Chapter 19: Leaving Serenity Island

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Today, the Five Forms Sect faced no obstacles on Shanli Island. In theory, the Five Forms Sect held dominant power. Yet, Li Long sought more than mere dominance. He desired order, a unified voice throughout the entire city. Hence, the necessity of planting their flag.

Without interference, for Zhang Ji, this was an easy task. He didn’t even need to personally intervene; a single token was enough to mobilize other leaders to assist. In fact, it took less than two months. Apart from the initial days when Zhang Ji was directly involved, he managed everything remotely thereafter.

Within a month, Shanli Island was fully under the control of the Five Forms Sect.

In Kui District, Zhang Ji faced a steel humanoid target weighing over eight hundred kilograms. His fists struck the metal with a resonant clang, “Buzz~clang! Buzz buzz~clang!” Force acts mutually, but with his mastery of the “Iron Cloth” technique at this level, Zhang Ji could reduce and absorb the counterforce from his strikes and then rebound it. With one punch, he delivered force twice.

This skill had become increasingly refined in his hands. After a while, the target was covered with dents and marks. Zhang Ji calmed the surging qi and blood within, stood upright, and glanced at a porcelain bottle nearby, murmuring, “This stuff is quite useful.”

Indeed, Zhang Ji referred to the Essence Pill. Taking one flooded his body with qi and blood, bringing him into a state of peak vitality and heightened spirit. Practicing in such a state was twice as effective, with no aftereffects.

Thanks to this, Zhang Ji forged an “Iron Cloth” skill crystal in just seventeen days. The following seven days passed without pills; otherwise, he estimated he could have succeeded within eleven or twelve days.

With a thought, Zhang Ji extracted all skill crystals and essences from his body into the Boundary Space. In the darkness, four pure-white “Iron Cloth” crystals shone brightest, followed by one “Raccoon Claw Technique” essence, and finally two newly cultivated “Iron Cloth” essences.

His current focus remained on “Iron Cloth,” not “Raccoon Claw Technique.” He aimed to first forge ten “Iron Cloth” crystals and then combine them into a higher-level skill crystal, granting him a direct leap to C-rank strength.

This was his fastest method to increase power under present circumstances. Profound martial arts, once mastered, could instantly boost strength but required long cultivation. Moreover, “Raccoon Claw Technique” demanded thrice the time to form a single skill crystal compared to “Iron Cloth.” To gather ten would take two or three years, making it less efficient.

Once skill crystals merged into a higher-tier crystal, a qualitative transformation occurred—a tremendous enhancement. Even twenty ordinary “Iron Cloth” crystals couldn’t compare to one refined crystal synthesized from ten.

...

In Lan District, Zhang Ji reported back to Li Long.

“Well done,” Li Long nodded. “Prepare yourself. In a few days, we’ll return to the Five Forms Sect for the true transmission ceremony.”

“Can we leave Shanli Island now?” Zhang Ji’s eyes brightened.

“Yes, but only for us, for now,” Li Long replied. “There are still some loose ends, but those aren’t our concern. We just handle the initial phase; the rest is up to the authorities.”

“The authorities?” Zhang Ji seemed to realize.

It appeared this was a joint performance by the government and the Five Forms Sect. The government used the Five Forms Sect’s hand to carry out initial order restructuring here, eliminating chaotic forces to facilitate future governance.

The Qianshan Sect’s interference likely represented another government faction. Or perhaps the government was hedging its bets on both sides.

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“Afterwards, Shanli Island will be none of our business?” Zhang Ji asked.

“Why, wanting to be the boss here?” Li Long retorted.

“No,” Zhang Ji shook his head. “Just curious.”

“No longer our concern,” Li Long answered simply.

Zhang Ji understood and nodded.

“All right, get ready to leave,” Li Long gestured.

...

On the return journey, Zhang Ji gazed out at the barren landscape, inexplicably feeling a twinge of melancholy. He had been here less than half a year, yet so much had happened that he still felt disoriented. Most of his memories centered on training—he had spent the majority of his time practicing martial arts.

“Want a drink?” Kui Ye handed Zhang Ji a flask filled with alcohol.

“No!” Zhang Ji shook his head. Alcohol dulled the nerves, potentially slowing his reactions and weakening his strength.

Though he remembered a special fighting style in a game called “Drunken Fist,” an excellent blue-tier technique that required drinking. He never understood its logic.

“You live with what goals? No smoking, no drinking, no gambling, no women…” Kui Ye sipped his drink, puzzled.

Zhang Ji said nothing, staring into the distance.

