Heaven rewards diligence, but there are always fairies plotting against me.

[Chu Chang]

[Realm: Body Tempering Realm, Level 4]

[Technique: Sun-Gazing Breathing Method (Gains the constitution attribute: Extreme Yang Constitution.)]

[Technique: Mountain Moving Strength (Obtained technique entry: Mountain Moving Hidden Strength.)]

[Technique: Burning Wave Shadow Hand: 0/500 (Not yet mastered).]

[Inner Technique: Crimson Yang Qi Guiding Technique: 0/500 (Beginner).]

[Spell/Art: None.]

[Skill: Herb Gathering (Gains the skill attribute: Shennong Identifies Herbs.)]

Diligence can compensate for lack of talent: Heaven rewards diligence, and there will surely be results.

After browsing through the Burning Wave Shadow Hand and Crimson Sun Qi Guiding Technique, sure enough, the panel successfully added these two techniques!

Both of these are Xuan-rank cultivation techniques!

Cultivation techniques are categorized into levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.

Ordinary people don't even have the chance to practice Yellow-rank techniques, but he directly learned two Profound-rank techniques!

Next, Chu Chang decided to first cultivate the Crimson Sun Qi Guiding Technique.

This is a mental cultivation method that increases true qi.

Improving one's true qi helps to enhance one's cultivation level.

With cultivation and martial arts skills, one's strength will increase.

Otherwise, having martial arts skills without internal energy is like having firewood without fire; it's difficult to unleash the power of martial arts skills.

Cultivation knows no time.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed quietly amidst the monotonous breathing exercises and fist punches.

That morning, the sky was overcast, and a light drizzle fell, bringing a slight chill.

Chu Chang walked out of the house and let out a long breath.

In this month, he successfully cultivated the Crimson Sun Qi Guiding Technique to perfection and successfully created an entry for it.

Chu Chang eagerly looked at the entry, and what he saw left him dumbfounded.

[Inner Strength Technique: Crimson Sun Qi Guiding Technique (Gains the inner strength technique attribute: Olfactory Purification).]

Effect: There is no longer any body odor when sweating; instead, there is a refreshing smell similar to that of a blanket after being exposed to the sun.

At this moment, Chu Chang was covered in sweat because he had been cultivating all day.

But thanks to the term "olfactory purification," he not only didn't have a sweaty smell, but instead gave off a refreshing scent.

This left Chu Chang both amused and exasperated. What use was this entry to him?

If it were for a girl, then it would be more suitable, right?

At this point, Chu Chang finally understood.

The attributes associated with cultivation techniques or skills are not necessarily helpful to one's strength.

Regardless, once this mental cultivation method reached perfection, his cultivation effect became significantly stronger.

The most obvious change was that his cultivation level had improved!

He has now reached the fifth level of the Body Tempering Realm.

Of course, the fact that he took that Body Tempering Pill also played a part in this.

To elevate one's cultivation to a higher level.

With his cultivation improved, Chu Chang was no longer in a hurry to find Gu Ling Shuang.

Because Gu Ling Shuang has been gone for several days.

Late one night before her departure, Gu Ling Shuang personally went to the courtyard and told them in a cool tone that she was going away for a while to visit a good friend she hadn't seen for many years.

Without the occasional visits from this young lady, his life became quite simple.

He planned to go out and buy some rice and meat, as his family was almost out of food.

Just as he was about to change his clothes and go out, there was a light knock on the door outside the courtyard.

"Knock knock knock".

Chu Chang walked over and opened the door. Standing outside was Chun'er, dressed in green and looking charming.

"Miss Chun'er, what brings you here?" Chu Chang asked, somewhat surprised.

"Ah Chang, look at your energy and spirit, you've almost finished your cultivation, haven't you?" Chun'er smiled as she looked Chu Chang up and down.

For some reason, when she was near Chu Chang today, she felt that he was emanating an extremely pleasant scent!

It wasn't the smell of sweat, nor was it any expensive incense.

It has a sun-kissed smell, like the scent of a dry cotton quilt after being baked in the hottest days of summer.

The scent brightened her spirits, and she unconsciously took a small step forward, feeling an indescribable comfort and closeness to Chu Chang.

"Yes, you've almost finished your cultivation. Is there anything you need?" Chu Chang nodded politely.

Chun'er then remembered the important matter and said seriously, "There is a routine task in the family that you need to handle. Now that you are a formal guard, this kind of fieldwork is indispensable."

"Please speak, it is my duty."

"You need to go to Baishui Mountain with Zhao Dayong and Wang Ren. There is a permanent camp of our Gu family there, where we have hired experienced hunters to hunt and supply the family year-round. At this time of month, the guards have to go there to pick them up and bring back the game and pelts. This is not only the meat rations for the manor, but also a source of income."

Chu Chang's heart skipped a beat.

He had naturally heard of Baishui Mountain; the place was not far from the Gu family and had a flat terrain.

Most importantly, the area is sunny year-round, without any eerie fog, and it's not some kind of forbidden zone; it's always been known for its safety.

Chu Chang readily agreed, "I'll pack up and leave."

