Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing-Chapter 278: Allure (II)

"You should be satisfied. At least you still have a chance to compete for a spot. I do not even have that opportunity," Lin Zheyu said, glancing at him.

"Young Master Zhao, did you go participate in the arena challenge today?" Li Mengqi asked.

"No, I plan to go in a few days. Even the first winner will not appear until at least five days from now. I will instead go observe for a few days first and see how strong the other martial artists are," Lin Zheyu said.

"Young Master Zhao, I think it would be better for you to participate earlier. Listening to that Grandmaster realm senior from the Bull Demon Sect share his experience this time, one can feel that overbearing Dominance, savage strength, and unstoppable momentum from him. It's that spirit of charging forward without fear of hardship.

"But these qualities are rarely seen in you, Young Master Zhao. You are too steady and lack that sense of sharp ambition. I am not saying this approach is wrong, but it will affect your ability to condense Dominance true intent," Li Mengqi said calmly.

Her Ice true intent was on the verge of condensing, and she had her own insights into the process of forming true intent. Combining this with the experience shared by the Bull Demon Sect expert, she quickly noticed what was amiss with Young Master Zhao.

"That's right. I was just about to say the same. Brother Zhao, your way of doing things is a bit too... Well, how should I put it... Right, overly cautious. For a martial artist, this way of acting is not wrong. Being cautious helps one live longer. But the problem is that you are cultivating Dominance true intent.

"Although you have condensed a Dominance true intent seed, that seed only allows you to reach the threshold of forming true intent. To truly condense true intent, you must follow the Dominance true intent and change yourself from the inside out. Look at my sister. She used to be as innocent and romantic as Wensi and loved to smile. However, ever since she condensed the Ice true intent seed, that cold aura around her has become increasingly obvious, making her more and more like an ice mountain beauty. Standing beside her feels like standing next to a block of ice. This is the change that occurs in a martial artist from the inside out after being influenced by true intent. But in Brother Zhao, this kind of change does not seem to be present," Li Mengxi said in agreement.

Am I really too cautious?

Hearing this, Lin Zheyu could not help but fall into deep thought. He felt that he was indeed somewhat overly cautious.

After condensing the Dominance true intent seed, he would often feel Dominance driven thoughts arise within his heart under its influence. However, out of caution and prudence, Lin Zheyu always suppressed these thoughts, continuing as before, building high walls, stockpiling resources, and claiming kingship slowly. This was especially true after condensing the Tortoise Breath true intent. Once the Tortoise Breath true intent formed, those thoughts disappeared altogether.

"Mengxi is right. After condensing a true intent seed, under its influence, a martial artist's temperament will change toward a direction more aligned with that true intent. What Young Master Zhao needs to do is accept it, comprehend it, and actively move toward alignment with that true intent. If it were other martial artists who comprehend Dominance true intent, they would not worry so much and would step onto the combat arena on the very first day of the martial exchange."

Seeing that Zhao Hao seemed to gain some understanding, Li Mengqi continued.

"To act freely and follow one's heart, without suppressing one's true self?" Lin Zheyu murmured softly. The Dominance true intent seed in his consciousness trembled slightly, releasing a Dominance aura that dispelled the influence of the Tortoise Breath true intent.

Huff~.

He exhaled deeply and clasped his hands toward Li Mengqi and Li Mengxi.

"Thank you for the guidance. If not for you waking me up, I would still be suppressing those surging ambitions and continuing to remain overly cautious," Lin Zheyu said in thanks.

In truth, this was not his fault. After cultivating the Tortoise Breath True Technique, the influence of the Tortoise Breath true intent was far beyond what a small Dominance true intent seed could compare to. Tortoise Breath true intent favored nurturing and longevity, preferring stillness over movement. It was a very serene true intent.

Only a few days after condensing the Dominance true intent seed, Lin Zheyu obtained the Tortoise Breath True Technique and cultivated the Tortoise Breath true intent. Under its influence, the effect of the Dominance true intent seed was greatly suppressed, causing his cultivation of Dominance true intent to stagnate.

"You are too polite. Tortoise Breath true intent and Dominance true intent are two completely different true intents and will have entirely opposite effects on a martial artist's temperament. Two completely opposite true intents cannot be cultivated at the same time. If Young Master Zhao currently focuses on Tortoise Breath true intent, then you need not pay too much attention to the reminders Mengxi and I just gave. Simply maintain your current state. A calm, tranquil, and detached mindset and lifestyle are extremely helpful for comprehending Tortoise Breath true intent," Li Mengqi said slowly after some thought.

