He closed the book and placed it back on the rack. The knowledge of the Tyrant Body Refinement technique was now fully engraved in his mind.
"What are you doing?" A voice rang beside him, sharp enough to make his heart skip a beat.
Lin Chen turned, and there stood Yan Shou, his ever-smug smile in place, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"It's you… scammer," Lin Chen muttered, frowning.
Wait—wasn't this guy an outer disciple? How had he slipped into the Inner Court?
"Haha, Brother Lin, still calling me a scammer?" Yan Shou's grin widened, shameless as ever. "We've grown close now, haven't we?"
Lin Chen pinched the bridge of his nose. "Forget about friendship for now. How are you even here? Outer disciples are strictly forbidden from entering the Inner Court."
Yan Shou's smile did not waver. "Of course outer disciples aren't allowed," he said lightly. "But when did I ever claim to be an outer disciple?"
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed. True—he had assumed Yan Shou was an outer disciple just from the robes he wore. A careless assumption.
Yan Shou's gaze then fell upon the book Lin Chen had just placed back on the shelf.
"Brother Lin… are you so eager to die, reading that cursed technique?" Yan Shou's voice was soft, yet each word carried a chill.
"Yeah… I do. Do you want to join?" Lin Chen replied lazily, as if he were discussing the weather rather than courting death.
Yan Shou's expression stiffened before he shook his head with exaggerated vigor, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "No, no. I still value my miserable little life. I've got too many ambitions left undone. That kind of technique—hehe—it's not for me."
Lin Chen waved him off, his tone impatient. "Then go live that long life of yours. Don't disturb me while I work."
Yan Shou chuckled but didn't leave immediately. "But… that Tyrant Body Refinement Technique is no simple method. Brother Lin, are you sure you truly wish to practice something so… brutal?"
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "You know the technique?"
"Only a little," Yan Shou admitted, his tone turning cautious. "It's somewhat famous—a High-Grade Illustrious Body Refinement Art. But no one dares to cultivate it… not completely, at least. Its nature is too fierce, too unforgiving."
He paused, his gaze deepening. "They say this art walks the edge between life and death—one misstep, and your flesh melts, your meridians collapse, your soul scatters. Even the madmen of the Blood Furnace Sect called it 'Mo Tian Lian Ti Fa'—the Demon Heaven Body Refining Law—because it refines both body and sanity alike."
"So… it's famous as an extremely dangerous technique, one that can almost guarantee death," Yan Shou said with a casual shrug.
It was the only High-Grade Illustrious Body Refinement technique feared by all and avoided like a plague. Every sect possessed a copy within their archives—not as a treasure to be cultivated, but as a warning to the reckless.
It was not rare, merely beyond comprehension. Much like a divine scripture of unfathomable depth, precious yet useless to those incapable of understanding its essence.
Lin Chen's lips curled into a faint smile. So this was a renowned technique—one of high rank, almost on par with his own cultivation manual, yet infamous for its suicidal reputation.
But with Aiva by his side, those warnings were nothing to him.
Now, all that remained was to gather the required materials and begin refinement.
"Brother, if you don't mind, I can help you gather the items required for the Refinement," Yan Shou said, stepping into his path and blocking him.
"No, I'd rather get them myself."
Yan Shou only shrugged and smiled. "Fine. But remember, if you can't get them within four days, meet me at the mission board. I can help." He waved lightly and walked away.
Lin Chen watched him leave, his expression a mix of confusion and mild amusement. "He really is a one of a kind weirdo," he muttered under his breath.
What was that guy's deal? He acted like an old friend, speaking of brotherhood and offering aid without hesitation, as though their bond ran deep.
Yet, this was only their third meeting—barely a handful of exchanges.
"Either he's plotting something… or he's simply too friendly for his own good."
In this cultivation world, kindness without reason was rarer than spirit stones.
No one extends a helping hand without a hidden motive.
Beneath every smile… there was always a blade waiting to strike.
