Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 42 The Spirit Gu is Acquired
Inside the military camp and government office in the northern city.

When Chen Sheng led his troops back to camp, he learned that while he was making a big show of things in the west of the city, someone had actually used the "luring the tiger away from the mountain" strategy and sneaked in silently while the defenses of the northern city's military camp were weak.

The newcomers were ruthless; they killed two soldiers guarding the dungeon on their own.

Their purpose is self-evident; they are clearly targeting a certain prisoner in the dungeon.

Initial investigations revealed that the dungeon had indeed been in chaos for a while. The intruders were agile and opened many cell doors, allowing some prisoners to escape in the confusion. Although the intruders were eventually subdued, some managed to escape.

Upon hearing the news, Chen Sheng immediately ordered martial law to be declared throughout the camp and a manhunt for the fugitive, striving to minimize the losses.

He knew perfectly well that creating chaos and releasing prisoners was merely a convenient tactic employed by the intruder; his true objective was undoubtedly to rescue a specific individual.

At this critical moment when he is locked in a fierce confrontation with the Huang family, who else could be worth risking a master to infiltrate the heavily guarded martial arts camp to rescue him?
The answer is obvious—the Huang family must have sent someone to rescue Li Huaisheng!
Unfortunately, despite all their calculations, the Huang family hadn't anticipated that Li Huaisheng had already been controlled by his natal poisonous insect and was willingly working for him. Besides creating confusion and increasing the chances of a successful rescue, the other side probably also intended to cause him some trouble.

After all, the prisoners had escaped from the military camp prison, and no matter how many were eventually recovered, he, as the commander of the North City, would be held responsible and would inevitably be reprimanded by his superiors.

But that's all.

With Wu Kuang as his backer, trying to bring him down over such a trivial matter is nothing short of a pipe dream.

Having figured out the crux of the matter, a cold smile crept onto Chen Sheng's lips.

Sure enough, none of the local tyrants who had established themselves in Changshan County for many years were easy to deal with. He could use a diversionary tactic, and his opponents knew just as well to take advantage of any weakness.

At this moment, half an hour had passed since Chen Sheng returned to camp, but Li Huaisheng still had not appeared to report back. However, Chen Sheng showed no sign of anxiety and continued to practice his stance training in the government office as usual, calming his mind and focusing his energy.

[Basic knife skills perfected (278/2000)]

[Mastery of the Golden Bell Body Forging Method (964/1000)]

[The Secret Technique of Fishing for Toads (Minor Success) (53/500)]

[Minor Mastery of the Three Ultimate Demon-Slaying Sword Techniques (389/500)]

As his consciousness swept across the clear panel, Chen Sheng could feel his blood and qi becoming increasingly abundant, and the rumbling sounds from his muscles and bones becoming more frequent.

With the solid foundation laid by the Earth Spirit Milk and the continuous effects of the superior Tiger Bone Pill, he is only one step away from the peak of the Bone Forging Realm.

Based on the current progress, he should be able to touch the barrier to breaking through to the Marrow Transformation Realm in two to three days at the earliest.

Just then, his ears twitched slightly, catching a barely audible rustling of clothes outside the door. Chen Sheng slowly finished his practice, opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in them, and calmly said:

"Since you're here, please come in."

"Squeak-"

The door opened with a click. Li Huaisheng, dressed in a black robe, slipped inside, a dry smile on his face, and bowed respectfully.

"I was afraid of disturbing your meditation, so I did not dare to enter immediately."

"There is no need for false courtesy."

Chen Sheng waved his hand, his eyes sharp, "How did things go?"

Li Huaisheng straightened up and dared not be negligent. He quickly took out a finely crafted sandalwood box from his pocket, presented it with both hands, and at the same time, with a soft "click", he opened the box.

"Fortunately, I live up to my fate!"

He spoke with a hint of barely perceptible pride, flatteringly saying, "It's all thanks to your brilliant strategy, sir, that you managed to divert most of the Huang family's experts, allowing me to infiltrate their forbidden area so smoothly, find this item, and bring it back safely."

