Chapter 148: Venturing into the Martial World Alone

"You two need not stand on ceremony. I am Cao Li, commander-in-chief of the Chifeng Army."

"Although Ling Chi has now resigned from his post in the Spirit Suppression Division, my Chifeng Army's doors are wide open to welcome you. If you are willing to lower yourself, I offer you the position of vanguard general of an entire army."

Cao Li, with his leopard-like head and ring-shaped eyes, took over the conversation and directly stated his core offer.

A martial artist at the Spirit Pearl realm was already considered a top-tier combat power in the Northwest Province, let alone a proud talent like Ling Chi, who possessed a record of slaying enemies across major realms of cultivation.

"This junior thanks General Cao for his appreciation. However, this junior has already made up his mind to travel the world and broaden his horizons, so I am afraid I cannot fulfill your wish."

Although Cao Li had mentally prepared himself, the moment Ling Chi refused him still brought a sense of disappointment.

"No matter. The doors of my Chifeng Army will always remain open for you."

After dropping this polite remark, Cao Li picked up his teacup, signaling the end of the meeting.

"Commander Cao, I won't bother looking at the Spirit Suppression Division's merit roster. If there are any thunder-attribute demonic cores or precious materials, please have someone deliver them directly to my master."

Ling Chi cupped his fists in salute to Cao Hubao.

"Rest assured, I will keep it in mind," Cao Hubao nodded and said.

Ling Chi gave a sharp whistle, and the large black horse appeared before him with flying hooves, the bronze bell around its neck ringing crisp and clear.

He rubbed its large head and then swung himself smoothly onto the saddle.

"Master, take care!" Ling Chi bade farewell to Zhao Qing.

The large black horse planted its hind legs and leaped into the air with its front hooves, letting out a single neigh before shooting away like a bolt of lightning.

Left standing in place, Zhao Qing watched Ling Chi's high-spirited, departing figure, lost in a trance and speechless for a long time.

Feeling as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, Ling Chi felt a surge of lightness in his heart. He could not help letting out a long whistle, startling a flock of birds preparing to rest.

Sensing its master's joyous mood, the large black horse galloped wildly along the official road.

Hezhou lay at the westernmost edge of the Northwest Province. To reach Beichuan Province, one had to head north to the Hexi Ferry, take a ferry from there to Hanzhou, then travel by land through Haizhou and Kuizhou, and finally arrive at the destination of Wuzhou.

Although flying there could save a considerable amount of time, Ling Chi felt that traveling the martial world on horseback was more suited to his martial arts path—not just for his cultivation base, but for the tempering of his martial heart.

The large black horse seemed tireless, running all the way until nightfall before Ling Chi pulled the reins to bring it to a gradual halt.

"What's the rush? You'll have plenty of running to do along this journey."

Ling Chi tugged at the large black horse's ear and said.

It opened its moist, watery eyes and tilted its head to look at Ling Chi.

Ling Chi was left speechless by its gaze, forgetting that it could not understand human speech.

Since they were in no hurry, he preferred to travel at a leisurely pace.

He dismounted and chased the large black horse into the woods, letting it forage for food on its own.

The black horse kicked up its heels and dashed straight into the forest to drink from a small stream.

Ling Chi followed a distance behind, wondering if he could hunt anything edible.

He casually picked up a stone and held it in his palm. With his current arm strength, even without using spiritual energy, he could launch the stone like a cannonball.

As he walked through the mountain stream, the surroundings grew deeper and darker, and all sounds of insects and birds disappeared.

Ling Chi felt somewhat helpless. It was rare for him to be in the mood to roast something, yet a dignified thunder cultivator of the Spirit Pearl realm could not even catch game. If word got out, he would likely become the laughingstock of others.

With a single breath, thunder stirred spontaneously. A muffled peal of thunder exploded, and a purple arc of lightning pierced the dark sky, crashing down into the mountain forest.

The quiet woods instantly became boisterously lively, as creatures from the sky and ground scurried about in panic.

The stone in Ling Chi's hand shot forth. A chicken demon that had been flying mid-air failed to dodge in time, and its head instantly turned into a bloody mist as it plummeted to the ground.

