Chapter 106: The Breakthrough, Two Incense Sticks, It Has Arrived?!

“What do you mean?”

Chen Yushu furrowed his brow, fully understanding the implication behind those words.

Ji Xiong, Wang Zheng, Qian Qian, and himself were now all in the same boat—potential targets of the zombie lurking within Qianjia Village.

Previously, that zombie had only been active within Qianjia Village, so they comforted themselves, hoping it wouldn’t cross dozens of miles to Jianghuan Town to target them.

But now, Ji Xiong had disappeared.

The situation had become perilous.

It signaled that danger could strike at any moment.

“Ji Xiong is always punctual when going to work. But today, he didn’t show up. I know he rents a house in the western part of town, so I went to check. The door was firmly shut, but he wasn’t inside. I even asked his neighbors, and they said they saw him come home yesterday, but no sign of him leaving this morning…”

Qian Qian spoke with mounting anxiety.

Being from Qianjia Village himself, he had kept track of the happenings there, and upon discovering this, it was easy for him to link it to their recent expedition into Tianyuan Mountain.

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became.

“Don’t panic just yet. Maybe he’s caught up with something. Keep searching and asking around; don’t scare yourself unnecessarily,” Chen Yushu said after a moment’s silence, trying to reassure him.

“There’s nothing else to do for now. But what about tonight? If Ji Xiong really is dead, then the next target could be one of the three of us,” Qian Qian nodded but still asked anxiously.

He knew Chen Yushu was a practitioner of the Yin Path and was knowledgeable about such matters, so he pinned his hopes on him.

“There are two options. One, leave immediately—get as far away as possible. This thing doesn’t come out during the day; as long as it can’t sense your aura, it won’t trouble you. The other is to seek protection—find people capable of dealing with it,” Chen Yushu considered before speaking.

“Alright…” Qian Qian hesitated briefly, then nodded firmly.

As for banding together with Chen Yushu, the thought flickered and was quickly snuffed out.

Being together would only enlarge their target.

Perhaps the creature originally aimed at Wang Zheng, but with the two of them together, it might choose to give them both trouble instead.

To him, postponing danger by even a day was better.

Maybe the next day would bring a breakthrough.

Watching Qian Qian leave, Chen Yushu felt a surge of urgency.

But the enemy operated in shadows while he was exposed; he was powerless.

The only thing he could do was to enhance his own strength as much as possible.

Returning to the apothecary, he didn’t help out but went straight upstairs to start training relentlessly.

At noon, Qian Qian returned with bad news.

Wang Zheng had fled.

He had just taken leave from Manager Zhou that morning and boarded a merchant ship bound for Tianhe County.

He claimed to be going to visit relatives.

“He doesn’t have any relatives in Tianhe County. That boy is cunning,” Qian Qian said, frustrated and even more nervous.

With Ji Xiong missing and Wang Zheng gone, the danger now fell squarely on Chen Yushu and Qian Qian.

The thought sent chills down his spine.

In fact, when Wang Zheng ran off, Qian Qian’s first thought was to follow suit—hide out for ten or fifteen days until the danger passed.

But at the dock, he learned there was only one merchant ship to Tianhe County each day, and it had already left that morning.

He would have to stay another night.

Chen Yushu was speechless.

With Ji Xiong missing and Wang Zheng gone, the greatest danger was now on him and Qian Qian.

And he truly felt uncertain about the presence lurking in the mound.

Seeking help from his master?

He knew his master’s martial skill was high, with peak internal energy, but zombies, especially of this evil nature, were too dangerous.

Su Ming was his master, and treated him well; he didn’t want to drag him into trouble.

“So, the best plan is still to rely on those two good neighbors,” Chen Yushu said.

He even used his qi-sensing technique to confirm that the two senior brothers were still there.

After some thought, he decided to notify them first.

No matter what their situation was, in these circumstances, if he didn’t inform them, he feared he’d be cut down before even entering their door.

At their door, Chen Yushu knocked, and soon a voice answered, followed by the door opening.

“Is that you? The kid from the Liu family apothecary? What’s the matter?”

It was the disciple of the corpse caretaker, Qi Jichuan, who looked surprised to see him.

“This is the situation. There might be some unusual circumstances tonight, so I’m inviting you to help…” Chen Yushu quickly explained the general situation he knew.

“My senior brother isn’t here now, so I can’t fully agree, but I understand what’s going on,” Qi Jichuan pondered briefly before replying.

“Thank you, senior,” Chen Yushu’s face brightened.

