Chapter 330: Chapter 164: Netherworld
The tea shed was destroyed. Chen Qing left some broken silver as compensation and then departed from this place of trouble with Xu Qi and Zhao Stone.
The three of them searched Black Stone Ridge for another day but found no trace of Zhu Yi or any other core members of the Zhu Family.
The next morning, at the crack of dawn, a falcon broke through the clouds. It circled several times in the air, let out a clear cry, and dove down, landing precisely on Chen Qing’s raised arm.
This was the trained falcon the Wutai Sect used to deliver urgent, secret messages.
Chen Qing deftly removed a Wax Pill from the copper pipe on the falcon’s leg. After crushing it, a small strip of paper was revealed.
He quickly finished reading it, and the paper was shattered into dust in his palm by True Qi.
"Sect intelligence reports that Zhu Yi has supposedly appeared at Black Water Pier," Chen Qing said in a low voice.
After verification, the intelligence provided by Luo Wei proved to be true.
According to the secret report, Li Lei and Yan Yaoyang were also on their way to Black Water Pier and had arranged to meet him at an inn near the pier.
"Black Water Pier?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Stone let out a low cry. "No wonder I saw several people from the Earth Element Sect hurrying eastward yesterday afternoon!"
Lin’an Prefecture had two major Sects, and the Earth Element Sect was one of them.
"Their Sect’s Heart Method is of the Earth Attribute. It seems the news about the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl is definitely real. The allure is just too great," Xu Qi said, clicking his tongue, a fiery glint flashing in his eyes.
Zhao Stone looked at Chen Qing and asked for instructions, "Eldest Brother, should we head to Black Water Pier immediately?"
Chen Qing’s gaze swept over the two of them, and he pondered for a moment.
’The coming struggle will inevitably be more intense and dangerous. Xu Qi and Zhao Stone’s strength is insufficient. Having them with me won’t be a help; they might instead become a burden and even meet with misfortune.’
He had already made up his mind. He then spoke, "The situation at the pier is unclear, and it’s impossible to predict whether it will bring fortune or disaster. You two may act on your own. Continue searching the surrounding area for the remnants of the Zhu Family. If you find anything, the credit will be yours. If you feel the risk is too great, you can also return to the Sect first and report the situation."
Their expressions changed upon hearing this.
Xu Qi was quick-witted and immediately understood that Chen Qing felt they were too weak and feared they would be a burden. Though a little disappointed, he knew it was the truth. He cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Eldest Brother! We will be careful."
Zhao Stone, however, was thinking more about the potential benefits of hunting down ordinary Zhu Family disciples. A trace of excitement flashed in his eyes as he eagerly agreed.
Soon, the two bid their farewells and departed, their figures disappearing into the mist-shrouded mountain forest.
After they left, Chen Qing found a quiet corner and took out the heavy Profound Iron Box.
He circulated his True Qi, carefully sending a wisp of Cyan Wood True Qi into the box’s fine seams to perceive its internal structure.
A moment later, he pressed lightly on a specific spot with his fingertip. With a CLICK, the box lid popped open.
Chen Qing slowly lifted the lid. Inside was not the Pill Bottle he had expected, nor were there any glittering jewels. There was only a thin booklet.
The booklet’s cover was made of some unknown dark leather, soft to the touch yet extremely resilient. On it were two large, archaic, and powerful words—*Formless Technique*.
His heart stirred. Chen Qing picked up the ancient book and began to flip through it rapidly.
The more he read, the brighter the light in his eyes grew.
This *Formless Technique* was not an Inner Power Heart Method for cultivating True Qi, but an extremely profound auxiliary Secret Technique.
Its core was "Mimicry." A Cultivator could use this technique to simulate the external characteristics of True Qi of other attributes. If one cultivated it to a high enough Realm, they could even imitate the stylistic flair of martial arts techniques and the very essence of True Qi circulation so vividly that it would be extremely difficult for anyone to see through the deception.
’This is a real treasure!’ Chen Qing was overjoyed.
With this *Formless Technique*, many of his problems could be easily solved.
He focused his mind, memorizing the incantations and essentials of the Secret Technique.
Instantly, the familiar screen of light appeared in his mind, with golden characters flowing across it.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence; success is inevitable]
[Formless Technique Entry-level (1/1000)]
With a slight thought, he tried to circulate the Technique. The vibrant, verdant Cyan Wood True Qi in his palm quietly changed color, transforming in the blink of an eye into a blazing, dancing crimson. Outwardly, it looked identical to pure Li Huo True Qi, but its core essence was still Cyan Wood True Qi; only its external attribute had been perfectly simulated.
’Truly amazing!’
Chen Qing marveled silently. ’However, to simulate other types of True Qi, especially to imitate their unique essence, I’ll need to know the operational characteristics of their Heart Methods, perhaps even some of the incantations. It seems that in the future, if I have the chance, I must read more Heart Method secret manuals to broaden my knowledge.’
Out here, you are who you say you are.
The *Formless Technique* undoubtedly gave him immense room to maneuver.
After putting away the *Formless Technique*, Chen Qing delayed no longer. With a flicker of his body, he sped off toward Black Water Pier.
Unleashing the Startled Swan Escape Shadow Technique, his speed was immense. The scenery on both sides blurred and rushed past.
However, after traveling for just a few miles, he discovered several bodies lying in the woods by the road.
"Hm!?"
Chen Qing’s figure paused slightly. He cautiously scanned his surroundings, and only after confirming there was no ambush did he step forward to inspect them.
There were three dead, their clothes torn. All their valuables had been looted. The wounds were mostly from sharp blades and swords, inflicted with a single, fatal strike.
Their faces and any identifying objects had been deliberately destroyed, making it impossible to recognize who they were.
’It seems many experts caught wind of the news, and they’re ruthless.’ Chen Qing’s heart tightened, and he became even more vigilant.
Treasure hunting in the Jianghu was often more cruel and merciless than the battlefield.
He quickened his pace. Before long, the distant outline of the pier became faintly visible, and the flow of people grew a bit denser.