She was a smart person with extremely high talent in martial cultivation. Otherwise, she would not have been able to cultivate to this level. When she saw that Lin Zheyu had not become sharp and aggressive under the influence of the Dominance true intent seed, she began to suspect something. The influence of a true intent seed on a martial artist's temperament was powerful and subtle.

She had personally experienced this influence and knew how powerful it was. Yet Zhao Hao seemed barely affected. If she had not reminded him, she might not have noticed at all. This was abnormal. Zhao Hao had very likely already begun cultivating the Tortoise Breath True Technique and comprehending the Tortoise Breath true intent, with tangible gains. He was probably not far from condensing a Tortoise Breath true intent seed. Only in this way could the influence of the Dominance true intent seed be suppressed.

If that is truly the case, Young Master Zhao's comprehension is simply astonishing, thought Li Mengqi as she looked at Lin Zheyu with a glimmer of admiration in her eyes.

The Tortoise Breath True Technique had been exchanged by her from the Library Pavilion over two months ago and handed to Zhao Hao. In just over two months, he had comprehended the Tortoise Breath true intent to the extent that it could suppress the influence of the Dominance true intent seed. That was truly astonishing.

"Thank you for the reminder. The Tortoise Breath True Technique is very difficult to cultivate, so it is indeed not easy. The Dominance true intent has already formed a seed, so I plan to first cultivate the Dominance true intent. If not for Miss Mengqi and Young Master Mengxi's guidance, continuing to comprehend the Tortoise Breath true intent at the same time would likely have been in vain," Lin Zheyu said sincerely.

Cultivating multiple true intents at the same time was indeed extremely difficult. The influence of the Tortoise Breath true intent on him was subtle and pervasive, directly overshadowing the effect of the Dominance true intent seed. If not for Li Mengqi's reminder, he would not have even noticed this problem.

"Hehe. If you want to thank me, then come with me to the banquet tonight, and I will show you the geniuses from the major sects and esteemed families," Li Mengxi said with a grin.

"Alright." Lin Zheyu nodded.

With Li Mengxi extending such a warm invitation, Lin Zheyu could hardly continue to refuse. The heavy influence of the Tortoise Breath true intent had made him increasingly detached. In the past, he would never have declined. He had originally planned to use Li Mengqi and Li Mengxi to enter their social circle, but under the influence of the Tortoise Breath true intent, he had completely forgotten about this plan.

"Haha, it is settled then. Brother Zhao, hurry up and change into a new outfit and dress properly. The banquet is about to begin." Li Mengxi looked over Lin Zheyu's attire, shook his head, and urged him to change.

***

The evening banquet was held at Fenyang Pavilion. Almost all who attended were young generation prodigies.

"Look, that is Rong Siying, ranked fifth on Wuling City's beauty list, who cultivates the Sangharama Allure Canon.[1]Every frown and smile of hers captures the heart." Li Yanming pointed at a woman not far away whose alluring figure was clad in reddish brown translucent gauze through which her attractive undergarments could be seen.

The woman's skin was very fair and delicate, her makeup exquisite, her eyes round, and she looked very beautiful when she smiled.

"Not bad. She has a great figure." Lin Zheyu examined her with an appreciative gaze and nodded in praise.

Rong Siying possessed a charming and seductive aura. With a casual sway of her waist, a light laugh, or a blink of her eyes, she revealed an allure that men found hard to resist. Even Lin Zheyu could not help but feel slightly stirred.

"Has she condensed an Allure true intent?" Lin Zheyu asked.

He slightly circulated the Tortoise Breath true intent to suppress the stirrings of desire in his heart, and that seductive sensation vanished instantly. His mind became as calm as an ancient well, detached and unmoved by external things. This was the first time he had used the Tortoise Breath true intent to influence his own spirit and emotions, and the effect was far better than he had expected.

"Yes. Miss Rong has already comprehended true intent. Brother Zhao, you must be careful not to have your soul stolen by her," Li Mengxi stared fixedly at Rong Siying, swallowed his saliva, and warned him deliberately.

Seeing Li Mengxi's infatuated look, Lin Zheyu said helplessly, "I think you are the one about to have your soul stolen by her."

Li Mengqi directly extended her hand, and a chilling aura spread out. Li Mengxi shuddered all over, his face showing an awkward expression.

"Ha... haha... A graceful lady is the object of a gentleman's admiration. I was only appreciating her," Li Mengxi said as he laughed awkwardly in defense.

He turned his head to see Li Wensi looking at him with some disdain. Looking to the right, Brother Zhao had not been affected. Fortunately, Li Yanming, like him, had also been influenced by Rong Siying's Allure true intent and showed an awkward expression, which made him feel slightly more balanced.

1. Saṅghārāma is a Sanskrit term meaning a Buddhist monastic complex or sacred precinct where monks live, practice, and study. ☜