Chapter 117: Tough Flesh, Black Market

It truly feels like he has re‑established his foundation once more.

Although this time Xiao Zhangqing's magical power shows no change, unlike when breaking through the Foundation Establishment Realm where his magical power liquefied, his Soul Transformation also shows no growth at all, remaining the same as before.

But the changes to his flesh are far more ferocious than during foundation establishment—by an unknown multiple! When a Qi Refining Realm cultivator breaks through the Foundation Establishment Realm, his flesh does become stronger, yet the increase is not particularly large. In other words, for ordinary people, a Foundation Establishment cultivator's flesh is completely transformed once, but for cultivators the flesh still remains quite weak.

Precisely because the flesh is weak, various defensive Magic Treasures and Talisman Scripts sometimes cost a few points more than offensive ones.

If a cultivator lacks defensive Magic Treasures and Talisman Scripts, when his resistance is lost, relying solely on his flesh can hardly withstand any moderately powerful technique.

Just like Liang Yuehua and Zhou Songbai, after being struck by Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation secret method, their Soul Transformation instantly stalled, unable to mount any resistance.

If it were at this moment, let alone Xiao Zhangqing.

Even any Foundation Establishment cultivator, or even a late‑stage Qi Refining cultivator, could end the lives of these two Fake Core True Persons!

One can imagine that when a cultivator reaches Foundation Establishment, or even Golden Core, the flesh does metamorphose, yet its strength remains far too low.

Only by practicing a body‑cultivation method like the 'Dragon‑Transforming Body Refining Method' can the flesh's strength truly be raised.

Body‑cultivation relies on the power of the flesh, allowing one to contend with a cultivator's various spells, divine abilities, Magic Treasures and Talisman Scripts! "No wonder a saying circulates in the Cultivation World: a body‑cultivator's own flesh is the strongest, most useful Magic Treasure!"

Xiao Zhangqing feels his flesh changing; every part is filled with explosive power, making it hard for him to fully adapt and control it at once.

He now dares not move much, because with a slight exertion, this costly, first‑grade supreme flying vessel would be shattered by him.

"My flesh's strength is more than ten times what it was before—tendons, bones, blood, flesh, skin, membranes, even nails, teeth, and facial features have all strengthened!"

Xiao Zhangqing finely senses that, without projecting his Soul Transformation outward, his perception of the surroundings has become countless times clearer and equally countless times more sensitive.

However.

Such high flesh strength does not mean Xiao Zhangqing feels clumsy.

On the contrary, Xiao Zhangqing feels unprecedented lightness, a drifting, almost celestial sensation! As long as he wishes, his sprinting speed can match that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator flying with magical power!

A single leap would be hardly different from flying!

In an instant, Xiao Zhangqing thought of many things—how to employ and fight with such a powerful flesh under various conditions! "Second‑tier, middle grade! Correspondingly, that's the cultivation level of mid‑Foundation Establishment."

"So, with just my flesh's power, I can now contend with ordinary mid‑Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

If the timing weren't off and his Soul Transformation were not still weak, Xiao Zhangqing would have been unable to restrain himself from launching an attack.

"However, with my current flesh state, if I were with the Lin sisters and exerted too much…"

Thinking of that, Xiao Zhangqing quickly shook his head, erasing the image from his mind.

Even after his Soul Transformation recovers most of its strength later, he still cannot approach the Lin sisters for a short time.

He must thoroughly familiarize himself with his post‑metamorphosis flesh, mastering every ounce of its explosive power without error.

Moreover, though Xiao Zhangqing is now powerful indeed, his overly keen senses have a negative effect: they become excessively sensitive, causing pleasure to instantly crit and double! Previously, he could take on two opponents, defeating the Lin sisters without any pressure, all thanks to his elder sister Lin Ziyu's equally remarkable resilience, which only just allowed him to enjoy it.

If he does not solve the sensitivity problem later, he must reduce it.

Let alone taking on two sisters alone, even the rookie Lin Zixi could 'handle' him!

"First, nurture the Soul Transformation…"

Xiao Zhangqing suppresses all thoughts, refusing to think further, closes his eyes, and begins to gently nurture his Soul Transformation.

…

…

Heading north all the way.

Unwittingly, a month has passed.

During this month, the Lin Ziyu and Lin Zixi sisters took turns piloting the flying vessel, nonstop day and night, at great speed.

Although they have not yet left the southwestern region of Da Yu Cultivation World, they have already escaped the core influence of the Luoxia Sect and Baihua Valley.

