Chapter 200 The So-called Growth

Chu Hengkong woke up in a soft feather quilt.

The quilt was large, folded in half like a sleeping bag, able to envelop him completely. It lay on a carpet-like straw mat, next to a small bookshelf piled high with drafts. A few bone-white hairs were streaked through the straw, and he realized this might be a "bed."

He reached toward the bed and felt a patch of warm, fuzzy fur.

"Did you succeed?"

Red hair cascaded down in front of her, and Qingxia leaned over. She lay beside the straw bed, clinging to it like a wild animal guarding its cubs. Chu Hengkong quickly withdrew his hand and stood up, coughing twice. "You'd better keep your distance. This could easily lead to misunderstandings..."

Chu Hengkong wanted to slap himself the moment he said that. Such a statement was totally unlike him. It was like a shy college student possessed from nowhere. Qingxia lowered her head and sniffed his scent.

"You're much better than before," she said with certainty. "You succeeded!"

Chu Hengkong stood up and stretched his body. He indeed felt a significant reduction in stress, a sense of unprecedented relief. This was because he no longer needed to focus on suppressing the Immortal Machine. The other influences that had been lingering in his mind also faded. There was no sudden surge of desire, no urge to sink into depression. He felt as good as when he first became a skilled hand.

"Let me test it."

He reached out and touched the side of Qingxia's face, sliding his hand down from her face to her smooth shoulders. Previously, such close contact would have been enough to stir her heart, but now her heart beat steadily, in tune with his emotions.

He was so satisfied that he was speechless: "I'm fine!"

Qingxia tilted her head and clamped his palm, blinking: "Do you want to do it?"

"How could you suddenly come up with something like that? Your mental speed is way too fast, isn't it?! It's an order of magnitude faster than running in real life!"

Qingxia frowned and said, "General Chu, you are very strange. If you don't want to do it, why are you teasing me?"

"Is this called teasing?!"

"When a man touches a girl's face, it's considered teasing. That's what my grandfather told me."

Damn, she actually said something very common sense! Am I the one without common sense this time?

"A playboy who molests a decent girl will be torn apart by five horses." Qingxia raised her hands threateningly, "Just like what Mr. Shang Yang implemented in his reforms!"

"Show me a little more respect for Shang Yang."

Qingxia crossed her arms, grabbing only Chu Hengkong's wrists. Without a second thought, Chu Hengkong struck and slashed, breaking them apart. Qingxia's eyebrows arched. She used only one hand to grab, yet secretly exerted a bit more strength. Chu Hengkong let her hold his left wrist, his hidden energy shattering the blood blockage, his right hand slithering out with the dexterity of a snake.

"Hmm? Huh?"

Qingxia looked puzzled. Chu Hengkong, who usually let her control him, had now become like a difficult loach. Chu Hengkong hooked his finger: "It's okay if you are more serious."

"Then take it seriously~"

With a pointed fingertip, a sonic boom erupted. Chu Hengkong combined his two fingers, intercepting his opponent's fingers mid-air. He grasped, entangled, clawed, and stabbed, his rapid movements forcing countless afterimages, dancing between their palms like butterflies. In a flash, the two exchanged 65 rounds, Qingxia unable to break down, while Chu Hengkong remained unstoppable.

He pushed open the window, jumped out, and said provocatively: "It seems that General Fei took a nap for too long and is still not awake."

"You thief, you actually dare to use provocation." Qing Xia slammed his palm, "Then I will fall into your trap!"

They leaped out of the hut one after the other. Everyone in the settlement felt only two gusts of wind, whipping leaves everywhere, but no one could be seen causing the winds. In less than a breath, they were at the edge of the waterfall. Qingxia picked up a stone and casually struck it. The pebble transformed into gray light and struck Chu Hengkong in the abdomen. Chu Hengkong let the stone hit him, his muscles stretching and flowing like liquid, channeling the impact through his bones, directly into the earth.

The directed impact created a semicircular crater beneath Chu Hengkong's feet. He used the momentum to surge forward, extending his left prosthetic arm and swinging it out like a lasso around Qingxia's upper body. Qingxia ducked her head, and the evil wrist barely brushed her hair. She thrust out both hands, grabbing the evil wrist and attempting to pull Chu Hengkong towards her.

Each side stood firm, wrestling with their bodies, their wrists moving back and forth like a tug-of-war rope. However, both were equally matched. One second passed... three seconds... five seconds! Still a stalemate!