The moment the box was opened, a faint, cool scent wafted out. Chen Sheng's gaze was immediately drawn to the contents of the box—a small worm, about the length of an index finger, resembling an earthworm, with a warm, jade-like color throughout.

Its body was slightly curled up, as if it had fallen into a deep sleep, and it looked unassuming. However, this seemingly ordinary thing was actually a treasure that could drive countless Bone Forging Realm martial artists crazy—the Spirit Marrow Gu!

This item can not only greatly increase the probability of breaking through to the Marrow Transformation Realm, but also nourish the foundation. It is regarded by many martial arts families as the foundation of their inheritance, enough to ensure the family's prosperity for a hundred years!

"well done."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Chen Sheng's eyes. He reached out, took the wooden box, carefully fastened it, and put it away close to his body.

Then, he took out four hundred-tael silver notes from his sleeve and handed them to Li Huaisheng, saying, "Since you practice poison arts, ordinary pills are useless to you. Use this money to buy whatever you need."

"The acquisition of the Spirit Essence Gu is entirely due to your meticulous planning, sir. I was merely following orders. How dare I claim credit for this generous reward?" Li Huaisheng looked "apprehensive" and quickly declined.

"Take it if I give it to you. Serve me and I will reward you for your service. This is the rule."

Chen Sheng's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. He shifted his focus slightly, looking at Li Huaisheng with a half-smile, "As for your natal poisonous insect, I will keep it safe for a while. You... don't need to be in such a hurry."

Li Huaisheng sighed inwardly, knowing that there was no hope of retrieving his natal poisonous insect in the short term.

Without the poisonous insects by his side, not only was his strength limited, but his cultivation also struggled to improve. However, he also understood that it was normal for Chen Sheng to be wary of him, given that he had only recently surrendered and had been captured.

He could only suppress his disappointment and thanked him repeatedly: "Yes, I understand. I will leave it to you to arrange, sir."

“Oh, right,” Chen Sheng said casually, as if suddenly remembering something, while playing with the teacup in his hand, “I only learned after I returned to the camp that the Huang family is indeed ‘kind and righteous,’ actually sending experts to rescue you. However, while you went to the Huang family, their people came to my North City Martial Camp instead.”

Upon hearing this, Li Huaisheng felt a chill run down his spine, and a cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

He hurriedly explained, his tone earnest: "Your Excellency, please understand that the Huang family's actions are not out of any old affection, but simply because they are unwilling to lose a martial artist at the Transformation Realm who can be commanded."

Even if they do rescue me, they will certainly use even crueler methods to control me. They will never let me run free. Since I have decided to follow you, sir, I sever all ties with the Huang family and have no further connection with them!

Seeing his intense reaction, Chen Sheng smiled slightly and waved his hand:

"There's no need to be so nervous. I was just mentioning it casually and had no other intention. As you spend more time by my side in the future, you will naturally come to know my character and principles of conduct."

"Yes, I understand."

Li Huaisheng wore a smile on his face, but his mind was racing.

He knew that if he had shown even a hint of "gratitude" towards the Huang family, it would have immediately aroused Chen Sheng's suspicion and ruthless methods. This young commander was meticulous and ruthless, and was by no means an easy person to deal with.

"Alright, you've had a hard time. Go and rest now." Chen Sheng waved his hand.

"This subordinate takes his leave." Li Huaisheng bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew from the government office.

After Li Huaisheng left, Chen Sheng took out the sandalwood box he kept close to his body again, opened it and carefully examined the white jade-like spirit marrow gu for a moment, feeling the magnificent vitality and spiritual charm contained within it, before he put it away again with satisfaction.

He took a top-grade tiger bone pill and, without further delay, continued to immerse himself in arduous cultivation.

With the Spirit Marrow Gu in hand, the biggest obstacle to breaking through to the Marrow Transformation Realm has been removed. Now, the only thing hindering him is the accumulation of his own cultivation.

He naturally wouldn't slack off in the slightest.

……

However, in stark contrast to the peaceful cultivation here, the Huang family mansion was in complete chaos due to the sudden theft of the Spirit Essence Gu.

---

Requesting monthly votes and recommendation votes
(End of this chapter)