Chapter 169: The First Lock, Open!

Chapter 169: The First Lock, Open!

"I... Have I succeeded?"

Gradually, Ling Feng's consciousness returned, and he felt his heart thumping intensely!

Thump!

Beside Ling Feng, the gray-robed old man had an expression of incredulity on his face.

"I can't believe it. He actually succeeded!"

The gray-robed old man, an extremely proud emperor, had never respected anyone in his entire life apart from himself.

However, witnessing Ling Feng persevere solely through willpower made him regard Ling Feng with respect as well.

Even he, when creating this technique, had to practice a very powerful body-refining technique, rendering his internal organs incredibly tough; otherwise, he probably wouldn't have been able to endure such pain.

"Congratulations, you have succeeded," the gray-robed old man said as he slowly walked to Ling Feng's side. He gently waved his hand to send a gentle force into Ling Feng's body, alleviating some of his fatigue.

Finally opening his eyes, Ling Feng saw the gray-robed old man and understood that he had taken a trip to hell but had still managed to survive!

Resting on the ground for two hours, Ling Feng gradually regained some strength, allowing him to move his body.

Although even raising his fist felt very strenuous, he could still barely control his body.

"Are you getting used to it?" the gray-robed old man asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I'm getting used to it," Ling Feng nodded slightly, explaining, "I can feel that the first Primordial Lock has locked the meridians near my heart, compressing my true qi to only about ten percent."

In this condition, Ling Feng felt that even if he were to employ The Flower-Transposing Jade-Burying Sword, he might not be able to defeat Jia Lang.

"Hehe, this is indeed fortuitous," chuckled the gray-robed old man lightly. "When you entered, the amount of true qi you had suggested that you were at the second level of the Pulse Formation Realm. However, now, the amount you have may not even rival that of a martial artist who has just advanced to the Qi Formation Realm."

"This jade slip is for you. It contains the incantations for activating and deactivating the Primordial Locks, along with techniques for qi forging. You simply need to employ your intent and chant the opening incantation to unlock the Primordial Locks within your body. And of course, when you wish to close them, just recite the closing incantation."

Observing Ling Feng's animated expression, the gray-robed old man couldn't resist shaking his head with a smile. "It's a tad premature to be thrilled. I've only implanted one Primordial Lock right now. One by one, all eighteen Primordial Locks will be implanted, and then your combat prowess will ascend to even greater heights."

"Aren't all eighteen Primordial Locks implanted simultaneously?" Ling Feng inquired, perplexed.

"You were quite clever just now, so why ask such a foolish question?" the gray-robed old man retorted with a roll of his eyes. "Implanting all eighteen Primordial Locks at once would likely lead even me to instant demise! Should you doubt my words, you're welcome to try. I'll proceed to implant the second Primordial Lock for you right away."

"Um... I'll pass."

Ling Feng quickly waved his hand, unwilling to experience another brush with death so soon after surviving one.

"Once you unlock the tenth meridian gate, I'll integrate the second and third Primordial Locks for you. Theoretically, having all eighteen Primordial Locks implanted would elevate you to a realm akin to my true self!"

"Come again?" Ling Feng blinked, showing little apprehension. "Senior, you don't intend for me to stay here indefinitely to cultivate, do you?"

"Of course not," chuckled the gray-robed old man, tossing a jade token from his sleeve. "This token contains a teleportation function. Once you infuse your true qi into it, you will be directly transported to this location."

"What a precious item!" Ling Feng exclaimed as he carefully accepted the jade token, glancing at the gray-robed old man with anticipation. "Senior, didn't you mention leaving behind three teachings? Although the second Primordial Lock cannot be passed on to me for now, there are still two others..."

"Hmph, you're quite greedy!" the gray-robed old man retorted, shooting Ling Feng a disdainful look. "At your level, you barely qualify as half of my successor. Only after implanting five Primordial Locks in your body will you be eligible for the second teaching."

"Alright," Ling Feng rubbed his nose bridge, not particularly disappointed.

As the saying goes, "greed leads to naught." The immediate priority should be adjusting to the closed state of the Primordial Lock.

"You've successfully integrated the first Primordial Lock. If you wish to leave, simply proceed to the core of the spirit ore vein outside, press the jade token I gave you into it, and you'll be sent out of the Misty Ghost Forest," the gray-robed old man said nonchalantly. "Remember, only come to me after unlocking ten meridian gates. Don't bother me too often!"

"This junior understands."

"Oh, I almost forgot." The gray-robed old man seemed to remember something and continued, "As for that stubborn donkey outside, despite its unruly behavior, now that you've inherited my teachings, you're its master. It won't harm you. It's quite formidable, so keeping it by your side might prove beneficial."

"Thank you, Senior. I understand," Ling Feng nodded. With a single sweep of the gray-robed old man's hand, Ling Feng found himself immediately transported out of that peculiar space.

Before Ling Feng knew it, he had already arrived at the center of the underwater spirit ore vein.