Chapter 299: Another Battle

After some thought, Yun Lan put the snake skin back into her storage ring, then took out a dagger and several small porcelain bottles.
“Do you have any empty porcelain bottles or other containers in your storage ring that can hold inner pills?”
“Just these bottles…” Lin Dong looked up at the huge golden-armored snake inner pill, then at the disproportionately small porcelain bottles. An idea struck him, and he pulled out a few water bags, waving them at Yun Lan.
Yun Lan smiled and retrieved all the water bags she had brought this time, as well as those she had forgotten in her storage ring before.
At a rough count, there were over twenty of them.
“That should be enough, right?” Lin Dong also took out six water bags and dozens of empty porcelain bottles.
Yun Lan nodded slowly. She picked up a water bag, pulled out the cork, and poured out all the water through the window. Lin Dong followed suit, and soon all the water bags were emptied.
Taking the dagger, Yun Lan carefully pierced the surface of the inner pill with its blade.
Sssss…
A golden liquid with a strong fragrance splashed out, but was intercepted by a barrier formed by Yun Lan’s spiritual power, which directed it into the openings of the water bags.
Each time a water bag was filled, the inner pill shrank slightly. Lin Dong quickly took over the bag, sealed it tightly with the cork, and handed over another empty one.
Back and forth, the inner pill became increasingly shriveled, while the filled water bags kept increasing in number. In just over a minute, more than thirty water bags were filled, and the golden liquid in the inner pill gradually ran out.
Even after filling about twenty porcelain bottles, no more liquid could spill out from the cracks, no matter how much Yun Lan tried to draw it with her spiritual power.
“That’s enough!” Yun Lan let out a long sigh. She put the surface of the inner pill back into her storage ring, then took in two fully filled water bags as well. “I’ll take these two water bags back to the Heavenly Sword Sect.”
Lin Dong chuckled and carelessly stored the remaining water bags and porcelain bottles in the mobile counter.
Seeing Lin Dong’s expression, Yun Lan’s cheeks turned slightly red. She seemed a bit too generous—giving away only two water bags for such a great benefit.
“Keep one!” Before Lin Dong could put away all the porcelain bottles, Yun Lan stopped him without thinking.
Lin Dong asked, “Take it now?”
Yun Lan nodded. “Since you want to fight that bandit, it’s of course best to raise your realm level if you get the chance.”
Lin Dong laughed. He picked up the remaining porcelain bottle and shook it a few times. “Just this one bottle can raise my realm level?”

“You’re only at the third stage of the Mental Concentration phase, and you’re already past half of it. Judging from the effects of the Golden Armored Snake’s medicine…” Yun Lan pondered. “Twenty-something drops should be enough. This inner core is from a mutated Golden Armored Snake, so I believe ten drops will suffice.”
Lin Dong’s eyes widened in disbelief. “If that’s the case, if I were to eat the entire inner core, wouldn’t I be able to break through straight to the peak strength?”
Yun Lan smiled faintly. “In theory, yes. But don’t forget—whether it’s a spiritual pill or medicine, the more you take, the weaker its effect.”
Lin Dong felt disappointed; he had actually forgotten about that.
“Too bad. If I really could reach peak strength in such a short time, I’d take the chance to propose to the Heavenly Sword Sect.”
Yun Lan pretended not to hear, picked up the small porcelain bottle, unscrewed the cap, and lifted the thin veil slightly. She raised the bottle, lightly touched her lips to a bit of the golden liquid, then sat cross-legged.
In just a moment, Yun Lan opened her eyes and nodded. “Five or six drops will do. Drink it as you see fit.”
Lin Dong smiled and picked up the small porcelain bottle, unscrewed the wooden stopper, brought it to his mouth, and flicked his tongue around the opening.
Yun Lan said weakly, “Can you stop being so gross?”
Ignoring her, Lin Dong flicked his tongue around the opening a few more times before lifting the bottle and letting the golden liquid drip into his mouth.
After six drops, his mouth was instantly filled with a delicate fragrance. He stopped, covered the stopper, sat cross-legged, and then swallowed it in one gulp.
Yun Lan quickly came to Lin Dong’s back and gently placed her palms on his back.
As the liquid entered his body, it instantly turned into a powerful energy stream that rushed uncontrollably through his meridians. Just as Lin Dong was at a loss as to what to do with this energy stream, surging spiritual energy flowed into his meridians from his back, trapping the energy stream in one corner.
After forcing the energy stream immobile, the spiritual energy slowly spread around it, enclosing it before guiding it slowly into Lin Dong’s dantian.
“The spiritual energy wraps around the energy stream; now practice cultivation,” Yun Lan said softly.
As soon as she spoke, the spiritual energy surrounding the stream cut off a small portion of it, allowing it to merge with Lin Dong’s own spiritual energy.
Lin Dong was stunned. “Won’t that also refine your spiritual energy?”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s just a little,” Yun Lan replied.
Lin Dong nodded. With a thought, the spiritual energy in his dantian began to carry the small portion of the energy stream separated by Yun Lan’s spiritual energy into his meridians.