"Okay, Zhao Dayong and the others are waiting for you in the convoy in the front yard. Don't keep them waiting too long."

Before leaving, Chun'er couldn't help but take two more breaths of that warm air before quickly leaving with a slightly flushed face.

Chu Chang closed the door and pulled out a small, bluish-green travel bag from the bedside.

He didn't have any valuables; he just stuffed in a water pouch filled with cooled boiled water, a few hard, dry biscuits left over from last night, and a small piece of salted cured meat.

These items constituted all the supplies he needed for this trip.

A moment later, Chu Chang arrived at the gate of the Gu residence with his luggage on his back.

Zhao Dayong was already waiting there.

Beside him stood a thin, but upright, middle-aged man.

Chu Chang's gaze sharpened slightly; this was the first time he had seen Wang Ren!

The other party was dressed in a dark blue bodyguard uniform, with cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collar, symbolizing status.

That's the uniform of a high-ranking guard.

"Ah Chang, we've been waiting for you!" Zhao Dayong called out, then enthusiastically introduced, "Let me introduce you, this gentleman next to me is Wang Ren, you can just call him Brother Wang. He's a senior bodyguard in the manor, a veteran of field missions, his strength is unfathomable!"

Wang Ren looked to be around fifty years old, with graying temples and a face etched with the marks of time.

He stood there, his aura perfectly concealed, like a piece of dead wood, showing no trace of true energy fluctuations.

Wang Ren smiled and said, "I was away on business and just got back when I heard you defeated Li Feiqiang with a powerful punch. You're a rising star, very impressive."

"I was lucky; I just used a little trick," Chu Chang said modestly.

"Hehe, in a life-or-death struggle, the winner is the winner. You are very humble; the younger generation is truly formidable."

Wang Ren gave a perfunctory compliment, then waved his hand, "Let's go, business is more important."

The three of them pulled a large, empty wooden cart, walking slowly out of the city along the muddy dirt road.

Throughout the journey, Zhao Dayong remained as talkative as ever, chattering with Chu Chang about the gossip in the mansion!

Chu Chang listened while keeping an eye on the road conditions.

In contrast, Wang Ren appeared taciturn. He always walked on the other side of the carriage, his eyes constantly scanning the surrounding bushes and trees, displaying the vigilance expected of a seasoned veteran.

Because of the recent light rain, the mountain road was slippery and difficult to travel, and the wheels kept getting stuck in the mud.

The three of them walked and stopped frequently, and it was almost evening when the sky gradually darkened, but they still hadn't reached the campsite at Baishui Mountain.

In the twilight, the distant mountains resembled lurking giant beasts, and wisps of white mist began to rise from the forest.

"This road is terrible. It's difficult to travel on mountain roads at night, and it's easy to break a horse's leg."

Zhao Dayong wiped the sweat from his face and pointed to a vaguely visible outline by the roadside ahead. "Look, there's an abandoned thatched hut that nobody wants. Let's stay there for the night."

Wang Ren looked up at the sky, then surveyed his surroundings, and slowly nodded: "Alright, let's make a fire and rest for a bit."

A short while later, the three of them stepped into the dilapidated thatched hut, and a musty, damp smell hit them.

Chu Chang didn't rush to sit down. He first carefully looked around to make sure there were no problems before returning to the door and tightly tying the horse to the sheltered spot under the eaves.

Although the rain outside has stopped, the mountain wind at night is biting, so we have to avoid the draft.

By this time, Zhao Dayong had skillfully started a fire, the flames leaping and casting shadowy reflections inside the room.

As soon as the three sat down, Wang Ren, who had been silent all along, took out a piece of dark brown dried meat from the package in his arms, casually tore it in two, and handed it to Chu Chang with a nonchalant expression.

"When you're out and about, you need to eat some meat to calm your nerves," Wang Ren said casually.

Zhao Dayong was starving. He took a piece and began to chew it heartily, chuckling indistinctly, "Hey, Brother Wang really knows his stuff. This meat is really well-smoked, it's so satisfying to chew!"

Chu Chang took the piece of dried meat, but he didn't eat it.

When he's out and about, he doesn't like to eat food from other people, especially since he's not familiar with Wang Ren.

So half an hour passed, and Zhao Dayong had finished the whole piece of meat, while the piece in Chu Chang's hand remained untouched.

"What, you think it's too coarse? The meat doesn't taste good?" Wang Ren turned his head, the flickering firelight reflecting on his half-lit, half-shadowed face, his deep brown pupils revealing a scrutinizing gaze.

"Brother Wang, you've misunderstood. This meat smells delicious; it's good stuff." Chu Chang said calmly, making up an excuse: "I was thinking of keeping watch tonight, so I'm saving it to eat when I get sleepy in the second half of the night, to keep me awake."

"Hehe, whatever." Wang Ren didn't take it to heart and looked away.

Then, he slowly got up, casually drew the long knife from his waist, and pretended to cut the remaining meat on the stone on the ground.

However, just as the long sword was about to fall, Wang Ren's figure shifted to the side in an uncanny way, and the steel sword in his hand spun half a circle without warning, bringing with it a piercing sound of wind being cut, and went straight for Chu Chang's throat!