"Third-grade spirit liquid contains the most heterogeneous energy. Although the exchange price is the lowest, its cost performance is the worst. Not only is the absorption speed slow, but it also requires considerable technique to remove the heterogeneous energy," the elder said calmly. Being someone who cherished talent, he deliberately offered this reminder.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior. I have other uses for the third-grade spirit liquid, and the lower purity will not affect me," Lin Zheyu said with cupped fists in thanks.

For Lin Zheyu, the third-grade spirit liquid had the highest cost performance. Although it contained many impurities, when used as energy replenishment while utilizing Origin Force, it had little impact on him.

Returning to the sect, Lin Zheyu returned the manuals he had finished reading and exchanged them for new technique manuals and a martial cultivation research handbook from the Heavenly Blessing Pavilion. He had already condensed forty-two kinds of true intent, nearly reaching the limit of his spirit will. Therefore, each day he exchanged large numbers of martial cultivation techniques, research handbooks written by powerful experts, and even some ancient incomplete texts to study upon returning.

In the morning, the sun rose, casting gentle golden light. In the courtyard, the more than three-meter-tall Luomeng Tree had blossomed, its faint and pleasant fragrance filling the entire yard. Lin Zheyu sat beneath the tree, breathing in the subtle floral scent as he read the newly borrowed text.

"...Within every person's body exist three great divine repositories: the essence origin divine repository, the essence and qi divine repository, and the spirit divine repository. However, the divine repositories contained within the acupoints are not innate, but accumulated through later development..."

As Lin Zheyu read the contents recorded in the text, his expression shifted slightly. This was not a technique manual, but a martial cultivation research handbook written by a powerful expert named Bai Zheng. It recorded Bai Zheng's thoughts, research, and insights on martial cultivation.

An interesting hypothesis. If the divine repositories are not innate but formed through later accumulation, then how does one accumulate them? Many powerful martial artists cannot find a way to open their divine repositories. Could it be that without accumulation, when they open the acupoints, there is nothing inside? A thought flashed through Lin Zheyu's mind.

This hypothesis might indeed hold. The scientific education of his previous life had taught Lin Zheyu the principle of conservation of energy. After reincarnating into this world of immense power, the traces of conservation of energy still seemed to exist everywhere. The descriptions of the three great divine repositories were simply too powerful and unbelievable. If such immense energy were contained within the human body, then where did this energy come from? It could not arise from nothing.

Lin Zheyu had previously speculated that the mystery of the human body allowed martial artists, after blasting open the divine repositories, to communicate with heaven and earth, touch a mysterious realm, and thereby pry into the mysterious energy of the universe. Yet this speculation contained many unreasonable aspects. If the human body were truly so mysterious, then immortal cultivators, who were stronger than martial artists, should have far surpassed them in developing the three great divine repositories. The three great divine repositories should have been thoroughly studied long ago.

However, Lin Zheyu did not know much about immortal cultivators. His understanding of their cultivation methods was only speculation based on knowledge from his previous life and information gathered in this one. He had previously been able to keep his doubts about the divine repositories to himself. Now, upon reading this martial cultivation manual written by Bai Zheng, many of his uncertainties had been resolved.

"But what about the method? Did Senior Bai also fail to discover a way to nurture the acupoints and accumulate the divine repositories?"

After finishing the entire text, Lin Zheyu still did not find a method for nurturing the divine repositories. He pondered for a while, then began rereading Bai Zheng's martial cultivation writings from the beginning. This time, as he read, vast amounts of related martial cultivation knowledge flowed through his mind.

"Hm... The Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Art and Senior Bai's hypothesis share similarities in certain aspects."

As he reread the text, Lin Zheyu developed more ideas.

All the various incomplete technique manuals, demon arts, evil arts, and miscellaneous techniques he had previously read circulated through Lin Zheyu's mind. He realized that the method of harvesting Yin to replenish Yang in the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Art might perhaps be applied to nurturing the divine repositories.

In theory, it might be feasible, but in practice, there would be many problems. Hm... Lin Zheyu fell into deep thought.

After fruitless contemplation, Lin Zheyu closed the martial cultivation text and headed to the Heavenly Blessing Pavilion. This time, he exchanged for a large number of texts related to acupoints and meridians, seeking to deepen his understanding of the body's acupoints.

***

Deep within the mountains, in a forest shrouded by poisonous miasma and mist. In the plaza, blazing flames burned fiercely as men and women in identical attire, young and old alike, arrived in orderly lines, standing neatly and praying devoutly toward the divine statue at the center. Beside the statue stood a grand wooden shrine. Inside the shrine, two rows of figures clad in mysterious garments also prayed devoutly to the demon god statue, listening to the oracle from the demon god.

An hour later, the prayer ended. The mysterious men within the shrine dispersed, leaving behind only a man dressed in priestly robes.

The priest looked at the man standing silently to the side and asked in a calm tone, "Have you captured that little fellow with the special fate?"

"Not yet. That person is very cautious and has remained near the City Guard garrison. To avoid alerting him, we did not make a move," the man replied respectfully.

