Lijiang Guard City, Yongtong District east of the city.

    In a small courtyard with a single entrance, Chen Mu grabbed a wooden stake about four to five meters long and as thick as a bowl with one hand.

    He gently thrust the sharpened end into the ground, and the stake sank more than a meter into the earth as easily as a plastic fork piercing a cake.

    Following the same method, he buried four posts. Then he constructed a supporting crossbar on top, laid out straw mats, and securely tied them. A simple wooden and straw cool pavilion was completed.

    Chen Mu moved the rocking chair and low table he had just bought into the pavilion, comfortably lying on it.

    "Comfortable."

    This was after he had been in Lijiang Guard City for half a month.

    Renting a house, buying furniture, digging an underground chamber, stockpiling supplies—after a series of busy tasks, today was the first day he had some leisure time.

    "Good thing I left early."

    He had met that person on the way, and in order to deal with Zuo Sheng, had resorted to desperate measures.

    If he had continued to stay in the city, anyone related to Cheng Ming and Zuo Sheng would have been drawn into the maelstrom.

    "Small cities are better, after all."

    He had also been familiarizing himself with Lijiang Guard City in the past few days.

    Lijiang City might seem small, but in reality, it wasn''t much different from Qingshan County.

    But it wasn''t large either; among the four guard cities in Nanyang Prefecture, Lijiang Guard City was the smallest.

    Moreover, because it was located at the southernmost tip of Da Liang, far away from the heartland of the Central Plains, it wasn''t very prosperous.

    "I''ve made it all the way to the southernmost part; this should grant me some peace and quiet, right?" Chen Mu slowly sipped his cool tea.

    Although it was already October, it was still hot here: "I wonder if there''s a magic artifact to cool the air."

    ...

    Nanyang Prefecture City was prosperous, but living there didn''t provide peace of mind.

    With major powers spread throughout, any small action could lead to trouble. It was far more comfortable to stay in a smaller city.

    "The Blue-eyed Golden Ape has completed the Marrow Transformation. It''s time to consider the Breathing Method."

    The completion of Marrow Transformation meant the Shape Cultivation Technique had been perfected. The next step was to comprehend the Divine Intent Diagram, engrave it in one''s mind, and then continuously supplement nutrition, hoping for the day when Soul Strength would emerge.

    Ordinary people, at this stage, couldn''t see any clear path. They might cultivate their soul for decades without any success.

    That''s why they were desperately seeking the Dragon Transformation Pill, falling right into the traps set by the noble families, making these monstrous powers grow even larger.

    "Luckily, I have proficiency."

    He began pondering a brand-new Breathing Method. This was an insight gained from the experience with the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique.

    The Soul Nourishing Stage emphasized the Divine Intent Diagram.

    But the Divine Intent Diagram was abstruse and difficult to understand. Senior practitioners would have comprehensions recorded in manuals, suggesting repeatedly practicing the Shape Cultivation Technique, gradually experiencing breakthroughs like water dripping on stone, and then one would be able to master the Divine Intent Diagram.

    However, Shape Cultivation Technique was too physically demanding, limiting the number of practice sessions each day.

    A brand-new Breathing Method was different. All you needed was a place to sit and practice. Once familiar, it could even be integrated into every movement.

    And as long as it was slightly matched with whole-body muscle control, the effects were as good as the complete cultivation technique.

    "Such a commotion, he definitely made a move. Who knows what the outcome was."

    Chen Mu perked up his ears and listened carefully.

    "What you''re saying isn''t right; how could a person have such abilities? They say it was evil spirits causing trouble!"

    "One of the demons was three meters tall, its body like cast iron, with claws bigger than cattail fans, and a breath that could kill a person."

    "There was another that could emit a strange cry like the striking of a bronze bell, rendering anyone who heard it unconscious immediately."

    "In the end, a pure and fair fairy descended from the heavens and killed the harmful demons."

    "Don''t be so skeptical; many people saw that fairy, riding down from the sky on a mighty eagle."

    "With a wave of her hand, she cast down celestial fire and burnt the demon to death."

    Chen Mu: "..."

    Well, street rumors are just that unreliable.

    Demons? Fairies? Celestial fire? Heh... even more fantastic than the tales told by the storytellers.

    "If only Jie Jia were here," he thought.

    This killer who mixed in the underworld always had his ear to the ground.

    Unfortunately, he always wanted money.

    ...

    Back home, Chen Mu analyzed the news he had just heard.

    "The big search has definitely stopped."

    Almost three months had passed, and the case of Sikou Yu''s death had finally come to an end. At least, it had apparently ended on the surface.

    "Cheng Yi''s status is unknown; he might have been killed, or he might have escaped, but with the search stopped, the outcome is probably not good," Chen Mu speculated to himself.

    The grand families were lofty and untouchable, and to avenge Sikou Yu, they would never let the matter rest so easily.

    "Nanyang Prefecture City has settled down," Chen Mu breathed a sigh of relief.

    "It''s just rough for Taoist Cheng Yi," Chen Mu said with a look of sympathy.

    Should he return to Nanyang Prefecture?

    After pondering for a long while, Chen Mu still shook his head.

    "Living in Nanyang Prefecture is truly uncomfortable."

    Too bustling, always filled with a mix of dragons and snakes, you never know when a formidable character might leap out.

    "Although the Evil-warding Artifact is powerful, warding off natural disasters, the calamities brought by people are more robust and impossible to guard against."

    Chen Mu decided to stay in Lijiang City for a while longer.

    "After all, I have the Five Ghosts Bag, and I''m not afraid of the usual evil spirits." Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-novelhall.net

    Previously without a Magic Artifact to protect him, it was like walking naked in the icy, snow-covered wilderness, shivering every moment. He always wanted to hide in a safe place, which is why he went to Nanyang Prefecture City.

    Now that the Five Ghosts were ready, although he did not know their power, self-protection should be decent.

    "Might as well honestly brush up my Shape Cultivation Technique first."