Chapter Sixty-One: The Storm Approaches, Between Life and Death!

Faced with Lu Ming’s heartfelt appeal, Bai Xuan remained silent. Matters such as these were easy to surmise merely from Lu Ming’s actions—when a friend is killed and one’s entire family is wiped out, such a bitter enmity is enough to drive a hero to pursue vengeance for decades without rest.

But for Bai Xuan, while he might save someone in passing, that did not mean he was willing to risk his life for another’s friend.

“I have received news,” Lu Ming said, hope flickering in his eyes. “The High Priest of the Sea God Sect, the very one who executed my friend, will soon be arriving near the Forge Manor.”

“I intend to slay him together with that monstrous demon shark. But on my own, I cannot accomplish this.” Lu Ming was well aware: unless he could break through the threshold between life and death and become a grandmaster, it would be impossible for him to assassinate the High Priest amidst the throngs of Sea God Sect disciples. Not to mention, that terrifying demon shark—its body nearly as hard as forged steel, impervious even to blades.

Yet hope still shone in his gaze as he looked to Bai Xuan. “If you would help me slay the High Priest and the demon shark… Have you ever heard of the Sea God Sect’s ‘Abyssal Body Refinement Art’?”

“The Abyssal Body Refinement Art?” Bai Xuan’s voice was low and hoarse. To assassinate the High Priest of the Sea God Sect was no simple task; the difficulty would surely rival that of facing an army single-handedly.

To take the head amidst ten thousand—such a phrase sounds easy, but how hard it is to achieve!

The Sea God Sect was filled with masters. If the High Priest truly came near the Forge Manor, he would no doubt be surrounded by formidable protectors. For Bai Xuan to help on the strength of a single acquaintance was out of the question.

He needed to weigh the chances of success, and more importantly, the reward.

“This ‘Abyssal Body Refinement Art’ is the most powerful cultivation technique practiced by grandmasters in the Sea God Sect,” Lu Ming explained. “Once the threshold between life and death is crossed, one’s vital energy transforms from insubstantial to tangible, able to shatter steel and armor… By refining the body with this art, one’s physical strength can reach an incredible level!”

A grandmaster’s method for refining the body!

Bai Xuan’s eyes flashed. To condense his vital energy into form was already within reach—something he greatly desired. Aside from the Dao Tree of Longevity, all his progress thus far had been through his own effort. Now, on the verge of a breakthrough, if he could obtain this body refinement art, his path forward would be much smoother.

“My current cultivation is slow because my vital energy has yet to transform; I’ve only managed to train in thirteen body-hardening techniques so far,” Lu Ming continued honestly. “The ‘Abyssal Body Refinement Art’ draws on the divine will of the Seven Seas and the confluence of a hundred rivers, allowing one to fuse all the world’s hardening arts into one indestructible body. Only with condensed vital energy can it be mastered!”

“I understand,” Bai Xuan replied in his gravelly voice, rising to his feet.

“I’ll give you my answer in seven days.”

He did not return immediately, but instead made his way to Liu Ruyi’s smithy.

“You mean last month’s order for Bluewater Blades from Thousand Mountain Island?” Liu Ruyi scratched his head. Bluewater Blades… Could this whaler be connected to the Bai family? But that was of no concern to him—he was but a blacksmith.

“Since the old manor lord passed, the young lord has struggled to keep things running. More and more men in black have appeared in the manor, their robes marked with white lotuses. Sometimes they requisition weapons, bows, and crossbows… The Bluewater Blades were likely taken by them.”

“Still, business continues as usual—we can’t just close our doors to customers. There are dozens of smiths still forging Bluewater Blades; I’d estimate we could deliver in another two months,” Liu Ruyi said uncertainly.

“Two months?” Bai Xuan’s brow furrowed slightly. In two months, who could say what changes might occur? The Forge Manor itself seemed to be growing restless and unsettled.

…

In the great hall of the Forge Manor—

“Those people from Thousand Mountain Island are asking around?” The young manor lord, Bai Yulie, also wore a somber expression.

“Let them be. With their handful of men, what can they really do?” He paid no heed to Bai Xuanji and his companions. Once the servants had left, suddenly, a shadowy figure, wreathed in darkness, appeared at his side.

As this figure emerged, a formidable pressure exuded from his very being, distorting the air itself. A vivid white lotus was emblazoned on his robe.

“King Yinfa!” Bai Yulie quickly stood, eyes alight with fanaticism, and immediately knelt in reverence.

“Call me Mr. Yin, or Yin the Mentor. How goes the armor forging?” The one known as “King Yinfa” spoke coldly.

“It’s nearly finished. The Bluewater Blades were already dispatched. But I am concerned that forging armor in secret might attract the authorities’ attention,” Bai Yulie said, still prostrate and cautious.

He felt uneasy—if the authorities discovered the secret armor, the entire manor would surely suffer the consequences.

“That cannot be helped. These are troubled times: the old emperor is dying, the realm is in turmoil, and myriad sects are on the rise—who can say how many immortals move behind the scenes? The seas are even more chaotic, with the Starhunters running rampant,” Mr. Yin said icily. “Strength in hand is the only truth. All the weapons and armor we produce must first be offered to the Holy Sect.”

“With the Holy Sect’s armies armed, only then will we have the strength to resist the Starhunters and the Sea God Sect. The authorities? They are but an empty name—powerless and irrelevant!” His tone was cold and commanding. With a sudden clang, he clenched his five fingers, vital energy bursting into tangible light with a resounding crash.

“Yes, Mentor Yin!” Bai Yulie bowed his head even lower.

…

While myriad forces moved in secret, countless people hurrying about as a storm approached—

At the edge of the Forge Manor, before a dilapidated house—

“I must enter seclusion to break through. No one is to disturb me, not even on the captain’s orders—delay all messages until afterward,” Bai Xuan commanded.

“Yes, Chief Mate!” The young sailors on guard, all fiercely loyal to Bai Xuan, obeyed without question.

They stood at the door, curiosity in their hearts.

“What breakthrough do you think the Chief Mate is aiming for?”

“With his strength, able to topple over a dozen Starhunters with a single harpoon, I’d wager he’s already achieved a second vital energy breakthrough.”

“Maybe this time he’ll become a master of the third level, fit to be a captain himself!”

They whispered to one another, excitement stirring inside. In their eyes, Bai Xuan was clearly about to break the third threshold of vital energy. If he succeeded, he could command a ship of his own under Bai Xuanji.

A new ship, a trustworthy captain—these young sailors could entrust half their lives to such a man amidst the vast seas.

Inside the house—

“All those requests from Lu Ming, family affairs… all must be set aside,” Bai Xuan thought calmly.

“The closer the moment, the more I must remain composed. If I can break through, everything is negotiable. With strength, what danger is there in any enemy?”

“But if I fail to reach that level, risking my life alone is never worth even the greatest reward!”

His mind was set.

“Today, I will break through the threshold between life and death!”