"Have you found the others with different fates?" the priest continued.

"We have found three. There are still five people with the five types of fate we have not located," the man said. "If we include that little fellow, then there are four left."

"The little fellow in Wuling City is not urgent. The opportunity will come soon. Go find Ji Huan and coordinate with them. When they make their move, capture that person and bring him back," the priest said calmly.

"Yes, my Lord," the man replied respectfully.

***

Time flowed like water.

In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed. After discovering a source of Baleful Yin force in the mountains near Wuling City, things unfolded just as Lin Zheyu had expected. More and more demon puppets began to appear. Areas near the defensive line that continuously emitted Baleful Yin force also increased. Even by patrolling only near the defensive line, Lin Zheyu could hunt several demon puppets each day.

Roar! Roar!

From within the forest came waves of roars. Lin Zheyu glanced into the distance and continued patrolling. With a light tap of his toes, he appeared more than ten meters away in the blink of an eye. Pushing his perception to the limit and confirming that the surrounding Baleful Yin force concentration showed no abnormalities, he did not pause.

"Found another little thing."

The corner of Lin Zheyu's mouth curved as he changed direction and rushed southwest.

Whoosh!

A streak of purple blade light flashed like lightning through the darkness. A massive demon puppet suddenly burst out from the bushes, roaring as it charged more than ten meters before its head separated from its body and rolled to the ground.

"Demon puppets have no intelligence, and the one controlling them from behind has none either. Every time, the places they hide are exactly the same," Lin Zheyu murmured softly.

At this source of Baleful Yin force, he had already hunted two demon puppets. These demon puppets were controlled by someone from behind, their instincts suppressed as they quietly lurked near Wuling City, hiding at the Baleful Yin force sources. Lin Zheyu only needed to stroll near the sources each day to gain something. The Great Wei authorities had also noticed this. The City Guard had assigned people to monitor the Baleful Yin force sources and regularly clear out the demon puppets lurking there.

Carrying a demon puppet's head, Lin Zheyu moved swiftly through the forest. After finishing one round of patrol, he switched to a different route.

"Hm? There's one here too. Looks like far more demon puppets have lurked nearby than I imagined!"

Another demon puppet head appeared in Lin Zheyu's hand. This one had not been hiding at a source of Baleful Yin force, but in an ordinary location. If not for his powerful perception and the fact that he happened to pass near its hiding spot, he would never have discovered it.

"This demon puppet won't do. It's actually in the Force Transformation realm." After assessing its strength, Lin Zheyu helplessly tossed the head back onto the ground and concealed it again.

Even Force Transformation realm demon puppets have appeared here. It seems the coming upheaval is not far off, Lin Zheyu thought inwardly.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 65]

[Skills: Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art (Second Stage: 0%), Primordial Wuji True Technique (Third Stage: 0%)]

Looking at the data within his consciousness, he saw that after this period of accumulation, his Origin Force had reached 65 units. No matter how difficult it was for forty-two types of true intent to break through to the Force Transformation realm, 65 units of Origin Force should already be sufficient. Besides Origin Force, he had also accumulated twenty-seven bottles of spirit liquid and three spirit stones. The spirit liquid was stored in large jade bottles for easy carrying. Altogether, the twenty-seven bottles amounted to a little over one liter.

This world has immortal cultivators. I wonder if storage bags exist here... Lin Zheyu thought.

He had long coveted one, yet there had been no way to purchase it. Even if it were available, it would probably be very expensive.

After completing another patrol, Lin Zheyu returned to his usual roasting spot with a demon puppet head in hand.

"Lord Lin, General Wei requests your presence." Lin Zheyu had just tossed the demon puppet head aside and was about to resume his grand roasting endeavor when a soldier jogged over and spoke respectfully.

"Did the general mention what it's about?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"Several important figures have arrived and gathered all the martial artists. It seems urgent. Lady Li and Lord Guo have already gone over," the soldier replied.

Lin Zheyu flicked the demon puppet head up with his right foot toward the soldier and instructed him, "Take this demon puppet head and register it for me."

Upon arriving at the military camp, Li Yin, Guo Yu, and Zheng Shan were all present. Besides them, several unfamiliar figures sat in the highest seats. Even General Wei Yun could only stand quietly to the side, listening to the instructions of the newcomers. The moment Lin Zheyu stepped into the camp, he keenly sensed a young, unfamiliar man glance in his direction.

Who is this person?

Lin Zheyu grew inwardly wary.

Although the other party concealed it well, Lin Zheyu could clearly sense the teasing tone and faint hostility emanating from the young man.

"Has something major happened?" Lin Zheyu asked in a lowered voice.

Those unfamiliar figures were discussing matters with General Wei Yun and a commander at the Force Transformation realm. It did not concern Lin Zheyu and the others. They seemed to be there simply to wait for the outcome of the discussion and then follow orders.

"I don't know. It seems something has changed. There may be a major move soon," Li Yin replied in a hushed voice.