intense pain and damage to his mental state. He couldn't stand steadily anymore!"Kill him!" Zeng Yitao issued an order.Although opposing the Inspector was dangerous, Hox Ren was just an Assistant Insp...Chapter 165: The Last Moment!!
Borrowed chapter. Word count for the main text of this urban tale. Please help!!
The journey took three hours, and Hao Ren arrived at a small town in Zhejiang. Through asking around and using navigation, he reached a small village that was half an hour away from the town.
Red brick walls; compared to Donghai City, this place was quite backward by rural standards.
The car穿梭在各種羊腸小道的小路上，與冒著黑煙的拖拉機競速。幸虧郝仁的駕駛技術還算過關，車子冇有翻到路邊的田地裡。
一邊開車一邊問村裡的人，他們終於找到了一個小宅院。聽到車聲，全家都出來迎接。
站在最前麵的就是奶奶年輕時的一位小姐妹，她看到奶奶激動地上前擁抱。
"Little Fifth!" Grandma also excitedly got out of the car and hugged her.
"Little Leaf!" The old grandmother, with wrinkles all over her face, likewise excitedly hugged Hao Ren's grandma.
They hugged and embraced each other, happy and moved. Hao Ren parked the car in the courtyard and called out "Grandma."
"Oh my! Your grandson is so grown up!" The old grandmother looked at Hao Ren with joy and said.
Hao Ren nodded shyly and smiled.
This elderly woman was Grandma's best childhood friend who later married far away, and Grandma hadn't seen her since. Now that they had been reunited after decades apart, how could the two elderly women not be deeply moved
Originally, Hao Ren planned to deliver his grandma here, settle her in a bit, then return home, but because he wasn't feeling very cheerful these past few days, he wanted to spend a couple of quiet days far from the city.
The old grandmother happily ushered Grandma and Hao Ren into the house. They ate simple meals, and Hao Ren joined them for one bowl.
Knowing that Hao Ren would stay here for two days, this elderly woman quickly tidied up a room for him. This so-called guest room was a small brick-and-tile structure in the courtyard with only a wooden bed and bedding inside.
To wash up or brush teeth, one had to go to a water pool outside; to use the toilet, they had to leave the yard and use an outdoor outhouse.
However, the more rudimentary the facilities were here, the happier Grandma was. She used to live in such old houses before, feeling comfortable and at ease. Compared to urban apartments or even beach villas she lived in later on, she missed these rural old houses much more.
The eight-year-old grandchildren of this elderly woman saw Hao Ren for the first time and curiously looked at him. A few naughty ones even came over to provoke Hao Ren.
Seeing them, Hao Ren seemed to recall his own childhood, equally mischievous back then with nothing to fear.
Since the younger generation worked in nearby towns during weekdays, only two daughters-in-law, a few children, and this elderly woman lived at home before weekends.
This is a very down-to-earth family. Though their material living standards are not high, they are exceptionally sincere to others. Grandma has been staying here for a month and spends her days catching up with her old girl friends, which must be relaxing and pleasant for her. In the evenings, she holds those little kids in the yard and washes them while the children stand naked in big tubs, jumping around.
Seeing these naughty children makes Grandma Hao Ren laugh heartily. She loves children the most.
Since there are no shower facilities, Hao Ren uses a basin to clean himself with water and towels in his simple little room.
This place is free from the hustle and bustle of the city, devoid of superficial splendor, and without people's impatience. It’s exactly what Hao Ren needs to slowly release his emotions.
The next day after eating the simplest dish of salted vegetable rice porridge, Hao Ren goes alone into the nearby mountains.
The air here is even fresher than that in the suburbs of Donghai City. Hao Ren casually walks up a mountain and sits cross-legged on some grassy land.
The dragon pill inside his body gradually rotates to absorb the relatively rich vital energy from heaven and earth, which nourishes all his acupoints successively before storing it within the dragon pill.
With no other thoughts or grudges, Hao Ren silently feels the accumulation of wu xing energies in nature slowly increasing.
The spring has just passed, with summer approaching. Wildflowers bloom in the mountains and a light breeze stirs a sea of flowers. Such scenes might be common for locals but to Hao Ren, this is an excellent place for cultivation!
"The Dao gives birth to one; one gives birth to two; two gives birth to three; three gives birth to all things. All things embrace the yin and hold the yang. The blending of these energies brings harmony. Heaven's way diminishes the surplus and supplements what is lacking, but man’s way is often to take away from those who lack to support those with excess."
While refining his wu xing essence qi, Hao Ren also meditates on nature, sensing heaven and earth.
Feeling that the sun has reached its peak, Hao Ren stands up refreshed and heads down the mountain.
The grandmother's household is just about to have lunch. Seeing Hao Ren return, they think he was simply walking around in the village, unaware that he had been sitting on the mountain for over an hour!
Seeing these children in the courtyard refusing to eat and playing around instead, this lively scene suddenly gives Hao Ren a moment of enlightenment after his cultivation meditation.
To cultivate the Dao, one must first cultivate humanity!
Zhao Yanzi's Donghai lineage practices human morality by blending into society. The Dao is ethereal while humanity is real!
How can someone devoid of emotions and love possibly understand heavenly mysteries
"Grandma, I've finished eating!" Hao Ren puts down his chopsticks and briskly walks out of the courtyard.
"This child... How did he eat so fast" Grandma is a bit helpless.
Holding on to this momentary enlightenment, Hao Ren immediately heads back up the mountain. The mountains here are not very high nor densely forested, with ups and downs that form yin and yang.
Choosing his spot to sit down, he feels as if this slight insight blends into his body, causing Sword Shadows in Splendid Light to rapidly activate.
