Put Away Your Divine Techniques Now! Chapter 1164 - 347: [Hasty March] (2)

"You enjoyed this wine last time, but the new batch isn't ready yet. This is my final stored jar; you can take it with you."

Chen Yan inquired of the owner, "How much will it cost?"

The proprietor, lowering his gaze, waved his hand dismissively. "It’s complimentary."

Chen Yan let out a sigh. "You've been conscripted as well, haven't you?"

The owner nodded. "The new clan leader declared that the Demon Race has shown disrespect to our ancestor, enraging him. Consequently, we are ordered to launch a crusade against the Demon Race and reclaim the City of No Return."

Chen Yan looked towards the owner. "Do you happen to know the location of the City of No Return?"

"I don't. I've only heard it's exceptionally far away."

"And have you ever seen the ancestor?"

"...Would I be so fortunate?" The owner shot him a look.

Chen Yan sighed once more. "Are you... willing to go to the battlefield?"

This time, the owner's response was earnest. "Everything the Ghost Race possesses is a gift from the ancestor. We Ghost Race people ought to honor him and fight to suppress the rebels."

Chen Yan remained silent for a moment before a smile touched his lips. "Suppression of rebels, that’s a phrase I wouldn’t have expected from you."

The owner chuckled, scratching his head. "That’s the exact wording from the clan leader’s decree. It sounded quite fitting when it was read aloud that day, so I committed it to memory."

Chen Yan observed the owner, a vendor of wine.

Truthfully, the man possessed no outstanding qualities, save for his knack of brewing local wine, and even that skill was merely mediocre.

The homemade wine carried a slightly tart flavor, by no means exquisite.

As an individual, he was somewhat unsophisticated, a tad simple, yet not entirely devoid of a certain shrewdness.

But in this instant, looking at this man, Chen Yan felt an unforeseen stirring within his heart.

At the ancestor’s command, countless individuals of the Ghost Race, much like this owner, would march forth to shed blood and perish.

...All because someone had disrespected the ancestor.

Accepting the jar of wine, Chen Yan paused, then retrieved a Fortune-Telling Talisman.

"Keep this talisman with you. When you head to the battlefield, gently tear off a small corner," Chen Yan instructed. He also produced a Bone Pill, pressing it into the owner’s palm. "Take this Elixir. If you suffer a severe injury, it might just save your life."

The owner, aware that this esteemed guest was someone even the previous Cave Maiden had treated with deference, quickly accepted the items and bowed deeply in gratitude.

Chen Yan looked at the owner, whose countenance was as guileless as a mountain villager's, and a wry smile played on his lips. "Did you intentionally offer me this jar of wine today?"

"Uh..."

"You knew Zhan Li has been shadowing me, presumed I was a person of significance, and thus employed this gesture to curry favor, anticipating that I would reciprocate with some good fortune."

The owner let out a soft chuckle, his demeanor respectful, though a glint of his usual cunning remained in his eyes. "The distinguished guest has visited many times; I know you possess a kind heart."

Chen Yan sighed inwardly.

Perhaps he was ill-suited to be a prominent figure, nor cut out for leadership.

·

From that day forward, Chen Yan ceased his village wanderings, confining himself within his earthen dwelling. He would seal his door daily for his cultivation.

Days went by, a few more passed.

On this particular day, Chen Yan had just concluded a rigorous 'sharpening' exercise designed to hone his Divine Sense. The excruciating pain caused him to break out in a cold sweat. He then had Zhan Li, along with the servants, bring hot water for him to bathe and change.

Emerging in soft, clean garments, he found Zhan Li kneeling respectfully before him in the outer hall.

Chen Yan glanced at her. "What is it?"

Zhan Li remained kneeling, lifting her head to meet Chen Yan's gaze. "Over these past few days, I've observed your practice... were you Tempering your Primordial Spirit, Tempering your Divine Sense?"

Chen Yan frowned slightly. "You've been secretly watching me?"

Zhan Li offered no verbal reply, her eyes fixed intently on Chen Yan.

Chen Yan let out a cold laugh. "Proceed. Ask whatever you wish."

"I've seen you meditating and cultivating in a peculiar and specialized manner each day, even releasing Evil Qi for your own consumption.

This is not the circulation of Primordial Qi; it must be a method for tempering the Primordial Spirit.

However, I've never encountered any Cultivation Technique that utilizes Evil Qi to temper the Primordial Spirit."

Chen Yan shook his head. "This isn't a Cultivation Technique for tempering the Primordial Spirit. It's merely... a minor method. It won't enhance the Cultivation of the Primordial Spirit, but rather refine the Divine Sense more compactly."

Zhan Li's brow furrowed. "Tempering? Compact?"

"Much like a whetstone," Chen Yan stated impassively.

Zhan Li's eyes brightened. "Through... what means?"

"Pain."

"..."

Zhan Li fell into a contemplative silence.

A thoughtful expression crossed her face as she murmured, "Pain..."

"Precisely. By directly utilizing your Divine Sense to make contact with Evil Qi, you allow it to stimulate your Divine Sense, making you experience pain. This agonizing sensation is far more difficult to endure than mere physical torment.

However, once the Divine Sense is provoked, it is akin to a blade being honed on a whetstone, becoming progressively sharper and more concentrated."

As he elaborated, Chen Yan paused briefly before continuing, "This method does not augment the 'volume' of your Primordial Spirit Cultivation, but rather it refines your Divine Sense, purging any extraneous elements and impurities, thereby compressing it into a state of tightness and density."

Zhan Li drew a deep breath, her gaze lifting once more to meet Chen Yan's eyes, "Would you be willing to impart this method to me?"

Chen Yan's eyebrows arched slightly. "While it isn't precisely a Cultivation Technique, merely a minor approach... what, pray tell, do you offer in exchange?"

Zhan Li appeared startled. "I possess Elixirs and Magical Artifacts..."

Chen Yan offered a smile. "You have witnessed Master Stone Furnace and Master Golden Saber's assistance to me in the crafting of Pharmaceuticals and Magical Artifacts. Can you offer anything superior to the items these two masters have created?"

Zhan Li was taken aback, stammering, "I also have Cultivation Techniques..."

Yet, after uttering these words, she abruptly ceased speaking.

The Cultivation Techniques and Spells she had acquired from the Ghost Race – could they possibly pique the interest of the individual before her?

Even the esteemed Lord Sword Master held him in such high regard, and he shared an unknown, intimate connection with the ancestor.

If he desired to learn something, would he truly need to involve her in the process?

With this realization dawning upon her, Zhan Li hesitated for a moment before slowly rising to her feet from the ground.