Three days of intensive study at the Iron Body Academy had provided Wei Liang with comprehensive understanding of constitutional rebuilding methodology, though he had yet to attempt consuming any practitioners. His absorbed techniques were still integrating, creating fascinating synergies between sword philosophies and his existing blood-avatar abilities.
The fire-ice balance has achieved remarkable stability, he noted during their evening meal at the Heavenly Dragon Restaurant, Azure Dragon City's most prestigious establishment. Phoenix flames now carry absolute zero properties while ice techniques burn with spiritual fire. The contradiction creates power rather than canceling itself.
Zhang Wuji was documenting their findings with scholarly enthusiasm, his notes capturing details about body refinement applications that could revolutionize cultivation theory. "Senior Wei, the integration possibilities between constitutional rebuilding and traditional spiritual cultivation suggest entirely new advancement pathways!"
Your research continues to justify keeping you alive, Wei Liang thought while sampling the restaurant's exotic cuisine. The Heavenly Dragon Restaurant catered to the Azure Dragon Realm's cultivation elite, its private dining rooms providing discrete meeting spaces for sensitive business.
Their peaceful meal was interrupted when a commotion erupted in the restaurant's main hall. A young man in elaborately embroidered robes was berating servers over some perceived inadequacy in service, his arrogant voice carrying the distinctive tones of entitled nobility.
"Incompetent dogs!" the young master declared, his aura pressing down on trembling staff members. "Do you not recognize the insignia of the Celestial Body Sect? I am Li Tianlong, heir to body refinement techniques that have dominated three realms! This insult demands blood compensation!"
Another entitled young master, Wei Liang observed with predatory interest. Celestial Body Sect suggests advanced constitutional rebuilding methods. Potentially valuable for both immediate consumption and reputation establishment.
Li Tianlong's cultivation showed the distinctive signatures of high-level body refinement enhanced by what appeared to be bloodline inheritance. His physical presence created pressure that affected the restaurant's atmospheric qi, suggesting capabilities that exceeded normal Soul Transformation levels.
Interesting target, Wei Liang concluded. His technique integration suggests access to multiple body refinement traditions. Consuming him could provide significant advancement in constitutional rebuilding understanding.
The situation escalated when other diners began expressing annoyance at the disruption. The Heavenly Dragon Restaurant's clientele included cultivators conducting discrete business that required peaceful environments.
"Young Master Li," an elderly cultivator said diplomatically, "perhaps the matter could be resolved more quietly? Many of us have sensitive transactions to complete."
Li Tianlong turned toward the speaker with obvious fury, his body refinement techniques causing his physical form to expand slightly as spiritual pressure increased. "You dare lecture the heir of Celestial Body techniques about proper behavior? My family's Divine Constitution methods have achieved legendary status! Show appropriate respect or face the consequences!"
Perfect provocation opportunity, Wei Liang realized, rising from his table with casual confidence. Public challenge from established body refinement nobility will provide excellent demonstration of my capabilities.
"Young Master Li's reputation for constitutional excellence precedes him," Wei Liang said politely, offering a respectful bow. "However, perhaps the restaurant's refined atmosphere deserves consideration? Such an elegant establishment reflects poorly on disturbances."
Li Tianlong's attention focused on Wei Liang with immediate hostility, his enhanced senses detecting late-stage Soul Transformation cultivation with unusual depth that made power assessment difficult.
"Another insect presuming to lecture his betters," Li Tianlong sneered, his body refinement techniques causing his skin to take on metallic luster. "Since you're so concerned with atmosphere, perhaps you'd prefer to discuss refinement outside where your blood won't stain the furniture?"
Exactly the response I expected, Wei Liang thought, his blood beginning to stir with anticipation. Young masters are remarkably predictable in their arrogance.
"Young Master Li's consideration for the establishment is admirable," Wei Liang replied smoothly. "However, I was hoping to finish my meal before any educational demonstrations began."
The casual dismissal sent Li Tianlong into predictable fury. His body refinement techniques activated fully, transforming his appearance into something that transcended normal human limitations. Skin became harder than spiritual metals, muscles expanded with power that could shatter mountains, height increased to match his enhanced capabilities.