"Gold, lead" his right little finger extended a beam of white sword light.
"Water, 7!" A blue light shot out from his left index finger.
"Wood, heart" A streak of green sword qi shot out from his right middle finger, carving a shallow trace on the grass!
The sky has five elements: water, fire, gold, wood, and earth. They transform in time to nurture all things!
Hao Ren suddenly realized that what Su Han taught him last time was the practice method of wu xing techniques! The transformation between the five elements, flexible and free-form, is the Great Wu Xing Technique!
Green, blue, red, yellow, and white sword qi successively shot out from his fingers. Although thin and weak, they were as beautiful as fireworks!
Sword Qi of the Five Elements!
As he continuously applied the Sword Technique of Dispersion of Light and Shadows, the five elements in Hao Ren's body became increasingly active, revolving around the central dragon pearl!
Taking away a part means that another must be added to compensate. Such motion is cyclical!
Wood produces fire; fire produces earth; earth produces metal; metal produces water; and water produces wood! The five elements interdependently nurture each other!
Hao Ren felt exhausted, took a deep breath, and lay down on the grass. Running through the Sword Technique of Dispersion of Light and Shadows thoroughly had drained his body.
Training involves breaking limits to establish new ones. Hao Ren gradually replenished the five elements in his body, feeling that his cultivation level had slightly surpassed previous bottlenecks, almost reaching the peak value of Calm Mind Technique's third stage!
Reducing cultivation power first and then establishing it later, using the Sword Technique of Dispersion of Light and Shadows to elevate his realm has finally yielded results.
If high-ranking experts break through from Kun Level to Qian Level by sealing themselves off for meditation, isn't Hao Ren’s practice in this wilderness also a form of seclusion
Seeing the sky darken, Hao Ren walked out of the mountain and returned home for rest.
Hao Ren's grandmother hadn’t seen him all day and assumed he was just wandering around. Seeing his relaxed expression finally put her at ease. It seems that Ah Ren’s heart has opened up, huh.
After dinner, Hao Ren retreated into his room to continue practicing. He accompanied his grandmother here but didn't want Zhao Yanzi following because he wished to achieve a breakthrough during these two days!
During this period, he had trained hard, but there were still too many distractions. If he could practice calmly every day like this, he believed he would break through the Kan Level faster!
Su Han eliminated unnecessary trivialities and practiced quietly in the city, comprehending both Heavenly Dao and Human Dao, thus gradually breaking through to become a high-level expert at Qian Level Middle Rank!
Hao Ren didn’t sleep all night. He alternated between practicing Calm Mind Technique and Sword Technique of Dispersion of Light and Shadows. Even if it was just the slightest improvement, he wouldn't give up!
Before coming here, there were some lingering worries in his heart, partly due to Zhao Yanzi and partly due to Xie Yujia. But now, immersed in practice, nothing could disturb his mind!
The village rooster crowed. The pale gray dawn rose from the darkness.
Hao Ren drank a bowl of porridge and felt full of energy, heading to patrol the mountains again.
This simplicity, this nature, gave him different feelings. As the sun rose high in the east, Hao Ren’s practice continued from morning until noon. His power value seemed to have reached a bottleneck; Hao Ren’s sword qi technique had become increasingly proficient.
However, as he approached the Kan level, his progress slowed down, as if there was always an obstacle blocking his way.
With only half a day left before returning, this imminent Kan level remained unbroken despite his efforts.
Hao Ren had gradually figured out the minor supernatural abilities of the first layer of the Sword Image Technique. He mastered elemental conversion, absorption, sword qi release, and the chaotic sword form that could fit in his palm.
Practicing a technique can promote power growth; however, advancing to a higher realm is a qualitative change. If one cannot comprehend it, the dragon丹 (Dan) cannot open up, and no matter how proficiently technical skills are practiced...
Just one step! Just one more step!
Hao Ren could feel he was close to the Kan level; his power value had returned to what it was when breaking through with the third layer of Condensation Technique. Compared to before, where only water attribute enhancement could break through the Kan level, now all five elements were balanced and could collectively衝擊 (impact) towards the breakthrough, which should be considered a very perfect state.
"Young Master Hao!" Minister Xia Chengxiang in gray short-sleeved shirt suddenly appeared.
“Why are you here” Hao Ren was somewhat surprised.
"Here are two immortal pills sent by the Dragon King to assist you in breaking through the Kan level." Minister Xia presented a small box with both hands and smiled, "Breaking through the Kan level is not an easy task. The Dragon King wants to test your resolve."
“Not now, just leave them here.” Hao Ren pointed at his side.
Xia Chengxiang was taken aback but did as instructed. Taking a deep breath, Hao Ren sat back down and continued practicing for the breakthrough.
He remembered Su Han's words: realms accumulated through elixirs are ultimately unstable; if one can do without them, they should not take them.
The son-in-law is indeed diligent. Even in these last few hours before returning, he still continues to work hard, thought Minister Xia as he stood by and basked in the sun.
"Those who are passionate always end up disappointed, dreams tend to fade easily, and it’s difficult to let go of what one cherishes."
A streak of colorful divine light flashed across the sky. A speck of light about the size of a grain fell from the air, so bright that it was hard to look at.
Hao Ren felt a searing heat on his forehead; suddenly, the epitaph he had seen in Qingyan Mountain’s Daoist temple surged into his mind. The ancient script, which he already understood half of,重組 (reorganized) and became even more mysterious.
Crack!
Snap! scared, but even an adult might feel extremely afraid too.At this moment, Hao Ren hugged her tightly, and instead of making Zhao Yanzizi feel any disgust, it gave her a sense of security that emerged...