[[Calming Heart Mantra:] Grey Quality, this is a method specialized in cultivating the mind. The practitioner concentrates the spirit and stabilizes their breath, unifies their heart, and achieves a realm where they remain unmoved regardless of the winds and rains that beat down upon them.]
[Disadvantage:] This method is incomplete, possessing only the first volume, and its effectiveness is significantly reduced.
[This secret skill can be cultivated without stepping into the Mysterious Might Realm.]
[Consuming ten Fortune Points can repair the incompleteness, upgrading it to White Quality.]
"Calming Heart Mantra, what a great thing."
Wen Zhixing felt a surge of joy in his heart. The Calming Heart Mantra specifically counters the side effects of the Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill. The most crucial point is that this secret skill, like the Blood Escape Skill, can be cultivated without entering the Mysterious Might Realm. I had always pretended to have consumed the elixir before, but I also feared that one day I wouldn't be able to keep up the act. Now with the Calming Heart Mantra, that last worry has also vanished. Even if I were to take the Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill in the future, I wouldn't be afraid of any mishaps. However, the Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill attacks both the body and the mind, and the Calming Heart Mantra cannot neutralize the toxicity of the pill. Even if one can ignore the pain, the damage to the physical body still exists.
It seems that another of Zhang Tiancheng's fortunes is related to the physical body, Wen Zhixing mused, getting a rough idea of everything. I have [Revival of the Withered Tree], so even if the toxin in the Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill causes me pain, it wouldn't matter. If this body were to undergo nirvana once or twice more, then the toxicity of the Wonderous Soul-devouring Pill would be nothing more than an extra meal to me.
Wen Zhixing did not hesitate any longer. He once again spent two months of his life-span to extract a Fortune Fragment. The reward for fortune was still the same as last time. But this time, Wen Zhixing chose the first item, Fortune Points.
[Fortune Points +1.]
Five Fortune Points now, Wen Zhixing thought, glancing at his attribute panel. It's been over half a month, and I've only accumulated five Fortune Points—not even enough for one upgrade. There's no helping it; I've spent most of my time healing. Opportunities to gain Fortune Fragments haven't been plentiful.
"Junior Brother Wen, you've just recovered. Senior Brother, I still have matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer," Zhang Tiancheng said.
After they exchanged a few more pleasantries, Zhang Tiancheng prepared to take his leave.
"Is Senior Brother going on patrol?" Wen Zhixing quickly got up and replied with a smile, "Why not take me along?"
Ever since he arrived at the Wonderous Palace, he had never had the chance to go out. Now, it was high time for a stroll.
Zhang Tiancheng, upon hearing this, said, "Junior Brother, it's already late today. How about this, tomorrow Senior Brother will take you for a proper patrol."
"Then… I will trouble Senior Brother to make the trip again tomorrow," Wen Zhixing replied with a smile and a nod.
"Between you and me, there's no need for such formalities," Zhang Tiancheng feigned displeasure, then patted Wen Zhixing on the shoulder and left with a smile.
Watching Zhang Tiancheng's departing figure, Wen Zhixing felt a tinge of disappointment. Actually, I've been waiting for Zhang Tiancheng to bring up the matter of the Righteous Sun Sect. I want to meet this so-called Senior Brother Mu. Escaping from the Wonderous Palace isn't difficult. The difficulty lies in not being found by the Wonderous Palace afterward or, if found, ensuring they can no longer harm me. That would require finding a powerful backer. The only influential connection I could possibly rely on right now is someone from the Righteous Sun Sect. Even if the Righteous Sun Sect only wants to use me as a pawn, I have to give it a try. It's a pity Zhang Tiancheng is still so cautious; he didn't bring it up with me rashly.
「The next day.」
Zhang Tiancheng indeed came to visit again. Wen Zhixing had not slept all night. He had been practicing the Calming Heart Mantra, but unfortunately, he hadn't been able to achieve a breakthrough.
