"Chen Ben..."
Lin Zhao suddenly stood up, almost instinctively deploying his flying sword Haoran, which instantly unfurled a small world to envelop the entire Tianran Ju. He realized that what was about to happen needed to be kept secret, as it would be better for Chen Ben.
"Sizzle~~~"
In the air, incomparably dense martial arts destiny poured down, like a funnel from the clouds. The rich golden destiny pierced through the roof of Tianran Ju and continuously cascaled onto Chen Ben's chest. In less than a few breaths, a radiant, orange-glowing Martial Core was formed on his chest.
This aura felt incredibly familiar to Lin Zhao.
The God of War Core!
The foremost grade among all martial artists in the world!
Who would have thought that Chen Ben's tribulation would become his fortune, allowing him to form a God of War Core, a dream sought after by every martial artist, and one possessing such a core, as long as they grow, would at least reach the eleventh realm, with a high probability of stepping into the twelfth, or even having a chance to aspire to the peak of the thirteenth realm martial artist!
Lin Zhao's heart was filled with righteous energy, and he couldn't help but laugh. Back then, he too had possessed a God of War Core, but it had self-detonated. The immense fortune he had lost had returned, but he hadn't taken it, giving it to Chen Ben instead! Foolish people are often blessed; this simple boy was treated as a younger brother by him, and during the great battle against the Coffin Bearers, Chen Ben had been injured saving Lin Zhao. Now, it seemed, this immense fortune was truly like the past life's Lin Zhao bestowing it upon this simple boy.
Lin Zhao was indifferent. If a God of War Core could save Chen Ben's life, it was worth it, utterly worth it!
...
As the God of War Core solidified, Chen Ben on the bed was enduring the violent impact of martial arts destiny. His body was continuously refined, and he couldn't help but let out a pained cry, curling up like a shrimp. Strands of golden lines flowed through his meridians, reshaping the foundation of his physical body.
Breaking through?
Lin Zhao's heart tensed; truly, good things came in pairs!
Within Chen Ben's body, his Qi Sea continued to expand, and the strength of his martial artist's true qi surged with each passing moment. Lin Zhao watched in astonishment as his true qi strength rapidly reached the level of the Sea-Treading realm. In a little while, he would break through the Sea-Treading realm and reach an even stronger state, not significantly inferior in true qi strength to that of the Heavenly Origin realm.
Fortunately, the small world created by the flying sword Haoran enveloped them. Otherwise, the celestial phenomena triggered by Chen Ben's breakthrough would undoubtedly be detected by the demons and ghosts, making things even more troublesome.
A few seconds later, the breakthrough was complete. Chen Ben became a Sea-Treading realm martial artist, his corpse poison completely dispelled. For no other reason than the God of War Core, he was now impervious to all poisons!
He sat up on the bed, his body swaying. Although his aura was powerful, his vitality was significantly weak and desperately needed recovery. The next moment, Chen Ben looked up at Lin Zhao, revealing a simple smile: "Brother Lin Zhao, I was on the brink of death... I heard you talking to me..."
"It's good that you're alive!"
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. At this moment, the 30 seconds of the small world had passed and vanished instantly. Outside, Chang Zhi, Mu Zha, and Chu Yu rushed in. All of them were overjoyed to see Chen Ben, who was now lively and vigorous.
...
"Alright."
Lin Zhao said sternly, "Chen Ben needs rest and recuperation. Everyone, don't disturb him. We'll discuss anything else later. Oh, right, Tong Yu and Wang Yue, the two of you, please boil a pot of old chicken soup for Chen Ben. He needs to eat more to recover. Use two chickens, and also stir-fry a few dishes and cook a pot of rice."
"Mm-hmm!"
Tong Yu and Wang Yue nodded repeatedly.
Dong Cang appeared elegantly and whispered, "Young Master, may I help?"
"Of course."
"Mm!"
Dong Cang went to help, while Lin Zhao looked at Chang Zhi, Mu Zha, and Chu Yu. "The three of you, come with me. I have some things to tell you. Lord Xiang Ji, you go down the mountain to manage the troops. Nothing else is happening here. Your realm is too low, so I won't tell you about certain matters."
Xiang Ji scratched his head and laughed, "My lord is truly a straightforward person. What you said makes people feel a little uncomfortable!"
Mu Zha burst into laughter, "Hurry up and go, the commander's order is not to be disobeyed!"
"Yes!"
Xiang Ji cupped his fists and, with a laugh, rode the wind down the mountain.
Lin Zhao then led the three subordinates with the highest cultivation from the Snow Region Heavenly Pool to the pavilion in the lotus pond. "You must be very curious, and you really want to know what happened, right?"
"Actually, we've guessed a little," Chang Zhi smiled slightly.
Mu Zha asked, "Could it be... awakening a Martial Core? This kid!"
"Yes!"
Lin Zhao nodded. "Chen Ben has turned misfortune into fortune. After a trip to the gates of hell, he awakened a Martial Core, and it's a first-grade God of War Core. This matter must be kept secret. Mu Zha, when you teach him boxing in the future, you must repeatedly remind him not to use the power of the God of War Core unless absolutely necessary, to avoid being targeted by the upper five realms of the demon and ghost races. You should understand the principle that an innocent man is guilty for possessing a treasure, right?"
Mu Zha quickly cupped his fists, "Your subordinate understands, my lord, please rest assured!"
Chu Yu narrowed her beautiful eyes and laughed, "I never expected... our Snow Region Heavenly Pool to possess a God of War Core, and it belongs to a young martial artist with great potential. Now, I'm looking forward to this kid Chen Ben even more."
