NOVEL WEB Chapter 37 - The Incomplete Cultivation Technique
Watching the astonished expressions of Yinn Shediao and the others, Jiaang Lin couldn't help but grin.
In his past life, they were much the same: carefree, straightforward, and blunt in their speech.
Except for Jee Heishui, who was more cultured and polite, the rest were pretty rough around the edges.
But Jiaang Lin enjoyed their company. In his past life, it was from these rough individuals that he learned valuable life lessons and the importance of treating friends and brothers with genuine care and sincerity.
“I never would've guessed, Mr. Jiaang, that you'd know so much about our gang leader and the Hall Masters.
It seems my plan to introduce you to them one by one was entirely unnecessary.”
Que Chunye came to this realization, shaking his head with a wry smile.
In response, Jiaang Lin flashed a radiant smile.
“Young man, I'm really curious. How did you come to know us so well?”
At that moment, a Hall Master from the Celestial Wolf Gang looked at Jiaang Lin with a curious gaze.
“I've admired all of you for a long time and have always wanted to get to know you better. That's why I made it a point to learn more about you,” Jiaang Lin explained.
He had to put it that way; he certainly couldn't reveal to Yinn Shediao and the rest that he had known them in a past life, and after being reincarnated, he still remembered them well.
Reincarnation: such a mystical concept was likely to be dismissed as a tall tale by Yinn Shediao and the others, utterly unbelievable.
“Haha! Who would have thought there'd be a young man in Clear Water Town who looks up to us old ruffians!” another Hall Master from the Celestial Wolf Gang laughed heartily.
”To tell you the truth, I'm a bit of a ruffian myself!” Jiaang Lin said with a wide smile.
”You sure have a way with words, young man. I was puzzled because the folks in Clear Water Town used to say you were reserved and not much of a talker.
It looks like the rumors were unfounded after all.”
The Hall Master chuckled, feeling an inexplicable fondness for Jiaang Lin. Somehow, he just found Jiaang Lin's presence and manner of speaking to his liking.
“As the saying goes, seeing is believing. One can only judge the truth of a matter by witnessing it firsthand, rather than taking someone else's word for it.”
At that moment, another Hall Master of the Celestial Wolf Gang chimed in.
Upon hearing this, Que Chunye and the others nodded their heads in earnest agreement.
“Mr. Jiaang, I owe you my thanks for your assistance a few days ago, when you saved Mr. Que and our brothers from the Celestial Wolf Gang.”
”Here's to you,” Yinn Shediao said, lifting his cup toward Jiaang Lin.
”Mr. Yinn, you're too kind,” Jiaang Lin responded, raising his glass to meet the toast before tilting his head back and emptying the contents in one swift motion.
“Haha! That's the spirit! I didn't expect Mr. Jiaang to be such a straightforward fellow with quite the capacity for liquor!” Yinn Shediao exclaimed, impressed by Jiaang Lin's ability to down a full bowl of strong alcohol without batting an eye.
”Mr. Yinn, you're equally impressive with your drinking,” Jiaang Lin replied.
“By the way, here's a small token of my appreciation,” Yinn Shediao said suddenly, removing a ring from his right index finger and offering it to Jiaang Lin.
The ring was a storage ring, capable of holding various items.
“Mr. Yinn, I really can't accept this gift,” Jiaang Lin said, attempting to decline.
”Why not? You've saved the lives of our Celestial Wolf Gang brothers and Mr. Que's life as well. Why shouldn't you accept it?” Yinn Shediao countered.
”Mr. Que has already given me the Celestial Ice Flower in thanks for saving his life. It wouldn't be right for me to accept another gift,” Jiaang Lin explained.
”But you see, you're already calling us ‘uncle.' From now on, we're all family. As your uncle, it would be remiss of me not to offer you a gift. Don't be so formal with me. Take the ring, or I'll be offended!” Yinn Shediao insisted, pressing the storage ring into Jiaang Lin's hand with determination.
”Please, accept it. Our Hall Master is quite stubborn and takes great offense if his gifts are refused. It would be a dishonor to him!”
A Hall Master from the Celestial Wolf Gang chuckled.
“Indeed, this storage ring is quite the find, and I'm rather jealous myself! If the Hall Master insists on giving it to you, why resist?”
Beside him, Que Chunye also murmured words of encouragement.
Jiaang Lin managed a wry smile, though he felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
“Well then, I shall humbly accept it!”
With that, Jiaang Lin slipped the storage ring onto his right index finger.
“Come on, everyone, let's eat and drink to our heart's content!”
Yinn Shediao, seeing Jiaang Lin accept his gift, smiled with satisfaction and raised his wine bowl, inviting everyone to join in with a hearty voice.
Following his lead, Jiaang Lin, Que Chunye, Jee Heishui, and the other Hall Masters from the Celestial Wolf Gang each lifted their bowls and downed the strong liquor in one gulp.
“Jiaang Lin, I've heard that your showdown with Qiao Junhan from the Qiao family is just a few days away, isn't it?”
Yinn Shediao turned to Jiaang Lin with a questioning look.
”Yes!” Jiaang Lin confirmed with an optimistic nod.
“Make sure you give it your all and take down that Qiao Junhan. Don't let us down!”
