Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

At the first defensive line nearest the space-time node, Zong Linjing and Ji Haozhong looked at the approaching Lin Zheyu in mild surprise.

”It’s not time for the shift change yet, is it? Are you planning to enter the space-time node again to investigate the situation on the other side?” Ji Haozhong teased with a smile.

This was the first defensive line nearest to the space-time node, where the concentrations of demonic qi and yao will were at their most terrifying. Whether cultivators or martial artists, everyone kept their distance from this place and avoided coming whenever possible. To them, being here was like stepping into a foul-smelling latrine. It was unbearably unpleasant.

”Something feels wrong about the situation. The last time I went in, I was ambushed by a seven-pattern yao and nearly died there. I have no desire to go through that again. I just finished my seclusion and had nothing else to do, so since my shift was only a day or two away, I decided to come early,” Lin Zheyu explained with a smile.

In truth, after his Heavenly Eye had broken through, Lin Zheyu could hardly wait to enter the formation node and use it to comprehend the mysteries of the surrounding formations. The transformed Heavenly Eye’s ability to perceive the essence of all things had advanced to an even higher level, which would greatly aid him in reorganizing and refining his divine patterns.

”Haha, you brat. Since you’re being so considerate, I won’t turn down the offer. I’ll leave this place to you,” Ji Haozhong said with a hearty laugh.

He had long since had enough of this wretched place, so he could not have been happier that Xiao Yu was willing to arrive early. After handing control of the formation node over to Lin Zheyu, Ji Haozhong departed cheerfully.

Zong Linjing narrowed her eyes and asked uncertainly, ”Have you made another breakthrough?”

She had known Lin Zheyu for several years, and the two of them were on fairly good terms. Although she still could not see through him, Zong Linjing had become familiar with some of his habits.

”You have keen eyes. I was fortunate enough to loosen the second shackle somewhat. I should be able to break free of it completely before long,” Lin Zheyu replied with a smile.

He did not believe Zong Linjing could see through the strength he had concealed. They simply knew each other too well, and she had likely inferred it from his expression and behavior.

”Congratulations, fellow friend. It has not been long since you broke free of the first shackle, yet you’re already on the verge of breaking the second. That speed is truly enviable,” Zong Linjing said with some emotion.

During this period, she had truly learned what it meant for someone more talented than you to also work harder than you. Lin Zheyu cultivated with almost fanatical intensity, never relaxing in the slightest even while stationed at the first formation defensive line. It left Zong Linjing feeling somewhat ashamed of herself. She worked hard as well, but she could not push herself as relentlessly as Lin Zheyu did. At the very least, she lacked the ability to do so.

Here, she had to remain constantly vigilant against the erosion of yao will and demonic qi. She did not dare expend her vitality and energy on cultivation. Otherwise, she would be in serious trouble if an unexpected situation arose.

”I merely had a few fortunate encounters before this and got lucky. You have already broken the first shackle completely, while the second has nearly finished taking shape. You should not be far from attempting to break free of it, right?” Lin Zheyu asked with a smile.

Although he had not used his Heavenly Eye to examine her, his senses were now so powerful that a single glance was enough for him to roughly determine Zong Linjing’s cultivation level. He could sense that the second shackle within her body had almost fully solidified and revealed itself.

Ordinary martial artists were different from Lin Zheyu. They would only condense the next shackle after breaking free of the previous one. Lin Zheyu, by contrast, had condensed all seven shackles at once. Under the influence of the golden energy within his body, they had even undergone a mutation and grown more powerful.

”Just a little more. But that final step may be close at hand yet impossibly far away. Without another few years, I doubt I will manage it,” Zong Linjing said, shaking her head.

The Shackles realm of martial cultivation was equivalent to the Golden Core realm of immortal cultivators. Breaking free of each shackle meant advancing through a minor realm of strength, a process usually measured in years.

”Have you encountered some difficulty? One person’s insight is limited, but two minds are better than one. Why not tell me about it so we can discuss it together?” Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

”Then I will have to trouble you,” Zong Linjing thanked him with a smile, her eyes brightening slightly.

