nownovels Chapter 29 First Encounter
Chapter 29 First Encounter
On the top floor of the Hidden Dragon Pavilion, in the secret cultivation chamber blessed by countless ancient runes, a wave of heat rushed out, distorting the air like boiling water and steaming with white mist.
Wang Dao was shirtless, his three thousand strands of black hair dancing wildly, each strand seemingly being blown by a scorching airflow.
His body was covered in a layer of crimson blood and qi, which burned intensely on his bronze skin like a layer of leaping flames, making a sizzling sound, as if countless tiny sparks were bursting out from his pores.
The scorching heat baked the floor and walls of the secret chamber, and the hard rock surfaces even began to turn red. If it weren't for the array formations around the secret chamber forming an indestructible barrier that firmly locked in this terrifying heat, the entire Hidden Dragon Pavilion would have long since turned to ashes and ceased to exist under the burning of martial arts blood.
Once a martial arts cultivator's qi and blood reach this level, they become impervious to ordinary fire and weapons, their power far exceeding imagination.
Within Wang Dao lay a raging, unparalleled power; every muscle trembled slightly, as if a volcano were about to erupt, ready to burst him apart at any moment.
He stood in the center of the secret chamber, his figure like a majestic mountain rising from the primordial wilderness, still as a mountain, yet capable of causing the heavens and earth to collapse when he moved.
At this moment, his muscles were bulging like a dragon, and faint golden lines emerged from under his skin, like ancient deity's markings or dragon veins surging deep within the earth, sacred and mysterious.
All 206 bones in his body had turned into a brilliant gold, radiating a faint yet vast divine light, like a golden skeleton left behind by a god in the mortal world. Any ray of light that touched it seemed to be purified by this sacred aura.
"Dragon Spine Realm, finally complete!"
A glint of light flashed in Wang Dao's eyes as he felt the surging power within his body, and a satisfied smile curved his lips.
During this period, he devoted almost all his time to cultivation, without even enjoying a moment of peace.
Sweat poured down his body like rain, each drop carrying his yearning for rebirth.
"Without strength, you have to live in fear. This feeling of walking on thin ice is really unbearable."
Wang Dao sneered inwardly, the image of Wang Ming's arrogant face flashing through his mind.
That madman could jump out at any moment and stab him with a sword. This deep-seated sense of crisis made it impossible for him to sleep peacefully. Only by constantly becoming stronger could he feel at ease and firmly grasp his destiny in his own hands.
He swallowed the last Marrow Cleansing Pill in his hand, and all the resources he had accumulated, including the immense medicinal power of the thousand-year-old blood ginseng, as well as countless precious Marrow Cleansing Pills and Tiger Bone Penetrating Essence, were ruthlessly consumed by him.
These days, he's like a bottomless pit, frantically devouring all kinds of rare and precious materials that can strengthen his physical body.
The reward is the pulsating source point on the panel, and the dazzling words "Perfect" for the Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound Technique.
At this moment, Wang Dao's body exuded a faint fragrance, which was the jade-like luster emanating from his bones, which had been tempered to the extreme, like a warm and lustrous piece of jade.
His spine, in particular, was so lively at this moment that all twenty-four vertebrae were like dragons swimming in water. Each vertebra could rotate and exert force independently, making it extremely flexible, as if it contained a real dragon that could take off at any moment.
He could clearly feel that every bone in his spine was trembling in response to his will, emitting a subtle yet vibrant hum.
Wang Dao took a deep breath, and the airflow in his body transformed into golden vortexes, eventually converging in his dantian before suddenly exploding and turning into a torrent of heat that surged through his limbs and bones.
He lowered his feet as if rooted to the ground, lunged forward, brought his left fist to his waist, and slammed his right fist forward.
He didn't deliberately use the complex moves of the Giant Spirit Mountain-Carrying Fist; it was just a basic straight punch, yet it displayed astonishing power. Before the punch even arrived, a gust of wind had already howled up, causing the black hair on his forehead to dance wildly backward.
"Full force!"
With a low shout in his heart, the great dragon of his spine suddenly trembled, and the twenty-four golden joints crackled instantly, like the thunder of a divine dragon exploding in the sky, or like the ancient dragon roar echoing within his body.
