Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

”Young master, should we give chase?” Leng Chan stepped forward and asked.

”Chase my foot. Who knows where that fellow came from? His lightness technique and movement techniques were terrifying! Didn’t you see? Other than the grand elder, I’ve never seen anyone in the family with such mastery,” Lu Junyu said irritably.

The three of them had brought so many experts to hunt down a single martial artist, yet he had still escaped. If word got out, their friends would surely laugh their heads off.

”Who is that person? Do you know him?” Ji Qiming walked over and asked curiously.

Someone with such strength couldn’t possibly come from an ordinary background. Common martial artists had limited techniques and resources; even geniuses among them could rarely rise above. From his brief exchanges with the others, it was clear that the man was formidable and that he was a clear prodigy among those in the Marrow Refining Realm. Had he not been disinclined to fight, and had they not relied on sheer numbers, none of their people could have bested him one-on-one.

”No idea. I’ve never seen this person before,” said Lu Junyu, shaking his head.

”I’ve actually heard of him,” Tang Ziqiu stepped forward with a faint smile and said.

”Oh? Let’s hear it then.” Ji Qiming’s interest was piqued.

”Some time ago, the Pei Family of Ruyang City lost a Marrow Refining Realm expert at the market outside the city. They sent out large search parties for the killer but found nothing. From what I’ve heard, it started when a Pei Family manager, while preparing a gift for the Zhu Family’s young lady on behalf of Pei Wenhai, took a liking to a martial artist’s pet. That pet was an Ink Fox, a chubby one,” Tang Ziqiu said, smiling faintly.

His family had business dealings with the Pei Family. When the Pei Family failed to find the culprit, they sent people to other cities to investigate. Their agents had reached out to the Tang Family for help. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but after seeing the Ink Fox just now, the pieces fell into place. The coincidence was simply too striking.

”Whoever that man is, he killed a member of the Pei Family right in Ruyang City itself. That takes guts!” Lu Junyu exclaimed in admiration.

The Pei Family was a local powerhouse in Ruyang City. Even he would have to show them some respect if he went there.

”I heard he’s a martial artist from a small city in the Southern Barbarian Region. Who would have thought someone from such a place could possess this level of strength?” Tang Ziqiu said in wonder.

That man’s mastery of lightness technique was truly astonishing.

”A martial artist from the Southern Barbarian Region? We were toyed with by someone from there?” Ji Qiming froze, feeling his pride sting.

If the man had some notable background, at least they’d have an excuse. But now there was none. Should their friends hear about this, they’d probably mock them for years.

”Do you know where the Pei Family’s martial artists are? Spread word about that fellow and let them go after him,” Lu Junyu said irritably.

The martial artists who followed the three of them couldn’t even trap the man, let alone pursue him. Since he had no enmity with their families, they had neither the authority nor the justification to summon their elders. Their only choice was to report the matter to the Pei Family and let them deal with him. At least that would vent some frustration.

”No need to bother. I’ve already sent someone to inform them,” Tang Ziqiu said with a harmless-looking smile.

”Damn, that fast? That’s so like you!” Ji Qiming couldn’t help saying. ”You’re one ruthless bastard; quiet as a snake, striking without a sound.”

”Knowing you, it’s not just a simple message to the Pei Family, is it?” Lu Junyu looked at Tang Ziqiu with a strange expression.

”Oh, I also sent word to my fourth uncle nearby. He happens to be interested in taming Ink Foxes, too,” Tang Ziqiu said with a smile.

”Ha! That’s what I like about you. You’re always calm on the surface, but vicious underneath,” Lu Junyu said, giving Tang Ziqiu a thumbs-up.

”What can I say? The Pei Family offered too much. If we manage to capture him alive and hand him over, they’ll give up 30% of the profits in our current deal,” Tang Ziqiu said casually.

”Damn! I always thought it was strange. You could’ve caught that Ink Fox several times, yet you kept ’accidentally’ letting it slip away. Don’t tell me you were faking it all along? You must’ve realized the Ink Fox’s owner was likely the man the Pei Family was after, so you dragged things out on purpose to lure him out!” Ji Qiming exclaimed.

”Eh? You’ve gotten smarter,” Tang Ziqiu teased with a surprised look.

”Of course I—hey, what’s that supposed to mean, Tang Ziqiu? I’ve always been smart!” Ji Qiming glared angrily.

”But is your fourth uncle capable enough? I remember he only broke through to the Marrow Refining Realm after his fifth transformation. That man we just fought was no pushover. With that kind of speed, your uncle alone might not be able to take him down,” Lu Junyu said.