***
Like that, four days passed in the blink of an eye.
During those days, Lin Chen scoured nearly every corner of the sect, searching for the materials required for the Tyrant Body Refinement Technique.
Among the three ingredients, he managed to obtain only one—the Bone-Crushing Pill.
It cost him a single high-grade spirit stone. The reason was simple: it wasn't a pill meant for cultivation, but for torment. A vile medicine used by interrogators to pulverize the bones of their captives from within.
No sane cultivator would willingly ingest such a thing, hence its price was pitifully low.
As for the other two ingredients, he had found no trace of them.
Spirit River Realm Beast blood could not be purchased from the sect market. It had to be drawn fresh, directly from a living beast. And the beasts of that realm were known as Fierce Beasts—creatures capable of mass destruction.
The Spirit River Realm stood just beneath the Heaven Mark Realm—the realm where one's power could split mountains and part rivers. To slay such a beast was no simple feat, and so, their blood was more precious than gold.
Then there was the Azure Flame Fruit—a rare spiritual treasure comparable to the Red Lotus Fruit, born only in regions nourished by true fire essence. Such a thing would never appear in the sect's ordinary trade halls unless during grand auctions or special occasions.
In short, Lin Chen had hit a dead end.
He sighed inwardly.
'Looks like I have no choice but to meet Yan Shou after all.'
When the appointed time arrived, Lin Chen made his way toward the Outer Hall's Mission Board.
And there, leaning casually against the wooden post as if he owned the place—was Yan Shou, already waiting.
A knowing smile tugged at his lips the moment he saw Lin Chen.
"I knew you would come " said Yan Shou
"So, you knew I couldn't get the items I needed,"
"Of course," Yan Shou said, his tone lazy yet confident, "those items aren't some cabbage you can find lying around. I knew you would come."
"So let's get one thing straight—what exactly do you want? You seem eager to curry favor with me."
"Of course… for profit," Yan Shou said simply, as if that explained everything.
Lin Chen frowned. "Profit? You should know I'm no wealthy cultivator. I have no backing, no connections—nothing beyond my master, and even she…" He glanced to the side, thinking of her lazy ways, "she isn't exactly rich, and she certainly isn't motivated to help beyond the bare minimum."
Yan Shou's grin widened, an unreadable glint in his eyes. He raised a single finger, tapping the air between them.
"Not all profit is measured in spirit stones. Some treasures… are something else entirely. For instance…" His gaze lingered on Lin Chen. "…the feeling I had when I first saw you."
Lin Chen felt a chill run down his spine. Instinctively, he took a cautious step back, crossing his arms over his chest as though shielding himself.
"My preferences are… normal," he said carefully. "I don't like men."
His mind raced. Until now, he had assumed Yan Shou's intentions might be clever or mischievous—but this… this was worse. His target wasn't wealth or knowledge. The profit Yan Shou sought… was his body.
His body? Seriously? Lin Chen's chest tightened. He glanced at the other man, disbelief threatening to spill over.
'I'm not even handsome… Why would anyone want me? Maybe this world… even in cultivation, there are people like this…'
Yan Shou's expression shifted, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. "Seriously… that's what you understood?"
"I don't care about your feelings. Don't come near me."
With that, he drew his sword from his storage ring
"Sigh… the feeling I had isn't what you're thinking," Yan Shou said, calm but with a hint of amusement. "You… are an investment. One that will yield a hundred percent profit."
"Huh? Investment? Not… lustful feelings?" Lin Chen frowned, unconvinced.
"Exactly," Yan Shou said with a shrug. "And I also prefer women."
Lin Chen shook his head and turned to leave. "Then your gut feeling is wasted. You won't get any profit from me."
Yan Shou stayed where he was, watching him. Then he spoke, voice low but certain, "Then I suppose you wouldn't want the two items you need… I know where they are."
He paused, a faint, annoyed crease appearing between his brows.
*****
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