Along the way, perhaps the Luoxia Sect and Baihua Valley sects have not received any news, or perhaps they were deterred by Xiao Zhangqing's power, so the sisters did not encounter pursuers from the two major sects. Fortunately, they also avoided any accidents or calamity cultivations.

Mid‑journey they did encounter a few scattered cultivators, but neither side greeted nor conversed, each keeping a cautious distance and passing by.

Cultivation is not a dinner party; the Cultivation World is not a place of harmony.

When venturing out, caution is the basic rule.

If one meets an unfamiliar cultivator who deliberately approaches to ingratiate themselves, there must be ulterior motives; one should be wary of ill intent.

After a month of recuperation, Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation has recovered to about seventy‑plus percent; though not at full peak, it is no longer seriously impaired.

Thus he no longer secludes himself for healing; by paying attention during regular cultivation, he can gradually achieve full recovery.

"Lord, you have finally emerged from seclusion, we will arrive shortly… huh, Lord, what's wrong with you?"

Watching Xiao Zhangqing gingerly push open the only bedroom door inside the flying vessel, his gait is extremely awkward, his limbs seem uncoordinated, tiptoeing as if he were a marionette.

The Lin sisters and Ruan Qingzhu, seeing this, were startled and deeply worried.

Could it be that Xiao Zhangqing was severely injured in his earlier clash with the two Fake Core True Persons, leaving aftereffects that even a month later cannot heal? Yet…

In that previous encounter, it was clearly Xiao Zhangqing who acted, instantly using his Soul Transformation secret method to 'kill in a second' the two Fake Core True Persons, then snatching their Magic Treasures, without taking any attack at all!

The three women carefully observe Xiao Zhangqing's expression and condition.

They find everything fine, with no signs of injury.

On the contrary, as Xiao Zhangqing emerges from seclusion and begins moving, the three women can faintly sense the powerful qi‑blood force stored within his body.

Although Xiao Zhangqing does not act, they also feel that his body now harbors an ancient ferocious beast, sending them an extremely dangerous signal.

As concubines, the Lin sisters keenly notice that their lord's physique seems to have grown considerably taller… indeed, he has become taller!

His height has increased by at least four or five centimeters, and his face appears younger as well.

Previously Xiao Zhangqing's appearance seemed to be that of a twenty‑seven or twenty‑eight‑year‑old; though not old, he wasn't exactly young. With thick brows and large eyes, he was handsome, yet not enough to draw the attention of female cultivators on the street.

Now, looking again, Xiao Zhangqing's face appears several years younger, looking like a little over twenty, his aura subtly elevated, becoming radiant, his skin even whiter and more tender…

"I'm fine, I've almost fully recovered. Stop for now; you stay on the flying vessel and rest a moment. I'm going down to test a new technique; you remain aloft, no need to follow."

Xiao Zhangqing gave no explanation, said a word to the three women, then leapt from the flying vessel, landing into the ancient‑tree‑dense forest below. The three women exchanged glances aboard the vessel, yet none disobeyed Xiao Zhangqing's command, keeping the flying vessel hovering mid‑air, awaiting his return.

And then…

The three women in midair also had no idea what exactly was happening.

Below, the forest kept shaking as if an earth dragon were turning over; within a short time the whole forest was almost half destroyed, countless beasts fled in a frenzy, and dust billowed in the sky above the woods.

About a quarter of an hour later, not only the forest but also a large section of the mountain range had been shattered, and Xiao Zhangqing finally leapt back onto the flying boat.

At this point, Xiao Zhangqing no longer felt the awkwardness he had just after emerging from the barrier; his movements were no different from an ordinary person's.

Lin Zixi was extremely curious, wanting to know what change had occurred to the master.

If they were still at Nanshan Fang, where only the two sisters and the master lived, she could safely ask this question that did not involve any principle.

She could even brazenly lean against Xiao Zhangqing's chest, or directly examine his body to see why he had changed so much from before.

But now that the outsider Ruan Qingzhu was present, she naturally could not make such out‑of‑line moves.

"At our current pace, we have about a month and a half left before we leave the Southwest Region of the Da Yu Cultivation World. Then, after crossing the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, we can part ways with Shopkeeper Ruan."

Lin Zixi thought to herself.

The Cloud Mist Mountain Range can be regarded as the boundary of the Southwest Region of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

This stretch of the range belongs to the Southwest Region, while the other end is considered the most prosperous interior of the Central Domain of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

Of course.