Though the other hadn’t fully committed, his expression showed he hadn’t rejected him outright either, meaning they would at least offer some assistance.

“Of course, besides that, I need to prepare other countermeasures.”

After parting from Qi Jichuan, Chen Yushu’s mind was restless.

He didn’t dare delay, nor did he go to the Quiet Academy; instead, he headed straight home, first to boil herbs, then to his study to begin furiously drawing talismans.

The first he drew was the Ghost-Slaying Talisman.

One, two, then when he finished the third, his heart trembled.

Countless insights and experiences about the talisman flooded his mind, as if in a short time he had drawn hundreds or thousands.

He realized many of his earlier talisman designs, though neat, could be optimized—some lines could be simpler.

“Mastered the Ghost-Slaying Talisman?”

Chen Yushu smiled as he checked his status panel.

Ghost-Slaying Talisman: Proficient (1/200)

Excitement lit his face.

He drew it again more easily; the runes were even simpler, and when the talisman was formed, the noise it made and the energy it absorbed from the world were more intense and powerful.

“This talisman’s power is definitely stronger. It should be considered a fine-grade talisman,” Chen Yushu mused, quickly drawing five more.

Exorcism Talisman +6

Then, his attention shifted to the Thunder-Summoning Talisman.

This talisman was even more powerful against ghosts and spirits than the Ghost-Slaying Talisman, with tremendous destructive power.

Crucially, this talisman was close to leveling up.

He arranged talisman paper and began drawing immediately.

Thunder-Summoning Talisman +1

Thunder-Summoning Talisman +3

Thunder-Summoning Talisman +2

An intense familiar sensation swept over him.

Countless experiences and insights about creating the Thunder-Summoning Talisman flooded his mind.

Even the talisman’s script itself brought new understandings, leading to improvements and refinements.

Chen Yushu knew the Thunder-Summoning Talisman had also advanced—from entry level to proficient.

Thunder-Summoning Talisman: Proficient (1/200)

Seeing this on the status panel, his confidence soared.

The Thunder-Summoning Talisman was potent against ordinary ghosts.

Even malevolent spirits couldn’t withstand several.

But against fierce ghosts, it wasn’t quite enough.

Usually, three to five, or even six or seven, were needed to inflict serious harm or slay.

Now, as a proficient talisman, its power would rise another level.

Perhaps two or three, even three or four, would suffice to slay fierce ghosts.

It would also be more threatening against evil-class entities.

Chen Yushu didn’t forget how he had nearly exhausted all his talismans just to severely wound the ghostly woman before.

He wouldn’t rely solely on talismans.

Just then, the herbs outside finished boiling.

Chen Yushu rushed out and swallowed the Qi and Blood Soup, then the Vitality Soup, followed by the Red Cloud Lingzhi Soup.

The fierce blood energy surged wildly inside him, steam rising, making his whole body restless.

Without hesitation, he began practicing the Medicine King Pillar Technique.

At the same time, he controlled his internal strength, swiftly circulating the Medicine King Locking Strength Technique.

Training both simultaneously caused his whole body to emit steaming heat, sweat and blood impurities expelled continuously.

Medicine King Pillar Technique +3

Medicine King Locking Strength Technique +5

Suddenly, his body trembled.

He felt his internal energy circulation accelerate.

Under his control, the energy flowed faster and more powerfully, its penetration greatly enhanced.

His mind flooded with new experiences about running the Medicine King Locking Strength Technique—not only better control of energy, but subtle mastery.

He faintly discerned a new route for the technique.

This path was far more complex but precise, strengthening many previously neglected flesh and nerve endings, benefiting all flesh and blood throughout his body.

Martial training wasn’t just about strengthening, but also nurturing and refining the body.

Instantly, he felt the new effects.

He sensed his physical strength growing.

Especially when his flesh reached a certain tempering level, he suddenly felt his bones become numb and tingling.

He clearly felt his internal energy continuously washing over and strengthening every bone.

“This is the fourth stage of external tempering—training the bones. Have I unknowingly reached the stage of bone training?”

Chen Yushu was startled but soon smiled with delight.

His progress was far faster than he had expected.

But on reflection, it made sense.

First, his Medicine King Pillar Technique was at the pinnacle.

Each practice session generated abundant internal energy, surpassing ordinary martial artists.

Combined with his Medicine King Locking Strength Technique at near mastery, the surging energy continuously enhanced his flesh, muscles, tendons, and bones.

