A few hours later, Lin Sheng left the hidden cave and made his way toward Qinshan County.
Using his concealment technique, he silently crossed the forests before landing outside the Wang family's courtyard without attracting anyone's attention.
The moment he arrived, his nose twitched slightly.
Blood.
The scent was faint, but it hadn't completely dispersed.
Judging from its concentration...
A battle had taken place here several days ago.
Lin Sheng calmly stepped into the courtyard.
Nothing appeared damaged anymore.
The broken furniture had been replaced, the bloodstains thoroughly cleaned, and the servants were already carrying out their daily work as though nothing had happened.
His Mental Perception quietly spread throughout the compound.
Neither Uncle Wang nor Aunt Wang had suffered any lasting injuries.
Both were resting peacefully.
As for Lou Feng...
Lin Sheng's perception quickly found him.
He was currently in the Northern District.
Without disturbing anyone inside the courtyard, Lin Sheng quietly left and headed toward the district.
---
Meanwhile...
Lou Feng sprinted through the crowded streets together with several Yamen officers.
"Stop!"
The leading officer shouted.
"Zhao Yunze! You can't escape!"
Ahead of them, a thin man dressed in grey robes darted through the streets with astonishing agility.
He was the infamous Flower Thief Zhao Yunze.
His cultivation wasn't particularly outstanding, but his concealment techniques and movement qigong were first-rate. Over the past several years, he had repeatedly infiltrated the residences of wealthy merchants and minor noble families, harassing young ladies before escaping without leaving behind any evidence.
For years, the Yamen had failed to identify him.
Unfortunately for him...
Everything changed after the recent cultist incident.
During the chaos that engulfed Qinshan County a week earlier, Zhao Yunze had attempted to take advantage of the confusion and sneak into another residence.
This time...
Someone recognised him.
His identity was immediately exposed.
The Yamen promptly placed a bounty of fifty taels of silver on his head.
For ordinary Yamen officers, that amount represented several years of income.
Naturally...
Everyone became highly motivated.
The group charged through the streets, pushing past pedestrians while keeping Zhao Yunze firmly within sight.
Lou Feng followed behind the others without drawing attention to himself.
His pace remained steady.
Neither the fastest nor the slowest.
Exactly as his master had taught him.
Being overly high-profile was foolish.
Being overly low-profile was cowardly.
Remaining just slightly above average allowed one to blend naturally into any group.
That principle had already saved him more than once.
Soon...
Zhao Yunze reached the end of a narrow alley.
Stone walls blocked both sides.
The leading Yamen officer's eyes lit up.
"We've got him!"
Several officers immediately surrounded the exit.
For a brief moment...
It truly appeared as though the flower thief had nowhere left to run.
Then Zhao Yunze smiled.
Without slowing down, he lightly stepped against the wall.
His body suddenly rose several feet into the air.
Using the wall as support, he kicked off twice before effortlessly vaulting over the high courtyard fence.
By the time the officers reached it...
Only empty streets remained on the opposite side.
The leading officer slammed his fist against the wall.
"Damn it!"
"He escaped again!"
The surrounding officers could only sigh helplessly.
None of them possessed movement techniques capable of matching Zhao Yunze's agility.
After searching nearby for another quarter of an hour without success, the group finally abandoned the pursuit.
"We're returning."
"We'll report the failure."
Everyone nodded before following the officer back toward the Yamen headquarters.
Lou Feng quietly walked with the group.
He felt no disappointment.
Capturing Zhao Yunze had never been his responsibility alone.
Nor did he feel the need to recklessly pursue someone simply to display his abilities.
Maintaining a low profile remained the safest choice.
More importantly...
His cultivation had already reached a critical point.
He was only one step away from the Major Accomplishment of the Fetal Breath Realm.
Likewise, his Hundred Refinement Body Forging Art was approaching Rank One.
Breaking through both together would greatly increase his overall strength.
After returning to the Yamen, Lou Feng immediately submitted a request.
"I request two days of leave."
The supervising officer glanced at him before nodding.
"You've worked diligently these past few days."
"Approved."
"Be back before the third morning."
Lou Feng cupped his fists respectfully.
"Thank you, Officer."
