a secluded and quiet place, preferably a place where the earth's veins and water energy converge, so that I can use the power of water to help me better refine the medicinal power and suppress the evil spirits."

Where is such a place near Tianshui City?

A map of the terrain surrounding Tianshui City flashed through his mind.

"Thirty li west of the city, there is a cold pool and ravine," said to be bottomless, with icy water, shrouded in mist year-round, rarely visited by people, quite secluded—and rich in moisture, perfect for my cultivation of the 'Mysterious Origin Heavy Water True Technique' and refining elixirs."

"However, the movements of the Blood Lotus Sect army are currently unclear, and Senior Brother Lu and the others have not yet arrived. If I leave now, what if something changes—" Song Jing frowned slightly, but thinking that if he could successfully break through and his strength would increase dramatically, it would be more beneficial to the overall situation of defending the city, so he made up his mind.

"There's no time to lose, let's go and return quickly! At my current speed, a round trip of thirty miles, plus the time for the breakthrough, will take at most two or three hours. As long as the arrangements are made properly, there shouldn't be any major problems."

With that thought in mind, Song Jing no longer hesitated. He carefully put away the remaining eight Bone Strengthening Pills, checked his condition again to confirm that his true energy was abundant and his injuries were not serious. Then, he stood up, deactivated the simple array, and pushed open the stone door of the secret chamber.

Outside the door, Li Ling Shuang, Nie Feng, and others were still waiting nearby. When they saw him come out, they immediately surrounded him, expressing their concern and admiration all at once.

Song Jing offered a few words of comfort, saying that he had gained some insights and needed to find a quiet place to consolidate his cultivation before returning soon.

No one suspected anything, they just told him to be careful.

He then found Chen Yanzhou and He Tianxiong and handed them over most of the evil martial arts manuals, tokens, and other items he had seized. He reiterated the importance of reporting to the Pingtianmen Prefecture branch as soon as possible and briefly mentioned that he wanted to leave the city to find a quiet place to cultivate for a while and stabilize his cultivation in order to prevent powerful enemies from coming again.

Although Chen Yanzhou and He Tianxiong were somewhat worried, having witnessed Song Jing's divine might today, they had almost blind faith in him. They assumed that he had gained some insights after the great battle and needed to digest them alone, so they did not stop him. They only repeatedly told him to be careful and to return quickly.

With the arrangements made, Song Jing didn't delay any longer. He changed into an inconspicuous gray outfit, wrapped the Five Elements Dao Spear in cloth and carried it on his back. Avoiding the crowd, he quietly left the Commandant's Mansion. Then, he used his movement technique, like a ghost, to skim over the city wall and blend into the vast mountains and forests outside the city, speeding towards the Cold Pool Ravine in the west of the city.

He was filled with anticipation and a touch of adventurous excitement.

The Blood Lotus Secret Pill, this unexpected "surprise," will become another important stepping stone on his path of martial arts.

"Late stage of Bone Forging—Here I come!"

However, before that, he still had to deal with a traitor, whom he suspected might also want to refine the Blood Lotus Secret Pill!

So he deliberately left a storage bag there as bait!

Why not try your luck on the way?

In the mountains and forests, only a faint, aquamarine afterimage remained, along with the lingering, endless yearning for power in the air.