Chương 57: teaches the "Eight Formations of Military Formations" and conceals the "He

Stepping out of the command building, the cold wind outside instantly calmed Cang Lian's feverish mind.

"There's still some time before next spring, so this is a good time to further improve my cultivation."

As Cang Lian walked, he silently planned his next steps.

"I have the Heaven and Earth Pearl, which allows me to absorb the essence of the sun and train relentlessly without limit. Unlike others who need to balance their training to avoid damaging their foundation, this body, tempered by the sun's essence, is experiencing a surge of qi and blood like molten mercury, and its bones and muscles are being reforged like refined steel. My foundation will only become stronger. From now on, my cultivation speed will likely only increase!"

He thought of Chu Zhaoxue.

This exceptionally talented young woman possesses a mysterious treasure that can absorb the essence of plants and trees, and even has a dragon bone relic to reshape her foundation. This is the fundamental reason why she was able to enter the Gang Jin realm at such a young age and advance her cultivation by leaps and bounds.

"She has her opportunities, I have my destiny. In terms of potential, I am definitely no less than her!"

A glint of light flashed in Cang Lian's eyes.

"Even if others have talent, it would take them decades to cultivate to the level of Qi Refining or the Land Immortal Realm. But I, with this Heaven and Earth Pearl, might be able to do it in less than ten years, or even less!"

Just then, a crucial idea suddenly popped into his mind.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing we need to plan ahead for."

He frowned slightly.

"Although the power of the 'Heaven-Opening Force' is great, the rhythm of mobilizing the whole body's strength is too profound and perfect. Anyone with discerning eyes can tell that it is a national-level martial art. Chu Zhaoxue can see it. If she encounters a master from the Cang family or other sharp-eyed old monsters in the future, she will probably be exposed."

A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind. Before its wings are fully grown, it must have a layer of camouflage.

A sudden thought flashed through Cang Lian's mind, and she suddenly remembered Elder Huang.

The "Eight Formations of Military Formation" practiced by Master Huang is a combat technique for the battlefield, emphasizing large-scale movements and the ability to kill with a single blow. Its power generation techniques are similar to those of the "Opening Heaven Force," which concentrates power into a single point of the fist for an instantaneous burst.

If one can learn the "Eight Formations of Military Formation" as a disguise, and hide the essence of "Opening Heaven Force" within it, one can create a balance between reality and illusion, and deceive the heavens and cross the sea.

Furthermore, that Blood Soul Needle is too domineering; it is a divine weapon that can kill with a single drop of blood. It must never be shown to anyone unless it is a life-or-death situation, especially during the upcoming National Martial Arts Hall Grand Competition, when it will be under the watchful eyes of everyone.

A glint of light flashed in Cang Lian's eyes as he made up his mind: "I'll take this opportunity to go out and find a blacksmith to forge a few specially made steel needles. With my current mental strength, even ordinary steel needles can pierce through metal and stone at extreme speed. Even a martial artist with the strength of copper and iron will be pierced through the heart!"

After careful consideration, Cang Lian reported to Major Yan Tang and requested instructions before leaving the base.

……

Before long, Cang Lian's figure appeared in the most chaotic "no man's land" in Sheng Hai.

This place is a melting pot of all sorts of people, with numerous gangs and factions, making it a paradise for outlaws.

Old Huang's residence is located deep within this area, in an inconspicuous old building.

Cang Lian had been here twice before, so this time she knew the way like the back of her hand.

He walked through several bustling streets and turned into a dilapidated and dark alley.

The bluestone path underfoot was slippery and uneven, and the air was filled with a damp, musty smell and the stench of sewers, a stark contrast to the bright and beautiful world outside.

Cang Lian stopped in front of a simple courtyard built of blue bricks and broken tiles.

Inside the courtyard, an elderly man with a slightly hunched back was chopping wood; it was Old Huang.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Old Huang straightened up, his axe still in his hand. He looked up and saw Cang Lian, his face instantly lighting up with a delighted smile: "Young Master! What brings you here?"

"Old Huang, how have you been lately?" Cang Lian strode in and placed the two bottles of fine wine and some tonics he was carrying on the stone table beside him.

Elder Huang was his mentor in martial arts and one of the few warm memories he had of the Cang family, so Cang Lian had a special affection for him.

"Thanks to the young master, I'm in good health!" Old Huang smiled, his wrinkles smoothing out. He put down his axe, patted his clothes, and said, "The silver dollars the young master gave me are enough for this old man to live comfortably for the rest of his life. Look, I've even gained some weight."

Cang Lian felt somewhat relieved and said seriously, "Elder Huang, the reason I came to see you today is actually to ask you for a favor..."

Before he finished speaking, his gaze suddenly passed over Old Huang's shoulder and landed on the corner of the courtyard.

Several figures were huddled there.

Two men, one woman, and an elderly man.

Cang Lian's pupils contracted slightly.

The last time I saw them, they were all extremely weak, their faces were ashen, their lips were pale, and they were so thin that they were skin and bones. They looked like they were terminally ill and could die at any moment. I never expected that they would still be alive now.

"So many days have passed, and they're still alive?"