Without stepping into the Mysterious Might Realm, it's so difficult to cultivate techniques or use secret skills! Wen Zhixing thought, a sense of frustration welling up within him. But I also know these things can't be rushed.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two left the place side by side. Wen Zhixing's small courtyard was located on top of the central peak of the Wonderous Palace; the residences of other Wonderous Palace furnaces were also nearby, though Wen Zhixing had never visited them. This was the second time Wen Zhixing had left his small courtyard. The path they took this time was different from the one Qiu Yinger had taken before. As furnaces, they were not allowed to walk on the main roads but could only proceed along the mountain paths.
Mist enshrouded the area, as if it were an earthly fairyland. Yet the mountain path was treacherous and rugged, with no guardrails on either side for protection. The blowing mountain wind would likely make an ordinary person's legs tremble with fear.
"Junior Brother Wen, be careful," Zhang Tiancheng, walking ahead, turned his head to remind him.
"Mm," Wen Zhixing nodded in response. His legs also felt somewhat numb. This stretch of road was rather chilling.
As the two of them moved along, they soon saw rows of thatched houses built on the mountainside. The thatched houses were simple and somewhat dilapidated, looking as though they had not been repaired in a long time.
"Junior Brother, that's where the other junior brothers live. You just stand aside and watch for now," Zhang Tiancheng remarked.
Soon enough, the two arrived in front of a thatched house. It was empty inside except for a wooden plank bed and no other furnishings. The walls were even more mottled with age, with cracks barely visible.
So this is how good my own living conditions are in comparison, Wen Zhixing thought.
Zhang Tiancheng didn't speak and lifted his foot, heading towards the next thatched house. A dozen houses in a row showed no signs of life.
"Normally, we martial brothers are usually busy with tasks within the Wonderous Palace and rarely return here," Zhang Tiancheng explained as they walked.
Wen Zhixing, puzzled, asked, "If no one is here, Senior Brother Zhang, why did you come?"
"I came to see if anyone has died." Zhang Tiancheng turned back to look at him expressionlessly. "If there's anyone here, it means they've been drained and sent back."
"This..." Wen Zhixing felt a heaviness in his heart. He suddenly understood everything, and the atmosphere inexplicably shifted.
Soon, all the thatched houses were checked one by one. Indeed, a few of the houses were occupied. The inhabitants were all in terrible condition but, fortunately, were still alive, sustained by an elixir. Everyone looked emaciated, with vacant gazes, and showed little to no reaction to their visitors.
Wen Zhixing looked at the pitiful state of the people before him, a strange feeling welling up inside. I have Revival of the Withered Tree to protect me, so I'm not afraid of being drained. But what about these people? Is there any hope for them? Even if they are saved this time, what about the next?
Zhang Tiancheng seemed unfazed by the grim sight. He quickly checked the condition of these people. Afterward, without further delay, he led Wen Zhixing away.
"Senior Brother Zhang, are we just going to leave them like this?" Wen Zhixing halted, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Manage them? How can we manage?" Zhang Tiancheng also paused, his gaze remaining calm.
Wen Zhixing found himself at a loss for words. Indeed, how could they manage? What could the two of them possibly achieve?
"All we can do is check if they're dead. If they are, we bury them so that, at the very least, they can be laid to rest peacefully when they go," Zhang Tiancheng turned around and spoke again. He seemed nonchalant, yet his voice carried a strong undertone of resentment. "The lives of us furnaces... they're cheaper than grass."
Wen Zhixing was silent, unsure how to respond.
"Let's go." Zhang Tiancheng didn't express his emotions further and quickly led Wen Zhixing towards their next destination.
"WOOF! WOOF!"
"Heehee, good dog. Bark, keep barking for me."
"WOOF! WOOF WOOF!"
Just as the two had arrived at another mountain peak, they heard the sound of a girl's laughter, seemingly training a pet.
Zhang Tiancheng's expression changed at the sound, and even his footsteps came to a halt. Wen Zhixing still didn't understand what had happened when he heard more voices coming from ahead.
"Senior Sister Ning Shan, your Beast Creation Skill is truly masterful. However, I don't like dogs. How about turning him into a porker?"