Plus, the daily intake of Qi and Blood Soup, Vitality Soup, and especially Red Cloud Lingzhi Soup—which provided constant energy for training—accelerated his external tempering.

This allowed him, after reaching mastery of the Locking Strength Technique, to optimize his practice and instantly reach the bone training stage.

“Bone training is when strength grows most.

The harder the bones, the fiercer the power.

Martial artists who have mastered bone training are often far stronger than those who have only reached the flesh refining stage.”

Chen Yushu was excited but did not stop practicing the Medicine King Pillar and Locking Strength Techniques.

With the medicine’s power, he continued tempering his skin, flesh, veins, and bones.

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles…

One full revolution, two, three…

Only after the medicine’s power was exhausted did he slowly stop.

“Even initial success in bone training has increased my strength by at least thirty percent.”

After training, Chen Yushu quietly tested his strength.

He lifted a large stone in the yard, which had previously been somewhat difficult, now effortlessly raised and tossed lightly into the air without strain.

Then he took up his long blade and performed the Eighteen Consecutive Strikes.

Blade after blade, each stroke was like a phantom—fast and ferocious.

Suddenly, the blade flashes overlapped as if six strikes merged.

A sharp hiss sliced the air, causing it to tremble faintly.

The shockwave made even a small tree sway several feet away.

“The Eighteen Consecutive Strikes at mastery level are already powerful.

Now that my strength has increased significantly, the technique’s power is even greater.”

Chen Yushu was proud.

He spun his blade and resumed practicing the Eighteen Consecutive Strikes.

Then he began training the Wild Wind Blade Technique, the Eight Steps to Chase Cicadas, quickly shifting to the Yin Path Techniques—Hidden Yin Art, Demonic Transformation Technique, and the Seven-Star Step.

As he trained, dusk deepened.

Chen Yushu stepped outside and used his qi-sensing skill to look at the last room.

It resembled a few huge beasts lying low—calm and restrained, yet radiating power.

“They’re still here.”

Relieved, he returned to his room and took out a soul bead.

It was the last soul bead he had left.

He had absorbed the previous one; this one was no larger than a fingernail.

Immortal Cultivation: One Incense Stick (93/100)

He glanced at the status panel.

His incense incense level was only seven points from completion.

Without hesitation, he meditated, controlling his spiritual power to absorb the spiritual particles inside the soul bead.

Each absorption took several breaths to refine, over and over.

His incense cultivation slowly increased.

Incense Cultivation +1

Incense Cultivation +1

Incense Cultivation +1

After the incense stick’s worth was absorbed, Chen Yushu suddenly felt a surge of insight.

“One incense stick cultivation complete.

Am I about to break through?”

He immediately understood and saw the status panel clearly displaying One Incense Stick (100/100).

His spirit brimmed with a vast, overwhelming power, as if ready to burst from his head.

Without hesitation, he directed his spirit to his left shoulder.

Boom!

A small flame instantly formed.

This flame was invisible and intangible to the naked eye; even those with strong spiritual power could not see it.

Only with secret techniques like qi-sensing could one perceive the small flame on Chen Yushu’s shoulder.

The flame was translucent white, burning brightly as if never to be extinguished.

Looking closely, it resembled incense smoke flickering, echoing the flame above his head.

“Done!

The Earth Flame is lit.

This means my cultivation has finally broken through.

My cultivation level has officially reached the Two Incense Stick stage.”

Chen Yushu was delighted.

He could clearly feel his spiritual power had grown stronger, not just quantitatively but qualitatively.

More refined and condensed.

He finally understood what Sister Qiao had said before—that the higher the cultivation, the stronger the power of one’s techniques.

Though he hadn’t yet unleashed the Hidden Yin Art, he knew it would now be far more potent.

Then he checked the status panel again.

Immortal Cultivation: Two Incense Sticks (1/100)

“As expected, Two Incense Sticks.

Cultivation breakthrough, great increase in strength.

At last, I have more confidence against the possible danger.”

Chen Yushu finally breathed easier.

Of course, that didn’t mean he was confident he could handle the zombie alone.

He knew only by increasing his power could his survival chances improve.

When danger came, he could respond calmly and perhaps escape certain death.

After a while, he recovered from his excitement and continued absorbing spiritual particles from the soul bead.

One time, two times, three times…

Incense Cultivation +1

Incense Cultivation +1

When it reached (3/100), he sensed the bead was empty.

The spiritual particles had been entirely absorbed, not a trace left.

“All preparations complete.

I’ve done all I can.

My strength has reached its current limit.

