Chapter 119: The Search

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Ye Chong settled down here. On one hand, he needed to seek out renowned doctors in this district; on the other, he had to explore the training methods of the Technique Inheritor that Mu Shang had obtained last time. Both tasks required a quiet and stable place. The outside world was too chaotic. Although Ye Chong was fearless, the conditions here were far better.

Feeling at ease, Ye Chong focused on these two main matters, both revolving entirely around his strange illness. Whether it was seeking medical experts or attempting to find breakthroughs through the Technique Inheritor’s methods, both demanded a great deal of time and energy.

Mu Shang’s energy had long since been fully replenished. The image of Mu Shang, just after regaining his energy and being scolded by Ye Chong to the point he couldn’t lift his head, was truly amusing. Ah, this troublesome Mu Shang!

Nannan’s family consisted of only three people: her grandfather, Heizi, and Nannan herself. Ye Chong seldom saw Nannan’s grandfather, but the old man was in excellent spirits, albeit somewhat haughty in appearance. Heizi, on the other hand, was honest and simple.

At present, Ye Chong was carefully organizing all the information Mu Shang had extracted from that unfortunate Mr. Yin through interrogation.

The Technique Inheritor was indeed mysterious. Much of the information contained numerous specialized terms passed down from ancient times. For ordinary people, even possessing such data would not guarantee becoming a Technique Inheritor. Fortunately, Mu Shang’s own database was vast enough to interpret many of these terms; for those that remained unclear, Mu Shang had to extract explanations directly from that unlucky Mr. Yin.

That Mr. Yin was truly ill-fated. The Technique Inheritor’s path was fundamentally based on mental cultivation. To ensure the accuracy of the information Mu Shang extracted, he inflicted severe psychological trauma on Mr. Yin, which inevitably led to a decline in his strength.

Ye Chong was no expert in psychology or mental sciences, knowing nothing of the sort. The only one with authority on this matter was Mu Shang. Even Mu, in this regard, was powerless.

Following the prescribed methods, Ye Chong began the Technique Inheritor’s refinement.

No amount of documentation could replace firsthand experience. This was the predicament Ye Chong and Mu Shang faced: despite having abundant information, Ye Chong could not avoid becoming a test subject himself. Fortunately, he did not mind.

The foundation of the Technique Inheritor’s terrestrial practice was the “Silent Breath,” which meant breathing combined with meditation—exactly what Ye Chong was now doing. The goal was to lengthen and regulate one’s breathing rhythm while maintaining a mental state of emptiness, thinking of nothing. This specialized state was called “Nothingness,” or sometimes “Clear Void.”

Breathing was effortless for Ye Chong. He had developed his own method that allowed him to easily meet the requirements.

But achieving the “Clear Void” state was a tormenting challenge for him. He had never imagined that thinking of absolutely nothing could be so difficult. Fortunately, Ye Chong was resolute and never gave up halfway. It was not until the tenth day that he could slowly enter the desired state.

According to the records, those with exceptional talent could enter the Clear Void state on their first attempt. Those of slightly lesser aptitude could do so by the second or third day. Anyone unable to achieve it within three days was simply unfit to become a Technique Inheritor.

Ye Chong, however, cared nothing for this. Whether or not he became a Technique Inheritor was irrelevant to him. His sole hope was that among the techniques practiced by the Technique Inheritors, there might be one or two capable of alleviating the pain caused by his strange illness. That was the true purpose behind his training.

The Technique Inheritor developed human potential purely through mental cultivation. From that ill-fated Technique Inheritor, Ye Chong also obtained brief information about a closely related profession—the Technique Executor. Like the Technique Inheritor, the Technique Executor engaged in mental training, but unlike the former, they also trained their bodies.

Moreover, Ye Chong learned that the Technique Executors formed the backbone of the Orbital Circle, responsible for the security of the sect. Every Technique Executor was an outstanding practitioner, equipped with their own specially crafted Light Armor.

As practitioners with psychic abilities piloting Light Armor, how did they utilize these powers in combat? Ye Chong was filled with curiosity about their fighting style.

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Ye Chong assumed Feng Su was also a Technique Executor. The hardships he had endured at her hands were still fresh in his memory! He had a deep appreciation for the strength of Technique Executors.

Ye Chong’s progress with Silent Breath was painfully slow, and the effects were minimal. At this rate, he had no idea when he would be capable of performing the advanced techniques documented in the materials. But he was not anxious. In his view, impatience did nothing to advance matters; why bother rushing? This typical pastoral mindset had profoundly influenced Ye Chong.

He usually practiced Silent Breath at night. During the day, Heizi accompanied him to visit renowned doctors nearby. Heizi was very attentive to Ye Chong’s condition. Nannan’s grandfather was always busy and nowhere to be seen. Heizi could only stay with Ye Chong for half a day, spending the other half working with Nannan’s grandfather. Yet Ye Chong still did not know what profession they pursued.