Although he knew this idea was somewhat offensive, it was the most genuine thought that came to his mind.

Because when I looked at those people last time, they were clearly on their last legs, just one breath away from death.

Following Cang Lian's gaze, Old Huang sighed, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes: "Alas, how pitiful. In their current state, they'll only last a few days; the King of Hell could come and take them away at any moment."

"They're really tough; they've managed to hold on for so many days." Cang Lian looked at the group.

This doesn't look like a living person at all.

Their skin was as withered as tree bark, clinging tightly to their bones. Their eye sockets were sunken into two black holes, and their lips were pale and cracked. They looked like dried corpses, drained of all life force, with only a faint breath lingering at their noses, making them appear incredibly eerie and unsettling.

"Young... Young Master has arrived!"

The few people who were originally huddled in the corner, almost exhausted, had a miraculous glint in their dull and murky eyes the moment they heard Cang Lian's voice.

That was the hope of a drowning person grasping at the last straw, a final, desperate will to survive.

"Young... Young Master..."

The elderly man at the head of the group, Ning Chongli, emitted a broken, bellows-like wheezing sound from his throat.

He struggled to get up, but his body was already exhausted to the limit.

Upon seeing this, the middle-aged man, the young man, and the young woman beside him immediately gritted their teeth and helped him up.

The old man was clear-headed, knowing that his time was up and that he and his companions were doomed to die.

What kept him going at that moment was not the instinct to survive, but the obsession with entrusting his orphan to someone else.

From the previous two encounters, it's clear that although Cang Lian is young, he is loyal and righteous. He is generous with silver coins even towards Huang Lao, a servant with whom he has no blood relation, which shows his kind nature.

When he saw Cang Lian appear before him again, he knew this might be his last chance. He only wanted to find a place for his only granddaughter to live before he breathed his last.

"Young Master..." Ning Chongli walked forward shakily, enduring the excruciating pain, and said in a trembling voice, "Please, Young Master, take me in as a maid, even if it's just a lowly servant girl, at least I'll have something to eat, and after we leave, I won't end up on the streets being humiliated."

The girl named Ning Ke also pursed her pale lips and looked timidly at Cang Lian.

She was about sixteen years old, and although she was dressed in linen clothes, her tall figure was still quite noticeable.

Beneath that sickly pallor, one could vaguely discern that she had an excellent constitution, with delicate features, and her posture remained dignified even in her weakness.

Clearly, before the upheaval, she was a wealthy heiress living a life of luxury.

"Please, young master, take Ningke in..." The girl's voice was as soft as a whisper, yet it carried a heartbreaking determination.

"Please, young master, after my grandfather and the others pass away, could you provide them with a simple coffin? Ningke is willing to serve you like a slave for the rest of her life, without any second thoughts."

Old Huang, watching from the side, couldn't bear it and explained in a low voice, "Young Master, the evil energy in Ning Ke's body didn't penetrate to her very bones like it did in others. It was Old Master Ning Chongli... who, with his last breath, forcibly unleashed his inner energy to expel most of that evil energy from the girl's body. Although some remains, her life has been saved."

Upon hearing this, Cang Lian turned to look at Ning Ke. Just as Elder Huang had said, although her complexion was poor, it was still better than the three men beside her who were about to turn into dried corpses.

But Cang Lian knew perfectly well that this bloodthirsty aura was like a malignant tumor clinging to her bones; even a trace of it, if not eliminated, would devour her essence and blood day and night.

Even if she survives, she'll end up with a sickly constitution like Lin Daiyu.

Forget about doing all the work to take care of her; we'd probably need to find someone specifically to serve her medicine.

It seems that Ning Chongli and the others were aware of this, which is why they adopted such a humble attitude, only hoping that she could have a good place to stay.

"Young master, you're a good man, please spare this child's life!"

Ning Chongli spoke again in a trembling voice. Since that burst of blood energy, the bloodthirsty aura had thoroughly penetrated his bones. As he spoke, his body swayed, like a candle flickering in the wind. If it weren't for his strong will, he would have already collapsed.

"Young Master!"

With a thud.

The middle-aged man Ning Geng and the young man Ning Xiaoxing, using their last bit of strength, knelt heavily on the cold, hard ground.

"The evil energy within us has seeped into our very bones; we know even a god cannot save us. Our only concern is Xiao Ning. We beg you, young master, to have mercy and take her in. Even if we die, we will repay your great kindness in our next life!"

The two men's foreheads slammed heavily against the bluestone slab, producing a dull thud that seemed particularly desolate in the deathly quiet courtyard.

As Cang Lian watched this scene unfold, a chord within her was slightly touched.

The tenacity of these people's lives truly exceeded his expectations.

"Get up quickly!"

Cang Lian took a step forward, exerted force with both hands, and a gentle yet irresistible force supported the arms of the group, helping them to their feet.

Seeing this, Old Huang quickly stepped forward to help.

Cang Lian looked at the group and said in a deep voice, "I didn't expect you to be so resilient. I thought that after so many days, you would all be corpses by now. Since you've managed to hold on until now..."

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Perhaps I have a way to save you all—not just her, but all of you!"