Myriad Immortals

Ten breaths.

"Hmm..."

Zhong Xuan felt dizzy and almost lost his balance.

"As expected of a great demon, it is truly terrifying; even just contemplating the painting can bewitch one's mind."

Zhong Xuan was secretly alarmed.

I kept Zheng Yue's instructions in mind and dared not be greedy again.

I decisively left the room.

As soon as I stepped out the door, I saw Zheng Yue lying on a cool chair in the courtyard, enjoying the cool air.

"They're out."

Hearing the noise at the door, Zheng Yue turned to look at Zhong Xuan and asked curiously, "How long?"

Zhong Xuan understood that Zheng Yue was asking about the time it took him to visualize the flying eagle picture.

"Ten breaths..."

Zheng Yue nodded slightly: "It's alright."

He appeared calm and collected on the surface, but inwardly he was calling him a monster.

He recalled that when he first tried to visualize, he only lasted for a breath before he fainted and didn't wake up until the next day.

My master even teased me, saying that young people just sleep soundly.

His three apprentices almost went mad after just one glance.

Zhong Xuan lasted a full ten breaths the first time, which was ten times longer than Zhong Xuan.

The difference is huge.

"Could it be that older people have stronger willpower, which is why they can persevere for so long?"

Zheng Yue muttered to himself.

Even so, Zhong Xuan's performance was still amazing.

He couldn't help but sigh with regret.

Being older has its advantages, but it is far from enough to make up for previous deficiencies. Otherwise, why are there so few martial arts masters who achieve great things later in life?

If Zhong Xuan were a few decades younger, he might have become a grandmaster of swordsmanship with his exceptional comprehension of the Nine Strikes of the Flying Eagle.

"Brother Zheng, I still have some questions I'd like to ask you..."

Hearing that Zhong Xuan still wanted to learn from him, Zheng Yue leaned back in his chair, feeling dejected, and decisively closed his eyes.

I'm busy today.

......

......

"The complete version of Flying Eagle Nine Strike is truly amazing!"

The Zhong family's old house, in the small courtyard.

Zhongxuan's eyes flashed.

The longsword moved around him, its afterimages forming a net, and the sharp sword intent spread throughout the courtyard.

After practicing swordsmanship for only half a month, his swordsmanship skills improved dramatically.

This is partly due to the solid foundation laid previously; now it's simply a matter of filling gaps, so progress is naturally rapid. It will gradually slow down later, but such growth is still gratifying.

"My previous three techniques were still inadequate; I had only learned the basics. If I could perfect the three sword techniques, I might even become a Bone-Refining Martial Artist."

Zhong Xuan pondered to himself.

According to that Flying Eagle with Divine Fist.

If they master all nine swords, they will be among the most outstanding of the three young martial arts practitioners.

The martial arts practitioner who has mastered the tendons is already the strongest person in the county and within a hundred miles.

The reason why Flying Eagle Martial Arts School ranks so high in Baisha County is because its owner, Qian Hong, has reached the Great Perfection of Tendon Training.

"In a few more months, I should be able to try to break through to the late stage of Skin Training."

With the experience gained from the previous breakthrough.

Zhong Xuan also became increasingly aware of the principle that one must either advance or retreat. Once a breakthrough fails, the difficulty of the second attempt will be several times greater. Therefore, martial artists always make thorough preparations in advance for breakthroughs.

"The medicine that can help you break through to the late stage of Skin Refinement costs a full 150 taels... If that's not possible, we can try to get it on credit later."

One of the great benefits of being an elder is evident.

Borrowing money is much easier for them than for ordinary people.

As long as Zhong Xuan speaks, wealthy families will offer him silver.

of course.

These silver coins are intended as a bargaining chip for future favoritism, so Zhong Xuan will not use them lightly unless absolutely necessary.

No classes today.

Therefore, Zhong Xuan did not go out and stayed in the courtyard.

It was midday.

Someone knocked on the door of the Zhong family's old house.