One Sunday, two Sundays, three Sundays… After just over a dozen Sundays, Yun Lan’s spiritual energy was refined and merged with Lin Dong’s spiritual energy. The energy currents that had been enclosed by Yun Lan’s spiritual energy, though no longer under her control, still could not escape Lin Dong’s grasp. As time passed, week after week, the energy currents gradually diminished and were absorbed by the spiritual energy.

After more than thirty Sundays, the energy currents completely disappeared, while the spiritual energy in Lin Dong’s dantian grew significantly stronger.

Soon, another small stream of energy was separated by Yun Lan’s spiritual energy and merged into Lin Dong’s spiritual energy.

This cycle repeated. Under Yun Lan’s instructions, Liu Hua and the others did not interfere. In the sky, the sun set and then rose again. After traveling westward, it set once more.

When a faint glimmer of dawn appeared in the distant east, Yun Lan slowly lowered her right hand, which had been pressed against Lin Dong’s back the whole time.

With her palm slightly open, the Blue Thunder Sword suddenly appeared and rushed out of the carriage, shooting backward.

This continued for over an hour. Outside the carriage, Liu Hua and the others still had no idea that there was an extra “tail” behind it. Inside the carriage, Lin Dong was unaware as well; his expanding dantian kept his full attention focused on breaking through.

Time and again, spiritual energy flowed through his meridians and rushed toward his dantian, causing it to expand further.

Puh!

Suddenly, Lin Dong’s body trembled, and his eyes snapped open, flashing with brilliance.

Yun Lan slowly lowered her left hand as well.

After sensing his dantian slightly, Lin Dong’s joyful expression turned slightly surprised. “I thought there was still some energy left. Doesn’t the inner core of this Golden Armor Snake disappear after breaking through?”

Yun Lan replied helplessly, “I’ve told you before—if you consume an elemental beast’s inner core alone, unlike refined pills, it can easily be expelled from the body along with the discarded dantian wall as waste.”

Lin Dong smiled sheepishly. “No wonder you only had me drink five or six drops.”

Yun Lan waved her hand, and the Blue Thunder Sword, which had been outside the carriage for over an hour, suddenly reentered through the hole it had made when it left.

“Enemies?” Lin Dong asked in surprise.

Yun Lan nodded. “That bandit.”

Lin Dong smiled. It was just in time. He shouted, “Stop the carriage!”

Huh…

Outside the carriage, Liu Hua was startled by the shout and quickly pulled back on the reins.

The carriage jolted and then came to a stop.

Lin Dong patted his stomach and smiled at Yun Lan. “I’m a little hungry.”

Yun Lan smiled and took out two corn cakes, handing one to Lin Dong.

Taking the corn cake, Lin Dong bit into it hard and devoured it quickly as he jumped out of the carriage. About ten meters behind, Cheng Bao was kneeling with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. When he raised his gaze toward Lin Dong, it remained fierce. Lin Dong took another bite of the corn cake, then took out a small porcelain bottle from the mobile cabinet. After hesitating for a moment, he threw the entire bottle at Cheng Bao. “It’s a Soul Restoration Pill. Take one—I happen to have time to fill my stomach too.” Cheng Bao caught the flying bottle, unscrewed the cap, and poured the contents into his palm. Five round red pills rolled out. He put four of them back into the bottle, sealed it, and took a bite. After hesitating briefly, he used his mind to put the bottle into his storage ring. Ignoring him, Lin Dong continued to stuff the remaining corn cake into his mouth, then eagerly looked at Yun Lan, who had also gotten off the carriage. Taking a new corn cake, Lin Dong looked up again—Cheng Bao had already put the red pills in his mouth and was sitting cross-legged as if no one else was around. “Yun Lan, what do you think? If I sneaked up behind him now and smashed a bench on his head,” Lin Dong mumbled while chewing the corn cake, “would it be possible to kill him by causing him to go berserk and explode?” Yun Lan pondered for a moment. “At the fourth level of the Mental State phase, as long as his focus isn’t too poor, a sudden attack shouldn’t prevent him from fully controlling his spiritual energy. At most, a few meridians might be damaged.” “That’s still tough… Though this kid has chosen the wrong person to follow, he’s lucky.” Lin Dong clicked his tongue. If it weren’t for wanting to practice his moves using Cheng Bao, he would definitely have used this tactic. When dealing with enemies, there’s no need for courtesy—just strike when there’s a chance. Yun Lan remained silent for a while before suddenly asking, “Don’t you want to kill him?” “How could I?” Lin Dong shook his head as if shocked. “A bandit who almost killed me—how could I let him go?” Yun Lan shook her head gently. “If you really intended to kill him, why would you give him the whole bottle of Soul Restoration Pills?” Lin Dong sighed and explained after a long pause, “Besides being a bandit, he’s also a chef—a chef who created a new cuisine.” Yun Lan stayed silent. She disagreed with Lin Dong’s utilitarian mindset but didn’t know whether to intervene.

