Martial Saint through Reading

”Red Flame Refining Technique, blazing flames burn the heavens, all things can be forged, divine artifacts are born in the palm...”

Burning the world, forging all things, creating divine artifacts...

The arrogance is palpable.

With a single glance, the contents on the silk have already been fully inscribed into the Sea of Consciousness’s Book collection Lake.

Chu Ming could tell that the artifact forging technique Master Hoong Ying had taught him before was precisely derived from this Red Flame Refining Technique.

On the panel.

[Artifact Refining (Minor Success)]

[Progress: 87/100]

Just by finishing his reading, he had gained new insight into artifact refining.

If he were to attempt refining right now, he felt he could raise the progress further, maybe even break through Minor Success and reach Great Success.

However...

This Red Flame Race’s artifact forging method is undoubtedly formidable, but there is a rather troublesome aspect.

”How is it?”

At that moment, Hoong Ying reached out and pulled away the red silk, then looked at Chu Ming with a serious expression.

”Your clan’s forging technique is truly profound,” Chu Ming diverted his gaze, ”but Master Hoong Ying should know, most operations in this method rely on the Red Flame Roasting Flame, right?”

The trouble with the Red Flame Refining Technique lies in the Red Flame Roasting Flame. He knew it—it is the Red Flame Race’s clan treasure, akin to the Wolf Map Clan Crown and the Wind Spirit Clan Tree, yet more precious than either.

Hoong Ying’s face subtly changed: ”The Red Flame Roasting Flame is the Red Flame Clan’s treasure, it can only be used within the clan’s territory...”

”There are aspects of the Red Flame Refining Technique that don’t require the Roasting Flame...” She was clearly lacking confidence.

”Alright, I agree.”

Just as Hoong Ying was at a loss for words, Chu Ming directly gave his answer.

”Really?” Hoong Ying was surprised, a bit hesitant as she pushed the red silk back to Chu Ming.

”Mm. When do we head to Qin Capital?” Chu Ming did not take it.

”You don’t want it?”

”Once I fulfill our arrangement, Master Hoong Ying can hand me the complete Red Flame Refining Technique.”

Chu Ming saw this piece of red silk meant something different to Hoong Ying.

He’d already memorized it all. Taking the silk would not even be worth brushing off the dust.

Hoong Ying looked at Chu Ming. A multicolored gleam seemed to flash in her eyes: ”Thank you.”

”When are you planning to journey to Qin Capital?”

”In the next couple of days.”

”Very well, then Hoong Ying will await you at the South City Azure Fire blacksmith’s Shop in Qin Capital.”

”South City Azure Fire blacksmith’s Shop... Alright.”

”...”

...

Night is deep.

Outside Xirong County City, ten miles east.

A ruined mountain shrine stood there, temple decrepit and thick with webs.

In the dim, unlit temple hall, two figures stood.

Moonlight poured through shattered windows, casting onto the two, stretching their inky shadows—making them look rather sinister.

”Hundred Strategies Envoy, you have been exposed.” Blood Evil Sect Young Master Yaan Qu’s voice was somewhat enigmatic.

Baili Xinghua’s expression was gloomy, silver moonlight glinting on his profile, making him appear even more eerie.

”Young Master Yaan, it is my incompetence.”

”No, it’s not your incompetence; it’s my incompetence as Young Master.”

”Young Master...”

Baili Xinghua and Yaan Qu, both responsible for Xirong County, could be said to share their glory and loss.

”This is not your fault. That illegitimate son named Chu Ming—he has a formidable expert behind him.”

Ever since Chu Ming appeared, nothing the Blood Evil Sect attempted had succeeded.

From Baiyuan County: Blood Evil Sect Young Master An Ying, Yaan Qu’s younger sister, unexpectedly lost her life; then Xirong County’s Black Wind Stronghold, Jingyan Salt Mine, Blood Vine Castle, the Teng Sect, and both An Hengying and the two Meridian Unlocking Realm experts perished.

In the end, they were forced to mobilize the Wolf Race to assault the Commandery Mansion, frame and plot—every tactic exhausted. Yet that illegitimate son had not suffered a single scratch.

”Young Master, this man is clearly just an illegitimate son of a Baiyuan County merchant—why would such a mysterious master guard him?”

Baili Xinghua uttered the words almost through gritted teeth.

He was full of resentment.

Clearly both from Baiyuan Academy, clearly neither from prestigious clans—so why was he finally pressured by the Tang Family to join the Blood Evil Sect, while that illegitimate son strode forth like the stars gathered around the moon?

Baiyuan County Lord of the Classics Feng Yuan, County Magistrate Liu Sitong, County Magistrate Fu Chang, then Shen Yu, Xiao He, even up to the Seventh Prince.

It seemed everyone favored an illegitimate son.

And he was guarded by an expert even Young Master Lian Yaan couldn’t trace.

Why?

Could it be a sixteen-year-old illegitimate son’s talent really surpassed his own?

A sixteen-year-old illegitimate son—what right does he have to make a Meridian Unlocking Realm perfection expert willingly protect him in the shadows?

Jealousy burned in his heart like fuel.

”I investigated this person specifically. Since a sudden, severe illness several months ago, he has been utterly transformed; everything he’s done since has exhibited astonishing talent.”

”But were it merely so, one could regard it as fortune—illness led to Enlightenment.”

”Yet according to my investigation, his character and behavior are drastically different from before. Most of his time is spent alone reading, and he remains calm and composed when acting outside...”

”Hundred Strategies Envoy, have you ever heard of those who attain Enlightenment or enlightenment, whose temperament also changes rapidly?”

This Blood Evil Sect Young Master Yaan Qu had clearly conducted a deep investigation into Chu Ming.

Baili Xinghua, hearing this, his gaze instantly focused: ”Young Master means...”

”I suspect this person is no longer Chu Ming, illegitimate son of a Baiyuan County merchant family, but has had his consciousness usurped by some hidden supreme expert—or, to put it another way, the illegitimate son we see now is merely a puppet controlled by another.”

”Usurped consciousness? A puppet controlled by someone?” Baili Xinghua was startled, suspicious, ”Young Master, does such mysterious technique truly exist in this world?”

He’d had frequent dealings with Chu Ming. Chu Ming’s conduct was indeed calm and composed, but he’d never once noticed signs of him being a puppet under someone’s control.

”The mysteries of this world go far beyond this. We are but frogs at the bottom of a well, staring up at a sliver of sky.” Yaan Qu gazed upward, his eyes turning profound.

”The difference in his behavior before and after the illness is enormous. Unless he’s had his consciousness usurped, I can think of no other reason for such drastic change within months—and there’s a mysterious expert watching over him.”