Chapter 241
In the year after seizing the territory, Yang Lingrui rarely needed to appear personally in most battles thanks to his companion cultivator Xue Qingluan. This freed him to focus on comprehending the dual Wind Path.
Yang Lingrui finally understood the luxury of having reliable subordinates. No wonder He Shenglai had always insisted on keeping him close—issuing orders was strangely satisfying. Through steady practice, he merged the dual Wind Path’s techniques, gaining the ability to threaten Condensing Essence cultivators.
The subtle technique resembled his earlier wind spear. Though seemingly insignificant, it recently plagued many Eastern Wilderness Condensing Essence cultivators. While not lethal or even severely damaging, its effects proved deeply irritating. The sensation mimicked a needle stabbing into flesh—not immediately dangerous, but left unchecked, the dual Winds’ blended properties drove it deeper, amplifying pain and burning over time.
Imagine being an Eastern Wilderness Condensing Essence cultivator locked in combat with Tiger-Chasing forces when suddenly struck by this attack. Every movement—whether evading or casting techniques—would trigger fresh stabs of agony. With no chance to remove the nuisance mid-battle, you’d endure until the fight eased. A uniquely miserable experience.
This tactic became the northern front’s signature. Since the major offensive began, four Condensing Essence cultivators there fell victim to this underhanded trick. Yang Lingrui’s methods varied endlessly—hiding strikes in moonlight’s fleeting shadows one moment, then altering approaches unpredictably. His mastery of wind techniques enabled this versatility: concealing gusts within air currents, weaving breezes into flesh, employing formless shifts—all executed effortlessly.
The deepening understanding of his Book of Rising Winds technique further refined his control over the dual Winds. Even Condensing Essence cultivators, unless exceptionally cautious, risked falling prey.
Yang Lingrui never acted carelessly. Each strike followed careful analysis of battlefield shifts. Mere fame as a prodigy didn’t cloud his judgment. He maintained clear awareness of his combat strength. Until fully merging the dual Winds, facing Condensing Essence cultivators head-on remained impossible.
The Eastern Wilderness outnumbered Tiger-Chasing in both soldiers and cultivators. Reckless aggression would mark him as a prime target. Against one Condensing Essence pursuer, he and Xue Qingluan might manage evasion. But two or more? Escape without aid became nearly hopeless.
Of his five attacks so far, all avoided Eastern Wilderness strongholds. He struck where enemy numbers stretched thin. Though these zones still saw fierce clashes favoring the Eastern Wilderness, fewer Condensing Essence cultivators participated—typically two Tiger-Chasing against three or four opponents. Here, Yang Lingrui judged his impact greatest.