Chapter 63: A Ruheng

"Outsourcing?"

Although Elder Yuwen didn't understand what "outsourcing" meant, he at least grasped that Ditian was instructing him to personally handle the matter rather than delegating it to others.

He had indeed been considering assigning someone else—after all, this wasn't an invasion of Eastsea City, just a simple kidnapping of a young girl. Any of his subordinates at the Spirit Sage or Spirit Douluo level would have been more than capable of handling it.

However, he now understood that there was no room for slacking off.

The commanding tone of the Beast God left no room for hesitation.

He quickly responded, "I'll go myself! Right away, immediately!"

After assembling his "troops" and making a few brief arrangements for the division's affairs, he took off at full speed toward Eastsea City under Ditian's watchful gaze.

With Zhenhua's matter resolved, Ditian naturally couldn't neglect Muye.

The Body Sect had dominated the continent for over ten thousand years, with its original sect grounds located in the chasm region of the former Douhun Empire.

However, a storm of events changed everything ten thousand years ago.

The war between the three nations of the original continent and the former Sun-Moon Empire resulted in the complete annexation of the Douhun Empire, despite the Body Sect fighting to the bitter end as its protector.

The sect master and young sect master perished in battle, and the remaining disciples relocated to the former Douling Empire.

Later, as the former Sun-Moon Empire's oppression intensified, the Douling Empire discovered new lands through seafaring and decided to migrate its entire population.

Following this upheaval, the Body Sect split into two factions: one followed the former Douling Empire to the new continent and established a new nation under the name "Tian Dou," while the other remained on the old continent under Sun-Moon Empire rule.

Now, the current location of the Body Sect was no secret, and Ditian arrived swiftly.

The sect's mountain gate was not grand, but it was incredibly well-hidden and situated near the city of Tian Dou, where Muye resided.

The sect had few disciples, most of them young. The adult members who had reached sufficient cultivation levels were sent into various industries, contributing to the sect's foundation.

Ditian strolled leisurely through the Body Sect's grounds, yet despite passing numerous disciples, none seemed to notice his presence, continuing their tasks as if he were invisible.

Just as Muye had lamented, this once-mighty sect with a history spanning millennia now lacked even a single Hyper Douluo.

The only person left to oversee it was a Titled Douluo—a Poison-type elder who, like Muye and A Ruheng, possessed a Body Spirit.

This elder, however, had weaker innate talent and a low natural soul power. Despite having a top-tier Body Spirit, he had failed to break through to Hyper Douluo.

At this moment, the Poison Elder was inside the sect's secret chamber, guiding a bald young man in cultivation.

Perhaps Muye, believing that his own cultivation path had gone astray, had entrusted his top disciple, A Ruheng, to the Poison Elder for instruction.

"Very good, very good!" The Poison Elder's expression gradually grew excited.

He could clearly see that A Ruheng's cracked, bloodied skin was healing at an observable rate, forming scabs that soon peeled away, revealing fresh, healthy skin.

Simultaneously, faint golden runes surfaced on his skin, growing deeper and more radiant.

These runes arranged themselves in a compact and orderly pattern, covering every inch of his skin.

However, just as they reached their peak radiance, they quickly dimmed and faded, vanishing into his skin entirely.

Though his appearance seemed ordinary once more, his combat strength had undoubtedly risen by more than one level.

This was the outward manifestation of the Body Sect's strongest technique: Innate Secret Method as it progressed from beginner to minor achievement.

When a cultivator neared the entry threshold for the Innate Secret Method, golden runes would manifest on their body—the deeper the color, the closer they were to minor achievement. Once the runes solidified and reached their utmost depth, the technique would be fully initiated.

Upon reaching minor achievement, the golden runes would sink into the body, disappearing from the surface while leaving the body immeasurably strong.

This was precisely A Ruheng's current stage.

At the great achievement level, golden light would radiate from the entire body, as if it had been cast from gold.

Upon reaching Perfection, the technique would simplify to its essence—the body appearing ordinary, yet when activated, the golden light would flow like a dense liquid, coating the user in a protective layer resembling an external organ, akin to donning an armor of divine metal.

This pinnacle state, known as Flawless Golden Body, also earned the title Golden Arhat.

Upon achieving it, one would be immune to all negative statuses, self-purifying, and impervious to poison.

Additionally, all energy-control soul skills would be rendered ineffective against them, and they would be able to absorb any energy from the world to nourish themselves.

In every way, Flawless Golden Body surpassed even the most advanced four-word battle armor.

This was A Ruheng's ultimate cultivation goal, as well as the hope of the entire Body Sect.

The Poison Elder's voice trembled with excitement. "A Ruheng, the sect master has decreed that you are not to leave the sect until you have mastered the Flawless Golden Body!"

"This is not just his hope but the wish of every member of the Body Sect!"

"Yes!"

A Ruheng's voice was firm and resolute, filling the Poison Elder with joy. He felt hope for the Body Sect's future.

With a sigh, he continued, "Time is precious. Let's seize the momentum, and I will now teach you the next stage of the Innate Secret Method."

"First—"

However, just as A Ruheng was about to absorb his elder's teachings, the voice suddenly stopped.

Then, before his very eyes, the Poison Elder, who had been so vigorous just moments ago, collapsed limply to the ground.

He had not dozed off from exhaustion, nor had he suddenly suffered from an unforeseen affliction—his life force had completely dissipated.

A Titled Douluo, dead!

From behind the fallen elder, a young man with black hair and golden eyes emerged, his face indistinct and seemingly featureless, like a faceless specter of terror.

Though A Ruheng was often described as possessing "great wisdom hidden behind foolishness," this abrupt and horrifying turn of events left him utterly stunned.

"Who… Who are you?!"

"What did you do to Elder Poison?!"

Ditian did not bother answering. These meaningless questions were not worth his time.

As for killing an ordinary Titled Douluo? It was nothing more than an afterthought.

Even En Ci, a Hyper Douluo with four-word battle armor, had perished at his hands without further mention. What need was there to explain the death of a mere Titled Douluo?

"No wonder Muye sees you as the future savior," Ditian remarked indifferently. "To withstand such brutal training… not bad."

(Chapter End)