“Let’s see what he chooses,” Lin Dong said helplessly. “It’s all up to fate. If he makes the right choice, even if he doesn’t want to be a chef at Lin’s Inn, and continues to be that ruthless bandit, I’ll still let him go. If he makes the wrong choice… If I can’t kill him, there’s you. From today onward, there will be no such person in the Great Han Nation anymore.”
Yun Lan nodded slowly. Leaving decisions to fate and the other party might seem foolish, but it was better than forcing oneself. After eating six corn cakes and feeling about 70% full, Lin Dong took a deep breath, took out the Ruyi Stool, and poured spiritual energy into it. The color of the entire stool gradually turned dark. One side of the stool surface gradually thinned out, resembling a blade, while the other end became rounder. The four corners subtly became a bit sharper.
With the weapon ready, Lin Dong handed the golden sword to Yun Lan.
After taking the sword and infusing spiritual energy into it to slowly erase Lin Dong’s mark of ownership, Yun Lan handed it back to Lin Dong.
Everything was ready. With the Ruyi Stool in one hand and the three- to four-meter-long golden sword in the other, Lin Dong stepped forward a few meters and stopped about six or seven meters away from Cheng Bao.
After a moment, Cheng Bao suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with fury.
With a single wave of his hand, Lin Dong sent the golden sword spinning through the air toward Cheng Bao.
Catching the sword, Cheng Bao gently stroked its blade a few times, running his fingers along the edge, causing a drop of blood to flow from it.
Raising his head abruptly, Cheng Bao placed the sword on his shoulder. His gaze swept over Yun Lan before fixing on Lin Dong’s face, a fierce smile appearing on his lips. “Second Chief, long time no see! Want to fight again? With your skills, it won’t take more than a dozen moves before your companions are killed by my sword before they can even intervene.”
Lin Dong gently shook his index finger and said calmly, “I’m not interested in being a bandit. Besides, forget about killing me in a dozen moves. If you can kill me, I guarantee you’ll leave unharmed.”
“Really?” Cheng Bao couldn’t help but look at Yun Lan.
Yun Lan remained silent.
“Why ask?” Lin Dong laughed. “How could you not believe it?”
Cheng Bao grinned widely and laughed loudly, “Indeed, I can’t help but believe it!”
“Then…”
Lin Dong suddenly lunged forward. The corner of the Ruyi Stool, glowing with a cold light, stabbed rapidly toward Cheng Bao’s heart.
“Interesting weapon!”
Cheng Bao planted his feet firmly, not dodging or avoiding. He raised the golden sword, gripped the hilt tightly with both hands, and swung it horizontally at Lin Dong.
A burst of golden light, even brighter than the sun, accompanied by a sharp, piercing wind howl, aimed straight at Lin Dong’s chest.

Lin Dong pushed off with both legs and suddenly leaped up, his speeding body soaring into the air.
A hint of surprise flashed in Cheng Bao’s eyes.
“Sure enough, she’s the second chief I chose—her speed is clearly much faster than last time. Has she broken through?”
Lin Dong remained silent. As Cheng Bao raised his sword again, he swung the Ruyi Stool downward and used the momentum to land back on the ground.
A golden glow reappeared, less than three meters away. Since he had just landed unsteadily, it was too late to avoid it. Lin Dong quickly raised the Ruyi Stool and swung it fiercely at the golden glow.
Boom!
The moment the golden glow collided with the stool’s surface, a loud explosion erupted.
Lin Dong rolled backward several times before stabilizing himself. Looking at the stool in his hand, he saw a deep cut of six to seven centimeters on the hammer-like end.
Spirit energy flowed into it, and the wound healed instantly. When Cheng Bao raised his golden sword once more, Lin Dong didn’t retreat but stepped forward instead. When they were less than two meters apart, he suddenly pushed the stool leg with his right hand. The Ruyi Stool flew out of his grasp, its sharp corner aiming straight at Cheng Bao’s throat.
Caught off guard, Cheng Bao let out a choked sound. A burst of sparks appeared where the stool tip hit his throat, and a corner of the sharp edge broke off.
Retreating continuously, Cheng Bao sneered, “Your spiritual weapon is just a bit lacking.”
“Is that so?” Lin Dong smiled. With a thought, spirit energy rapidly flowed from his dantian. The Ruyi Stool, spinning as it fell to the ground due to the intense collision, had its broken corner instantly repaired. The surface of the stool rotated slightly, and its blade-thin edge slashed rapidly toward Cheng Bao’s groin.
Hearing a gust of wind below, Cheng Bao remembered Lin Dong’s unpredictable spiritual technique. Instinctively, he bent his legs, hoping to bounce back, but with a choked sound, he flew uncontrollably into the air.
The stool’s surface curled but healed instantly. The Ruyi Stool flipped upward, caught up with Cheng Bao, and its rounded end smashed down hard on his head.
With a deafening roar, like a thunderclap, Cheng Bao was knocked to the ground. Even the hammer-like head of the Ruyi Stool bent and lifted upward.
“Although I’ve broken through, it’s still not enough,” Cheng Bao slowly got up, his golden sword pointed at Lin Dong.
“I think it’s enough!” Lin Dong smiled, his eyebrows slightly raised. In mid-air, the Ruyi Stool instantly changed its material into an iron stool, then contracted and condensed into an iron ball. After that, it expanded rapidly like a balloon, covering the sky in an instant.