Chapter Twenty-Two: Forging the Five Beasts Beneath the Waterfall, A Newcomer Arrives in the Temple Alley

The aura of time burned like a pillar of incense, and Anle could glimpse the vivid scenes of the past belonging to those who drew upon this essence. Anle, mastering her mind, could choose to fast-forward through these visions. Even so, regardless of the pace, the effects granted by the aura of time remained unchanged. Yet, if she encountered images resonating with her own cultivation or sharing a common origin, she could gain insight through attentive viewing and emotional resonance.

This time, as the gray aura of time burned, the figure displayed in the vision was practicing the “Five Beasts Body Tempering Technique.”

…

Rain poured down in torrents, cascading over the deep mountains. The roaring waterfall echoed amid the storm, intertwining with the relentless rain like thunder behind twilight clouds!

Beneath the curtain of falling water stood a solitary figure—a strikingly handsome youth. His slender build was not particularly robust, yet he stood unwavering beneath the rain and waterfall, as if he were a pillar holding up the sky, majestic and unyielding.

The waterfall, like a river of stars, crashed down from above onto his back with the force of shattered silver bottles, but he remained immovable.

Each breath was like muffled thunder. Suddenly, the youth opened his eyes, and a surge of vital energy burst forth from within. He unleashed the Tiger Form, clawing, crouching, and charging forward amid the waterfall.

The Thirteen Tiger Forms were displayed in full, and the boiling energy surged beneath his skin, colliding with the water and evaporating into a dense, white mist. The steam entwined and, astonishingly, took on the vague shape of a fierce, spotted tiger, leaping and roaring beneath the falls.

The force of the waterfall was borne solely by his body, and under such pressure, each Tiger Form was executed flawlessly, without the slightest deviation.

This was mastery of the Tiger Form.

Moving beyond the Tiger, the youth began to practice other forms: the agility of the Deer, the stability of the Bear, the cunning of the Ape…

Finally, he practiced the Bird Form—his body sharp as a sword, movements as swift as a blade drawn from its sheath.

Compared to the Tiger, Deer, Bear, and Ape, the youth’s Bird Form was somewhat sluggish and lacking in coordination. Clearly, his intent in training beneath the waterfall was to perfect the Bird Form and achieve mastery over the Five Beasts Technique.

Oblivious to everything else, he practiced relentlessly. Whenever he sensed any discordance, he stopped and began again. The deluge of water and rain left his back flushed red, and faintly, the bones beneath his skin glimmered with radiant light.

That was the mark of the second realm of body tempering—the completion of the Spirit Bone stage.

Suddenly!

His hand formed a beak shape, cutting upward from beneath the waterfall. In an instant, a sharp cry pierced the roar of rain and water, like a flash of lightning behind the clouds.

In that moment, the disharmony of the Bird Form was utterly dispelled; it blended perfectly with the other forms.

At that moment, it was as if a white crane cried out, soaring into the heavens, like a sword unsheathed, surging upward from beneath the waterfall, cleaving nine feet through the cascade!

…

The vision gradually faded.

Anle watched, entranced, the images continuing to replay in her mind as if still being practiced.

She recognized the handsome youth—it was Fourth Lord Lin of the Lin family. The vision must have been from his younger days, when he had achieved mastery over the Five Beasts Body Tempering Technique.

At the final instant, the Bird Form reached perfection, like a white crane transforming into a sword and cleaving the waterfall!

Fourth Lord Lin’s heart swelled with pride and joy, thus his emotion was captured by the aura of time.

In the darkened room, Anle inhaled and exhaled deeply. The emotional state and power of Fourth Lord Lin’s Five Beasts Body Tempering seemed to envelop her. Vital energy flowed beneath her skin, and the temperature in the room soared.

Anle began to box, empowered by three strands of the aura of time. Her understanding and skill with the Five Beasts Technique became far more proficient, especially with the reenactment of Fourth Lord Lin’s state.

The power of the Tiger Form surged, as if a fierce tiger prowled within the room.

Bang!

Lost in the fervor of training, Anle inadvertently struck a chair, which exploded into splinters.

The destructive force of the Tiger Form had risen by more than a single level. Her vital energy, under the Five Beasts Technique, circulated ever faster, her strength growing more formidable with each movement.

