Cultivation System: Stronger with Age

In the jungle, Lin Xuankong and his five companions rode a wooden sled, arriving in the afternoon at a cave more than six miles outside the Zhen Character Gathering Place.

The cave entrance was covered with highly poisonous Black Ridge Grass. Although many plants, trees, and fruits in Demon-Suppressing Valley were toxic, the Black Ridge Grass at this cave entrance was particularly venomous, causing most demons and wild beasts to steer clear. Moreover, the entrance was concealed. If not for Lin Xuankong's Eight Gates Celestial Eye, one might not even notice it while passing nearby.

Han Feiyan was indeed fortunate to have found such a cave!

Han Feiyan handed the intact Ghost Frog Flesh, which had been hidden in the cave, to Lin Xuankong. Clasping his hands in respect, he asked, "Master Lin, Lady Zhao, are you really planning to go to the Zhen Character Gathering Place next?"

Lin Xuankong nodded. "Naturally, we must go!"

The two from the Gu Yue Sect have likely already arrived there. Besides, dealing with Treasure Vice Hall Master Liy Ruofeng and the sixth son of the Feng Family is inevitable. As for Liy Ruofeng's Stone Snake Venom, I now possess Ninth Grade Poison Resistance of the Mortal Tier; how could I possibly fear his Stone Snake Venom!

Han Feiyan's square face turned solemn.

"You two possess extraordinary techniques that common people can't rival!

"However, Liy Ruofeng and Feng Zhulong rank very high on the Hero List, and Guo Chui ranks fourth with the Kui Ox Drum!

"Moreover, the Hero List rankings can't fully reveal their strengths. After all, these three reached the mid-grade of the fourth tier long ago and were influential figures in Great Marsh Prefecture for years; their strength surpassed their peers. Each carries powerful treasures and, even when suppressed to the third tier, they can kill a Tier Three Ghost Frog King. They are not to be underestimated!

"The Yin Talisman Sect and the Black Tiger Gang have always been rivals, and the Black Tiger Gang colludes with the Feng and Guo families. Once you two arrive there, you'll likely face their combined attack immediately!"

"Don't worry! My husband has his own ways to deal with them!" Zhao Yufei said, her pretty face filled with pride.

"You four need not join us if you're concerned!" Lin Xuankong said, placing several hundred pounds of Ghost Frog Flesh beside Han Feiyan. "With this Ghost Frog Flesh and your abilities, finding a hidden spot should ensure your survival!"

Han Feiyan frowned as he took the Ghost Frog Flesh, his expression complicated as he watched the sled pulled by two fierce dogs gradually disappear into the distance.

「...」

After the sled had traveled some distance, Zhao Yufei, who still looked cold and proud, glanced at Lin Xuankong, her expression softening.

"Black Tiger Hall's Grand Chief Steward Shangguan Si and the others haven't returned for a day and a night. I suspect those at the Zhen Character Gathering Place are on alert. How should we sneak in and ambush Liy Ruofeng and his men later?

"According to Han Feiyan, they all carry wondrous treasures... I think, husband, you should deal with Liy Ruofeng, the one with the highest realm among them. Let me fend off Guo Chui for now! Hmm, what's your plan, dear?"

What plan? If I weren't trying to avoid exposing my identity as the Conical Hat Guest, one bind with the Twin Vine Demon Pearl and one smash with the Iron Rod, and all problems would be solved! Even without using the Demon Pearl and Iron Rod, one flash of Aurora Borealis, followed by the Divine Thunder Illusion and Soul-Extinction Celestial Thunder, and the job would be done! With my current strength and Ninth Grade Poison Resistance, why would I worry about these individuals whose strength is suppressed in Demon Valley!

After a brief thought, Lin Xuankong said, "Yu Fei, you once said that for the Eight Gates Celestial Eye's powerful pupil technique to initiate Entering Illusion, one's Heart Thought strength must be higher than or at the same grade as the opponent's. Based on your guess, what grade do you think Liy Ruofeng, Feng Zhulong, and Guo Chui's Heart Thought are at?"

Zhao Yufei frowned and said, "Heart Thought grade isn't like Martial Dao grade, which becomes clear as soon as someone makes a move. As for an opponent's Heart Thought grade... I can only determine if their grade is higher or lower than mine when I actually use my pupil technique on them.

"However, our family's records state that the Profound Phoenix Celestial Sect possesses Profound Heart Stones. A Martial Cultivator's grade can be measured instantly upon contact with such a stone.

"Liy Ruofeng and the others are seasoned masters, around thirty-five years old. They've likely been consuming Divine Protection Elixirs and Nourishing Spirit Pills for over a decade. By a rough estimate, their Heart Thought strength should be around Grade Three or Four, and probably not exceed Grade Five!"

As she said this, a look of surprise appeared in her eyes.

"Strangely enough… after that one night with you, today, I not only gained many new insights during my cultivation, but I also felt a significant elevation in my Heart Thought when I took a Nourishing Spirit Pill.

"My Heart Thought, which had been stagnant for so long, suddenly broke through! I originally thought I'd need to take Nourishing Spirit Pills for another year or so to reach Heart Thought Grade Three. It's so amazing!"

Hearing this, Lin Xuankong gave Zhao Yufei a meaningful look, appraising her from head to toe, then reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

A look of alarm and shyness appeared on Zhao Yufei's pretty face, and she quickly waved her hands in refusal. Still a little apprehensive, she quickly changed the subject.

"As for Liy Ruofeng and the others' Heart Thought grade, we'll find out once we reach Cold Fragrance Valley and I test them with my Eight Gates Celestial Eye!

"Additionally, speaking of elixirs that enhance Heart Thought, Great Marsh Prefecture isn't Kyoto. Martial Cultivators here mostly consume Divine Protection Elixirs; fewer take Nourishing Spirit Pills.

"As for the more potent Grade-Entering Nourishing Spirit Pill, Mid-grade Nourishing Spirit Pill, Top-grade Nourishing Spirit Pill, and so on, only Alchemists from the Royal Family and the Profound Phoenix Celestial Sect have the chance to refine them. The even rarer Treasure Nourishing Spirit Pills are only produced in the rather mysterious Rakshasa Kingdom and the Central State Celestial Dynasty, which lies east of the Boundaryless Mountain!

"Even our Yin Talisman Sect Leader, the Black Tiger Gang Leader, and Prefect Liy can only obtain very small quantities of such precious elixirs! In my opinion, even the Heart Thought strength of figures like our Yin Talisman Sect Leader and Prefect Liy is at most around Grade Six!"