Chang Zhi's eyes reddened slightly. "Who said that? Our Snow Region Heavenly Pool also possessed a God of War Core back then, but later, Marshal Lin he..."
"Let's not bring that up."
Lin Zhao pursed his lips and smiled, "A hero does not boast of past glories. I am now a pure sword cultivator."
"My lord."
Chang Zhi chuckled. "Do you think... your God of War Core, which you self-detonated back then, will have a chance to be condensed again?"
"Almost impossible."
Lin Zhao shook his head and said, "After I was reborn, both of my sword-hiding lakes and two flying swords awakened successively. As for the martial artist aspects, the awakened techniques have all merged into my sword path. Therefore, it is basically impossible for me to re-enter the martial artist realm in this life."
"If there's a chance, you must seize it."
Chang Zhi smiled. "After all, top Great Sword Immortals possess the physique of martial artists. Just like your senior brother, the Saint of War, in addition to his fourteenth realm of military strategist sword cultivator identity, he actually possesses a physical foundation comparable to a rebirth realm martial artist. He hits people very hard with his fists. It is said that many great human cultivators have suffered from his punches."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. His third senior brother was actually a rebirth realm martial artist? This was truly absurd! However, upon further thought, he immediately became a little hopeful. If he could truly regain the "martial artist" identity in the game, what would that mean? His physical strength and power would greatly increase. That would be astonishing, wouldn't it? It would mean his durability and attack power would further improve. Such a sword immortal was indeed quite anticipated!
"My lord."
Chang Zhi asked, "Can the shielding formation of the Juque Umbrella be dispersed now?"
"Don't disperse it."
Lin Zhao said sternly, "Currently, do not let outsiders know that Chen Ben is still alive. We will see the outcome in three days."
"Ah?!"
Mu Zha was astonished. "My lord intends to... do what?"
"Settle the score."
Lin Zhao looked north. "At Jiuzhangyuan, the lineage of the Coffin Bearers almost killed our future number one martial artist. A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after three days."
"..."
Chang Zhi and Mu Zha were both bewildered.
Only Chu Yu, who had been leading troops for a longer time, sensed a hint of military strategy. She smiled and said, "My lord means that you plan to use a stratagem, and in three days, you will help Chen Ben avenge yesterday's grievance, right?"
"Yes!"
Lin Zhao said, "Mu Zha, you take Chen Ben to live in your residence and practice boxing. He should not appear again recently. Chang Zhi, at noon, disperse the Juque Umbrella's shielding formation. You and Chu Yu, prepare a set of mourning items. We will set up a mourning hall for Chen Ben at the villa on the mountain peak, so that the demons and the Coffin Bearers will believe that Chen Ben is dead."
Mu Zha frowned. "Yes, but... why do this?" Da Feng Xiao Shuo
"Idiot..."
Chu Yu smiled. "Think about it, why would the Coffin Bearers use such insidious moves like the chilling corpse poison to heavily injure Chen Ben, instead of directly digging out his heart and killing him? Because the opponent wants to preserve Chen Ben's heart, to invade his body with corpse poison, and ultimately turn Chen Ben's body into an object for refining corpses. My lord, am I wrong?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded. "I suddenly understood why the demon race would send a falcon demon to scout our situation? Because this falcon demon is most likely investigating for the Coffin Bearers. Once they confirm Chen Ben is dead, according to human customs, a funeral will be held three days later. After we bury Chen Ben, the Coffin Bearers will naturally sneak up the mountain to dig up the grave and take Chen Ben's body. A ninth-realm martial artist with innate divine strength would surely be an excellent material for refining a zombie."
Chang Zhi and Mu Zha were relieved. So that's how it was.
Thus, everyone went about their tasks.
By noon, a simple mourning hall had been set up. Mu Zha and the others were dressed in sackcloth, keeping vigil for Chen Ben. The entire mountain peak villa was adorned with white paper decorations.
...
Jiuzhangyuan.
A Golden Core realm Coffin Bearer descended from the sky and landed in front of Song Miao, an eleventh-realm Coffin Bearer, respectfully saying, "Old Ancestor, the news has been investigated. Chen Ben is indeed dead. A mourning hall is being set up at the villa on the mountain peak, and Chen Ben's master, Mu Zha, is wailing. All the soldiers of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool have white armbands tied around their arms."
"Tsk tsk..."
Song Miao laughed. "It seems that even innate divine strength cannot withstand the invasion of the heart by the cold poison. Tan Xin, your plan has indeed succeeded. Now, we only need to wait a little longer. After Chen Ben's funeral and burial, we will obtain a superior immortal-grade refining corpse embryo without shedding a drop of blood."
Tan Xin said happily, "Master, it's just a small matter!"
Song Miao's lips curved slightly. "Don't worry, Master will not mistreat you. Once the refining corpse embryo is obtained, I will pass on the secret technique of the Five Poisons Palm to you, I will not go back on my word."
The qipao girl was overjoyed. "Thank you, Master! Master is so good to me~~~"
Song Miao looked at his most talented disciple with affection, but his mind was occupied with another matter. The teachings passed down by the Ancestor stated that to refine a wandering zombie comparable to the twelfth realm, one must cultivate both yin and yang. This little girl... she is beautiful, her innate talent and bone structure are excellent. When the time comes, he will reveal everything to her. If she is willing to cultivate with him, she can stay. If not, then there's nothing he can do, and he can't be blamed for being heartless.