nownovels Chapter 27 Triple Pressure
Chapter 27 Triple Pressure
Two more days passed.
An old merman swam to the corner where Gu Shenyan was cultivating.
The mermaid's name was Cang, and he was over two hundred years old.
He held a very high position in the tribe and was once a wise man by the chief’s side, responsible for recording events; he was essentially the tribe’s historian.
In the catastrophe six months ago, the clan chief died in battle, and all the elite troops were wiped out. Only the old, weak, sick, and disabled like him managed to survive.
Cang's tail was already grayish-white, and its scales were dull and lifeless, clearly indicating that its time was not far off.
But those eyes remained as clear as ever.
He stopped two zhang away from Gu Shenyan, stared at him silently for a long time, and then slowly spoke:
"You are not Ze."
His voice was hoarse, yet it conveyed a sense of determination.
Gu Shenyan stopped what he was doing.
"What do you mean?"
"That child, I watched him grow up."
Cang slowly swam a few points closer:
"His eyes only held cowardice and escapism; every time he was humiliated, he would hide in a corner and silently shed tears. But in your eyes..."
He shook his head:
"There's a fire."
"A fire that devours everything."
Gu Shenyan remained silent for a moment, offering no explanation:
"So? What are you trying to say?"
Cang sighed:
I want to take a gamble.
"We old folks won't live much longer."
This old body of mine, staying in this world would only bring more suffering.
But young people... might still have a glimmer of hope.
Gu Shenyan narrowed his eyes.
This old merman's words had a hidden meaning.
Sure enough, Cang continued:
"You are using the Binding Spirit Iron to temper your supernatural powers. Although this method is a shortcut, it is still a viable path. In the past, some powerful demons have used this method to escape from prison."
But...did you know that this Spirit-Binding Iron has even more ruthless uses?
"What is it used for?"
"Transfer".
Cang squinted his eyes:
"The Soul-Binding Irons do not operate in isolation; they can be linked together."
When the human cultivators designed this thing, they left a contingency plan.
Multiple shackles can be linked together, amplifying all the suppressive force onto a single individual.
Gu Shenyan was startled.
"This was originally a form of torture used to punish those who resisted."
The idea is simple: if one pair of shackles can't control you, then keep increasing the pressure.
Triple, five, ten... they'll crush you into a pile of mud.
Cang continued:
"But if one actively endures it, using this extreme suppression to temper one's supernatural abilities..."
Gu Shenyan looked at the old merman in front of him and slowly came to his senses.
This is gambling with your life.
Cang turned around:
"If you wish, go to the reef in the southwest corner at midnight tonight."
I'll get in touch with a few old buddies, and we...we'll give it a try.
Without waiting for Gu Shenyan's response, she swam away.
Gu Shenyan stared in the direction he had gone, remaining silent for a long time.
………………
At midnight, behind the reef in the southwest corner.
Cang was already waiting there, with three other equally aged merfolk beside him, all of whom were the last remaining elders of their clan.
Upon seeing Gu Shenyan arrive, Cang nodded:
"They're here."
"How to transfer the burden?"
Gu Shenyan got straight to the point.
"There are runes on the Spirit-Binding Iron."
Cang raised his wrist, pointing to the fine, hair-like lines on the inside of the shackles:
"Here, here, and here."
Simply touch these three runes simultaneously to establish a 'master-slave connection'.
At that time, the shackles that bind the subordinate will no longer suppress them; all the suppressive force will be transferred to the controller.
He looked at Gu Shenyan:
"Up to twelve shackles can be connected in series."
But the one who suffers must have a strong will, otherwise... they will be reduced to a pile of minced meat.
Gu Shenyan did not hesitate.
He reached out and placed his hand on Cang's shackles, touching the three runes as instructed.
A glimmer of light flashed by.
The shackles on Cang's wrists dimmed, while the shackles on Gu Shenyan's wrists suddenly brightened.
A heavy, oppressive force surged forth.
What was once a small mountain weighing on my shoulders suddenly turned into two.
Gu Shenyan groaned, but forced himself to stand up straight.
"Again."
The second one...
When the pressure of the second pair of shackles was applied to his body, Gu Shenyan felt as if he was about to be crushed.
The bones were cracking, blood flow slowed, and breathing became difficult.
The most terrifying thing is the weight that presses down on one's consciousness.
It was as if three mountains were pressing down on his soul at the same time, making it difficult for him to even think.
He activated his water manipulation technique, and the surrounding seawater remained completely still.
Urge them again.
It remained completely still.
The water that used to flow as easily as his own arm has now become a stranger, no longer obeying his commands.
The old merfolk, including Cang, looked worried and were about to speak to dissuade him, but Gu Shenyan raised his hand to stop them.
"It's alright."
His voice was weak, yet firm:
"This is just the beginning."
Gu Shenyan stared intently at the seawater in front of him, his divine sense feeling as if it were being crushed by a millstone, yet he still desperately urged his water control technique.
A quarter of an hour, a quarter of an hour, a quarter of an hour...
When the first trickle of water finally trembled and floated up, he was completely exhausted.