A person who appears devoid of desire always has greater ambitions suppressing lesser ones, not an absence of desire itself.

...

The helicopter’s rotors roared as Zhang Ji boarded. Inside were the pilot, Wang Quan, Li Long, and two inner disciples of the Five Forms Sect. Zhang Ji sat beside Li Long and closed the cabin door.

“Bang!”

The helicopter lifted off. Zhang Ji glanced down at Kui Ye, who smoked a cigar in farewell, and at Wu Chen and others. They shrank beneath him until even Kui District became a miniature speck before he broke his gaze.

“This place won’t be a prison anymore; they’ll be free to come out,” Wang Quan said over the comm channel.

“Normal citizenship?” Zhang Ji asked.

“Yes, a new policy set by a council member,” Wang Quan replied.

“Is his name Liu Hetong?” Zhang Ji inquired.

“That hasn’t hit the news yet,” Wang Quan said, narrowing his eyes at Zhang Ji.

He was sure Li Long wouldn’t have told Zhang Ji this, so where had Zhang Ji obtained the information? From someone close? Or was there really an expert on Shanli Island?

Zhang Ji suddenly realized he might have spoken prematurely but immediately fell silent.

Wang Quan didn’t press further. Everyone has their little secrets; as long as they don’t greatly affect oneself or the sect, it’s harmless.

The helicopter flew swiftly, and within just over an hour, the city’s silhouette appeared. Soon, it landed.

Zhang Ji left Shanli Island for the first time, witnessing the outside world.

The streets were filled with driverless vehicles, and many drones flew overhead, transporting goods along planned routes.

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Additionally, people used high-end smart devices—some like watches, some glasses, others resembling small transparent glass panels that could fold and unfold.

They didn’t linger long in this city before transferring to a plane bound for the city where the Five Forms Sect was located. The in-flight meal was decent, and Zhang Ji enjoyed a rare cup of coffee, though he still missed the rich, salty pre-cooked roast duck rice.

North Creek City.

Upon landing, Five Forms Sect members came to meet them. Leading was a black-clad, short-haired youth about 1.75 meters tall, seemingly around twenty years old, followed by two others.

“Senior Brother Li Long, Elder Wang Quan!” Shen Han greeted with a respectful salute.

“Junior Brother Shen, long time no see,” Li Long returned the salute.

“Senior Brother, Sister has been worried about you all this time you were on Shanli Island. She feels guilty about what happened,” Shen Han said.

“Let’s not mention it. Everything will get better now that I’m back,” Li Long waved it off.

He then introduced Zhang Ji.

“This is my direct disciple from Shanli Island,” Li Long said.

Surprise flickered in Shen Han’s eyes before he saluted Zhang Ji, “Shen Han.”

“Zhang Ji,” Zhang Ji returned the salute, slightly lower, as per seniority.

After greetings, they boarded vehicles heading away from the airport.

The journey grew remote, taking over three hours until dusk settled as they arrived at Golden Hook Mountain, the Five Forms Sect’s base.

Golden Hook Mountain was majestic, its tallest peak curved like a giant golden hook, giving the mountain its name. Numerous buildings, all built by the Five Forms Sect, dotted the mountain.

There were roads wide enough for two trucks, signal towers, and delivery drones flying about—not the secluded, ancient-style sect one might imagine.

Still, the location was somewhat remote. The nearest city was likely a two-hour drive; a well-developed town lay at the mountain’s foot.

This demonstrated the wealth of the Five Forms Sect.

After parking, Zhang Ji was assigned a large room blending ancient style with modern comforts. It featured a computer, television, shower, and a tablet for ordering meals. This appeared to be where the sect hosted guests. Among the sect’s businesses was tourism.

...

Elsewhere, Li Long met his master in the main hall, offering incense to the sect’s founder.

“Ah Long, you have endured much!” Yan Ruifeng sighed.

“It’s nothing, just a trip outside. I’m sorry for causing worry,” Li Long said.

“Now that you’re back, stay and cultivate in the sect. Don’t meddle in outside affairs anymore. I heard from Elder Wang that your Five Forms Unity is nearing completion. If you master it, even in today’s world, our sect can regain its former glory,” Yan Ruifeng said.

“I understand,” Li Long nodded, then paused before asking, “How is my junior sister?”

Yan Ruifeng hesitated, then said, “The side effects of the Ascension Pill remain. She must take large doses of sedatives periodically to suppress addiction. Probably…”

Li Long’s expression remained unchanged, but his fists clenched slightly. “Once I succeed, I will destroy the Qianshan Sect!”