Free Web NovelChapter 468: Chapter 257: Cultivation Technique Upgrade; Leaving
In the days that followed, Cheng Zongyang was very active at the Da Yi Commerce Association, taking Zhang Zeyu and Cheng Zongwen to "clock in" for work every day.
He introduced them around, treated people to meals, and helped them build connections, ensuring all the departments at the Commerce Association would get to know his men.
Likewise, Cheng Zongyang had Zhang Zeyu and Cheng Zongwen handle many tasks.
Chen Kaishan had no objections to Cheng Zongyang’s arrangements, as long as things in the purchasing department ran smoothly.
Cheng Zongwen was refined and handsome. After learning of Cheng Zongyang’s goal, he became extremely diligent and enthusiastic at the Commerce Association, actively befriending the non-Steward staff in the various departments.
Backed by Cheng Zongyang’s money and resources, as well as intelligence support from the Earth Demon Hall, Cheng Zongwen provided just the right kind of "help" to these people, making quite a few friends in the process.
Cheng Zongwen handled things masterfully, never appearing overly eager or cold. Like slowly turning up the heat, he gradually deepened his relationships with the assistants and subordinates in every department.
Gradually, Cheng Zongwen was able to glean considerable information from these people, learning about operational mechanics and other details as if through casual conversation.
Cheng Zongyang truly admired his younger cousin’s competence. He had underestimated the effectiveness of the training Zongwen had received in the village over the past year.
In just three short months, he had completely integrated into the Da Yi Commerce Association. Almost everyone knew him, yet his perfectly balanced relationships and his knack for never overstepping boundaries meant he didn’t attract any unwanted attention.
People simply saw Cheng Zongyang’s younger cousin as a friendly, sociable person who enjoyed making friends and understood the ways of the world, and they were generous with their praise.
「Mid-April. Noon. The Cheng Residence in Yunli Lane, West City.」
Inside the Cheng Family study, Zhou Zhendong and Cheng Zongwen sat across from Cheng Zongyang.
This time, Cheng Zongyang hadn’t summoned anyone else, not wanting too many people to know what he was about to say.
"Brother Zhendong," Cheng Zongyang said, looking at Zhou Zhendong. "Over this period, I’ve told you everything that needs to be arranged. After I leave, just proceed according to the schedule. If something extremely urgent comes up, return to the village and consult with our elders for a decision. I’ll likely already be at sea by then.
Remember, if you encounter a life-or-death situation, the priority is to stay alive and retreat to the village. Anything we lose can be taken back after I return. There’s no need to sacrifice your lives for it, understand?"
Zhou Zhendong knew that Cheng Zongyang was going to sea to search for Cultivators, so he replied with great seriousness, "Don’t worry. I’ll remember. But you have to be careful, too. Countless factions have failed to find them, so you can’t afford to walk into danger. You are the backbone of our family."
Cheng Zongyang smiled faintly. "Don’t worry, I’m not ready to die yet. When I return, we will set all our plans in motion."
Then, he turned to his younger cousin. "You just keep doing what you’ve been doing. The Da Yi Commerce Association is your main field of operations. If you need anything, tell Brother Zhendong. While I’m away, he’s in charge."
"Yes, I’ll remember," Cheng Zongwen said, nodding emphatically.
Pointing to a foot-long box to the side, he continued, "I might be overthinking things, but I want to leave a trump card. If you face a life-or-death crisis, the Geomagnetic Stones are not enough to protect you, and you can’t retreat to the village in time, then give this box to Chen Kaishan. Have him intervene on behalf of the Da Yi Commerce Association to protect you."
At this, Cheng Zongwen said, "Brother, isn’t that making things a little too serious?"
"I hope it won’t be necessary," Cheng Zongyang said. "But you always have to prepare for the unexpected. Also, after I leave, if anyone asks where I’ve gone, just tell them I went to Luoyang Prefecture on business. Say nothing more."
"Understood."
The two men said no more. Only Cheng Zongyang and Zhou Zhendong knew about the plan to search for Immortals at sea.
After they left, Cheng Zongyang sensed the Power within his body and knew it was time for a breakthrough.
For the past three months, aside from his regular Cultivation, he had spent most of his time in the Wilderness World’s simulated training, adapting to his Talent. This Talent was his greatest asset for the upcoming sea voyage, and to master it, he had even slowed down his Cultivation.
’After I break through today, I can finally leave.’
He immediately entered the Market Hut.
He had been breaking through one Acupoint a day, and today was the day he would open all the Acupoints of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
It was a familiar process, so Cheng Zongyang wasn’t overly deliberate or cautious, simply proceeding methodically as usual.
Four hours later, it felt as if a tunnel boring machine had just broken through a mountain. A sensation of complete, unimpeded flow spread through his body. At that instant, his Eight Extraordinary Meridians were "fully connected"!
In that same instant, he felt his qi and blood surge, churning and flowing at incredible speed as a distinct heat began to rise within his body.
At the same time, he felt his True Qi steadily increasing within his Twelve Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians. It seemed as though his surging qi and blood were rapidly refining into True Qi, which then expanded swiftly throughout his meridians.
Cheng Zongyang immediately understood. This was the next stage after opening the Acupoints: preparing to break through the skin at the Acupoint nodes to reach a state where True Qi could freely enter and exit his body!
At this thought, Cheng Zongyang pushed aside all distractions and continued to circulate his Cultivation Technique.
As wisps of True Qi were absorbed into the main torrent, the energy gathered and contracted at each Acupoint, compressing like countless springs.
After an unknown amount of time, he felt countless points of tense, aching pressure all over his body and knew the time was near.
He immediately took a deep breath and, following the instructions for the final layer of the Turtle Breath Technique, halted the flow of his True Qi.
In that same instant, it was like a high-speed engine being brought to a sudden, screeching halt—the resulting inertia and explosive power were immense. The True Qi in every Acupoint was instantly triggered, violently bursting through the points and erupting from his skin.
