Tu Ning

Deep within the forest stood a small wooden cabin.

As noon approached, Liu Feier rose, staggering slightly and nearly falling, her legs suddenly weak and unable to support her.

Regaining her senses, she could hardly believe what she had done.

Thanks to her unique perception of blood, she could clearly sense that tiny presence still lingering within her heart.

“It must be because of it. It originally resided in Liu Lang’s blood, and when I drank his blood...”

“Did Liu Lang do those things to me because of this damned creature?”

Having personally experienced the loss of reason and acting purely on bestial desire, she was shaken.

After a whole morning of turmoil, surprisingly, Liu Lang’s complexion had improved considerably.

He awoke midway, too afraid to make a sound, a helpless victim caught between the blade and the flesh, still entangled in their torrid embrace.

“Under that stimulus, my absorption efficiency of spiritual energy greatly increased, and my internal spiritual power recovered unusually fast. This rapid recovery is thanks to that,” Liu Lang realized that the spiritual power inside him was not purely spiritual energy. His energy possessed the qualities of both spiritual energy and chakra.

“At that life-or-death moment, my body was forced to use chakra to operate the Heavenly Blade... and since my superpower can integrate different abilities, this mutation of internal energy isn’t so strange. I just don’t know if this mutation makes me stronger or weaker.”

“But the conversion speed from spiritual energy to power has greatly improved. Previously, absorbing ten units of spiritual energy only produced one unit of spiritual power; absorbing ten units produced one unit of chakra. Now, absorbing ten units yields two units of this mutated energy.”

“At least in terms of quantity, it’s a good thing. My strength still leans towards cultivation, so this mutated power can be called ‘alien spiritual power.’”

“As for the monster’s mention of the ‘Susanoo Bloodline,’ it must be the inherited power of that ninja’s bloodline. How to awaken it remains a complete mystery. If I could command it at will, my strength would skyrocket. I never expected that unremarkable rookie ninja’s bloodline to be so extraordinary.”

Aside from the Sharingan, his ninjutsu was limited to substitution techniques; he couldn’t properly learn the jutsus recorded in the scrolls due to not knowing Fusang language. As for cultivation, though limited to the Heavenly Blade, his combat power was formidable. To grow stronger, however, he needed to train through constant battles, making regular cultivation nearly impossible.

“Are you awake?” Liu Feier asked, her back turned to him.

Liu Lang was embarrassed—neither lying down nor sitting up. When he saw Liu Feier’s smooth back, his modesty stirred with unmistakable presence.

“I... I know you didn’t do it on purpose, and neither did I. There’s something strange in your blood. When I absorbed your blood, that thing entered my body...” Liu Feier struggled to voice her suspicions. “Don’t forget the signal transmitter. We’ve wasted too much time; let’s set off now.”

Naked, Liu Lang carried Liu Feier on his back as they resumed their journey.

“Aren’t you a vampire? In movies, they’re all so powerful with super strong recovery abilities. How come your legs are weak and you can hardly walk? You almost drained all my blood too.”

Liu Feier slapped him. “Enough nonsense! I haven’t fully mastered my vampire physiology yet!”

They had heard the name “Jade Peak” from the monster, but having no clue how to find it, they climbed higher, planning to activate the signal transmitter once they reached the tallest peak, whether it was Jade Peak or not.

Hungry, Liu Lang used his dagger to catch wild birds and rabbits. The mountain was rich with game, and with their senses far surpassing ordinary people, hunting was effortless.

Lacking knowledge of fire-making and grilling, Liu Lang’s ninjutsu was useless; they couldn’t even create a spark. After catching prey, Liu Feier drained the blood directly while Liu Lang plucked and skinned them to eat raw meat.

They lived off raw meat and blood as they trekked through the mountains for five or six days.

One mountain after another was taller; often, after reaching one summit, they would find an even higher peak.

The Hehuan Gu insect struck twice daily, and they gradually grew accustomed to it.

On one mountain peak, Liu Lang sighed as he gazed at an even taller mountain before them.

“Why the sigh? Maybe that’s the highest peak,” Liu Feier teased, patting his head.

Liu Lang, wearing only a grass skirt, leaned over the cliff’s edge. “I’m a bit afraid of heights. That mountain over there doesn’t look easy to cross.”

“There’s always a way. At worst, I’ll transform into a bat and fly you over.” Liu Feier leaned on his shoulder, mischievously licking her lips, her eyes filled with charm.

They both sensed the Hehuan Gu was about to strike.

Liu Feier’s chest heaved violently.

Liu Lang looked down at her, pinned beneath him, both gasping for breath.

A silhouette silently approached them.

Liu Feier lay on the ground; a figure appeared in her vision, but Liu Lang’s face quickly and rhythmically blocked her sight. She was immersed in the moment, her mind too occupied to think.

The experience was exhilarating.

“Youngness is truly wonderful,” the figure finally spoke after their passion subsided.

“Who—!” Liu Lang startled, dagger flying before he could even rise.

The stranger gently caught the blade’s edge; Liu Lang lost control of it.

The newcomer was a woman, wearing a floral dress and black leather shoes. A wide-brimmed hat concealed her face, her waist-length hair fluttering in the breeze.

“You have D-level power, apparently a cultivation-side ability. Among your kind, it would be called Qi Refining,” she said, removing her hat to reveal a delicate, beautiful face, lips painted a vivid red. She kicked a blade of grass away, her white cotton ankle socks unadorned.

“Who are you?” Liu Lang stepped protectively in front of Liu FeierI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.