With permission granted, he immediately left the Yamen.
Lou Feng returned to the Wang residence and found Lin Sheng already waiting in the courtyard.
Without saying much, Lin Sheng led him toward the underground smithing room.
As Lou Feng stepped inside, he immediately noticed that the walls were covered with countless glowing runes. They formed intricate patterns that intertwined throughout the room, making the forge feel far more mysterious than before.
Lou Feng couldn't help looking around curiously.
"Master... these runes..."
"They're merely auxiliary formations," Lin Sheng replied calmly. "They'll make your breakthrough much smoother."
He then took out a jade bottle.
Inside rested a single crimson pill.
The moment the cork was removed, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the room, carrying with it an astonishing vitality that made Lou Feng's blood seem to stir on its own.
"This is the Body Tempering Pill."
Lin Sheng handed it over.
"Your Body Forging cultivation has already reached its limit."
"The moment you attempt to break into Rank One, your Qi-Blood will become extremely violent."
"If your rhythm collapses during the forging process, the backlash will injure your body."
He pointed toward the forge.
"Continue smithing."
"The hammering rhythm will synchronize your Qi-Blood."
"When the timing is right..."
"Take the pill."
Lou Feng solemnly nodded.
"I understand, Master."
Without wasting another moment, he ignited the furnace and placed a prepared iron billet inside.
Soon, rhythmic hammering echoed throughout the underground chamber.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Every strike landed with remarkable precision.
Compared to several months ago, Lou Feng's control had improved tremendously. The rhythm wasn't merely heard with the ears anymore.
It resonated throughout his entire body.
His muscles contracted.
His tendons trembled.
His blood flowed in perfect harmony with every strike of the hammer.
Seeing everything progressing smoothly, Lin Sheng quietly left the smithing room.
Outside, he stood beneath the evening sky while calmly reviewing the information he had gathered over the past several days.
The Incense Fire Cult...
It was far more deeply rooted than he had originally expected.
Their members weren't merely wandering cultists creating chaos.
They had infiltrated numerous factions and identities.
The City Lord himself appeared to be one of them.
That discovery alone proved how deeply hidden they truly were.
More importantly...
The recent attack had specifically targeted the Northern District.
That district contained the majority of Qinshan County's martial halls.
Lin Sheng frowned slightly.
"Why attack the martial halls?"
Destroying ordinary homes or merchant districts would certainly spread fear.
Destroying martial halls had a different purpose.
Either they wished to weaken the future generation of martial artists...
Or they were searching for something hidden there.
Unfortunately...
He lacked sufficient information to draw a reliable conclusion.
For now, it didn't concern him.
His original plan had always been to avoid becoming involved in the conflict between the Incense Fire Cult and the Da Qian Dynasty.
However...
That plan was beginning to change.Not because of justice nor because of the City Lord.
But because of resources.
If the cult truly possessed deep influence throughout the dynasty...
Then there was a high probability they also controlled hidden inheritances and powerful martial scriptures.
Grandmaster-level techniques were precisely what he currently lacked.
According to the information gathered so far, even the noble families within Dongtai Prefecture only possessed Astral Gang experts.
If he wished to obtain cultivation methods beyond that realm...
He would have to travel much farther.
Perhaps even beyond the prefecture itself.
Lin Sheng calmly looked toward the darkening horizon.
"Their goal is chaos."
"If chaos creates opportunities..."
"...then I may as well take a share."
Of course not now.
First, he had to reach Rank Four.
Only then would he possess enough confidence to interfere without constantly worrying about Heaven deciding to target him again.
Fortunately...
He already possessed the greatest resource needed for that breakthrough.
The Rank Four serpent corpse.
Recalling his recent cultivation, Lin Sheng couldn't help revealing a faint smile.
The Five Elements Body Forging Art had exceeded his expectations.
Once activated, it naturally drew upon the Five Elements Spiritual Qi stored throughout his body before repeatedly refining his physique.
The first forging cycle alone had noticeably strengthened his flesh.
Compared to the improved body refining method he previously practiced...
The increase in both quality and efficiency was significantly higher.
Naturally...
Its resource consumption was equally astonishing.
Fortunately...
Resources were one thing he currently did not lack.