22: Leveling the Tomb of the King of Chu

Chen Longshi spent the night cultivating in his room.

After hours of arduous practice, he finally succeeded in condensing a second strand of Dao Intent.

As soon as the second Dao Intent formed, his [Spirit] attribute surged by five points, reaching 61.26. This newly generated Dao Intent was slightly weaker than the foundational one, yet it steadily grew stronger. Within his sea of consciousness, the two strands of Dao Intent attracted and repelled each other, like celestial bodies orbiting along a fixed trajectory. Once this trajectory was fully established, Chen Longshi keenly sensed that his cultivation speed for the Soul Scripture had improved yet again.

He proceeded, as usual, to practice the Eighteen Star Forging Forms. Each stage of this technique granted him incremental gains in physical attributes, and he had currently reached the fifth stage (86%)/sixth stage, on the verge of completion. When the technique reached perfection, his body would undergo a transformation, boosting his physical attributes significantly—just what he needed.

And that day of transformation had come.

Vital energy surged from his sea of consciousness, flowing endlessly into his body, aiding his cultivation of the Star Forging technique.

After half a day, a torrent of star power pulsed within his body, gradually dissolving through rhythmic breathing exercises. This power shrank, integrating into Chen Longshi’s flesh, fusing continuously with his cells.

He became even more cautious, maintaining an even temper, focusing solely on forging his star-powered physique.

He couldn't tell how much time had passed, but suddenly, he felt the star power running through his body come to a halt. A vibrant vitality rose from his limbs and bones, coursing throughout his body, expelling deep-seated impurities bit by bit.

The fewer impurities within, the purer the star power became. Sensing a modest increase in purity, Chen Longshi felt a surge of joy; he knew he was but a step away from perfecting his Star Forging.

Once he crossed this threshold, practicing the Eighteen Star Forging Forms would bring a whole new experience. The familiar movements could only stabilize his internal energy, preventing decline but no longer offering continuous improvement.

Chen Longshi understood that he had mastered the Eighteen Star Forging Forms, the bronze-grade star technique. He opened his attribute panel.

Bronze-grade Star Technique: Eighteen Star Forging Forms, sixth stage (max), [Strength +2], [Agility +2], [Physique +2], [Spirit +0.2].

His total attributes now stood at [Strength]: 16.1, [Agility]: 18.2, [Physique]: 20.6, [Spirit]: 61.46.

He needed to study more techniques to facilitate further transformation.

...

Zhi Jiang slept deeply, only waking at midday to the sound of drums and gongs outside.

In the Nine-Headed Bird Square, beneath the enormous bronze statue, crowds had gathered, roaring with excitement as if the city had exploded.

Zhi Jiang hurriedly dressed and ran outside, grabbing someone in haste, “What’s happened?”

“Your Highness...”

“No need for formalities. I’m asking what’s happening over there?”

“Your Highness, General Ji Bu is parading two Undying Sword Servants through the streets. They’ve arrived at the square now.”

“Parading them?” Zhi Jiang raised her voice, frowning. “What are they up to?”

Following the flow of people to the square, she found it packed to the brim. In the center, high atop pillars, were the Undying Sword Servants they’d struggled to capture last night.

The leading figures were not Ji Bu, but he and Ou Lian stood on either side, presenting the undead monsters to the citizenry.

Within the crowd, Zhi Jiang spotted the Elder Father and approached, asking, “Elder Father, what’s going on?”

...

Qu Chenzi smiled, stroking his beard as he watched the scene unfold. “A fine spectacle. I wanted to witness this miracle myself. Zhi Jiang, watch closely—today may be the day Town King City finds its way forward.”

“Everyone, look closely!” Ji Bu’s booming voice shook the square, louder than any loudspeaker. He ripped the rusty iron mask from the monster, revealing a terrifying skeletal face with ghostly flames flickering in its eyes.

“Hiss—”

The crowd fell silent, their long-standing fears not so easily dispelled by mere public humiliation. The monsters feared neither death nor disgrace. Their hollow mouths opened in silent threats, displaying expressions that might be called menacing.

Chen Longshi stood atop the high ground, spear in hand, and shouted, “Folks, what do you see in these monsters? Terror, malice, bloodlust, cruelty, brutality... Yes, all the cruelest words apply! These are the undying monsters that have oppressed Town King City for generations. Why are they so fearsome? Is it just these ugly faces? No—it’s the curse of immortality!”

The crowd remained tense; some children burst into tears.

Zhi Jiang frowned, doubting the purpose of this display.

“They’re fearless because of the curse of immortality,” Chen Longshi continued loudly. “But if this curse is no longer their shield, will you still fear them? If these monsters know they can truly die, will they remain so recklessly unafraid?”

Whispers spread: “Can we really kill these undying monsters?”

Even the monsters themselves seemed skeptical, showing mocking expressions. They possessed intelligence, more than just battle cunning. Their jaws opened in silent roars, soul flames flaring defiantly.

“Today, we will end the myth of the undying monsters!”

At Chen Longshi’s nod, Ji Bu stepped forward with a loud cry and smashed one monster’s skull with his hammer. Yet even with its head obliterated, a wisp of soul flame drifted out, slowly repairing the bones.

“It’s not dead!” someone shouted.

“Yes, watch closely—soon it will be truly dead.” Chen Longshi spread his left hand, moving deliberately. In his palm, the head of Tun Tun appeared, silently opening its mouth and sucking in the soul flame.

In an instant, the soul flame was consumed by a more terrifying maw of black mist.

“Ah, the soul flame is gone!” the crowd gasped.

A breeze swept by, and the monster’s corpse dissolved into ashes, scattered to the wind.

Everyone in the square was stunned—even the other undying monster, usually so confident, froze. The soul flames in its eye sockets flickered wildly—it sensed, “My companion... is dead, truly dead!”

“So we can die after all.”

At that moment, their long-standing reliance vanished, and unprecedented terror invaded—the monster trembled uncontrollably, even its bindings unable to hold it still.

“Folks, open your eyes and see! Now, look at the expression of these monsters who once oppressed you for generations—look at their skeletal faces, their quivering soul flames, their trembling bones...

Tell me, what do you see now?”

The crowd stared at the monsters, unable to believe the drastic shift. Even the children stopped crying, tears still on their faces, eyes wide. A young voice rang out clearly, “The monster... seems afraid.”

The adult beside the child jumped, quickly covering the child’s mouth.

Chen Longshi declared loudly, “Yes, it’s afraid.

...

When monsters that never died suddenly realize they, too, can perish, how do they react? They fear death more than ordinary people! If it could, this monster would have wet itself by now.

Look at it—it’s trembling all over in sheer terror.

They are no longer invincible monsters; they will die at our hands.”

With a wave, the impatient Ou Lian stepped forward and stabbed his sword through the forehead of the shivering monster. Chen Longshi, deliberately slow,