"Hmph, can't a dignified thunder cultivator like me even catch game?"

Ling Chi gave a cold snort, dragging the dozens-of-jin chicken demon back toward the stream.

The Northwest Province was relatively warm, and the stream water had not yet frozen. With a flick of his finger, a flash of crimson extreme-yang energy swept past, scorching away every single feather cleanly.

Eviscerating and cleaning it was done in one smooth motion. He fetched wild scallions, mountain ginger, and mixed spices to marinate it thoroughly, then started a fire and began to roast.

Ling Chi stared blankly into the firelight, slowly turning the roasting chicken as he enjoyed a moment of tranquility.

The large black horse, having drunk its fill of water, returned and nudged Ling Chi's arm with its head, reminding its master to prepare food for it.

Ling Chi took out the premium feed bean cakes prepared for it from his universe pouch, letting it feast to its heart's content.

Yet the large black horse's gaze remained fixed on the roasting chicken, unwilling to look away.

"It's not done yet, go eat your bean cakes!" Ling Chi pushed aside its massive head and continued turning the roasting chicken.

The bright yellow flames baked the chicken meat, causing beads of grease to ooze out and drip into the charcoal fire, puffing up a cloud of fragrant smoke.

The moment a sprinkle of salt crystals hit the surface, they melted into brine and penetrated deep into the meat. Illuminated by the firelight, it looked unimaginably enticing.

The large black horse licked up the bean cakes in two or three bites, rested its massive head on Ling Chi's shoulder, and stared unblinkingly at the roasting chicken.

Ling Chi shook his head, tore off a massive chicken leg, and handed it to its mouth. The latter immediately bit down and began to crunch away, chewing even the bones to a crisp sound.

He also tore off a wing and took a light bite. The crispy skin broke open, revealing juicy, crystal-clear meat that greatly whetted his appetite.

Man and horse devoured the dozens-of-jin demonic chicken clean down to the last morsel.

Ling Chi satisfiedly wiped the corner of his mouth. His roasting skills were getting better and better; if he were ever hunted down, he could simply disguise himself as a roast meat vendor without any fear of being recognized.

In truth, he no longer deliberately forced himself to eat. Whenever the whim of appetite struck him, he did not restrain it—eating when he wanted to eat, and sleeping when he wanted to sleep.

Doing as he pleased had always been his ultimate pursuit, and freedom from all constraints was his goal.

However, he had always been exceptionally harsh on himself regarding martial arts cultivation. Only formidable strength could provide the greatest foundation of confidence.

Ling Chi sat cross-legged right where he was, his breathing technique running with his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Thunder rumbled faintly within his body, spiritual energy surged through his meridians along the Grand Freedom Thunder Sutra, and purple lightning permeated his flesh and blood.

The large black horse, full and satisfied, stood idly to the side, occasionally nibbling on the bark of a nearby tree to pass the time. Even when stray electric arcs radiating from Ling Chi's body washed over it, it refused to budge, allowing the lightning to temper its flesh and blood.

Ling Chi split his focus, his divine sense covering the horse's body as he pondered whether he could feed it a thunder-attribute demonic core the next time he obtained one, helping it embark on the path of cultivation.

After months of being tempered by Ling Chi, its physique was already equivalent to a minor Meridian Opening realm demon beast. If it could forge its own demonic core, its starting point would surpass that of ordinary beasts.

As for whether it would have such an opportunity in the future, it would depend entirely on its own fortune. Ling Chi withdrew his focus and continued cultivating, his eyes opening only when daylight broke completely.

The winter morning mist filled heaven and earth. With a mortal's eyesight, one could only see about ten feet ahead.

He donned his bamboo hat and mounted the horse. The large black horse exhaled a long trail of white vapor, swished its plump rump, and stepped into the mist, the sound of its bronze bell carrying far through the white haze.

The cold wind howled by, leaving the official road dead silent with neither travelers nor merchants in sight.

The large black horse broke into a trot, gradually increasing its speed. Ling Chi sat composedly in the saddle with his eyes closed, his divine sense extending out for four hundred paces, hoping to encounter someone fated to cross his path.