But those eyes were surprisingly bright.
【Water Control (Spiritual Grade, Lower Level)】
[Proficiency: Beginner (52/100) → Beginner (53/100)]
The training effect is indeed better than before!
………………
At dawn, when the first rays of sunlight shine through the sea into the fishing grounds.
Gu Shenyan suddenly opened his eyes.
He raised his hand, palm up.
Activate the Water Control Divine Power!
The surrounding seawater moved in response, as if its subjects were respectfully gathering before a king.
The water swirls, condenses, and compresses in the palm of your hand.
The three shackles lit up simultaneously, and a terrifying oppressive force surged forth.
But this time, the oppressive force was like waves crashing against rocks.
The surge was immense, yet it could not be shaken in the slightest.
The water droplets solidified like iron, with a faint sheen on their surface, and floated steadily in the palm of the hand.
[Proficiency Level: Beginner (53/100) → Beginner (57/100)]
Such growth overnight!
It's important to know that the higher your skill level, the harder it is to improve.
Cang and the other old merfolk were dumbfounded.
They could clearly feel that the shackles on their wrists had become somewhat dull.
The burden of suppression was mostly taken by the young man in front of him.
Moreover, he not only withstood it, but also broke through under this terrifying suppression!
"This...this is..."
His aged eyes were even a little red:
"This is divine blessing upon our people..."
Gu Shenyan moved his body around.
Although it was still difficult to move, he could feel that his body had begun to adapt to the suppression of the three shackles.
Just then, a beautiful figure swam by.
"What...are you doing?"
The voice was cool and clear, yet it held a hint of curiosity.
Gu Shenyan turned his head and glanced at Lan.
Those eyes no longer held the admiration and humility that Ze originally possessed.
"It's none of your business."
Four words, as cold as an Arctic frost.
Lan's expression changed slightly.
As the young clan leader, no one in the clan dared to be so disrespectful to her.
"you......"
She was about to say something when Gu Shenyan raised his hand to interrupt her.
"If the young clan leader has nothing else to say, please return."
"I still need to cultivate."
After saying that, he turned around and closed his eyes again.
The surrounding seawater surged again, encircling him like a coiling serpent.
Another day passed, and it was time to feed them.
A crack appeared at the top of the formation, and this time more than seventy spirit fish were thrown down.
Clearly, the human cultivators noticed that the merfolk were starting to "involve" and their pearl-producing efficiency was increasing, so they provided them with more bait.
Gu Shenyan remained hidden in the shadows.
This time, however, he did not wait for the strong merfolk to fight over it.
He made his move as soon as the spirit fish was cast.
Water control supernatural power, activated at full force!
The seawater within a radius of several feet was immediately stirred up.
Before the six spirit fish could react, they were lifted up by an invisible current and brought directly to him.
The movements were so fluid and fast that the other merfolk had no time to react.
By the time they came to their senses, the six fattest spirit fish had already fallen into Gu Shenyan's hands.
Other merfolk also began to follow Gu Shenyan's method, using their water manipulation abilities to slowly guide the spirit fish.
But the results were far less effective than his.
Their skills weren't sophisticated enough, and their control over the water flow wasn't delicate enough; often, after trying to lure the fish for a long time, the fish would have already swum away.
Gu Shenyan, however, was able to precisely control every wisp of water, making the spirit fish obediently fall into his palm.
This is the difference in proficiency.
Gu Shenyan, holding six spirit fish, swam into the deeper shadows.
He made sure no one was around before swallowing the spirit fish one by one.
In his mind, the bronze mirror appeared.
Six squares lit up.
Silver-scaled Fish (Common Grade, Superior) x6
He synthesized it in two stages.
[Should we proceed with the synthesis?]
Main ingredient: Silver Scaled Fish (Common Grade, Superior) x3
[Estimated Result: Silver Arowana (Spiritual Grade, Lower Level)]
[Required Cost: A meager amount of life essence]
[Note: This synthesis will consume six years of the host's lifespan.]
"Refine!"
A surge of light appeared, and the three spirit fish merged into one.
After a while.
Silver Dragonfish (Spiritual Grade, Lower Level) x1
He did the same, combining the remaining three.
Silver Dragonfish (Spiritual Grade, Lower Level) x2
Lifespan: 38/296 → 38/284
Two silver arowanas were acquired, but at the cost of twelve years of lifespan.
But in dreams, these are just numbers.
Gu Shenyan chose "use" without hesitation.
Two streams of light simultaneously entered his chest.
The bones and tendons are being tempered, the muscles are being rebuilt, and the blood is being elevated...
【Water Control (Spiritual Grade, Lower Level)】
[Proficiency Level: Beginner (57/100) → Beginner (60/100)]
Lifespan: 38/284 → 38/288
With increased proficiency, lifespan will increase back to four years.
Gu Shenyan clenched his fist, his strength surging through his body.
To be honest, the slight increase in proficiency gained from consuming spiritual food is just a bonus.
What truly has value is that after consuming the spiritual food, it can provide one with continuous nutrition for the next few days.
And continuously increase the activity of spiritual energy to accelerate one's cultivation.