The strange power slowly dissipated, and the body returned to calm.

It felt comfortable; there were no negative feelings. Instead, it seemed as though some power had been unblocked within the body.

"It should be 'Tongjin Sweat,'" said Zhou Leng.

"Congratulations, congratulations…" The fellow disciples clasped their fists, their faces showing joy and envy.

After reaching the Innate stage, a martial artist's body undergoes a qualitative transformation, but still requires gradual growth.

Generally speaking, only those who are Bone Forger Innate or even Muscle Innate can achieve Tongjin.

Before this, the three—bone, muscle, and sinew—could all exert force and enhance power, but there is a difference between each force, leading to force loss and uneven power manifestation.

However, if Tongjin Sweat emerges, the three—bone, muscle, and sinew—achieve their first union of forces, known as Tongjin.

This is just a rare occurrence, but the body remembers this force, leaving traces.

Next, Zhou Leng only needs to slowly cultivate along those traces, first achieving bone and muscle unity, then full integration of bone, muscle, and sinew.

Without Tongjin, one cannot advance to Grandmaster, nor can one commence Qi Transformation of the Whole Body.

Forcing Qi Transformation of the Whole Body without Tongjin results in the body being torn apart.

Those who forcefully enhance to Grandmaster with medications mainly age rapidly because their bodies have not achieved Tongjin.

Currently, not even the Human Race's Innate Pavilion possesses a method for Tongjin, due to the vast variation in human bodies' subtleties.

The only acknowledged method for Tongjin is to master martial arts; perfecting martial arts makes Tongjin easier.

Zhou Leng thought for a moment that the fast acquisition of Tongjin was primarily due to the training method, "Ten Reversed Beast Fist."

Palm Techniques and Fist Techniques are essentially for destruction, for attack.

The Undying Star Body is for increasing body strength, Taiqing Sea Robe is for enhancing protection.

Only the training method "Ten Reversed Beast Fist" connects the body with External Skills, focusing on exerting force.

Zhang Feng sighed, "A true genius is different. Tongjin is the hardest stage for all Innates, yet you have crossed the most difficult step just upon becoming Innate."

"A genius's starting line is our endpoint."

Zhou Leng waved his hand, saying, "Stop flattering me; it was merely a coincidence. How are you all? You seem injured."

"The giant insects are rather fierce. Against ones of the same realm, it generally takes three of us to fend them off, and four to win. To be honest, we feel embarrassed; facing giant insects in the Vitality Stage, even one-on-one takes a while." Zhang Feng and others looked embarrassed.

"Because of the shell?" Zhou Leng was well-versed in giant insect knowledge.

"Indeed. Before actual combat, we thought we were decent enough, being disciples of the Ancient River Sect and participants in the youth battle—mere giant insects. But when actually fighting, our hands first go numb, then swell, and eventually crack. Just look…"

Everyone stretched out their hands, and sure enough, each hand was swollen like a large bun, covered with fresh cracks.

"You should use Soft Force and Mountain-Separating Bull-Striking Force," Zhou Leng said.

"We know, but the force used against ordinary humans can't compare to the force against giant insects; it's really hard to form sufficient destructive power. Giant insects basically fall into two types: hard-shell and soft-body, and they're difficult to fight against either way. However, through this, we've accumulated rich combat experience and deepened understanding of the two Forces significantly."

Zhou Leng said, "I am quite interested."

"Come on, let's go together."

"I just completed the counterattack battle, and Brigadier General Chen won't let me fight for another two days," Zhou Leng said helplessly.

"We forgot about that… Everyone else who fought is lying in the hospital. Even Mountain and River Origin went to the Giant World to recuperate, yet you're still bouncing around?"

Only then did everyone remember, staring at Zhou Leng, who showed no sign of injury.

"I cultivated a special Healing Technique, so I recover quickly."

"True to a… senior brother." They lowered their voices halfway.

The Innate Pavilion already possessed Healing Techniques.

Zhang Feng looked around, ensuring no one was within a hundred meters, and whispered, "Zhao He is here."

"Second Young Master Zhao?" Zhou Leng instinctively recalled surpassing that team, the aura of which only Martial Clans possessed.

"Yes."

"He holds a military position; it's natural for him to be here," Zhou Leng said.

Zhang Feng gave a low laugh, "In the past, when he came, everyone was well-behaved. But since Huang Meng killed Tong, some started saying that Huang Meng would kill He next, then one by one until Huang Meng kills Zhao. Now, people look at him strangely."

Zhou Leng said, "Such things should not be spoken lightly. After all, he's a descendant of Saint Zhao. We should not gloat but rather let go of past grievances and unite against external threats."

"Indeed, you speak maturely."

Despite agreeing verbally, they didn't believe Zhou Leng's words at heart, sensing he was avoiding trouble.

"How is the battle going?"

Zhang Feng said, "Giant insect intelligence is always a mystery—smart when scary, dumb when like a silly dog. Their attack rhythm is peculiar; sometimes they charge fiercely, other times they suddenly retreat. It's confusing, unpredictable."

"Have you heard any important news?" Zhou Leng asked.

Everyone shook their heads, keeping their eyes on Zhou Leng.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhou Leng said, "I suppose the higher-ups are aware. I won't conceal it—Tree-man World has undergone mutations, and Ancient Tree Fossils are about to surface, instigating a war between two races. The main focus is probably in competing for Ancient Tree Fossils."

"Oh my, won't the Ten Realms go crazy over that? Such items aren't much for Martial Saints but quite vital for Innate and Grandmasters, akin to lifelines. With Ancient Tree Fossils enhancing Healing Techniques and the body, power surely surges."

