Getting Stronger By Fighting

"Very well. When he leaves, take him to the Pure Yang Pool. Use my Token. He can absorb as much as he can; consider it a little favor from me."

At their realm, Pure Yang Liquid was not so important anymore, somewhat like chicken ribs.

But only Elder He understood the importance of the Pure Yang Pool to the Qín Family. It was akin to a second life.

Furthermore, it was inexhaustible, a direct gift to Cultivators from Heaven and Earth—the purest life force.

The beautiful woman's face immediately filled with surprise, and she was incredibly excited.

Her thoughts, now lively, made her seem as if she had reverted to the eccentric and clever little girl of the past, one who was very much liked by her elders.

"Thank you, Uncle Master!"

This prompted the Old Man to laugh heartily before departing with a flourish.

A March sky, June weather—neither was as quick to change as this little girl before him.

「● ● ●」

Wang Zhan had no idea.

While he was single-mindedly, devotedly, and restlessly causing trouble, his every move was being watched by two high-realm, unscrupulous elders.

It was as if their own child had grown up. Just as he was about to take out a tissue, he might look back to find his parents observing him from the doorway. His heart nearly leaped out of his chest from fright.

「● ● ●」

Originally, mental energy was just like chicken ribs to Wang Zhan—optional.

But with continuous fortuitous encounters—the "Five Thunder Deity Refinement Method," remnants of the "General Outline of the Supreme Pure Thunder," and so on—his mental energy had long been like a wild horse that had thrown off its reins. It galloped wildly, leaving everything else in the dust, and eventually suppressed all his other attributes.

Never mind the mediocre; even many talented demons who specialized in mental energy were no match for Wang Zhan, often falling short.

Now, he had even obtained the full text of the "General Outline of the Supreme Pure Thunder" and the "Volume on Transforming Illusion into Reality." He was likely to experience another surge in power later.

Yet, he simply didn't know how to apply it. He knew no techniques, no tricks, possessing a mountain of treasure yet unable to use it.

As the System upgraded and fell into a brief silence, how to make this strength play its proper role, perhaps even achieving a decisive effect, became Wang Zhan's pressing concern.

After all, no one knew how long this System upgrade would take, and Wang Zhan had no point of reference.

So, as he became more proficient with the "Volume on Transforming Illusion into Reality," Wang Zhan's entire consciousness began to separate from his physical form. It was as if only a breathless body remained in place, yet traces of Wang Zhan could be perceived everywhere in the Book Collection Pavilion.

「● ● ●」

"Two hundred years ago, by Qingxi Lake, I killed 'Eagle Fist' Hua Tai and obtained the Eagle Beak Fist, which I donated to the Book Collection Pavilion. The Eagle Beak Fist is a vicious technique; practicing it with evil intent invites heavenly retribution. May later generations be warned and uphold justice and righteousness...

Tearing hearts, reaping lives, killing bodies and condemning souls... A secret three-finger technique, likened to an eagle's beak... Gather the most yin and foul substances under heaven, meld them into one's armor... Thirty-six years it took to achieve initial mastery... When unleashed, an ominous wind blows, and a nauseating stench arises... Supremely hard, supremely sharp, unstoppable..."

「● ● ●」

"Three hundred years ago, beneath Ming State Gourd Gorge, 'Bat Display' Bai Bian slaughtered people like flies, his heart cruel. I was ordered to vanquish him. The techniques I obtained—'Bat Step,' 'Bat Fur,' 'Bat Eye,' and 'Bat Sounds'—are all first-rate. Alas, this man's intentions were impure, inviting only sorrow. As my own end approaches, I bequeath all I have gained to the Book Collection Pavilion, hoping it will serve as a foundation for future generations...

'Bat Step'...to wander beneath the moon... 'Bat Fur'...uses mental power as a staff... 'Bat Eye' is the mind's eye...to hear the soundless, to discern the formless..."

「● ● ●」

Today, I came of age. The Old Man said I should kill a few Hu Laos as a celebration... I berated him, 'Are you trying to get your own mother killed?!' The Old Man whipped me. He's a truly shameless, incorrigible, undying old fiend! I was furious. In my rage, I slaughtered her entire mountain of the Red Stretch of Skeletons and obtained a book... The Book Collection Pavilion asked if I would donate it. To hell with them! If they want it, they can just take it.

...Dual cultivation yields qi, life, and great bliss... Seventy-two essence replenishments, one hundred and eight movements of rise and fall... Like a coiling flood dragon, like an ancient tree... Those who master it will see their cultivation advance daily, their achievements rivaling creation itself...

「● ● ●」

The Book Collection Pavilion truly lived up to its name as a vital, secret repository of a major Sect. Even though the old lady and the Old Man dismissed most of its contents as trivial and not particularly valuable, much of it still made Wang Zhan's heart pound, making him feel that the books from his old Martial Arts Academy were utter trash in comparison.

Against human opponents, these methods might be considered too cruel.

But what about against beasts?

Although these techniques made one seem even more savage than beasts themselves, there is no inherent right or wrong in a technique, only in the person who wields it. Those not of our race, if they harbor different intentions, must surely die.

Wang Zhan didn't feel any psychological reservations about using these methods. It was as if they were tailor-made for him, even more brutal than turning an enemy's own methods back against them. It perfectly suited the impending war—a critical moment for the survival of his race, where life and death were no longer primary considerations.

Besides, this wouldn't violate the intentions of these predecessors, and it could also transform their legacies into powerful weapons for the Human Race. Why not do it?

Finally, there was the rebellious handwriting of that nameless individual.