Normally, body tempering required the aid of medicinal baths, and the Five Beasts Technique included its own specialized recipes. However, Anle had never found the time to purchase them.

Yet, with the “Talent of the Ages” Dao Fruit, the aura of time, and having witnessed Fourth Lord Lin’s youthful mastery, her vital energy was propelled rapidly upward!

It was as if water were boiling in a pot, the sound of bubbling never ceasing, even as she stood still.

Anle continued to practice the Bear and Bird Forms. The Deer and Ape were too agile, requiring space to fully display, which was impossible in this confined room.

Thus, she did not attempt them.

The Bear Form was like embracing a mountain, stable yet explosive; the Bird Form, sharp as a sword. With the Sword Dancer Dao Fruit enhancing her, Anle’s comprehension of the Bird Form advanced swiftly, almost rivaling her mastery of the Tiger Form.

Excited and invigorated, Anle practiced the Five Beasts Technique until dawn.

That night, no one in the entire inn could sleep, yet none dared approach Anle—the sounds were like a beast lying in wait… Who would risk provoking her?

When the noise finally ceased, the innkeeper nervously knocked at the door.

“Master An…”

He glanced at the chaos inside—the shattered chair—and his anxiety deepened.

This Master An was indeed a cultivator!

A cultivator… why would such a person stay in their ramshackle inn?

“Master Innkeeper, I became absorbed in my training last night and disturbed everyone. Tomorrow I’ll move out. Here are ten taels of silver—consider it compensation for the chair and as a gesture to buy food and drink for the other guests to express my apologies.”

Anle, drenched in sweat, emanated the heat of mid-stage vital energy, such that even the innkeeper’s legs wobbled.

After sending the innkeeper away, Anle realized she could no longer postpone moving.

She wiped her sweat with a towel, then sat cross-legged to meditate, calming her spirit.

Afterward, she lit a candle. Instead of reading, she took out a drawing board and charcoal, beginning to sketch the likeness of the notorious bandit as described by Head Constable Huang.

Rustle, rustle…

The sound of charcoal on paper was as melodious as strings and bamboo.

Outside, the eastern sky began to pale, and a faint dawn spilled from the edge of heaven and earth.

…

…

Yesterday had been a day of spring rain; today, the temperature had risen a little.

Anle rolled up her drawing, packed her belongings, settled her bill with the innkeeper, and left the inn directly.

Huang Xian arrived, sword at his side, cheerfully.

“Huang brother, this is the suspect sketch based on your description.”

Anle handed him three portraits. To aid the capture, she had hurriedly completed two extra copies, but after finishing the first, the rest came quickly.

Her strengthened spirit and refined control over her body had noticeably improved her artistic skill.

Unrolling one drawing, Huang Xian glanced at it, marveling at the lifelike figure. He sighed, “So realistic! With this sketch, even if it’s not perfect, as long as there’s a seventy or eighty percent resemblance, it will be hard for the suspect to remain hidden.”

“Thank you, Master An. If we catch this bandit, you’ll have a share of the credit.”

Huang Xian clasped his hands in gratitude.

Anle smiled, and the two walked together, strolling down the long street, still quiet at this hour.

“The courtyard is at Tai Temple Lane on Qingbo Street, an excellent location near the Imperial Avenue. My friend spent most of his savings to buy it—he finally settled in Lin’an, but during a capture of a criminal cultivator, he met with tragedy.” Huang Xian sighed.

Anle nodded. Being a constable of the Black Bureau was a highly dangerous profession, given that their targets were all cultivators.

After walking a while, they reached Qingbo Street, passing an imposing two-story octagonal pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters, incense curling within.

“That’s the Tai Temple. The emperor visits annually to pay respects. The guards are strict, with temple wardens overseeing it. Don’t approach it carelessly…” Huang Xian explained and cautioned.

Tai Temple…

Anle glanced at it, feeling a sense of awe and grandeur. A blazing aura radiated like the midday sun, with a terrifying spiritual power enveloping the entire temple.

Even without Huang Xian’s warning, Anle wouldn’t dare approach lightly.

Walking along Tai Temple Lane, they finally arrived at a secluded courtyard. The gate stood open, and inside, a woman was diligently cleaning—the entire place spotless.

Yet, Anle’s gaze was irresistibly drawn to the woman.

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