The Central Domain of the Da Yu Cultivation World is the most expansive, far larger than the Southwest Region.

For Xiao Zhangqing's party to cross the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and reach Liyang Immortal City, at least three to four months of flight would be required.

However, Ruan Qingzhu, who is heading to Giant Tree City, will have to part from them.

……

In the blink of an eye, another month passed.

During this period, Xiao Zhangqing fully adapted to his transformed flesh, mastering the concealed formidable power without any leakage.

He ensured that even when he turned over in his sleep, he would not exert excessive force unintentionally.

At that moment, ahead of the flying boat, a continuous undulating, seemingly boundless towering barren mountain range began to appear.

This is the famed Cloud Mist Mountain Range of the Da Yu Cultivation World, the boundary of the Southwest Territory.

The range is shrouded in clouds year‑round, harboring countless poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, and many demons hide within.

To mortals, this range is a heavenly chasm; even the so‑called martial masters and innate experts of the jianghu have virtually no hope of surviving a crossing.

Even cultivators who traverse the Cloud Mist Mountain Range must proceed cautiously, choosing the safest routes and daring not to stride boldly.

Although most demons in the range are first‑rank low‑level beasts, occasional second‑rank beasts do appear.

As for whether third‑rank beasts exist, it's hard to say.

In any case, many cultivators on both sides of the range boldly venture into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range seeking opportunities, hunting demons, or gathering spirit herbs; countless have perished there, yet for many years no news of third‑rank beasts has emerged.

"Lord, according to the Da Yu Cultivation World map, about a thousand li to our left‑front lies a unique cultivation market, 'Qingjian Fang'. This market is chaotic, with almost no cultivators residing there. Only major caravans and cultivators with ulterior motives trade here. Some rogue cultivators even appear openly in Qingjian Fang."

"But precisely because of that, Qingjian Fang often yields many scarce Magic Treasures and spirit pills, some of which cannot be bought in any great city."

"Therefore, cultivators traveling between the two regions, if sufficiently strong and with special needs, usually visit Qingjian Fang for a chance at luck."

"Shall we take a slight detour to have a look?"

Lin Zixi poured wine for Xiao Zhangqing while asking.

If the two sisters were traveling alone, they would certainly not go to Qingjian Fang.

One of them possessed a seven‑layer Qi‑refining cultivation, the other an eight‑layer; among scattered cultivators this is not weak but not strong either. Moreover, their looks easily draw attention, making them targets as 'fat lambs'.

Generally, only cultivators with a fully mature Qi like Ruan Qingzhu become the main clientele of Qingjian Fang.

Especially in the Southwest Territory, cultivators aiming to break into the Foundation Establishment Realm without a Foundation Pill often make a final gamble at Qingjian Fang.

Because opportunities to find a Foundation Pill in Qingjian Fang are scarce, yet the various ingredients for forging one are virtually unavailable in other cultivation markets; in Qingjian Fang, however, anyone willing to spend money can usually purchase them.

If one can gather all the ingredients and then hire a second‑rank Pill Master to forge a Foundation Pill, the difficulty is far lower than buying one outright.

"Let's go straight. Not going there."

Xiao Zhangqing took a sip of wine, shook his head, and said.

He had little interest in Qingjian Fang.

Qingjian Fang is akin to the cultivation world's 'black market'—disordered and chaotic; even most cultivators in the early to middle stages of Foundation Establishment would not claim they could roam Qingjian Fang completely unchecked.

In the Southwest Region of the Da Yu Cultivation World, Qingjian Fang is definitely a high‑level 'instance'.

Only surpassed by Baihua Valley and Luoxia Sect in difficulty, it yields plenty of loot.

But for Xiao Zhangqing, this instance seemed rather low‑level.

Qingjian Fang scarcely even has Foundation Pills; only some spirit herbs for forging them, which hold little appeal for him.

"Hmm, then I'll have my sister fly straight over the Cloud Mist Mountain Range without detouring," Lin Zixi thought, though she did have a slight desire to visit Qingjian Fang and broaden her experience.

But the master was uninterested, so she would not make a request.

However, sometimes you don't want to seek trouble, yet trouble comes to you on its own.

Just as Lin Ziyu was piloting the flying boat normally, rapidly approaching the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and preparing to cross it directly,

suddenly…

Xiao Zhangqing set down his cup, looking out with surprise.

The Lin sisters and Ruan Qingzhu had not yet grasped what was happening when a powerful pulling force enveloped them, the entire flying boat included…

(End of chapter)