Hearing light and heavy footsteps, Ye Chong knew Nannan and Heizi had arrived.

Straightening his clothes—his original garments had long since been burned—he was now wearing Heizi’s clothes. Heizi was burly and muscular, so the clothes were quite baggy on Ye Chong. He didn’t mind, simply rolling up the excess fabric. As long as it didn’t hinder his movement, he was content, though the look was rather mismatched.

These days had delighted Nannan immensely. Usually, she was alone at home and not allowed to go out. Now, not only did she have Ye Chong’s company, but every morning Ye Chong and Heizi would take her out. Whenever Ye Chong went out, he usually brought her along. Curiously, Nannan’s grandfather seemed to trust Ye Chong completely.

“Big brother, are you ready? Heizi and I are all set! Come out quickly!” Before they even arrived, little Nannan shouted excitedly. Her sweet, tender voice seemed imbued with the freshness of morning dew, invigorating all who heard it.

Ye Chong opened the door. Upon seeing him, Nannan cheered and staggered forward. Ye Chong hurried to meet her, fearing she might fall. When they were still about a meter apart, Nannan chirped sharply and jumped. Ye Chong caught her midair and hoisted her onto his shoulder. Nannan giggled, her chubby little hands clutching tightly at his collar to avoid slipping.

Heizi gave Ye Chong a simple, honest smile, and the two of them set off.

“This time, we’re heading to a doctor named Lu Cai Te on the outskirts of the Xiute District. It’s quite far, and I’m not very familiar with the area, so we’ll probably have to ask around once we get close,” Heizi said briefly, not much of a talker.

Ye Chong grunted in agreement and fell silent as well. When two taciturn people walked together, one could imagine the atmosphere.

Since the journey was long, they decided to travel by Light Armor.

When Ye Chong summoned his armor, Heizi’s eyes lit up, exclaiming, “Nice Light Armor!” But then he added regretfully, “Though the material is average.”

Average materials? Aside from the Black Horn and the Guild’s Light Armor, Ye Chong was confident that his armor was crafted from top-tier materials. Could Heizi’s armor be made from even better materials?

Little Nannan pouted: “Big brother’s armor is ugly!”

Immediately after, Heizi summoned his own Light Armor.

Heizi’s armor was quite ordinary in design—a humanoid Light Armor—but the materials used were unlike anything Ye Chong had ever seen. Although also black, it was not the same black metallic sheen as the Black Horn armor. Instead, it resembled something between wood and plastic, with natural-looking textures that amazed Ye Chong greatly.

Noticing Ye Chong’s gaze, Heizi smiled awkwardly. “My master made this for me!” The master Heizi referred to was Nannan’s grandfather.

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Ye Chong asked, “What kind of material is this?” He examined it closely. The material was very hard yet extremely flexible.

Mu also spoke in Ye Chong’s mind: “Ye, this material is strange. It’s my first time seeing it, and it doesn’t seem artificially synthesized. Its attributes are outstanding—it’s an excellent material for Light Armor!”

Mu Shang’s time was up; it was now Mu’s turn.

Heizi, seeing Ye Chong’s keen interest in his armor’s material, explained, “Most of it is made from the skeleton of the Giant Black Whale. Its toughness is exceptional!”

Giant Black Whale skeleton? Armor made from bones? Ye Chong had never heard of such a thing.

After Heizi finished speaking, he prepared to board his Light Armor. Ye Chong suppressed his curiosity and, carrying little Nannan, climbed into the cockpit.

The two Light Armors moved swiftly. In moments, they reached the edge of the Xiute District.

After landing, they stored their Light Armors in a subspace.

Heizi said, “I’ve only been to this place a few times, so I’m not very familiar. I vaguely heard about this Doctor Lu last time. We’ll need to ask around.”

Ye Chong responded with a grunt. Recently, they had visited many places and met numerous doctors, but none could diagnose Ye Chong’s illness. Some even thought he was joking and left in anger.

The task of asking for directions fell to little Nannan. Her charm was formidable, especially toward women. Soon, Ye Chong and Heizi learned the exact address of Doctor Lu. Politely declining an offer from an elderly woman to guide them, they quickly found the location.

“Is it here?” Ye Chong pointed at a building surrounded by many Light Armors.

Five Light Armors stood guard around the house, giving the area a tense atmosphere.

“This should be right,” Heizi hesitated.

“753 Gushi Street!” little Nannan pronounced each word clearly before proudly declaring, “This is it! We found it!”

But why were so many Light Armors surrounding this place? Ye Chong and Heizi exchanged puzzled looks.