An overwhelming and unstoppable surge of violent power rose from the soles of his feet, twisted through his waist, and finally, through the pulsation of his spine, poured into his right fist without reservation.
This punch was no longer a simple burst of arm strength, but a combined force of the whole body, from pushing off the ground with the feet, twisting the waist, and snapping the spine. Muscles, bones, and blood, under the perfect control of the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound Technique, were perfectly integrated and transformed into a devastating torrent.
"boom!"
The air in front of the fist was violently blasted apart, producing a deafening explosion and forming a visible white shockwave that roared and tore through the void with several times the explosive force of the previous punch.
The fierce fist wind carried a domineering force that could tear everything apart, slamming into the rune-covered wall of the secret chamber. Even with the protective array, the wall shook violently, and countless runes lit up instantly before quickly dimming, as if they had endured an unimaginable impact.
This is just the aftermath, yet it is already so terrifying.
……
Inside the guest room of Qianlong Pavilion, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, yet it couldn't dispel the palpable anxiety that permeated the atmosphere.
Zheng Wanqing and Ji Mingyue sat facing each other. The maids had already informed them of Wang Dao's seclusion and cultivation.
At this moment, Ji Mingyue held a teacup and looked towards the secret room at the top, where she could vaguely feel a scorching heat.
"I never expected Seventh Young Master to be so diligent." Ji Mingyue put down her teacup and sighed softly, a hint of appreciation in her star-like eyes. "I have seen too many young talents who claim to be exceptionally gifted, but few can devote themselves to cultivation so tirelessly."
Indeed, there is no shortcut to success; only hard work and perseverance can pave the way to great things.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Wanqing's eyes revealed a hint of admiration, but more than that, they were filled with lingering worry.
She had just learned from the maids that Wang Dao was almost constantly cultivating, not sleeping at all, and even his meals were just hastily prepared.
She could somewhat guess what was going on with Wang Dao's mind—that guy was afraid.
"This child... is too hardworking." Zheng Wanqing took a sip of tea, her brows furrowing with worry. "I've been busy with other household matters these days and have neglected his upbringing."
"The way of martial arts emphasizes a balance of tension and relaxation, and a combination of strength and gentleness. How can someone train like this every day without regard for their life? Martial arts training is inherently prone to damaging one's foundation. If he continues like this, he will suffer hidden injuries sooner or later, and it will be too late to regret it."
"This child doesn't understand anything, all he does is worry people."
Zheng Wanqing's tone was clearly blaming, but beneath that blaming lay a deep concern for the kingly way.
Ji Mingyue took in Zheng Wanqing's changing expressions and wondered to herself.
Wang Dao was not Zheng Wanqing's biological son, but the princess's concern for him clearly surpassed that of an ordinary stepmother, and was even more genuine than that of some biological mothers.
This puzzled even the eldest princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The internal relationships within the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion are far more complex than outside rumors suggest.
"Your Highness need not worry too much," Ji Mingyue said, trying to comfort her. "Seventh Young Master is exceptionally gifted, and his physique must be extraordinary as well."
"However, what the princess said is very true; a balance between work and rest is the right way."
"In a few days, there will be a large auction in Zhenbei Royal City. There will be countless rare treasures and many noble families gathering there. Why don't you let the Seventh Young Master go there to relax?"
Just as the two were chatting casually and the atmosphere was gradually easing, a series of steady and powerful footsteps suddenly came from outside the reception room. Each step seemed to tread on one's heartstrings, carrying a unique rhythm.
Immediately afterwards, a scorching and powerful surge of energy and blood rushed into the living room like a tidal wave, making it difficult for people to breathe.
The person arrived before the voice.
"princess!"
Before he finished speaking, a tall and slender figure appeared at the entrance of the guest hall; it was Wang Dao, who had just finished his cultivation.
His black hair, flowing like a waterfall, was now slightly disheveled by the heat, and glistening beads of sweat clung to his forehead. Golden lines were faintly visible on his bronze skin, and although his vital energy had been contained, he still exuded a chilling aura.
His eyes were clear and sharp, carrying a focus and purity that came from just emerging from his cultivation.
Wang Dao first said something to Zheng Wanqing, then his gaze naturally fell on Ji Mingyue.
A hint of doubt flashed in those eyes, which was made no attempt to conceal, and the question was asked directly:
"Who is this?"