Qingxia grinned, as if wanting to praise the other's progress. A blood-red glow shone from her mouth, and her blood and energy formed a miniature magic circle, drawing a "roar" from the shadow spell and about to be launched. At this moment, the wrist of evil suddenly shrank, retracting to Chu Hengkong's side like a small silver snake. He stood still and raised his left arm. The metal structure in his palm spliced ​​and deformed, forming a cannon muzzle.

Biolysis ray, emitted.

Unlike the Immortal Machine's sweeping attack, the beam from Chu Hengkong's palm flashed by in a fleeting moment, like a crimson spear. The spear pierced through the roaring sound patterns, instantly disintegrating the Qi and blood that formed the technique. The attacks from both sides tangled, annihilated, and simultaneously rose high into the sky, forming a blood-red pillar of light outside the settlement!

Chu Hengkong clasped his hands together, halting the ray's emission. Qingxia's hair danced in the air, and she clapped her hands joyfully.

"Wow! You've gotten much stronger." Qingxia stopped, "In my meditation state, I might not be able to defeat General Chu."

"Thank you for suppressing my arrogance." Chu Hengkong said unhappily, "I'll fight you again after I level up to level 3."

Being able to control a vegetative person whose heart has stopped beating is not an achievement at all. It just narrows the huge gap between him and Qingxia a little.

"It's impressive that you can fight Jingxin~" Qingxia tried to pinch his ears, "And don't you also have the evil method of not breathing that's useless?"

Chu Hengkong flicked her hand away: "I already said that it is a famous and upright path, and don't talk to me in such a doting tone."

"Yeah, I know, I did it on purpose."

"That's why you're so annoying!"

Qing Xia stood up with a smile and asked, "So, General Chu, are you going to upgrade now? After absorbing my blood, you will be more than capable of becoming Xu Lie Xin."

The conditions required to upgrade from Hard Bones to Xulie Heart are "controllable powerful explosive power" and "core organs that provide explosive power." The requirements for meeting this definition are quite broad, such as mechanically modified energy furnaces and elemental energy sources, which can all be considered "Xulei Heart."

After enduring a series of tortures from Jinye City to the present, Chu Hengkong had become a remarkable being, able to fight the Fear Bringer and Qingxia with impassive composure. His heart was already much stronger than most Xu Lie's. With the One Heart Ritual successfully concluded, he only needed to slightly adjust his body structure with the help of the Immortal Machine's transformation to smoothly enter the Ascension Ritual.

However, Chu Hengkong has no plans to rush into promotion for the time being.

"The heart and bones still need careful refinement. I intend to wait until the modification plan is further optimized before starting the upgrade." He naturally used the term "modification" because the Immortal Machine was still calculating the modification plan. "And we also need to ensure a safe environment."

"Find a safe zone in the wilderness of despair."

"It's relatively safe." Chu Hengkong corrected his statement, "At least wait until the stone species is upgraded and the Holy Pillar recovers a bit before making any plans."

"Or just a 'bang' during the battle!" Qingxia suddenly opened his hands.

"The transformation doesn't happen that quickly."

"It can be handled in an emergency." Qing Xia waved her hand. "Well, then, I'm going out hunting too. I've done you a favor this time..."

She came close to Chu Hengkong and whispered, "When you are free tomorrow, can you please come see me?"

Without waiting for a response, she hopped away like a deer. Chu Hengkong shook his head helplessly. Even now, he was still not good at dealing with Qingxia. He only knew that he owed her another favor.

The more you interact with others, the more debt you accumulate. How can you pay it off later?

Chu Hengkong walked towards the settlement, pondering how he could repay the favor. Qingxia's earlier request naturally had to be met, and if they could leave the Despair Wilderness, he would do his best to find a safe haven for the settlement's warriors. This was part favor, part obligation. Furthermore, if he had any spare energy left, he intended to investigate Qingxia's background.

This centaur girl wouldn't have appeared in the Despair Wilderness for no apparent reason. Her various abnormalities were closely related to her origins. Even with the secret technique of Zanxin, suppressing her instincts for a long time in daily life was painful. He had to at least help Qingxia understand the original habits of this tribe so that he could correct her current lifestyle.

He knew someone must know about this.

"Qingye, where is Silar?"

"I haven't seen him today. I think he's at the Holy Pillar."

