[author]
You can access the next few FREEchapters here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/DarkChaoticSoul
Starting with the next chapter, I've significantly increased the chapter length. Previously, chapters were around 1,000–1,200 words, but they'll now average around 1,800–2,600 words... and may be even longer when a scene calls for it. I hope you enjoy the extra content!
[/author]
Su Wen controlled the formations, blue light flickering across the inscriptions as the gravity in the chamber began to rise... slowly at first.
A faint pressure settled over his shoulders.
Barely noticeable… like a faint current pressing against his skin.
His muscles tightened instinctively, adapting within seconds.
He raised it further.
The force deepened, like invisible hands pressing down from all directions.
His breathing grew heavier, his chest rising with more effort, but he remained upright, rolling his shoulders and loosening his limbs as his body adjusted.
Still… it wasn't enough.
Without hesitation, he pushed it higher.
This time, the gravity surged severalfold.
His joints creaked sharply.
His stance sank, feet grinding half an inch into the floor as the weight drove into his bones. A dull vibration spread through his frame, as if even his marrow was being compressed.
Even lifting a finger now felt laboured.
Su Wen exhaled slowly, steadying the slight tremor in his body.
"This is enough for a start," he murmured, his voice heavier under the pressure. "Any higher… and I'll end up flat on the floor just like Rush."
With a flick of the jade token, he issued a command.
One of the silver wooden puppets stirred.
Its hollow eyes flickered, then burned crimson.
It launched forward in a blur, landing before him with a muted tremor. The surrounding gravity seemed to barely hinder it, its movements crisp and efficient.
Su Wen's gaze sharpened.
In a single motion, he activated the Heavenly Body Fist technique.
Power surged through his limbs, tightening every muscle.
He stepped into stance... left leg bent, anchoring him against the crushing force, right leg extended for balance. His fists rose slowly, deliberately, as though pushing through water.
His aura shifted.
Faint strands of Sword Intent began to coil around his hands... keen, condensed, and heavy with edge, wrapping around his fists like invisible gauntlets that seemed capable of cutting even the air itself.
With a thought, he raised the puppet's strength to the peak of the realm.
The puppet moved first, shooting a straight punch toward his chest.
Fast. Precise. Relentless.
Su Wen reacted instantly, raising his left arm.
Thud.
The impact slammed into him.
A shockwave travelled through his arm, into his shoulder, and down his spine. His feet slid back a fraction, the friction against the ground screeching faintly under the crushing gravity.
His arm tingled, half-numb for a breath.
But he held firm.
Before the sensation could spread, he stepped forward.
His right fist, wrapped in Sword Intent, shot out, turning the strike into a piercing force that tore through the heavy air toward the puppet's head.
The puppet twisted at an unnatural angle, narrowly evading.
Its counter came instantly.
A fist sliced toward his face.
Su Wen leaned back, just enough.
The punch brushed past his nose, close enough for him to feel the displaced air scrape against his skin.
He retaliated.
Strike. Block. Dodge. Counter.
Each movement dragged against the crushing force.
Each exchange weighed heavier than the last.
His technique, usually fluid, was now forced into precision. Any excess movement was punished immediately by the oppressive gravity.
Step by step, he executed the third level of the Heavenly Body Fist.
Not perfect... but refining with every step.
His breathing deepened.
His muscles strained, faint tremors appearing beneath his skin.
Within him, rich yang qi surged like a blazing current, forced into motion by the strain.
Where his fists moved, it followed.
Where his body faltered, it reinforced.
Under the dual pressure of gravity and combat, the yang qi was forced deeper… compressed into his flesh, seeping into muscle, bone, and marrow.
A faint heat began to radiate from his skin.
With every clash… every step… every breath, his body was being tempered.
His strikes grew fiercer, and his instincts more precise.
Du Yue sat cross-legged at the centre of Chamber Eight, her posture calm and composed.
With a flick of her hand, a scroll appeared.
A faint chill seeped from it as it slowly unfurled.
She read in silence, committing every detail to memory before storing it away.
Then, she extended a thread of her Soul Sense into the jade token, forming a delicate connection.
Unlike Su Wen, she did not activate the gravity formation or summon a puppet.
