The Reversal of Heaven Begins with The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

Chapter 23: Reversing the Star-Absorbing Technique

[A reversible cultivation technique—the Star Absorbing Technique—has been detected.]

【The Star Absorbing Technique: Modified from a fragment of the Northern Darkness Divine Art, its core principle is "absorbing the internal energy of others and converting it for one's own use," which can rapidly increase one's power, but it has a fatal flaw.】

[Side effects: 1. Cultivation requires the absence of internal energy or the abandonment of one's original martial arts skills; otherwise, internal energy clashes, resulting in severe injury. 2. It is difficult to refine different types of true energy. Inhaling too much internal energy of different attributes can easily cause true energy disorder, leading to damage to the dantian and meridians, resulting in severe backlash, and in severe cases, death by body explosion.]

[Negative Reversal Effects: 1. No need to abandon martial arts skills, can directly cultivate; 2. Can perfectly purify all inhaled internal energy/true qi, instantly transforming it into pure, attribute-free true qi, while nourishing meridians and dantian, improving absorption efficiency.]

Looking at the system notification in his mind, Lin Mu was secretly delighted.

The originally harmful "Star Absorbing Technique" has been reversed by the system and has become a truly divine skill without any side effects.

He was already familiar with the plot, and Ren Woxing's little scheme was nothing but child's play in his eyes.

In the original storyline, Ren Woxing used this trick to control Linghu Chong.

Ren Woxing himself was unaware that his so-called "method of merging power" to resolve the hidden dangers only temporarily delayed the backlash and did not truly resolve the hidden dangers, ultimately leading to his death from the backlash of the "Star Absorbing Technique".

Lin Mu sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, his gaze quickly sweeping over the engravings on the stone slab.

With his "extraordinary comprehension," he had a photographic memory, and in just a few breaths, he memorized the entire circulation route and mental formula of the "Star Absorbing Technique."

He has completely mastered this extraordinary skill that countless martial artists both covet and fear.

Seeing how quickly he read it, Ren Woxing's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer. He feigned concern and said, "Young Brother Lin, you must be careful! Although the Star Absorbing Technique is incredibly powerful, it is also extremely dangerous, especially the backlash from the foreign true energy, which is excruciating! When I was practicing it, I almost perished because of it!"

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly "sincere": "If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, or feel any internal energy conflict, be sure to inform me immediately! I've been through this before, and perhaps I can use my experience to help you resolve the danger of backlash!"

These words, seemingly well-intentioned, were actually foreshadowing something more.

He was certain that Lin Mu would be trapped by the backlash, at which point he could use his status as Lin Mu's "savior" to keep the young man firmly by his side, or even recruit him for his own use.

However, before he could finish speaking, Lin Mu straightened up and walked straight out of the dungeon, as if he hadn't heard his "instructions" at all.

Ren Woxing's smile froze instantly, his expression darkening abruptly. He snorted coldly, "Hmph, young man, you don't know your place. Wait until you taste the backlash, then you'll be begging me!"

Having said that, he shattered the stone slab with a single palm strike, then left the dungeon with Xiang Wentian.

Upon entering the main hall, Ren Woxing and Xiang Wentian were so shocked by the sight before them that their pupils shrank.

Lin Mu slowly walked towards Huang Zhonggong, Tu Biweng, and Dan Qingsheng, who had been acupunctured. He raised his right hand slightly, and an invisible suction force emanated from his palm, enveloping Huang Zhonggong like a vortex.

"This is……"

Xiang Wentian exclaimed in shock: "The Star Absorbing Technique?"

Before the two could react, Lin Mu had already grabbed Huang Zhonggong's shoulder.

The invisible suction suddenly intensified, and Huang Zhonggong's originally pale face turned ashen at a visible speed. His internal energy was drawn out like a tide and flowed into his body through Lin Mu's palm.

In just a few breaths, Huang Zhonggong's lifelong cultivation of internal energy was completely drained, and he collapsed to the ground like a dehydrated log, his breathing becoming weak.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Mu did the same thing, grabbing both Tu Biweng and Dan Qingsheng by the shoulders.

The same scene happened again.

The two men's internal energy was rapidly absorbed without any stagnation. Lin Mu's expression remained calm, and his breathing was as steady as if he were walking leisurely. There was no sign of the "internal energy conflict and unbearable pain" that Ren Woxing had anticipated.

"How could you possibly have mastered the Star Absorbing Technique?"

Ren Woxing's face was almost overflowing with shock. He subconsciously took a step forward, his fingers trembling slightly, "You didn't even disperse your internal energy, so how did you manage to master the 'Star Absorbing Technique'? And how can you be unaffected by foreign internal energy?"

