Chapter 17: Flesh and Spirit

The voice was none other than Zhang Xiu, Su Jingzhen’s sister-in-law.

Zhang Xiu was always able to put Su Jingzhen’s mind at ease.

“Sister-in-law, I’m here,” Su Jingzhen hastily responded.

The door of the academy was pushed open, and Zhang Xiu, clad in black, appeared before Su Jingzhen’s eyes.

However, her face seemed to bear a hint of fatigue.

Behind her stood two men with solemn expressions.

After pushing open the door, Zhang Xiu glanced around, spotting Su Jingzhen sitting under the peach blossom tree. Her expression suddenly brightened, and she hastened over.

“Are you okay?”

Her first words were filled with concern.

Zhang Xiu gazed at Su Jingzhen, who was sitting on the ground, and felt that something was off.

Su Jingzhen’s heart was complex, but he smiled and said, “I’m just a broken book, what could possibly happen to me? On the other hand, sister-in-law, you’ve been busy lately, have you gotten any results from Clear Wind Mountain?”

Su Jingzhen casually asked, following the conversation.

But he didn’t expect that this question would trigger a response.

【Emotional Connection+4

Remaining usable points: 103】

Su Jingzhen was stunned, thinking that his question was just a normal inquiry.

But it seemed to have triggered an emotional response from his sister-in-law?

Considering their current emotional connection level, Su Jingzhen felt a mix of complex and shameful emotions.

However, these four points were crucial to him at this moment.

Upon hearing Su Jingzhen’s words, Zhang Xiu subconsciously turned her head to glance at the two men who had accompanied her.

They were silently searching every room in the Enlightenment School.

Su Jingzhen furrowed his brow.

Zhang Xiu, however, shook her head at him. “The situation in Linjiang City is becoming increasingly complicated. Yesterday, Wang Feng from the Listening Rain Alley was killed by a demonic cultivator, and Huayang Sect is furious. These two are disciples from the Huayang Sect. I’m responsible for bringing them to investigate Peach Blossom Alley, so don’t worry about it.”

Zhang Xiu was afraid that Su Jingzhen might not understand the situation and would inadvertently provoke the Huayang Sect, getting himself into unnecessary trouble.

“Such a thing has happened!”

Su Jingzhen’s face revealed a hint of shock.

Zhang Xiu was about to respond when the two Huayang Sect disciples finished searching the academy’s few rooms.

They headed out the door, never once glancing at Su Jingzhen.

They, of course, knew about the existence of Su Jingzhen, a bookworm, in Peach Blossom Alley, but Su Jingzhen’s early-stage cultivation was beneath their notice.

They lacked even the slightest interest in conversing with him.

“Wait until sister-in-law finishes this matter, and we’ll talk later. Remember, what your sister-in-law had said, don’t go out unless necessary.”

Zhang Xiu hastily instructed Su Jingzhen before hurrying after the two Huayang Sect disciples.

As the responsible person for Peach Blossom Alley, it was her duty.

Until Zhang Xiu and the others left, Su Jingzhen remained seated on the ground.

However, the shock on his face had already dissipated, replaced by a thoughtful expression.

“Heh, Huayang Sect is furious?”

Su Jingzhen sneered at the information Zhang Xiu had just provided.

If they were truly furious, wouldn’t they have investigated thoroughly yesterday, instead of waiting until now?

That demonic cultivator that killed Wang Feng, a late-stage cultivator, with one sword strike, wouldn’t just sit idly by waiting for Huayang Sect to catch them.

Su Jingzhen’s thoughts were racing, and in an instant, he realized that this was just a show put on by Huayang Sect for the other cultivators in Linjiang City.

The demonic cultivator was definitely uncatchable, but at least they had to maintain the appearance of order.

This was also good, as Huayang Sect’s high-profile investigation would serve as a deterrent.

At least some actions targeting him might be temporarily suspended, and who would dare to take the lead in causing trouble, fearing Huayang Sect’s wrath?

