Chapter 34: Perception at Three Hundred Points; Nine-Character Thunder Chant Activated!

Lu Changsheng was still at the Bone Tempering Stage and had yet to reach even half a step into the Divine Strength Realm. Through the aid of the Blood Replacement Bead, he had undergone the entire process of Blood Replacement, and the effects on his body were nothing short of extraordinary.

Following the replacement, Lu Changsheng felt as though his body had become far lighter, and every day he brimmed with energy. Every aspect of his physique had been greatly enhanced.

Even if this transformation was not a true rebirth, it was not far from it.

The starkest change lay in his blood qi. During the replacement, the force of his blood qi, already pushed to its very limit, continued to rise steadily without faltering. Now, the strength of his blood qi was terrifying, surpassing even the finest Organ Refinement martial artists.

Lu Changsheng calmed himself and invoked his status panel to check his condition.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Perception: 301 (Full of Potential)

[Skills]

Cold Bone Tempering: Sixth Layer

Nine-Character Thunder Chant: Dormant

“Hm? My Perception has actually surpassed 300 points? Looks like I’ve pushed more than a dozen martial techniques to Perfection during this period. But the evaluation still says Full of Potential?”

Having not paid much attention to his Perception lately, Lu Changsheng was surprised to see it had surpassed 300 points. Back when he had brought his Perception from 100 to 200, he underwent a transformation. [1]. However, having pushed his Perception to 300 now, he felt no such changes. Nevertheless, his current Perception remained fearsome.

Lu Changsheng had speculated before that reaching 300 would allow him to activate the Nine-Character Thunder Chant. Deciding it was worth another attempt, he began to practice. This time, everything felt completely different.

“Lin!”

Shouting that single syllable literally shook his bones, which began resonating with his tendons.

“Lin, Bing, Dou, Zhe, Jie, Zhen, Lie, Qian, Xing!”

As Lu Changsheng chanted the Nine-Character Thunder Chant, the secret art unfolded before him. Each syllable sent a tremor through his bones, and the effect of every vibration seemed different.

When the reverberation of the final “Xing” ceased, a string of small characters appeared before his eyes.

Cold Bone Tempering: Perfection. Perception +7.

As the words vanished, he sensed that his bones had become far more resilient. The toughness wasn’t limited to just the outer layer; it reached deep into the bones.

Lu Changsheng promptly checked his status panel.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Perception: 308 (Full of Potential)

[Skills]

Cold Bone Tempering: Seventh Layer Perfection

Nine-Character Thunder Chant: Activated

Lu Changsheng had indeed pushed the Cold Bone Tempering to Perfection, and far more importantly, he had finally activated the Nine-Character Thunder Chant.

“I’ve only just activated the Nine-Character Thunder Chant, and this single chant has pushed the Cold Bone Tempering from the Sixth Layer directly to Perfection. Amazing!”

A sharp gleam flickered in Lu Changsheng’s eyes. He had always known the Nine-Character Thunder Chant held great power, but he had never imagined its force could be so overwhelming.

The Cold Bone Tempering was already a top-tier martial art; it increased Perception by seven points, placing it in the seventh tier. Of all the techniques he had cultivated, Cold Bone Tempering was the only seventh-tier martial art aside from the Nine-Character Thunder Chant.

Before, Lu Changsheng had little confidence in tempering his bones into Jade Bones, but now that he had witnessed the fearsome effect of the chant, his confidence surged. If even this formidable art failed to refine his bones into Jade Bones, he felt like nothing in this world would do it.

“It’s been one month…” Lu Changsheng murmured to himself.

Having brought the Cold Bone Tempering to Perfection, there wasn’t much point in staying here any longer. Over the past month, Lu Changsheng had grown fond of this iceberg—a tranquil haven cut off from the clamor of the world, perfect for calming the mind and focusing on training.

“Well, since I’ve managed to activate the Nine-Character Thunder Chant, a technique that can aid in tempering my bones… I still have eight ordinary Bone Tempering techniques and medicinal meals. I could remain here for a long time. I might as well push through and temper my bones into Jade Bones!”

