White-Robed Chief

His Dantian was in a peculiar state, as though unfurled by an intangible force that could not be shut tight. All his inner energy leaked out from this opening, leaving nothing in his Meridian.

This was obviously the doing of Sun Mingyue.

It was uncertain how Sun Mingyue felt about him. Chu Li inferred that perhaps Sun Mingyue had conflicting thoughts about him, she valued him, yet she wanted to kill him.

Sun Mingyue was still on the fence about killing or keeping him.

He hated the feeling of having the decision on his life and death be hanging by a thread. He wanted to be the person who was to decide to determine whether one lived or died, not the other way round!

He wanted to recover his martial arts and change the state of his Dantian, yet spiritual energy was out of reach. Yinyang Cave prevented spiritual energy from entering, so the only thing he could rely on was the Yin and Yang energies.

Struck by an idea, Chu Li practiced Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture in reverse.

His body was quickly destroyed by the Yin and Yang energies. After his attempt to reverse the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture, the Yin and Yang energies seemed to come in strong by multiple folds, weakening his body in a blink of an eye. That brief moment was equivalent to a few days of Yin and Yang energies torture.

Soon, his body was at its limit, about to collapse when he stopped the reversal. He began exhibiting Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture in the right order, and the Yin and Yang energies repaired his body, fortifying his destroyed body.

Stopping the reversal was the most crucial moment because it required the spirit to be unaffected and detached from the collapsing body. Otherwise, death would have arrived before the scripture could be turned back around.

After one circulation of the scripture, Chu Li still felt his Dantian unfurled by the intangible force. It was not removed, but it shrunk smaller than before. Hence, he began to demonstrate Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture in reverse again to destroy the body with Yin and Yang.

He repeated the cycle until Sun Minyue’s internal force was worn out. At last, it disappeared, but his Dantian sustained severe damage.

He kept going with Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture in reverse, deteriorating his wounds further. His Dantian was about to collapse with his body altogether when he switched back to manifesting Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture in order. His body recovered, leaving him stronger than ever. His Dantian too recovered. Despite the absence of inner energy, he was now able to contain it.

There was a great advantage being in Yinyang Cave – the pure and formidable Yin and Yang energies. It would take long, about several hours in the outside world to complete a turn of weakening and fortifying the body. However, it was fast in here. It took only a fleeting moment to weaken the body and another blink of an eye for the body to recover its strength.

His body did not experience tremendous change but was slowly strengthening in this repeated cycle.

It was especially so for his internal organs and Meridian. His mortal flesh was almost enhanced to its limit. There was a limit to its strengthening, even as he switched between Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture in order and reverse. Nevertheless, fragile areas such as his internal organs, and Meridian, in particular, were greatly reinforced.

The purer the inner energy, the more burdensome it was on the Meridian. His current cultivation level did not put a restriction on the amount but on the purity. The degree of purity depended on the restriction of the Meridian. If his Meridian could take it, he would be able to gather the purest form of inner energy with the presence of his boundless spiritual energy and strong spirit.

He remained in Yinyang Cave, enhancing his Meridian through Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture.

Sun Mingyue stood quietly outside Yinyang Cave, studying Chu Li who was sitting solemnly on the stone bed with brilliance circulating over him.

She frowned.

Everything that happened to Chu Li was beyond normal comprehension. A month without food and water was impossible for any mortal. It was possible to survive three or four days without food, but impossible without water. Yet, he sat there full of energy without any signs of frail.

This was out of the norm. Boundless energy seemed to be supporting him, but there was nothing but the strange Yin and Yang energies in the cave. He could not subsist from food and water from the Yin and Yang energies.

Even the strongest people in the martial arts world were still mortal, not gods. One could not simply forego food and water. The situation with Chu Li went beyond belief.

The two middle-aged men of the torture chamber watched Chu Li with amazement. If they did not witness it with their own two eyes, they would not believe this as well.

