Chapter Eleven: Strengthening the Body

It had been a struggle for Wujue to survive up to this point. With so many ambitions yet unfulfilled and the responsibility to rebuild the Great Forest Temple, there was no way he could simply give up. He fought desperately against the virus invading his body—he could not afford to lose!

Yet all his efforts seemed futile. Wujue felt himself growing ever smaller in the darkness, even Hurun’s voice gradually fading away.

“You must have faith. Find the key within your body—I have already taught you. With my strength, your physical form can be enhanced beyond the limits of humanity.”

Yes, I must strengthen myself. I must become even more powerful! Struggling, Wujue opened his eyes in his confusion and at last saw a faint outline before him.

But why were people looking at him with such terror in their eyes, retreating far away as if hiding from a monster, afraid to come near? Wujue glanced down at his hands; they were deathly pale. His body was emitting a stench of decay, beginning to mutate, just like those zombies infected by the plague.

In their eyes, he was quickly becoming one of those horrifying creatures, doomed to bring death upon them.

No! I am not!

He tried to protest, stretching out a hand, but no sound came forth. He only succeeded in frightening people into fleeing in all directions.

Someone shouted, “He’s infected too! Kill him, or no one will be able to stop him!”

With a crack, something struck Wujue’s forehead. Though he felt no pain, he clearly saw a stone the size of a fist tumble to the ground.

Such was the apocalypse—hearts long ruled by terror, the instinct to survive powerful enough to drive people to any act of self-preservation.

Wujue roared, twisting his head and running madly. He had to get away before he fully transformed.

He could not accept becoming a mindless zombie, one who would slaughter his own kind. He had to survive, to resist this mutation, to fight the virus within his mind.

No, Wujue had not lost hope. He could not fall so easily. Suddenly, the long-absent voice of the abbot rang out in his mind, the old admonitions echoing in his ears.

“Wujue, remember this: the martial arts of the Great Forest Temple are vast and profound. Many are nearly lost to us, but even if all our techniques disappear, never forget the most profound scripture left by our founder—the Marrow-Shifting Sutra. With it, one can comprehend the fate of all living things and be reborn through creation.”

Suddenly, the words of the Marrow-Shifting Sutra flowed clearly through his mind, as if old memories were being recalled with perfect clarity.

Wujue felt himself guided by the scripture, his body undergoing an even greater transformation, regaining the gifts Hurun had once bestowed upon him.

His senses became sharper than ever before, and the cursed virus invading his body was gradually suppressed.

No—that was not quite right. Through the exquisite martial principles of the Marrow-Shifting Sutra, Wujue was transforming and absorbing the virus, turning it to his own use.

Soon, he linked the viruses within his body together, integrating them into his meridians and fusing them with flesh and blood.

With his now unique physical body, he expelled all the toxins that did him harm and retained only the most beneficial elements, merging them into his bloodstream.

As he absorbed them, his body grew even more powerful.

Guided by Hurun, Wujue even began to comprehend mysteries that ordinary humans could never sense.

It was as if he could see the most intricate genes within himself, witness them mutating—strange and mysterious codes, once unfamiliar, now danced and reorganized into stronger patterns.

This was evolution beyond human limits—an unintentional, perfect strengthening. Wujue, by a twist of fate, had completed a transformation.

Finally, he felt everything settle down. Forcing his eyes open, he found the world had darkened; night had fallen.

Vaguely, he seemed to hear someone calling his name—was it Xiao Han?

Would Xiao Han, upon seeing him like this, be so frightened as to hide, mistaking Wujue for a monster?

Wujue looked at his own arm in astonishment. Where the flesh should have been rotten, it was slowly healing.

The decayed muscle was being pushed aside by new skin, falling to the ground in heaps of foul flesh and mucus—the impurities expelled by his evolution.

Wujue felt his mind growing clearer, his understanding of the world sharper than ever. He had not only strengthened his body, but inadvertently gained the knowledge and experience of the Celestial Executioners.

Reason prevailed, and he chose to hide until his recovery was complete before meeting Xiao Han again. He did not wish to take any further risks.

With a leap, he darted into the distance—unexpectedly covering two or three meters in a single bound, as if gravity itself had loosened its grip.

Wujue marvelled at the benefits of his evolution—his strength, speed, and explosive power all far surpassed his former self. With such prowess, could the legendary seventy-three ultimate techniques of the Great Forest Temple not reach new heights in his hands?

Suppressing his excitement, he realized he might become the first in history to master all seventy-three supreme arts of the temple.

Turning back, he saw Xiao Han approaching, with Xiao Yang in his wheelchair. Wujue said calmly, “I am fine now. I have overcome this trial and did not transform into a zombie. Look!”

He pulled off his clothing to reveal new skin, his robust body gleaming under the moonlight—astonishing in its perfection.

Xiao Yang exclaimed, “This is evolution—an unbelievable transformation. Master, you may well be our only hope!”

Wujue replied quietly, “Let us hope so. I only wish that it’s not too late to make a difference.”

Xiao Han, still worried, said, “I heard from the refugees that you’d been bitten, Master. I was so worried, but I never imagined you’d come through unharmed—it truly is a miracle.”

Xiao Yang added, “Indeed. At least we haven’t lost too much. But how will you deal with the others?”

Though Wujue was now safe, he had inevitably caused panic among the people. Gaining their acceptance would not be easy, especially as so many refugees had gathered in the underground vault—settling them would be no simple task.

Yet, Wujue seemed to have made up his mind. He said to the two of them, “As long as I have your support, I am confident we can change the situation ahead—even if it means resorting to extraordinary means.”

“Let’s join hands and achieve something great.” He extended his hand to the two of them, awaiting their decision.

At last, both Xiao Han and Xiao Yang nodded, placing their hands atop his.

End of Chapter Eleven: Physical Reinforcement.