The Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2437 - Giant Spirit Divine Manor's Treasure Map, Nine Stars Emperor City

Qing Shui retracted his Marrow Nibbling Golden Dragon Silkworm. The only thing you gained from killing someone was their head on the floor; Qing Shui hadn't wanted to kill, but these types of battle didn't allow one to hold back. The price of being merciful would be the cruelest for yourself.

Ling Chen's body was drenched in cold sweat. After all, he had just taken a trip to the gates of death. In all honesty, he didn't think Qing Shui would let him live. Under such circumstances, he wouldn't have done it if their roles were to be reversed.

Ling Chen wiped his sweat and approached Qing Shui. Any demonic beasts from before were kept, leaving an empty land around them. It was because of this that everyone took a rest.

"Young brother, to be honest, I didn't think you'd let me off." Ling Chen was happy and contented like he had just been given a new lease of life.

"Actually, I didn't have any intention of killing you. Are you still repaying Miraculous Physician Pang's favor?" Qing Shui laughed.

"I can't say. I owe him a favor, so it wouldn't be loyal to talk about it." Ling Chen spoke honorably.

"Pfft! Isn't that equivalent to you revealing it? I see you truly aren't loyal." Nuo Lan laughed.

Ling Chen stared absentmindedly at Nuo Lan. This woman was too alluring. When he snapped back to reality, he chuckled embarrassedly. "Sister, I was startled by your goddess-like beauty. I was reckless earlier, please don't take offense."

Qing Shui was stunned. Watching Ling Chen, he realized that he was still a young man…

Nuo Lan didn't seem to blame him. "Cut it off. The men who dared say those words to me didn't have a good end. Some of them aren't even men anymore. Do you want to give it a try?"

Qing Shui and Nuo Lan had been with each other for some time now without progress, just like him with Ziche Sha. Now Qing Shui could tell that Nuo Lan seemed to like Ling Chen.

"I'll pass. I've never had a woman. If I stopped being a man just like that, it'd be a lifelong regret." Ling Chen shook his head frantically.

Hao Tian burst into laughter. "You're a virgin?"

"Is that embarrassing?" Ling Chen froze as he seemed to realize he made a small mistake.

"He is. I can confirm with my physician's sight. I had wondered if you weren't allowed to lose your virginity due to cultivation, but I don't think that's the case. And it wasn't like you're incapable… Unless it's a psychological problem?" Qing Shui smiled.

"Don't, don't. I'll tell you myself. Don't speculate. I did have to remain a virgin due to my cultivation previously, but I had broken through three years ago, so that's no longer necessary…"

"So, you have never done it in three years…" Hao Tian clicked his tongue at Ling Chen.

"I didn't find anyone suitable. I'm a traditional person…"

Ling Chen's words made many of the men roll their eyes. Nuo Lan turned her attention to Qing Shui. "You're sure whatever you said before is true?"

"What did I say?" Qing Shui smiled.

Nuo Lan's expression looked rigid. "Rascal, you know what I mean. Quick."

"Alright, alright. I'm sure. Whatever I said before is true." Qing Shui retained his smile.

Everyone understood now. It turned out that Nuo Lan's preference in men was…

Nuo Lan panicked at the crowd's attention on her. "What are you looking at? I want to find a man who belongs only to me."

Ling Chen's eyes lit up. "Does that mean I can…"

Nuo Lan's gaze turned cold as she stared at Ling Chen. "Did I say anything about us?"

"No, no. Don't be angry, Miss. Anger won't do good for your health. Oh, right. This is Giant Spirit Divine Manor, why don't we take a look inside." Ling Chen wasn't a fool. He knew that Ling Chen was interested in him and was exceptionally happy.

It was then when everyone saw the words on the stone wall, Giant Spirit Divine Manor.

The words seemed decent. It wasn't their kind of gorgeous, but it might be due to the era when it was written. It was faded, but the handwriting was forceful, revealing a feeling of ferocity beyond compare.

"There's no door?" Everyone searched but couldn't find one.

"We can blast through this stone wall." Qing Shui's Heavenly Vision Technique saw that it was empty and landed a punch right after speaking.

Rumble!

Giant boulders collapsed, revealing a huge hole.

"What a paradise." Feeling the Spiritual Qi from within, Ling Chen smiled.

"Let's head in. Perhaps there are some treasures in there." Tugging the two women with him, Qing Shui said. Ling Chen shamelessly followed behind Nuo Lan at a distance, not too near or far.

The people entered the hole. It wasn't dark inside. There was a tunnel as corridor, covered in a thick layer of dust. After a few kilometers, a great palace appeared before them. It was about two hundred meters tall and a few kilometers in width and length. It had been a huge project to have built this along the walls of a mountain.

Giant Spirit Divine Manor!

The words appeared once more in the center of the great palace with a mural below it. The mural illustrated powerful giants wearing armor, holding a huge club or a spear without its head.

There was a stone table below the mural but there was nothing on top of it. This reminded Qing Shui of the Daoist Temple once more; could that have been the real Giant Spirit Divine Manor?

After searching the area, they found absolutely nothing. It was too clean, to the extent that it seemed unbelievable.

However, there was nothing for them to do but accept reality. Before they left, Qing Shui took the mural. It was a regular drawing, but Qing Shui decided to keep it. Just as he flipped it over to roll it up, he was stunned.

There was a map and a line of words. Nine Suns Domain, Nine Suns True Dragon Mountain.

Qing Shui kept the map without uttering a word. He wouldn't be able to go there now for it was the strongest domain within the Upper Three Regions. Searching for treasure there would be equivalent to seeking death. He'd revisit this place when he grew stronger.

What he found should have been a hidden treasure map.

Overall, including what they had gotten from the Daoist Temple, they gained decently from the trip. Qing Shui even had a feeling that the Daoist Temple might have been shifted from here…

……

The group left the territory after a week and even the Ice Star Nation. Even though it was near Ice Star Nation's Emperor City, Qing Shui didn't wish to return. Nine Stars Domain had a special place which was higher than any country.

Nine Stars Emperor City. It was said that this was where the Nine Stars gathered and where it was protected by the Nine Stars. It was a huge city and the most terrifying place in the Nine Stars Domain. Nine Stars Emperor City was filled with strong warriors. Any powerful force would think of a way to get in here.

The Nine Continents Mighty Spear Sect, Ling Chen's clan, was at Nine Stars Emperor City. Qing Shui hesitated but decided to head over in the end. The Demon Gate and Divine Palace there should be the strongest in Nine Stars Domain. Qing Shui would really have to properly stop there for a while; his own abilities were no longer enough to disregard other groups of superior warriors…

Ling Chen naturally welcomed Qing Shui and the rest. His heart was fully on Nuo Lan now, and he planned to follow Qing Shui. Of course, he had an ulterior motive, but it didn't seem to be as troublesome now. Moreover, he had had progress with Nuo Lan during the past few days like taking a stroll together at times…