“Zhao Dahe, the time’s up. You can come out!” Sun Mingyue lifted her head to gaze at the sky before dully saying.

Chu Li who was sitting on the stone bed opened his eyes. He gave a faint smile, miles apart from the smile before — It was now amiable and calm. “There’s no need. I’m great here and can stay longer.”

“It’s a month now!” Sun Mingyue said, “You can come out.”

“Give me another month,” Chu Li answered.

Sun Mingyue listlessly replied, “You have to report to Sharp Vigor Battalion. You can’t delay it by a month!”

“How different is Sharp Vigor Battalion from here?” Chu Li answered.

Sun Mingyue retorted, “The war between two dynasties was waged this month. You will go to war with Sharp Vigor Battalion. It’s a great opportunity to gather merits!”

Chu Li’s brow raised. “Are you that kind-hearted, Saint?”

“Sharp Vigor Battalion is the camp of sacrificial warriors. They carry out the most dangerous orders and only death awaits them.” Sun Mingyue stated, “If you wish to contribute your merits, you’ll need the ability and luck.”

Chu Li got down the stone bed and slowly exited Yinyang Cave.

His outerwear turned to dust with a step out of Yinyang Cave, revealing the floating silkworm treasured clothing inside.

Sun Mingyue took a step back. A force lingering around Chu Li was restraining her back. It was the Yin and Yang energies from Yinyang Cave.

A while later, Sun Mingyue felt comfortable after these energies dispersed.

She fished out a jade bottle and hurled it to Chu Li. “Take this Miracle Cure Pill and report to Sharp Vigor Battalion!”

Chu Li gently flicked the jade bottle back to Sun Mingyue.

Sun Mingyue extended her arm to received it. She frowned as she looked back at him.

Chu Li dully responded, “I have recovered my martial arts, and improved as well. Thank you, Saint!”

Sun Mingyue sized him up from head to toe.

Chu Li smiled. “Thanks to Yinyang Cave, I have advanced by leaps and bounds in my cultivation level!”

A strong wind surged around him and turbulent spiritual energy rushed towards him. He converted it to his cultivation level. The inner energy of Divine Light Technique entered his body, moving in circulatory cycles in an act of purification. His cultivation level was swiftly recovering.

He decided to take this opportunity to exhibit Life and Death Scripture in the name of Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture so he could use it in the open.

He would also obtain this chance to change Zhao Dahe’s personality to resume his own.

He felt uncomfortable playing Zhao Dahe. It was like hiding his own character. Problems may arise in the long run.

He realized a flaw of Heavenly Demonic Power. As time went by, cultivating Heavenly Demonic Power would induce changes in his moods, leaving him temperamental.

Sun Mingyue remarked, “Zhao Dahe, you’ve changed!”

She could sense the change of temperament in Chu Li. It was still Zhao Dahe’s physical appearance, yet it was not the same Zhao Dahe. It was as though a switch of personality had been triggered.

This strange Yinyang Cave could fritter away one’s spirit. It was not unprecedented that one would change in character.

Chu Li smiled. “I’ve changed. The former Zhao Dahe is no more!”

“I hope you can change your impulsive nature!” Sun Mingyue slowly nodded.

Her great effort did not come in vain. For one to survive Yinyang Cave, there was a huge chance to have a change in character. Zhao Dahe seemed to be calm and have toned down a lot. This was for the best!

Chu Li replied, “Yes, Saint, do I make a move now?”

“You can return to Great Light Peak and rest for a day. You can make your way to Falling Autumn City tomorrow,” Sun Mingyue answered.

“Falling Autumn City?” Chu Li frowned.

Sun Mingyue stated, “There’s a battle outside Falling Autumn City. You’ll join Soaring Eagle Cavalry’s Sharp Vigor Battalion.”

“Yes,” Chu Li calmly retorted while gesturing a fist salute.

Sun Mingyue pleasingly nodded. Zhao Dah had indeed matured. He would be of great use if he could survive the Sharp Vigor Battalion.