Inside the residence.
Woof woof woof...
Big Yellow barked a few times towards the door, quickly ran to the gap under the door, and bit the pebble that rolled in.
"Big Yellow, come here..."
Lin Sheng's voice rang out from the room, and the yellow dog ran over, wagging its tail.
"Spit it out."
Looking at Big Yellow shaking its head, Lin Sheng sat cross-legged on the bed and spoke calmly.
Because the original training room was flooded during the last practice session, he simply trained on the bed in the bedroom.
Taking the pebble out of Big Yellow's mouth, a few small words were clearly written on one side of the smooth stone surface.
"Are they here?"
After just one glance, Lin Sheng tightened his grip, crushing it directly into powder, and then plunged back into his training.
The Ape Embryo Skill primarily emphasizes body extension and flexible response. Those who master it are boneless and move like a wonderful dance, allowing for a thousand changes within themselves and the ability to handle enemies from all directions. While prioritizing agility, it can also unleash powerful strength; this is the essence of this cultivation method.
The matching burst secret technique in the cultivation method further expands the advantages of the skill. The cost is the depletion of one's Qi and blood. The longer it lasts, the greater the depletion of Qi and blood. Excessive depletion of Qi and blood can shake the foundation of cultivation and cause severe damage to one's vitality.
"The book states that although this burst secret technique can be started at the third level of the Ape Embryo Skill, it is best to begin practicing it after reaching the fourth level for maximum safety."
Lin Sheng pondered the key points of this secret technique while circulating his Qi and blood.
In fact, the difficulty of this burst secret technique is not great, and the depletion of Qi and blood is not a major issue.
The real difficulty is the high requirement for controlling one's Qi and blood after using this burst secret technique. The speed of Qi and blood movement during the burst is several times, or even tens of times, faster than normal times, and it increases further as the burst duration continues.
If one's control over their Qi and blood is insufficient, the chaotic movement of Qi and blood is likely to cause abnormalities in the Qi and blood Meridians, increasing the risk of Qi Deviation.
One must know that the Ape Embryo Skill itself puts a great physical burden on the practitioner, especially regarding Qi and blood issues. Once the Qi and blood Meridians become abnormal and cannot be suppressed, there is a high probability of Qi Deviation, or even direct death.
"No wonder it's said that practicing the burst secret technique after reaching the fourth level of the Ape Embryo Skill is the safest. The higher the martial arts Realm, the stronger one's control over their Qi and blood."
"However, the Ape Embryo Skill's burden on me is not obvious, and since I practice multiple martial arts, my control over Qi and blood is somewhat stronger than other Martial Artists at the same level. So, let me see what the effect of the burst secret technique is like."
With that thought, Lin Sheng had already mobilized his entire body's Qi and blood, surging towards the Meridians and internal organs.
If he could perform internal observation, he would clearly see his five internal organs and six hollow organs compress for an instant, then suddenly expand.
A more concentrated power of Qi and blood surged out wildly from the internal organs and Meridians, entering the muscles and flesh.
In just an instant, Lin Sheng's skin became engorged and crimson, with streaks of red appearing. His entire body seemed to inflate from within, expanding by more than a circle, as if transforming from an agile ape into a strong and brutal gorilla.
His eyes were streaked with blood, and his facial expression was somewhat distorted and ferocious.
Bang!
He pushed the door open with a shove, and the powerful force actually sent the door flying outwards.
Woof...
Big Yellow, who was playing in the yard chasing a moth, was startled. Turning its head to see Lin Sheng's appearance, it immediately darted into the woodpile, with only a pair of eyes peeking out from the woodpile, watching Lin Sheng, who was emitting a fierce aura.
Lin Sheng's expression was twisted, and his heart was inexplicably violent. He even wanted to rush out and tear apart the two guards waiting outside.
But soon he realized something was wrong, took several deep breaths, forcefully suppressed the violent impulse in his heart, and calmed his emotions.
After a long while, he finally fully recovered his clarity. Most of the blood streaks in his eyes dissipated, and his body returned to normal.
"This secret technique seems a bit off..."
Lin Sheng pondered the agitation after using the burst secret technique. Clearly, that did not match his personality. This secret technique seemed to amplify his own brutality greatly, which was why he had reacted that way just now.
"But why would this kind of secret technique amplify the brutality in one's heart?"
He frowned. There was no mention of this aspect in the book, but after pondering for a while, he had some guesses in his heart.
"The Ape Embryo Skill originates from a true skill called the Six Intent Ape Demon Heart Scripture, which is the sect-guarding martial art of a force named the Ape Demon Sect."
From the mouth of the Blazing Star Envoy in black robes, he also learned that the Six Intent Ape Demon Heart Scripture seemed to be a demonic cultivation method.