With that resolve, Lu Changsheng set a new goal for himself—achieving the Jade Bones right there, at the iceberg. This was an opportunity, and although the challenge would undoubtedly prove difficult, it was by no means impossible. With eight Bone Tempering techniques combined with the Nine-Character Thunder Chant, he believed even sheer repetition could forge Jade Bones.

And so, he remained deep within Mount Wu.

***

In Mount Wu City, Liu Hongluan brought over a bowl of medicine.

“Brother Fei, it’s time for your medicine,” she said gently.

Long Fei looked at her, and a faint smile curved his lips. Over the past month, their relationship had progressed quickly. Whatever misunderstandings had once existed between them had completely faded away. In his heart, Long Fei had completely embraced Liu Hongluan, and the two now shared a life as sweet as honey.

He took his medicine, which was awfully bitter, but that didn’t ruin his bright disposition. After more than a month of recuperation, his injuries had healed considerably. At this rate, he would make a full recovery in another month or two.

“Brother Fei, I sneaked out this time. When your injuries are fully healed, could you come home with me? My parents…” Liu Hongluan trailed off, hesitant.

In the past, her heart had been entirely with Long Fei, and she had followed him without regard for anything else, leaving her parents deeply wounded. Looking back now, guilt weighed on her for such unfilial behavior. Since Long Fei had embraced her as part of his life, she wished all the more to gain her parents’ blessing and recognition.

Long Fei replied, “Of course. Once I’m fully recovered, I will personally go to your father and mother to offer my apology. Hongluan, do not worry. I will marry you properly and honorably.”

Liu Hongluan listened with delight, her cheeks flushing.

In the next instant, Long Fei suddenly pulled her close, rolled with her to the side, and drew his saber.

Slingg.

A dazzling arc of saber-light, laced with terrifying fiendish qi, cut through the air.

Ding.

A crisp sound followed as Long Fei struck down a hidden weapon. His expression grew grave, and his gaze fixed on a figure that had sneaked into the courtyard. The man’s face was concealed by a grim and fearsome mask.

“Ghost Mask Chen Sanjiu. So you actually found this place,” Long Fei remarked, his somber voice weighted with caution. Clearly, this Ghost Mask was no ordinary person.

Within the jianghu, Chen Sanjiu ranked among the most powerful martial artists below the Divine Strength Realm. Even at his peak, Long Fei might not have been his equal, much less in his current state. Yet a question gnawed at him. He had never met Chen Sanjiu before, so why had the man come for him now?

“Long Fei, with your injuries, you could not possibly have killed Shen Lun,” Chen Sanjiu said coldly, his hoarse and grating voice cutting through the silence. “Tell me, who did it? Give me a name, and I will grant you a swift death.”

Long Fei’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Shen Lun?”

It turned out the Ghost Mask had come because of Shen Lun. In truth, Long Fei did not know that Shen Lun had spent these years running errands for the Ghost Mask in pursuit of vengeance. Over time, Shen Lun had become one of the Ghost Mask’s most trusted men, and now he was dead. How could Chen Sanjiu not be furious?

“There wasn’t anyone else. It was me who killed Shen Lun. So if you’re looking to strike me down, get on with it. You don’t need an excuse,” Long Fei said with unwavering certainty. He did not want Lu Changsheng dragged into this matter. The Ghost Mask was far too powerful, and few below the Divine Strength Realm could stand against him. Lu Changsheng had saved his life, and Long Fei would not bring such a formidable enemy upon his savior.

The Ghost Mask sneered, “Hehe, have it your way. I have countless methods to make you speak once I capture you.”

With that, Chen Sanjiu flicked his wrist, summoning a flurry of weapons that rained down on Long Fei.

“Go!” Long Fei roared, his blood qi surging violently. The blood qi and fiendish qi seemed to merge, and a colossal saber shadow faintly appeared in midair.

“Haa!”

The massive saber shadow fell in an instant, forcing the Ghost Mask to back away.

Boom!

When the smoke and dust cleared, Long Fei and Liu Hongluan were no longer in sight; they had vanished without a trace. The Ghost Mask’s eyes fell upon a pool of blood on the ground, and a cold glint flashed within them.

“Let’s see how far you make it…”

His figure flickered and vanished as he gave chase.

1. This should be referring to the photographic memory he gained back in Chapter 14 ☜

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