Wang Zhengtian was warmhearted and fond of guiding the younger generation. During her time stationed here, she had often discussed martial cultivation with Senior Wang Zhengtian. Throughout their conversations, she had frequently heard him speak highly of Lin Zheyu.

”You are too polite,” Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

The two sat cross-legged within the formation nodes they each guarded and began exchanging insights on the Dao, discussing their respective understandings of martial cultivation.

Zong Linjing followed the traditional path of martial cultivation. There were no major problems with her cultivation, and it could even be said to be progressing smoothly. Martial cultivation itself was simply difficult, even more so than the path of Immortal Dao cultivation.

For Zong Linjing to have a chance of breaking free from her second shackle in less than five years was already exceedingly rare and enough to mark her as a genius. This was also why her many discussions with Wang Zhengtian had not significantly improved her strength. There was nothing wrong with her cultivation, nor did she need to make any major changes. She merely had to accumulate steadily over time and allow progress to come naturally. Lin Zheyu, however, was no ordinary person.

”Would you mind allowing me to examine your body with my spirit divine ability?” Lin Zheyu asked after a moment of thought.

Through their discussion, he had already gained a clear understanding of Zong Linjing’s situation and knew how he might help her. Before doing so, however, he needed to examine her more thoroughly so he could tailor the solution to the problem.

”I do not mind,” Zong Linjing replied without hesitation, a trace of hope flashing through her eyes.

If it could truly aid her cultivation and shorten the time needed to break free from her second shackle, there was no reason to refuse. With that, her figure flickered as she left her formation node and arrived outside the one guarded by Lin Zheyu.

Briefly leaving a formation node was not a problem, provided she could return in time if the demon realm launched an invasion. With a thought from Lin Zheyu, the barrier around the formation node opened. He cupped his hands toward Zong Linjing and said, ”Pardon my impropriety.”

With that, the Heavenly Eye within his sea of consciousness abruptly opened, and he began carefully examining her from head to toe, inside and out. Under Lin Zheyu’s scrutiny, a faint blush involuntarily rose to Zong Linjing’s face. She felt as though she were standing naked before him, allowing him to inspect every part of her at his leisure. The peculiar sensation made her deeply uncomfortable, but she suppressed the strange feeling and waited in silence.

Time slowly passed. One minute, two minutes... After ten minutes, Zong Linjing finally breathed a quiet sigh of relief as the strange sensation disappeared. Lin Zheyu withdrew his gaze, exhaled deeply, and blinked his sore, swollen eyes.

To help Zong Linjing, he had pushed the Heavenly Eye to its limit. This was the first time he had done so since its transformation, and the experience had been truly wondrous. Beneath his Heavenly Eye, none of the secrets within Zong Linjing’s body could remain hidden.

”That will do, but you will need to wait a little. I must think this over carefully. I will give you an answer in half a day,” Lin Zheyu said with a slight nod.

Next, he intended to draw upon his vast accumulation of knowledge and attempt to create a technique tailored specifically to Zong Linjing. This was the first time Lin Zheyu had ever attempted such a thing.

”Then I will have to trouble you,” Zong Linjing said gratefully. Her figure flickered and vanished from the spot as she returned to her own formation node.

In the blink of an eye, half a day passed. Zong Linjing sat cross-legged within the formation node, regulating her breathing with her eyes closed, yet she could not calm her mind. She opened her eyes and glanced toward Lin Zheyu, wondering whether he had come up with a solution.

”Although Fellow Xiao is extraordinarily gifted, my current problem is mainly a lack of accumulation. What I need is a great deal of time to cultivate and build up my foundations. Even Senior Wang had no better solution. Fellow Xiao has not yet broken free of his second shackle, so how could he possibly devise a better method?” Zong Linjing gave a soft laugh, feeling that she had been expecting too much.

Yet despite herself, a faint sense of anticipation kept rising within her. It came from nowhere and made little sense. Just as Zong Linjing’s thoughts were churning, Lin Zheyu, who had been sitting with his eyes closed and concentrating on creating the technique, suddenly opened them.