Now, I only need to wait.

If that zombie doesn’t come, that’s fine.

But once it does…”

Chen Yushu’s heart stirred with a rare sense of anticipation.

His gaze involuntarily lifted to the protective talisman hanging under the eaves.

Suddenly, the talisman began rapidly deteriorating, turning black.

Chen Yushu immediately stood, eyes sharp with alertness.

Just then, the little spirit hidden in the jade pendant at his waist darted out.

Placing its hand on the spirit’s, it said, “Brother Yushu, Xiaohong is looking for me.”

Through the window, Chen Yushu saw a little girl dressed in red with red shoes jump over the wall into his yard.

It was Xiaoyin’s playmate, Xiaohong.

Xiaohong often came to visit Xiaoyin; sometimes Xiaoyin would go out to find her.

They were like true friends, wandering around now and then.

But Xiaoyin was well-behaved, always returning before dawn.

Because Jianghuan Town had recently seen an influx of wandering martial artists and Yin Path practitioners, Chen Yushu had restricted Xiaoyin’s outings.

Obviously, Xiaohong had grown impatient waiting for Xiaoyin and had taken the initiative to come looking for her.

“Tell her not to go out today, nor in the coming days,” Chen Yushu instructed.

“Okay, Brother Yushu,” Xiaoyin nodded obediently without asking why, then happily bounced over to Xiaohong to explain.

Xiaohong glanced at Chen Yushu inside, thought for a moment, nodded, and then left.

“Good, she listens,” Chen Yushu said.

He didn’t know why the creature had become a fierce ghost—whether from deep resentment or environmental factors—but he didn’t want to investigate.

If it insisted on dragging Xiaoyin out, he wouldn’t hesitate to teach it a lesson.

With his current strength, subduing a fierce ghost was no longer difficult.

After Xiaoyin returned, Chen Yushu stuck another protective talisman on the beam and, to reward her good behavior, lit two large, thick incense sticks.

These special large incense were ones he had bought from Old Fu’s incense shop.

Xiaoyin had earned merit on Tianyuan Mountain.

Not only did she help him find five taels of gold and seven or eight taels of silver, but also the Red Cloud Lingzhi—she was truly his lucky charm.

He naturally satisfied some of her small requests.

Along with buying lots of talisman paper and ink, he also bought several large bundles of these incense sticks.

Two at a time was a feast for Xiaoyin.

She was very pleased, holding two sticks and inhaling alternately as if savoring their taste.

Halfway through, she suddenly stopped, her face lighting up with excitement.

She opened and closed her mouth rapidly, speaking quickly.

Realizing Brother Yushu couldn’t hear her, she hurried over and placed her hand on his.

“Brother Yushu, Sister Qiao is back! Sister Qiao is back!”

Her voice was full of joy, her face sweet and lovely.

“Sister Qiao is back? Where?”

Chen Yushu’s eyes brightened; his heart stirred.

He had no doubt about Sister Qiao’s strength.

When they had met before, she had dared to enter the Zuo family mansion alone and had borrowed something from that ‘old fellow’—Xiaohong’s grandfather.

Now, just as he was about to face danger, if Sister Qiao returned, his safety would be greatly assured.

He grew excited.

“I don’t know,” Xiaoyin shook her head.

“We have a connection; as long as she’s not too far, I can sense her.

But I don’t know exactly where, only vaguely in that direction…”

She pointed.

But the range was too broad.

He couldn’t just take Xiaoyin out in the dead of night to search for Sister Qiao.

“Do you think you’re far from Sister Qiao or not?” Chen Yushu asked.

“I don’t know either.

I can only pinpoint her when she burns incense.

Otherwise, the sense takes a long time.

Once, I almost got lost trying to follow it,” Xiaoyin said.

She didn’t dare go when Sister Qiao wasn’t burning incense.

Day and night were two different realms.

Many things awakened and moved at night.

Even as a ghost, it was dangerous.

Chen Yushu nodded.

Just as he was about to say more, he noticed the talisman he had just placed on the beam rapidly turning yellow and black, then burning away in an instant.

Something was coming again?

Was it Xiaohong returning?

Chen Yushu’s heart jumped as he looked outside.

No sign of her.

“It’s cold,” Xiaoyin suddenly said.

Chen Yushu was startled, then realized.

It’s here!

His eyes shifted as he immediately used qi-sensing.

Turning around, he saw a massive, dense black mist rising in his backyard like a dark cloud pressing down on the city, rapidly approaching his location.

A zombie?!

It really had come!