It should be noted that he had abandoned his martial arts for ten years in order to cultivate the "Star Absorbing Technique". Even so, he had to endure the backlash of foreign true energy every time he absorbed other people's internal energy.

Otherwise, how could Dongfang Bubai have been given such an opportunity?

Later, he was imprisoned in a dungeon for twelve years. With nothing to do, he studied every day and finally came up with the "method of integrating skills".

However, the fusion of skills also requires a process, and different true energies cannot be perfectly fused together; it only reduces the backlash considerably.

In contrast, Lin Mu only read the "Absorption Technique" once, and after leaving the dungeon, he completely mastered this divine skill, absorbing internal energy as easily as drinking water.

Ren Woxing didn't understand, but he was deeply shocked!

Lin Mu slowly withdrew his hand, sensing the changes within his body.

After Huang Zhonggong and the other two's internal energy was absorbed, it was instantly swept up by the newly formed "Star-Absorbing Cyclone" in their dantian. Like being thrown into a highly efficient millstone, it was crushed and purified in an instant, transformed into incomparably pure attribute-free true energy, which perfectly merged with his original pure yang true energy.

He could clearly feel that his cultivation had increased by nearly a third, and his dantian and meridians had become wider and stronger under the nourishment of pure true qi.

The reversed version of "Star Absorbing Technique" is indeed incredibly effective!

Lin Mu's lips curled into a faint smile as he turned his gaze to the dumbfounded Ren Woxing, his tone tinged with amusement: "Is the Star Absorbing Technique difficult? I think it's quite simple. Sometimes, you should look for the reasons within yourself. Is it because you haven't practiced hard enough, or because you lack talent?"

"you……"

Ren Woxing's expression changed like a palette of colors.

A mix of emotions—surprise, suspicion, greed, jealousy, and murderous intent—surged wildly within him.

This boy is too evil!

He possessed innate cultivation at a young age and wielded a divine weapon. Now, he has learned his "Star Absorbing Technique" and, more importantly, has surpassed his master.

If he is allowed to grow unchecked, he will surely become the biggest obstacle to my dominance in the martial arts world in the future!

He even had the idea of ​​taking action immediately, but as soon as he had the thought, he felt a series of sharp pains in his meridians.

He had just absorbed the internal energy of the black and white pieces and hadn't had time to refine it yet. Once he made a move, the intertwining of true energy would cause him unbearable pain, and he could only exert up to 80% of his strength at the moment.

Although Xiang Wentian was extremely loyal, he was no match for Lin Mu.

Taking action now would not offer much of a chance of winning.

After some deliberation, Ren Woxing forcibly suppressed the murderous intent in his heart and forced out a smile that was more like a grimace: "Haha... Good! Good! Good! Brother Lin is indeed a genius, I am ashamed to admit my inferiority!"

His smile was stiff, but the sinister look in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Lin Mu was too lazy to pay attention to Ren Woxing's complicated thoughts.

The reason he didn't leave immediately was that he wanted to see if he could trigger a new side quest.

Regardless, Ren Woxing is a big boss.

[Ding! You have come into contact with the legendary figure Ren Woxing, triggering the side quest: I Am the Only One.]

[Mission Requirements: Help Ren Woxing dominate the martial arts world, overthrow the Ming Dynasty, unify the world, and become the supreme ruler.]

[Task Reward: Randomly selected.]

Chapter 24: Everyone has their own agenda

Upon seeing the mission related to Ren Woxing, Lin Mu instantly lost all interest.

Not to mention the time and effort required to assist Ren Woxing in becoming emperor and conquering the country.

With Ren Woxing's violent temper, he was not cut out to be an emperor.

Moreover, Ren Woxing suffers from a hidden illness and doesn't have many years left to live.

What if Ren Woxing dies before the business is even halfway done? Wouldn't all my efforts have been in vain?

With that kind of time, Lin Mu would have already killed Dongfang Bubai and gone to other worlds to roam.

Since the side quests weren't absolutely necessary, Lin Mu decisively chose to abandon them and cut his losses in time.

Thinking of this, Lin Mu cupped his hands and said, "Now that Leader Ren has escaped his predicament and the agreement has been reached, I have other important matters to attend to and will take my leave first."

Seeing Lin Mu take the benefits and run away, Ren Woxing was very unhappy.

He had just escaped from the West Lake dungeon, and Xiang Wentian was the only loyal subject left under his command. Lin Mu, a master of innate talent, was exactly the kind of talent he desperately needed.

Ren Woxing suppressed his anger and murderous intent, deliberately raised his voice, and said with a hint of feigned intimacy, "Brother Lin, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

"I see that Brother Lin is exceptionally talented and is no ordinary person. I have always cherished talent. If Brother Lin is willing to join the Sun Moon Divine Sect, I am willing to treat him as the Vice Sect Leader."

