Divine Mountain Unyielding Body

Ling Yun woke up lazily around noon and headed downstairs to order some food and wine.

"Did you hear? The Sword Sect, Clearwater Sect, and a few other sects will begin recruiting new disciples in three months," said a group of five women sitting at a nearby table. Ling Yun perked up his ears and listened carefully.

"Yeah, last time I got stuck on the second trial for Clearwater Sect and was eliminated," one woman said.

"The Sword Sect's tests are even more brutal—it's like they're designed to torture people," another chimed in.

"I'd still rather join the Heavenly Joy Sect. Did you see the men in there? Each one is more attractive than the last! If I could get in, I'd die happy," someone else commented.

"Ha, if you did get in, you'd be drained dry in a couple of days," another woman retorted.

…

'The sect trials are in three months. I'll need to prepare and strengthen myself before then,' Ling Yun thought, making plans in his head.

At that moment, a figure quietly sat down across from him.

"Daoist Chen, long time no see. You're not easy to find," a soft voice said with a smile. It was Mei Xue, her innocent-looking face hiding her true intentions.

Yesterday, Mei Qingyan had sought her out to help capture a man. After asking a few questions, Mei Xue immediately knew the man in question was Ling Yun—his unique features were hard to miss. There weren't many men in the entire Phoenix Dynasty with such fair skin, striking looks, long legs, and dark hair.

"Oh? Yet here I am, found by you," Ling Yun replied calmly. He had anticipated that Mei Xue would track him down.

Given the Mei family's influence in Moon Spirit City, it wasn't difficult for them to find someone.

"Have you given any more thought to my invitation to join Clearwater Sect?" Mei Xue asked.

"I appreciate your offer, but when the sect trials begin, I plan to enter on my own merits," Ling Yun said. Even if he decided to join Clearwater Sect, it wouldn't be through Mei Xue's recommendation. After all, any family that produced someone like Mei Qingyan likely wasn't full of upstanding people.

Mei Xue pressed, "Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"

Ling Yun remained silent, making it clear he wasn't interested.

"It seems you don't have much of a choice," Mei Xue's tone turned cold, her gentle facade dropping.

"You're welcome to try," Ling Yun said without a hint of fear.

Before the tension could escalate further, a burst of laughter interrupted them.

"Hahaha! Mei dog, what wicked schemes are you plotting now?" A woman's voice rang out as three women in green martial robes, each with a sword strapped to their backs, entered the room. The one who spoke was the woman in the middle, clearly their leader.

"Hu Ying! What are you doing here?" Mei Xue stood up, shock written all over her face.

"It's going to be a good show," someone whispered from the crowd of onlookers.

"Everyone knows Sword Sect and Clearwater Sect are bitter rivals. Things are about to get interesting," another commented.

"Is no one noticing that handsome man at the side?" one woman murmured, eyeing Ling Yun.

Hu Ying marched right up to Mei Xue and shoved her aside, taking a seat next to Ling Yun.

Mei Xue could only glare in silence, clearly furious but making no move to retaliate.

"What are you looking at, you scheming worm? One more look and I'll wipe you out," Hu Ying sneered.

"Hu Ying, don't push me too far," Mei Xue seethed, gritting her teeth, though she didn't dare make a move.

Two years ago, she had tried to use tricks to defeat Hu Ying but failed. Now, with Hu Ying's two companions, she knew she stood no chance.

"Don't worry, young master," Hu Ying said, turning to Ling Yun. "We're from Sword Sect. That trash over there often scouts attractive men, tricking them into joining Clearwater Sect, only to offer them up to high-ranking members in exchange for cultivation resources."

Hu Ying pointed her finger right at Mei Xue's face, almost touching her nose.

Mei Xue endured it without reacting, even as her face burned with humiliation.

Ling Yun finally understood Mei Xue's eagerness to recruit him. She had an ulterior motive.

Hu Ying, noticing Ling Yun's impressive aura, even with his face covered, felt admiration for him. It would be a shame if such a handsome man were to fall victim to Clearwater Sect's schemes.

"Young master, if you're interested, you could always join Sword Sect instead," Hu Ying offered.

"Alright. I'll come by when the time comes," Ling Yun replied.

Compared to Clearwater Sect, the Sword Sect gave Ling Yun a much better impression. Although Hu Ying and her companions were a bit rough around the edges, they seemed genuine.

"Hahaha! Great! I'll be waiting for your good news at the sect," Hu Ying laughed, her ponytail swaying as she stood up.

"We'll leave you to enjoy yourself then," she said, preparing to leave.

"Take care," Ling Yun cupped his hands in a polite gesture.

"And as for you," Hu Ying glared at Mei Xue, "why are you still here? Scram!"

"Young Master Ling is now a prospective disciple of Sword Sect. If anything happens to him, I'll report it to the sect, and they'll deal with you."

With that, Hu Ying and her companions drove Mei Xue out of the inn.

'The Sword Sect is a few hundred cities away from here. I'd better hurry and leave after picking up my spiritual herbs from Treasure Pavilion,' Ling Yun thought to himself.

…

Two nights later, Ling Yun sat in his room, placing the herbs he had collected on the table.

The Glazed Fruit had a yellow outer skin with purple flesh inside—it looked like a mix between a banana and a dragon fruit gone wrong.

Ling Yun ground the spiritual plants into a thick juice, filling over half a bucket.

"So much liquid," he muttered.

Stripping off his clothes, Ling Yun lowered himself into the herbal bath.

Instantly, the essence of the herbs surged toward him, flooding into his body.

A feeling of fullness overwhelmed him.

Ling Yun quickly followed the meridian pathways described in the "Glazed Golden Bell Cover" technique, guiding the herbal essence through specific channels in his body.

After about an hour, the sensation of being about to burst finally subsided.

Five hours later, Ling Yun opened his eyes, a golden light flashing from within them. He was stunned.

Just now, the medicinal power had fused with his Yang energy!

With a single thought, Ling Yun's skin turned golden, giving him a sturdy, impenetrable appearance.

"From now on, I'll call this the 'Divine Mountain Unyielding Body.'"

Ding! Congratulations to the host for mastering the lower-grade Earth level technique: Divine Mountain Unyielding Body.

Divine Mountain Unyielding Body: Greatly enhances physical defense. When standing still, defense is tripled. Strongly resists curses, miasma, toxins, and other negative effects.

Before Ling Yun realized it, he had spent the entire night cultivating. Exhausted, he collapsed into bed and slept until the afternoon.

"Sir, someone left a letter for you," the inn's attendant said as Ling Yun was having his meal.

Ling Yun glanced at the boy. "Has the staff changed? Where's the little girl who worked here before?"

"I heard she quit to take care of her mother," the boy replied.

"I see." Ling Yun didn't think much of it and opened the letter.

"Brother Chen, I have urgent matters to discuss. Meet me at Ten-Mile Slope outside the city. Signed: Bi Gouyu."

"Interesting," Ling Yun thought with a meaningful smile.