”Who said my fourth uncle is alone? He’s an expert in leg techniques and concealment arts. He’s only tailing the man for now to keep him from escaping. My third uncle is already on his way,” Tang Ziqiu replied with a grin.

”With your third uncle involved, that guy won’t get away. But once he’s caught, don’t hand him to the Pei Family right away. I want to give him a good beating first. Damn it, he ruined my fun. If he hadn’t shown up, I would’ve caught that Ink Fox already. You both owe me one for that,” Lu Junyu said.

”Heh, nonsense. You think you can win? I was the one who almost caught it just now,” Ji Qiming said with a pout.

”Hehe, if I hadn’t gone easy on you, that contest would’ve ended long ago,” Tang Ziqiu said with a chuckle.

***

In the mountains and forests, Lin Zheyu carried Little Black and darted swiftly through the woods. His speed was incredible. After entering the dense forest and realizing no one was pursuing, he finally let out a small breath of relief. If they had kept chasing, he would’ve been forced to burn his Origin Force.

I’m still too weak. If I had reached the ninth transformation of blood qi, I could match a Marrow Refining Realm martial artist without using my blood qi burst technique. Then I wouldn’t have this endurance problem, Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

Among those people just now, several were Marrow Refining Realm martial artists stronger than the one from the Pei Family he had fought before. Even though he had reached the fifth transformation and was close to the sixth, facing that many at once left him no choice but to flee.

If he had unleashed his full strength, he might have killed a few, but his blood qi would’ve been completely drained. In that state, with no time to recover, a few breaths were all it would take for those Marrow Refining Realm martial artists around him to tear him to pieces.

A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, filling the air with a soft rustling sound.

Lin Zheyu ceased using his blood qi burst technique, slowing down considerably, though still much faster than ordinary Blood Qi Realm martial artists. Leaving Heavenly Blade Peak behind, he delved dozens of kilometers deeper into the uninhabited mountains. Silence surrounded him, broken only by the whisper of wind through the trees.

”Come out. What sneaky rat hides in the shadows?” Lin Zheyu stopped amid a forest of fiery red maple leaves, his voice icy cold.

The breeze passed through, but the surroundings remained utterly still, with not a sound to be heard.

”Hmph, not coming out, are you? Then I’ll—”

Before he could finish, a figure stepped out from behind a large tree nearby.

Eh, there really was someone following me!

Lin Zheyu’s heart jolted in surprise.

He had merely suspected that with so many powerful martial artists at Heavenly Blade Peak, someone might secretly tail him. So he stopped on purpose to test it, and to his surprise, someone had actually taken the bait.

”You have sharp eyes, friend. I was certain I had left no flaws. How did you discover me?” the man asked curiously, truly puzzled as to where he had slipped up.

”Who might you be, and why are you following me?” Lin Zheyu didn’t answer his question; he couldn’t very well admit it was a lucky bluff. He studied the man closely and saw that the man had plain features and an aura that was subtle and obscured. Clearly, he cultivated a powerful concealment technique that made it difficult to discern his true strength.

”I’m but a nameless wanderer who’s deeply impressed by your lightness technique. I followed merely to make your acquaintance,” the man said with a mild smile.

”Oh, I see. Since you wish to make friends, may I ask your esteemed name?” Lin Zheyu smiled politely.

His blood qi began circulating quietly, following the path of the Boiling Blood Secret Art. The man before him clearly bore ill intent. If he had truly wanted to make friends, he wouldn’t have followed so sneakily. Had Lin Zheyu not drawn him out, the man might have trailed him all the way into the city and uncovered his true identity.

”I am Zhang Tianlei. May I know your name, friend?” the man asked with a friendly smile.

”So it’s Brother Tianlei. I’ve long heard—” Lin Zheyu cupped his hands with a grin, but halfway through his words, his blood qi erupted violently, and his body shot forth like lightning.

”Shit!” The man’s eyes widened in alarm.

He could feel the surging, boiling blood qi bursting from Lin Zheyu’s body; it was an unbelievably violent and forceful energy. Clearly, it was the aftermath of a desperate life-burning technique, which caused one’s blood qi to rage out of control. He hadn’t expected the man to be so ruthless, using a life-burning technique without even exchanging a single move. Even more shocking was that he had been watching closely the whole time, yet hadn’t noticed the slightest trace of preparation. What kind of terrifying control did this man possess? It was simply unimaginable!