Chapter 140 - 139: Giant Power Technique, Floating Immortal City
Chapter 140: Chapter 139: Giant Power Technique, Floating Immortal City
Once he made his decision, the other two Treasure Seeds instantly withered, their misty essence and Dao rhythm flowing into the one that represented [Giant Strength].
The earthy-yellow Treasure Seed instantly reached Perfect Spirit Stealing. Under Lin Changheng’s gaze, it flared with a hazy yellow halo and sank into his body.
[Acquired: Giant Power Technique - Peeping Path]
He felt a sudden, immense weight settle into his muscles and bones.
"HUMMM—"
A muffled boom then erupted within him, and a torrential power instantly flooded his limbs, as if a mountain were awakening in his very blood.
He instinctively clenched his fist, and a sonic boom cracked through the air, making his sleeves whip and snap. At the same time, everything he saw suddenly appeared fragile. In his perception, the cyan stone floor felt as brittle as thin ice...
When Lin Changheng tested it, activating the [Giant Power Technique] sent a colossal force surging through him, causing his muscles and bones to tremble, tighten, and swell with power.
He glanced around, took a few steps forward, and thoughtfully bent over. Gripping the cold stone bed before him with both hands, he gave a gentle lift.
He was astonished. After just a moment’s strain, the incredibly heavy, custom-made cold stone bed rose slowly in his hands, held as steady as a boulder.
’Before, I wouldn’t have been able to do this so easily.’
Amidst his delight, Lin Changheng had a realization. ’If it weren’t for my powerful Tier One Late Stage physique, I wouldn’t be able to display the full potential of the [Giant Power Technique], even with its boost.’
[Utility: A minor enhancement of thirty percent to strength. Preliminary mastery of the Power Transmission Technique.]
A look of wonder crossed Lin Changheng’s face as he noticed this. ’A "minor enhancement" provides a thirty percent boost? It truly lives up to the name [Giant Strength]. It also seems to be linked to my own physique—the stronger my body is, the more formidable the power I can unleash! And as for the Power Transmission Technique...’
Lin Changheng closed his eyes and lightly clenched his fist, beginning to focus on the sensation.
’No wonder they call it a Mountain-moving Ape. It really does possess a special Power Transmission Technique that makes it more efficient and... consumes less energy.’
For example, if a Mountain-moving Ape could throw twenty giant stones at full strength, with this Power Transmission Technique, it could easily throw thirty.
Less "consumption" led to greater "stamina," which in turn allowed for more frenzied and concentrated attacks.
"Not bad."
Satisfied, Lin Changheng looked at the empty Mountain-moving Ape Essence Blood vials covering his table and murmured, "You had a great Talent, but now it’s mine."
...
「The next morning, at sunrise.」
Lin Changheng bid farewell to Ink Master, then stepped onto Mo Zhaoli’s Escape Light and headed away from the Purple Extreme Sect.
Everywhere they passed, Sect Disciples flying on their Magical Artifacts would stop and bow.
"As expected of an Upper Sect. They’re so courteous."
Lin Changheng clicked his tongue in admiration.
Mo Zhaoli just shook her head and smiled. "They may be courteous, but this is also an ironclad rule of the Sect."
"Oh? Really?"
Lin Changheng was surprised. ’A mandatory rule?’
"Since you’re not in the Sect, Brother Lin, you wouldn’t understand. I was the same way before. Whenever I came across a Foundation Establishment Junior Martial Uncle or a Core Formation Ancestor, I had to stop whatever I was doing and bow immediately. Otherwise, I’d face punishment from the Sect."
As they flew, Mo Zhaoli explained, "Such a rigid rule can easily breed resentment among the disciples, even if they can’t voice it. Over time, that resentment builds into a kind of drive—a drive to climb higher, reach Foundation Establishment, and become the one who receives the bows! I was affected by it too. I wanted to prove myself. It’s certainly a powerful motivator."
A look of realization dawned on Lin Changheng’s face. The Sect was full of geniuses with excellent Spirit Roots to begin with. This ironclad rule served a dual purpose: it suppressed their arrogance while also sending a clear message—if you have what it takes, break through to Foundation Establishment. Then you will be the one receiving the salutes.
It was a direct reflection of the rise in status that came with a breakthrough in one’s Cultivation.
"How does it feel?"
Lin Changheng asked with a smile.
"It was certainly satisfying at first."
Mo Zhaoli smiled. "But after three days, the novelty wore off. I finally understood the indifference I used to see from the Foundation Establishment Cultivators on their Escape Lights back when I was the one stopping to bow."
"There’s a reason the Upper Sects are what they are. Given the cruelty of the Cultivation Realm, a method like this is actually quite gentle."
Lin Changheng said appreciatively, seeing the merit in such a system.
Before long, Mo Zhaoli had escorted Lin Changheng to an inn at the foot of the mountain, and the two parted ways.
He watched her silhouette—a flash of a fluttering Immortal Skirt—transform into a streak of light and vanish among the distant mountains. Only then did Lin Changheng turn away with a sigh, exchange his Cyan Jade Token for a horse, and set off at a leisurely pace.
’No wonder they say Foundation Establishment is the true beginning of the Immortal Dao,’ he thought. ’Only when you can ride an Escape Light do you truly get a sense of what it means to be on this path. It really does make sense.’
Lin Changheng looked down at the Cyan Flood Dragon Horse beneath him as it lowered its head to graze and snorted. He couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile. ’What kind of "Immortal" spends all day traveling on horseback?’
"Giddy-up!"
He gently spurred the horse’s flanks. The Cyan Flood Dragon Horse snorted a puff of white air and trotted forward.
The Cyan Flood Dragon Horse suddenly threw its head back and neighed, startling several sparrows in the woods. As Lin Changheng watched the birds flutter away, he was suddenly reminded of a line from the *Nanhua Scripture*: "The swirling mists like wild horses, the floating dust motes."
The majestic, steed-like clouds of mist and the insignificant motes of dust were, in essence, both just the gathering and scattering of life’s breath. But now, he had a new understanding: ’Until you reach Foundation Establishment, what difference is there between you and those mists and motes? In the eyes of a true "Immortal," you are all just mayflies.’
"Just be patient a while longer, and I’ll set you free."
He patted the horse’s neck, his gaze already fixed on the distant sky. As if sensing his master’s ambition, the Cyan Flood Dragon Horse beneath him suddenly broke into a gallop. With its mane whipping in the wind, it almost looked as if it were soaring through the clouds.
...
「Half a year later.」
Lin Changheng and his horse had crossed nearly half the Song Territory.
Traveling south from the Purple Extreme Sect, he had reached the very edge of its sphere of influence, which also marked the border with the territory of another power: the Daoist Sect known as the Cyan Mist Temple.