Qi Cultivation Starting from the Repair Panel

The old man's body swayed, seeming somewhat unsteady amid the turbulent waves.

"Geng..."

Chu Zheng instinctively scanned the surrounding river, where the waves surged fiercely, with the nearest Water Island almost twenty miles away.

A strong man, rowing a boat, would also expend much Qi Strength, not to mention the Water Demons and Evil Spirits lurking beneath. Those who ferried in such a place could hardly be ordinary people.

Sensing something was off, Chu Zheng quietly stood up and reached out to support the old man:

"The current is swift, be careful, elder."

[Geng Yiyang (Sixth Order): Holy Master of Taixuan Holy Land, at the peak of Tongxuan with Seventh Level Perfection of the Taixuan Divine Fire Scripture, has used life-extending methods, life nearing depletion, combat power not even seventy percent of his peak (irreparable).]

Even though Chu Zheng had braced himself mentally, he was still momentarily stunned after seeing the information on the panel.

He had anticipated that the old man was no ordinary individual, but never had he imagined he would be extraordinary to this extent.

A Supreme Being, just a step away from the Immortal Tribulation Secret Realm!

Most crucially, the Holy Master of the Taixuan Holy Land!

Chu Zheng struggled to control his reaction and slowly withdrew his hand.

"Young man, you are a good person."

Geng Yiyang looked up at the sky, eyes slightly squinting, took out a straw hat from the stern to shade himself, picked up the oar again to continue rowing. His already murky eyes, hidden under the shade of the hat brim, became even more obscure, obscuring any discernible expression.

Chu Zheng sat back at the bow, his mind more tumultuous than the rolling waves in front of him.

Woosh woosh—

The waves crashed against the side of the boat, splashing several feet high, sparkling with a golden light under the sun, gradually wetting the hem of Chu Zheng's trousers. The undeniable dampness crept upstream, caressing Chu Zheng's spine.

Chu Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly, his thoughts gradually stabilizing as he began to think.

Geng Yiyang showing up here could hardly be a coincidence, most likely he had obtained some clue and deliberately waited here for him.

Had something given him away, Fang Jiong? Or the Taixuan Divine Fire Scripture? Or perhaps it was the Heavenly Star Flame?

For a moment, Chu Zheng couldn't be sure, but after pondering for a bit, he vaguely guessed it was probably due to the latter.

From Geng Yiyang's previous words, it was obvious he already knew about Fang Jiong's death, which prompted this Holy Master to make a move.

Cultivators of the Taixuan Divine Fire Scripture are quite sensitive to the aura of flames, and for someone at Geng Yiyang's level, even more so.

Geng Yiyang must have sensed the Heavenly Star Flame on him, which led him to appear and probe, though it was not known how long he had followed in secret or how much he had discerned.

Thinking this, Chu Zheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Fortunately, since he left Great Zhou, he had been traveling alone, likely not exposing anything critical.

The fact that Geng Yiyang hadn't attacked him outright was the best news, indicating there might still be a turnaround.

Chu Zheng glanced again at the information provided by the panel, having an epiphany.

The panel couldn't extend life. Even though Geng Yiyang's life was nearing its end, approaching the state of a burnt-out lamp, it couldn't restore him to his peak.

Just like those bones dead for many years, some limitations existed.

As Chu Zheng pondered, a somewhat deep whisper suddenly came from behind:

"Young man, could you share a bit about yourself, just to entertain this old man?"

Chu Zheng turned to look back. The elder was bending over the oar, working strenuously, with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, his clothing dampened by the mist, clinging tightly to his frail, withered body.

Chu Zheng turned away, no longer looking at Geng Yiyang: "What would you like to hear, elder?"

"Just talk about what you've been up to lately." Geng Yiyang called back loudly, pushing the oar more vigorously.

Chu Zheng paused for a moment, lost in thought: "Along the way, numerous matters have entangled me, so I hardly know where to start."

In the blink of an eye, the small boat reached the middle of the river, where the current became even more swift, wave after wave.

The small boat's progress slowed further, barely managing a few yards before being pushed back by the waves by some two or three yards, nearly stagnating.

A boat crew not far off, upon spotting the two on the small boat, shouted:

"There are Water Demons ahead, do not go any further!"

"Come aboard, and we'll get you across the river!"

This was a kind warning, unwilling to see two lives simply lost.

As the echo lingered, a massive shadow spanning several dozen yards suddenly appeared beneath the bobbing small boat in the waves, concealed within the river water, its shape unclear.

At the same time, over a dozen shadows enclosed on the boat crew.

"It's a group of Water Demons!"

On the main ship of the boat crew, seasoned sailors all turned pale, quickly turning back to look towards a figure seated cross-legged on a raised platform.

Sitting on the platform was a middle-aged man in blue robes, holding a Compass, watching the frenzied spinning needle, a faint sheen of cold sweat emerging on his forehead.

The approaching demonic aura was too astonishing, far beyond what his cultivation could withstand.

This was far too abnormal. The cargo on the boat had neither Blood Food nor Spiritual Materials, and should not have attracted so many Water Demons.

Sitting at the bow, Chu Zheng glanced downward, dipping his hand into the water to soothe the increasingly agitated Qi around him and calm the readying Water Demons.

He had done this many times at the Spirit Beast Garden, and now it was like second nature.

Right now, his mind was occupied with thoughts of how to preserve his life, having no capacity to engage in a fight with a powerful Sea Demon.

Moreover, taking action would inevitably reveal more of his secrets, necessitating the spinning of many more lies to cover his tracks.