The Ape Embryo Skill, born from it, is naturally a demonic cultivation method as well.
In this way, it seems reasonable that the burst secret technique has this kind of negative effect.
Although the surge of brutal emotion just now came suddenly, it was still within a controllable range and not a big deal. With deliberate suppression, it could still be suppressed.
Compared to this point, the amplification effect brought by this burst secret technique is quite good.
Although it only lasted for a short time just now, he also felt the powerful strength in his body during the burst.
This also made the sense of urgency in his heart relax a bit.
Every bit of power increase is precious in the current situation.
Looking up at the darkening sky, Lin Sheng returned to his room to change clothes, then agilely leaped onto the rooftop.
He lowered his body, glanced at the two plainclothes guards still across from his courtyard gate, then his figure flickered, and he leaped down directly.
He disappeared into the night within a few breaths.
Due to the successive incidents, the flow of people in Yangping Town was much less than before. Most of the traveling merchants and vendors who used to do business from outside no longer dared to come, and even some shops chose to suspend operations.
The remaining vendors and shops were basically local residents of Yangping Town, and the original lively scene was almost nowhere to be seen.
At this time, as dusk fell, there were already not many people on the streets.
On the west side of the town, in a narrow alley.
Lin Sheng appeared in it. Looking inside, there was a man who looked like a vendor hidden in the darkness.
"Come out."
Taking out the emblem representing his identity from his Arms, Lin Sheng spoke calmly.
The vendor's gaze paused on the emblem in Lin Sheng's hand before he walked out of the darkness.
"Star Apprentice Jia Qi, greetings Gray Star Envoy sir. May I ask if you are Ghost Face sir?"
The vendor bowed slightly towards Lin Sheng and asked.
"That's right. Did Mu Niu send you?"
Lin Sheng nodded slightly.
"This subordinate accepted Mu Niu sir's commission. Mu Niu sir was unable to come personally due to some matters, so I came instead."
Saying this, Jia Qi had already taken out a flat wooden box from his Arms and handed it to Lin Sheng.
"Inside the wooden box is what Mu Niu sir transferred to you. Also, Mu Niu sir asked me to inform you that he has already taken his share."
"Okay."
Lin Sheng opened the wooden box and took a look.
Inside were clearly nine banknotes with a face value of a thousand taels each.
Seeing this, a smile appeared on his face, and his gaze fell upon Jia Qi before him.
"Since you're here, it happens that I also have a commission. Are you interested?"
"Please speak, sir."
Hearing this, Jia Qi was startled for a moment, but quickly reacted and replied.
"I need you to help me escort a few people to Tongzhi County. You need to ensure their safety."
"That is possible, but the situation here in Lin'an seems a bit chaotic at the moment. To ensure safety, I suggest that sir could hire a few more Star Apprentices to escort them together. What do you think, sir?"
After a brief thought, Jia Qi stated his idea.
"Okay."
Lin Sheng nodded slightly. Even if Jia Qi hadn't said so, he would have proactively requested it.
Jia Qi before him was not weak in strength, likely a Forging Tendons Early Stage Martial Artist.
Moreover, he seemed very skilled at concealment, definitely a good hand among Forging Tendons Early Stage practitioners. If there were a few more such good hands for escort, he would feel much more at ease.
As for who the escort targets were, it was naturally Lin Hong and Xie Guilan, as well as Lao Zhou and Xiao Shi.
This was his plan. Yangping Town was indeed no longer suitable for ordinary people to stay in.
To send Lin Hong and the others away, using the Dark Star Organization was the best option.
The reason for sending them to Tongzhi County was, firstly, that Tongzhi County was not far from Lin'an, and secondly, there was a Dark Star base in Tongzhi County, making it convenient to use the Dark Star Organization to resolve any trouble that might arise.
Putting other things aside, although Huang Quan was old, he was still a Blood Transportation Warrior, and his strength was still there.
With Lin Sheng's strength, he could completely leave Yangping Town. Apart from Blood Transportation Warriors, no one should be able to stop him.
It was just a bit inconvenient to bring Lin Hong and the other person, especially now, being monitored by the Zhenshan Tower.
He did not want to have any conflict with the Zhenshan Tower, after all, this was considered the first force he had joined in this world.
Furthermore, there was the treasure land of Yangping Mountain, which would be of great benefit to him for integrating various strange beasts in the future, so he did not want to easily give up this place.
Another point is that since Ouyang Shan, the strongest combat force in the Zhenshan Tower, has not appeared in Yangping Town despite the current situation, he is clearly held up by something.