"Ahua, is something wrong?"

Zhong Xuan opened the door and saw Xu Mao's daughter, Xu Rui, standing at the door.

"Grandpa Zhong, Father invites you to our home for a meeting."

"Okay, let's go."

Zhong Xuan nodded, locked the courtyard gate, and followed Xu Rui to Xu Mao's house.

When Zhong Xuan entered the main hall.

Xu Tian and another village elder were already sitting upright.

"Uncle Zhong, please have a seat."

Upon seeing Zhong Xuan arrive, Xu Mao stood up to greet him.

About an incense stick's time later, Old Ma Fu finally arrived late.

As soon as Ma Fu sat down, he said without any politeness:

"What happened in the woods?"

Shulin was Xu Mao's nickname, but since he became the village chief, almost no one in Xiahe Village called him that anymore; only a few village elders had that right.

Xu Mao wasn't annoyed. He simply said, "Someone from the county government came yesterday and ordered Xiahe Village to send people to search the mountains."

"Search the mountain?"

Upon hearing these two words, Li Laomafu's face showed dissatisfaction.

Searching the mountains is a tough job.

Moreover, ever since the last incident, he has been quite dissatisfied with those people in the county government office and is already thinking about how to shirk responsibility.

"What are you searching for?"

Xu Li, one of the three major surnames in the village, asked.

"Black Witch Cult".

Upon hearing about the Black Witch Cult, both Ma Fu and Xu Li's expressions changed slightly.

The county government had previously summoned villages to search the mountains and forests, but usually it was to investigate bandits. Unexpectedly, this time it was the Black Witch Cult.

The difference in danger can be enormous.

The Black Witch Cult is the most powerful sect among the witch tribes in the southern part of the Qing Kingdom, and it is said that it is even regarded as the state religion in many small countries further south.

However, the first imperial edict issued after the new Holy Emperor ascended the throne was to designate the Black Witch Cult as a heretical cult.

Local governments across the country launched a coordinated crackdown.

The reason is unknown, but the Black Witch Cult has the ability to communicate with spirits and can resonate with the will of demons and beasts.

Even martial artists who have mastered bone-strengthening techniques dare not easily provoke demonic beasts.

Who would want their relative to go to their death?

Xu Mao: "This matter was personally assigned by Magistrate Zhou. Everyone who has practiced martial arts must go; no one can escape it."

Upon hearing that it was Magistrate Zhou, Ma Fu swallowed the words that were almost on the tip of his tongue.

He was an old man from Baisha County, so he knew Magistrate Zhou's temperament very well. Don't be fooled by his current self-cultivation; he was still very ruthless.

We must never let them have their eyes on us.

After finishing the business.

Ma Fu was anxious to send someone to the county government office to inquire about the situation, and was the first to stand up and leave.

Then Xu Lilao stood up, bowed slightly, and declined to say anything more.

Magistrate Zhou is clearly here to conscript men. The warriors in the family are all precious treasures. Although the city's military affairs department is leading the way, it is still related to the Black Witch Cult. Once they encounter them, their lives are uncertain.

No one can withstand such a huge loss, so it's no wonder people are upset.

soon.

Only Xu Mao, Xu Tian, ​​and Zhong Xuan remained in the room.

Xu Mao gave a wry smile: "Uncle Zhong, there's no way. Magistrate Zhou has given a death order; there's nothing we can do."

"I know."

Zhong Xuan nodded.

Of the three people in the room, only Xu Tian was not a martial artist; he and Xu Mao were both determined to search the mountain.

However, with his martial arts skills greatly improved and the addition of the Crane Bone movement technique, he is confident that he can survive on the battlefield.

Zhong Xuan asked, "Shulin, why is the county government suddenly launching a crackdown on the Black Witch Cult?"

Xu Mao slightly turned his body and lowered his voice:

"Rumor has it that the Black Witch Cult stole a divine artifact."

Zhong Xuan was startled:

"A divine artifact!"