It made Wang Zhan feel as if he had encountered another version of himself—a grumbling, cursing version. Why did it feel so familiar?

What does this mean? Is it written in some kind of mixed classical and vernacular style? Also, why not kill Hu Lao, but instead kill the Red Stretch of Skeletons? Could it be that Hu Lao was having an affair with the writer, or had the Red Stretch of Skeletons offended his entire family?

Wang Zhan was puzzled and a bit sarcastic. Countless such characters have long since died; who knows where they're buried now.

Every time Wang Zhan thought about such brutal methods, he felt the need—no, the compulsion—to curse. Hmph, what's so great about bullying women...

Huh? Was that person just now really me? Why do I feel so compassionate all of a sudden...

Wang Zhan suddenly realized that whether others killed or not had nothing to do with him. Why am I suddenly speaking up for these skeletons? Even if skeletons look good, they're still just skeletons. They served no purpose: they couldn't be eaten, admired, or used as hammers. They could only be decomposed by various bacteria and become part of nature's cycle...

As this thought struck him, his heart tightened unexpectedly.

Damn, this couldn't be a side effect of this technique, could it? Just like the Blood Essence Pill causes complications...

Thinking of this, Wang Zhan hurriedly retracted some of his mental energy, intending to examine the "Volume on Transforming Illusion into Reality" to see if he could bear the complications.

If I can't, the old lady who created this technique will have to take responsibility. She might be old, but I wouldn't mind... Pah! This is definitely a complication.

At this moment, things like "seventy-two essence replenishments" or "one hundred and eight movements of ups and downs" were not the main point at all.

The main point was that Wang Zhan doubted whether he could bear such consequences. Besides, even for dual cultivation, one needed a partner. There was only Xu Yuyu here, who had saved his life, and they had only recently met. Could I really be so beastly?

Oh, my heavens! I can't stand it anymore!

Wang Zhan felt like he was going mad, almost frantic. These complications were too intense, causing even him, a usually pure-hearted and detached young man, to be flooded with endless amorous thoughts.

「● ● ●」

BANG!

Unexpectedly, when Wang Zhan truly retracted his mental energy, his vision blackened, his legs gave out, and THUD, he collapsed to the ground.

"Ah! Are you alright?"

Xu Yuyu, who had been drifting about in the Surroundings, quickly ran over. As she leaned over him, struggling to turn him onto his back, Wang Zhan's first dazed sight was of the turbulent waves of her bosom, rolling towards him.

He couldn't help but repeat in his mind: Avert your gaze! Avert your gaze! After calming himself for several breaths, he met Xu Yuyu's concerned gaze and gave a bitter, nonchalant laugh.

"My cultivation seems to have hit a small snag. By the way, could you hand me that book? Yes, that one!"

"Oh, oh, here you go, here you go. Are you in a bad way? Should I call my grandma over? She's very skilled; she can even save people on the brink of death…"

Wang Zhan almost blurted out, Your grandma? No, she's not needed. I think I can still try to save myself!

However, facing Xu Yuyu's concerned, bright, soft, and gentle eyes, Wang Zhan felt it best to show her a bit more sincerity. He shook his head and said with a light smile, "It's fine. I just overdid my cultivation, and my mental energy is temporarily depleted. It will take a moment to recover. You go on with your business. I'd like to rest here for a while, if that's alright."

"Oh…"

Xu Yuyu took a few steps, then looked back, then a few more steps, and looked back again. Her apparent reluctance to leave puzzled Wang Zhan. What's wrong with this girl? he muttered to himself. She's acting like a lunatic. Even Qin Ying wasn't this unbearable...

He had been sure that Qin Ying was the most deranged woman he had ever met. But now, faced with Xu Yuyu, he was forced to overturn that judgment.

It wasn't that Qin Ying was the *most* deranged; Xu Yuyu seemed even more so. However, Wang Zhan also seemed to understand that Xu Yuyu might not be the most deranged person out there. In this world, there was no "most deranged," only "more deranged"!

「● ● ●」

"When cultivating this method, pay attention to the following:

First, mental energy becomes extremely dispersed and difficult to gather, leading to the risk of losing oneself and becoming mired in the mundane affairs of the mortal world.

Second, when mental energy is extremely dispersed and thoughts are unfocused, it will breed all sorts of distracting thoughts and emotions. These will intertwine and proliferate like weeds. One must constantly strive for unity of mind; otherwise, one risks going berserk.

Third, when mental energy is extremely dispersed, one is easily disturbed by myriad, ever-changing phenomena and external sights. This leads to lingering attachment and extreme emotional unrest. Consequently, it is easy to develop a sense of 'boundless love' to mask the inner feelings of loneliness, melancholy, emptiness, and lack of support…"

Reading this, Wang Zhan had an epiphany.

So that explains everything! Is it too late for me to quit this group chat?

He was on the verge of tears, utterly dismayed.

Whose idea was it to have the main content of a secret manual imprinted using a mental energy technique, while all the precautions are handwritten?

In other words, apart from the opening pages containing the cultivation method, the rest of this "Volume on Transforming Illusion into Reality" consisted entirely of precautions—a full one hundred and seven of them!

Why didn't you just add one more to make it an even one hundred and eight? Wang Zhan lamented silently, his heart full of grievances.

He had initially thought this book couldn't be opened further. But who would have known that once he became proficient in the technique, it would naturally... open. Yes, it opened.

It opened so unexpectedly, so terrifyingly, it made him question his very existence.

What he didn't know was that this wasn't the only such ticking time bomb in his possession...