My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

After Ye Zhiqiu left, Tingtai Courtyard returned to silence.

Liang Cheng stood in the courtyard, able to clearly hear the commotion coming from the distant city walls.

Shouted orders, the movement of supplies, and the occasional short, sharp cry of alarm.

The city of Bibo was rapidly being mobilized.

He returned to his room, sat cross-legged, and took out the Tier Four Black Shark Demon Core.

The Demon Core was the size of a fist, pitch-black all over, with faint water-like patterns flowing across its surface. Holding it in his hand, he could feel the surging Water Attribute Energy within.

Ordinary True Essence Realm Martial Artists couldn’t absorb it directly. For one, it would be a pure waste; for another, the energy was impure. It needed to be refined into an Elixir before it could be absorbed.

But Liang Cheng had the Fragment of the Crossing the Sea True Intent, which was perfectly suited for directly devouring the True Essence of a Demon Core to increase his strength.

He closed his eyes, focused his mind, and circulated his Cultivation Technique.

The Heart Method from the Fragment activated automatically.

The Third Layer of the Broken Wave Technique guided the violent energy from the Demon Core slowly into his Meridians. It was then refined by the Broken Wave Technique and converted into pure True Essence.

The Mixed Element Gang Body operated at the same time. Two hours later, the absorption of the Demon Core was complete, its surface having grown slightly dimmer.

Liang Cheng opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them.

[Third Layer of Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (4892/12000)]

[Mixed Element Gang Body: Minor Success (1296/8000)]

’A Tier Four Demon Core is truly something else. The energy is immense. It allowed me to advance even further.’

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard. It wasn’t Ye Zhiqiu.

"Is Young Master Liang in?"

Liang Cheng got up and opened the door. A Ye Family Steward stood outside, flanked by two guards.

"Young Master Liang, the Old Master requests your presence. Please come with me."

...

In the Ye Family’s Main Hall.

Old Master Ye sat in the main seat. Below him sat Ye Zhiqiu and several Ye Family Elders, every one of them with a grave expression.

Seeing Liang Cheng enter, the Old Master nodded slightly. "Young Master Liang, please have a seat."

Liang Cheng sat down in the last available seat.

"We’ve just received news."

Old Master Ye spoke slowly, "The City Lord’s Mansion has issued a city-wide conscription order. All Martial Artists at the True Qi Realm and above must register with the City Defense Department before Noon tomorrow and be assigned to the defense sequence."

He looked at Liang Cheng. "Young Master, you are a visiting Martial Artist and could normally abstain from this. However, the City Lord’s Mansion has decreed that this Beast Tide crisis requires the combined strength of the entire city. If you are willing to assist in defending the city, the City Lord’s Mansion will record your contributions, and you will be handsomely rewarded afterward. If you are not willing..."

The Old Master paused. "You may also remain here in the Ye Family, but your material rations will be reduced to civilian standards, and you will not be allowed to move about freely."

The words were polite, but the meaning was crystal clear: either contribute, or stay put as an ordinary guest and don’t cause trouble.

Ye Zhiqiu quickly interjected, "Grandfather, Junior Brother Liang is a guest I invited, and a top Disciple of the Main Courtyard. Making him participate in the city’s defense, is that...?"

Liang Cheng raised a hand, cutting Ye Zhiqiu off.

"I am willing to participate in the defense of the city."

His voice was calm. "It’s just that I am not familiar with city defense matters and will require some guidance."

The Old Master’s expression softened. "That is a matter of course. Zhiqiu will be in the same group as you, responsible for the seventh sector of the East City Wall. As for the specific duties, someone from the City Defense Department will come to explain them later."

He looked at Liang Cheng, his tone turning solemn. "Young Master Liang, on behalf of the Ye Family and Bibo City, I thank you in advance."

Liang Cheng quickly cupped his hands. "It is my duty."

...

Walking out of the Main Hall, Ye Zhiqiu said in a low voice, "Junior Brother, you really don’t have to force yourself. I can go speak with my grandfather and have you stay in the Ye Family’s Inner Courtyard..."

"Senior Brother."

Liang Cheng cut him off directly. "If the Sea Beast Tide breaks through the city walls, what difference is there between the Inner Courtyard and the Outer City?"

Ye Zhiqiu was suddenly at a loss for words.

"Besides," Liang Cheng said, looking toward the city walls, "we are senior and junior brothers, as close as family. Do you really think I could rest easy while staying in the rear?"

Ye Zhiqiu was taken aback for a moment, then nodded heavily.

"You’re right. In that case, we’ll fight side by side."

...

「Noon, the next day. The City Defense Department.」

The hall was teeming with people. A hundred Martial Artists at the True Qi Realm and above had gathered here, their Cultivation ranging from the True Qi Realm to the True Gang Realm. They were divided into several lines, waiting to register.

By the time Liang Cheng and Ye Zhiqiu arrived, a long line had already formed. The surrounding Martial Artists were all discussing amongst themselves, the tense atmosphere tinged with agitation.

"Did you hear? A dozen more guards died at the West Pier last night. Two Tier Four Sawtooth Sharks attacked the defense line at the same time..."

"All of my firm’s cargo ships have been requisitioned. They say they’re going to be converted into Warships."

"The price of Elixirs and Weapons from the City Lord’s Mansion’s inventory has already gone up by thirty percent. If it keeps rising, we’ll be fighting to the death to defend the city and won’t even be able to afford Healing Medicine."

As they were talking, an argument suddenly broke out at the registration desk up ahead.

"Why should I have to hand over my spoils? I risk my life to kill Demon Beasts, so the materials belong to me! That’s only right and proper!"

A burly, fleshy-faced True Essence Realm man roared as he slammed his hand on the desk.

The City Defense Department Steward in charge of registration, a gaunt middle-aged man, said with a cold expression, "This is a new rule from the City Lord’s Mansion. All materials obtained by those participating in the city’s defense from slaying Demon Beasts must be handed over for the war effort. They will be used to refine Elixirs, be distributed collectively, and to compensate the wounded and the families of the fallen."

"Brother, special times call for special measures. Just put up with it for now."

The burly man’s face flushed red. With a final grit of his teeth, he pressed his thumbprint onto the document.

"Dammit!"

When it was Liang Cheng and Ye Zhiqiu’s turn, the Steward looked up at them, his gaze lingering for a moment on their Main Courtyard uniforms.

"Name, Cultivation, and affiliation."

"Liang Cheng, True Essence Realm, Main Courtyard."

"Ye Zhiqiu, True Gang Realm, Ye Family."

The Steward finished writing and handed over two black Iron Tokens. "These are your identification tokens. Use them to collect supplies and record your merits in battle. You are required to stand watch in your defense sector for four hours each day. Check the announcements on the city wall for your specific rotation time."

He paused, then added, "As a Disciple of the Main Courtyard, you are eligible to serve as a squad leader and command a ten-man team. Liang Cheng, are you willing?"

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