Chapter 40: The Man Who Understands the Moment

Sitting cross-legged, Zhang Shen’s body indeed started to shake violently.

The energy needed for this transition came entirely from his own experience points, without drawing upon external forces. The spiritual energy in the surrounding environment remained largely undisturbed, attracting only the spiritual energy within the boundaries of his courtyard.

If he were breaking through to the True Core cultivation stage, the spiritual energy in the entire marketplace would have been thrown into violent upheaval.

Internally and structurally, his body underwent another sea change, purging numerous waste elements. Unlike the pungent aroma that accompanied his previous breakthrough to the Innate stage, this time the air was tinged with a light, sweet fragrance.

The materials Zhang Shen expelled were now superfluous to him but remained coveted by those still shackled to the mundane world and grappling with their Acquired limitations.

This serene transformation unfolded over five full days. During this time, Zhang Shen was as still as an ancient monk engrossed in deep meditation. When his body eventually stabilized, its structure had elevated to a new zenith, his strength vaulting to a higher height.

“Ahh,” Zhang Shen stretched leisurely, 

“This feels incredible, just magnificent.”

An invigorating sense of freedom washed over him as if his body had cast off yet another chain, allowing him a clearer glimpse into the true nature of the world.

With a simple flick of his wrist, he incited a wild gust of wind in the courtyard, nearly shattering his self-established protective shield.

“A single breakthrough has skyrocketed my strength at least tenfold,” he marveled. “No wonder those at the Innate stage don’t stand a chance against the True Core stage. And to think about those prodigies who dare to battle beyond their level, what kind of unimaginable chasm are they actually bridging?”

To harness this newfound, explosive power, Zhang Shen dedicated another six months to mastery. Throughout this period, he increasingly sensed that his modest courtyard residence was now a poor fit for the grandeur of his evolved self.

During his six-month acclimation period, Zhang Shen had nearly reduced the small courtyard to rubble on numerous occasions. He had been restraining his power, yet the space could barely contain his growing strength.

For now, he can still manage to practice his Innate martial techniques within these confines. However, as his strength continued to rise, this modest setting would increasingly fall short of containing his formidable energy.

“In just two years, I’ve achieved a breakthrough to the True Core stage physically and ascended to the pinnacle of the Innate sixth layer in martial cultivation. I must say, I’m quite impressive,” Zhang Shen couldn’t help but praise himself, obviously satisfied.

His swift, unhindered progress owed much to the True Core legacy he had acquired, which eliminated any worries about resource constraints. However, it was becoming increasingly evident that this legacy was dwindling.

As Zhang Shen indulged in his extravagant cultivation routine, the rate at which his legacy was depleting became visibly faster. Still, being a True Core legacy, it was sufficient for him to elevate his martial cultivation to the True Core stage.

Regarding his physical stage, his reliance on experience points meant that as long as he had sufficient resources for martial arts training, he would be set.

“Now it’s time to address the matter with Li Shuang,” he thought.

Having accomplished such an explosive boost of his abilities over two years, the mission he had initially spoken of now gained actual significance.

Prior to this, he had visited the enigmatic store known as Four Seas Miscellaneous Goods.

“Even though the background of Four Seas Miscellaneous Goods remains a mystery, its presence in every marketplace suggests it’s no small fry,” he contemplated.

A power that audaciously dealt in intelligence, even involving significant figures, had to be anything but simple.

Over the past couple of years, Zhang Shen had collected some rudimentary information on the Luo family. However, since he was planning to engage with this family now, he needed more specific and detailed information.

Armed with a True Core physique, Zhang Shen effortlessly assumed the disguise of a True Core stage expert.

The one to greet him was Lu Qinsheng, the manager of Four Seas Miscellaneous Goods in the bustling Sunfire Market.

“I require details about the Luo family’s True Core expert, as well as some of their confidential information. What will it cost me?” Zhang Shen was direct, not wasting any words.

Lu Qinsheng’s eyes narrowed at this. Information about the Luo family’s True Core expert and their secrets? This sounded like it could shake things up.

A glimmer of excitement flashed in his eyes. Four Seas Miscellaneous Goods thrived on a diverse range of goods and services, and turbulent times could be incredibly lucrative for them.

He stated his asking price, two hundred top-grade spirit stones.

The cost was reasonable, not exorbitant.

Had an unqualified individual from the Innate stage asked for this kind of information, Lu Qinsheng would have not hesitated to charge a steep price.

However, for someone of True Core caliber like Zhang Shen, information like this would be relatively easy to come by. Hence, Lu Qinsheng didn’t overcharge him. To him, the mere fact that Zhang Shen was interested in acquiring information on the Luo family was inherently valuable.

“Two hundred years ago, Luo Tian achieved the True Core stage, elevating the Luo family to the status of a True Core family on the fringes of human territory. Yet, two hundred years have passed and Luo Tian remains stuck in the early stages of True Core, unable to make a breakthrough into the mid-stages. At best, he’s reached the third layer of the True Core stage. While he’s still not someone I can take down at the moment, he won’t be a threat to me either,” Zhang Shen mused.

The deeper he delved into the Luo family, the more pleased he became.

Here was a family with weak foundations, their entire prestige hanging on a single individual whose potential appeared to be tapped out, unable to even progress to the middle stages of True Core after two whole centuries.

Such an adversary could not be more ideal for him.

That evening, the moon was shrouded in darkness, and the wind howled.

As was his habit, Li Shuang quietly slipped away from his children and retreated to the backyard to tend to his wounds in solitude.