Yinn Shediao encouraged him.
“Absolutely, we need to give Qiao Junhan a good thrashing! We've had enough of the Qiao family looking down on our Celestial Wolf Gang!”
Another Hall Master from the gang interjected.
The rest of the group joined in, energetically rooting for Jiaang Lin.
“Don't worry, I won't let you uncles down!” Jiaang Lin assured them with a grin.
He was well aware of the bad blood between the Celestial Wolf Gang and the Qiao family, stemming from the wounds inflicted upon Jee Heishui by a formidable member of the Qiao family.
“Excellent. On the day of the battle, the entire Celestial Wolf Gang will be there to support you!” Yinn Shediao declared, laughing boisterously.
”Cough, cough…”
Suddenly, Jee Heishui, who had been quiet until now, began to cough uncontrollably.
With each cough, he expelled a significant amount of blood, his already pale complexion growing even more ghastly.
Jiaang Lin noticed a chilling cold air emanating from Jee Heishui's body, so intense it made one shiver without feeling cold.
“Quick, bring the Ghost Mastiff's Crystal Core!”
Yinn Shediao, seeing Jee Heishui's alarming condition, commanded urgently.
A Hall Master from the Celestial Wolf Gang swiftly departed and soon returned with the Crystal Core of a Ghost Mastiff. He crushed it, and a surge of spiritual energy flowed from Jee Heishui's mouth into his body, coursing through his limbs and quelling the icy aura within him.
“Damn, the Ghost Mastiff's Crystal Core won't last long! When will we be able to truly rid Old Jee of the Cold Poison?”
Yinn Shediao watched Jee Heishui, whose complexion had slightly improved, his face etched with concern and worry.
“Mr. Yinn, let me have a look,” Jiaang Lin offered, stepping forward.
”Eh? Jiaang Lin, are you sure you can handle it?”
Yinn Shediao was taken aback. He was well aware that the Cold Poison in Jee Heishui's body was no ordinary affliction. It had first manifested when he was five years old and had been recurring annually. However, since the severe injury inflicted by a member of the Qiao family, the episodes had become more frequent and unpredictable.
In desperation, Yinn Shediao had sought out numerous healers, even venturing to other towns within the Dragon Abyss Empire for a cure, all to no avail. The only temporary solution was the Ghost Mastiff's Crystal Core, which suppressed the symptoms but failed to address the underlying issue. This was why Yinn Shediao understood the complexity of treating the Cold Poison afflicting Jee Heishui.
Given Jiaang Lin's offer to help, it was no surprise that Yinn Shediao harbored doubts.
“How will we know unless we try?” Jiaang Lin said with a smile.
”Very well, I entrust Old Jee to you. If you can cure the Cold Poison, the Celestial Wolf Gang will be in your debt.”
“From now on, if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to the Celestial Wolf Gang!” declared Yinn Shediao with gravity.
Jiaang Lin merely nodded in acknowledgment, not taking the offer to heart. He didn't need the Celestial Wolf Gang to be indebted to him. Saving Jee Heishui was something he did willingly, regardless of whether the gang felt obliged to reciprocate the favor.
With a metallic ring, Jiaang Lin unleashed his Battle Soul, and his normally dark eyes swiftly turned a chilling, merciless blood red. Through his Blood Eye Battle Soul, he could see the intricate internal structure of Jee Heishui's body with crystal clarity. The Blood Eye Battle Soul revealed ice crystal-like formations clinging to Jee Heishui's meridians and bones, each emitting a faint chill and a daunting, frosty presence.
”Mr. Jee, your Battle Soul is of the ice element. Have you ever practiced a technique related to ice?” Jiaang Lin inquired, his voice resonant and serious.
”Yes,” Jee Heishui confirmed with a nod.
”May I have a look at the technique you've been cultivating?” Jiaang Lin requested.
Peering into another cultivator's technique was a major taboo. Many cultivators possessed proprietary techniques they would never willingly share with outsiders. But Jee Heishui wasn't overly concerned. His gut told him Jiaang Lin was reliable and trustworthy, and there would be no harm in sharing his technique with him.
“This is the only legacy my father left me before my parents died,” Jee Heishui explained, as he handed over an ancient tome to Jiaang Lin.
“Cold Ice Spell,” Jiaang Lin read the title and carefully perused the contents. After some time, his brows knitted together in concern.
“Mr. Jee, when did you first experience the onset of the Cold Poison?” he asked.
“When I was five years old,” Jee Heishui responded.
“Did you begin practicing the Cold Ice Spell at that age?” Jiaang Lin pressed.
“I did,” Jee Heishui nodded.
”Do you think…” Jiaang Lin trailed off, piecing together his thoughts.
“Mr. Jee, this Cold Ice Spell is merely a fragment, not the complete text. While practicing it has indeed rapidly enhanced your Cultivation Level, the incomplete nature of the technique has prevented you from fully absorbing and integrating the cold spiritual energy. Consequently, an excess of cold energy has built up in your body, leading to the formation of Cold Poison.”
Jiaang Lin nodded in acknowledgment.
He had previously observed the ice-like crystals formed within Jee Heishui's body, a consequence of his daily practice of the Cold Ice Spell and his inability to fully absorb the cold-attributed spiritual energy.