Meanwhile, the Black Wind Bandits are rampant outside, and their target is clearly the Zhenshan Tower. They even hung Zhao Fang's head at the doorstep.
The Black Wind Bandits have combat power at the Blood Transportation level, but even so, they still haven't chosen to directly attack Yangping Town.
Considering the remaining strength of the Zhenshan Tower in Yangping Town, they simply cannot stop Blood Transportation Warriors. Therefore, the Black Wind Bandits' inaction is clearly due to some apprehension.
As for what they are apprehensive about, Lin Sheng is not clear.
But he understands that there is likely still some reliance of the Zhenshan Tower in Yangping Town that can make Blood Transportation Realm Martial Artists apprehensive and dare not enter rashly.
Returning to his residence, Lin Sheng glanced at the two monitoring guards outside the courtyard who showed no abnormalities, then went next door to check on Lin Hong and the other person, who had already fallen asleep.
After he paid five hundred taels of silver, the matter was settled.
After all, he had no merit points in the Dark Star Organization at all, so if he wanted to commission something, he could only use silver.
500 taels of silver for the escort of 5 Forging Tendons Early Stage Star Apprentices. If it were before, he would have felt the pinch, but now that he has 9,000 taels of silver incoming, these are nothing.
Returning to the room, he glanced at the activation progress of the second imprint on the panel again; it was still at 77%.
"Song's Medicine Shop is basically out of the question now, and many other medicine shops have also closed. Activating the second imprint through this method is simply impossible in a short period of time."
Lin Sheng rubbed his chin, looking through the window at the outline of the massive mountain peak in the darkness in the distance, hesitant about whether to go to Yangping Mountain.
As long as he captures and kills a few more high-level ordinary beasts, he will be able to activate the second imprint.
While thinking in his heart, he ultimately shook his head slightly and temporarily dismissed this idea.
"Although it's close to the beast tide now, there are many more high-level ordinary beasts in the mountains than usual. However, the area of Yangping Mountain is vast. Unless I'm incredibly lucky, it's unlikely to find a few high-level ordinary beasts in just a few days."
"I wonder what the situation is like in Yangping Mountain now?"
He muttered to himself in a low voice.
Since their transportation mission ended in failure, the Zhenshan Tower has prohibited anyone from entering Yangping Mountain. Most of the personnel stationed on Yangping Mountain have also been recalled, and the Hunting Beast Hall has completely suspended missions.
Therefore, he is not clear about what the situation is like in Yangping Mountain now.
"After sending the two elders away, I can go into the mountain in a couple of days."
With a decision made in his heart, Lin Sheng did not continue training but hastily went to sleep with his clothes on.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Yangping Town.
In the Fourth Squad's station, Chai Lu sat cross-legged in the main hall, his breathing even and powerful. His hands moved from time to time, changing postures, clearly practicing some kind of martial art.
Chirp chirp... chirp chirp...
A faint bird chirping sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
Chai Lu opened his eyes, stood up, and instead of opening the door, walked to the window and reached out his hand.
He made a strange sound from his mouth with a certain rhythm.
The next moment, there were already two small sparrows on his palm.
As if he had expected it, he directly took out two bamboo tubes the thickness of a little finger from his Arms, tied them separately to the birds' legs, and then tossed them upwards. The two small sparrows circled twice in the sky, then flapped their wings and flew away in one direction, quickly disappearing from sight.
Chirp chirp...
Half an hour later.
The small sparrows had already flown out of Yangping Town and into a remote village more than ten li away.
The village was different from ordinary villages, which would become completely silent and dark at night.
Instead, it was brightly lit. Bonfires were burning throughout the village, and from time to time, bursts of rough laughter and sharp cries of women could be heard.
In a relatively spacious residence in the center of the village, a man wearing a black headscarf listened to the women's cries coming from the room and waited respectfully outside the door.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the women's cries in the room abruptly stopped.
The door opened, and the tall and thin Black Bear, with a perverse smile of relief on his face, walked out from inside, bare-chested.
"Speak, what is it?"
"Leader, there's news from the town." The man with the black headscarf said respectfully, handing over the small wooden tube in his hand.
Taking the wooden tube, he crushed it, took out the letter paper inside, and Black Bear just glanced at it and sneered.
"As expected, there's something fishy..."
"Dispose of the things in the room and send another one over tonight." Black Bear crushed the letter paper between his fingers, gave a calm instruction, and then walked away.
"Yes, Leader."
The man with the black headscarf responded respectfully and immediately stepped into the room.
Carrying the naked woman on the bed inside, whose skin was a bit dark but whose appearance and figure were still decent, and feeling the dissipating body temperature of the person on his shoulder, the man's expression was calm, as if he had long been accustomed to such sights.