Celestial Dragon Constitution—Divine Body Manifestation!
Li Tianlong's attack filled the restaurant's main hall with force that cracked reinforced jade construction, his technique creating physical pressure that would have reduced ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators to paste. The method was genuinely impressive, representing centuries of body refinement mastery enhanced by bloodline inheritance.
Wei Liang stood motionless in the center of the devastating assault, his robes unmarked by the intense physical pressure. When the attack concluded, he examined his chopsticks with mild concern.
"The constitutional technique was quite impressive," he commented conversationally. "However, the pressure seems to have cracked my chopsticks. Would Young Master Li mind providing replacements?"
The restaurant fell into stunned silence. Li Tianlong's Celestial Dragon Constitution was legendary for its destructive capability, yet this apparently ordinary customer had absorbed it without visible effect.
"Impossible," Li Tianlong whispered, his enhanced form trembling with shock. "My bloodline carries the mandate of celestial dragons! My techniques channel the power of divine beasts! How did you—"
"Simple explanation," Wei Liang interrupted, his predatory smile beginning to show. "Your constitution is indeed celestial. Unfortunately for you, I have consumed heaven itself."
Iron Blood Manual—Conceptual Consumption: Divine Constitution Integration!
The Heavenly Demon Blood Spear materialized as Wei Liang's absorption abilities activated, drawing Li Tianlong's body refinement techniques directly into his own cultivation base. The Celestial Body Sect's centuries of accumulated constitutional mastery began flowing like streams of liquid power into Wei Liang's growing collection.
Celestial Dragon Constitution... Divine Body Manifestation... Bloodline inheritance from divine beasts... all of it becoming part of my arsenal, Wei Liang thought with savage satisfaction as Li Tianlong's enhanced form began shrinking back to normal size.
"Who are you?" Li Tianlong gasped as his cultivation base was systematically stripped away. "What manner of demon possesses such abilities?"
"I am Death," Wei Liang replied simply, his spear now wreathed with absorbed constitutional energy. "And you are tonight's entertainment."
Li Tianlong's followers attempted to intervene, but their attacks were absorbed and redirected with contemptuous ease. Their body refinement techniques joined their young master's in Wei Liang's ever-expanding collection, each absorption providing new insights into constitutional rebuilding methodology.
Efficient harvesting, Wei Liang concluded as his victims crumbled to ash. The restaurant's wealthy clientele will spread word of my capabilities, making future negotiations considerably more... accommodating.
Through Li Tianlong's fading consciousness, Wei Liang absorbed valuable intelligence about the Celestial Body Sect's treasure vaults and advanced training facilities. More importantly, he learned about the Azure Dragon Realm's regional power structure and the locations of other high-value targets.
The Northern Glacier Region contains the Ice Body Palace, he realized from the absorbed memories. The Southern Desert holds the Fire Constitution Monastery. Eastern Forests hide the Wood Element Physique Clan, while Western Mountains house the Metal Body Fortress. Each region specializing in different constitutional rebuilding approaches.
As the chaos settled, Zhang Wuji emerged from beneath their overturned table, his scholarly robes singed but his determination intact. "Senior Wei," he said shakily, "your demonstration has likely attracted significant attention. The Azure Dragon Realm's major powers will hear of this incident."
Excellent, Wei Liang thought. Let them know Death has arrived in their realm. Fear makes conquest more efficient.
"Then we should visit each region before they can coordinate resistance," Wei Liang decided aloud. "The Ice Body Palace sounds particularly interesting for our research purposes."
As they departed the ruined restaurant, Wei Liang felt his cultivation base stabilizing from the latest absorption. Li Tianlong's Celestial Dragon Constitution had provided significant advancement in body refinement understanding, bringing him closer to the Seventy-Fourth Demonic Body.
Time to make the name Death echo across all five regions of the Azure Dragon Realm, he thought as they headed toward the Northern Glacier Region. Constitutional rebuilding masters will soon learn why physical transformation means nothing against conceptual consumption.