Even Chen Chong’s power might not dare to offend this taboo.

After accumulating some energy on the spot, Su Jingzhen stood up and returned to his quiet room.

He sat on the meditation cushion, casting aside other distractions, and focused on the panel.

Looking at the remaining 103 points, Su Jingzhen couldn’t help but feel delighted.

He had thought he would have to wait until tomorrow, but it seemed he could open the first human body secret repository a day earlier.

He didn’t hesitate at all.

He directly added 100 points to Body Cultivation.

Without noticing the changes on the panel, in that instant, Su Jingzhen felt a surge of heat emanating from the center of his right palm.

It was as if all his internal power was converging on his right palm.

It seemed to have become the core of his entire body.

Within a few seconds, he suddenly felt the power in the Labor Palace acupoint in his palm begin to flow through his entire body along the meridians.

Su Jingzhen only felt his entire body warm up.

Every cell seemed to have been nourished.

It was an indescribable feeling.

But he knew that his body had been strengthened in that instant.

When the internal changes ceased, Su Jingzhen finally felt as if…

His right hand felt slightly different.

His attention was once again focused on the Body Cultivation sub-panel.

【Body Cultivation: Opened a Secret Repository

Flesh Body Level: Flesh Body Mysterious Embryo (Third Layer)

Next Secret Repository to be Unlocked: 0/200】

【Remaining Usable Points: 3】

The Body Cultivation sub-panel was still concise, but it shocked and delighted Su Jingzhen for a while.

His Body Cultivation was taking the correct path of opening secret repositories, unlike others who only trained their external muscles and skin.

In this environment, most Body Cultivations were weaker than Qi Cultivations, but he was different.

His secret repository was opened by the Golden Finger, which was a perfect opening, and even if the environment didn’t match, his combat power wouldn’t be affected.

So, his current Flesh Body Mysterious Embryo at Third Layer was equivalent to, or even surpassing, Qi Cultivation at Third Stage.

He just didn’t have the opportunity to verify it yet.

“I’ve heard that the ultimate goal of Body Cultivation is to achieve Flesh Body Sainthood. If I can reach that step, I’ll be the only one in the cultivation world.”

Su Jingzhen muttered to himself, and at this moment, he had a small, wild ambition.

Qi Cultivation’s ultimate goal was to become a flying immortal, Body Cultivation’s ultimate goal was to achieve Flesh Body Sainthood, and Spirit Cultivation’s ultimate goal was to wander the heavens. These were the highest legends in the cultivation world.

Of course, within the time limit, he still had to solve the Dantian problem, and even with the Golden Finger, he would rather take a more convenient Qi Cultivation path.

Body Cultivation and Spirit Cultivation were ultimately just makeshift measures, at least that was his current understanding.

Thinking this, Su Jingzhen stood up, and his body burst with energy.

He became even more refreshed and energetic.

He took off his clothes, and his body was still slightly thin.

Even though he had achieved Flesh Body Mysterious Embryo, he didn’t have the terrifying muscles of other Body Cultivators.

Su Jingzhen’s Body Cultivation path was more advanced, and his blood and flesh power was internalized, which he appreciated more.

He then tried to practice the “Python Scales Power” exercises again in his quiet room.

Before long, he was drenched in sweat.

However, after achieving Flesh Body Mysterious Embryo, he was finally able to barely complete the entire set of “Python Scales Power” exercises.

At this time, he could clearly feel the blood and flesh power coursing through his meridians.

He could also clearly sense that his blood and flesh power were growing, albeit slowly, but it was progress he could feel.

With his current practice, it would be easy to push his Flesh Body Mysterious Embryo to the fourth layer.

The future looked promising!

Seeing hope and a clear direction, Su Jingzhen became even more diligent.

As long as his physical strength could endure, he repeatedly practiced the “Python Scales Power” exercises.

Cultivation knows no age, and when Su Jingzhen’s physical strength was about to reach its limit, night fell once again.

It was also at this time that Su Jingzhen’s stomach suddenly growled with hunger.