“I don’t like Senior Brother Yu Jianyi, so this is going to be troublesome.”
Lin Dongming shrugged. “Senior Brother Yu Jianyi is way too arrogant. He’s so full of himself, acting like everything else in the world is beneath him. Except for the junior sisters who are infatuated with his swordsmanship, most people have at least some complaints.”
“He once said something like ‘Knives are inferior to swords, and mortals inferior to immortals,’” Bai Zhiqing teased, “and offended quite a few people from the Bihai Blade Sect and Xuankong Temple. Aren’t you worried he might hear you badmouthing him behind his back?”
Lin Dongming was completely unconcerned. “What’s said here is only known by heaven, earth, you, and me. Even if you wanted to tattle, you don’t have any proof.”
Lin Dongming wasn’t the type to gossip, but firstly, Senior Brother Yu Jianyi had made so many enemies that he couldn’t help but vent a little. Secondly, he needed some shared secrets and leverage with Bai Zhiqing to get closer.
Because Elder Tuoba didn’t seem inclined to tell her about his mission to protect Bai Zhiqing, the upcoming Forbidden Land Trial in Eastern Cangzhou was going to be something he had to handle on his own.
“I give up on you. I guess that means you’re meticulous.” The little fox didn’t dislike meticulous people—much better than those who never think. “But some of the elders don’t like him either, and they seem to be considering training others.”
“Yeah, my master is one of them.” Lin Dongming shrugged. “It’s said the Sword Elder once taught Senior Brother Yu Jianyi a few moves.
While impressed by his talent, he thought Senior Brother’s personality was too ruthless and arrogant. So he didn’t pursue the suggestion from other elders to make him a Named Disciple.”
Normally, a sword prodigy like Yu Jianyi would be exactly the kind of disciple the Sword Elder would want.
“Forget it, it’s not related to us for now.” Lin Dongming avoided diving deeper into the topic to prevent Bai Zhiqing from prying into his relationship with Han Xiangjun. “Are you going to participate in the Forbidden Land Trial two months from now?”
Bai Zhiqing gave Lin Dongming a side glance. “Of course. You expect me to wait another twenty years?”
The Forbidden Land Trial in Cangzhou took place every twenty years, filled with countless rare treasures and prime materials—an excellent opportunity for most cultivators to seek breakthroughs.
Moreover, shortly after the Cangzhou trial was the Four Regions Tournament in Chen Prefecture, where winners received numerous rewards.
Even second-generation officials like Hong Xing and Han Xiangjun couldn’t help but covet the prizes. The tournament, at least officially, encouraged the younger generation to hone themselves and practice diligently.
So even those who couldn’t place high still gained some ling materials and spirit stones, which helped their cultivation.
For disciples like Lin Dongming, who lacked resources, even if they couldn’t win, participating in these two grand events was essential to acquire spirit materials and increase their chances of breaking through to Nascent Soul and Spirit Severing stages.
Bai Zhiqing was absolutely right—neither of them had a choice. Or rather, most cultivators didn’t.
After all, which Foundation Establishment cultivator didn’t want to reach Core Formation?
Which Core Formation cultivator didn’t want to reach Nascent Soul?
They could only increase their odds by diving headfirst into these perilous trials.
—No invitation to team up with me, huh?
Looks like my favorability and trust levels still aren’t high enough.
There was a just-right pause between their words. If Bai Zhiqing wanted to propose teaming up, she could have done it now.
Since she didn’t, Lin Dongming naturally didn’t bring it up. When favorability was low, mentioning it was pointless—a conclusion he’d drawn from countless games in his past life.
So Lin Dongming casually chatted with Bai Zhiqing a bit longer, then soared up on his sword, chasing after Lei Long.
“Oh, by the way, there’s a hint of Modao behind this matter. You’d better be careful lately.” Lin Dongming hesitated for a moment but still gave Bai Zhiqing the warning.
“Modao?”
Bai Zhiqing looked a bit puzzled. She spent most of her time inside the Heavenly Extreme Sword Sect, and the few times she went down the mountain, she hadn’t encountered powerful Modao practitioners. Her understanding of them was limited.
So she couldn’t figure out how Lin Dongming had detected the Modao traces.
“It probably doesn’t concern you or me.”
Lin Dongming tossed the jade pendant Elder Tuoba had given him to Bai Zhiqing. “Elder Tuoba told me to give this to you. It should be a protective talisman.”
“Huh?”
Bai Zhiqing had just caught the pendant when Lin Dongming was already far away—no chance to ask.
“Can’t stand it when people say things halfway. I’ll ask properly next time I see you.” Bai Zhiqing complained, then sat down to meditate.
Meanwhile, Lin Dongming had already caught up to Lei Long, facing the sky full of roaring thunder energy.
He had been thinking about this for a while—he wanted to try it.
—It’s said that powerful Thunder Law can be used to temper the body, just like cultivators use Heavenly Tribulation to refine their flesh. But Lin Dongming never managed to get his hands on strong enough lightning.
Now, the opportunity was right in front of him!
The Thunder Dragon Xuanting in the Combined Transformation stage radiated an immense thunder spiritual power. Even the unintentional overflow of thunder energy had the power of late Core Formation or even Nascent Soul stage—perfect for refining the body with thunder energy!
Coincidentally, Han Xiangjun had taken a detour chasing Lei Long and avoided Lin Dongming. Both were unknowingly improving their strength in their own ways.
“Gotta be cautious on the first try. This thunder energy looks strong.”
Though he was already some distance from the thunder dragon’s body, Lin Dongming didn’t dare be careless. He quickly cast five layers of Ling Power Shield on himself, then donned the Blackscale Garment defensive armor he had earned working for a wealthy lady.
Choosing the weakest-looking thunder energy strand, he charged in.
“!!”
As expected, the five layers of Ling Power Shield shattered rapidly, and the lightning penetrated the Blackscale Garment, striking Lin Dongming’s body. He felt a wave of numbness rush through him and nearly fell from midair.
The lightning severely damaged his muscles, but his spiritual energy surged from his dantian to his limbs and bones, rapidly repairing the wounds. The regenerated muscle fibers were even stronger, capable of unleashing greater power.
Struggling, Lin Dongming shoved a Yuan Nurturing Pill into his mouth, accelerating the healing.
“My physical strength is already decent among peers. Even with the Blackscale Garment from Yun Shuying, this single strike almost severely injured me. This method isn’t suitable for most people.”
Lin Dongming quickly distanced himself from the thunder energy, finding a secluded spot to recover. Residual lightning still surged inside his body and would take some time to dissipate completely.
The medicinal power of the Yuan Nurturing Pill and his own spiritual energy were simultaneously repairing his body—destroying and rebuilding at the same time.
He sat quietly, sweat pouring down his forehead in large drops.
What Lin Dongming didn’t see was that Han Xiangjun had accidentally noticed his reckless charge at the thunder energy from a distance. She was now hidden nearby, observing him stealthily.
—What was he doing just now?
Did he worry about me and follow me, but got hit by the thunder energy by accident?
That’s just foolish.
As for the crazy idea of tempering the body with Thunder Law, Han Xiangjun wouldn’t dare even think of it. She felt it was dangerous just sensing the thunder’s dao rhythm from the side.
Only a madman would dare touch thunder three levels above their realm.