My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

The wind rose on Black Stone Island, bringing a growing chill and the stench of blood. Liang Cheng sat cross-legged behind a half-tilted reef, his eyes closed as he regulated his breath.

After taking the Warm Sun Pill, the True Qi from his Broken Wave Technique surged through his body like the tides, conditioning his Inner Breath. Now at Golden Armor Realm Perfection, his body's self-healing ability was extremely potent. The wounds on his shoulder and chest were slowly closing, and the bruised blood under his skin was being dispersed by his vigorous Qi Blood.

After half an hour, he exhaled a breath of turbid air and opened his eyes. His injuries were no longer a major concern.

On the battlefield, the disciples of the Martial Arts Academy and the Black Flood Dragon Guards were collecting the bodies of their fallen comrades and clearing out the remaining Fire Worshipers. Lü Bingchen was speaking in low tones with several other masters, his expression solemn.

Liang Cheng leaned against the reef, not getting up, savoring a rare moment of peace.

It was all over.

'The Fire Worship Sect was annihilated. Situ Lang, Wu Zhenshan, and the others are all dead. From now on in Lin Wu City, I'll have no more old grudges. I can focus on my Cultivation in peace.'

Just then, Lü Bingchen saw him open his eyes and walked over with a smile.

"Master."

Liang Cheng said quickly.

Lü Bingchen nodded. Seeing that Liang Cheng's complexion had improved, a trace of relief flashed in his eyes, but he still asked with concern, "How are your injuries?"

"They're fine now. Thank you for your concern, Master."

Liang Cheng shook his head. His gaze swept over the ruined altar in the distance as he suddenly asked, "Elder Huang never actually came to Black Stone Island, did he?"

Hearing this, an awkward smile appeared on Lü Bingchen's face.

He patted Liang Cheng's shoulder and lowered his voice. "Elder Huang said you, kid, would definitely give us a surprise. With him holding down the fort in Lin Wu City, we could fight on the front lines without any worries. I did it so you could go all out without any reservations. That's why I told a little lie."

"And that's just what happened. You really did give everyone a surprise."

Liang Cheng was silent for a moment. A flicker of helplessness passed through his mind, but he soon came to terms with it.

'Whether it was a calculated move or a show of trust, the outcome was good.'

He nodded, not dwelling on the matter any longer.

'That old man is one tough coot. What can you do?'

"You should keep resting. The search of the island will still take some time. The Fire Worship Sect operated here for many years; they're bound to have secrets."

"I understand."

...

The search continued for the better part of the day.

Beneath the ruins of the altar, they finally discovered a secret stone chamber that had been sealed by Situ Lang with a massive boulder.

After breaking it open, they found it filled with numerous chests and boxes.

Most of it consisted of correspondence and account books, as well as some ores and Herbs tainted with a sinister, evil aura.

Upon opening several carefully placed Jade Boxes, they found dozens of dark-red Blood Marrow Pills and several leather-bound scrolls detailing the Blood Sacrifice Technique and the cultivation essentials for the Blood Erosion Force.

"Such vile and heretical ways... they've caused no end of harm."

Bai Hong picked up one of the leather scrolls and flipped through a couple of pages, his expression turning ugly.

He immediately ordered the Elixirs and Evil Technique manuals to be gathered in an open area. He then scanned all the Martial Arts Academy disciples present, his voice grave:

"These Blood Marrow Pills and these Cultivation Techniques you see today are all part of an evil path, built upon the blood of countless living beings. Taking these Pills and cultivating these methods may grant you rapid progress, but your True Qi will inevitably become mottled and impure, and your foundation will be unstable."

Lü Bingchen added from the side, "Situ Lang and Wu Zhenshan are cautionary tales. They possessed the Cultivation of the True Essence Realm in name only, yet they couldn't defeat the heavily injured City Lord and the Academy Dean. The Right Envoy was even killed by Liang Cheng, who fought above his realm."

"On the path of the Martial Dao, there are no shortcuts! From this day forward, if anyone is discovered secretly keeping or practicing these techniques, the lightest punishment will be to have your Cultivation crippled and be expelled from the Martial Arts Academy and Lin Wu City. The most severe offenders will be executed on the spot. There will be no mercy!"

Once Bai Hong and Shen Jun finished speaking, their gazes, sharp as lightning, swept over the crowd.

Nearby, Liang Cheng and Yun Jinghong nodded solemnly. Their Dao Hearts were firm, and they held no greed for such external aids.

Afterwards, Shen Jun quickly scanned through some of the key letters, his expression turning terrifyingly dark.

"Good. Very good."

He gripped a stack of letter paper, his knuckles turning white.

"To think that so many families in Lin Wu City were secretly colluding with the Fire Worship Sect. There are even moles within the City Lord's Mansion! When we return to the city, we must conduct a thorough purge. Not a single one will be spared!"

His words were suffused with killing intent; he was clearly enraged.

After this battle, the power structure of Lin Wu City was bound to undergo a complete reshuffling.

While they were taking inventory, a Steward Disciple came over holding an inconspicuous Iron Box. "Masters, City Lord, this box was found in a hidden compartment in the stone chamber. It only contains some old pieces of cowhide paper."

The Iron Box was opened. Inside lay three yellowed sheets of cowhide paper with a peculiar texture.

Lü Bingchen picked one up to examine it, his brow twitching slightly, but he couldn't make anything of it. Liang Cheng's gaze fell upon the cowhide paper, and his heart skipped a beat.

He took two steps forward and said casually, "This material seems similar to that used in some Ancient Texts. I have some interest in antiquities. May I have a look?"

Lü Bingchen glanced at him and waved a hand. "It's all confiscated loot. As long as it's not related to Evil Pills or Evil Techniques, feel free to take a look. It would be even better if you find any other clues about the Fire Worship Sect."

"Thank you, Master."

Liang Cheng took the three sheets of cowhide paper. They felt slightly heavy in his hand, their texture identical to the ones he had obtained before.

He scanned them quickly, and understanding dawned.

'The patterns and lines on two of the sheets are duplicates of the fragments I already possess.'

'But the third one is brand new!'

'I've never seen the patterns and symbols sketched on it before.'

He forcefully suppressed the turmoil in his heart, putting away the three sheets with a calm expression. Cupping his fists, he said, "I will study them carefully when I get back. If I find anything, I will report it immediately."

Lü Bingchen, suspecting nothing, simply nodded.

A short while later, Lü Bingchen handed Liang Cheng another letter that had been set aside, his expression complicated. "Liang Cheng, you should read this."

Liang Cheng took the letter and unfolded it. As his eyes swept over the words on the paper, his pupils suddenly contracted, and the aura around his body fluctuated uncontrollably for an instant.