He still hadn’t mustered the courage to inform his children about his condition, fearing it would burden them with undue concern. However, after two years, his injuries showed no signs of improvement, and his life force was dissipating at an increasingly alarming rate.

He realized his days were running out.

“I should seize the opportunity to tell them the truth and plan for their future,” Li Shuang thought, his heart heavy with sorrow.

Faced with the formidable Luo family, could he–a lone, low-level cultivator at the Innate stage–deceive them long enough to secure a safe future for his children? Lost in his painful thoughts, he suddenly caught a whiff of tea fragrance in the air.

Where could that scent be coming from?

Following the aroma, he discovered a man, seemingly aged yet graceful, quietly sipping tea in the shadows. The man’s familiar face triggered a flood of memories from two years ago.

It was Lin Fanyun. 

‘Even after reinforcing the defensive array, how did he manage to infiltrate so silently?’ 

A surge of repressed frustration and pent-up anger bubbled within Li Shuang.

But just then, his weak Innate senses detected the powerful aura surrounding Zhang Shen.

True Core! The unmistakable aura of a True Core expert.

Li Shuang was paralyzed with shock. No matter how fiery his temperament, he knew better than to lose his cool in the presence of a True Core master. Even if he had only a few years left, he had no desire to expedite his end.

“Come, have a seat,” Zhang Shen gestured toward the stone chair opposite him.

Li Shuang complied obediently, his injuries momentarily forgotten in his astonishment.

How could someone who appeared so insignificantly two years ago have ascended to the rank of a True Core expert? Was reality so surreal?

“Do you remember what I told you two years ago?”

“Yes,” Li Shuang answered. Even if he hadn’t, this moment certainly jogged his memory.

In desperate times, people often unlock depths of potential they never knew they had.

“Very well,” Zhang Shen began, his voice a calm that belied its weight. “Li Shuang, I have the power to resolve your troubles with the Luo family and heal your injuries. What are you willing to offer in return?”

Each word from Zhang Shen resonated in the depths of Li Shuang’s soul, leaving him profoundly shaken.

After a moment of contemplative silence, Li Shuang rose. “I offer my soul, willingly becoming your devoted servant, ready to fulfill your every command.”

Li Shuang might be hot-headed, but he was no fool. Had the patriarch of the Luo family been the one to initially approach him, he would have bent the knee without hesitation. For he knew ‘He who understands the times is a wise man.’

Under those circumstances, the sacrifice required of him would not have been as significant. Refusing a True Core expert would be folly.

Regrettably, it had been a cultivator of only Innate stage from the Luo family who first came to him, proposing terms that were nothing short of oppressive. Naturally, he had refused.

The notion of serving a True Core expert was entirely different from being subservient to an Innate stage cultivator. Now, severely injured and facing external threats, the cost of his decision would naturally be even greater.

“Excellent,” Zhang Shen voiced his satisfaction.

Without any resistance from Li Shuang, he extended his hand and extracted a wisp of his soul, sealing it into an amulet for cultivation. Now, with that fragment of a soul, Li Shuang’s fate was firmly in Zhang Shen’s grasp.

Initially, Zhang Shen had no intention of healing Li Shuang. 

He required Li Shuang to forge an Innate artifact. He planned to use this weapon himself as Zhang Shen but wanted no connection to be made between Lin Fanyun and him. A dying Li Shuang fit these requirements perfectly.

However, upon advancing his cultivation to the True Core stage, his perspective broadened remarkably. He gained access to a variety of extraordinary abilities, especially two divine skills he had acquired through self-realization after his breakthrough. These newfound powers changed Zhang Shen’s initial plans.

After all, a pawn entirely within his control was far more valuable than one merely to be used and discarded.

This was precisely why he required six months to adapt, the changes he experienced were so monumental that he needed time to fully explore and gain mastery over them.

“Extend your hand,” commanded Zhang Shen.

Obediently, Li Shuang stretched out his arm, filled with anticipation. He already had a strong inkling of what Zhang Shen was about to do. Although a wisp of his soul had been extracted, leaving him slightly disoriented, his spirits were nonetheless invigorated.

The Divine Skill of Body Manipulation!

This was a divine ability that Zhang Shen had unlocked for himself after elevating his physical body to the True Core stage. Armed with this skill, he could now exert perfect control over his own body.

In the past, natural healing processes took care of his bodily injuries. Now, however, he could deliberately control the process, accelerating or slowing down the healing, and even regenerating lost limbs.

While this ability resembled healing skills, it was fundamentally more versatile. Zhang Shen, therefore, named it the Divine Skill of Body Manipulation.

As he placed two fingers on Li Shuang’s wrist, he knew everything about Li Shuang’s physical condition.

“Your internal organs are nearly obliterated, held together solely by your True Qi. It’s little wonder your life force is steadily draining away,” Zhang Shen noted.

A warm current emanated from his fingers, flowing into Li Shuang’s body.

Utilizing his own life force, Zhang Shen began to mend Li Shuang’s shattered body. An undertaking he couldn’t have accomplished before, but now could execute effortlessly. So long as he didn’t overly deplete his life force, it posed no threat to his recently extended lifespan of five hundred years.

A tingling sensation suffused Li Shuang, causing the old man’s face to flush with an intense red hue.

He had never experienced anything like this before. If it weren’t for his formidable willpower, he might have let out a cry.

The life force enveloped Li Shuang’s fragmented internal organs, stimulating the growth of fresh tissue while isolating and removing the necrotic ones.

With a guttural sound, Li Shuang expelled a mouthful of foul blood, conspicuously laced with bits of organ tissue.