"Once I personally slay that villain Dongfang Bubai, regain control of the Sun Moon Sect, and wipe out the Five Mountains Sword Sects, I can share half of the martial world with you!"

[Sharing? Once you kill Dongfang Bubai, the first person you'll kill will be me.]

Lin Mu sneered inwardly, dismissing Ren Woxing's empty promises with disdain.

Knowing the plot well, what kind of person is Ren Woxing?

Lin Mu knew perfectly well what was going on.

Ren Woxing is absolutely capable of doing something like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose.

Lin Mu skipped through the films, but he didn't have the patience to watch Ren Woxing's performance.

His tone was tinged with coldness: "Does Master Ren even believe what he's saying?"

"Keep your kingdom for yourself. We have different paths. If we meet again, we might be enemies."

After saying that, Lin Mu turned and left without giving him any face.

"Master..."

Xiang Wentian watched Lin Mu's departing figure, his hand resting on the long sword at his waist, his voice hesitant: "This Lin Mu's strength is unfathomable, and he has also learned your 'Star Absorbing Technique.' If he cannot be used by the sect leader, he will surely become a great threat in the future!"

His relationship with Lin Mu was purely transactional. Although he admired Lin Mu, when it came to the interests of the Sun Moon Sect and Ren Woxing, Xiang Wentian would still firmly stand on Ren Woxing's side.

Ren Woxing's eyes flashed with murderous intent: "How could I not know? But if he wants to leave now, can we stop him?"

He stared intently in the direction Lin Mu had disappeared, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Once I recover my strength, kill that traitor Dongfang, and regain power, I'll make him the first one to sacrifice!"

Before he could finish speaking, Ren Woxing suddenly turned to the residence of the Four Friends of Plum Manor, his face turning ferocious: "And these good-for-nothings, when they saw me in trouble, they sided with Dongfang Bubai and aided and abetted evil. Keeping them alive is a hidden danger. Kill them all!"

"Yes."

Without saying a word, Xiang Wentian drew his sword and slaughtered everyone in Plum Manor.

A flash of light, and screams of agony rose and fell.

Moments later, the Plum Manor was littered with corpses.

Ren Woxing lit a torch and threw it into the study. The flames crackled and quickly spread throughout the courtyard.

"Hmph, this is what happens when you betray me!"

Looking at the towering flames, Ren Woxing's face was filled with cold satisfaction.

This fire served both to cover up the traces and as a signal for his return to the scene.

Just as Ren Woxing and Xiang Wentian were preparing to leave Plum Manor to find a place to recuperate.

A cold voice suddenly rang out from behind.

"Leader Ren, we meet again!"

As Lin Mu spoke, several steel needles had already silently flown towards Ren Woxing and Xiang Wentian.

Steel needles are small and not really suitable as concealed weapons. Unless they pierce a vital area or are coated with a deadly poison, they will only stick to the skin and flesh and will not be fatal.

The advantage is that it makes little noise, is not easily detected, and is difficult to defend against.

If one has sufficient internal strength and strikes a vital point accurately, one can kill with a single blow.

Dongfang Bubai, who practiced the Sunflower Manual, was skilled in using embroidery needles, and Lin Mu, who practiced the Evil-Repelling Sword Technique, was also a master of using flying needles.

Lin Mu hadn't gone far. After circling around, he hid in the shadows to observe whether there were any other Lao Liu nearby.

Only after confirming that Xiang Wentian had no backup and that there was no one else around did they strike the moment when Ren Woxing and Xiang Wentian relaxed their guard.

Ren Woxing and Xiang Wentian did not expect Lin Mu to return and, moreover, to be so unethical as to launch a sneak attack from behind.

I was careless and didn’t dodge!

He was struck by several poisoned steel needles and his body stiffened instantly.

Lin Mu used the "Phoenix Dance Six Illusions" movement technique to its fullest extent, approaching like a wisp of green smoke. Starting with zero frames, he delivered a standard knight's flying kick to Ren Woxing's face, sending Ren Woxing flying.

The instant he landed, Lin Mu used the Heaven-Slaying Sword to block Xiang Wentian's dying counterattack, and then severed the sword and cut off his wrist.

"Crack!"

The long sword broke, and the hand fell to the ground.

With a muffled groan from Xiang Wentian, blood flowed down his severed wrist, staining the ground red.

Xiang Wentian instinctively grabbed his severed wrist with his left hand, cold sweat pouring down his face. He looked at Lin Mu, who stood with his sword in hand, and cried out in pain, "Wait, wait... Do you remember? I even taught you the art of disguise!"

Lin Mu remained silent, grabbed Xiang Wentian's shoulder, and unleashed the Star Absorbing Technique, generating an incomparably domineering suction force from his palm.