Instead, the inscriptions around the chamber lit up in a soft blue glow as the mental disruption formation came to life.
A formless wave surged forward, striking directly at her mind.
A slight crease appeared between her brows.
Her Soul Sense wavered, just for an instant.
Then it stabilised.
The disturbance dissolved like mist.
Without pause, she activated the Frostshade Soul Erosion technique.
A stream of Yin-rich soul qi flowed outward from between her brows, silent and invisible.
The air remained still.
On the surface, nothing seemed to happen, the attack dissipated into the air as if it never existed.
But in truth, if another cultivator had been present, their mind would have been struck instantly, leaving them stunned and defenceless for several breaths.
Like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
Another wave from the mental disruption formation surged toward her.
Stronger this time.
She did not resist it. Instead, she continued controlling her Soul Sense, using it to refine the technique.
Her focus trembled faintly, but like a ripple spreading across still water, it quickly faded without effect.
Her control remained intact.
She raised the jade token slightly, increasing the formation's intensity.
Again.
And again.
Until it reached a level that pressed steadily against her mind.
Though her true soul, as an immortal, was far more powerful, she had unconsciously sealed it to match her current cultivation... so she could experience life and cultivation alongside her husband.
Soul qi churned within her soul sea, cold and steady.
A faint sheen of sweat formed on her forehead, but her expression remained composed as she continued practising her technique.
***
Six days passed.
Within the training chambers, progress accumulated in silence.
Su Wen's movements grew sharper under pressure, his body adapting to the crushing force as the final traces of instability in his technique were gradually ironed out.
He had come closer to mastering the third level of the Heavenly Body Fist Technique.
On the other hand, Du Yue had already mastered the Frostshade Soul Erosion technique.
Her control over her Soul Qi had deepened significantly, allowing her not just to resist mental interference, but to flow through it.
By the end of it, both had taken a clear step forward.
As the morning sun rose, golden light spread across the horizon.
The flying ship descended slowly, coming to rest at the terminal bay of the Skyfaring Pavilion.
Su Wen, with Du Yue clinging tightly to his arm, stepped out of their room.
"Husband~" Du Yue muttered as she brought her face closer to his neck, then inhaled his faint scent and closed her eyes as if intoxicated.
An attendant was already waiting outside. He looked at them strangely, then turned away, shaking his head.
"Wifey… please, we're outside. Behave yourself a little," he said, completely flustered, his face bright red.
Du Yue completely ignored him and even hugged his arm more tightly.
Su Wen glanced at the attendant awkwardly, then nodded.
The attendant, being a professional who had already seen many such situations, gave a respectful bow and spoke,
"Esteemed guests, we have arrived at Greenstone City. We will depart again for the Great Eastern City tomorrow morning."
He paused briefly.
"You may remain on the ship or explore the city. However, if you choose to leave, please return before departure… otherwise, you may be left behind."
Su Wen nodded, regaining his composure.
"Is there anything interesting here? Either way, we'll head out and stretch our legs."
The attendant smiled.
"Greenstone City is a major trade hub connecting several regions of the Eastern Continent. Many rare treasures and materials can be found here."
He paused.
"However… that is not what it is most famous for."
"Oh?" Su Wen raised an eyebrow. "Then what is?"
"The Ice Volcano Dungeon."
"A dungeon?" Su Wen's interest piqued slightly.
"Yes. A Mid Grade 3 Ice dungeon located within a volcanic mountain. It contains many rare herbs and treasures."
"It is perfect for Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators to explore."
Su Wen nodded slowly.
"Hm… that does sound interesting."
He turned to Du Yue with a faint smile.
"Wife, let's go take a look. Maybe we'll find something worthwhile…"
Then inwardly, he added,
'…and perhaps earn some money along the way.'
Du Yue, still dazed, leaned in again to inhale his scent before speaking with a sheepish smile.
"As you wish, husband~"
The attendant continued, completely ignoring her.
"If you travel about 30 kilometres west of the city, you'll reach Ironwood Village. You can register at the Central Guild there if you haven't already. The Ice Volcano Dungeon is located next to it."
Su Wen thanked him.
With that, the two disembarked from the ship and set off toward the dungeon.