Qing Ye appeared stealthily behind him, as if she had fallen out of space. She was full of admiration: "As expected of Mr. Chu, he was able to spot me."

"I didn't sense it. I was just guessing."

"ah?"

"With such a big commotion just now, someone must be coming to check it out. If Ji Huaisu hasn't showed up yet, then that must be you." Chu Hengkong said, "Your skills are pretty good, much more powerful than before."

Qing Ye touched his nose: "I am also working hard to practice~"

They walked together towards the center of the settlement, just like the day they first received the Zanxin Secret Technique. Strangely enough, only a few days had passed, yet it felt like months.

When they arrived at the training grounds, they saw many researchers busying around, seemingly setting up the venue. The diminutive figure of Silar was nowhere to be seen, and instead, the street-slicker Zhongming stood beside Shizhong, mumbling something to himself.

Seeing the two approaching, he pushed up his sunglasses with his middle finger and said sarcastically, "Hey! The half-baked duo are here again!"

"Whatever you say." Chu Hengkong didn't care.

"One of you treats the trash in the funeral procession as a treasure, and the other one is trying to appease the outsiders in order to save his own life. The Canxin secret art has been passed down for so many years, and you two are the most shameful ones." Chongming sneered.

"Ah, it seems that Commander Chongming doesn't know the fog spell." Qingye made a face, "Commander Chongming is jealous~"

"What are you talking about, you idiot! I don't need a crappy ability like invisibility!"

"He's really anxious." Chu Hengkong exclaimed.

"You've been practicing for a few days but your skills haven't improved, but your face has gotten thicker." Chongming looked the two of them up and down and said abruptly, "Guangshi Qingye, the Heartless One, what is your goal?"

"Yes, I want to find the Canxin Life Master and bring him back to change Shura Island!" Qing Ye said cheerfully, "If he refuses to come, I will cultivate myself to become the Life Master and change Shura Island!"

Chongming took off his sunglasses and rubbed his temples vigorously. The muscles on his face beneath the bandages began to twitch, giving him a deeply broken expression, somewhere between mockery, absurdity, and a sense of disappointment.

He finally gave up on Qingye with a fierce wave of his hand, staring at Chu Hengkong: "You, speak!"

"I want to resurrect the dead." Chu Hengkong said calmly, "Then find a place to live out my retirement and travel occasionally."

Chongming turned around and found a large water cup, and gulped down two big mouthfuls of water.

"Ah, damn it, you little geniuses," he deadpanned, "is this the conclusion you've reached after your training?"

"Yes." "What's the problem?"

The two nodded happily. Chongming nodded as well. The cold hatred vanished from his bandaged face, as if it had been peeled off. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he was about to smile.

"Good!" the man exclaimed. "That's right!"

"......?" X2

The expression of mixed ridicule and contempt dissipated like mist, and Chongming laughed heartily, patting their shoulders vigorously like an overly enthusiastic neighbor. His attitude changed so quickly, like an actor changing masks, leaving the two people stunned and abrupt.

"Your ideals are your own business, and your life is in your own hands! Do you have an absurd dream in your heart? Then go for it boldly!"

Qing Ye pointed at him and stared at him for a long time: "You, you, you didn't say that before!"

Chongming flung his cape and pointed toward the sky with a rather imposing gesture. His cape fluttered violently behind him.

"What can be shaken by a few words is nothing but bubbles." The man laughed. "What can be consistent with oneself is a dream!"

"What idiotic logic! You're just using your aura to solve problems with your idealism!!"

"Then what are you if you don't even have the aura?" Chongming laughed, "A person who doesn't even understand the specific situation, relying on seniority and aura to say things that sound reasonable, can that alone shake your calculations?

That's immaturity! That's stupidity! Principles and methods are all just deceiving people. Just figure out the methods and meaning while you're doing them. There's no need to worry about what others say. As long as you believe it's right, just do it!

The two were speechless for a moment. Qingye recalled how easily he had wavered before, and Chu Hengkong recalled how he had been reluctant to express his wish. Chongming lay down with his hands under his head and said lazily, "Don't be fooled by reason and logic. You must use your sword to pierce those things. Believe in your heart! Believe in yourself who firmly believes in your dreams! If you can do this, you will be a truly powerful person!"

"No problem. You are now qualified to step onto the battlefield. Come with me to hold a combat meeting and prepare for the next move."

(End of this chapter)