"We ought to prepare ourselves then."

"Someone please go back to the Shuizhou Base and pass on the information to the folks there, let Zhang Xinglie, Elder Song, and others know," Zhou Leng said.

"Who will go back? It's a good time for a break." Zhang Feng turned his head.

Soon, an Innate decided to return today and convey the information to the Ancient River Sect.

Until late at night, the brothers from the Ancient River Sect chatted before dispersing.

Zhou Leng originally wanted to find a room to stay in, but upon thinking that being too far from the Tree of Life might prevent him from stealing its power, he simply laid a mat near the wall by the Tree of Life and slept in a sleeping bag.

Just like sleeping under the Frost Giant Tree.

Early the next morning, Zhou Leng felt someone pushing his sleeping bag and groggily opened his eyes.

"Zhou Leng, why are you sleeping here?" Vigorous Root, who had gotten up early to train under the Tree of Life, passed by and saw Zhou Leng sleeping outdoors in his sleeping bag.

"I like the air here; it's fresher than indoors," Zhou Leng replied.

Vigorous Root took a careful look at Zhou Leng, noting his ordinary sleeping bag, common camouflage clothes, and apart from the Magic Spirit Bag, there were no valuable items on him.

Yesterday, the Tree-man Race welcomed Zhao He, who wore Magic Artifacts, and though his clothes looked plain, they were luxury brands without obvious logos.

This Zhou Leng must have spent all his money on cultivation resources, and maybe he doesn't want to stay in a free shared dormitory but is also unwilling to rent a good house.

"Don't sleep here tonight. After I finish cultivating, I'll help you find a house; my friend has a vacant house here," Vigorous Root said.

"There's really no need," Zhou Leng replied.

"We're friends, don't be polite. I need to start my cultivation, so I'll leave you now."

Vigorous Root wriggled away with his myriad of snake-like roots, while Zhou Leng got up.

This place is not far from the Tree of Life, and even while sleeping, he can steal... borrow the force of the Tree of Life underground.

He slept very comfortably, his fatigue swept away, and his whole body was filled with power.

A faint residual Power of Life lingered within his pores, like diluted Water of Life.

It felt so comfortable.

Zhou Leng sat against the wall, browsing the Tree-man Demon City's news from the past few days.

The Tree-man Demon City base has an independent local network but is not connected to the outside world.

The news mentioned the arrival of the Zhao Family's Second Young Master, Zhao He, but there were no images.

Soon, many Tree-men gathered from all directions under the Tree of Life.

Zhou Leng glanced toward the Tree of Life.

Just like yesterday, there were many Tree-men, and additionally three members of an Alien Race.

A Demon Spirit Master, a Dwarf, a Human, hmm?

Zhou Leng looked at the person, realizing it wasn't the same person as yesterday but someone new.

Zhou Leng carefully recalled and vaguely remembered this young man from the team he had surpassed. Calculating the timing...

The result was self-evident.

"He should be Zhao He, the current Patriarch of the Zhao Family's second son. Besides a direct descendant of a Martial Clan, no one could easily train with the Tree-men."

"The number of these training opportunities is strictly controlled. That person yesterday most likely traded with Zhao He, exchanging training rights under the tree for other benefits."

The white mist from the Tree of Life descended, enveloping all the cultivators.

The rich Power of Life was just like directly drinking Water of Life.

Cultivating the Star Phoenix Rejuvenation Technique within the Life White Mist, the efficiency at least doubles.

Zhou Leng sighed inwardly; to say he wasn't envious would be a lie.

But rather than envying a fish from the shore, it is better to retreat and weave a net.

Zhou Leng cast aside selfish thoughts and sat cross-legged, cultivating the Star Gazing Technique.

Inner Power is the foundational root of Martial Arts, and even though he was here mainly to train the Star Phoenix Rejuvenation Technique, he couldn't forget the Star Gazing Technique.

The Star Gazing Technique is the foundational Inner Power of the Ancient River Sect, capable of cultivation from Qi Blood to Martial Saint.

However, if one is an Inner Sect Disciple, they will transition to a more powerful Advanced Technique upon reaching Grandmaster.

The Celestial Tide Palm can achieve Minor Achievement in one day, but the Star Gazing Technique cannot.

Now, it can only reach Mastery, with quite some way to go before Minor Achievement.

The cultivation process of the Star Gazing Technique is completely different from typical Blue Star Inner Power.

Zhou Leng sank his Qi into his Dantian and focused his mind.

Within his Dantian, a round and shiny True Qi sphere began to slowly rotate under the influence of the Star Gazing Technique.

A wisp of True Qi flowed out, condensing into a point in the meridian, transforming into a point of starlight, slowly rotating.

A second wisp of True Qi flowed out, traveled a short distance, and surpassed the first point of starlight, once again transforming into a point of starlight.

The third wisp of True Qi passed by the first two points of starlight...

Thus, wisp by wisp, the True Qi spread through the body as if in relay, turning into starlight.

In no time, his entire body flickered with more and more starlight.

At the instant the 360th point of starlight formed, the True Qi in the Dantian split into nine lines, flowing out in all directions within the body.

In no time, lines of True Qi connected with the 360 points of starlight.

The vast Star Gazing True Qi circulated within the body.

True Qi flowed into the blood vessels, merging with the Qi Blood.

Just like condensing the True Qi starlight, a portion of the Qi Blood condensed into Qi Blood starlight.

Once 360 Qi Blood starlights formed, the Qi Blood surged throughout, permeating the entire body.

Within his body, 720 starlights connected with the Qi Blood, revealing a strange formation pattern.

Qi Blood Double Cycle, Star Person Double Circulation.

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